LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor JUST a letter to say thanks for helping us to look for the would-be assassin of Jesdon Hedges. We are still looking for him along with the police, but find it amazing in this day and age with so many witness and technical backup, that the hooligan who stabbed my son is still running wild. We urge parents to be vigilant over their kids or they may pay the same price. Don't think it can't happen to you. I thought this and it happened to me my son. He is making a remarkable recovery and wishes to thank the people who sent letters to the hospital and the 30 people who came to visit him. MAY I comment further on “Monitor's” editorial of 21 September headlined ”Soccer Blues.” He correctly stated that Real Mallorca's initial starting 11 against Real Sociedad last Saturday (as it was in the mid-week clash against Getafe) contained only one local-born and bred player, goalkeeper Toni Prats. But as football followers know, in the modern game coaches have a squad system with seven players (as is the case here in Spain) sitting on the bench. Only three of them can actually come on as substitutes. Real Mallorca have 25 registered (with the Spanish FA in Madrid) players for season 2005/6. Included in that list are eight local players, all Majorcan. The club can also call on second-eleven (B team) nonregistered players, but only for a maximum of five games a season. I think Monitor would agree that to have eight players from a tiny catchment area the size of Majorca in top-flight Spanish football speaks volumes for the coaching ability available on the island, and augers well for the future. It now remains to be seen how many of these youngsters the club can hold on to ??