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Over the years since the North Stand was constructed in December/January 2004/5 there have been some whispers about a name change to the stand. Such like, The Northbank, The Bridge End and even one bawbag suggested the Caley Kop I have always thought it the greatest privilege for an ex player, manager or Chairman to have their name Christened on one of the home stands. Tonight we have heard the solemn news that THEE greatest player and legend to have played for the Red and Blue of ICTFC has decided to leave. However i just find it totally unfathomable to think that Rossco will have nothing left to do with us, for we all know Ross Tokely is ICT and ICT is Ross tokely. So in this case, I would like to propose renaming the North Stand to the Ross Tokely Stand! Who's with me? :biggrin:

Mmmm. I wonder what the size of cut Foran had to take with his new contract?

I can't agree with the Salesman analogy. I worked in a predominantly sales orientated organisation for years. Sales targets increase year on year and it would never be acceptable to come in with a massive underachievement in year 3 after 2 good preceeding years. So on that argument alone, Butcher would be out. If I were doing his annual appraisal for the season just finished I would definitely score him as having failed. Clearly he had set an objective of creating 'his own' team. The Munro decision was a massive mistake which I'd be surprised if even Butcher would not now acknowledge. So if we now look at who is left from 'his own' team, who do we have left from all his imports, whether they were loanees or signings? Currently, I think it is Meekings , McKay, and A Shinnie off the top of my head - not much to build a team around for the coming season is it? However, I do realise that lack of money is a major factor in attracting new players. But whoever the players are, I just wish he would concentrate on the coaching side and get them playing football. I'm sure we are all fed up with the long ball punting upfield to a loan striker. Also, surely he needs to aim at some stability. I doubt if he fielded the same team two weeks running last season, when all his chopping and changing smacked of panic rather than planning. So for me I'm afraid I think Butcher is lucky not to have been punted and I would be telling him that it is definitely 'last chance' time for him in the coming season.

A Tokley statue right in front of where Butcher parks would be ideal

That to me sounds like Butcher wanted him gone. It certainly does. Of course there comes a time when people have to move on, but if the manager believes that a player has reached that stage he should release the player and acknowledge the contribution the player has made to the club. This is particulary true in Roscoe's case because nobody has ever made a greater contribution to this club. To force the player to leave by offering a derisory deal and then telling him by text rather than a face to face meeting that there would be no better deal is both cowardly and shameful. He has chosen this route because he did not want the same hue and cry that releasing Munro created. His inability to man manage is demonstrated by yet another major misjudgement both of his assessment of a player and how to deal with the situation.

Renewed mine...in the good times and the bad times that's what it's all about when you support your team

I was one of those who had criticised Tokely in recent seasons, and I stand by what I said at the time. That doesn't take away from the fact that he is an absolute legend and will be sorely missed. We now are only sure of relying on Ryan Esson and Richie Foran to provide the grit and encouragement needed in the Highland Derby. As many have alluded to, an era ends with Tokely's departure. The age of mercenaries begins.

All the best Ross - a true ICT legend. No matter who you play for in the future against us I for one will never boo you.

[trying desperately to find a positive....] At least that's a phrase we will never hear again at ICT!

I agree. I doubt we will ever see his like again. I remember thinking when we first won promotion that he would struggle at the higher level but each time the club took a step forward, Ross rose to the challenge and worked ever harder and harder and strengthened the various aspects of his game. I am really sad to see him leave because over the last few games of the season I think he proved he was still one of the best players at the club and had at least one more year in him as a first choice defender. That is not sentimentality - it's based on watching a real pro go about his craft. His record number of appearences will never be beaten and I very much doubt that any player will ever show the same level of committment and passion for the club. He epitomises everything good about the rise of the club from a new club finding it's first tentative way in the 3rd division to becoming an established SPL team. If we can't name the stand after Ross, we will never be able to name it after any other player.

I think the thing is, Butcher went out saying that there would be a new team for 2011-12. Why? There was really nothing wrong with the squad he had. Rooney and Innes were away and then should've got rid of the deadwood of mainly Golabek, Odhiambo and Max Johnson - I even wouldn't have minded keeping McBain in case of emergencies - I'd rather have seen him play this season than Gnapka, that for sure! He then would've kept the bulk of the squad (a squad that came very close to a top six finish) and brought in Golobart, Andrew Shinnie, Davis, Tade, McKay and Jones. That would've been a decent team and would've had enough there to compensate the loss of Rooney. But no, Butcher punts Munro, Duncan and Dani Sanchez all of whom were better the some of the duds he brought in and some, like Aldred and Gnapka, didn't want to be here. That's what a good manager would have done. Sadly though, that's not what he is.

