Leaderboard

Dear Mr Cameron, As I'm sure you are aware, with the impending liquidation of Rangers FC not too far away and the highly likely prospect that you and the other chairman of the remaining SPL clubs will vote on the matter as to whether to allow a "NewCo Rangers" to join the SPL. As you know, the fans are almost completely of the opinion that a NewCo Rangers, should they be allowed to join the league system, should start at the bottom of the ladder in the Third Division, just as the newly formed Caledonian Thistle FC had to do back in 1994. Mr Cameron, vote for the wishes of the fans. Vote for dignity. Vote for justice. Vote against an organisation that has exploited sectarianism and bigotry for it's own gain. Vote against a NewCO of a club that has stolen millions to buy itself success. Vote for you to be seen as a man and ICT as a club, who said NO. Mr Cameron, vote NO to NewCo. Yours sincerely, Renegade ICT Season Ticket Holder

I don't suppose my single stance will hold any sway with our board whatsoever and maybe it shouldn't but I have been considering what I would do in the event of our club voting a newco Rangers back into the SPL since the possibility first emerged in February. It may be a sad reflection on a middle aged man but ICT are a significant part of my life and one of a limited number of connections with the town of my birth. I have, often to the amusement of others, been following a team I still stubbornly refer to as The Jaggies ever since I bought my first overcooked bridie from the pie shed at Kingsmills over four decades ago. Witnessed the trauma of merger and stomached being the junior partner in the grand project of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. I have revelled in the remarkable rise and achievements of the boys playing "primarily in blue" with just a hint of the much more attractive hues of red and black. I think it's wonderful that my children take for granted the fact that the witness international footballers kicking a bit of leather about the Longman every second Saturday whereas when I was their age the realisic ambition was to make the last four of the Qualifying Cup and maybe, just maybe, survive a round or two and and bag a " glamour" tie against the likes of Morton or Kilmarnock. I am a businessman so I am not naive about the superficial fiscal attraction of contriving a way of keeping Rangers in the SPL and there would no doubt be a short term financial benefit in doing so. In my opinion, however, whichever cub, including our own,went down that route would no longer be worthy of support. Leaving aside the fact that many of those who have follow followed Rangers over the years are steeped in bigotry and sectarian hatred, to which our domestic football authorities have largely turned an expedient blind eye, the club have now been exposed as having lied and cheated their way to success and, having been caught, have shown little or no contrition opting instead to seek scapegoats and to rail against their accusers. All in all a slightly long winded way to reiterate that I agree with the original poster and to say that in the event of ICT supporting Rangers resuming their place in the SPL as though little or nothing had happened I will never watch them again and, instead, lend my support to Inverurie Loccos who are my local Highland League club. The loss of my few hundred pounds a year will have very little effect on the club and I actually hope that very few others do likewise or there might be serious consequences beyond the relatively short term pain of doing the right and proper thing as far as the cheats and criminals are concerned. All that said, the realist in me can see the mighty Gers playing in the SPL as usual next season while I stand in the rain at Harlaw Park. Ach at least they play in colours once sported by another part time team of distant memory and, by way of bonus the pies are tasty, locally sourced and reasonably priced.

[email protected] Hello, I am writing to let the supporters trust know that myself and my family are currently holding off regarding our season ticket renewals until we see which way the club votes on the admission of a NewCo directly into the SPL. In our opinion this should not be countenanced, as it is an insult to every club which has acted in a responsible and sporting fashion. Furthermore, the attitude of the Rangers support regarding the boycotting of clubs who speak out against them cannot be condoned, and might well mean there is little financial benefit to having them in the SPL. Regrettably we may be forced to consider ending our support of the club if they do not act for the good of the game.

