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Dunfermline 0-0 Inverness CT - SPL

Caley Thistle club historian Ian Broadfoot provides the official report from East End Park - A no-score draw that could certainly not be described as a classic !!
DUNFERMLINE 0-0 ICT
 23rd December 2006 East End Park, Dunfermline  DUNFERMLINE (Stephen Kenny)  0 Team: De Vries, Shields, Wilson, Bamba, McGuire, Ross (Daquin 60), Young, Mason, Muirhead (O Morrison 66), Crawford, Hamilton (Tod 90)       
Subs: S Morrison, Woods, Williamson & McKenzie
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE  0 Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Black (Duncan 75), Rankin, McBain, Wyness (Bayne 69), McAllister (McSwegan 82) Subs: McCaffrey, Morgan, Sutherland & Fraser
 Referee  William Collum  Attendance  4216  Man of the Match     With Dunfermline at the foot of the SPL this was a realistic target for three points but it did not happen. Both sides had to settle for a point in what was rather a bad-tempered match.
The final crime count was eight yellow cards plus a red for the home side's Stevie Crawford - but others could easily have followed Crawford for an early shower. Referee Willie Collum was not slow with the yellow cards but was clearly reluctant to issue upgrades to red.
The Pars are now under the management of Stephen Kenny and in midweek he was successful in persuading Mark Burchill to extend his contract  the striker was however unfit and missed this match.
Caley Thistle were without the injured Craig Dargo and Rory McAllister started up front with Dennis Wyness. This was not a match to write home about with Dunfermline upfor the challenge and the ICT defence holding firm.
Crawford was through in seven minutes but Mark Brown was equal to his shot. A minute later GaryMason was poised to shoot from 12 yards when Darren Dods stepped in to block and in 15 minutes Ian Black tested Dorus De Vries.
There was little to report up to the break apart from Ross Tokely denying Crawford a shooting opportunity (resulting in penalty claims from the home support) and John Rankin hitting the side netting.
Half Time: 0-0
In 52 minutes De Vries blocked a BarryWilson shot and defenders charged down Wyness's follow up shot. The most notable event of the second half was a clash between Ian Black and Gary Mason just after the hour mark in the centre circle with the result that tempers flared all round. When order was resumed Black and Mason were booked when red cards were a distinct possibility.
Russell Duncan replaced Black in 75 minutes which did not go down well with the outgoing player but he was clearly in danger of a second yellow card. Stevie Crawford's foul on Richard Hastings in 77 minutes resulted in a second yellow card and an involuntary departure then a minute later De Vries tipped over substitute Graham Bayne's header following a blocked Roy McBain shot. Gary McSwegan replaced McAllister with eight minutes left but there was to be no breakthrough.
A disappointing 0-0 draw, ninth place retained and Dunfermline five points adrift at the foot of the table. All thoughts now turn to the post Christmas visit of Rangers to Inverness in front of a sell-out crowd.
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By Guest in Reports 2006-07 ·

