I am fairly certain that most fans/posters on here know that at the end of this season there is likely to be a mass exodus of players leaving so my simple question is, would you rather we replaced them with experienced players or youngsters because I am clearly in the youngsters camp but would also believe that we may need some experienced players no matter what league we're in but especially if we're in league 1 which is the worst case scenario but also the most likely unless we can win our 6 pointers against Arbroath, Queens Park and Dunfermline 🤔.

I don't know who's here for next season but I would imagine that the key ones to retain if at all possible are Billy McKay and Mark Ridgers : ictscarf:

1 hour ago, Starscape said:

It's not so much 'only'. More like six have already indicated, even though we're still in administration. I would have thought most are waiting to see, rather than wanting to get away.

Noone knows what will happen next month. Good news and many will stay. Others will be recruited. Bad news, well, we may not need any players.

I don't think players not committing is worrying at this stage. It's to be expected.

I would still be concerned that only six have indicated they want to remain already. Only making an assumption here, but let’s say those that are settled here,( Devine, Mkay, McLeod, Strachan, walker, Nixon etc) are those not looking to move, that wouldn’t be a surprise. The reality is we are still in a relegation playoff place ( hopefully that changes tomorrow), and the best case is we stay in league 1, worst case league 2 or bust !!!!! We have seen with Bray how early players and clubs do their business before the end of the season, likely the majority either have plans for elsewhere, or can see themselves being better than league 1.

On 3/7/2025 at 8:10 PM, CaleyCiuin said:

I would still be concerned that only six have indicated they want to remain already. Only making an assumption here, but let’s say those that are settled here,( Devine, Mkay, McLeod, Strachan, walker, Nixon etc) are those not looking to move, that wouldn’t be a surprise. The reality is we are still in a relegation playoff place ( hopefully that changes tomorrow), and the best case is we stay in league 1, worst case league 2 or bust !!!!! We have seen with Bray how early players and clubs do their business before the end of the season, likely the majority either have plans for elsewhere, or can see themselves being better than league 1.

Sadly I would imagine players like Walker, Macleod and Strachan will be looking to move on. They aren’t getting a chance. Hopefully I’m wrong but clubs will be keeping tabs on these guys for sure 

Not something to worry about until the club are in a position to be able to do anything about it. Totally out of our hands.

I read on another forum that Jordan Alonge from Forres Mechanics is on trial with us 🤔🤷‍♂️

52 minutes ago, LisleRightPeg said:

I read on another forum that Jordan Alonge from Forres Mechanics is on trial with us 🤔🤷‍♂️

At least he is a local boy, if you don't count crystal Palace or america. Its been said on here before it was time to start trawling the highland league again. Another knock to our academy boys looking for a contract though. 

Forres Mechanics FC are delighted to announce the signing of 25-year old midfielder Jordan Alonge from Rothes FC on a 2-year deal – subject to SFA approval.

Jordan began his footballing career in the academy at Crystal Palace, before earning a scholarship in the U.S. where he played at the highest level in the NCAA division 1.

Jordan has impressed in his short time with Rothes, and we couldn’t be happier to have added him to our squad.

I’m not sure if there is any truth in it but like you say another knock to the academy players if true. I’m starting to think is it worth having a youth system? Even Ferguson gave Macleod and Walker starts and both looked very promising but the current coaching staff don’t seem to have much faith in the youth players. 

I think some of the recent comments are harsh.

The focus has been on securing our League 1 status and loan players like Alfie Bavidge have done a lot to make that look increasingly possible.

Of our own youngsters, Keith Bray has been the stand out, but others have done their bit, even if generally off the bench (Thompson, Cairns, Macleod and Strachan for example).

They are still learning their trade and this season around the first team will have benefitted them and I’d expect some to make an impact next season. Macleod started ahead of Stewart last night, which must have boosted his confidence.

We’ve been relatively lucky with injuries too, with Devine, Savage, Gilmour and Allan all being, quite rightly, first picks.

I’m sure we’d all question team selection if any of them were benched at any game.

If there’s talent locally at other teams, we are right to look at it. That’s how we got MacKinnon. If there’s talent locally are others who will make the squad stronger, I’m fine with that and it avoids accommodation costs too.

My comments on the match thread were not aimed at the loan players or downplaying their contribution. My issue is with people running football clubs who say one thing and do another.

How many players from the current squad want to stay for next season?, and who do we think they are? Recent reporting says six have indicated they want to remain. If that is true and Kel and Billy think they are worth keeping, that would mean approximately another 18 players would have to be found !!!!!! 

Doesn't mean the rest want to leave. With liquidation potentially around the corner, most will just not know what is happening next year.

2 minutes ago, Starscape said:

Doesn't mean the rest want to leave. With liquidation potentially around the corner, most will just not know what is happening next year.

You’re right………..also, doesn’t mean the rest want to stay. Most will be looking at what’s best for them as the end of the season approaches. 

Overhead a conversation today where someone seemed fairly certain that as we're in admin then even players contracted beyond the end of the season are allowed to talk to other clubs and could choose to leave.

Think we need to find out if ICT will still be a club next season at this rate. The squad will have to wait at this point.

Hopefully we come out the other side and the nucleus of the squad stick around and we can get back to focusing on the pitch.

I think the majority of players will sadly move on. There is no such thing as loyalty in football these days. The players understandably will need to look after themselves first and I’d imagine some are talking to other clubs with pre contract agreements already.