The Chairmen must vote against Rangers NewCo being admitted into the SPL. Caley D has eloquently laid out the reasons on another thread making the point that both Dundee and Falkirk have submitted valid applications within the time frame required. But for me there is a further important reason - one of precedent. If Rangers NewCo were accepted into the SPL it would be for one reason only - money. It would mean that the SPL chairmen felt that admitting Rangers NewCo would be to the financial advantage of other clubs in the SPL and therefore they would be admitting them for a reason other than merit. Currently, teams are admitted on merit with the team that wins the SFL gaining promotion. If Rangers NewCo were to be admitted, not on merit but because of the potential financial advantage they bring to the other member clubs, then what happens next year when Cowdenbeath romp to the first division title with Dundee a distant 2nd? Do the SPL chairmen admit Dundee rather than Cowdenbeath on the basis that they will bring more money into the SPL than Cowdenbeath? Admission must be as a result of merit and not of what is, to all intents and purposes. bribery.

No - this is the time to restructure the WHOLE of Scottish Football from the SPL & lower leagues to the regional league set up and the National Structure. Won't happen though.

This is the team that wanted to leave Scottish Football for many years, and did not hide the fact that they wanted to play in England and Europe.They did not care what would happen to the other clubs left behind. I say good riddance.

Dear Caley Thistle board, Please listen to your fans and do not vote for a newco. They wouldn't vote for us! Thanks

ICT U17's taking part in a mini football festival/tournament this weekend along with Ross County, Clach and Augsburg. More information - http://ictfc.com/news/community-news/515-inverness-football-festival

This is the one and only chance for Scottish Football to be saved from armaggeddon. If they vote to get rid of them, the clubs can vote for much fairer distribution of the tv money as the old firm will no longer be in charge of all voting concerning the league and therefore the clubs could save themselves from financial meltdown. Also we could possibly get the 16 team league all the fans want. There is so much to gain by doing this, I just hope the clubs can see a positive, fairer, more competetive future ahead of them by doing the right thing. One thing that sticks in the throat about Rangers and has not helped the public feeling towards them, is there utterly undignified and completely classless reaction to any criticism or comment about how the club has been run. Issuing a CVA proposal, then at the same time negotiating with Rino Gattuso is just a massive 2 fingers to everyone. They've disgraced the game in Scotland, devalued an already extremely poor league and gone against the 'ethos' of the game of fair play. They have to and must be punished. Sorry ICT but i have no interest in SPL football if Rangers are in it next season

If I could have my way, I wouldn't even send Rangers down to Division 3. I'd send them straight to hell!

The SPL was founded on the principle of greed, so it's hardly surprising that each club votes with self-interest at heart. And I'm not actually criticising anyone for doing that, it's natural.

I think the last time i saw such cross club backing for any football related controversy in the past, was when ICT looked liked being vetoed from joining the league due to not meeting SPL ground regulations.The will of supporters was strong to see a travesty overturned despite the loss of revenue for some and longer journey times etc. Supporters want to see healthy competition,and all are fed up with the stagnation of the game since the 90's. The time has arrived for real change and if the opperchancity is not grasped the battle really is over. As Kingsmills alluded to, the highland league grounds will probably also see more of me as well if a capitulation takes place.

