With the laudibly ambitious Motherwell board making Mark McGhee an improved package in order to secure his services, I was wondering whether Mr Brewster and Co were going to do the same for me as we approach another season. After the interminable 2007/08 season finally coming to an end, the autopsy and evaluation must take place. Those of you who know me, recognise a fully fledged member of the value-for-money brigade (Neil Young/Tom Waits tickets excepted naturellement!) Next season it will cost me ?10 more to fill my tank with fuel. The tarmacadam snake that is the A9 only gets busier as people belatedly realise the attractions of living in or visiting the Highlands. I would not normally drive for 7hrs to go and see Indiana Jones and the Helmsdale Hermit if I knew that the gig was going to cost me ?70-100, the film was generally poor and the ending predictable. By the same token, if the film was poor, i would not return to see it 4 times in a year! We are stuck in the stagnant and putrid waters of the SPL ( a place I never wanted to be) . I am sick of going to Kilmarnock (the A71 surely being the single worst cross-country route in Europe); likewise Paisley; Falkirk is grim (although at least they try and have a decent guy at the helm). The so-called "big games" are no longer attractive.......we've done it all before. Come on SPL......freshen it up. Let's have a bigger division with more comings and goings at the end of the season. As other pastimes beckon, football must not be complacent.
What improved offer am I going to receive so that i may continue to grace the Innes and Caley Stadium in the coming year?
My initial demands are:
Ambition and quality.....................Are the bean-counters content with the current balance sheet? Is that all that matters? Do they look to the future? How many young converts do you think passed through the turnstiles this season?, how many more next season?. We can't rely on return visits from old codgers like me. I'll pass on the Niculae debate.....it's been done to death. Personally I think it has had a net detrimental effect on ICT. Play the youngsters......get Zander and Vigurs on the park. Just as importantly...........recognise crap when you see it and get rid. Entertainment and excitement is what the punter wants.
Don't treat us like idiots! Be open and honest with us. We pay your wages. Post match interviews should be handled by an articulate club representative and reflect what was on the park. "We played well", "I'm proud of them", We were unlucky". No we weren't!!...We were SH*T.......and it's my fault!
I want guile, understanding and tactical awareness. If something is not going according to plan............fix it!.....and before 87 minutes! Show us that you have an understanding of the game. Everyone in the stands can see that something is wrong long before any action is taken.
Pricing structures need to be looked at. A kid should not have to pay more than a fiver to get into a game. And, certainly, come the meaningless end-of-season matches, I should not pay more than ?10. And while we are at it. Sort the merchandising out.........the shop is a joke!
Stewarding..........I know, I know..it's all been said before. From the car park to the terraces.....you are there to facilitate our enjoyment....remember that! "Have a nice day"
Make the whole package a day out. I don't need pole dancers at half time ( but wouldn't say no). Surely the club can come up with some innovative entertainment. I can only imagine the "show" that Scotty sees when he goes to see Toronto............maybe he can tell us. You could start with a bar!..........remember Falkirks Budwar tent?
It's all easy to say..............harder to do. But that's what we pay you for. ICT and the SPL WILL pay for their complacency. Money is tighter than ever before. Belts are being tightened round the land. As more businesses and pastimes compete for our leisure time we must get our act together.
Like a man who knows that, deep down, his relationship is on the rocks...........I'll give it one last chance..........and we BOTH have to work at it!. But I won't be fobbed off with the promise of a quickie over the kitchen table!
I'm already having an affair with Peebles Rugby Club! and it upsets me to say that.
With the laudibly ambitious Motherwell board making Mark McGhee an improved package in order to secure his services, I was wondering whether Mr Brewster and Co were going to do the same for me as we approach another season. After the interminable 2007/08 season finally coming to an end, the autopsy and evaluation must take place. Those of you who know me, recognise a fully fledged member of the value-for-money brigade (Neil Young/Tom Waits tickets excepted naturellement!) Next season it will cost me ?10 more to fill my tank with fuel. The tarmacadam snake that is the A9 only gets busier as people belatedly realise the attractions of living in or visiting the Highlands. I would not normally drive for 7hrs to go and see Indiana Jones and the Helmsdale Hermit if I knew that the gig was going to cost me ?70-100, the film was generally poor and the ending predictable. By the same token, if the film was poor, i would not return to see it 4 times in a year! We are stuck in the stagnant and putrid waters of the SPL ( a place I never wanted to be) . I am sick of going to Kilmarnock (the A71 surely being the single worst cross-country route in Europe); likewise Paisley; Falkirk is grim (although at least they try and have a decent guy at the helm). The so-called "big games" are no longer attractive.......we've done it all before. Come on SPL......freshen it up. Let's have a bigger division with more comings and goings at the end of the season. As other pastimes beckon, football must not be complacent.
What improved offer am I going to receive so that i may continue to grace the Innes and Caley Stadium in the coming year?
My initial demands are:
Ambition and quality.....................Are the bean-counters content with the current balance sheet? Is that all that matters? Do they look to the future? How many young converts do you think passed through the turnstiles this season?, how many more next season?. We can't rely on return visits from old codgers like me. I'll pass on the Niculae debate.....it's been done to death. Personally I think it has had a net detrimental effect on ICT. Play the youngsters......get Zander and Vigurs on the park. Just as importantly...........recognise crap when you see it and get rid. Entertainment and excitement is what the punter wants.
Don't treat us like idiots! Be open and honest with us. We pay your wages. Post match interviews should be handled by an articulate club representative and reflect what was on the park. "We played well", "I'm proud of them", We were unlucky". No we weren't!!...We were SH*T.......and it's my fault!
I want guile, understanding and tactical awareness. If something is not going according to plan............fix it!.....and before 87 minutes! Show us that you have an understanding of the game. Everyone in the stands can see that something is wrong long before any action is taken.
Pricing structures need to be looked at. A kid should not have to pay more than a fiver to get into a game. And, certainly, come the meaningless end-of-season matches, I should not pay more than ?10. And while we are at it. Sort the merchandising out.........the shop is a joke!
Stewarding..........I know, I know..it's all been said before. From the car park to the terraces.....you are there to facilitate our enjoyment....remember that! "Have a nice day"
Make the whole package a day out. I don't need pole dancers at half time ( but wouldn't say no). Surely the club can come up with some innovative entertainment. I can only imagine the "show" that Scotty sees when he goes to see Toronto............maybe he can tell us. You could start with a bar!..........remember Falkirks Budwar tent?
It's all easy to say..............harder to do. But that's what we pay you for. ICT and the SPL WILL pay for their complacency. Money is tighter than ever before. Belts are being tightened round the land. As more businesses and pastimes compete for our leisure time we must get our act together.
Like a man who knows that, deep down, his relationship is on the rocks...........I'll give it one last chance..........and we BOTH have to work at it!. But I won't be fobbed off with the promise of a quickie over the kitchen table!
I'm already having an affair with Peebles Rugby Club! and it upsets me to say that.