Leaderboard

Aren't most things? I'm sure if the board knew how things would turn out, they would have done it differently. I have said before that I was glad at the time that the board decided to rebuff both the approach for Hughes by United, and Aberdeen's bid for Tansey. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish they'd accepted both.

No, the seeds were sown when the club decided to hold on to a Scottish Cup manager, and didn't let hIm speak to Dundee United.

One that 'Caleyboy' will like..... The Lion's Den - 'Home of Pride of the Highlands'

Very harsh and clear agenda against Yogi. His time at Falkirk? You fail to mention he actually managed them for 6 years winning the first division twice (Brockville not up to SPL standard). You also failed to mention that he established them as a solid SPL team. You seem to also have forgotten in your Hughes summary that he got them into Europe and the Scottish Cup Final. In his one full season at Hibs, they finished 4th. Most Hibs fans would be happy with that kind of finish these days. He was unfairly sacked at the beginning of the next season, after a poor start. Livingston? Steadied the ship. Hartlepool? Already bottom of league and if you speak to any Hartlepool fan they'd say that they improved under him and nearly pulled off the great escape. Of course, you know about his time at Inverness. But it was Butchers squad so Yogi shouldn't get any credit I suppose eh? Rovers? Already doomed when he took over. Overall, his managerial record is quite impressive but then again, all the people that were against his appointment in the first place need someone to blame now for the state of the club.

Over the years, I've at times tended to be critical of very occasional attenders, generally known in football as "glory hunters" (even Rangers fans complain about them??) but the practice is defensible. Look at it like patronising a certain butcher's shop only for its excellent steak pies. There's a global market out there. The people of Inverness don't have any moral obligation to owe Caley Thistle a living. Many will even have a minimal or zero interest in football. The club is part of that global market for the community's financial backing and is in competition for that alongside everything from Carlton Bingo to Tesco. All businesses need to create a market for their product in varying degrees of competition with others. Football and Caley Thistle are no more exempt from these fundamental economic forces than the shops closing down in the city centre.

Baring in mind the current fare on offer on the pitch just now, I doubt any form of advertising will encourage new fans through the turnstiles. The advertising money may best be used for taxi's for the under performing members of the squad.

Well done to the youngsters for negotiating a potentially difficult away tie and being in the draw for the next round The present is pretty bleak but it looks like there might be reason for some optimism about the future.

Long before I came north ; Inverness were becoming a legend ( I remember on the Bury message board people were commenting on an ICT result at Ibrox . In deepest Sussex I was reading stories of unbelievable victories. One of the reasons for me living up in these parts was the thought of watching this amazing team. I read Charles's book, (Against all odds ) and it read better than a novel, I ordered six copies and I sold them more or less straight away , interest in the team even in America and Australia was apparent . if it had been fiction nobody would have believed it . When I watched the semi finals - and then the finals against Aberdeen and Falkirk , I was really in my element It was wonderful. Now there is a equal and opposite reaction. If we ( and I use we with pride for an outlander ) are to survive and build again, we will be stronger and better for it.

The seeds were sewn when the club got rid of a Scottish Cup winnng manager. The rest, as they say is history.