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Oh well, let's just all make him a failure before he get's his chance. I seem to remember a Mr Foran was a welcome and mostly popular choice before the start of last season. That went well. Anyway, it's reassuring to know that we have so many experts on the forum able to make these judgements.

Kenny can take NO responsibility for the ST price decision, the complete bungling of the crucially important announcement of that controversial move or the more or less total information blackout there has otherwise been since relegation and his departure. That has all been under the new watch. The lack of information, communication or even acknowledgement that the fans and the public exist, cannot be laid at the door of the departure of CaleyD (although there was a rumour that he may not remain departed.) It's not rocket science putting stuff out to the media or on social media and I'm sure plenty people could have done this - if asked to do so from boardroom level. Ross County, for instance, issued three press releases today alone - and all directly to newsdesks, avoiding the complete nuisance of constantly checking the cybersphere. So we now know that Roy MacGregor will have another face to face with the fans at a Supporters' Open Meeting, that County have appointed Emily Wilson as their new General Manager and that NEW sales of the £200 Jail End STs have risen to 300. And that's just today's ration. This is all information which it's in the club's interest to volunteer, but I am enough of a conspiracy theorist also to note that, for instance, today's three releases show that County are 1) Communicating with their fans, including directly via the Chairman. 2) Are dealing with and publicising major appointments quickly and efficiently and 3) Are (OK with more than a little apparent help from a benefactor) attempting to increase their market share, especially in the face of the open goal which has voluntarily materialised in Inverness. Quite clearly County are specifically seeking to exploit ICT's weaknesses to their own advantage and who can blame them? It's called competition. Meanwhile on this side there's been a complete clampdown with everything remaining in the dark - to ICT's huge peril and disadvantage. I'm mystified as to why the new Chairman, as one of his first priorities, didn't set up and publicise a face to face open meeting with the Inverness fans. I certainly know very little about him apart from an unconfirmed anecdote that he lives in Edinburgh. But even if there was really quite little to say, the gesture and being seen to have made it, would have addressed at least some of the mounting dissatisfaction we are seeing. If Roy MacGregor can do this as a matter of course, surely it's far more urgent at a critical moment for Caley Thistle? Having observed the development of this club since before it was even born, I am quite dismayed that the critical, indeed potentially fatal, issue of obvious supporter disillusionment has now been ignored over the 23 vital days since relegation - which will best be remembered for a complete car crash of an announcement about season ticket prices. (By the way at the time of the last relegation, George Fraser was the Chairman.)

Obviously with everything else that is, or rather isn't going on at ICT it's understandable that this has slipped through the cracks but I see that Doncaster is trying to move forward with the introduction of Colt teams into the SPFL set up: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/spfl-consider-introducing-colt-teams-into-league-system-1-4473517 Initially, Colt teams would start in the Highland or Lowland leagues and, if successful, work their way up the pyramid with a ceiling of League One. All SPFL clubs have been invited to give feedback to the proposal (nice to exclude the Highland and Lowland League clubs from the consultation). I am 100% against the idea of allowing Colt sides into the league set up. As has been pointed out on P & B one of the best things about supporting a lower league side is one day seeing them win the league. Imagine missing out on that because Celtic B win the league ahead of you and, if you are in League One, they can't even go up. It's a fantastic way for Doncaster and his croonies to basically piss off half of the league to appease the blue and green masses in Glasgow. I don't see how it would do anything for the development of these younger players. Playing against League Two opposition isn't going to turn some U21 at Rangers into a world beater. If these players are good enough then they will break into the first team. The simple fact is that a lot of players coming through the youth set ups at some teams simply aren't good enough. Playing against a part time plumber from Elgin isn't going to change this. It's up to the likes of Rangers, Celtic and whoever else to develop and blood their younger players to continue their improvement. Indeed the appearance of Colt teams in the Challenge Cup, branded a success by Doncaster for some reason despite most Colt sides getting pumped out at the second round and rotten crowds present for these games, seems to be a precursor to the inevitable appearance of these sides in the league set up. Sadly it seems, as is almost always the case, that Scottish football is being run for the benefit of two clubs and I'm rapidly approaching the end of my tether with it all. I'm hopeful that ICT will object to these proposals when they feedback to the SPFL.

