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As we climbed the leagues, yes we did. The basic was 'reasonable' but a larger percentage of any money we got from TV and the SFA/SPFL prize fund depending on where we finished was shared with players. As our income increased, so did our wages (and contract complications) to a point in the premiership where it was a challenge. OFW is a prime example of this. His wage is always been held up as an example of the mismanagement of the "previous board" or our previous chairman but is it? My understanding of his last contract renewal is that it came about just after his stint at the Euros. The club got a decent six figure windfall payment because of this but as he was out of contract this was in jeopardy. Eventually, the club agreed a wage higher than we should have been comfortable with so that we didnt miss the signing deadline. The basic premise is that the higher wage was a way of giving him a significant share of the windfall payment which was what him or his agent wanted. Not ideal for us but somewhat of a scenario of "found money" as UEFA basically funded this contract and we pocketed a few quid out of it too. I am sure its more nuanced than that but thats my basic understanding. The biggest problem - for me - is that we got 'comfortable' in the Premiership and started to offer (low-end) Premiership wages and contracts as we thought we were becoming a permanent fixture, safe from relegation. These contracts were indeed higher than our business on its own could sustain but provided we stayed in the premiership and got the odd cup run then it was sustainable through payments and bonuses from SPFL/SFA and UEFA. Setting aside the manner of Yogi's departure as we have a whole other thread for that, the thing that further compounded this all was that we did not sack RF earlier and yes, the chairman, and the board at the time - which included our current chairman - does have to take that one on the chin. Relegation - as it did last time under Butcher - ripped a 7 figure sum from our yearly accounts and its been a mad dash since then to cut costs and try to replace some of that revenue. I really do fear how we are currently operating and if we are truly efficient and maximising revenue while minimising costs. There's a few things I have heard that do not sit well with me, and the revelation on another thread that we are putting our new CEO up in a hotel is a complete head-scratcher. If this is true I sincerely hope this is a temporary measure with a finite end date and that his appointment is also contingent on him being present in Inverness rather than commuting from Edinburgh. When it comes to signings, I think Robbo, over his two spells in charge of the club has shown he can make good decisions in managing his minimal budgets. All managers pick up the odd dud but for the most part he manages to make good choices so happy to leave it to him to try and strengthen where we need and cast off any surplus or non-performers. One area I think we might look to investigate is strategic partnerships with other clubs. I sat in a meeting with Toronto FC a few weeks ago where the president was talking about forming partnerships with clubs in Europe, or even taking a stake in some clubs, where they could act as feeders (in both directions) much like NYCFC have with Man City or that NY Red Bulls have with the various other Red Bull sponsored teams. We previously had tie-ups with various teams in England at one stage or another including Sheffield and for a while, Arsenal. Could this be an option again? Does Robbo or anyone at the club have the relevant contacts these days ..... ? Can we afford whatever the financial arrangements of such a deal were or would be ?

Were it not for the dire financial implications, I wouldn't mind being in the Championship. Decent football, competitive games where everyone can beat every one else on their day, neither of the ugly sisters and some good away days. Just a pity that we are a long way from breaking even there.

I do now after I got screwed by Ryan air.

You would never get that in the SPL.

Whilst you are basically correct, I do think it is a little harsh. Lets face it, at 10, 15, or 20 most of us would crawl over broken glass to play for our local team and give scant consideration to our retirement plans. In our own eyes we are invincible and we could play forever !!! We also like to think we could be the next Ronaldo, Messi, or <insert name here> who will pull in millions and not have to worry about life after football. Its unlikely to happen for 99.9% of players, but it is the dream. I cant fault any player for trying to get closer to that dream .... Moving to a higher paying club in a higher division is one step on that ladder. You could argue that this is part of his plan to save for the future ... if he stayed at ICT because of loyalty it would be admirable, but could be a foolish decision for his financial future .... Don't think Polly will strike it rich at Motherwell but he will surely pull in more than we are currently paying him and certainly more than we can offer him on a renewed contract in the championship. That's not a criticism of ICT its simply a basic fact. Outside of the biggest teams, I don't think anyone in Scottish football could really be regarded as well paid in football terms. Maybe when compared to normal jobs, but not in football terms. Anyhoo, I wish him well, and as you say I do hope he has his head switched on and invests in his future while he is still earning a decent crust ....

It's no myth, it was fact. You need to pay attention.

Where's this vicious abuse Polly seems to take it's a fckin myth besides big boys footballers no baby's water of a ducks back surely! Wait and see eh how his carerr pans out now eh I like Polly think he's class but don't think he'll get much game time at Motherwell tbh what's he gonna do if he gets abuse from that weegie wannabe fans

Think that was belated revenge from Yogi's Bitch Slap at Easter Road...?

Inclined to agree with others sentiments. Having watched the highlights Austin made himself look like a dick. Anthony made a cracking run and didn't have much in the way of options until Austin arrived 20 minutes after the ball had gone. It says a lot about him. He gets odd goals but he is hardly a goal machine. He can be lazy, fails to read the game at times, and also seems to be a couple of seconds off the pace with his decision making. For me young Anthony is a way better player who is sharper, quicker, and offers much more than Austim - just wish we could keep him. I would happily say goodbye to Austin to give the lad Austin's wages.

Yes in the next few games before the Play offs. We need our best team for the play off games

Two games to go of the regular season and still every single team in the league could be either promoted or relegated. That must be entirely without precedent.

No. Big wages and Big bonuses and not enough income. That's why we are in the financial mess we are in. BUT we won the Scottish Cup and qualified for Europe and we got £500k for our biggest asset!

Financially i don't think he had any option but to go however I don't know if his attitude is good enough to get him a regular start. He has the ability but............

Ryan is scheduled to go for surgery today to address the horrible facial injuries suffered in the other semi-final. On behalf of CTO (and myself) I just want to wish him all the best for a speedy recovery and to hope that Charlie and the rest of his family are not too stressed out. Its never easy to see relatives in medical distress, especially your children !

That's not true footballers always land on there feet qualifications or not specially the 1s that wash up at Brora cushy oil job awaits! They're hardly Martyrs ! Only job I'd wanna be in 20 years is football variety is the spice of life brother! Pollys commited carreer suicide here trust me watch this space be back here on loan nxt season (hopefully)