Dunfermline V ICT - preview

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Caley Thistle lost by the odd goal in seven last week and although the normally solid defence looked a little shaky, according to many supporters the midfield and forward line continued to improve. With 3 straight defeats and without a win in 8 games, the fans are hoping that this improvement continues and that this must-win battle against the Pars sees all parts of the team put in a good performance. Andrew Fraser provides the match preview. DETAILS Dunfermline v Inverness CT East End Park, Dunfermline Saturday 23rd December at 3pm Referee: William Collum Others: James Bee, Steve Pullar (Assistants), Anthony Law (4th official). Tickets: This match is a pay at the gate match. TV-info: LIVE commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, or highlights on Scotsport SPL on Monday. FIXTURES Saturday 23rd December: Aberdeen v Rangers (Setanta, 12:30pm) Celtic v Falkirk Dundee Utd v Hearts Dunfermline v Inverness CT Hibernian v St Mirren Kilmarnock v Motherwell SPL RESULTS Saturday 16th December: Falkirk (Martis o.g, Craig) 2-1 Hibernian (Fletcher) Hearts 0-1 Aberdeen (Lovell) Inverness CT (Dods 2, Dargo) 3-4 Kilmarnock (Naismith 2, Nish 2) Motherwell (Foran, Reynolds) 2-3 Dundee Utd (Samuel, McCracken, Hunt) St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline Sunday 17th December: Rangers (Hemdani) 1-1 Celtic (Gravesen) RECENT SPL FORM Inverness CT: LLLDL Dunfermline: DLLLW PAST MEETINGS The teams have played a total of 16 times (13 League, 3 Cup) with 35 goals (18 Inverness CT, 17 Dunfermline) between them. Inverness CT: 6 wins (6 League, 0 Cup) Draws: 6 (4 League, 2 Cup) Dunfermline: 4 wins (3 League, 1 Cup) PREVIOUS MATCHES TO REMEMBER 07/08/1999 (1st Division) Dunfermline 4-0 INVERNESS CT: In the first meetings between these sides nothing went to plan for the Caley Jags. A 4-0 drubbing which Petrie scored a last minute goal for the Pars. 10/04/2004 (Scottish Cup Semi-Final) INVERNESS CT 1-1 Dunfermline: Inverness appeared in only their 2nd Scottish Cup Semi-Final in history although they were the only team to still be in at this stage last year as well as 2004. Paul Ritchie had put a glancing header in just before half time but Craig Brewster cancelled it out later. 20/04/2004 (Scottish Cup Semi-Final Replay) Dunfermline 3-2 INVERNESS CT (Pittodrie): Inverness left Pittodrie with a sense of what could have been. Paul Ritchie scored a spectacular goal of which the build up and the lovely floated pass by Bingham was unbelievable. Darren Young, Craig Brewster and Barry Nicholson all scored to make it 3-1 to the Pars but David Bingham got a goal of his own with a penalty late on. Inverness would be seeing a lot more of Pittodrie the next season. And little did Brewster know he just knocked out the team that he would be playing for and managing a year later!! 15/08/2004 (SPL) INVERNESS CT 2-0 Dunfermline (Pittodrie): A first SPL win for the Caley Jags on their first “home” game of the season. Stuart Golabek had scored Inverness CT’s first ever SPL goal in 12 minutes then Juanjo opened his account with his first for the club. It was a great day in a game dominated by the home side. FACTS BETWEEN THE TEAMS • Inverness CT have never lost a SPL game to Dunfermline. • Dunfermline have never lost a 1st division game to Inverness CT. • Craig Brewster has played for both teams all be it for two short spells. • The last meeting was on 30/9/206. After what sounded a dire match, it sprung to life in the 90th minute when Ross Tokely slotted home a match winner giving the Highlanders the much needed 3pts. The attendance was 3517. PLAYERS TO WATCH The starting 11 (Inverness CT): Will Christie make changes in what is now a must win fixture on Saturday? Although playing decent football in their last fixture against Kilmarnock, they have lost their last 3 games and haven’t won in 8 games. Christie will know if the Highlanders suffer another defeat on Saturday, then it looks like a relegation battle. With fixtures of Rangers at home and Falkirk away coming up before the New Year, it is important that they get the result at East End Park. I am sure fans won’t mind how they play, as long as they come away with the 3pts!! Stephen Crawford (Dunfermline): Currently in his second spell with the Fifers. Previously with Raith, Millwall, Hibernian, Dunfermline, Plymouth, Dundee Utd, Aberdeen and now back with Dunfermline. With Hamilton, McIntyre and Crawford all signed for Dunfermline during the summer, there is a strong competition for places like the midfield of Inverness CT. Crawford could be essential for the Pars in their bid to stay in the SPL. Has scored a few against the Highlanders and will be keen to add to his tally. Crawford has scored 7 SPL goals already this season (3 with Aberdeen, 4 with the Pars). FUTURE FIXTURES 17th Mar 2007 at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Squad: Mark Brown, Jonathon Smith, Michael Fraser, Darren Dods, Stuart Soane, Ross Tokely, Guy Kerr, Richard Hastings, Stuart McCaffrey, Stuart Golabek, Grant Munro, John Rankin, Ian Black, Roy McBain, Zander Sutherland, Alan Morgan, Richie Hart, Barry Wilson, Russell Duncan, Craig Dargo, Rory McAllister, Dennis Wyness, Graham Bayne Injured: Gary McSwegan (ankle) Liam Keogh Suspended: Nobody.   History H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / - H 2 2 0 0 3 - 1 +2 A 3 2 1 0 4 - 2 +2 N 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 +0 Total 5 4 1 0 7 - 3 +4 Date&time Comp. H / A / N Final score 30.09.2006 at 15:00 League H 1 - 0 06.05.2006 at 15:00 League A 1 - 0 08.02.2006 at 19:45 League A 2 - 2 05.11.2005 at 15:00 League H 2 - 1 13.08.2005 at 15:00 League A 1 - 0
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By Guest in Previews 2006-07 ·

Inverness CT 3-4 Kilmarnock - SPL

Caley Thistle Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium where Caley Thistle come out the losers as seven goals are shared in this match.  ICT 3-4 KILMARNOCK
 16th December 2006 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness  INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC  3 Dods (6,38), Dargo (pen45) Team: Brown, Tokely (Bayne 74), Dods, Munro, Hastings (McCaffrey 46), Wilson (Sutherland 66), Rankin, Black, McBain, Dargo, Wyness Subs: McAllister, Duncan, Morgan & Fraser
 KILMARNOCK  4 Naismith (29, 68pen), Nish (35, 50) Team: Smith, Greer, Wright, Murray, Hay, Fowler, Invincible, Johnston (Ford 85), Nish, Naismith, Di Giacomo Subs: Wales, Leven, Dodds, Campbell, Hamill, Harpur
 Referee  John Underhill  Attendance  3728  Man of the Match  Darren Dods (ICT)  
The home fans have been crying out for goals and this week they got them – sadly the best out of seven went Kilmarnock’s way.
It was a cracking match and quite an afternoon for ICT central defender Darren Dods - he returned for ICT from suspension, resumed the captaincy and scored twice.
Dennis Wyness also came into the starting line-up with Graham Bayne dropping to the bench.
The pitch was in excellent condition despite days of heavy rain – the return of cold weather over the preceding 24 hours gave valuable time for some drying out.
Caley Thistle had a tremendous first half spoiled only by losing two soft goals. Killie played some good football in the second half but were still fortunate to come away with all three points.
With five minutes gone Craig Dargo turned Gordon Greer and watched as his shot deflected and nearly fooled Graeme Smith – Smith recovered well to touch it over for a corner. The home side took the lead a minute later when a Barry Wilson free kick from the left curled into the box and Dods volleyed it past Smith from a few yards out.
The ‘keeper turned a Wyness shot past for a corner in 13 minutes then did the same from a John Rankin free kick two minutes later. A Greer cross in 28 minutes was headed by Richard Hastings for a corner and this led to the equaliser. Gary Hay’s kick was flicked on by Greer and Steven Naismith was well placed to head home from close to the line.
Killie took a 2-1 lead in 34 minutes with a simple goal as the home defence was once more caught out. A Naismith ball from the left reached Colin Nish via Paul Di Giacomo and it was hit in from six yards out.
The excitement continued and in 38 minutes Dods scored his second just moments after a Wyness header beat Smith but came off the post. A Rankin free kick from long distance was spilled by Smith and Dods was in the box to touch it home.
Just before the break Dargo earned a corner on the left and Wilson’s kick into the box resulted in a handball verdict as Dods challenged. Dargo stepped up to take the penalty and blasted it high into the net to make amends for his miss last week.
The crowd was buzzing from the first half excitement and all the speculation was on how high the score would go.
Half Time: 3-2
At half time the injured Hastings was replaced by Stuart McCaffrey and the back four reorganise. With just four minutes of the second half gone it was 3-3. Another simple effort saw Di Giacomo race past Dods down the left, whip in a low cross and Nish touched it in. At the other end Smith pushed an Ian Black shot for a corner in 53 minutes then in 58 minutes a strong Ross Tokely shot hit off Wyness and ran to safety.
Zander Sutherland replaced Barry Wilson in 66 minutes and within a minute the youngster conceded a penalty with a push on Naismith. Naismith took the kick himself and hit it cleanly past Mark Brown to give Killie a 4-3 lead.
A Rankin free kick in 71 minutes was dummied by two ICT players but Smith continued his up and down afternoon by pushing it for a corner. Wyness was booked for an alleged dive in 77 minutes as the home side pressed hard to take something from the game. Dargo went down inside the box with three minutes left as he latched onto a Sutherland cross but nothing was given despite strong penalty claims.
Full Time: 3-4
Pressure over the closing minutes from the home side produced no reward and it ended a remarkable 4-3 to the visitors. As a result Caley Thistle slipped to ninth with Dunfermline still propping up the rest.
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By Guest in Reports 2006-07 ·

