Sensational. That is the only word that can describe what I witnessed at Hampden Park on the 10th April 2010. For a team like Ross County, whom I have followed all my life, to be in the Semi-Finals of a national competition was unbelieveable in itself. To be playing a team of the stature of Celtic in the Semis was also an unimaginable dream only 16 years ago when my Grandad took me to a match at home to Arbroath in the Third Division, my first ever match, and one of our very first matches after being admitted to the Scottish Leagues from the Highland League. On that day, im sure if you asked all the fans whom attended if you think we will be in the Scottish Cup Final one day, they would have said not a hope. Yet we are. On the 15th May, we will play Dundee United for the chance to win the Scottish Cup, and also a chance to gain entry into the UEFA Europa League.

Dreams do come true. . .

Although I now live in Fife, I still follow the Staggies, going to away games when possible, as well as the odd trip to Dingwall to see my family and a home game! And of all the games I have seen, it is clear that this season’s team is the best I have seen since my first match in 1994. We have a hunger, a drive, a togetherness that I have never seen from us before. We play for each other, as a team, and not as 11 individuals. We also have a team of quality, from Mike McGovern in goals to Michael Gardyne up front. I’m just thankful that we have them all signed up on 2 year contracts, as there is no doubt other clubs will be interested in our players over the off season.

Ross County fans are living a dream, and for us to be in with a chance of going to Europe is just astounding. And we are not just living a dream like Leeds United did, and went into administration as a result. We are a club on a very tight budget, with no player on more than £400 a week, and all players earning the same level. This compared to the £65,000 a week Celtic are paying Robbie Keane, that shows you what an achievement it is for County to be where we are today. There is not doubt that we are down in history as one of the smallest teams, if not the smallest, to ever reach the Cup Final. Lets go one better and bring the trophy home to Dingwall!

MON THE STAGGIES!!

Ever since I started watching The West Wing some 4 years ago, it has remained in my eyes as THE most outstanding TV series ever made. Since its ending in 2006, I have been in pursuit to find another show as good. I watch a lot of TV, including House, How I Met Your Mother, The Mentalist, Dexter, 24, Bones, Grey’s Anatomy, and even though these shows continue to have outstanding storylines, one show in particular stood out for me that shared the writing brilliance of Aaron Sorkin, captivating it’s audience in emotional, relatable, and laughable episodes that depict what TV is all about.

Boston Legal centers around a law firm, Crane Pool and Schmidt, and it was created by David E Kelley. At the root of the show is the relationship of William Shatner’s and James Spader’s characters Denny Crane and Alan Shore (pictured right). Their conflicting Liberal and Republican views, uncanny ability to attract woman, regular sleepovers and road trips made light of the deeply meaningful issues the show often highlighted including; political, religious, human rights, corporate rights, freedom of speech, death penalty. Boston Legal raises these issues that are currently all around us, issues that some of us can relate too, and depicts them in an emotive yet humorous manner, hooking us into a debate on the morals of society. Whilst it remains a court-room drama central to its theme, at it’s very core remains it’s underlying theme of friendship, of a person’s love, loyalty and devotion to another, and it is this that makes me want to see more.

Personally I never thought I would ever find a program on the same scale as The West Wing, but the creators of Boston Legal proved me wrong. This show is everything good about TV, it makes me laugh and cry at the same time whilst introducing issues that make you think about your own personal morals. This show is a must for any TV lover!