Rumours are continuing to circulate that Theodore Whitmore could be on his way to Nottingham Forest, with some reports suggesting that the First Division club are lining up a £1m bid for the Jamaican international. It is not the first time Tappa has been linked with a move to the higher echelons of the Football League, Derby and Coventry have supposedly shown  interest and had scouts watching him at Boothferry Park. However, Brian Little has said in the past that no firm bids have been received, and it appears our top-scorer is going nowhere fast. Meanwhile, the dates for Jamaica’s World Cup qualifiers in 2001 have been announced. The Reggae Boyz have games on February 13/14th, March 24/28th and April 24/25th. This means Whitmore and compatriot Ian Goodison could miss the games with Leyton Orient (home, 10/2), Southend (away, 24/3), and Darlington (away, 21/4). The pair have been called up for Jamaica’s away game with El Salvador on Wednesday 15th November, but will not be missing Chesterfield away, as their flight to Kingston is not until Sunday. It is unlikely they will be risked against Kettering on the 18th though as they will not arrive back in England until Friday 17th.

Tappa has not trained this week due to an aggravated hamstring, but will be fit for the trip to the league leaders on Saturday. On the injury front, captain Justin Whittle is returning to fitness after damaging ligaments in his knee at Exeter three weeks ago. He has begun light training, but is unlikely to play for another fortnight or so, with the home game against Carlisle on the 25th the likely target. Meanwhile, Darlington boss Gary Bennett has refuted claims he is after out-of-favour striker Jason Harris. He has not figured in Brian Little’s plans this season, but the Quakers boss is not interested, despite the injury problems currently plaguing his side.

Tigers fans will be able to express their views and concerns about the new stadium at a forthcoming public meeting with project co-ordinator John Topliss. The meeting, organised jointly by the City Independent, the Tiger’s Co-Op and Amber Nectar, is scheduled for Thursday 9th November at the Circle Sports Club. Admission is free and the meeting kicks off at 7pm.

Clint Marcelle has signed another deal with City, extending his stay at Boothferry Park for another month. The Trinidadian has made thirteen appearances since joining the Tigers at the start of September, scoring two goals, one at Barnet (well, he’s claiming it but it looked like an OG) and one at Halifax. He has also made a few for others including Theo Whitmore’s fifth strike of the season against Darlington on Saturday. Though clearly not the answer to our goalscoring worries, Marcelle has added an extra dimension to our attack and has forged a good understanding with Whitmore. Some reports claim the board are reluctant to offer Marcelle a permanent deal in case he ‘gets lazy’, and prefer instead to hold the carrot of monthly extensions before the former Barnsley striker.

Gary Bradshaw was shown the red card after just 25 minutes in yesterdays reserve game at Hartlepool. The youngster was booked twice in quick succession for failing to retreat 10 yards for a Gibbon Garrotters free kick. The stiffs were 2-1 down by this point, Craig Midgley netted twice for Pool on 15 and 20 minutes before Jamie Wood reduced the deficit a minute later with a penalty after Knowles fouled in the box. The scores were levelled early in the second half when Wood intercepted a back pass before beating ‘keeper Chris Porter to grab his brace. City then took the lead thanks to Jason Harris who put away a rebound after Ben Morley struck the post. The Baboon Bludgeoners equalised with three minutes remaining, Boyd slotting past Lee Bracey after racing on to a through ball.

Final score: Hartlepool Reserves 3 Hull City Reserves 3

The Council has announced changes to both the scale and costs of proposed new stadium at the Circle. The capacity of the new ground, originally set at 30,000 with the option to expand to 40,000, has been cut to a fixed 25,000, with the extension option seemingly rescinded. Egg chasing fans will no doubt see this as a victory, as Hull FC fans, knowing that not even their obese frames could make a large ground look full, had been lobbying for a reduction in the capacity. This, however, is not the case.

The reduction is due to Sport England and the National Lottery saying they would hand out grants for a smaller stadium, but not a venture as grandiose as originally planned. Despite the reduction in capacity, the Council claim the project will cost far more than the initial estimate of £36 Million, probably amounting to £43 Million, perhaps even rising to £53 Million depending on the cost of structures peripheral to the stadium. The Council recently purchased the Bullyvard from GatesHull for £750,000, easing FC’s financial worries and confirming the egg-fondlers commitment to the project. City’s board on the other hand still have their hands up their arses and have failed to either commit to or decide against the move, this ultimately puts the stadium’s construction in doubt as it will not go ahead without City on board.

Rumours suggest the Council are in negotiations with David Lloyd to buy Boothferry Park, time will tell if there is any truth in that story. Tigers fans will be able to express their views and concerns at a forthcoming public meeting with project coordinator John Topliss. The meeting, organised jointly by the City Independent, the Tiger’s Co-Op and Amber Nectar, is scheduled for Thursday 9th November at the Circle Sports Club. Admission is free and the meeting kicks off at 7pm.

Seven Hull City fans have appeared before magistrates in York after being arrested for public order offences on Saturday. Six were apprehended before the game for drunken behaviour and one inside the ground for an alleged coin throwing incident. Overall the game went by trouble free, and seven people being arrested out of over 2500 travelling fans is hardly evidence of the rampage some were expecting. Some York pubs were deemed off limits to City fans after an incident last season when the Hole In The Wall pub was damaged. Arrests for drunkenness are not uncommon and take place week in week out at matches across the land, far more worrying are reports of some neanderthal hurling coins at players and officials during the game. This is not on, and the fact that referee Roger Furnandiz has mentioned this in his report means City could be in a spot of bother with the FA

We witnessed an incident in the Kempton during the Southend game when a woman saw fit to go rifling through her bag for a missile to hurl at the linesman, which upon finding a suitable item, she did. Presumably, these idiots are unaware of the potential repercussions of such actions. The FA’s powers are considerable in punishing clubs for offences like these, such as imposing fines and the temporary closure of stands, depending on the severity of the incident. Do these halfwits really want that? If so, they should re-evaluate their standing as a supporter of the club.