ICT v Kilmarnock - Preview

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Andrew Fraser previews this weekend's match against Kilmarnock. Our 4 previous encounters against Kilmarnock have finished as score draws.  Here's hoping the Caley Jags can put and end to that and also to the recent poor run of form.
Preview: Dundee Utd - Inverness CT , 09.12.2006 at 15:00  
DETAILS Inverness CT v Kilmarnock Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Saturday 16th December at 3pm Referee: John Underhill Others: John Gilmour and Steven Craven (Assistants), Mike Ritchie (4th official).
Tickets: Cash gates will be in operation for this fixture. TV-info: LIVE commentary on BBC Radio Scotland and online. FIXTURES Saturday 16th September: Falkirk v Hibernian Hearts v Aberdeen Inverness CT v Kilmarnock Motherwell v Dundee Utd St Mirren v Dunfermline
Sunday 17th September: Rangers v Celtic (Setanta, 12:30pm) SPL RESULTS Saturday 9th December: Aberdeen (Mackie, Clark) 2-1 Falkirk (Gow) Dundee Utd (Hunt 2, Robertson) 3-1 Inverness CT (Wilson) Hearts (Fysaas, Quinn o.g, Velicka, Aguiar) 4-1 Motherwell (Foran) Kilmarnock (Di Giacomi) 1-1 St Mirren (Corcoran) Rangers (Prso, Sionko, Ferguson) 3-0 Hibernian Sunday 10th December: Dunfermline (Simmons) 1-2 Celtic (McGeady, Zurawski) RECENT SPL FORM Inverness CT: LLDLLD Kilmarnock: DWLWLW PAST MEETINGS The teams have played a total of 10 times (8 League, 2 Cup) with 31 goals (14 Inverness CT, 17 Kilmarnock) between them. Inverness CT: 1 win (1 League, 0 Cup) Draws: 6 (5 League, 1 Cup) Kilmarnock: 3 wins (2 League, 1 Cup)
 
