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    Boardroom Banter - Issue 02

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    banter.jpg {xtypo_dropcap}W{/xtypo_dropcap}elcome to the second issue of Boardroom Banter, the long awaited, and now reinstated, monthly report direct from club officials to you the fans. In this month's issue we have some follow up to questions that arose from Issue One as well as answers to many new questions posed by fans for this issue. Keep the questions coming, so we can try and do our bit to try and recapture some of the spirit of openness and camaraderie that existed as Inverness Caledonian Thistle were climbing the leagues.

    As we mentioned in Issue 01, the object of this and future articles is simple enough, and that is to re-establish and maintain the excellent lines of communication between the club and its supporters that existed previously. Issue 01 of the series was greeted with much positivity and a wealth of constructive comments. We hope that this can continue through further issues. {slide=Item 01: Follow Up from Issue 01} In Issue 01, many subjects were covered, but there were follow up questions in five areas. {tab=Stewarding 01}Gringo Jnr asked for some clarifications: Can the club please issue their full details of the rules and regulations they must abide by, and also rules for the fans to follow? Be it a formal posting on CTO, the official website, or even in the match programme so away spectators can also follow the clubs match day rules. Is the club also willing to provide details as to whom to contact at the club/who is in ultimate control on match day, should they disagree with instances of ejection from the ground and removal of banners?{xtypo_rounded_right2}Clarification of the rules on “Unacceptable Conduct is printed in the programme for every home game{/xtypo_rounded_right2} Club Response: This was a relatively easy question to answer. "Clarification of the rules on “Unacceptable Conduct at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and Other Stadiums” is printed in the programme for every home game. This includes a full break down of what is and is not acceptable and the sanctions that may or may not be imposed by the Club for breaches of these rules". It was also noted that the clubs codes of practice and rules are already on the official website at the following page.

    With regards to who to contact, the ultimate control of Match day procedures lies with the Match Commander. Any member of the public attending a game at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium unhappy with anything that takes place on match days should either contact the Stadium in person or write to the Chief Executive setting out any grievances as we can address situations if we know about them and will then deal with them accordingly. As we stated last month it is all about working together, Fans and Club alike to ensure that we are providing an experience at the Stadium that is a pleasure for all and not just certain sections of the crowd.

    {tab=Stewarding 02}Bronson felt the club kind of avoided the main question and asked that “regardless of the club having to comply with SPL rules and regs etc, why is there such inconsistency in different parts of the ground?”

    He followed this up with a question regarding the policy of away fans in the home end. “With us playing Celtic on Sunday, I am once again dreading attending a home game, due to the thought of being surrounded by Celtic fans in the home end who will jump around like maddies when they score, and the stewards and police will fail to take any action. What is the clubs policy on this (I am not talking about fans wearing old firm colours, but those who celebrate when they score). {xtypo_rounded_right2}We do not operate separate systems for home and away fans nor do we have differing rules for the North and South stands{/xtypo_rounded_right2} I have had enough of this and will in future be taking a note of seats used by away fans and complaining directly to the club. [note: question was submitted before ICT V Celtic match, response was received after the match] The club response to this question will undoubtedly draw some more follow up as despite the assurance that the rules are no different for each part of the ground, many have reported that how they are applied can be very different.

