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Better learn the words

Don't think anyone else has mentioned this, but there is an interesting and informative article in today's P&J including commentary from PwC Accountants who've just undertaken a review of SPL club finances for the 2011/12 season. This review established that ICT are the only club in the SPL whose wages to turnover ratio was below 50% (at 43%). Other mentioned clubs were Aberdeen and Hearts whose figures were 60% and 95% respectively (Hearts were at an incredible 116% the previous season!!). It also noted that ICT's £'s spent per point gained was £38,000 (lowest in the league), whilst Celtic was up at £364,000!!! Really puts into context the prudence that the club seem to take in running the finances and their comparable petformance on the field - something they should be congratulated for it. It'll be interesting to read the same statistics for the season just ended once available (especially with RCFC in the league). Sorry, can't do the linky thingy to the article.

Half a league half a league, Half a league onward, All to the valley of Charlton Marched the six hundred: 'Forward, the TerryandMo Away! Charge for the pub' he said: Into the valley of Charlton Marched the six hundred. 'Forward, the TerryandMo Away!' Was there a man dismay'd ? Not tho' the footsoldier knew Some one had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do & die, Into the valley of Charlton Marched the six hundred. Vodka to right of them, Whisky to left of them, Rum in front of them Volley'd & chunder'd; Pisshed with shots and smell, Boldly they marched and scooped Into the cocktails of Death Into the mouths of all Scooped the six hundred. Flash'd all their erses bare, Farted as they changed the air, Savouring the happy hour there, Charging a feckin bomb while All around chundered: Plunged in the cannabis smoke Right thro' the queue they broke; Smirnoff and Black Russians Reeled from the sunstroke, Shatter'd & scunner'd. Then they Marched back, but not Not the six hundred. Vodka to right of them, Whisky to left of them, Carnage behind them Trolley'd and chunder'd; Stoked with shots and smell, While hoarse & hero fell, They that had drank so well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd. Honour the charge they made! Honour the TerryandMo Away Noble six hundred.

Cheesy, Billy, Gordy, Jumbo, Craig, Derek, Bunters, Dodo, Mojo, Harry, Dick, Wee Willie and Big Willie, Brian, Charlie and Dougal.

Our youth set up is not the problem. The problem lies in the fact there are no truly talented players being found in the region. The same applies at other clubs. Look at the clubs with the high percentages now and compare that with a season or two ago and I'll bet they're vastly different. Those clubs have been forced into using their own youth because of budget cuts. Cuts brought about by the demise of an ugly twin. Kirishima hits the nail on the head. Lack of support from schools and teaching staff holds some blame for our current situation. Couple that with the majority who prefer to sit in front of some electronic device rather than get out and about and kick a ball. Add in parents who encourage the latter because they themselves are too lazy to give their kids proper care and upbringing. So much easier to send them to their room with a video game or DVD than it is to actually bring them up in a healthy, balanced environment.

Yes. He is on the right wing.

Just found out that Caley are in London on the 27th July for a pre-season friendly against Charlton (who have the same 'pikey' tag as that lot from Dungwall) so I'm going to get myself down there! (I might have to invest in an away shirt)

Fully support Bughtmaster's post above. One of the things that stops talent emerging is the fact that young kids just don't spend anything like the hours we used to kicking a ball about in the street, the local park or the school playground. Any chance you got, lads were out kicking a ball around. Formal training was a rarity but the sheer number of hours playing developed skills whilst the number of lads playing ensured that those with the real talent emerged and got noticed - although sadly not in my case. Then there was the competitiveness. Life was competetive. You played in leagues for everything and school was competetive - in primary school we had a weekly test which gave you your place in the class and determined where you sat. Now that seems to be frowned upon because it makes those who do not do so well feel inferior (apparently). Absolute nonesense of course. You don't need to play sport competetively or have tests in school to know that other folk are better than you at certain things. What is important is that children have the opportunity to experience different activities be it sporting, academic, creative or technical etc. Given the chance, kids will find things they like and are good at and those skills can be nurtured. Competition encourages kids to do better and crucially, motivates the best to stay at the top with the result that the best get better. Let's face it, life is still competetive. If you are in business you have to compete in order to make a living and far from stifling competetiveness, schools should be encouraging it. Together with that comes a respect for the rules and authority. We would play hard but fair and never, ever question a referee's decision. There are still parents and teachers who instil these virtues in the children but they are becoming fewer and further between. As a result the number of players who can cut the mustard at the top level are also getting fewer. Frankly, I don't see that changing

Gutted we aint playing our red and blue brothers Crystal Palace tbh!! South London is theirs ;)

When you see the situations at Sevco, Hearts, The pars, Killie, etc... it is very reassuring that we are run by sensible people who are not risking the long term future of our club. And it's even more credit to Terry & Mo performing so well under the tightest financial restrictions of all SPL clubs. I'm always proud to be an ICT fan but things like this make me even more proud.

James MacArthur and James Mccarthy spring to mind as decent deals for their club Hamilton. Mathew Kennedys deal for Kilmarnock was terrible. 3 games out of a potential star before he chose to go and sit in the Everton reserves for alot less money too is painful.

"As regards the club itself, we can only express our deepest condolences to its supporters, who have been lied to for so many years. It had to happen sooner or later. They have lived beyond law and all morals, and should now be declared beyond the pale" Vladimir Romanov 21st June 2012 (on the demise of Rangers)

Excellent management and direction full marks to the Board of Directors. Take note Celtic we don't have to buy our place in the league we earn it. ICT leads and leads by example. True winners!!