One of the things that galls me most about this and it was clear it was going to happen is that a legend of his status wasn't even given a proper send off, good luck Ross you deserve better

Absolutely right. Attendances in England are generally keeping up and in many cases improving. People would turn up if the product was right. Of course, there have been times when ICT have played attractive stuff under Butcher but in general it has been pretty grim stuff and many fans have been voting with their feet. There has been plenty discussion on this forum about the quality of football on show this season. Part of that may be the calibre of the player we can afford but it is also down to tactics. It is Butcher who stopped Tokely going on his rampaging runs up the park and Butcher who stopped Munro using his long throw. And, yes, I know we got caught out from time to time when the guys did that but we enjoyed watching it and Tokely's scoring record perhaps suggests the tactic paid off more often than we got caught out. I still feel that Butcher has done quite well results wise since he's been here so he must be doing something right. Unfortunately, he is also getting a lot wrong. The coming season will be make or break time for the manager. It will be his 4th season with his team and it will be fair to judge him on how we do both in terms of results and the entertainment value provided. There are some who expect top six but to my mind that is unrealistic. I think finishing no worse than 9th would be a realistic expectation of where we would expect to be with a manager in his 4th year but frankly I will be both surprised and delighted if we achieve that. Looking at the way last season went and how the closed season is progressing I'll happily settle for 11th and really don't care whether County finish above us or not. We must be favourites for the drop. Come on Terry, prove me wrong!

Blasted when they don't try and blasted again when they do....get the feeling that some people are never happier than when they are stirring the shit and looking for an argument. There's people knocking their pan in trying to make things a bit better under extremely difficult circumstances and all others can do is sit behind a keyboard, criticise and do feck all but leave those who are trying with a feeling of "why bother?". Give yourselves a shake, FFS.

for those that are saying we couldn't afford a new contract for him could we afford one for Hogg while he was injured and hasn't proved himself at the club, admirable to give Hogg a contract while suffering a bad injury but nowhere near as deserving as Tokely

Ross Tokely I thank you A truly remarkable player. When we got promoted through all the divisions the question by many, including myself, was surely this guy will struggle and at EVERY level he delivered.

Surely if we want things to get better and to be able to sign better players on better deals we all have to do our bit and help the club where we can. The more season tickets sold the more money going into the club. Also gives peeps working through the week the chance to go in and buy their ticket in person. I know the club ain't always perfect but damned if they do and damned if they don't?

Butcher had better do better next season or he is finished. Granty now Tokely, the heart has been ripped from the club and the fans will not forgive that if he has a another season like last.

How come Vogts got away with making the same gesture Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor got banned for?!

It is true that no player can stay in the team forever and ever amen, they will move on, even those that have served the club well over many accumulated years. What gets my back up is the way these legends have been treated. I don't know what goes on behind closed doors with the players but from what I read it becomes clear to me that our club don't seem to care about these guys. A case of 'you've served your purpose now you can piss off'. All this comes across to me as a club that has lost its family feeling, its respect and (probably) its support. Good luck Rossco in whatever you choose to do or in which team you play for (ICT 'B' Team in Dingwall maybe). We, the supporters, appreciate what you have done / achieved for ICT over the years even if the club doesn't.

I didn't say I'd have kept McBain, I said I wouldn't have minded keeping him, if he wanted to of course (Wyness by the way was mostly rubbish in his second spell and punting him was one of the few things Brewster got right!). Duncan may have been loaned out by County, but not all clubs are the same, not all players fit in different squads in the same way and I doubt you'd have complained had he been offered a new deal. I'm sorry I can't be the forever optimist like you, but unlike you I go to ICT games on an extremely regular basis and can only comment on what I see, what I hear, the research I've done and the way I feel the club is going. Butcher's had his moments when it worked and I congratulated him for promotion at the time but all things run their courses and I'm not going to kid on that I think is everything is fine and am not fearing relegation next season. There's people on this site who, if Butcher claimed the sky was green, would argue that it was so. I am not one of them. I am not a lemming, I am not a happy clapper, I am a Renegade.

I remember driving through to Peterhead on a Sunday in July 1996 to see our new 17-year-old central midfield star make his debut in the Buchan Cup. Unfortunately a fairly serious back injury saw him carted off in the 1st half. It's hard to believe that the same guy is only just leaving us now. Compare 1996 (hardly anyone had a mobile phone or internet access) to now. A time shift of a whole generation and Rossco was there with ICT from start to finish. All the best Ross.

For a player with such affinity for the club and one who is still a first team regular to turn down a deal shows that it must have been a pretty poor one that he was offered. Butcher's hitlist is now complete, just as I told you that this was what he desired. He'll be the one who can say that Tokely left on his own accord, but we all know the truth is really anything but. Butcher now has a big job on his hands, and if he gets this wrong will be following Tokely out the door in the not too distant future.

His stance against Terry Butcher.

You forget that it seems to be a badge of honour not to have renewed your season ticket...............................................and then wonder why the playing budget is being cut? Apparently the club are responsible for all the ills of Scottish football at the moment and should be 'punished' accordingly

As long as Scottish football has decision makers of the calibre of Jim Ballantyne,who not so long ago,vented his spleen to show how robust the authorities would be when financial shenanigans were afoot and i quote... "We are of the opinion that lessons are not being learned. For example, clubs have to realise that, going forward, they cannot treat their HMRC obligations as something akin to a credit card. "In the face of current challenges, our ultimate aim is to ensure that clubs survive with integrity. Professional and robust financial management procedures are key to the future security of all clubs."..... Fast forward 18 months and he is sitting in the Directors box in Belfast at a Rangers friendly with a Rangers Fighting Fund badge on,what hope for anyone?

