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I have secured two coaches for Cup Final day and am looking to fill them with schoolkids and their parents. I will subsidise these coaches so that the return cost is just £10 for kids and £15 for adults that accompany them. This is about a third of the cost of public transport so hopefully we can get 100 people to the match that would otherwise not have gone. Departure points will be finalised in the next 48 hours. It would be great if other businesses or individuals would chip in some money so that we can organise more coaches and I would appreciate it if you can pass this request on to any charitable contacts you have. £750 would subsidise another coach but any amount is welcome. Please contact me if you can help or if you have access to more coaches (which are thin on the ground). We will be promoting this via the schools in the next two days and it will only be available for bookings where children are accompanied by adults.

Yup, Collum's the referee.

Our official average attendance for the season is 3,733. Up from last seasons 3,558. On paper, it's a small increase, but 175 extra bums-on-seats per game extends to a remarkable amount of hard cash over a season. Match ticket, maybe a look in the club shop, a pie & bovril, programme, raffle, drink at the bar etc.....say a conservative £25 spend each = 25 x 175 = £4,375 extra revenue. Over our 19 home league games, that equates to a non-unsubstantial £83,000+ !!! Not far short of what we get for qualifying for the Europa League. It's an example that every extra punter counts. If we can retain some of the cup-final fans and get back to averaging over 4,000 a game, the club would greatly benefit.

I'll reiterate again that we need to give Cameron Mackay some game time before the final. Imagine Falkirk bombard the goal for the opening ten minutes (not inconceivable at all) and then Esson picks up an injury or gets sent off (or both!). This is nothing against Mackay at all but do we really want a teenage goalkeeper making his debut as a substitute in the final with no first team match experience at all? What have we got to lose by playing him on Sunday? In fact, I wouldn't even be risking Esson ahead of the final.

Those Celtic fans might want to check the eligibility rules of the award first before bemoaning... http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gordon-waddell-managers-dont-want-5504306 "It’s probably worth pointing out from the start that the Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year has to be Scottish and born in 1994 or later – pretty much the same criteria you’d use pick the national 21s team."

Personally would rather if Josh sat this out. play the u20s as far as I'm cconcerned.

Don't think he will rest Esson. He's experienced enough not to loose confidence, and is getting better each game so keep him going. Raven could probably do with a game after his suspension, so put him in for Meekings, and maybe Tremarco in for Shinnie. It's anyone's guess though, and he has plenty of Midfield options. Would personally keep Ofere up front, he is scoring and will want to keep doing so. Glad it's not my decision though, good headache to have but a headache all the same.

Great to see ICT "its our time" logo on Stagecoach buses going around town.

Personally I disagree with Denayar being nominated as he isn't even a Celtic player, but on loan from Man City so hardly a product of a Scottish youth system which in some ways I believe these awards should recognise - good talent brought through by a Scottish club not just bought.

Hopefully not soon.............well done Ryan

FFS people....who gives a flying F about what crowds other clubs are getting. It's our crowds that are important (home fans especially). If we took all the time and effort people waste on pointless cock measuring competitions between us and other clubs and put it into encouraging more people along to home games then we might just stand a chance of actually doing something constructive and worthwhile.

Thoughts on this? The game is pretty much irrelevant and i am hoping Hughes realizes this and puts the subs in the starting 11 and rest all the vital players. We can't afford any injuries or red cards. And knowing the antics of players like Brown they will be out to try and get some revenge. I'd even take Esson off. Letting in 5 or 6 goals won't be good for his confidence. Its important we rest all our vital players

I've just refused my refund so it can be reallocated to those who have to book on more expensive buses so hope more peeps do this and get the numbers up

What size of display? The card display is about 9000 cards

There will be a card display at the final.

Absolutely Superb

It doesn't, I just think it's awfully curious that there now seems to be all these Man City and Chelsea supporters in the Highlands. When I was in school there wasn't any. Now that they're successful that seems to have changed. I wonder if some Russian oligarch bought say Bristol Rovers and they won the European Cup, you'd see their shirts up being worn up here... Personally, I think having two clubs is like having a wife and a girlfriend. Just wrong!

Mackay Raven - Warren - Devine -Tremarco Doran - Draper - Ross - Williams Kink - Ofere Still a strong side, resting Esson, Meekings, Shinnie, Tansey &Watkins. Raven has missed last few games so get him back up to speed, Warrens last game of the season, Devine keep him on his game, Tremarco v Brown(tasty) Doran, Ross & Williams to fight over a cup final place and Draper can just do his usual. Give Kink & Ofere some Parkhead experience so that they`ll want to go back with us next season. I would guess most of the guys won't want to be `rested` maybe only Esson & Meekings will be for sure.