Thats the manager sorted out then,personaly I think he is a good guy,he got us up before so lets cut out the sniping and get behind him. Think we will see a different style this season coming and more wins for a start

Just came on the post the same link. Fair play to the board for this one. A reduction of all season ticket prices by 10%. There is one home game less this season and this means the average cost per game is now slightly reduced. - good An extension of the 'early bird' and loyalty offer to July 1st - very welcome for those who might need to wait until pay day. Free entry for all Season Ticket Holders to the first game of the season - our League Cup tie at home to Brechin City on July 15th. - good A higher than originally offered discount of 10% on season tickets (for holders) when we return to the Premier League (we acknowledge that there are no guarantees here). - generous and ambitious but can't fault their optimism I suppose! A prize draw for all home league fixtures with the winner and a guest invited as Boardroom guests on match day. - hope caleyboy wins so he can rant about the badge from last season A further draw for each home league fixture with the winner and a guest having corporate hospitality for the day. - good An open day pre season for a chance for season ticket holders to meet with players (current and new), Management and Directors. - good More likely to renew my ticket now ETA: The revised pricing is showing on the e ticketing site by the way if anyone feels more inclined to renew. ETAA: I've renewed on the back of this statement from the club

Like any new manager Robbo will, and should, be judged on the results after he takes control. I understand some of the scepticism, but in the grand scheme of things we aren't the most attractive of propositions, (finance, crowds, salary, to name 3) how many of the people mentioned would even want to come here? I can't think of getting excited at any of the names linked to the job, so to that end this doesn't put me up or down.We keep being told it's difficult to recruit players to the 'far North' so maybe it's the same issue getting a manager in. I wish Robbo every success, in the same way I would have done to any incoming manager.

John Hughes got us into Europe lets get him back and all. Robertson hasn't been in charge of a team in years and possibly hasn't worked at a full time club in over ten years. He's had zero success since he left us. Some of the names banded about recently have been brutal. A bunch of ex ICT players and managers for seemingly no other reason than they used to play for or manage us. If we go back up with him in charge fantastic but I can't help but feel that this is an absolute minter of an appointment. ETA: This, apparently, won't be the last of the 'rewinds' that we will see at the club.

Wonder if the new reduction applies to people who had stepped up to the plate and already bought their 17-18 season tickets.

It certainly wasn't happening with any of the other names being thrown around on here. So nothing has changed. We need to get a squad built quickly, so let's get on with it now.

Don't think it is just your phone. I've had similar trouble for a couple of days now, even on my computer. Must be a website issue, I think.

Given the most likely candidates named over the last week or so: Danny Lennon and Paul Sheerin then I'd be happy with Robertson over them

All in all I think we are on the up. Now it is the Fans turn to show a united front.

A bad error made initially but good to see that it has been quickly rectified and an appropriate apology issued. Bodes well for the future.

Recall the old terrace talk that Savage and Sutherland were at loggerheads over Robbo's return to the club. Such rumours are normally the figment of a pub bores imagination - but here we are! The man did a fine job for us before and has made Inverness his home. Some might say football has moved on - tactics, training methods, stats etc. Certainly at the top level this is the case where every player is World Class and it's all about small margins. But at our level? Come on. I'd rather have a seasoned, experienced bona fide Scottish football legend who's been there, done it, got the t-shirt managing our club than some one-dimensional rookie coach armed only with a laptop and a passing drills textbook.

http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1936-season-ticket-announcement Fantanstic news, they actually litsened.