If anyone listened to today's radio scotland phone in, it would have divested them of any last shred of sympathy for this odious "institution". There is so much unsubstantiated rubbish being peddled as fact by the west coast media (because if there was no rangers, what would they write about?), their arrogant fans and Mr. Green that the reality seems to be buried under a great steaming pile of bull s*ite. The SPL will be in a position to vote within the next two weeks about admitting the newco. There can now be no further sitting on the fence on the grounds that its all hypothetical, now is the time to act. It is therefore incumbent upon every SPL chairman to indicate which they will vote in order that supporters (the people who pay the wages) can have their opinion heard and lobbied to these self same chairmen before the vote is cast. Tell the club what you believe should happen. There is not a single shred of evidence that Sky will pull or devalue the broadcast contract if Rangers (called this for simplicity) are demoted to D3. Sky have said nothing, at least publically.There is a lot of doom laden opinion but NO evidence. No Rangers means a north derby, an edinburgh derby and probably a dundee derby. Each of these games, in addition to being attractive to broadcast will attract greater crowds because there is a chance that the outcome of the games might have some relevance to the outcome of the league. Greater compeditiveness means that standards will rise, or do we pass up this opportunity to watch a hate filled festival of bigotry and bile four times a year? Look at what congregates at the Portland Club every year in July to march through our City and tell me that you'll miss it. Or do nothing for "financial stability" We may well miss the crowds that Rangers brought to TCS, but are we not on their list of clubs to boycott after our chairman had the temerity to criticise them for bypassing SFA/ FIFA accepted standards to overturn even the meagerest of punishments that have befallen them so far? Kenny Cameron has a chance, a single chance to come out on the side of decency in this. If he does and things do get financially tight, or we struggle because of it I will remember his decision, do what I can to help and back him to the hilt. I will, however, find it difficult to forgive if we vote to admit the newco with or without further sanctions. I suspect that others will find it equally unpalatable and stay away. From these boards (and others) this is not an isolated opinion. we could lose support in droves and find ourselves equally if not more financially straitened than if we as a club had done the right thing. In reality, there is little to consider here. Rangers have behaved abominably, cheated and swindled and still refuse to contemplate that they stand or fall by the same rules as the rest of us. They are not too big to die, we don't need them and Mr. Cameron, you need to tell them that we don't want them.

Don't eally think many of us want to see the squad change year-on-year, but is that entireley TB's fault? We all know there is little cash about so we cant afford transfer fee's so always looking for free or released players, geographically many don't want to move here and those that do only want it as a shop window. This means we arent in a position to buy the best of young talent even from the lower leagues - the days of even signing Imrie for circa £50k are probably consigned to history. Perhaps the players dont want more than 1 year deals? As a club we cant garuntee SPL football every season as relegation is and always will be a risk, so tying players to longer deals is a risk if we went down - but is that driven by the board or TB? The board being more proactive with the fans - again how is this directly linked to TB? A vailid point regarding areas for improvment though. I agree with the comments about team bonding, spirit and the guys playing for each other being motivated - that's heavily at TB's door but many of the players have to take responsibility too - last year many let us down and didnt show enough commitment. (yes he signed many, but sometimes in life individuals need to take personal responsibiliy too) The style of play, tactics and scouting process are the areas that TB should be critisised for IMO. As for expectations SPL survival would be good every year plus at least one cup run to a semi or further every few years. Thats what I expect and if TB can maintain that or deliver better then I'm satisfied with him in charge.

Do the right thing Kenny and vote AGAINST a Rangers Newco gaining entry to the SPL. We all pay our taxes so why the hell shouldn't they. OBTW, I hear the assets would transfer to the Newco. Can anyone tell me why, on liquidation, the assets are not sold by the liquidators and the creditors paid so much in the pound?

Fully agree, its tedious. Seems there is a witch hunt against TB and for some on here he will never be accepted. Quite what he has to achieve with this provincial club which has a small fan base, a geographical location making the signing of players difficult all while being in a league so highly monopolised by 2 clubs is unknown.

If the newco is admitted straight in it makes a mockery of the whole system. Lets all just not pay the tax man, the papershop, the shredding company, the police, etc etc the list goes on, then start up again as a newco and come straight back in. we are already a laughing stock why make it any worse? if they want to live on then start at the bottom, do the decent thing. Rangers and their fans have shown no remorse " it wasnae us, it was bigger boys that did it and ran away" and i think that is one of the worst parts. If someone from the corpse that is now Rangers actually came out and said " you know what, we fecked up, we made a complete mess of it, sorry" and swallowed what is coming to them and took their punishment then they may come out of this with slightly more goodwill and dignity. apologies for the slight rant but companies that do this to creditors p1ss me off, they never give a damn about the people their actions effect.

