Leaderboard

The original topic on this thread was about doing something to address dwindling spectator numbers in Inverness, which then diverged into an argument about the suitability of the stadium and what a fairly beleagured ICTFC could or should do about it. Back on track, CB is right that football is now existing in an era of increased competition for peoples leisure time and what austerity ravaged money they have left after paying the bills. They can watch 5 channels of Sky Sports, ESPN, 2 channels of BT sport, occasional BBC and ITV coverage, 2 channels of Eurosport and other subscription channels like premier sports. Those are just the channels that cover football (even if only occasionally) Cast that net out into other sports and you have perfectly valid reasons as to why people might want to watch and play rugby, cricket, american football etc. They don't need to be told that football has a right to primacy over them because its the "national game". Shinty has the advantage of having a politically popular cultural association with gaelic language, and BBC Alba with SPFL coverage can be added on that basis to the above list (even if you can't understand the commentary) It's little wonder that football is haemmorhaging fans, and ICTFC are just a tiny part of that. The game and attendance at it needs sold to the public and in Scotland we are utterly, shamefully and wilfully poor at that. Our mainstream media are a disgrace in their coverage of the game - I read today that Celtic's Guidetti only looked good because of the "quality of defenders he was up against in the SPFL" in the Record. What disrespectful tripe. Willie Miller tells me that Aberdeen will "certainly finish second" so there really is no competition and therefore no point in witnessing it first hand. What arrogant, cynical nonsense. These viewpoints are, however, what informs the public's perception of football. The SPFL treat fans with contempt - witness their treatment of us last year, and their inability to attract support or investment into the game in Scotland. Police Scotland happily create a perception that disorder is still attached to football (did we really need a campaign of increased police numbers in Inverness to "prevent anti-social behaviour and disorder" because pubs were screening a TV international game with England or horses imported from Glasgow last year to control our missing crowds?) and they persist in enforcing the Offensive Communications etc. Act long after it has been discredited and found utterly inappropriate outside the OF. They mitigate against standing and being able to have a beer whilst watching a game (or even going to a game) because they, not us, can't move on from the 1970's. We are constantly subject to harrasment by under trained and overly empowered stewards who will enforce rules they have no understanding of and won't change. They will search your bags, remove things that they consider dangerous and order you seated in a manner that you won't have experienced since being at school in the 60's. If you stand, chant, sing, wave flags or create an atmosphere that will enhance a sporting contest, beware. On the other side, you have small bands of activists supporting Clubs with an income deflating faster than a Branson balloon who can't agree on a coherent way forward and are limited in their influence and voice to forums like this one and P&B with the occasional blogger making a bigger noise. These are the reasons that crowds are down, not an inability of the fans or club to provide an effective atmosphere or a match day experience that makes people decide "let's go to the football today instead of" (insert any of the above) Again, and I know I labour this point they only thing that can effect change is the fans themselves by challenging the stuff above and continuing to give their support to their clubs, ICTFC included. It really is about individual activism - take someone along with you every chance you get. That lot above won't change football in Scotland to the extent that our crowds would justify the investment need for a better stadium. It's the fans that can do that.

What on earth will it take to persuade you to take a trip to the Longman on a Saturday afternoon ? I know football is a bit on the pricey side but ICT have consistently had the cheapest matchday experience in the top tier. We had to wait over a century before the Scottish League let us join their exclusive little club but now boast the second most successful team in the entire land playing attractive football and unbeaten at home all season. The population of Inverness and surrounding area is at record levels. Surely surely you could abandon the Retail Park and back our local heroes with more than our loyal core of a paltry two and a half thousand. We used to get those sort of crowds for routine Inverness derbies in the Highland League when the population of the town was not much more than half what it is now.

Just added new Mugs, Hats, Scarves, Notebooks, Water Bottles, Calendars to the club online shop at http://ictfc.com/commercial/store?page=shop.browse&category_id=27 I'm particularly fond of the new mugs...and there's also a new bar scarf due to arrive any day (sneak preview graphic attached)

Do you not think thats a bit of a kick it the teeth to the efforts of the club who are creating deals to lure more people in. With that logic I suppose the club dont need shareholders either.

Does anyone actually know by how much the home attendances have dropped. I know that in the earlier days of novelty factor there were far bigger away supports travelling up and these have dropped off considerably. Aren't the football fans being a bit selfish towards other sports and interests that take up people's time? I dont believe we are going to increase gates by suggesting that other sports should be given less consideration and, indeed, believe thats more likely to alienate those who might be persuaded. The current stadium was built where it was for a variety of reasons, not least financial ones, and no amount of bleating on here or in the central belt news media is going to give us something to satisfy everyone without the money to do so. All that aside I see football in Scotland as being on the decline as the number 1 spectator sport. All clubs are losing fans yet the powers that be are doing nothing to address that. Are the SFA / SPFL doing anything? Are the clubs getting together to address the problems? No. They cant seem to see the problems. For a lot of people its not all financial. Its not all location. Nor car parking, pies, or whatever. For many its the matchday experience, the stewarding, the bias towards two teams, the changes to k.o times to suit TV. Basically many, and I include myself to an extent, are sick of the establishment that run the game and the Glasgow two who control it. Sort that aspect of the game and we'll probably sort the crowd numbers.