I'm going to cling to the positives: - Robbo got us promoted before - Ex-players such as Bobby Mann (in a Tell Him He's Pele interview) and Michael Fraser (in the Courier today) speak very highly of him - He must have plenty of decent contacts, which hopefully will result in some good signings; my own feeling is that being a good recruiter is more important at this level than being a good tactician. On the other hand, he's only managed one club in ten years - East Fife for 16 months - and none in 5 years. That raises concerns. The names that have been linked with this post have been hugely unimpressive - the focus on old boys such as Robbo and Sheerin suggest, frankly, laziness on the board's part. I find it hard to believe that there weren't any candidates outside our own 'old boys' circle or indeed beyond the usual names in Scottish football (Danny Lennon?!). It doesn't seem likely that outside applications were welcomed at all, and not just because Ossie Ardiles hasn't been linked. It's all dreadfully underwhelming.

Got us promoted first time round, should be able to attract some decent names, where's the issue? Underwhelmed is surely synonymous with Sheerin.

Are we back to looking at managerial win percentages? Danny Lennon doesn't have a perfect record but he had several tricky jobs. He took Cowdenbeath to two successive promotions, which is probably the best outcome you could hope for with them. He kept St Mirren in the top flight and won a major trophy, again probably the best he could hope for. The fact they've dropped like a stone since he was let go is indicative that he did a pretty good job. They didn't ever set the heather on fire in the Premiership but the two 8th place finishes he managed were the best positions that St Mirren have finished in since the 1980s. Since then he's had two short-term appointments - he kept Alloa up but didn't manage to kick on the following season and then had a short spell at Airdrie to cover for when Eddie Wolecki had a stroke. He's not a glamour choice or anything like that but he has experience of managing sides at this level, and above. He has been involved in Scottish football for a long time so will hopefully have a good understanding of the teams around us and be able to prepare the team a bit better than we were last season. I wasn't particularly impressed with his St Mirren team but you can't argue with his achievements. Also, for someone like Danny Lennon, we are a huge opportunity, we are the biggest club he'll probably get a shot at managing at the moment. He'll certainly be motivated to succeed. If we do appoint him I would be happy.

I have read this forum for long enough, but never had the desire to post until now. This is such a critical time for our club. I have been watching for updates with bated breath for news of our next gaffer, but the wait goes on, whilst players we may want to sign are being courted by the competition. My first thought for manager was Paul Hartley, but after getting Alloa and Dundee promoted, he has fairly fizzled out at Dundee in his third season, just as he did at Alloa. So, not so sure, but realistically who can we attract as manager? I think we do need someone who knows Scottish football and knows both the championship and Premiership, as that is where we are and want to be. Given the names mentioned, here are my thoughts: Malpas - been a good assistant at various clubs, but has really crashed and burned as a manager, lasting a year at his only two positions, taking Motherwell from mid-table to relegation Zone and Swindon crashing out of cups to lower league opposition. I suspect he would take us backwards too. Sheerin - got Arbroath promoted, but then relegated, so no further forward under his management. Won the u20s league with Aberdeen, then finished 9th this season with some big losses in there, so no further forward there. Reputation of a good coach, but has never managed a full time team before, so lots to learn, which I don't think we have time for. Too risky for me. robertson - did well for us in the past, getting us promoted from the then championship in 2004. Seemingly has a habit of falling out with folks. Only lasted 7 months at Hearts, 4 months at Ross County, a year at Derry City and 11 months at East Fife. Been out of management for 5 years, probably for that reason. It's a no from me. Lennon - not the highest win%, but as someone pointed out earlier, that isn't the most important statistic. What a manager has achieved is more important. Two promotions with Cowdenbeath in his 2 years there. Won the League Cup at St. Mirren and kept them safe in the top league in his 4 years there on a low budget, whilst developing some top players like John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Darren McGregor. Look how far they have fallen since he left, perhaps shows how much he had them punching above their weight. Joined Alloa when they were bottom of the Championship and saved them by winning the play-offs. Then took Airdrie up a couple of positions in the league as interim manager. He perhaps isn't Mourinho, but I think he would be a solid manager for us that would guide us back up a division and keep us there, whilst developing some young players for us. It's a yes for me.

