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Some may think this is unrealistic, but this season all the eyes towards Highland football will be towards Ross County. If history has shown us anything, ICT do nothing better than overshadowing it's yokel neighbours. We've not really had any real "buzz" around the club since 2004, bar winning the 1st Division two years ago. This season we have to get to a final. A Scottish Cup semi-final would maybe do the trick, but either of the national cups could well re-generate interest in the club and a great opportunity to get more people on board. And I don't think it's an impossible aim either.

I was one who received the complementary ticket but i still didnt attend this weekend. I am a football fanatic and been a life long man utd supporter as i grew up in the north west of England. I moved north in 2001 and watched Caley Thistle even from the long trip that was caithness. I got a season ticket when we got promoted for couple of reasons 1) i Love football and Caley was were me and my dad went before i got a season ticket and 2) it was my most local professional side (County dont count haha). In 2008 i left caithness and moved to stirling for study and really should have ended the season ticket with the cost of travel plus the incentive of away games. I didnt i stayed and kept my season ticket until this season when i have moved back to England making it impossible for me to attend each week but if i was still up north i can guarantee i would have renewed. I never got in touch to tell the club to demote rangers and never promised anything but again if i was north i wouldnt have had a second thought but to renew. Last season was dire but supporting a smaller club you cannot expect it to be great all the time. I fell in love with Inverness Caley Thistle and i still hope to make a few games this season even from England and i understand people about the money side but the football, please, it was mince but if you love the club and want to make sure it survives then i think not renewing because of the standard is a poor excuse and i am english and seen some of the most embarrassing international football performances haha. The whole spl is poor which has made every club poor even the old firm so lets all get behind the club and the unsong heros in the background who are trying to increase the exposure of the club to the inverness public

The way we started the game against Kille was immense. The problem was that soon after we scored we went in to our shells. Momentum gone, the excitement in the crowd dissipated and we ended up hanging on til half time. I want to see our team going for the jugular when they get in front. As Callie says, we seem to have a fear of losing - and I think that applies to Scottish football in general. The most enjoyable season for years was when we won division 1. I went away from most games thinking "that was fun" and you can talk about loyalty all you like but that's what will get people coming back. We're not the only game in town.

Well i aired my views about the Olympics before hand being a huge expense at the hands of the tax-payers and a London-centric waste of money however I am the first one to admit that I was wrong and I quickly succumbed to the allure of the games. I pretty quickly found myself becoming more and more drawn to watching events and indeed willing each and every British athlete on. By the end of the games i couldnt get enough and was indeed disappointed when it all ended on Sunday. Thoroughly enjoyed the games and was indeed a breath of fresh air to see athletes competing for pride, honour and patriotism rather than the greed and dishonesty that accompanies our nations favourite sport football. Suprisingly football despite being one of my favourite sports to watch was the one i watched least of at the Olympics Obviously delighted at how well the Scots did at the games too Its certainly made me reconsider my opinions to events like this and the commonwealth games in glasgow is a much more appealing propspect to me now

Callie happens to be my name - I don't hide under a nom de poison. Named after the team (so unless you know any Caleys). This is just a typical and bitter response I have come to see on this site and will never attract and rather will repel supporters. People call it happy clapping, at times it appears moronic clapping. Support the team regardless of the dross on display is not the way forward. Improve the entertainment value and people will come. Please please realise that IS the only way forward. Glory hunting - pah! We kept our season tickets for the season in the first division and very glad we did the matches were far better - teams played to win - very refreshing. The standard of football was also quite a bit better (especially from ICT). However as I have said previously the standard of football, entertainment, pies, parking, programmes etc etc has gone seriously downhill and I am afraid my family would rather spend our very hard earned cash in a different pursuit. I am sorry but that is our opinion and ultimately our choice. Please have the decency to respect that. Also as I have said previously - there are none so blind as those that will not see!!!!

Oh fer fecks sake Luke - we will have Caley D, Oddquine and davie spouting sociology soon.