    The club response was as follows: "We reiterate what we stated last month that we do and will continue to abide by the rules as set out by the SPL. The suggestion re self policing is a very positive one. Taking details of seat numbers and relaying them to the Club could go some way to reducing the numbers of away fans that manage to infiltrate the home end for Old Firm games. We are not aware of any incidents of this at the recent Celtic match so hopefully it is something that is behind us but we will remain vigilant at future matches to try and ensure that this does not happen. With regard to stewarding we do not operate separate systems for home and away fans nor do we have differing rules for the North and South stands". {tab=Car Parking}Govan Jaggie had a comment/suggestion about the car park: “I am aware that the club don’t want to tar and mark the car park as it means they pay extra money. Could they mark out rows using cones and tape? At the end of each row place another cone. This will have all cars park neatly in set rows. At the end of the game a steward stands at the end of each row and moves the cone allowing a smooth exit in a controlled manner. {xtypo_rounded_right2}We are looking at various options... GJ’s suggestion is one of the preferred options... we hope to implement changes shortly{/xtypo_rounded_right2}There would also be a set row running parallel along the side of the north stand with the cars facing the firth. Cars will be parked with enough room allowing access for passengers. The club response was to confirm that "we are currently looking at various options with regard to the continuing issues with the Home car park. GJ’s suggestion is actually one of the preferred options at the moment and we would hope to implement the changes shortly. We will issue details of the changes prior to the changes taking place so that everybody is aware of what is happening and hopefully things will improve but we do ask for your assistance in this matter as you will know change is never easy and a degree of patience will be required by all". {tab=School/Kids Tickets}A number of users commented on the tickets for Kids/Schools subject including Dewsbury Dude and Gringo who made suggestions on how the club could try and ensure that there were enough adults present to supervise any children who were the recipients of these kinds of ticket. {xtypo_rounded_right2} We are investigating various ways of attracting younger fans to the stadium and will continue to do so {/xtypo_rounded_right2} The club expanded a little on thier previous answer and confirmed that they would look to the Youth and Community department for help in this. "As a Club we currently sell Family tickets and it would not be fair on the purchasers of these tickets to change our current systems quarter of the way through the current season. As we stated we are investigating various ways of attracting younger fans to the stadium and will continue to do so as we are acutely aware of the necessity to utilise every available avenue to increase our current and future fan base. Our Youth & Community Department will be holding discussions with various local clubs and schools to ensure we carry this forward". {tab=Revenue Building}There was no follow up from users on this one, but there was an update from the club: "Our non football revenue activities have continued to gather pace. Our boxing night at the end of November in conjunction with the Supporters Trust and Inverness Boxing Club is a sellout. The Red & Blue Tartan Ball on the 23rd May 2009 is also a sellout.

    {xtypo_rounded_right2}Ticket sales for the Fans Christmas Party have been very slow {xtypo_alert}BUY NOW{/xtypo_alert}{/xtypo_rounded_right2}Unfortunately ticket sales for the Fans Christmas Party have been very slow but we are sure will pick up nearer the time. This is scheduled to be a fantastic night of entertainment and fun and it is hoped that a few of the players will attend, a good chance for the fans to get a chance to meet their heroes in a social context. The Big One our car boot sale held last Sunday was extremely successful and feedback from all who attended was superb. This is a new venture for the Club with funds going towards our Youth & Community programmes, a very worthwhile cause. The next Big One will be held on Sunday 7th December and on the first Sunday of every month there after except for January. Due to popular demand this may well move to weekly in the close season but will be reviewed nearer the time. Thanks to all who turned out last Sunday it is much appreciated. {tab=Catering Facilities}There were a number of follow up suggestions on the catering ranging from asking about queues, to suggesting new delicacies and even a couple of suggestions on who to change supplier to !!! {xtypo_rounded_right2}We hope to have some good news on this in the very near future{/xtypo_rounded_right2}The club had this to say: "We continue to monitor the situation with regard to the serveries and concourse areas and hope to have some good news on this in the very near future. We have discussed the queuing situation with our supplier and hopefully things will improve on this front but we are limited in what we can actually do with this as everybody wants their tea and pies at the same time. What we can do is try and improve the experience and as stated above discussions are well under way on this and provision of a solution is imminent". {/tabs} {/slide} {slide=Item 02: The 5% Levy}Comment/question from Supporters: A simple question asked by a few users was "why have the club decided to accept the 5% levy on ticket sales from the Old Firm ?

