Terry's open invitation to fans

Terry Butcher is offering fans a sneak pre-season preview of how Caley Thistle train plus a guided tour of the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Next Friday -- July 17 -- the club and its Supporters Trust are jointly staging an Open Night from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

"It's a great idea and fans will be able to watch us having a training session then there will be an opportunity for photographs and autographs of the players, explains Butcher."We hope to see as many supporters as possible for what will be a fun family evening. It's another way of connecting with the community -- and, after all, we want the fans to be our 'extra player' as we push to regain our SPL place."

Darren Mackintosh, the club's commercial manager, said:"There is genuine enthusiasm among the fans for our SFL campaign, season tickets have been selling strongly, and we're delighted to link up with the Supporters Trust to launch this Open Night initiative.

"Terry will be rigged to a microphone so he can chat to the fans from the pitch during the training session, explaining what's happening while injecting some humour into things.

"Fans can also have guided tours  and see the dressing rooms, the manager's office, the boardroom and hospitality suites and get a flavour of what goes on behind the scenes. There's no charge for the Open Night -- everyone's welcome.

"Those who haven't yet got season tickets can do so on the evening as the ticket office will be open with full details of our popular new easy-payments scheme."

Supporters Trust board member Laura Grant said:"We're very pleased at this chance for people to gain insight in to how the players train and then meet the lads afterwards  --it's a nice touch to bring team and fans closer together.

"We're working with the club on the event and on the evening we'll have a display to unveil new initiatives we're working on in support of the club and to publicise what the Trust does."

This first home 'fixture' of the campaign will be an open-gates event, with no tickets or pre-booking required. Just turn up -- and see your favourites being put through their paces.