MATCHES
There's something on in Japan and South Korea called The World Cup so if you are totally bored you could always give in and watch England getting hammered. To make it more exciting have a sweepstake on how many times 1966 is mentioned, even in games not including England, and guess how long it will be in each game until it's mentioned. Within 5 minutes of the world cup final in 1998 it was mentioned.
Of course, you could go to some games as well. This Friday, 31st May, sees Elderslie take on Abbey United in the CIBA Geigy Cup final. Kick off is at 6.45pm, the game is at Viewfield Park in Lochwinnoch, and its about a quid to get in. There are also two friendlies at Love Street, with Norwich visiting on the 13th of July and Morton coming along on the 27th. Kick off for both is 3pm (I think!).
PREDICTIONS GAMES
To tie in with the world cup there are several predictions games you can take part in. Here are the three I'm taking part in, though I'm sure there are loads more.
Bizibee has a world cup version of its highly successful domestic prediction game, as I mentioned in a news story a few days ago. Already 8 people, including me, are in the mini league I set up and to join is very simple. When asked on the registration form if you want to create your own league, select no. Then select you want to join an existing league. When asked for the name of it, enter Stu's League and you're all set. The game involves predicting group winners, results, first scorers and more. Also some good prizes to be won.
Paisley Buds also has a world cup prediction game and has an absolutely brilliant prize. All you have to do is predict the scores of each world cup game, and who will score first in each one. If you are the lucky winner, you will get a signed copy of Saints 1987 Scottish cup record “Oh When the Saints” plus a signed football. An opportunity you can't afford to miss.
The UK Prediction League is the other predictions game I've joined. Once you've registered etc click mini leagues. Find the one called Fancy Dans and when asked for the password enter scummyfalkirk (I didn't choose it!). No prizes for this one but still a good game none the less, where you predict all the scores of the games.
Before I get moaned at, and I know I said three, there's a FootyMad prediction league. Don't know the URL, don't care either as the prizes are England DVD's. Probably worth a few bob if you know someone English or sell them on eBay.
FANTASY FOOTBALL
There's a few world cup fantasy football competitions as well. This time I'll tell you about the 4 I'm doing but if you know of anymore 9for free) then drop a line to stu@stmirrenfc.net
The BBC don't have a Fantasy World Cup, but a Fantasy Gold Boot. You pick the 7 strikers you think will be scoring the most goals, and set out the weighting accordingly. If a player's team is knocked out, you can change the strikers, and I think you can change them at other times as well.
Can You Kick It have a Fantasy World Cup based along the lines of their English Premiership one from last season. Pick your 11 players, then click My Leagues. Enter stu@stmirrenfc.net_57883 (it's not en a-mail address) into the empty box and you are part of yet another mini league.
Fantasy Soccer is a pretty simple one. Register, then pick 16 players, only one from each country. You can do transfers at any point, but players only score points from when you pick them. Top prize is a holiday to Australia with spending money!
Snowchicken (quality name) has a good Fantasy World Cup. Just pick your 11 players within your budget then sit back and watch the points rack up.
SMISA
We all know about the financial troubles at Love Street so here are a few ways you can help increase the SMISA funds.
Bet365 seems to have been a huge success for them. Whenever someone registers and makes a £5 bet, SMISA get £28! It seems a strange affiliate deal to say the least and SMISA's first check from them totalled £1200!
Signings Direct also sponsor the SMISA site. If you go to their website you can buy genuine autographs from the likes of Ronaldo and Zidane but amazingly, not Mark Yardley! While it's a joke Yards autograph isn't there, you can bid for the signatures of the people who, one day, hope to follow in his footsteps.
The Official Site has details of a Saints mobile phone offer. All the money raised from this goes directly to the club, so if your mobile contact expires soon its well worth a look.
Cashsurfers is one of the many Pay to Surf schemes on the net. I'm currently using it and any money I raise (which won't be much) will go directly to SMISA to use as it wishes. Worth other people signing up for the same purpose too.