CJT cup semi final statement

[PaderbornCaley]

Just read the full letter from CJT.  Superb.  Well done Davie. 

[caley100]

The SPFL will as normal totally ignore us and our concerns, it would be nice for someone to come forward and at least apologise to our club and fans regarding this issue - don't hold your breath though!

[Renegade]

I seem to recollect when Hearts and Hibs got to the Scottish Cup final last year, there was talk of moving the game to Murrayfield, but that was thrown out due to it being in the Hearts side of the city.  I don't see how playing a semi-final in a 'chosen' neutral venue that is in the home city of one of the teams makes any difference.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Renegade

[PaderbornCaley]

I seem to recollect when Hearts and Hibs got to the Scottish Cup final last year, there was talk of moving the game to Murrayfield, but that was thrown out due to it being in the Hearts side of the city.  I don't see how playing a semi-final in a 'chosen' neutral venue that is in the home city of one of the teams makes any difference.

 

 

Yeah Hibs said they would not agree to that venue.  The same thing was mentioned a few years earlier for the Scottish Cup Semi Final. 

[Biggin]

Just Read the full Letter From CJT - great letter but will the muppets take notice!!!!

[ferben1994]

Just read the full letter from CJT. Superb. Well done Davie.

Link?

[davie]

Yes. The full text of the letter sent to the SPFL is now on line at  http://www.ictsupporterstrust.co.uk/ We'll publish the reply that we get, and any of the letters of support that we have requested - and there's a few of them. We were featured in nearly every scottish daily today, on sportsound last night and we're not finished yet. We need our fans at this game, and we will find a way to get them there in comfort and safety.

 

Thanks for your support.

 

Davie Balfour

[IBM]

I look forward to seeing the reply!

[bauhaus]

 

Why not hold it in Dingwall if they consider Easter Road a neutral venue . Let the Hearts fans travel up here this year.

 

Now thats lateral thinking !! Loving it

 

 

Nah, most Dingwall fans would support Hearts. Completely neutral would be Grant Street Park, Merkinch. See if any Hearts fans would be happy at that. We get three sides of the stadium, they get the wee stand. Fair play!

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

Brilliant letter from Davie.

 

It is quite comical actually what the SPFL has done. Organise a semi final in the back yard of one team, supported by the First Minister, and set a time when the opposition basically cannot get its supporters to the match without breaking all rules about the sustainable use of transport.

 

He has had no influence over this decision but we could have Alex Salmond sitting comfortably with his fellow Hearts supporters and the opposition snookered because the SPFL blatantly ignored his Government's national transport policy:

• Reduce emissions to tackle climate change
• Improve quality, accessibility and affordability of transport, to give people the choice of public transport and real alternatives to the car

On the assumption that a few thousand of us set off on the morning of the game in a mass convoy of cars, we encounter snow or other road restrictions, what sort of message will the BBC send to the outside world?

 

Picture Manchester United reaching a Semi Final against Chelsea and the English FA then choosing Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as the neutral venue with say an 11 am kick off because there was a Rugby match on the BBC at 13.00? Or maybe Carlisle reaching a Semi Final against Fulham and the game played at Chelsea's ground.

 

The Hearts supporters this season have been absolutely fantastic. However, I am sure a few of them are thinking 'we might outnumber the ICT support by 16:1 with this decision. Thank goodness the SPFL chose a venue 3.6 miles away.'

 

Now Alex, what do you think?

[Huisdean]

Hopefully the kick off time will be changed but surely Scotrail missing a huge opportunity here to run a special train?.

[Scarlet Pimple]

Excellent letter. Keep it going .

[davie]

We recieved a reply today from the SPFL to arrange an urgent meeting between CJT and Iain Blair and Neil Doncaster at the SPFL. We will see what the outcome of that meeting is, but it is heartening that a speedy reply has been recieved. We'll keep you posted.

 

Davie Balfour

[izzy]

Having read the letter and received an early response Im hopeful . If you get this changed Davie

I would expect to see you on the Queens Honours List ...Good Luck .

[Council Juice]

Just been announced that the SFPL have apologised unreservedly and as way of making up will give us a bye to the final and a 3-0 head start. All other teams were said to have taken this decision without comment.

Sorry I've just been sleeping.

Hearts fans think it's a might of a joke too judging from friends of mine.

[12th Man]

We recieved a reply today from the SPFL to arrange an urgent meeting between CJT and Iain Blair and Neil Doncaster at the SPFL. We will see what the outcome of that meeting is, but it is heartening that a speedy reply has been recieved. We'll keep you posted.

 

Davie Balfour

I would suggest the Hilton in Dunkeld  would be a  reasonable place for both parties to meet.  If you are made to go to Glasgow to state your case, then in principle you wont be listened to.

 

Expect to be asked,  in what way can you help assist fans with regards to getting to Easter road for an Early kick off on a Sunday,  which is irrelevant as the location is bias

Edited November 15, 2013 by 12th Man

[Kirishima]

I think the safest option for ICT fans would be travelling by rail and staying overnight.

 

It's £52.10 for an off-peak train return, £65.00 for a guest house, and basic subsistence, of, say, £30.  A conservative estimate of £150.

 

The Hearts fan will pay £3.50.

 

(I'm sure the SPFL will cover the difference, just to be impartial.)

[+Gringo]

Hopefully the kick off time will be changed but surely Scotrail missing a huge opportunity here to run a special train?.

It would cost more for Scotrail to put the train on (track access charges and Sunday pay for each member of train crew - there'd be at least eight of those) and therefore not make a profit. Todays railway is about making a profit rather than providing a service. Back in the good old BR days I reckon there'd have been at least two special trains running.

[Zoid]

We recieved a reply today from the SPFL to arrange an urgent meeting between CJT and Iain Blair and Neil Doncaster at the SPFL. We will see what the outcome of that meeting is, but it is heartening that a speedy reply has been recieved. We'll keep you posted.

 

Davie Balfour

 

Well done Davie, excellent news.

 

Hopefully this will be speedy resolved as I need to book flights and accommodation....

[ferben1994]

Fair play to ya mate.

thats a good effort even getting them to talk to you.

not rasing ma hopes yet but maybe my wee caleyjag daft son will get to his first semi-final after all.

fingers crossed eh

[ICTGAZ]

Best of luck for the meeting, hope as sensible outcome is had

 

[Caleyjag157]

There is a petition started by Caley Jags Together calling for the game time to be changed.

Sign and share if possible

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/spfl-change-the-time-of-the-ict-v-hearts-semi-final?sign_only=fe

[davie]

If we can get as many people to sign this as possible, I'd love to give it to Neil Doncaster where it might be least comfortable (metaphorically speaking of course) BTW, Fergus Ewing MSP; David Stewart MSP, Leader of The Council and Cllr. Richard Laird have all indicated their support. You really should join them and petition at http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/spfl-change-the-time-of-the-ict-v-hearts-semi-final?sign_only=fe

[12th Man]

If we can get as many people to sign this as possible, I'd love to give it to Neil Doncaster where it might be least comfortable (metaphorically speaking of course) BTW, Fergus Ewing MSP; David Stewart MSP, Leader of The Council and Cllr. Richard Laird have all indicated their support. You really should join them and petition at http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/spfl-change-the-time-of-the-ict-v-hearts-semi-final?sign_only=fe

Don't be shy to contact the above, they may indicate their support but its better to contact them with your concerns.

[dougal]

Original poster wants game played at his beloved tannadice in my opinion but I could be wrong I suppose

The time of kick off is the issue here not the location

Dougal