Rest the first team squad and blood all the youngsters. We must avoid injuries and suspensions at all cost and as mooted above Brown and Co will be out for revenge. Would not risk Ryan Esson and agree it's as good a time as any to give our young keeper his debut. A lot of regular fans who travel to away games I have spoken to are not going to Parkdread either for the fear of trouble and abuse .

Meekings really shouldn't start. Celtic will be gunning for him

On the other side of the coin, the attendances at Caley Thistle's two home Highland derbies were pretty poor this season - 4021 on Sat Jan 31st and an alarming 3741 on Sun October 5th. The corresponding figure for the New Year's Day derby in Dingwall was 4887. 3741 and 4021 would have been disappointing in Third Division days and that must have pulled this season's average down. Another factor may be the randomness of imposed "non-standard" KO times which may create a variable downward effect depending on who the opposition are. So if you add in these unhelpful factors, it's especially good to see any increase in the average - especially against one particular negative factor which I believe has been quite significant this season. Inverness's catastrophic traffic flow. Sure, there has been plenty of adverse comment for some time about the Kessock Bridge roundabout and yes, it remains a total mess. But there is a lot more than that. As the Flood Alleviation Scheme strengthens its claim to become the slowest building of a wall in the history of the world, access to the Caledonian Stadium is among the many casualties. For a start there's the closure of Bank Street (I believe it is due to reopen today?) which is a main thoroughfare between North and South Inverness. This forces more traffic along Kenneth Street, as does the closure of Huntly Street and of course the more recent bottleneck in Academy Street has made things worse still. So..... Trying to approach the Stadium along the A9/ Longman Rd lands you with the mayhem of the roundabout. Trying to approach the Stadium from the Harbour produces all the difficulties originating in Bank St/ Academy St...... but that's by no means all. Because even if you do get to the Harbour the flood scheme has also created the need for more traffic lights there. And if you do manage to get to the game, it will take an eternity to get home again for the very same reasons. You really do have to wonder how much cash businesses are losing as a result of the extreme ineptitude of Inverness's traffic flow arrangements. These include ICT where I have this fear that a number of people may simply not be going to games because of the unacceptable time it takes to get to and from the stadium.

I take it you supported them when they in the lower leagues as well aye....?

Not strictly true - although it holds true for the 'top flight'. In 2002-03 in the Championship/First Division, we accumulated 65pts to County's 35pts.

At least it doesn't say "it's ON time" as that would be a bare-faced lie!

One Step Beyond, Chelsea Dagger I wonder who you're other team is.....

Well done Ryan - you deserved it!

But rules don't apply to them, it's a conspiracy, etc

Is it just me, or is it appropriate that Denayer plays for a club whose fans are in a constant state of denial?

As predicted: this one of several ill-informed comments on the Scotsman article about Ryan winning the award: "Never heard of the lad so good of the hootsman to inform us that he played for Inverness Thistle. I think this is one of those cases where it is definitely a case of the players knowing more than the 'football writers'. The players voted for Jason Denayer and on all checks and balances - appearances, trophies, international recognition - that would be the correct decision. It seems that the 'football writers' have gone more with the heart as I suspect very few of them have seem the lad play any more than a handful of games this season...." Everything through green-tinted specs, you understand!

One up on me again Sneckboy! I was thinking of Oswell. Didn't even notice that Mihadjuks was around.

Most number of points after the split when in the top six?

Our tickets are for I-5 and I know a lot of others who are in this section. We're not there with sponsors. Part of allocation to season ticket holders and then through open sale to others and purchased direct from our club.

I am giving you a "like" Laurence for revealing your human side. That' surely an enduring memory for you like it was in a similar situation for me. Never expected to even get the ball but scored when It did finally arrive. Whee!

Great way to finish off the last home game of the season and was great to see the players out on the pitch afterwards. Big congratulations to Graeme Shinnie for winning both awards and also a big congratulations to management chairman shop girls kiosk sellers etc as they all had a part to play. Shame that some of the stewards had a complete lack of humour If they had dealt with the young children at the front in a nicer way instead of continually bursting their beach balls they probably wouldn't have been given such a hard time. Wouldn't have taken much to let the kids know they could throw their balls on the park etc after the game On the issue of the fans not staying after the game we took the decision beforehand to forgo our bus to stay and applaud the players but obviously many had paid for the buses to Caley club etc and the buses didn't waitThe only one I saw after was the Highland Scotbus Maybe would be worth next season asking buses etc to wait till after lap of honour. Anyway roll on the 30th and let's enjoy what has been the best season in our history IMHO

:lol:

First ever ICT player to win the football writers' young player of the year (Ryan Christie).

