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UPDATE: Sunday 23rd December 2007

As the end nears on a varied (and expensive) year in the life of a Scotland fan, with good victories in Vienna, Toftir and Paris book-ended by 2-0 defeats in Bari and Tbilisi, we can look back on our successful climb up the rankings and our reward of a manageble qualifying group for 2010.

This update sees over three hundred Georgia photos online, along with my own look back at the highlights of the year. Another installment of our popular Look-alikes makes it online with no less than thirteen new likenesses, and topping it all off is a trio of German Christmas Market galleries (there's three football games lurking in there as well).

I'm aware we're lagging behind a wee bit on the diary front, but the lack of planned games (and manager) should provide the necessary lull for me to rediscover my creative flow and put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) once more. For now, have a great Christmas and good Hogmanay, and see you next year!

And remember, we'll always have Paris...

Merry Christmas, Paul

NEW: Georgia Gallery

Bit of a big one, this! 12 gallery pages with no less than 335 photos from the Tbilisi trip ...more

NEW: Look-alikes #16

Hot on the heels of last month's Look-alikes gallery, here's the next installment featuring 13 more victims ...more

NEW: Highlights of 2007

If there's a man you can count on for a good list, it's our web-daddy Paul. Here's the obsessive-compulsive's run-down of 2007's highlights, from the best beers to the best games ...more

NEW: Christmas Market Galleries

Two long weekends in Germany, and three galleries of photos, if anyone's interested... Weekend #1 in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, plus Paul and Helen's photos of Weekend #2 in Dortmund and Düsseldorf.


UPDATE: Monday 26th November 2007

It wasn't to be for Euro 2008, but as Big Eck himself said, it's not about "glorious failure"; the campaign was a success and moved us up two qualifying pots. And it was out of the second seeding pot that we've been drawn for WC2010 qualifying.

In this update, we bring you the gallery from the emotional roller-coaster that was the Italy home game, plus a handful of new quotes. On the comedy front, the fifteenth installment of the Look-alikes Gallery is now ready to be revealed to an expectant public, with the promise of more to come. Finally, we have confirmation of the World Cup Draw, but no travel information as yet.

Next month will see the Georgia gallery (over 300 photos, hence the delay!), some initial travel info for the WC2010 opponents plus Look-alikes #16 (seriously, it's waiting in the wings!). Until then, good luck with the Christmas shopping and the inevitable parties!

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Italy Home Gallery

Forty-eight photos from the so-near-yet-so-far game against Italy, including many of the ovation at the end of the game ...more

NEW: Look-alikes #15

Back by popular demand, after a wait of nine months, it's Number 15 in the series of NATA Look-alike galleries ...more

UPDATED: Quotes

Just three new quotes from the Italy game, but plenty were added last month following the Georgia trip ...more

NEW: World Cup Qualfying Draw

We've been drawn in Group 9 with Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and Macedonia standing between us and South Africa. More info to come soon, but the (empty) dates are on the Travel page ...more


MINI-UPDATE: Tuesday 30th October 2007

Due to a little something called "MiFID" (it's an EU Directive about easing cross-border investment business, and related to what I do for a living...), not to mention a week in Georgia, I've been a bit on the busy side of late.

So, in effort to maintain the run of monthly updates stretching back 34 consecutive months (to November 2004), we can bring you the latest quote instalment, plus over 100 photos from the storming 3-1 home win against Ukraine.

There's a whole shed-load of stuff we will (eventually...) be putting online, including questionnaires, look-alikes galore, some more travel info plus the obvious omissions (Georgia photos, diary accounts stretching back to the Faroes), it's just a case of finding time. Helen does have to apply for a passport in her new name shortly, so that will one silver lining on a cloudy, travel-free month.

Anyway, for now, enjoy the anticipation of the forthcoming make-or-break clash with Italy and keep the faith!

