Speedie quick off mark: THAT WAS THE WEEKEND THAT WAS

They book him here, they book him there - but still no referee has succeeded in putting David Speedie off his game.

The 36-year-old former Scottish international, who resurfaced last season with his local club, Atherstone, in what is now known as the Doc Martens League, pulled on yet another set of new colours on Saturday, making his debut for Lincolnshire side Stamford.

The Uhlsport United Counties League side have boldly taken on the man and his disciplinary baggage after he was released by Icis Leaguers Hendon last week, a development not unconnected with red and yellow cards.

"Our manager, Steve Evans, has been trying to get him here since the summer," Stamford spokesman Andrew Eason said. Evans, who played Scottish League football with St Johnstone, draws heavily on former Peterborough players and has long been an admirer of the combative striker.

Saturday's match with Potton saw Stamford maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win. "David admitted he will need a game or two to get used to the way we play," Eason said. "So he had a fairly quiet debut."

Quiet? "...well, apart from getting booked. It wasn't much really," Eason protested. "He did catch the heel of a player going past him but, unfortunately, his reputation goes before him and I think the referee may have wanted to make a point."