17/02/2001 (Scottish Cup 4th Round) INVERNESS CT 1-1 Kilmarnock: Two late goals were the topic of this game. A Barry Robson goal was cancelled out by Garry Hay meaning a replay was to be played. 06/03/2001 (Scottish Cup 4th Round replay) Kilmarnock 2-1 INVERNESS CT: Even though Davide Xausa put the 1st Division side in front, McGowne and Wright made sure that Kilmarnock were the team to go through. Ally McCoist came on as a sub for Kilmarnock. 23/10/2004 (SPL) Kilmarnock 2-2 INVERNESS CT: After going down twice Inverness deservedly earned their first away point in the SPL. Barry Wilson cancelled out Murray’s opener but then Kilmarnock went ahead through a good goal by Greer. Craig MacKay wrongly sent off McCaffrey after 51 minutes but even though down to 10 men Inverness worked hard and deservedly Liam Fox scored his first ever goal for Inverness with a late equaliser. 04/01/2005 (SPL) INVERNESS CT 0-2 Kilmarnock: ICT ended their stay at Pittodrie with a loss as Killie stopped the good form the team were in. 2 goals by Invincible late on meant Inverness started 2005 off bad. The team could have played better according to some of the ICT fans on the Message Board. FACTS BETWEEN THE TEAMS • All League meetings between the teams have taken place in the SPL. • Inverness CT have an unbeaten SPL record at Rugby Park. • The last four matches have ended in score draws. • The last game ended 1-1 at Rugby Park. The scorers were Nish and Dargo and the attendance was 4809. • Inverness CT haven’t beaten Kilmarnock since the 9th April 2005. PLAYERS TO WATCH Ian Black (Inverness CT): The Scotland future-squad midfielder is a key part of the Inverness CT squad. Black was signed by John Robertson from Blackburn in 2004 and featured heavily for the reserves that season although was given his chance towards the end of the season with Brewster in charge due to some good appearances in the reserve league. He impressed in the first team and kept his place in the squad for the majority of season 2005/2006. A small player who can jump twice his height always shows 100% and has the ability to become a really good player. He so far hasn’t showed his form of last season but I am sure he will in the near future, starting on Saturday. Steven Naismith (Kilmarnock): Steven is a brilliant forward with a bright future ahead of him. Already been watched by Arsenal scouts, he will no doubt move down to England in the not so distant future. However since the Arsenal scouts watched him, he has seemed to go off form at the moment. He hasn’t scored in the last six games although has scored against both the Old Firm already. A really hard player to play against and one Inverness CT will have to mark well in order to keep a clean sheet. FUTURE FIXTURES 10th Mar 2007 at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Squad: Mark Brown, Jonathon Smith, Michael Fraser, Darren Dods, Stuart Soane, Ross Tokely, Guy Kerr, Richard Hastings, Stuart McCaffrey, Stuart Golabek, Grant Munro, John Rankin, Ian Black, Roy McBain, Zander Sutherland, Alan Morgan, Liam Keogh, Barry Wilson, Russell Duncan, Craig Dargo, Gary McSwegan, Rory McAllister, Dennis Wyness, Graham Bayne Injured: Richie Hart 
Suspended: Nobody
History H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / - H 2 0 2 0 5 - 5 0 A 2 0 2 0 3 - 3 0 N 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 Total 4 0 4 0 8 - 8 0 Date&time Comp. H / A / N Final score 23.09.2006 at 15:00 League A 1 - 1 11.02.2006 at 15:00 League H 3 - 3 19.11.2005 at 15:00 League A 2 - 2 20.08.2005 at 15:00 League H 2 - 2
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By Guest in Previews 2006-07 ·

Ask the Chairman

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Caley Thistle Chairman Alan Savage recently agreed to answer questions submitted to him by users of CaleyThistleOnline.com. A total of 49 questions were submitted by a number of people covering a wide range of subjects and although we didn’t think he would answer them all, he did ... including the less serious ones.
The questions asked were on a wide range of subjects and we have broken them down into loose categories to make the article easier to read.
Although many questions were not answered expansively, we feel this is fair as we cant really expect the Chairman to lay out explicit details of things like the transfer budget or other commercially confidential information for all to see as it could affect the ability of the manager to negotiate contracts & transfer deals or hinder the commercial department in their day-to-day projects.
We were also happy to note that there were a few questions asked where he didn't just pay lip service and answer the way that the questioner hoped but instead took the question ‘under advisement’ because he perhaps didn’t realise there was an issue, or it may have been the first time a particular idea was suggested to him meaning that he needs to speak to others before being able to answer it. We hope he does follow thorough and answer those questions ... perhaps in a future Q&A session ?
Overall, we give the chairman an ‘A’ for effort and hope there will be another ‘report card’ for a future Q&A session so without further ado, lets get to the questions and answers .....
{mospagebreak} The Stadium (and surrounding area)
{josquote}We are considering the best way to increase capacity at the stadium... Alan Savage{/josquote} There has been much talk over the years about the choice to be made between expanding the ground or selling it and moving elsewhere, suggestions on how to sort out the car parking shambles that occurs at times, questions over the suitability of a portakabin for a shop and all sorts of other things ...  Many of these questions came up in the 'stadium' category of questions.
What, if any plans are there for a fourth stand at TCS? - Jamie MacKay, Inverness
AS: We are considering the best way to increase capacity at the stadium and this is one of the most viable options. Obviously such investment would only take place when we consistently fill the current stands.
Currently we have the smallest stadium in the SPL, is it being made a priority to add a 4th stand? - Gary Donaldson, Stirling
AS: We are considering the best way to increase capacity at the stadium and this is one of the most viable options. Obviously such investment would only take place when we consistently fill the current stands.
First may I applaud you for giving fans this opportunity to get answers 'straight from the horses mouth'. My question relates to the 4th (west) stand. What is the club's definitive policy on this? My own view is that it would pay for itself within 5 years, assuming a construction cost of £400K and then filling it 3 times a season (2000 extra seats @£20 =£40K, times 3 = £120k, minus £20k admin, extra police/stewards etc = £500k profit over 5 seasons. Then take off another £100k for finance charges if initial money was borrowed, and we break even in 5 seasons). Am I way out with these figures? - A D Stewart, Berkshire
AS: We are considering the best way to increase capacity at the stadium and this is one of the most viable options. Once I have had a chance to get my accounts people to look at it I will be able to advise if your “fag packet” estimates are anywhere near. Of course we will be looking at some conceptual designs say incorporating a bar or offices or conferencing ie making the best possible use. Obviously such investment would only take place when we consistently fill the current stands.
While the temporary stands are reasonable for their purpose will there ever come a time when they need to be rebuilt into 'proper' stands and what chance is there of the ground capacity being expanded? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: A fourth stand looks like the most viable option though work is only likely to commence once we fill what we have got on a more consistent basis.
As a 68 year old fan I still have my mental faculties and memories of the many enjoyable times I stood at several grounds, notably, Caley, East Fife, Wolves and Hibs every other Saturday, win or lose. I am appalled that the terracing has been disallowed as a fan standpoint and viewpoint since it is unrivalled for atmosphere and ease of movement and for changing viewpoints. It is the quintessential fan's traditional favourite and for good reason. Please advise whether the current suggestions that I have seen on the BBC web site news etc relating to the possibility of bringing back the terracing is valid and may lead to this happening in Scotland and at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. - Roderick Rhodes, British Columbia, Canada
AS: We are governed by the SPL and would only implement such measures if it was ok to do so and after all necessary risk assessments had been done.
Car Park: This is an issue that never affects me but I felt I would ask a question on it anyway. Many people complain about the apparent lack of efficiency when the car park attendants attempt to clear the car park after a game. How well do you feel the procedure is handled and is there anyway it could be improved if it needs to be? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: One of my staff had a look at what’s happening at last Saturday’s game – Motherwell. He gave me a verbal report and will be making a report on what he saw and I will be taking it up with the CEO and the Police very soon. It looks like some common sense measures can be taken to improve things.
The Portacabin is not an ideal place to sell ICT merchandise and does not convey a very good image of the club. Are there any plans to move the shop to a better location and to sell products at other locations? - Jamie Mackay, Inverness
AS: Yes we are looking at this and hope to have something in place during the close season.
Why is there pedestrian crossing assistance from the Police at the A9 before and after only certain matches? I have real concerns that a supporter is going to get seriously injured. - Jamie Mackay, Inverness
AS: I have passed this to the CEO and he will get comments from the Police in due course.
There are constant rumours of ASDA buying the site the ground is on as well as developments such as offices or pubs at the stadium. Are these something you would like to see come to fruition? - More the pub or offices than ASDA or another Tesco!!! - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: No.
{mospagebreak} The Team
{josquote}There are funds available and Charlie and Graeme have been advised of the amount. Alan Savage{/josquote}
The next most popular set of questions was about the team. Most users focussed on what we are doing to keep our existing players and what options the Manager has been given to strengthen the squad but there were also a few other questions too...
 