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Ukraine Home Gallery

118 photos from the recent 3-1 win against the WC quarter finalists, although I have to admit that 50 of them are from inside Hampden ...more

UPDATED: Quotes

Fourteen new quotes, including two late entries from Paris, as well as loads from Georgia and a couple from Glasgow ...more


EDITORIAL: Sunday 30th September 2007

Three games to go and we're sitting on top of the table! Hard to believe, but we've still got a long way to go, with home matches against two of the World Cup quarter-finalists and a tricky away trip to the very edge of Europe. Still, it can be done...

This update is one of the those bumper photo ones, with galleries from both games in the recent double-header, plus some holiday snaps from Magdeburg (check out the mental pink Hundertwasserhaus building!). We've also added a lighter than normal load to the quotes page - I think everyone must have been so stunned to come out with the normal level of wit.

Looking to the future, we'll be back in late October with photos from the next round of games and hopefully getting the diary accounts back on track (given both France and the Faroes were flying visits, they really shouldn't take too long to write...). For now, take care, enjoy our rareified position as kings of the castle, and KEEP THE FAITH!

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Paris Gallery

A treasure trove of photos from a truly memorable match in Paris. Remember, if we beat France again we get to keep them! ...more

NEW: Lithuania Home Gallery

And let's not forget the sterling performance at home to the Lithuanians a few days before, with what we all thought at the time was McFadden's best goal for Scotland ...more

UPDATED: Quotes

Not the most fruitful double-header for quotes, there are nonetheless seven new gems for you delectation ...more

NEW: Magdeburg Photos

And finally, still giddy from Paris, Helen and Paul flew to Dresden the Friday after to take in Fortuna's defeat to FC Magdeburg ...more

 


EDITORIAL: Friday 31st August 2007

W.H. Davies may have been stretched for time to stand and stare, and Mr Kipling may have made exceedingly good cakes, but here at NATA Towers it's the website we struggle to squeeze in to our hectic schedule.

Nonetheless, we've yet again kept up our run of monthly updates (that's now 33 consecutive months we've somehow chalked up, since November 2004). It may not be big, it may not be clever, but at least it's here...

On the Tartan Army front, we can bring you a concise diary account of the trip to Vienna, as well as a look back at some previous experiences of next month's away game venue, Paris. Travel-wise, there's a whole host of new pubs added to our Berlin guide, and finally, one of our "sister" websites has been updated (giving a clue as why the webmaster hasn't been around at weekends to do his job on here properly, perhaps!).

Anyways, September brings a crucial double-header at home to Lithuania and away to France, and after the next round of results, we should have a much clearer picture as to whether we'll be going back to Austria next summer.

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Vienna Diary

Shorter and sweeter (but with no added sugar!), here's the diary from Vienna. It means nothing to me... more.

UPDATED: Berlin Guide

Three trips to Belin in the past 5 months have turned up no less than 8 excellent pubs added to our mini-guide... Prost!

UPDATED: F95.co.uk

Paul's fledgling Fortuna Düsseldorf fan-site continues to grow, with pictures from the first three away games (all 1-0 wins!) now online, if anyone likes that kind of thing... more.

Going to France?

Here's a few wee nuggets to get you in the mood, from past NATA trips to the city of rudeness and slow service...

 


EDITORIAL: Friday 27th July 2007

Another picture special this month, I'm afraid! But there's some good ones - a full gallery from the Faroes courtesy of Ally and Susan, including some stunning scenery (if you like that kind of thing...)

The Loony Alba boat trip was a roaring success, and with plenty of help from Bruce and Chris Houston, nearly 100 photos ended up on the NATA camera, including some weird and wonderful effects courtesy of Chris.

Finally, completing the picture round-up, snaps of Helen and my trips to Amsterdam and Stockholm make up the rest of this update, along with some tweaks to the Stockholm guide to explain where to find cheaper pear cider!

