NEW ICTFC CHAIRMAN APPOINTED

Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC announced today (Thursday) the unanimous appointment of director George Fraser as the new club chairman. He succeeds Alan Savage who announced last week he was stepping down.

Mr Fraser, who has been on the board for almost three years, is managing director for Scotland of construction group Rok, overseeing almost 1000 employees and multi-million pound contracts. 

His appointment coincided with his 54th birthday today (Thursday). Mr Fraser said:"It is with both humility and commitment that I have accepted this task. This club has brought SPL football to the Highlands and has shown how to operate in a sensible fashion. We want to sustain top flight football for our city and the North of Scotland. Keeping us at that level has to be our basic policy target as we look towards our fifth SPL campaign in August. We will build beyond that target if possible, for we must always have aspirations to achieve even more on the field of play. This summer Craig Brewster has the opportunity to build further to place his own imprint upon the squad. We have local youngsters like Jamie Duff and Dale Gillespie stepping up to the first team pool next season, our reserve team is close to the top of the SPL Reserve League and our youth teams at various age groups show considerable promise. So there is a firm foundation on which to further build our club and bring it even closer to the community. We must also have aspirations off the pitch - to be innovative and continually raise quality standards in every way in which we service our fans, our sponsors, our advertisers and the youngsters who comprise our future fan base. Vice chairman Graeme Bennett commented: "The board are delighted that George has agreed to fill the vacancy. The fact that we don't have to go outwith the club gives us continuity, which is important. George has an outstanding track record in business and he brings those strengths to his new role. A sportsman at heart he will be a very safe pair of hands, he's shown vision and leadership in industry, and his style is collaborative. Filling the post so promptly gives George time to work with his fellow directors and manager Craig Brewster in finalising a framework for season 2008-09." Mr Fraser is a shinty legend, winning nine Camanachd Cup winners medals with Newtonmore, and served as a director of the Camanachd Association. A keen golfer, he was on the organising committee for the Walker Cup match at Nairn Golf Club.