Is Charlie to be handed a transfer budget for the Christmas transfer window? - Gary Donaldson, Stirling
AS: There are funds available and Charlie and Graeme have been advised of the amount.
With the transfer window opening in January, and with a few of our 'top' players out of contract at the end of the season will the board be in a position to support CC with extra money to persuade the players to stay or in the event that they decide to leave, buy ' quality' players? - Richard Murray, Inverness
AS: The Board have set budgets, Charlie and Graham are aware of them and a plan is being developed.
Even when we were in the lower divisions, much was (and still is) made of the geographical disadvantage that Inverness suffers when trying to attract new players and hang onto those at the club who are not from the area. What are we doing to keep our existing ‘stars’ and how do we hope to attract new ‘quality’ players to the club? - Scott MacKenzie, Toronto, Canada
AS: The Board is actively trying to generate income and attract investment. Such monies will be spent on new players, keeping the current squad together and on Ground improvements.
It has been reported that funds might be available for Charlie to enhance the squad in the January transfer window. Do you see the money being best spent on enhanced contracts for our current squad or bringing in new players on better contracts/terms? My worry is that someone on higher earnings might cause unrest within an otherwise settled dressing room. (We had a loan player from Rangers who looked like a quality player, but didn’t seem to fit in with the team at all). - Laura Grant, Inverness
AS: A very good point and one that I am very aware of, a combination of one or two new players and retention of the current squad is what we are aiming at.
I am a little bit concerned that you may look overseas to strengthen the playing side of the club. ICT has always had an almost 100% Scottish born squad which has kept the team spirit at a high level. I fear the introduction of foreign players may ruin this. Would the money being used to bring in these players be better spent on improving our current players contracts and possibly attracting more Scottish players? I believe there's enough Scottish talent out there without resorting to foreigners. Yes Football – a game of opinions. - Dave Wilson, Coventry
AS: I look at the most successful sides in the world and how cosmopolitan they are – the backbone will always be Scottish, but we will look at any player who can improve the team, whilst fitting in in every way.
Charlie was recently quoted as saying there was little or no scouting system at the club, are you scouting for a scout? and if so can I have a job ? - Gary Donaldson, Stirling
AS: Yes and No.
Many fans feel that ICT should always be challenging for top 6 in the SPL, others hope to avoid relegation while some believe the lofty heights of a European place are attainable. What kind of position do you see ICT regularly challenging for while in the SPL? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: Top 6 and good cup runs, the Intertoto might be the way into Europe.
{mospagebreak} Ticketing
{josquote}The team go out and try to play attractive and exciting football. Alan Savage{/josquote} Attendances, ticket prices, and how to encourage more people to come to matches both home and away were just some of the main questions in this section.
Will the board encourage younger fans to attend matches buy lowering turnstile prices in line with many SPL clubs, i.e. £5 for U12'S. - Richard Murray, Inverness
AS: We are looking at this with the Supporter’s Club.
  ICT often try to claim they are a family club and to a large extent I agree. However I feel strongly that children should not have to pay any more than £10 to get into grounds to see their team play. Therefore, is the £15 charged for Children in the North Stand not out of line for a club who wishes to attract families to the ground every 2nd Saturday (Family Stand excluded)? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: We are looking at this with the Supporter’s Club.
Recently at the CIS Cup games against Falkirk and Dumbarton we saw a huge dip in attendances. Many blamed this on the barely reduced entrance fee for the game. In the future would it be feasible to reduce ticket prices further for 'unattractive' games in order to get more people into the ground? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: Not my preferred route.
Inverness has large in-migration from the UK and overseas. In the short term, how is the club trying to include and attract these people? - Ewan Macrae, Inverness
AS: I take it you mean fans – the team go out and try to play attractive and exciting football and the Board look at ways of promoting the club through the internet, media and advertising (Polish flyers have been sent out).
I live in Ayrshire and have been an away supporter since 1995. Indeed I only require 5 grounds to have seen ICT at all of the senior grounds in Scotland. I would attend more matches in the SPL if I were able to buy an away season ticket. Some clubs in England operate such a scheme (indeed, the Old Firm may also...) but you have to be a home season ticket holder first in order to apply. There are quite a few ICT supporters living in the central belt and it would be of great benefit to those fans (and indeed to the team on the pitch!) if we had this facility. As things stand, I pick and choose my matches on grounds of cost. What are your views on this? - Steve Taylor, Ayrshire
AS: Our SPL representative will float this idea at the next meeting he attends – seems a good idea to me.
{mospagebreak} Behind the scenes / off the park
{josquote}I am bringing my own style of management and thoroughness to the club. It’s a big job and one that will take a a couple of seasons at least and even then one that will require continuous improvement. Alan Savage {/josquote}There is never any shortage of debate about what goes on 'off the park' or behind the scenes. In truth, we see the product on the park but quite often fail to realise - unless there is something we don't like - that a lot of people work behind the scenes trying to raise the profile and efficiency of the club.
There has been a lot of talk regarding a 'Mystery Exile' and Investment in ICTFC. Can you clarify the situation, as much of the press regarding it has been confusing? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness
AS: I am talking to a lot of business people about investment. There is no specific individual right now and the Press have been advised.
Compared to other SPL clubs our range of merchandise is very limited. Can we please have a wider range in the shop? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness.
AS: Yes any suggestions? [editors note: Club Shop Manager Andrina has always been happy to take 'sensible' suggestions on board]
Fans have been asking for a City Centre based shop for merchandise and Ticket sales for many seasons now. Is this something which features in your future plans? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness.
AS: Again yes.
How do the board propose to increase the profile of ICT, and move away from the "wee team up north" mentality which seems to put future potential players off? - Stephanie Grant, Inverness
AS: Through the media, advertising and the internet. I have set up a “select committee including local business men, supporters and PR people and they are looking at innovative ways of raising the profile.
Do ICT look at other clubs for good ideas, both on and off the park, if so what have they learnt? - Jamie Mackay, Inverness
AS: Yes – staying in the SPL is the driver.
Now the club seems to have established itself as an SPL outfit, what steps are you and the club taking to get us up to scratch off the pitch? - Gary Donaldson, Stirling
AS: I am bringing my own style of management and thoroughness to the club. It’s a big job and one that will take a a couple of seasons at least and even then one that will require continuous improvement.
This article is a great idea. I have missed the 'Boardroom Banter' articles that used to appear on the fan site and wondered if this kind of ‘interactive’ article would become a regular occurrence again? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness
AS: This for the website to organize – we regard interaction with our fans as paramount. [editors note: well Mr Chairman, organising is one of the things we do well, and we will certainly do this again if you are happy to take part again, perhaps we may even ask the Chief Executive a few questions as he seems to be quietly working away behind the scenes and can maybe enlighten us about some of his plans too.]
When it first started I was initially skeptical of the Official website’s quality but it is improving fast. What other plans are there for that site and given its lack of forums or direct fan participation, for closer collaboration with the fans’ site in ventures like this question and answer session or other projects. - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: We have a website Manager and we regard the web as the ultimate communication tool – so we will be promoting it and be receptive to any sensible suggestions that provoke interest and more bums on seats.
I read somewhere a comment about your intentions to look at tapping in to the Ex-Pat market in North America. Obviously these new fans will need an online source of information and chat. Do the club envisage the fan site at CaleyThistleOnline.com as the place to do this (the chat and discussion part at least) or do they have other plans? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness.
AS: The website is the communication tool of choice.
When the club won the 1st division we had a fun day. We wondered if it could be a yearly event for local charities and companies. This would keep the clubs profile high locally and possibly raise money for sponsorship etc. It was great to see the players there, mixing with the kids, the supporters of the future. - Lorna Green, Inverness
AS: I will take this up with the Board.
Would the board ever consider doing a one-off Fans Forum event for Charity with Charlie Christie, Graeme Bennett and a few off the players? I'm sure it would be a great night and raise quite a bit of money for local charities! - Stephanie Grant, Inverness
AS: Yes – perhaps pre season?
We the fans are often very vocal about the things the club does which we don't like. Turning that on its head, what do we the fans do which you/the club don't like? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness
AS: Nothing I want a thousand more at every game – all of you bring a friend too the next game – please.
{mospagebreak} TV Coverage
{josquote}Setanta is the future. Alan Savage{/josquote}There has been a lot of debate on the site about TV coverage, both Setanta and Scotsport, the moving of games at short notice to suit the media, and other media related stuff such as broadcast blackouts .... Here's the questions that were submitted.
Recently one of the ICT games was moved to accommodate its showing on Setanta TV at relatively short notice. This of course meant some ICT fans that had arranged travel were suddenly travelling to Inverness when there was no game on. What is your opinion of Monday night football in incidents like this? Given that the broadcaster had had ample time to arrange a schedule after it reached an agreement with the SPL do you feel that it is fair for games to be altered at such short notice when fans spend enough as it is following their team? Do you feel it could become a more attractive idea in the future with more careful planning? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: Setanta is the future – Football will be played every night. There will be some fall out, but we are trying with Police’s, Setanta’s and the SPL’S help to minimize it.
What are your personal thoughts on the moving of ICT's SPL fixtures to satisfy Live TV? Many fans (including myself) have to make travel plans well in advance to attend games and it is more than annoying when the fixture gets moved for this purpose especially when money has already spent on 'non refundable' cheap flights and B&B/Hotel accommodation. - Dave Wilson, Coventry
AS: Setanta is the future – Football will be played every night. There will be some fall out, but we are trying with Police’s, Setanta’s and the SPL’S help to minimize it.
Non-Weekend Fixtures: lower match attendances but have increased revenue from TV Income. Have you considered decreasing the match ticket price for these games in order to try and get the "Best of Both Worlds"? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness
AS: I will look into this and see what other clubs have experienced.
I live in Toronto, Canada and there is currently no way to obtain Setanta for live or even highlighted coverage so I have to rely on resources such as Radio Scotland to listen to most games. I find that more and more games are “blacked out” outside the UK as clubs have their own media arrangements in place (for example, the week we played Hearts, ONLY Motherwell V Falkirk was available on the net to listeners outside the UK, all others stated “for contractual reasons this match is only available to listeners in the UK”. As the club has control over their own broadcast rights, (and Hearts were broadcasting ICT V Hearts from their [premium TV] site to their subscribers) are there any plans to establish a subscription service so that ex-pats or those who cant make it to a game can tune in to audio and/or video coverage of all our matches? - Scott MacKenzie, Toronto, Canada
AS: I will look into this and post the outcome on the website.
 