We can but hope to bring you a new diary update in August, along with a new Lookalikes gallery, a look back at previous French adventures (ahead of September's qualifier) and anything else that occurs to us in the meantime. Until then, enjoy the anticipation that comes with the start of a new football season...

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Ally's Faroes Gallery

One man's poison is another's passion and all that. Whilst Paul spent just a day in the Faroes, Ally and Susan spent a week, and have 179 photos to show for their endeavours ...more

NEW: Loony Alba Boat Trip

The owl and the pussycat may have gone to sea, but for Loony Alba's Tartan Navy, they've simply gone to seed. Almost 100 photos from July's riverboat swally ...more

NEW: Stockholm Photos & updated Guide

Paul and Helen's second summer jaunt to Stockholm brought more fantastic weather and the first competitive football of the new season (Hammarby v Cork City in the Intertoto Cup). The pics are on Paul's own site, and the guide has been updated too.

NEW: Amsterdam Gallery

And finally, some pictures of another summer trip (to Amsterdam) are also on Paul's own site. I know this can come across as a little "what I did on my summer holidays...", but if someone else wants to try their hand at writing some material ...more

 


EDITORIAL: Wednesday 13th June 2007

Well, yesterday was a landmark for NATA, with a birthday meaning 90% of the membership are now over the age of 30 (and the youngest seemingly having hung up his kilt for now!). We're not letting age slow us down though, oh no...

The recent double header brought two wins, three goals and none conceded, and bizarrely, a drop in the all-but-meaningless FIFA rankings!? The win in Toftir may have excorcised some ghosts, but in qualification terms, it's only allowed us to keep pace as the top teams keep winning according to form. Nonetheless, the more points we can get now, the better chance we stand of jumping pots for the WC2010 draw in November.

This update brings Austria and Faroes galleries, a (short) Bari diary and 17 spanking new quotes from Vienna, with the promise of more to come from the Faroes in our next update. And that's not to mention Ally's Faroes Gallery and a new set of Lookalikes, which should be in our next update in the next 2-3 weeks. Until then, enjoy the summer...

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Faroes Gallery

Only a day-trip, but still 90 photos in the NATA Gallery (plus a shed load more in Bruce's own collection) ...more

NEW: Austria Gallery

And a whole load more pictures from the Vienna friendly, bookended by weekends in Germany - 170 to be precise ...more

NEW: Bari Diary

Not much longer than a day trip for Bari either, but at least that means for a shorter diary account! A tale of red wine, pizza and passports ...more

UPDATED: Quotes Page

The Austria and Faroes trips yet again proved to be a fertile bedding for quotes - the first part (17 quotes from Vienna) is now online ...more


EDITORIAL: Sunday 20th May 2007

After a stop-gap update in April, normal service is now resumed! Ally's excellent Bari photo gallery makes up for the whirlwind stop by Paul and Helen (the equally concise diary account should be available come June's website update!), and also on the photo-front are some snaps from Paul and Helen's wedding.

On the travel side, we've finally updated the Glasgow Pub Guide, despite there not being a home match until September, as well as bringing a first look at the new Wembley, with a comprehensive travel guide/diary account based on the FA Trophy Final, plus over 200 photos (especially for those of you who like looking at car park photos!).

Still on the travel front, we've got links to the historic Austria and Faroes info, including the diary accounts and photo galleries. For anyone still umming and ahhing, I can really recommend Vienna as one of Europe's truly great cities, with lots to and see (and drink, of course!). Did you know that it has more vineyards than any other European city... ?

Expect a new update in June, following the double-header away trip. As well as photos from both games (or from Glasgow Airport if the Faroes flight is fogbound!) and the long-awaited Italy diary, you can also expect James' questionnaire and maybe even some new look-alikes. Until then, whether you're heading to the games, watching on the telly or following on the web, hope you enjoy them and we get the results befitting the 14th best team in the world...