Yup, couldn't agree more. Another sop to the Ugly Sisters - and if they ever get their wish to play in England, this means they can keep a presence in Scotland and try and hoover up trophies and European spots. As said above, all the people who run Scottish football are interested in is two clubs, and they don't even try to hide the fact that they are bending over backwards to facilitate them. The sooner we can get rid of the deadwood that is Reagan and Doncaster the better.

Do other clubs fans and former players continually harp on about getting back previous managers/players, or is it just us?

Two weeks since Foran departed, two and a half weeks until our first friendly, a little over four weeks until our first Bet Fred Cup match. Numerous Championship sides are shuffling the pack with players being signed up all over the place. Meanwhile we seem to be twiddling our thumbs, as per usual. Whilst I appreciate that we need to make the right decision here, prolonged prevarication and a failure to bring a solitary player into a severely depleted squad is a recipe for disaster. The lack of activity and general malaise within the club eluded to across the media is going to have a significantly negative impact on the quality of manager/players we can attract. Finger oot gents.....

No place for our cup winning manager John Yogi Hughes

It has become apparent that Robbo has been assembling a crack squad and training has started already.

There is no doubt about Robbo's passion for the game and his attachment to Inverness. One of his merits, and I trust it still is, was his in-depth knowledge of the Scottish scene, including youth football and the lower leagues. So maybe that is what swung it for him, given we have to rebuild a team, and I hope he can do exactly that. The thing is nobody knows when you hire a new manager if they will be a success, but we have to support him and see what the new season brings. Certainly it is more hopeful than keeping the last incumbent.

I liked Robbo and the style of play from his team when he was with us. He was inspirational in the run in to Helicopter Saturday and we've as much chance of repeating that with him at the helm again as we would have with any of the other names bandied about over the past few weeks - and better than most. If you are coming back Robbo then welcome, I wish you well.

Great news, I will also be renewing my season ticket again

I'd decided I would renew, but not until the 23rd but this is good news and hopefully a sign of a Board that wants to engage with the loyal fan base.

Great news I'll renew our two this week

I think he left East Fife as it was a part time position & it wasn't worth his while commuting from Ardersier as it was almost costing him money to do tge job..seem to remember that from the time. Ironic,given that it's usually the other way round with our location! Wasn't hugely enamoured with having an ex-manager, but of all our ex-managers, Robbo's the one I'd pick. Maybe a 'safe' appointment & not adventurous, but is that a bad thing?

I wouldn't be too disappointing to get Robbo back. I mentioned his name as a potential candidate a few years back (before we got Yogi I think). He definitely knows how to motivate players, and is well known throughout Scottish football. People would want to play for him, so I think he can do a good job with recruitment. None of the names mentioned particularly inspired me, but I think I'd prefer Robbo to Sheerin or Lennon. As stated above, it would have been good if he brought Donald Park with him, but I think he has a good job with the SFA at the moment. He has a big task ahead of him getting in players in time for the league cup!

IF true then I will wish him well. He did a good job for us before, got us up to the top division in the first place, and put both the club directors and the SPL on the spot when it came to our eventual promotion to the top league and our groundshare with Aberdeen. The fact that he left us to go to Hearts was no surprise given his playing history so no bad feelings there, and anytime I have seen him speak of ICT it has always been in a positive manner. He was also very personable with the fans. If he has ruffled a few executive feathers along the way then so what ... ALL of our managers have done that at some point ... and some way more than others ! I will wait for the official confirmation but this "surprise" candidate is a far better choice than some of the names mentioned IMHO. Paul Sheerin's time will come at ICT and I am only guessing here but perhaps our board did not want to put a club legend with limited managerial experience into the hotseat to replace another club legend with limited managerial experience for fear of the same outcome? He may not have been in a managerial position for a while but Robbo's experience cannot be said to be limited and his record at ICT was pretty good (44 wins in 82 games).