What if …….. ?
We had a couple of 'what-if?' questions submitted
If I won the lottery and gave £1,000,000 to ICT, how would you like to use this money to benefit the club? - Laura Grant, Inverness
AS: To secure a top 6 place.
If you had your pick of any player in the world to bring to the ICT past or present who would it be? - Gary Donaldson, Stirling
AS: Eric Cantona – just look what he did for Man U. A player who at the height of his career stayed on after training to practice his skills!
{mospagebreak} Miscellaneous ....
{josquote}Sing as loud as possible and bring a friend to every game. Alan Savage{/josquote} And finally we move on to a section we entitled "Miscellaneous" - a loose collection of questions either about the Chairman, his aims, or in some cases what appear to be 'in jokes' ..... in other words, stuff we couldnt fit in elsewhere!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be involved with ICT. Were you an ICT supporter before being approached to join the board? Who did you support before ‘seeing’ the light and joining the ICT throng? - Scott MacKenzie, Toronto, Canada
AS: I was nominated by David F Sutherland who thought I could carry on the good work he started at the Club. I did support ICT but due to personal circumstances it wasn’t as much as now. Man U is my English team.
What is your ultimate aim or aims for ICT during your tenure at the club? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: To carry on the prudent management of the club I inherited form David F Sutherland, to increase investment, raise the profile and become a top 6 club.
We have come a long long way since we were formed in 1994. If you had a time machine and could nip forward a few years, how would you hope to see ICT portrayed in both the national and local media in say 5 or 10 years time. - Scott MacKenzie, Toronto, Canada
AS: The David of UK football by beating a few Goliaths, to become every supporter outside our own fan base second team.
What part can we the fans play in helping you to achieve your goals for the club? - Donald Johnstone, Inverness
AS: Sing as loud as possible and bring a friend to every game.
Do you have a particular favourite ICT game that you have attended either Home or Away? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: Rangers away 0-1.
Who is your favourite ICT player both current and all time? - Andrew Sutherland, Aberdeen
AS: Ian Black (when he’s not discussing decisions with match officials) and Charlie Christie.
I wanted to get my mother something special for christmas. She's quite taken on Stuart McCaffrey and I wondered if he would be available on Christmas day? - We can discuss the financial terms over a coffee. - Donald Johnstone, Inverness
AS: Milk and 1 sugar in mine.
My missus needs a wee break as she has been working very hard, can i borrow your BMW 640 for the weekend to take her away? - Richard Murray, Inverness
AS: Sold it, I don’t suppose my DB9 would be any good?
A new (MLS) club has just been formed in Toronto, and has imaginatively been called Toronto FC. A 20,000 all seated stadium is being constructed in the heart of downtown and former Celtic, Rangers and Scotland player Mo Johnston is the first head-coach. I am not sure if Charlie / Mo actually crossed paths at Parkhead as Mo left the club in 1987 and Charlie joined in 1987 but given Charlie and Danny’s (McDonald) fond memories of the city, any chance the much speculated North American pre-season training jaunt could pop in and play an exhibition game? - Scott MacKenzie, Toronto, Canada
AS: What’s the directions?
And finally ... we end with a question from Supporters Club Chairperson Mairi Maclean who asks this very strange question ...... obviously a bit of an 'in' joke ?
Do you know how much a return train fare from Baku to Tbilisi costs and how long it takes? - Mairi Maclean, Inverness
AS: 4 Million manats, 3 days, change at Kiev.
 