We asked for on the deck football. Cast your minds back to the last 2 games of last season. Midden away and Hibs at home. We played it on the deck and won both games. We asked for a steady back line. It's early days but the back line looks good. We asked for more local / north lads. Take a look at the squad. Back to the on the deck play - During pre-season we played it on the deck. The Coventry game was highly entertaining. The Midden game on the first game of the season was excellent. End to end stuff from both teams and no hoof in sight. First 20 minutes was spectacular against Kille. After that, we didn't play well but we still tried to keep it on the deck and that's us unbeaten in the league in a few games. We have some entertaining players especially in midfield - Doran and Shinnie to name just two. We have exciting prospects such as Pepper and Oswell. I can see a greater team spirit than this time last year. Maybe i've been listening to Luke too much but I am excited about the rest of the season.

Support the team despite the quality on display, otherwise you will just be a glory hunter. What the feck is wrong with everybody. I'm getting a little tired of all this crap.

Its not the (often) pish football that keeps me away but rather the pish league. Even this term without one of their precious two, the league will still be pants. Yes, we get good results occasionally and we cheer on our team but are we going to win the league? No, absolutely not. So what do we have to look forward too? A top six slot or a fight against relegation? The out side chance of a euro place? I'm not a defeatist, just a realist. IHE is also right re those over the bridge. It will be a novelty factor to them just as it was for us when we first hit the dizzy heights of the SPL...and they got to play their first game at their own ground.There are many reasons why folk don't turn up and the main one would be the costs involved. Its not cheap any more and football is fast becoming a rich man's sport...and there aren't many of those type of people around.

Funnily I was thinking about this yesterday as I also do youth work in Hilton, Merkinch and Kirkhill. I often have young people asking why I support ICT as they are 'rubbish'. Out of the young people that have an interest in footie I'd guess that around 80% support the old firm, 10% or so ICT and the rest being a mix of the Dons, Jambos etc. Throw some Clachers into the mix for the Merkinch youth club, which to be fair is their local club and some actually play for them. To say nothing for the number of EPL shirts I see too. Some of the young people have come from or have parents that have come from other places so it's not surprising if for example their dad came from Glasgow that they would support one of the OF. However many are Inverness born and bred but you would probably find that their parents, older uncles, brothers etc will support the OF and that will be passed down unless something is done to divert away from that. That's where we have to intervene getting young people down to the stadium for a game, tour meet a couple of players etc. It's never going to be easy as it's ultimately cool to support a team that wins most of the time, is on tv, in the papers and no young person wants to be slagged of due to their team getting beat much of the time. No easy solutions sadly but you have to keep plugging away! I say this from some personal experience as I supported Rangers in my younger years (as my Grandad supported them and Clach, dad had no interest in footie) and pre 94 Caley were my wee team (as my uncle Ben was a big Caley man who took me to Telford St sometimes, now a refusnik!). When I got older 17ish I basically fell out of love with football altogether and it wasn't till I was in my early twenties that I started taking notice of the ICT results and went to some away games as I was living in Glasgow. When I moved back to Inverness I bought a ST and have done so since. Anyhoo I will continue to try and spread the good word of ICT in whatever capacity I'm working!

Political decision yes Equitable distribution yes a word starting cor and ending ion comes into the equation too plus a hell of a lot more that really has to be sorted out. The opportunity was there but nobody had the guts to start the ball rolling, they opted for the easy way out and covered eachothers backs, jobs and perques for the boys and all that.

Half time beach volleyball for me

And having invoked Godwins Law....that will be the end of this conversation!!!!

I want a giant poster of David binghams left foot.

Valid points, however the feeling of "togetherness" comes also from the actions of fans and not just from the actions of the club. Irrespective of being on the positive or negative side of view regarding the current team, the amount of unconstructive critisism of players and other fans plays to the sense of there being a divide. Neither does some of the attempted justification and reasons for stopping supporting the team reflect the arguement that the club can do any more. The club listened to the fans and unlike Aberdeen fans many of our own have turned their back on the club (and do we really think that any greater level of entertainment is being offered by the Dons?) Whilst I do not always agree with some of the tactical views posted by you and others (nor would I expect you to agree with mine - albeit I am alway right ), I fully endorse the right of any supporter to offer a constructive opinion on tacticss, selection, etc and indeed value this in terms of a forum such as this.

