CaleyD

People going to be really upset when both Caledonian and Thistle are removed from our name 🤷‍♂️

During my time there, from when we started with just basic highlights, right through to doing multi-camera live streaming with professional commentary, I had estimated that myself, and others involved, had spent/provided equipment/given time to a value in excess of £300k*....what was charged for live viewing pretty much covered the streaming platform costs only. It was zero cost to the club. It really does rely on volunteers/good will to make it financially viable for clubs...even with a basic single camera setup. The club didn't own any of the equipment/technical infrastructure and, from what I'm told, what was left behind is now unusable for various reasons. *This is what it would have cost if it had all been done 'in house' with the club purchasing all equipment, cabling, software, paying for infrastructure install, paying people's time etc. We didn't need to spend that much, but the cost of additional kit required to do things like live action replays from multiple cameras etc. quickly mounts up, and it was as much a passion project as anything else.

That was all online chat/speculation with people guessing at what he was being paid, the nature of his employment/contract, etc. Administration doesn't automatically allow contracts to be torn up, so that would not have been a deciding factor (in and of itself) on whether he would be due money. I agree it wasn't all about the land deal. If it had been, then Savage would have taken the terms agreed in August 2024. He clearly decided that circa 90% of the shareholding wasn't going to be enough and wanted it all. Also, it's a little disengenuous to say that other shareholders put in nothing. The very fans, whose small shareholdings were demanded, put in a heck of a lot of money/value through purchases, donations, crowdfunding, time etc....on top of the money they paid for shares in the first instance.

The deal done with previous directors to write off loans, hand over shares and sell back the carparks is the same deal that was on the table in August 2024....so yes, it could have been that simple.

Do you really think paying off Ferguson would have been worse than the cost, damage, and pain of administration?

And to think, if Savage had accepted the same offer many months prior instead of making a grab for the 100% shareholding, then we could have managed it all without the pain of administration.

True that...1111 is odd, whereas 1000 isn't 🤷‍♂️

For the level we're at just now.... there's not a team in this league who'd lay a glove on Raven, Meekings, Warren & Tremarco....but it's also unlikely they'd have been playing for a League 1 ICTFC (I'd not play Shinnie in defense, thought he was better further forward)

The 5pt in the second season is to try and deter clubs from using admin as an 'easy' option to wipe debt...e.g. if they're 15+ points clear of relegation, they trigger admin, wipe the debt and start clean the following season. For me the whole administration thing is a poor system, and not just for football clubs. The number of businesses that go into admin, then the same owners (or relatives/friends) buy it on the cheap and keep going, is ridiculous. The only 'fair' way to do it in football, IMO, is for any club entering administration to be dropped to the bottom of the pyramid and effectively have to start again.

Can't remember the last time I bought myself a shirt, but this has me very tempted. I like that they've paired it with black shorts and socks. (i don't have the legs for either of those)

It's a classic/safe design, and with all that's been going on the last few years it probably wasn't the time for anything bold or potentially polarising....even though the "marmite" designs have always proven to be the better sellers. I don't wear football shirts, even with my new svelte(r) physique, but I'm sure it will be popular enough among my nieces and nephews for them all to want one.

Pictures by Trevor Martin Photography

I've been guilty of using the 'soft penalty' description in the past, but just questioned myself over it because if it's a penalty, it's a penalty. How hard or soft it is only really matters in regard to what, if any, cards may accompany it.

Sounds like a bit of a reality check given the great start to the season. I can't comment on the game as I wasn't there, but it will do no harm for players to be reminded that more is needed than just showing up, and/or fans need to be reminded that sometimes you're on top in games, play well, and still lose. If we were a dozen games into the season and making the same mistake over and over, I'd be worried....but we're not, and we haven't. Frustrating....yes. Worrying....no. On the subject of refs. They can absolutely spoil games, but I don't believe they are in any way corrupt or biased*. No real excuse, but we also need to remember that we're not getting the highest rated refs at this level. *If you want to see what corrupt/biased officiating looks like, watch 'Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul' on Netflix.

Belief is back 😊