 
 {mospagebreak}
Editors Comments
One of the most enjoyable series of articles we have ever run on this site was "Boardroom Banter". This was a series of monthly articles that ran for nearly two years and bridged a period where the site was both unofficial and latterly became official. These articles were the brainchild of the website and former ICT Director Kenny Cameron although some credit should also go to Ken Thomson too.
Boardroom Banter - for the uninitiated - contained answers/comments to some of the most frequently debated points on the site message boards in the previous month and directly answered other fan questions that were submitted via site email. BB also allowed the board to push information out to fans in an easy format. The comments about these articles were always positive and it was seen by many fans as a sign of the club making an effort to communicate with its customers.
We applaud the Chairman for agreeing to take part in this session and are heartened by his comments that the Internet is a vital communication tool as some at the club have always resited the technology for whatever reason.
Although this single Q&A session is nothing like a reinstatement of, or a replacement for, Boardroom Banter, hopefully it might become a semi regular feature if enough people are interested on both sides.
We have already suggested a format to the club where both the official and unofficial sites could collaborate on semi-regular articles and hope that this comes to fruition, we wait to see if the fans want to take this opportunity as there were not that many different names asking the questions this time round .......
Acknowledgements:
Acknowledgemnts must go to all those who submitted questions, as well as the Chairman for answering them. We would also like to give thanks to Gordon Gillespie from NorthSport for providing the majority of the images used in this article
Guest
By Guest in News 2006-07 ·