There was another thread, but no worries. The club are open to ideas on what pictures might be of interest to fans to purchase so no doubt your comments will be noted. As far as I know the pics are being supplied by SNS and back in our rivals.net days we were licensed to use those pics so I know their archives go back many years ... Certainly to at least 1999 or so for ICT so you may be in luck!

Sorry Forza but it is entirely on topic. Is THE topic, however you will not see it. Until the standard of football in Scotland improves (not just ICT) then more and more will vote with their feet. It is not a case of withdrawing support but more so the expense of attending a match with all the add ons, when there are many many other more appealing options. As NormaStitz says leaving a game saying that was fun means you will come back or are certainly more likely to come back. I could count on my head how many times I said that last season. Yes I only have one head, and that's how many games we enjoyed. It is far from a case of walking away, it is a case of finding alternatives, like a family trip to the cinema (cost of one adult ticket) or even a months subscription to SKY Sports (cost of one concession ticket). It is not a case either of picking and chosing games because last season proved that didn't work as what should have been the top games were invariably the worst. I am afraid that as far as our whole family is concerned, until the entertainment at ICT comes up to an acceptable level then other pursuits are far more appealing and a lot cheaper, where we can park for free and not have to wait half an hour for the free for all to clear. I don't think this is a problem for ICT alone, there is a general malaise about Scottish Football which has not been helped by the race to be second, nor the media hyped race for top six - again I would say please please lets get back to entertaining people and not trying to ensure survival in a League that is nothing more than a laughing stock throughout the football world.

...actually hang on, just had a thought...have you ever seen them in the same room? Well have you? Can I ask the board to look into this as a matter of urgency.

Isn't it ironic the guy shouted theirs fuckibg kids watching ;-) I hope they wernt listening too

O K so Ian gets called up for this one, past performances being the credentials for this. So he is now part of the squad. How does he keep himself sharp enough playing against third division opposition to warrant his inclusion in the future? I agree with those who are saying it is only because he now plays for this newco lot. I am almost at the point where I say football enough is enough. It is the Fans of all the other clubs barring one that are being punished for Ranger's misdemeanours. We wont see our players getting their chance no matter how good they are. We dont get live broadcasts on the BBC radio anymore unless the game is against a 'BIG' club yet third Div. Newco has its own private contract for its fans. Youl iisten to OAM and most of the childish discussion is about either Celtic or Rangers (They still call them that) even if they are not playing that day. Blowing up their wonderful performances of the past whilst interjecting a few sarcastic or patronising remarks about the other games / Teams Is it any wonder attendances are falling at matches, people especially kids are being brainwashed into following one of two teams. Come on Fanpower it is time for change. It, Fanpower, worked for the integrity aspect in the Rangers saga they did fold thanks to that but would not have otherwise. I am not clever enough to give the answers or to lead a revolution in the Scottish football world but I do know that something stinks and needs mucking out. I hope somebody out there can resolve this parody of sport before it becomes even more rotten. I'll finish by saying I have nothing against Ian Black except his disciplinary record, he can be a very good player but he cannot be a top performer playing in the third Division. It is even unfair to ask him to do so as it could frustrate him entirely when up against true International players. Change your Club Ian first opportunity!!!!!

Speaking of shops, I noticed JD Sports at the retail park are selling the new Ross C*unty strip. Obviously ICT struggled with the ZOO shop in the eastgate but perhaps they could re-visit the idea of selling shirts in a similar sports shop? Long gone are the days of that wee sport shop on Church Street that sold every kit in the land. Wouldn't it be great to have those days back???

The club this year have a new season ticket, specifically aimed at families and it's for the uncovered main stand. 1 adult and 2 children for £220 for the season. £42 for an adult and a child would equate to well over £700 a season. Perhaps you could purchase this season ticket without breaking the bank, get your seat in the main stand and without turnstile hassle. Even if you only made 4 more games this season on those tickets, it's cheaper than paying £42 per game.

