...Mike Smith has left the building.

Mods can move this to the main forum when they get a confirmed source.

As much as im glad hes gone, too many are resting too much belame on him. He isnt even a Board member so a few of the things he has been blamed for is a bit much. Used as a scapegoat in some cases imo.

You could be right.

Bottom line is that he would not have lasted 5 years if he were truly crap at doing the duties that formed his job. He was a numbers man not a people man and until recently, the numbers looked pretty good.

I have my own personal opinion regarding the negatives of his 5 year tenure, but I am going to keep those to myself.

Hold on here; he might have been a numbers man but he was GENERAL manager. This is an all encompassing role (as in general) So he has to take some measure of responsibility for:

1. The "gypsy" fiasco. It frittered out into a public confession of a problem that didn't exist, followed by posturing from the club and then no action whatever at the next c*unt* game. The only end result was really bad press for the club and it's fans.
   
2. Numbers? Any input into the Niculae numbers then? These are numbers that are going to cause this club a significant problem in the near future, and more bad publicity.
   
3. Dreadful catering?
   
4. Alienating Section G?
   
5. A risible club shop that could have maximised some income with a bit of effort but then rolled over into another badly handled staff cutting exercise and yet more bad publicity.
   

These are just a couple of issues from someone who has no inside track on the club, which is why I have no idea what CC does and continues to be paid for. I think it's somewhat just that MS has now become a victim of the shoddy business he helped create/ administer. See you Mike.

Hold on here; he might have been a numbers man but he was GENERAL manager. This is an all encompassing role (as in general) So he has to take some measure of responsibility for:

1. The "gypsy" fiasco. It frittered out into a public confession of a problem that didn't exist, followed by posturing from the club and then no action whatever at the next c*unt* game. The only end result was really bad press for the club and it's fans.
   
2. Numbers? Any input into the Niculae numbers then? These are numbers that are going to cause this club a significant problem in the near future, and more bad publicity.
   
3. Dreadful catering?
   
4. Alienating Section G?
   
5. A risible club shop that could have maximised some income with a bit of effort but then rolled over into another badly handled staff cutting exercise and yet more bad publicity.
   

These are just a couple of issues from someone who has no inside track on the club, which is why I have no idea what CC does and continues to be paid for. I think it's somewhat just that MS has now become a victim of the shoddy business he helped create/ administer. See you Mike.

This is my point. Fair enough some of this is do do with him, but overall its the board which needs to deal with it. They are the head guys here and the ones that should be held responsible. As i said, Scapegoat.

Amazing. Smithy departs, Dave the Builder goes pitchside before the game, ICT win at home for the first time for 6 months. Surely more that the luck of the Irish?

So what exactly is this Darren's feckin background then ? His best ever first move would be to get his erse on here and let us know what some of his plans / objectives are.

He used to be the hospitality manager.

He's a nice guy. That doesnt mean that he will do a good job but I wish him all the best

Good luck to Darren. And congratulations.

it says in club,s announcement darren was the clubs commercial manager? i thought that was charlie christies job??

No. charlie's Centenary Club manager

The problem has always been people judging from the outside without having the full details to understand what goes on on a daily basis and what has been expected from Mike Smith

He has received a fair amount of flack from this forum and I don't think it's fair that he's been used as a scapegoat but we live in a blame culture and every likes to point the finger. The gypogate, he had his hands tied but as someone already mentioned, did he really need to kick up such a storm? would there really have been action from the police if he had ignored the situation and just had a quiet word with the stewards?

All I can comment on is the conversation I had with him and he seemed like a decent bloke, at least responded to my email and provided a detailed explanation for his actions. Being a manager isn't about being liked, infact, the most efficient for the business are usually the most hated... I just hope Darren knows what he's in for because as soon as there's a slip up our fans will demand his head on a platter.

So what exactly is this Darren's feckin background then ?

Darren was manager of the Health Club that is now called Bannatynes before he came to the club.

Did he not play for ICT for a short time?

Did he not play for ICT for a short time?

:D :)

Did he not play for ICT for a short time?

Not sure he'd even know one end of a football field from the other. Sorry Darren

Assuming this is nothing more than a cost cutting measure, and baring in mind that the law prevents you from paying someone off and then hiring a replacement, then I can only think that his duties will be taken over by staff already at the stadium.

surely that isn't true, football managers get paid off all the time and then replaced.

Did he not play for ICT for a short time?

:D :)

Did he not play for ICT for a short time?

Not sure he'd even know one end of a football field from the other. Sorry Darren

My mistake, I think I'm thinking of another MacDonald who played for ICT and his still working for the club (Danny perhaps?).

thats another mistake Rene , its Darren MacIntosh not Macdonald . :D

thats another mistake Rene , its Darren MacIntosh not Macdonald . :D

Make that two mistakes Danny has left as well

What's happening to me these days? :D

What's happening to me these days? :029:

You havn't changed one bit! :D

thats another mistake Rene , its Darren MacIntosh not Macdonald . :029:

Since you are in a pedantic mood let me point out that it is Mackintosh not MacIntosh :D

The problem has always been people judging from the outside without having the full details to understand what goes on on a daily basis and what has been expected from Mike Smith

He has received a fair amount of flack from this forum and I don't think it's fair that he's been used as a scapegoat but we live in a blame culture and every likes to point the finger. The gypogate, he had his hands tied but as someone already mentioned, did he really need to kick up such a storm? would there really have been action from the police if he had ignored the situation and just had a quiet word with the stewards?

All I can comment on is the conversation I had with him and he seemed like a decent bloke, at least responded to my email and provided a detailed explanation for his actions. Being a manager isn't about being liked, infact, the most efficient for the business are usually the most hated... I just hope Darren knows what he's in for because as soon as there's a slip up our fans will demand his head on a platter.

Yeah, i was very suprised to get a reply from him to my letter and he answered all my questions and even said that they plan to review the ticket prices due to the amount of complaints they have had. He seemed a nice enough guy.

So what exactly is this Darren's feckin background then ?

Darren was manager of the Health Club that is now called Bannatynes before he came to the club.

And before that he ran Harpers Fitness on Harbour Road, and the less said about that the better

So what exactly is this Darren's feckin background then ?

Darren was manager of the Health Club that is now called Bannatynes before he came to the club.

not so sure he was the manager of the whole health club...

Darren was manager of the Health Club that is now called Bannatynes before he came to the club.

Is this him?

Anyone who knows me knows I dont frequent Gyms or Fitness clubs much so cant comment on his pre-ICT career but in all the dealings I have had with Darren over ICT related stuff I have found that he listens to you and acts effectively where he can.

I am sure he is not perfect, but it seems like the anti-Mike stuff has instantly been shifted over to be anti-Darren material before there is even a shread of a legitimate reason to do that !

In his defence, can I point out that within just a week or two of taking over Mike's duties, he has already (quietly) done something many fans have been asking for for a long time ..... just look at the front page or the club info forum and you will see that he has ordered up things like training tops, goalie tops etc from Errea which should be available now before Xmas (assuming Errea deliver in time - which is out of his hands).

It may only be a small gesture or act, and it is ultimately of a commercial benefit to ICT, but it still shows that he is aware of what people have been asking for and now that it is within his power to affect the outcome, he has done so. Give the guy a break FFS.