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It's a bit ironic that someone who has, on several occasions, marched half the length of Scotland between games, should be put off attending matches by a 30-second detour to the ticket window.

I remember Don (Keir) driving the CaleyInn bus to Dumfries ... that was quite an away day. or the game in Dundee against Rangers where a few members of the bus mooned Gazza as he was driven away from the ground with Jimmy 5 bellies. I remember our 4-3 game against livingston being described eloquently by Bill Leckie as all that was good about the game just a day after Hugh Dallas had been hit by a coin at an old firm game. I remember the Gringos picture in the paper after that Livi game. I remember 28 minutes in Kilmarnock and the Killie Hippo and I remember countless wonderful experiences at the TCS and in various away grounds. all good times and all part of the rollercoaster experience of supporting a club outside of the big two. I always glance at the fixture list when planning trips home and try to maximise the opportunity to see (home) games. However, when I do come the atmosphere is flat. The enjoyment and experience has been legislated out of the game. We were never the most vociferous support but we could get a bit loud and rowdy. Not any more. if anyone has the temerity to do so it seems they could be in trouble from the authorities ... I have not lost the spark, but I hope that the club and Scottish football in general takes a look at things and looks at ways to improve the matchday experience. Not talking about American razzmatazz as some might suggest (or have in the past), just basic stuff like being treated with respect, having decent food options, reasonably clean toilets, stewards that are present to help make the day better and resolve issues rather than inflame them or cause confrontations. Alcohol is always involved in football, so you will get the odd bell-end but just deal with them as they deserve and dont take the default position that everyone is a bell-end !!! The club does some things right and some things wrong and that has been true regardless of who sits in the boardroom. Having them listen is a good start ... then making small changes that dont have to cost the earth (or in some cases dont cost anything) is the next step ... lets hope CJT - once back on track - can be the conduit it was supposed to be for that kind of thing.

19 years ago I had to put a consoling arm around the shoulders of that young fella after we lost a last minute goal at Somerset to deny us our first point ever in div 1 after 4 games ? A lot of water under the bridge since then - fill yer boots

In the years I've been supporting Palace and then Inverness Caley Thistle, I've got used to the cycle of football with travails and despair often following triumph and elation, it's often the rebirth that happens after, say, relegation that I find the most exciting, as new faces come in, often young and in-experienced, new ways of playing, new managers, new owners (sometimes), improvements to the ground , even those new playing strips that seem more dynamic or trendy than the previous season. Being a 'glass-half-full' type of guy, I can take solace from a good passage of play, or a goal, or just seeing someone have a good game, even if the overall result may not be what is wanted. I love it when a player or the club starts to get recognised for doing something good. I have obviously come into the ICT fold fairly recently, but relegations under Butcher and Foran haven't disheartened me (actually it was my sadness when ICT went down under Butcher that I realised a spark had been kindled). Having supported Palace for nigh on 45 years I have seen many false dawns and have become disillusioned a couple of times, I once stopped going and gave up my season ticket, so I guess ever body is tested. (actually if everyone who told me they once supported Palace still turned up our crowds would be 50k not 25k). Sometimes you just need a break, however as long as you still love football, and you still look out for the club you support, or live local to them, the chances are that the spark will come back. For me coming up to see Inverness is always an adventure, which I have enjoyed, even losing to Aberdeen in the League Cup final....whereas I can't honestly say I've enjoyed every moment of Palace's latest incursion into the EPL COYC