I understand that taking kids to the game can end up being pricey if you are travelling, parking, getting the food, which let's be honest is poor for the price, programme is now 50p so it ain't so bad. But if you can make the games based on 19 home games in the North Stand (family section) for an under 12 it works out at £2.10 a game! A season ticket for the price of an xbox game. For a 13 to 16 year old it works out at £4.70 a game and finally 16 - 25 anywhere in the North Stand it would be about £9.50. Of course that's if you make the games. TBH that's on par with the cinema and you don't always know if you are going to enjoy what you see there either! Fair enough if you have 5 kids but personally I don't think that's too bad value so long as they enjoy it of course!

Finding some posts a bit depressing lately tbh! To the original poster ive reread your post a couple of times to check but as far as I can see that despite getting free tickets you have nothing good to say about your visit on Saturday at all. With regard to the turnstiles, unless they changed it on Saturday, there are normally signs above the turnstile stating if it is a ticket only gate or accepts cash. It normally states the prices as well. I also know they were training turnstile folk as well on Saturday. With regards pricing well if I go to the theatre and want to sit in the best seats well they will be the most expensive. The club offer cheaper seats in the family section and the north stand but the main stand are our premium seats. Think other clubs operate on this basis also. I do agree that football is expensive for families but it's not going to change soon. I also disagree that our point was not deserved in fact had it not been for a great save from a nick Ross shot we would have won! As for the pen and sending off well I don't think either were done to annoy the fans! This time last season was dire and we have 2 more points than then. I'm just waiting for a few weeks when the county tickets go on sale to see all the stay aways coming out of the woodwork! Then at new year there will be the moans when folk can't get away county tickets as folk haven't renewed their season tickets. Actually wonder what sort of team people think we should have on our budget? For me I want a team that tries their best to play football but not to the extent that we lose, a team that looks united and includes some local lads. I'm quite happy with the progress so far.

I despair, I really do, we don't need opposition fans, our own will do the same job. Two games in and the reasons for not going along are getting aired. WTF, County have scored no goals, so what? I ngo along because I support the team. The style of play is just a sideshow.

Anyone have an idea as to when the date of this fixture will be finalised? Would be good to be able to make arrangements regarding travel.

I think most of what you say can be seen as a reasonable account as to why someone may not want to turn up for games week in week out. IE The turnstile policy could be revised and home game discipline could be improved. But you let yourself down by saying 'I didnt feel compelled to ask for my money back on this occasion'. Do you ask for your money back often when the team doesn't gain 3-points/has a man sent off/concedes a penalty? My own reasons for not being at the game are simple. Trip to the vet, a few other errands to run and then I spent time with my family at the beech (it was glorious weather after all). Unfortunately by the time we'd been served our lunch in the cafe, time escaped us and we didn't get home till close-on kick-off. I had intended to purchase a season ticket this season, but unfortunately unforeseen circumstances and a fairly high vet's bill have put a dampener on that one too. The point I am trying to make is that there are many factors that prevent people going to games, on top of the clubs policies at the turnstiles etc. Maybe some people who usually pay-at-the-gate decided to spend time with their families on such a lovely day? Maybe some people simply can't afford to go to games - it is after all the holiday season, and dont forget, the kids go back to school this week meaning this was the last weekend to get bits done?

Just had a thought. If the club is only able to offer school children 1 game a season, let's make it more a big deal! Put them in the main stand behind the dugout, near terry and the players. Let them go to hospitality at half time get a free mars and coke or something. They could come a couple of hours before KO and meet the players, get some freebies have a tour sort of thing.

Someone said some local rangers fans who usually give us support have boycotted us. Sod them, we don't need them. Also some of the 'neautrals' are now going to see 'that lot' over the bridge. Sod them and their half hearted loyalty. We don't need these groups and need to forget about them. Our focus and priorities should be the community and youth of Inverness! We should be making sure that the youngsters of inverness are growing up supporting ICT and not the OF or 'that lot'. The club and. CJT need too work very closely on this! £16 for a concession is shocking! It was £3 for me when I was a kid only 10 years ago. I also remember when I was younger my PS used to give out 3 free tickets per year for each home game. This allowed kids who normally wouldn't go to games come more often. The club did under 12 free ST not so long ago, why not now? Lastly, I'm a part time youth worker in hilton and of the 40-50 kids who come to indoor footy on a friday night only 5 go to ICT games. FIVE!!! That's shocking, we are failing the youth of inverness and we need to encourage them along! It might mean losing money for a while giving out free tickets or charging £3 for kids BUT it will repay in the FUTURE when they keep coming back and bring THEIR kids!

Ok we all know this forum has more than it's fair share of happy clappers but this was SELL OUT SATURDAY FFS The attendance was not dissapointing or a bit low it was an absolute disgrace and downright embarrassing when the emphasis was to fill stadia across the land yesterday 3487 watched Partick v Falkirk in the league below us!!!! 4485 watched the Newco Orcs at Peterhead in div 3!!! Whether we like it or not the vast majority of Invernessians are NOT ICT fans and if it was not for the influx of incomers settling into the city over the last two decades I fear our attendances would have been a lot worse To be honest I think Caleyjagsforever have their work cut out but I wish them well on the journey ahead Dougal

The Board of Caley Jags Together....and I'm assuming that is who you are having a pop at....can only do so much without the help of others, and it is that which they try to encourage. Ultimately they are there to represent the fans, to take forward and try and execute the ideas they bring forward to improve things for the fans and to try and increase attendance and support as a result. They were responsible for the free tickets for schools and youth groups initiatives the club now have in place....they (the then Supporters Trust) spent several season purchasing season tickets which we made available to these groups and in doing so we proved the merits of such a scheme to the club who have since taken it on board and hugely expanded on it. They have supported Street League level football for as long as I can remember, they provided assistance with travelling for Youth level football at the club during a time or particular hardship...and continue to offer assistance as and when they can and when it is needed. They took up the fans case with the club over the summer over the whole Rangers fiasco (despite many fans letting themselves down by not following through on promises). They went to bat for the guys in (the then) section G when their was problems with over zealous stewarding. They've assisted with two very successful kids kickaround sessions this year which brought a total of near 250 kids on to the park and gave them the chance to meet and play a bit of football with the players. Many of the things the club are being praised for recently have also been driven and supported by Caley Jags Together. Individuals from within the organisation assist on matchdays with a whole host of things from selling programmes and half time draw tickets to stadium announcing, operating the clubs matchday media operations (previews, reports, videos and interviewing), as well as assisting with the website and driving it towards the product the fans want/desire. CJT members were also in there helping the club stuff envelopes at renewal time, allowing the club to get all letters out in a much reduced timescale (the result of other goings on outwith the clubs control). They sat down with the club when season ticket prices and packages were being set and advised where appropriate/relevant. And all of the above does not include the hundreds of hours put in to organising and running fund-raising events which are operated in order to provide the money which allows these things to be achieved. In fact, I could confidently say that there's not a day goes by when someone or other from CJT is not in communication with the club over something. All of the above has been achieved despite our only having maybe 15 or so "active" participants when it comes to doing a little bit more than buying a ticket and turning up at a match.....imagine what could be achieved if we had 100 people willing to do the same? I could (literally) give you a list of 100+ other things that we would love to do....but we can't do it by ourselves. There's some individuals who spend 20, 30, 40 hours (unpaid) a week (sometimes a lot more) doing stuff to help club and fans.....so please don't come on here all mouth and no action, questioning the loyalties of anyone within CJT.

What is wrong with a lot of folk on here! I agree that the attendance today was disappointing but to have a go at the very folk who are trying to change things for the fans is ludicrous. Peter Murphy and all the guys at Caley Jags Together work sooo hard behind the scenes all for no financial reward. Today there was free hospitality for fans for instance. Just a few weeks ago there was the kids kick about day with loads of kids having a fab time with the players and free stadium tours. These things don't just organise themselves. If the OP has ideas that can increase attendances then why not contact he club or the guys on the board of Caley Jags Together with ideas instead of having a go at the folk that work hardest to change things!

Soldiers down South get the olympics but those stationed up North get to watch ICT. Those down South must be thinking it is all so unfair.

Was it Greg Tansey retrieving one of his free kicks?