Very underwhelming and short sighted appointment if true. Don't think promotion is happening this year lads.

So, well done to Mr Finlayson and the Board. Quite encouraging that they appear to have listened to reasoned argument.

With Robbo allegedly coming back does this signal a change in the power balance at boardroom level? Is it not true that he had a big fall out with Mr Sutherland and is very much Mr Savage's man? Surely he's back as DoF and not manager. Surely...

Looking forward to hearing the logic behind this from the board, should be amusing.

Come on Manny, its hardly an inspired appointment is it? What exactly has he done since he left us? Last club East Fife in 2012.

Robbo, based on one good season in his managerial career 15 years ago. utter car crash since then. Do the board actually care about what the fans think on anything. Robbo would be near the top of nearly no-ones list. Backward/small time mentality as usual. This was the chance to start afresh and take the club in a new direction. Just such an uninspired choice.

This is just utterly deflating. Waiting around for weeks and we appoint someone who was good fourteen years ago, who hasn't had a job in five years, someone who hasn't had any success in football since leaving us. Do the board not have any contact numbers for anyone other than former players or people they've heard of before?

Massively underwhelmed if it is Robertson.

Foran re-appointed, lol.

Telford Street Colts would do okay, won the Morvich Shield v. Drakies in '80.

Scottish football is full of ideas that will never, ever die and this is one of them. A load of total *****.

I agree. Poor idea. Colt teams in the cup last year didn't really bring anything. Don't think it takes the Scottish game forward any. We are not a two club nation!

Don't be a Dick.

Too risky likely to get humped !

Few weeks???? Have we got a few weeks????

Don't disagree with what you say Scotty, but as a supporter of ICT and Caley over the last sixty years, I really fear for our club. The directors do not keep the supporters informed what is happening within the club. We are desperate to know who our next manager is going to be. But all we have is silence. Nice to see Kilmarnock are going to get Steve Marsella, and they have told the world. Personally I feel at tis moment our directors would find it hard to manage a juvenile club.

The communications from the club have been pish for years, the club statements are poorly written, aren't clear and in many cases are actually infuriating. Things like the statement about Greg Tansey when he was targeted by Aberdeen, the bizarre statement when Hughes left, the fact that we were publicising a "one course meal and pay bar" for the Champions League final minutes after we were smashed by our local rivals. That's continued in this close season. A perfunctory statement detailing that Foran is leaving, a few puff pieces about the new board and then worst of all the announcement of season ticket prices. If the statement on season tickets had been thought through even for a couple of minutes then it would've included an acknowledgement that some fans would be disappointed at the prices but that the club need to maintain them to allow us to challenge then people might have come around to it. As it was there a single, throwaway sentence about the prices. You don't need to be a communications genius to anticipate what the reaction will be to something and try to head it off at the pass, as it were. When you look at clubs like Hearts and Hibs who have focused on communications from the board and club, it's night and day for us and it doesn't have to cost money. The updates Hearts issue from Ann Budge, the way Leanne Dempster has had an impact at Hibs - this is a cultural change and it doesn't have to cost money. Since the board talked about appointing a general manager, the role has been discussed as something like having a 'football man' on the board, like Malpas or Butcher. I think the role needs to be more than that, needs to encompass how the club engages with the fans, with sponsors and local businesses, with government agencies, with the wider community. A big part of that is having someone with overall responsibility for this and the GM could do that. I'm sure Don did lots for the club without pay and the YouTube stuff is excellent. The Twitter account was engaging and responded well to queries rather than just pushing out links to the website, which is a lot better than most clubs official Twitter accounts. I do think that perhaps the club have taken advantage of him a bit if he's been doing all this without pay though and there's surely someone at the club now who can operate a Twitter account to send out the latest fixtures? It's almost passive-aggressive to just not do anything.