I'm actually in the process of doing a bit of an analysis of the SPL Rules and Articles in relation to the feasibility of a NewCo being allowed in to the SPL so it's right in front of me...... Rule A2.7 reads: "The Board may in its absolute discretion waive, relax or grant a period of grace in respect of any Club's or Candidate Club’s requirement to comply with any part of the Membership Criteria and/or Rules A2.6 and H6.1." This basically gives them power to set aside any rules they so desire (including deadlines). However, as I have pointed out in the paper I am writing.... "In summary of the Membership Criteria, more rules would have to be waived (or periods of grace given) than enforced. If this was allowed to happen then it makes a total mockery of the Membership Criteria and, as already stated, creates a very dangerous precendent....not to mention the potential for endless appeal under the following rule. A2.9 The implementation of the Membership Criteria shall be capable of appeal in accordance with the provisions of Section G of the Rules." What's more, I do not think it would (should) get as far as having to look at membership criteria. Rule A2.1 Reads.... "The League shall consist of 12 leading association football clubs in Scotland. The association football clubs eligible to participate in the League in any Season shall, subject to the Articles of Association and Rules, be those Clubs which participated in the League in the immediately preceding Season, except that, subject to Rules A2.2, A2.3 and A2.4, the Club finishing in last place in the League in the immediately preceding Season shall not be eligible to participate in the League and shall be relegated to the SFL and the Candidate Club shall be promoted from the SFL and admitted entry to the League." At it’s most basic level, no NewCo has any basis on which to make reasonable or justified argument that they are one of the 12 leading association football clubs in Scotland....they quite simply have no history/record on which to base such a claim. It is my opinion that on that basis alone then no consideration should be given to even contemplating acceptance of an application from a NewCo and removes the need for getting caught up in any rules over Membership Criteria, Share Transfers, Sanctions or any other sideshow anyone may wish to throw up. I would also like to point out that I am not doing this analysis or providing this information with the purpose of beating the club (or Chairman) over the head with it. It's just my way of getting all the points buzzing around in my head into one logically defined place which helps when it comes to discussing these things with people (including the club). I am no lawyer or legal expert but I do have a lot of experience with analysis work, especially within the strictly regulated area of financial services and it's those practices and thought processes I am applying to this. When push comes to shove, it is nothing more than my personal thoughts and opinions.

I would think there would also be a lot of SFL teams very unhappy about a Rangers Newco going straight in to the SPL. They currently get no benefit from Rangers being in the SPL but with Rangers not being admitted there is a better chance for them to get into the SPL until Rangers rise through the ranks and reassert themselves in the top flight. It will be very much to their financial advantage for Rangers to join at the bottom of the SFL. I also am sceptical about the warnings of financial problems for others in a SPL without Rangers. Surely this greatly increases the chance of others to win a European place and that can only add interest to the Scottish game. It has been boringly predictible for years. Now there is a chance for someone else to come 2nd and that might encourage better players to sign for the also rans of the SPL and the SPL to become more competetive as a result.

In response to caleydawson I honestly believe we can cope without Rangers. As long as ourselves and Ross County stay in the SPL we will have just as many full houses as last season. Who knows if the derbies will be televised or not. There is no guarantee that our games against Rangers would be televised anyway. I'm not saying us or County will always be in the SPL but you know what I mean.