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Ally's Italy Gallery

With Paul's photographic opportunities hamstrung by his short visit (less than 20 hours in central Bari), it's fallen to Ally to come up with a more comprehensive record of the recent defeat to Italy ...more

UPDATED: Glasgow Pubs

It's been due an update for a wee while, and although there's no home games for another few months, the Glasgow Pub Guide has now had an overhaul with a few new pubs added and a few closed ones removed ...more

NEW: Paul & Helen's Wedding

The day before the Georgia home match (not a coincidence) saw NATA stalwarts Paul and Helen tie the knot in a small ceremony after a 10 year courtship ...more

NEW: Wembley Guide

Thanks to ScottK, Paul and Helen managed to get along to the first competitive game at the new Wembley - Kidderminster against Stevenage in the FA Trophy. A travel guide and some photos are the net result ...more


SEMI-UPDATE: Sunday 29th April 2007

Unfortunately, a combination of lack of spare time, writer's block, tiredness and a minor software failure have conspired to ensure that there is no proper NATA Online update this month. Rather than leave the website sitting dormant (remember, only 8 months since January 2001 have gone by without at least a minor update!), I've turned my attention to the upcoming double header...

Late May sees a friendly visit to Vienna - a game that would ordinarily attract a few hundred travelling Tartan Army footsoldiers. However, couple this with our fourth visit to the North Altantic outpost of Toftir in the Faroe Islands in the last 12 years, and you can start to see why this trip is attracting more interest than usual. From my own perspective, I'm over the moon, as Vienna is one of my truly favourite cities and can offer a whole host of things to do and see - some of which are covered in the NATA Guide. The Faroes? Well that offers distinctly less possibilities...

Cheers, Paul

Going to Austria?

Looking towards next month's friendly in Vienna, we can bring you a Vienna Guide along with a diary account and photos of the Mattersburg B game (for which we stayed in Vienna). And we've even a guide to Bratislava if you're going that way...

How about The Faroes?

If you're braving the rocky North Atlantic wilds to see Scotland play at the top of a mountain (seriously!), then forewarned is definitely forearmed! Here's our guide, plus 2002's diary and gallery. Happy reading...

NEW: F95.co.uk website

Not all of Paul's websites have stalled - here's his Fortuna Düsseldorf fan site, in case anyone is interested in the adventures of a Third Division North game ...more


EDITORIAL: Saturday 31st March 2007

Well, talk about the skin of our teeth!? You think I'm talking about Craig Beattie's shinned winner last week against Georgia? No - I'm talking about my pledge to keep this site refreshed with monthly updates...

Anyway, here we are, and it's a photo special for this photo finish: three Scotland galleries, plus a host of Fortuna photos for anyone who's interested. The Italy Gallery may seem a little more sparse than usual, but then a shorter trip does make for fewer photo opportunities. On the other hand, the Georgia game may have been on the shortest day of the year (with the clock's moving), but a bumper NATA crowd were in attendance.

As well as the usual quotes that inevitably spill over the sides of the frothing pint glass that is a Scotland double-header, we also take a step back to the future with a return to the "Meet NATA" questionnaires we last had back in 2001-02. Although there's been much beer under the bridge for all of us since then, we're starting with someone who hadn't previously filled one in, hence you being treated to Bruce's fresh, and slightly askew, perspective on matters.

April should bring another update with an Italy diary account (again, a short trip means a short diary account!), some travel info and hopefully some more photos.