For me, the biggest issue at present is that there's too many people going around pointing out everything they think is bad and using it as a stick to beat the club when there's not a lot can be done about it. The worst of which comes from the press and bloggers such as the above who make statements of (so called) fact, but have little or no evidence to back it up. What chance do the club have of attracting people when "fans" are spouting off like that telling everyone the place is a shit hole?! Maybe the answer is that they try a change of tact by talking up all that is good...and there's plenty...and giving people the reasons to come to games instead of reinforcing whatever reasons they might have for currently not bothering?

I posted previously on threads discussing this, but see there is another post here saying the same thing. I'm not trying to dismiss or slate what the club is or has done but what about some real market research in the local area to find out what the population of Inverness want from a football club. There is little point asking us as we are already fans so maybe in some ways are too close to be fully objective. I acknowledge money is tight but investment in a marketing company may help, we can gauge average locals into focus groups, get street canvassing on the go and really see what is desired. Better media coverage locally and really forcing what ICT has to offer on local radio (MFR), press, social media. even shop windows and the back of buses. No point having inititives if the only people who know are those on mailings lists or on here - it needs to be cast far and wide. I believe we need to focus on the positives - its obvious some can't but that will always be the case. Stadium location has taken a hammering on this thread - most folks will either drive to the game or walk from town. Are people seriously trying to say that the distance from the bus/train station to the stadium is off putting compared to walking to the Bught (which seems to be mooted as the site everyone wanted) - a location with no infrastrcture or ability to deal with traffic. As for the cold, unless I've missed it has the Bught become some equatorial mirco climate - cos its going to be near every bit as cold. Fans need to stop pedalling this negativity which gets picked up on and start banding about the positives - great play, committed team, community spirit, friendly environment etc.

ICT have created a product, we all believe in the product so go out and sell it, various offers and incentives have been put on the table so see what you can do. See what you can do to make it a better day out.

I think it may have been Doofers Dad who met with Kenny Cameron about this subject the last time the topic was being scrutinised on the forum so he may have more to add on the point. In brief, I think the situation for last season was something like......big drop in visiting fan numbers, and, home fan numbers being fairly static (over the season) although the split between season ticket holders and walk-ups had changed. Would appear from info to hand that it's probably much the same this season.

I think the stadium's a far bigger issue than people realise. It's a poorly placed, poorly designed mess and not exactly enticing to casual fans home or away. Unless we redevelop it or move somewhere else, crowds will only go down IMO.

The dripping-tap method isn't getting through to me! OKay!

That's absolutely true but in truth he could have implemented the passing style of play and the players alienate to idea of changing the style of play completely as they have stuck to one system consistently for a season and a half and didn't adapt well to it and dropping in form but thankfully we have a talented bunch of players that have adapted to another way of thinking. That in my opinion was his biggest task and he's succeeded but if he has to re build then so be it but I have complete faith as he brought back a resurgent Greg Tansey.

That is undoubtedly the most PROFESSIONAL performance I have ever witnessed at the Dump.

Indeed. I suspect that never again in my lifetime will ICT be joint top of the Premier League in December. In that respect, this is as good as it gets, so let's enjoy and appreciate what we are seeing just now.

Great to hear. Thinking out of the box is maybe the way to go tbh. I personally wouldn't have thought of inviting volunteers.

I was at the start a critic but like the players I am now a believer, on this occassion its great to be proved wrong.

Great performance and on another day McKay and Watkins might have both grabbed hat-tricks. In regards to the crowd, home gates (again) exceeded what was forcast/budgeted for by the club and it was good to see the tickets for volunteers initiative being well received....many of whom were first time visitors and one small group I spoke to said they were made to feel very welcome by those around them and would definitely be back.

My first appearance at the Dump for a couple of months and I was very impressed with the performance and the way Yogi had the team set up and how they played Yogi had a lot of doubters on here but he is fast proving a lot of the roasters on here wrong and for that I salute him Only negative today was the crowd I think I heard the official attendance was just over 3000 but it didn't look anywhere near that The better ICT play and the higher we go in the league the poorer the crowds get, draw your own conclusions from that but there is something seriously unhealthy with that Anyway congrats Yogi you've now got the team playing your way and it's a joy to watch for those of us that turn up Dougal