Big problem here, I think the point you're missing is so obvious. It's about more than talent. Pro football is a trade, just like plumbing or joinery. Apprentices serve their time and then are kept on or leave to find another club. Unless the player is an exceptional talent he will not play in the SPL at 17- most players are in their mid 20s. Ross debuted at 17 in div 3 and worked hard and continued to develop. Each time he has stepped up and continued to learn the game. So even if his legs have gone he has 7 years SPL experience. Compare him to Richard Hastings who at 17 was tipped for great things but seemed to stop developing about the age of 21 as many folk here will tell you. So as I said I will be delighted if Gary Warren proves people wrong at the age of 27 or whatever but I gave you plenty of examples where Butcher has got it wrong in the past. So it's nothing to do with the HL being as good as the BSBP. Although back in 96 when Ross signed for ICT, the HL select WAS capable of giving the English equivalent a game, it was an annual fixture. Nowadays it would be no contest I reckon. Not wanting to get into how good bad or indifferent Tokely is or was.......never having seen him play (to my knowledge.) I responded as I did on all threads purely based on the fact that he went to the media whining as soon as he was offered a contract which didn't suit him....or at least as soon as he could ensure he wouldn't be able to get an appropriate send off from the fans, because I have no idea how long he had already been thinking about it. Do you? Care to point me at any media whining from other ICT players who were not offered a contract which suited their opinion of their worth to the club? And care to point me at any other player who then on two other occasions went whining to the media to emphasise they were not given what they thought they deserved? I'm not asking anyone to have faith and promising everything will be fine. I'm asking everyone to have faith and stop sodding assuming everything won't be fine based on a level of no knowledge and never having seen new signings play. See, I can't attend first team ICT games at the moment, though I hope to in the future (Highland Council willing)......which is why I never give an opinion on their ability in the match threads or the various other threads devoted to trashing players (though in the latter I might comment on unrealistic expectations depending on the player being trashed)...because I have never seen them play and feel that this fact means I have nothing sensible to say because I would be posting from a position of no knowledge and feel I have no right to comment in that case. Tbh. even if I was able to attend games, I'd likely be more inclined to put positional errors and mis-kicks down to pressure or bad luck rather than incompetence, not trying or being another Butcher failure, because I don't think anybody, regardless of their occupation, deliberately sets out on a job to fail...but that's just me. Not sure if I said it on this thread or one of the others in which I have posted in the same vein, but this is the face that ICT presents to the world and it in general, doesn't give a particularly good impression. I have been reading the jailender forum on the Ross County site, and I don't think many posters on there are a lot better than on here. I'm referring in particular to the comments about Ross Tokely.....but they at least have been watching him and listening to him for 16 years, have seen him play and have formed their opinion over time, rightly or wrongly, not just on the back of a report in a paper. Having seen Tokely play hundreds of times I can safely say that hes a no nonsense defender who just gets on with it, not one to overdramatize collisions, if he takes a knock you wouldnt even know and has been a great ambassador for the club. So I would imagine that hes feeling pretty hard done by to speak to the media. None of us seem to know how much of a cut in wage was offered but if it was a 10-15% cut and you knew you were in your final year with a testimonial on offer would you accept. how low would it have to be to have to walk away.

That particular Cameron would let them in stating that we're all in this together. Apart from his daughter, who was left behind

What exactly are you asking or expecting David Cameron to do here? Would you not be better writing an 'open letter' to someone who actually has a vote on the matter, like the SPL chairmen?

Although this news has made my day, I feel very unwell.... I've got really bad brain freeze....

Faith to do what? Top six? Nope. Relegation? Probably not but a possibility. Best manager we could have? Probably not. Deserves to be sacked for being nowhere near relegation, coming higher than a bigger-spending Hibs, falling only two points short of bigger-spending Aberdeen and winning more games than both the Dons and the next up, St Mirren? Nope. This board is getting really tedious. Think it's time to retire.

Junior, I'm not sure it's just the one player that's got people on the run. You know the straw that broke my back but, talking to people outwith these boards, I get the impression that, for the less tribally-minded supporter, watching the old team so thoroughly dismantled (and rebuilt in a somewhat shabby fashion) is sort of like seeing REM after Berry left: just not the same thing at all. I also get the sense that the 'cosier' feel the club had in the pre-SPL days is being missed; that's fine and probably as it should be (they're not, after all, a Highland League outfit any more) but if it's not replaced with something else - like sleek professionalism, for instance - then you're bound to see some of the emotional ties severed, which inevitably translates to fewer bums on seats, particularly in t' current clahmit. Shame, but sic transit gloria Caley.

Yes but its a couple of games that will give them a bit extra cash

"Rangers & Celtic basically finance the Scottish game" FFS, the arrogance of some. Rangers can't even finance themselves!