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Italy Gallery

Is this the fastest ever photo gallery on NATA? Possibly, but when you're in Bari for around 20 hours, there's less photos to worry about! ...more

NEW: Meet Bruce

Resurrecting a very old tradition, here's NATA's own hot-pants wearing Oliver Hardy impersonator Bruce Cairns on what makes him tick ...more

UPDATED: Quotes

No less than nineteen new gems, including 13 from the recent double header, now grace the Quotes page ...more

NEW: Georgia Home Gallery

Four gallery pages of pics from the recent last gasp win against the Georgians are also online for your viewing pleasure ...more

NEW: Ally's Ukraine Gallery

And from 3 days in getting the Italy gallery online, here's Ally's photos from the Ukraine five months after the event! Blame Paul moving house and losing the CD ...more

NEW: Paul's Germany galleries

And if anyone still wants to see yet more photos, there's galleries from Fortuna Düsseldorf's home games against Dynamo Dresden and Wuppertal, and their trip to Magdeburg on Paul's own site


EDITORIAL: Sunday 25th February 2007

It's been a few weeks, but to make up for it here's six morsels of NATA-ness to keep you all going for a month. Like a total lunar eclipse, the puclication of the Ukraine diary brings NATA Online fully up-to-date on the diary front. Enjoy it while it lasts...

And on a Ukraine front, next month we can bring you an extra photo gallery courtesy of Ally. He did give me the CD months ago, but I only just found it yesterday going through some of the boxes from my recent move.

Anyways, this month also brings a new set of Look-alikes, a Loony Alba gallery and, following Paul and Helen's recent stag/hen do, no less than 14 new quotes and the accompanying photographic evidence.

Finally, for all those of you who want to know how we're getting to places and what we'll be doing when we're there, the Travel Details page has been updated to boot.

In addition to the Ukraine Extra gallery, next month should also see the resurrection of the Meet NATA Questionnaires and a new downloadable travel guide. Until then, we've got two tricky qualifiers to negotiate with our new manager at the helm. Here's hoping for a repeat of the majestic France performance.

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Ukraine Diary

Just five months after the event, but still well worth a read to whet your appetite for the next away game, here's the Ukraine diary ...more

NEW: Look-alikes 14

From the usual suspects to a smattering of new faces, here's yet another thirteen look-alike victims ...more

UPDATED: Quotes

Paul and Helen's recent joint stag and hen do to Düsseldorf in the company of all but one of NATA netted no less than 14 new quotes ...more

NEW: Düsseldorf Stag/Hen Gallery

Okay, it's another Düsseldorf gallery, however given nine members of NATA (plus another 5 TA regulars) were in attendance, it's been given the full NATA treatment ...more

NEW: Loony Alba Burns Night Quiz Gallery

It was a terribly drunken night, and most of the NATA photos have already been donated to the excellent Loony Alba website, but here they are in their natural home ...more

UPDATED: Travel Plans

With the two big games now in confirmed venues (Italy in Bari, France in Paris) and the Austria friendly being announced, some firmer plans have been laid in place ...more

 


EDITORIAL: Sunday 14th January 2007

Happy New Year from all at the Netley Abbey Tartan Army!

This month's bumper update brings something for everyone: words, pictures, controversy (well, my own opinions on what was best about the year past) and, hopefully, some laughs from our newest look-alikes gallery.

This update comes at a time of upheaval for the national team following Walter Smith's departure. There's not much I can really add to this rather than try and encourage everyone to look forward and not back - we are top of our group, after all!

And speaking of looking forwards, already guaranteed for your viewing pleasure in February's update is the Ukraine diary and the next installment of the Look-alikes Gallery. Why not sign up for our free update news email to make sure you don't miss out?

Cheers, Paul

NEW: Lithuania Diary

We can now bring you the drink-by-drink account of NATA's week in Lithuania - only one more account to go (Ukraine), and that's only a month away ...more

NEW: Look-alikes 13

Twelve new sets of look-alikes, ranging from established NATA members to Sideshow Bob and a Madchester flashback ...more

NEW: Highlights of 2006

Following on from the "Best of 2005", here's list-obsessed Paul's own highlights of the year just gone ...more

NEW: Paul's galleries

And finally, some more of Paul's holiday photos: Salzburg, Prague and Accrington Stanley (away at Bristol Rovers ...on paulallison.co.uk

 


Last year's updates are detailed on the News Archive 2006

 

 

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