Plenty of Nothing

Dragon Ceiling, Butsuden

Source.

Put That in Your Pipe

A Victorian football-themed clay pipe. The reverse side has rugby. Source.

Morton visit Dunfermline.

Morton are riding a seven-game winless streak. This outsmells their five-game winless streak of the beginning of the season, and is the worst since they went nine games without a win January-March 2014, the year they were relegated.

Morton have to win today and next weekend if they are to have any chance of finishing in second place. They also need to win today to even up their season against Dunfermline. To date the Pars have two wins, Morton one.

What was Morton's best result against Dunfermline? 5 - 0, Feb 16, 1980, at Cappielow. What was Dunfermline's best result against Morton? 6 - 0, Feb 10, 1965, at East End Park.

Both the 3rd-place finisher and the 4th-place finisher have a 1/8 chance of earning promotion (though McBookie have Morton at 14 to 1.) What is the advantage of finishing 3rd then? The 3rd-place team gets the Saturday home gate. 2nd place gets a bye through to the playoff semi-final, doubling the chance of promotion.

Even though 10th-place Ayr are playing 1st-place Hibs, the Honest Men can't be relegated today because 8th-place Raith are playing 9th-place St Mirren and they can't both win. [St Mirren win 5 - 0.]

Dundee United host Dumbarton. [2 - 2] Falkirk are home to Queen of the South. [2 - 2]

[Dunfermline 3 - 1 Morton. Goal by Shankland. Morton can finish no better or worse than fourth place.]

Yesterday was the fiftieth anniversary of Third Lanark's final game.

1898-99. On April 26th, 1899, Morton hosted Abercorn in G&WofSFL action and beat them 9 - 2. Then, on April 29th, the Ton travelled to Underwood Park in Paisley to face St Mirren in front of 8,000 adherents in the final of the Renfrewshire Cup. The match ended 1 - 1, necessitating a replay.

Which other Championship club is most like Greenock Morton?

1) Any club that was founded in the 1870s gets a point. 2) Any club whose ground is bounded by railway tracks gets a point. 3) Any club that has won one major cup once gets a point. 4) Any club that has been to Europe only once gets a point. 5) Any club that has peaked at 2nd place in the second flight in this century gets a point. 6) Any club from a town best known for what they used to make there gets a point. 7) Any club whose ground has a view of the water gets a point. 8) The club whose stadium capacity is closest to Cappielow's gets a point. 9) Any club that has spent time this season in both the relegation zone and the promotion zone gets a point. 10) Any club that plays on grass gets a point. 11) Any club that does not play in an all-seater gets a point.

Ayr United             2) 5) 7) 10) 11)

Dumbarton           1) 3) 7) 10)

Dundee United     6) 10)

Dunfermline          6) 8) 9) 10)

Falkirk                   1) 2) 9)

Hibs                      1) 7)

QoS                      5) 11)

Raith                     2) 4) 5) 6) 7) 10) And they might yet earn a 9). [They do.]

St Mirren               1) 2) 4) 6) 10)

Conclusion: Raith Rovers are most like Greenock Morton.

Was getting on television good for Morton's scoreline?

Oct 22, 2016                Morton 0 - 2 Aberdeen       BT Sport

Dec 17, 2016               Morton 1 - 1 Hibs               BBC Alba

Jan 28, 2017                Ayr 1 - 4 Morton                BBC Alba

Feb 12, 2017               Rangers 2 - 1 Morton         Sky Sports

March 11, 2017            Morton 1 - 0 QoS              BBC Alba

March 18, 2017            Falkirk 0 - 1 Morton          BBC Alba

Three wins, one draw, two losses.

How did the Pars fare against Gretna?

They played one game. Gretna knocked the Pars out of the second round of the 2005-06 League Cup.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, they say. Since 1994, what have been the strongest showings by tenth-place clubs in the First Division/Championship?

2008-09        39 pts        Clyde

2006-07        37 pts        Ross County

2001-02        35 pts        Raith

1997-98        34 pts        Stirling Albion

2000-01        32 pts        Alloa

2011-12        32 pts        Queen of the South

Coming into today's action, Ayr have 33 pts.

Edusport Academy have won the South of Scotland League.

Forfar can win League Two today, and at the same time consign Cowdenbeath to tenth place and the pyramid playoffs. [1 - 1. Cowdenbeath are still alive, and Forfar slip to second behind Arbroath.]

Today it's the first leg of the first round of the pyramid playoffs: Buckie Thistle [2 - 2] East Kilbride

Round Five of the AFC Champions League group stage.

Group E: Ulsan Hyundai 0 - 4 Kashima Antlers

Group F: Urawa Red Diamends 6 - 1 Western Sydney Wanderers

Group G: Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale

Group H: Gamba Osaka 3 - 3 Adelaide United

Urawa advance to the Round of 16.

Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League:

2013        R16        lost to FC Seoul

2010        GS

2009        QF          lost to Nagoya Grampus

2007        QF          lost to Sepahan

OFC Champions League final, leg one: Auckland City [3 - 0] Team Wellington

Winterthur [3 - 2] Aarau

Tokyo Musashino City [0 - 0] ReinMeer Aomori

Honda Lock Soccer Club [0 - 3] Vanraure Hachinohe. Honda Lock wear red and black hoops.

[Vanraure continue in first place, undefeated in six. Aomori are fifth.]

Wednesday in SWFL Div 2 West action Morton visited Kilwinning and won 0 - 5. Morton are in first place.

League1 Ontario begins its 2017 schedule today, and goes till October 8th. The league winner will have a place in the 2018 Canadian Championship.

Tomorrow it's the Barcelona derby: RCD Espanyol [0 - 3] FC Barcelona.

By Opisso.

More Chinese Bobbleheads

Source.

Corner

Cultural Revolution, 1967

Young people are up for anything, especially if it involves demolishing the past.

Didier Kassaï

Lambiek Comiclopedia profile. Source.

Lanarkite

Lanarkite is a lead sulfate first discovered at Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland, midway between Ayr and Dumfries. Source.

97th Emperor's Cup, Round One

A detail from Supporto! Kisarazu Girls Supporter's Note by Takada Katsura.

This year I've switched over to referring to the current Emperor's Cup tournament by its ordinal number (97th) instead of by the year (2017). The 97回 is handy for spotting references to the tournament in blocks of Japanese text, if you're non-literate like me. The ordinal number is not used universally in Japan, though. Sometimes you run up against the regnal number, 平成２９ (Heisei 29), which, you have to admit, does have a place in the Emperor's Cup.

This year I'm following all the clubs from Hokkaido, Tohoku and Ibaraki, plus Shikoku which I haven't given a moment's thought up till now.

Match No. 2: Iwaki FC 8 - 2 Norbritz Hokkaido

Iwaki FC play in the top level of the Fukushima Prefecture league, effectively J7.

Norbritz play in the Hokkaido league (J5). This is their sixth trip to the Emperor's Cup. Their record:

94回        R1        Norbritz 1 - 2 Tonan Maebashi

89回        R1        Norbritz 0 - 4 Fukuoka University

86回        R1        Norbritz 1 - 2 Nippon Steel Sumikin Oita

77回        R1        Norbritz 0 - 3 Mito HollyHock

73回        R1        Norbritz 0 - 5 Tokyo Verdy

Match No. 3: Giravanz Kitakyushu (J3) [10 - 0] R.Velho Takamatsu

Match No. 6: FC Ryukyu (J3) [5 - 5] FC Imabari (JFL) [Imabari win on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 7: Verspah Oita (JFL) [2 - 1] Kōchi United SC

Match No. 9: Blaublitz Akita (J3) 1 - 2 Kokushikan University

Match No. 11: YSCC (J3) [1 - 2] University of Tsukuba*

Match No. 13: Grulla Morioka (J3) [2 - 0] Sony Sendai (JFL)

Match No. 15: Gifu Keizai University 1 - 3 Niigata University of Health and Welfare

Match No. 19: Tochigi Uva (JFL) 6 - 1 Parafrente Yonezawa

Parafrente play in the second tier of the Tohoku league (J6). They have been to the Emperor's Cup once before:

89回        R1        Parafrente 0 - 5 Ryutsu Keizai University

Match No. 20: Nara Club (JFL) 0 - 1 Vanraure Hachinohe (JFL)

Match No. 24: FC Tokushima Celeste 1 - 2 MD Nagasaki

Round Two goes June 21st.

*University of Tsukuba has a long history of involvement in the Emperor's Cup:

[97回        R1        YSCC Yokohama 1 - 2 University of Tsukuba

                R2        Vegalta Sendai 2 - 3 University of Tsukuba

                R3        University of Tsukuba 2 - 1 Avispa Fukuoka

                R4        University of Tsukuba 0 - 2 Omiya Ardija]

96回        R1        Consadole Sapporo 3 - 0 University of Tsukuba

94回        R1        University of Tsukuba 1 - 2 Sony Sendai

93回        R1        University of Tsukuba 4 - 1 Urayasu SC

                R2        Kashiwa Reysol 4 - 2 University of Tsukuba

92回        R1        University of Tsukuba 3 - 1 FC Ryukyu

                R2        Kashima Antlers 7 - 1 University of Tsukuba

91回        R1        University of Tsukuba 2 - 1 Heisei International University

                R2        Kashima Antlers 2 - 0 University of Tsukuba

87回        R2        University of Tsukuba 3 - 0 Tokushima Vortis Second

                R3        Sagan Tosu 1 - 0 University of Tsukuba

85回        R2        FC Primeiro 1 - 4 University of Tsukuba

                R3        Sagan Tosu 1 - 0 University of Tsukuba

83回        R1        University of Tsukuba 5 - 0 Matsusho Gakuen High School

                R2        Honda FC 2 - 1 University of Tsukuba

82回        R1        University of Tsukuba 1 - 3 Ventforet Kofu

80回        R1        University of Tsukuba 4 - 1 Tokai University

                R2        University of Tsukuba 1 - 1 Otsuka Pharmaceutical (Otsuka won on penalties.)