I bought my ticker online yesterday, looking forward to receiving it on Monday

For two seasons now I've struggled to find any degree of passion towards the club I once adored. In fact my last game was a 1-1 derby day draw on 18th March 2017 (my only game for that season too, with none [obviously] for last term!). It was as though winning the Scottish Cup and getting into Europe completely killed any ambition within the club. Losing the likes of Ryan, Graeme and Marley probably didn't help either. It seemed to me like Richie was sold down the river and whatever 'progress' the club attempted to make, it always seemed the 'cheap' option with no ambition or consideration behind decisions. To be fair, hanging up my boots and an ever reducing amount of enthusiasm for the beautiful game probably didn't help. This season, it seems different. Recruiting Barry as a coach, Scott as assistant, and Ryan Esson as goalkeeping coach, it all just seems to fit right for ICT. Hearing how the new recruits have fitted in is encouraging and even the new kit looks smart. The league itself looks like it'll be the most entertaining for years. It's got the feel of 2003 about it where any one could challenge for the title. I'm interested to see what others have to say about their ICT experiences over the past two or three years and what people's thoughts are for the future of this club. There'll undoubtedly be those who say 'support the club through think and thin' and I understand that notion. Sometimes, it's just not that easy.

You should have listened more to yer old man when you were a nipper! ?

Connor Bell signs a 1 year deal with Morton

All ambulances improperly parked at Tynecastle will be ticketed by arrangement.

So once again I've been doing some calculations and once again I have been enjoying a glass of vino or 3ish so please double check my sums and let me know. If we win or draw on Sunday we finish top of the group. If we lose it all comes down to our points and GD. There are 8 groups, we need to out qualify 4 of them, so..... Group A: County and Alloa are 1 and 3. Arborath in 2nd have played all 4 games and have 8 points. They play each other for the final game. We currently have more points than both of them so if it ends a draw we still finish with more points. Therefore we out qualify 2nd place from Group A regardless of our result against Hearts. ? Group B: Montrose are in 2nd with 6 points and have completed their games. Forfar are in 3rd with 5 points, their max is 8 points therefore we out qualify 2nd place from group B regardless of our result against Hearts. ? Group D : Dundee sit 2nd with 6 points and a GD of 4. They play Brechin for their last game so I am going to assume 3 points and at least 3 goals so Dundee will out qualify us. ? Group E: Ayr Utd play Partick on the final day. This is a 1st v 2nd clash. Ideally an Ayr win would suit us as Patrick currently have a GD of 5. If Patrick win we need a swing of 5 goals to help us. This is 50/50 ? Group F: Currently both 1st and 2nd have less points than us. Livi play Berwick so certain 3 points, Airdrieonians play Hamilton. If we go on cup form this should be a win for Airdrie but I can't call this one as Hamilton had a good win in their last game. A Hamilton win suits us perfectly. ? Group G: Motherwell sit 2nd with 7 points and are away to Clyde. 3 points to the Well therefore we won't out qualify 2nd place ? Group H: This is not so straight forward. St Mirren currently sit 2nd with 6 points but are without a win in 3 games. They play Dumbarton on Saturday, a Dumbarton win suits us and I think they might turn them over so I am going to say we will out qualify 2nd place. ? So as it stands, we have 2 groups that are out of the running and 2 that are certainly through. It all comes down to groups F and H. Of course ideally we go to Hearts and stuff them but I'll also take a draw and another win on penalties. After all we have a good record in League Cup penalties against Hearts ?

That was hilarious, and I think I may have bought just about enough for an open sandwich...best bus trip ever.

Double yellow lines - why stop there if there is no emergency ?

Due to the kindness of one of our fans and help from Travel Club ,Craig will be going to the game tonight . Thank you ...you know who you are .!!!

The last three years have been a disappointment after the heights of two thousand and fifteen and the seasons that went before it. However, I believe that you support the club with the same enthusiasm and commitment through thick and thin. As far as the future is concerned, there were encouraging signs in the last third of last season, I also think that we have recruited fairly well both on the playing and coaching front. It will not be easy on such a tight and still decreasing budget but there is much to be optimistic about. For a club of our size and resourses, the dizzy heights of major cup wins or European campaigns may only come every quarter of a century or so, if they come at all. The trick to footballing contentment is so enjoy and relish the more modest successes in the meantime and promotion back to the Premiership or maybe a run to a Scottish Cup or league Cup semi final would be a very good start in that respect.

It's gonna be a long season!