Blame Scottish football and its slow developing death.

I don't think you can put financial trouble as the reason as to why attendances are dropping. It seems to be a bit of a trend with Butcher actually. Sydney's attendances plummeted while he was there with his kick and rush approach being the main reason why.

Alex I do agree that finances are very tough but what effect did Butchers style of football have on attendances? Also could the club not afford Tokely or did they not want to afford him? Butcher did not create all the problems we currently have but I certainly feel he is adding to them

They may well have been on a fraction of the wages Tokely was on and hence more scope to make an improved offer Without actual figures that's a moot point. Despite being so 'skint' as some allude too, we still seem to manage to make improved offers to the players Butcher really wants to keep. Did Foran take a pay cut with his new 2 year deal in January??

You should have put Terri Hatcher in spot the difference 2. We could have compared her to another pair of didees!

It was a very memorable moment as it let to one of our most enjoyable seasons for years. Thanks for everything Big Man.

Fer fecks sake Dougal - give it a rest - you forgot Proctor. First opening post of yours that I agree with.

Good to see your optimism Dougal!! I take it you didn't appreciate David Davis and Roman Golobart then? Personally I'd be delighted to welcome a similar batch of "loanee diddies".

Do you not need to be dead to have something named after you? How does it work when the person in question is immortal?

People, people, people, no need to bring in the bitchiness. Everyone has a viewpoint but some are not seeing the big picture. It doesn't matter if its Butcher or Baker at the helm. The fact is we cant afford the calibre of player we need for this league. Christ, if we cant afford to keep Rossco, and I'd wager he was on not much more than a grand a week, then we cant afford to be in the market. For the last few seasons we've had to find financial bale-outs of 1/4 million just to make ends meet. I predict this club will be back in the lower leagues and part time in the not too distant future. Nobody has money to invest and gates are dropping. There are no assets to mortgage and the level of interest for football in the Highlands does not match the national average per head of population.

I will be astonished if we end up with a squad as good as last year and in my opinion that was one of our weakest ever

There are going to be those who say he got an offer and rejected it, and those who say he was forced out because the offer was derisory. Honest answer is that I dont know the truth so until I do (if ever), I am going to ignore that and focus on the Ross Tokely legacy and the 16 immense years of service he has given the club. To answer someone else's question, I dont think RT has a an agent or at least he didnt last time he signed a contract .. I remember him saying in an interview that he had approached Pele for advice as his mentor. I do agree there should be some lasting legacy to RT at the TCS. We will never have a player that stays as long or as loyal to the club ever again and that should be celebrated. I doubt he will get a full stand named after him, but maybe one of the hospitality suites or maybe the shower room ? (The Ross Tokely 'early bath') .... another idea, which is something Toronto FC have instigated is a "Wall of Honour" as opposed to a "Hall of Fame". When a player of significance to the club retires they put up a picture of their shirt with the players name on the back ..... like the image below. Might that be an idea for ICT? or does the "Hall of Fame" cover that ?

Given the service he has given to this club and for the fact that we will never see another player like him im voting in favour...AYE!

This is actually as close to tears as ive ever been over a footballing matter. Ive grown up my whole life watching Rosscoe play and im devastated he wont be there from now on. He was one of the best and truely one of a kind with the service he has given to ICT. The maruading runs down the wing, his rock solid nature, the flashes of silky skills, the strike against Hearts which i will never forget and above all his undying love for the club. We will never see a player like him again. Good luck Rosscoe.

End of an era. Good luck to Ross, the one player out on that pitch that you knew always genuinely cared about ICT.

He hasnt left voluntarily - he has been encouraged to leave.

Well thats me renewed my ST i'm looking forward to next season & am going to remain positive & support ICT regardless of whats going on with Rangers ..... MON THE CALEY !!

I wish the other 10 clubs would just quit the SPL and all join the SFL. Bl00dy old firm.

No problem, you are excused and no it was not one big wind up. I never thought what I posted would really wind up anyone tbh, it didn't seen that controversial, you should probably relax a bit. I'm looking over my posts in this thread to try and find my ' string of moans and complaints' and I have to admit I'm struggling to see it. I mentioned that I was surprised to not receive one, in fact looking over it again I started with 'Not the end of the world...' another poster said that they were actually sent out and they recieved one. I responded to this with a lighthearted comment (which you totally misunderstood) and said that they where perhaps lost in the post (which you agree was 'not beyond the realms of possibility') or possibly an oversight. I don't know what you regard as a string of moans and complaints but I mentioned it twice FFS! The first time only to mention that it actually happened. Only once did I say I was dissapointed, which is not even a moan nor a complaint. Strange that you seem very quick to moan and complain about people you see as moaning and complaining, do you see the irony? Take it easy mun, don't look for wee things to get irate about!

I am feckin worried again - this is the most depressing thread - these are not the complainers voting with their feet - these are the fans that mainly sit in the background and are the life and blood of this club,