79回        R1        Ritsumeikan University 2 - 1 University of Tsukuba

78回        R1        Maebashi Scholarship High School 0 - 7 University of Tsukuba

                R2        Denso Corporation 1 - 3 University of Tsukuba

                R3        Kashima Antlers 3 - 1 University of Tsukuba

76回        R1        Teihens FC 0 - 4 University of Tsukuba

                R2        Fukushima FC 3 - 0 University of Tsukuba

75回        R1        Seino Transportation 0 - 2 University of Tsukuba

                R2        University of Tsukuba 0 - 4 Tokyo Verdy

70回        R1        Yamaha Motor Company 2 - 0 University of Tsukuba

69回        R1        Honda Motor Company 4 - 3 University of Tsukuba

68回        R1        University of Tsukuba 0 - 2 Nissan Motor Company

65回        R1        Nippon Steel Corporation 3 - 0 University of Tsukuba

64回        R1        Honda Motor Company 2 - 2 University of Tsukuba (Honda won on penalties.)

61回        R1        University of Tsukuba 6 - 0 YKK

                R2        Univerity of Tsukuba 3 - 1 Hitachi

                QF        Furukawa Electric Company 1 - 2 University of Tsukuba

                SF        University of Tsukuba 0 - 1 Nippon Steel Corporation

60回        R1        University of Tsukuba 0 - 1 Furukawa Electric Company

59回        R1        University of Tsukuba 3 - 1 Sapporo University

                R2        Fujita Industry 3 - 1 University of Tsukuba

Prior to 1973 University of Tsukuba was named Tokyo University of Education.

51回        R1        Hitachi 2 - 1 Tokyo University of Education

48回        R1        Yawata Steel Works 1 - 0 Tokyo University of Education

47回        R1        Tokyo University of Education 1 - 3 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

46回        R1        Yawata Steel Works 2 - 0 Tokyo University of Education

33回        R1        Tokyo University of Education 3 - 1 University of Yamanashi

                R2        Kwansei Gakuin University 2 - 1 Tokyo University of Education

32回        R1        Tokyo University of Education 6 - 0 韮葉 Club

                R2        Tokyo University of Education 1 - 2 Osaka Club

15回        R1        Tokyo University of Education 4 - 2 Hokkaido University

                SF       Tokyo University of Education 3 - 0 Kansai University

                F          Tokyo University of Education 1 - 6 Seoul

The University of Tsukuba uses a 3 - 5 - 3 paulownia as its emblem, just in case you forgot that they were founded by imperial order in 1872.

Camp Morton, Svalbard

Camp Morton, Svalbard, offers 24-hour sunlight and state of the art facilities for your summer training needs. Source.

Morton (4th) host Ayr United (10th).

The situation: if Morton lose all of their remaining games, and either Dunfermline or Queen of the South win all of theirs, Morton are out of the playoffs. But Dunfermline have not won three in a row all season, and QoS haven't since September. Morton are on their longest winless streak of the season, but their successes earlier on have left them in a position of strength. Usually at this time of year Morton are the ones clinging to a faint hope.

To reiterate: as soon as Dunfermline and Queen of the South lose or draw, they are out of the playoff hunt.

Ayr need a win to help them get out of the division basement.

Morton's last two home games have each drawn over 4,000 spectators.

Dundee United (3rd) host St Mirren (8th). This puts Morton and St Mirren supporters in the awkward position of wishing each other's team success.

What have been Ayr United's peak performances of the 21st Century?

Scottish Cup            semi-final    2001-02

League Cup             final            2001-02

League                    First Division, 2nd place    2000-01

Challenge Cup        semi-final    2007-08

What was Ayr United's record against Gretna?

Like Raith, Ayr only ever met Gretna in the 2005-06 Second Division. Gretna took three wins, but Ayr managed a draw.

How is Ayr United like Greenock Morton?

They are both in the west of Scotland. Ayr have never won the Scottish Cup, League Cup or Challenge Cup, against one, none and none for Morton. Somerset Park is quite similar to Cappielow though one of the ends is roofed.