    {xtypo_rounded_right4}We do not agree with the implementation of a surcharge{/xtypo_rounded_right4}Club Response: The reasoning behind the acceptance of the 5% levy was fully explained on the evening of the AGM. For those that were not in attendance the explanation is as follows. We as a Club could sell the away end tickets at no surcharge but in doing so accept full responsibility for the behavior and actions of the travelling support. For the Old Firm matches this is something that we as a Club are not willing to do and whilst we do not agree with the implementation of a surcharge and have made our protestations on this at the highest level it is something that we unfortunately must accept as the risks of doing otherwise are not acceptable to us as a Club. We are not a lone voice on this subject as many of the other SPL Clubs objected strongly to it but as we stated the consequences of not accepting it far out way the benefits. Should this % levy continue to be imposed in the future then we will review our position as and when it is discussed. {/slide} {slide=Item 03: Strips/Errea}Comment/question from Supporters: “TBB” asked several questions.

    1. What is the situation with the current deal with Errea?
    2. Who at the club is responsible for having input (apart from the colours) into the strip designs (home and away) with Errea?
    3. Will we continue to see an assortment of designs or does the club want to get a basic football strip theme that can be identified as part of the ICT brand going forward (i.e. St.Mirren - black and white stripes - Celtic - green and white hoops - Dundee Utd - Orange shirts, Black shorts etc etc)?
    4. Are the red and blue stripes a thing of the past?

    “Kingsmills” also asked about the strips: “Why have we parted from the basic design of red and blue vertical stripes when the design was greeted, on this site as least, as the best in the club's short history ?” {xtypo_rounded_right3}We are satisfied with both our level of service and product from Errea{/xtypo_rounded_right3}Club Response: We have one more year to run on our current Errea deal and are currently satisfied with both our level of service and product from Errea. Various parties have input to our designs and strip colours ranging from the Board, Management teams, Players, commercial Department and kit man. Traditionally we have changed our strips to coincide with design changes, trends etc but do agree that the Red and Blue stripes were one of our most popular designs and will give this consideration in the future. On the subject of strips we are currently looking at changing our current away strip for next season and would be delighted to receive constructive input from the fan base on their thoughts. Perhaps this can be done through the web site. {/slide} {slide=Item 04: Ticket Prices}Comment/question from Supporters: Renegade's question was quite simple .... "Ticket prices are far too high. Will the club be making any steps in making ticket more affordable?”

    {xtypo_rounded_right4} We feel our pricing structure is in line with the rest of the SPL {/xtypo_rounded_right4}This was followed up by Libero who added "Following on from Renegades point earlier about ticket prices, Motherwell have announced that all under-12s gain free admittance to all Scottish Premier League games, except those involving the Old Firm, if accompanied by an adult or juvenile season ticket holder. is such a scheme possible within ICT's infrastructure?"

    Finally, SMEE asked about concessions for the unemployed, pointing out that there are concessions for OAPs, Students and disabled but not for unemployed.

    Club Response: In respect of Renegade's original question, "We feel our pricing structure is in line with the rest of the SPL Clubs and at the end of the day we are a business and can only reinvest in the Club what we earn from our ticket sales and non football activities".

    The club then responded to the further point raised by Libero: "This was discussed above under “School/Kids Tickets” and it is something we will look at but again there is no easy answer to this issue part way through a season".

    {xtypo_rounded_right3} Unfortunately concessions for the unemployed would be extremely difficult to implement and monitor {/xtypo_rounded_right3}Finally, in regards to unemployed concessions, the club comment was as follows: "We think our current concession policy is robust enough to deal with the majority of deserving cases. Unfortunately concessions for the unemployed would be extremely difficult to implement and monitor as it could not be done on a season ticket basis. For example, what would happen if, post the first game of the season the ticket holder then took up full time employment, would they come back and upgrade their ticket to a full priced season ticket?" {/slide} {slide=Item 05: Entertainment/Atmosphere}Comment/question from Supporters: Gringo asked about Half-Time entertainment: “Better half time entertainment - although the flybe penalty shoot out is sometimes funny, I think it is too short to entertain the fans. What happened to the ICT Cheerleaders of old? Or the Half-time schools 5-aside games. I also think something similar to Soccer Am's 'ball in the hole' games are far more entertaining than a penalty shoot out. {xtypo_rounded_right3} We will listen to any constructive suggestions to ensure we keep the entertainment fresh and interesting for the crowd{/xtypo_rounded_right3}In fact, why not get ICaT taking penalties against the opposing mascot. Similar to Livvy Lion and Angus the Stag all those years ago?

