Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-For me football and cricket are equally enjoyable sports to watch and I wonder if the time has come for a bit of a switch from one to the other.
Maybe the Czech Republic should not have had a penalty in the 90th minute at Hampden on Saturday; maybe Scotland should have had one in extra time.
The manager, players and everyone who supports Scotland are livid over the sequence of events. A seemingly certain win suddenly became a worrying draw.
This is where, to my mind, cricket comes into the equation.
In the bat and ball sport, there is a third umpire and an appeal formula whereby a team captain can ask this official to rule on a contentious umpiring decision.
The third umpire is off the field in a room where he has the television equipment to study every angle of every disputed decision. Within a couple of minutes at most he delivers his verdict, which is final and irreversible.
To stop abuse of the system, only two such appeals are allowed per team per innings. Adapt this to football and the team manager and team captain could jointly make an appeal twice in a game.
A second referee could study the multi-camera angles of dispute and deliver a final and binding decision.
The hold-up awaiting that decision would take no longer than players at present do by prolonged crowding and moaning at the on-field referee.
Oh, and while we are at it, it is beyond doubt that if the Czech Republic had appealed to a second referee over Charlie Adams’ tackle on Milan Baros early in the game, they would have been awarded a penalty and Adams would have been lucky to escape a red card.
Ian Wheeler, Springfield.
All infantrymen are highly trained
Sir,-I would like to say in reply to Victor Herd’s letter (September 3), my reference to the Airborne Division was not written with malice.
I was merely stating a fact that a vast amount of money could be saved by simply removing the airborne capability of this division, which will most likely never jump en masse operationally again.
The cost in training, parachutes, aircraft and fuel, plus all the relevant maintenance, must put a big dent in the defence budget.
Special forces are the only people who need to retain this as a “means of entry”. Nobody wants to see the British Army cut any more but even Victor Herd must see that there is no need for an Airborne Division.
They now form part of the air assault brigade along with the likes of the Guards, Royal Highland Fusiliers, etc., all non-para trained, and delivered to the battle area by chopper not parachutes.
Mr Herd said that “once on the ground these men are highly trained infantry” but so is every infantryman in the army today which still, in my opinion, makes them the best army in the world although probably the smallest.
Colin Denovan.Pitairlie Road,Dundee.
Scots endorsed referendum
Sir,-I consider your editorial (September 2) regarding Danny Alexander and the CBI’s recent comments on an independence referendum to be disingenuous at best.
Unless, that is, you are perhaps suggesting that a democratic ballot should not be held at all because of the current global financial situation?
I would remind The Courier that a democratic ballot was held during the current financial uncertainty (May 2011). The Scottish people overwhelmingly endorsed holding this referendum. No uncertainty in that position.
It is a bit rich, then, for Danny Alexander, himself elected in a democratic ballot during the current financial uncertainty (May 2010), to set his face against the Scottish people’s wish.
We remember well the result his party achieved in the Scottish elections.
When another Liberal Democrat, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, recently urged “serious figures” to come forward and join the debate, he was correct to do so, not least because there is no such figure currently resident within the ranks of the Liberal Democrats.
Finally, I would respectfully suggest Murdo “kill nationalism” Fraser, of the Tories, takes note.
Kevin Cordell.2 Nevis Place,Broughty Ferry.
Set volunteers to build tramways
Sir,-Edinburgh Council has made a grudging decision to build the trams to St Andrew Square, but that does not go far enough.
Having suffered so much disruption, the people of Leith are entitled to see the whole scheme built.
Serious consideration should now be given to using voluntary labour.
After all, many miles of so called “preserved” railways (not to mention the Crich Tramway Museum) have had their lines laid or re-laid by volunteers and Leith Walk could soon resound to hordes of tram enthusiasts clinking away with picks and shovels.
Community councils in Leith have among their members many skilled people, including retired civil engineers, who I feel sure would be happy to contribute. It could also be an opportunity for people subject to community service orders to assist their community.
Judging from the previous progress, if a start were to be made before Christmas, the St Andrew Square to Leith section could be in service before the portion running to the airport.
John Eoin Douglas.7 Spey Terrace,Edinburgh.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.