[Morton 1 - 1 Ayr. Morton goal by Shankland. Dunfermline and QoS both lose, so Morton have made the playoffs. Match report. Falkirk and Dundee United both win, so it's very unlikely that Morton will finish in second place. Dunfermline and QoS book their places in next year's Championship, both of them simultaneously avoiding both relegation and promotion.]

It's also the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Celtic [2 - 0] Rangers

Hibs [2 - 3] Aberdeen

Has this set of four clubs met in the semi-finals before?

1979-80    Rangers vs Aberdeen; Celtic vs Hibs

When was the last time that the four Scottish Cup semi-finalists went on to be the top four finishers in the league?

1995-96    Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts

Was there ever a year when all four semi-finalists were from Glasgow?

1893-94    Rangers, Celtic, Queen's Park, Third Lanark

Four possible Scottish Cup finals can come from this weekend's semi-finals. How often have they occured before?

6 times            Celtic/Hibs

6 times            Celtic/Aberdeen

6 times            Rangers/Aberdeen

2 times            Rangers/Hibs

It's the second leg of the Scottish Junior Cup semifinals:

Bonnyrigg Rose [0 - 1] Glenafton Athletic

Auchinleck Talbot [1 - 0] Linlithgow Rose

Linlithgow Rose play at a 3,500-capacity park in a 19,000-person town with a medieval palace. Why haven't they made the move up to senior football? Discuss.

[Glenafton and Auchinleck advance to an all-Ayrshire cup final.]

1898-99. Today in 1899 Morton hosted Ayr Parkhouse and won 2 - 1. (Glasgow and West of Scotland Football League.) Today was also the final of the Scottish Cup. Celtic beat Rangers 2 - 0 at Hampden Park.

Since the establishment of four divisions in 1994, has any division had the same assortment of clubs more than one year?

Premier League/Premiership           Yes.*

First Division/Championship            No.

Second Division/League One          No.

Third Division/League Two              Yes.**

*Falkirk were denied promotion at the end of 2002-03, making Premier Division membership the same for both 2002-03 and 2003-04.

**Forfar, Montrose, Ross County, East Stirlingshire, Alloa, Inverness CT, Arbroath, Queen's Park, Cowdenbeath, and Albion Rovers made up the Third Division in both 1994-95 and 1996-97.

How many times has each club made the Premiership split?

17    Celtic

13    Rangers, Hearts

10    Aberdeen

 9     Dundee United, Motherwell

 7     Hibs

 6     St Johnstone

 5     Kilmarnock

 3     Dundee, Dunfermline, Inverness CT

 2     Ross County

 1     Livingston, Partick

When have Morton, Celtic, and East Stirlingshire played together in the one division?

1932-33.

What was the last time Morton finished in each position in the table?

1     2014-15    (League One)

2     2012-13    (First Division)

3     2004-05    (Second Division)

4     2003-04    (Second Division)

5     2015-16    (Championship)

6     2008-09    (First Division)

7     2010-11    (First Division)

8     2011-12    (First Division)

9     2000-01    (First Division)

10   2013-14    (Championship)

11   1993-94    (Division One)

12   1987-88    (Premier Division)

13   1971-72    (First Division)

14    1973-74    (First Division)

15    1951-52    (Division A)

16    1930-31    (Division One)

17    1974-75    (First Division)

18    1929-30    (Division One)

19    1960-61    (Second Division)

20    1937-38    (Division One)

21    never

22    never

The Lowland League wraps up today. How did the two university teams fare against each other?

Oct 8, 2016                Stirling U 1 - 0 Edinburgh U

Jan 10, 2017              Edinburgh U 1 - 3 Stirling U

The Highland League also finishes today. [Buckie Thistle beat Strathspey Thistle 9 - 0 to win the league. Buckie will face East Kilbride in the pyramid playoff. Strathspey Thistle finish in 18th place.]

Copa Libertadores, Group B:

Sporting Cristal 0 - 0 The Strongest

Santa Fe 0 - 0 Santos

Swiss Challenge League: Servette [2 - 3] Winterthur

SWFL Division 2 West tomorrow: Westerlands B versus Morton [postponed]

Europa League quarter-finals, second leg:

Genk 1 - 1 Celta Vigo

Celta Vigo advance.

The Lord Lyon has been on the back of Ayr United about their pseudo-heraldic badge, so they replaced it this week with a round one. Source.

Martha Cartmell

Cartmell and students. Source.

Canada and Japan did not begin to exchange diplomats until 1929, and you could argue that it was years after that before the Canadian state had as much lasting influence on Japan as a handful of 19th-century Canadian missionaries had. Martha Cartmell was sent out to Japan in 1882 from Centenary Methodist Church in Hamilton, Ontario. Two years later she founded Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin, a school for girls. By 1989 it had developed into Toyo Eiwa Women's University. This is the university's logo: