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I realise that people might be disappointed with the outcome, but it was probably the best that Jennifer Aitchieson and I could do. The SPFL were broadly sympathetic to our plight and certainly listened to our case. They did explain their reasons for selecting the venue ( which we were aware of anyway) and did acknowledge that the game being selected by the BBC for broadcast was the reason for the 12:15 kick off. We explained the transport difficulties that this would cause, so it then became a question of what the SPFL would do to offset this, if no movement was to be made otherwise. They gave assurances that they were going to consider what they could do around buses and trains, and would come back to us next thursday with a detailed proposal. Give them their due, the details of the conference call that will take place were with us within an hour. We will hold them to what they offer us, and we will make sure that any offer is adequate. We won't pre-empt them though. I was prepared not to like Neil Doncaster much, but he did come across as a man who was genuinely surprised by the publicity campaign that we had waged and though his organisation had better react in a reasonable manner - we were, after all, the first supporters group they have actively engaged.The support from the media has been excellent.I get the feeling that the SPFL will think twice about doing this to us again, and they know that if they do, we will be back at them.Anybody want to bet against that being the semi final of the scottish cup ? Thank you to everyone on this site who took the time to support us and sign our petition. Your voice has been heard, and we appreciate you being there. Please feedback either on here or on the CJT site, and we'll do our utmost to answer you. edited for knackered spelling

I was amused to see that Craig Brewster felt the need to clarify that he ruled himself out. Expect a similar statement from Sergei Baltacha next....

With your pro Hartley stance, we can assume he is on the shortlist?

For different reasons Id be happy with Levein or Hartley. Out of all the experienced names in the running, Levein is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of what he has achieved with Hearts and Dundee United. Internationally he bombed but he will see this as a major shot at redemption. He will provide a wealth of experience and probably have a good set of contacts to utilise in the transfer market. Hartey is untested at top level but his success with Alloa is nothing short of amazing. He has earned a top flight move by guiding Alloa a long way in a short space of time. He has no baggage as a relatively new manager to the game and would be relishing his chance to step up no doubt, think out of all the applicants he is the only one that would get more or less unanimous support - a crucial thing at this point in the season. For the sake of unity and giving a promising young manager his big break Im still very much Team Hartley...but if Levein is chosen Id get behind him all the same.

Good.

I really didn't expect CJT to get the location or time changed. They did fantastically well to get an audience. What a difference a few years make, a supporters group that really works for the fans interests and a club/chairman that listens and liaises with the fans, well done to all.

Apologies if this has been covered before, but can anyone explain why we don't get coverage of EVERY game? There are Caley fans far and wide, and if the English leagues can cover all games even down to the conference through online commentary, how come we can't hear the 2nd placed team in the SPL ??? Could this be something that Caleyjags TV or the club could cover? Real-time commentary is just as, if not more important than highlights.

That's because we haven't won the lottery and it's still the same effing system

'Football Special' trains used to be run on a regular basis. I remember one running from Inverness to Ayr in the seventies when Thistle were drawn away there in the Scottish Cup. As I recall, it was fully subscribed with about 350 enthusiastic Jaggies. Whenever Aberdeen reached cup finals or semis in those days often two or three football specials would run from Aberdeen direct to Mount Florida. That was when the rail system was joined up and operated by British Rail. I am supposing that the dislocation of the system following privatisation makes such arrangements difficult if not impossible now.

Leicester were nearly bankrupt. Levein's job was to get the wage and age down. He was angry that the backing from the board disappeared, even though they said they would support him losing millions of pounds of players without adequate replacement meaning a relegation fight. I think he was niaive there. He did well at Hearts. Can't deny that. At DU though, he took over a failing club (from Brewster). Completely turned it around. Played good football (not negative) and did well on tactics. Hence, why he was offered the Scotland job. The Scotland job didn't suit him but can't deny he is a good club manager. If it's between Craig and Hartley, there's nothing to choose. I'd be happy with either. Prefer Hartley if he has a good assistant that's worked in full-time football. His own version of Donald Park as it were. But wouldn't be disappointed by Levein. Hartley is a bigger risk.

Levine's record is nothing to write home about. He had modest 'success' at Hearts and Dundee United. Finishing relatively high up the SPL with one of the biggest budgets in the SPL doesn't impress me. Any average manager could achieve that. His teams usually play ugly, negative football. He was an absolute disaster at Leicester and the worst, and most hated Scotland manager ever. Hartley has taken Alloa way further than an average manager would be able to. He's shown he can work with a small budget to produce teams capable of punching above their weight, whilst even playing attractive football. Exactly what we need.

Well there you go. Thats what weve been waiting about 3 weeks and 1020 posts to here. Who needs an anouncement from the club if someone you know has been at the ticket office. That's a bit unfair. If anyone else knew any better we wouldn't have had 1020 posts.

Well there you go. Thats what weve been waiting about 3 weeks and 1020 posts to here. Who needs an anouncement from the club if someone you know has been at the ticket office.

His handling of the media was poor as well, which doesn't help the fact he also comes across as one of the dullest men on Earth! I was also routinely horrified by his regular attire as Scotland manager, particularly the time he was pictured with a terrible flip-flop/stubble combo, before taking the match against Brazil, where in-turn he looked in the dugout like he'd slept the night before in a Soho doorway!

After the Hartley excitement earlier in the week, if it was someone else to get the job (unless it was somebody really good of course), I'd be rather disappointed. I think he'd fit this club perfectly, and we could well miss out on a man who could be a great success at a rival club. Levein, Sutton and the like, fill me with dread to be honest.

By bus, presumably!

That's right, Liam's car was seized as it was purchased using the proceeds of his dad's heroin dealing. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/thistle-star-buchanan-has-car-seized-967220 Yet another guy who turned up at Whitehill Welfare Did a couple of sessions in pre-season training. Was never going to be within Whitehill's budget but the rumours didn't half scare the shyte out of the opposition

Common sense isn't part of the SPFL's remit. Sounds like all they did was listen to what CJT had to say but with no intention of giving way. If there is heavy snow that weekend blocking the A9 and fans can't get down will the game be postponed? I doubt it. I also doubt that the SPFL will pay for the cost of chartering special trains either. I was against going to Easter Road in the first place regardeless of the date or time. The fact that it's live on BBC has made my mind up where I'll be watching it. I'll save my cash for the final. Looks like we'll be lucky to sell 2000 tickets.

I doubt he'll come back with anything other than a we tried line. Looking forward to a post from dougal berating CJT. That's all this thread is missing.

Just sounds like even more of a snake when asked about the Rangers - Raith Scenario, which i didnt even realise until i saw his interview. What an absolute arse of a man. Good effort by CJT, made a statement by not taking it on the cheek.

Did they actually listen, or was it just a 'pat on the head' exercise? knowing fine that they were not going to alter anything about the fixture!

That's what David Proctor said. Allegedly.

Scotrail could run their 0453 / 0650 / 0755/ Saturday trains on a Sunday too. This could get 600 down in three trains. Asides from that, what else is Doncaster going to ask the transport authorities to do?

John Hughes we assume.

I bet Doncaster et al. gave it just as much thought as they did to renaming the leagues.

Very disappointed with the SPFL, and feel they had ample time to have come up with a much more concrete plan, given the numbers in their organisation and the meeting timeframe. That being said, CJT have done all they could, have done justice to the supporters direct ideal, and now it will be left to see what the SPFL will do with the good faith given to them...

What a set up that would be!! Unfortunately I would think that the salaries combined would be out with our budget That's what I thought but I'm sure we could survive without Levein and it would still be a great management team.

Aye, knowing these b'stards it will be a map of the A9!

league cup-yes scottish cup-yes u20 league -yes! boom treble

I didn't expect the SPFL to 'back down' on their initial arrangements. The meeting was no more than lip-service to the 'wee club from the North'. All credit to CJT and Davie Balfour for giving it a go on behalf of the fans. I don't personally know Davie, but he has my full respect for all his hard-work in at least showing we won't take such ludicrous and unfair decisions lying down. I'm sure his representations to Mr Doncaster enlightened him on our club and showed us up in a professional light. Although we didn't get the desired change(s), it's shown we have a voice and hopefully a new-found respect from the beaks at the SPFL. Nothing lost at all from today - in future scenarios of an Inverness CT v Edinburgh semi-final, they'll hopefully think twice about allocating the 'neutral' venue to Edinburgh at an impossibly inconvenient time. Credit to Davie and CJT for standing-up for our club against the central-belt bias.