Scottish Cup Draw

Teaser Paragraph:
The draw for the third round of the Tennents Scottish Cup took place at Meadowbank Stadium, after the Edinburgh City v Stirling Albion match and Caley Thistle were paired with the winners of that match after being drawn in an away tie at Stirling Albion. The draw for the third round of the Tennents Scottish Cup took place at Meadowbank Stadium, after the Edinburgh City v Stirling Albion match and Caley Thistle were paired with the winners of that match after being drawn in an away tie at Stirling Albion.
David Taylor, SFA Chief Executive, presided over the draw which was made by Alex Smith, and Adrian Sprott.
The full draw is as follows:
  HOME TEAM    V   AWAY TEAM     CELTIC    V   DUMBARTON     ST. JOHNSTONE    V   AYR UNITED     ROSS COUNTY    V   PARTICK THISTLE     DUNDEE    V   QUEEN OF THE SOUTH     GREENOCK MORTON    V   KILMARNOCK     ABERDEEN    V   HIBERNIAN     CLYDE    V   GRETNA     STIRLING ALBION    V   INVERNESS CT     AIRDRIE UNITED    V   MOTHERWELL     DUNDEE UNITED    V   ST. MIRREN     STRANRAER    V   HEARTS     HAMILTON ACADEMICAL    V   LIVINGSTON     DUNFERMLINE    V   RANGERS     BERWICK RANGERS    V   FALKIRK     DEVERONVALE    V   ELGIN CITY     COWDENBEATH    V   BRECHIN CITY     Ties to be played Sat January 6th / Sun January 7th 2007
Guest
By Guest in News 2006-07 ·

Dundee Utd 3-1 Inverness CT - SPL

Noel Hunt scores twice and David Robertson wraps it ups as Craig Levein continues his good start at Tannadice. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot provides this report from Tannadice Stadium.
DUNDEE UTD 3-1 ICT
 18th November 2006  Tannadice Park, Dundee  DUNDEE UTD  3 (Hunt 22 & 65, Robertson 78) Team: Stillie, Duff, Mair, Archibald, Kalvenes, Conway, Kerr, Robertson, Robson, Samuel (Cameron 63), Hunt (Goodwillie 84)
SUBS: McLean, McCracken, Robb, Kenneth & Smith
 INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC  1 (Wilson 15)  Team: Brown, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Wyness 76), Black, Rankin, McBain, Dargo, Bayne 
SUBS: Morgan, Duncan, Soane, Sutherland, McAllister & Fraser
 Referee  Stuart Dougal  Attendance  5294  Man of the Match  Noel Hunt (Dundee Utd)   Dundee United’s revival under new manager Craig Levein continued at the expense of Caley Thistle, despite the visitors taking a 15th minute lead through Barry Wilson. By half time it was 1-1 and United scored two second half goals to seal the victory.   With Darren Dods suspended Stuart McCaffrey came in for his second league start of the season for ICT and Barry Wilson was made captain for the day. Injuries restricted Charlie Christie’s options but he did bring back John Rankin with Russell Duncan dropping to the bench. Alan Morgan also took a bench slot, his first squad appearance since September.   United dominated the opening period and a strong run by Collin Samuel in the second minute was stopped by Grant Munro. The home side could easily have taken the lead in nine minutes were it not for a superb save by Mark Brown from a Noel Hunt close-range header. A Craig Conway header then flashed past Brown’s post to safety.   The opening came at the other end in 15 minutes when Wilson was brought down by Samuel just outside the box and the captain-for-the-day curled the 25 yard free kick expertly round the wall and into the top corner. This ended Caley Thistle’s goal drought but United equalised seven minutes later when Hunt headed home a Craig Conway cross from seven yards out. The away camp thought Hunt was offside but the goal stood.   The crime count was rising by the minute and seven names finished up in Stuart Dougal’s book by the end of the match.  Five minutes from the break a John Rankin free kick was dropped by Derek Stillie but he recovered in time to block Graham Bayne’s follow-up. Brown kept it to 1-1 just before the interval when he saved from Barry Robson.   Half Time: 1-1   Into the second half and more pressure from United. They went 2-1 up in 65 minutes when a Robson corner reached Hunt via David Robertson and he had an easy job to touch it home from virtually the goal line although it was probably going in anyway. Hunt then came close to a hat trick but his header went past the post.   Hunt turned provider in 78 minutes when he sent a ball from the bye line which Robertson hit home from six yards for 3-1. With four minutes left Caley Thistle were awarded a penalty for a Stuart Duff foul on Dennis Wyness but Craig Dargo’s kick sailed over the bar.   Full Time: 3-1   It ended 3-1 to United and Caley Thistle remain eighth – but on goal difference from Dundee United.
Guest
By Guest in Reports 2006-07 ·

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