    Hislopsoffsideagain” asked: Could the club do more to help create atmosphere at games? Some possibilities:

    • Allowing the fans in the North Stand to make some noise, rather than insisting they sit on their hands.
    • Allowing the waving of flags - Ballboys behind the goals at Pittodrie are a good example.
    • Pre-match music that doesn't sound like it's been chosen by a 30 year old woman who spent her childhood surrounded by Take That posters - how about songs that will get the crowd riled up? Suggestions might include I'm Gonna Be (500 miles), O Fortuna (from the Old Spice advert), the Star Wars theme, Reach Up by Perfecto Allstars (the one with the Pigbag sample which Middlesbrough use as their song), Chelsea Dagger...I bet there are plenty more.

    Club Response: Entertainment: "Due to the time constraints involved with the half time entertainment it is very difficult to have too much going on in such a short space of time. We are continually reviewing what we do and will listen to any constructive suggestions to ensure we keep the entertainment fresh and interesting for the crowd".

    {xtypo_rounded_right4} We will continue to change the music played until we come across the correct formula{/xtypo_rounded_right4}Atmosphere: "We as a Club are delighted with anything our fans do to increase the atmosphere at the ground and are certainly not against our fans making a noise. All we ask is that in doing so they abide by the rules as regulations as discussed previously under “Stewarding” in matters arising from issue 1. With regard to pre match music we do vary this but it is very much a personal choice and what appeals to some may not appeal to others but we will continue to change the music played until we come across the correct formula and for the next home game will include some of the suggestions put forward by the contributors to the web site. {/slide} {slide=Item 06: Club Shop}Comment/question from Supporters: “Kingsmills” asked about a City Centre shop: “Are there any plans for a city centre club shop, could the club not test the water by taking a short lease of premises to see what the reaction might be?”. {xtypo_rounded_right3} We have just announced the opening of a City centre outlet {/xtypo_rounded_right3}Similar questions were also posed by "BornCaley" and "EWS" who suggested that even a “stall” in the Eastgate might be an idea.

    Club Response: As you will have read on the web site we have just announced the opening of a City centre outlet in conjunction with Zoo. We are delighted with this new venture and see it as a positive move for the Club, Zoo and our fans. {/slide} {slide=Item 07: Sectarianism}Comment/question from Supporters: Birdog asked a few questions in light of the incidents at the ICT V Celtic match.

    1. Will the club publically condemn the sectarian singing heard at TCS match versus Celtic?
    2. Will the club take action against the perpetrators and report them to the Police?
    3. What steps will the club take to prevent a repeat of this disgusting behaviour?

    {xtypo_rounded_right4}We will not tolerate this type of behaviour at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium... We were delighted to note that our views on this were mirrored by virtually all the contributors to ICT online {/xtypo_rounded_right4}Club Response: The Board are united in the fight against sectarianism in Sport. No sportsperson should be subjected to sectarian abuse in any form. We will not tolerate this type of behaviour at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, it is not something we have witnessed previously from our home support and trust will not have to witness it again, it was embarrassing.