This article suggests that Christie has just picked up the Writers' Young Player of Season http://m.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/ryan-christie-and-caley-were-born-to-be-together-1-3775114

Esson kept us in the game before half time. Three great saves when we were faffing around. We were vastly improved after the break and never looked back. Great end to the home season, bring on the cup final.

Silver lining... Gimme the Hammers please...I'd much rather have a cracking day out against quality premier league opposition than a tie with a 'dross' outfit in the back of beyond just to have a better chance of a Euro win. A wee bit further than Broughton from Chorley but I could nip down the A11 on my bike with my kilt blowing in the wind

Ryan Esson back to his best today. Probably man of the match. Vincent and Doran both impressed and played their way into contention for the final IMO. We made Dundee United look very average at times, no mean feat. (aided by some horrendous finishing from Ciftci!) I hope Hughes gives Kink, Polworth, Tremarco, Horner, MacKay and the rest of the fringe guys a run out at Celtic Park next week. Firstly, they deserve it. Secondly, we obviously don't our first 11 picking up injuries or red cards ahead of the final.

Not that optimistic about next week then?

It looks likely that we'll be seeded if we enter at the first stage. But, obviously I hope we win the Scottish Cup and make that scenario redundant! Entering at Round 2, my guess is that we'd be un-seeded, potentially giving us a fixture with a 'known' club. I wouldn't normally 'admit' to this, but since Yngwie's revealed he's been dreaming of the Europa League, I confess I did a 'mock draw'. (1st round - as we're guaranteed at least that) We were paired with Welsh outfit Airbus UK Broughton! About 50 miles from Chorley! Oh how I laughed!!! That would be ironic for IHE - first European adventure...and it's an hour away on the bus!

Hi Guys , Falkirk Bairn here, Ive been reading your posts about ticket sales etc and some of u are right its not a competition to see who sells most its a competition to see how full BETWEEN US we can get Hampden. I appreciate travel is far more difficult for your lot ...we have an easy journey. But you are representing the Highlands and I hope along with the ICT fans other fans will join you in what could be / will be a great day. At the moment Falkirk have sold 14 000 and have requested another 2 000 .....our allocation like yours is 18 000 for the game. Id guess ICT are on about 8-10 000 which is fantastic . Im sure you will sell many more ....remember we are still over 2 weeks away. Lets show these idiots who reckon the "wee teams" cant fill Hampden ..".its going to be the lowest ever Scottish Cup Final etc etc etc" ....Sponsors allocation and neutrals have 10 000 set aside (about 200 for every team in the Scottish leagues) So between us lets aim to fill the remaining 42 000. I predict a crowd in the region of 44 000 and whether we or you have the most fans is ifrrelevant both sets of supporters will raise the roof.....Looking forward to seeing you there. BTW I dont know if ICT are doing this to promote sales but Falkirk FC have been visiting all the schools and industries in the area with the Scottish Cup to drum up sales. Why dont you get local schools to organise buses filled with £5 ticket kids too. Cheers " A Bairn"

Clearly the current combination of European football, the Cup final and Manager of the Year has made it unprecedentedly difficult to find something to moan about!

Can't we multitask and do both? Seriously tho it's great what we've sold and sales are apparently still strong (which actually in an odd way is giving me a bit of a headache lol). All I'm saying is for the long term financial stability of the club it would be fantastic if from our outstanding cup exploits a few hundred decided to make ICT part of their weekly routine.

How about we forget the fact that many attending the final have never been to the TCS and will, in all probability not go in the future and concentrate instead on celebrating that we have, by all accounts, already sold more tickets for a match than any before in our history with two and a half weeks still to go.

I have been to only 5 games at TCS this season, but have managed 14 away games? Does that mean I am a glory hunter? Our diaspora is spread throughout the world. I am sure there are plenty of people who would love to attend more games, but geography/finances dictate otherwise. It is hardly surprising that a number of those will make the effort to be part of a momentous occasion. That doesn't make them glory hunters.

Carshalton Beeches South London

Singapore. Usual tin bath on wheels.

If it comes down to preferential treatment (my opinion only ) would be .The die hard fans who travel the A9 and A96 to every away game whatever the weather regardless of results should be a priority .It would show a little gratitude from the club for loyalty .I appreciate it comes down to cost on a weekly basis .