    We were delighted to note that our views on this were mirrored by virtually all the contributors to ICT online something we are very proud off. We actively encourage, you, the supporters to assist us in stamping out this type of irresponsible behaviour and ask that in future you report any body you think is conducting themselves in an unacceptable manner within the Stadium. Hopefully we will never see a repeat of what took place at the recent Celtic match, albeit by a very small number of supporters, this type of support we can do without.{/slide} {slide=Item 08: Stadium Ownership}Comment/question from Supporters: CaleyD asked: “Can the club clarify exactly which companies own which parts of the stadium (and the land it sits on), why it is not owned by Inverness Caledonian Thistle Trust Ltd as we were led to believe would be/was the case when we transferred it, {xtypo_rounded_right3} We are not at liberty to discuss the ins and outs of the lease in open forum{/xtypo_rounded_right3}what lease we have and how we may (or may not) benefit from the terms of that lease if the site was to be sold and we moved elsewhere?

    Club Response: The Club have a long term lease on the ground and as a result of the transaction that took place is debt free with regard to the Stadium. We are not at liberty to discuss the ins and outs of the lease in open forum.

    {/slide} {slide=Item 09: Smoking}Comment/question from Supporters: CaleyStan asked a burning question: “The stewards take great delight in telling me that I'm free to leave the stadium to smoke but SPL rules prevent me from re-entering once I have left. This doesn’t seem to apply to those in hospitality, the media or club officials who happily congregate at the front door for a half-time smoke.

    {xtypo_rounded_right4} Caledonian Thistle Stadium is a no smoking area{/xtypo_rounded_right4}Sometimes people attempt to smoke in the area where the burger van sits, sneaking a few draws before the stewards start shouting at them. It’s pretty hard to take when 20 yards away the suits are puffing away freely. Is there an uncovered space in the stadium where people could go for a smoke without bothering anyone?”

    Club Response: The club answer was short and sweet, and likely to prompt a follow-up question for next month we are sure ... "Caledonian Thistle Stadium is a no smoking area".{/slide} {slide=Item 10: Other} {tab=West Stand} Comment/question from Supporters: Peter Mearns (via email) asked: “The club will only move to the next level when the West Stand is underway. Any news, info, ideas from the board?”

    Club Response: We have carried out financial projections on the possibility of providing a stand on the West side of the Stadium and unfortunately the numbers do not stack up. We are currently running at an average crowd of just under 4,000 in a Stadium with a capacity of over 7,000 and we can see no benefit in putting the Club in debt to provide a stand that would sit empty for the majority of games. Whilst this may be on the list of nice top haves it is not high on our list for expenditure at the current time.

    {tab=Link-Ups} Comment/question from Supporters: BornCaley asked whether the club have looked at a link-up with another club in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia etc. Presumably as a means of getting talent from there or loaning youngsters to them.

    Club Response: We have not looked at linking with another Club from Eastern Europe but are currently in discussions to form links with a Scandinavian Football Club and will keep you updated on progress. We view this opportunity to foster links with other Clubs very positively and though at a very early stage we look forward to progressing this venture. {tab=Caley Bias?} Comment/question from Supporters: Renegade asked “Why does an evident Caley bias still exist (ie-predominantly blue home shirts, seats, Caledonian Stadium etc.)?”

    Club Response: We can assure you that there is no bias toward any Club other than Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

    {tab=Away Season Tickets} Comment/question from Supporters: EWS asked: “Have the club ever looked into having an "away" season ticket? I ask this because there are quite a few fans living in the central belt and so tend to make more away games then home games (i.e. myself).”

    Club Response: Due to the fact we are not in control of the away ticket sales and this is something that would require buy in from all SPL Clubs we could not implement this, unfortunate as it may seem to our supporters who do not stay in Inverness. Rest assured your support at our away games is very much appreciated. {/tabs}{/slide}

    Once again, we thank Kenny and Graeme for taking the time to provide these answers, and hope that it gives you some answers and some insight into the inner workings of the decision making process. Please keep the questions coming, whether they are new questions, or whether they are follow-ups to questions asked in this or previous articles.

    Questions can be submitted on the CaleyThistleOnline Forum or via email to the address bb@caleythistleonline.com

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