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I just wanted to add some comments about the lovely service put on for Ken (and in many respects planned by the man himself before he passed !). Sadly my own mother died the day after Ken so I had to make an impromptu trip back to Scotland to take care of things. Her service was the day before Ken's so I was able to pull things together and go along to pay my own tribute to a man who many people knew even if they didn't realise they did. As many have said, Ken was a lovely man who was present in many lives through business, sport, or other interests (tatties apparently) and you could see that by the sheer number and diversity of the people who attended. There were representatives from business, from shinty, from football, including several former chairmen of ICT and the current one, and from his personal life. Ken was a man with a sense of humour and his casket was brought into the chapel to the strains of Wild Rover ! Ken did love his Guinness ! (and tatties). Bill McAllister presented the first eulogy for Ken and had people chuckling and feeling thoughtful in equal measure. Ken had apparently offered suggestions to Bill for stuff to include in the eulogy while his condition deteriorated . Not sure if Bill actually used any of it (although the story about how much Ken loved tatties may have been part of it) but Bill spoke both beautifully and emotionally to honour his very dear friend. His words came straight from the heart and the big man would have chuckled, nodded his head and agreed with most if not all of the comments and anecdotes. I dont think there was a dry eye in the house when the musical interlude was played and a powerpoint of pictures of Ken from very young age, through his university, shinty and football days was played, culminating in pictures of his most recent images enjoying some of his final days with his wife and children. The big man would definitely have approved of this service (even the bits he didnt organise) and I think and he would probably have been flattered by the guard of honour made by the shinty lads from Strathglass and others who joined the line. Goodbye Ken. and to borrow words from Don above - the best chairman we never had ... He worked tirelessly for the club without fanfare .... so much so that I missed the fact in my original post that he was around the club well before 1999-2000, but mainly in the background. I would finally make the point that if we can (deservedly) have a 'Jock MacDonald' stand then knowing now just how much Ken Thomson did for our club and to ensure its survival, what kind of legacy can we have for him? He has well and truly earned that and his place in our history. (and even though he would appreciate it, I don't think we should name the pitch the Ken Thomson tattie field).

Walsh oozed class and was the main creator of chances. McCart strolled through the game and looked comfortable on the ball, making room and time foe himself when needed. This is the first time I have seen most, if not all, of the younger players and none of them looked out of place. My young MOTM was Kieran Chalmers as he regularly broke up Forres attacks and then started ICT attacks, constant energy and not frightened to put a strong tackle in. Machado wasn’t far behind him as young MOTM. If we can hold on to these players we have a sound foundation to build a team for the future. I was standing within earshot of JR for the second half and it was encouraging to hear him continually talking to the younger players about positioning and the positive thing was that they listened and obeyed instructions. Todorov indicated to JR that he had cramp.

Just back from Forres. 4-4-2. Harper and Machado linked well on the left. Really impressed with them both. Walsh was MoM for me, lots of great crosses. Keatings looked sharp enough, Todorov was good in air but a bit predictable on the ground. McCart strolled it. Chalmers and Brown in the middle worked hard. Good run out.

Loving this idea, which was mentioned in this article for the club website - https://ictfc.com/ict25-blog-liam-dalgarno So let the debate begin! Here's the 47 players who have made more than 100 appearances for the club - please point out any I've missed! There are obviously a few utility players there (*cough* David Proctor *cough*) who could be put in another position. Goalkeepers: Mark Brown, Jim Calder, Ryan Esson Right-backs: David Proctor, David Raven, Mike Teasdale, Ross Tokely Centre-backs: Darren Dods, Bobby Mann, Stuart McCaffrey, Brad McKay, Josh Meekings, Grant Munro, Mike Noble, Gary Warren Left-backs: Stuart Golabek, Richard Hastings, Graeme Shinnie, Carl Tremarco Central midfielders: Ian Black, Paul Cherry, Charlie Christie, Ross Draper, Russell Duncan, Richie Hart, Liam Keogh, Mark McCulloch, Liam Polworth, Paul Sheerin, Greg Tansey, Iain Vigurs Wide midfielders: Aaron Doran, Jonny Hayes, Roy McBain, Barry Robson, Davie Ross, Nick Ross, Danny Williams. Barry Wilson Strikers: Martin Bavidge, Graham Bayne, Richie Foran, Billy Mckay, Paul Ritchie, Adam Rooney, Iain Stewart, Dennis Wyness Obviously I'm disappointed I can't pick Vetle Andersen or Marius Niculae, but never mind Who would you have in your ICT25 Dream Team?

Had to take some time away from the site due to a bereavement. Just starting to get back into things now and will try to get things up to date shortly. We have been offered first refusal on sponsoring Cameron Harper next season and I think it could be a good shout ... He fits the bill for our typical player : He is from Inverness and has been in our youth system since he was 11. He has not made too many appearances but did get on the park 4 times last year and has just signed a new 3 year contract. Thoughts / Comments ?

Man, this is hard !!!! after typing this several times and swapping names in and out .... Finally going for a 4-4-2 and assuming each player at the top of his game .... Calder Tokely --- Mann --- Warren --- Shinnie Robson --- Christie --- Tansey --- Wilson Wyness --- Mckay Subs : Esson, Teasdale, Munro, Golabek, Sheerin, Hayes, Stewart

Keatings had a very tidy finish tonight and Todorov is pretty clinical with heading opportunities in the box ... competition for strikers ... love it.

Was at Forres. They looked fine but its hard to judge as we have been spliting teams into two. Good to see the young players perform well when given a chance though.

Alot of pace down the left side tonight, MOM Walsh was everywhere, showed blistering pace and sent in great crosses. Some good goals tonight. Youngsters did well when they came on

From that list....... Calder Tokely Mann Meekings Golabek Wilson Tansey Christie Hayes Wyness McKay Calder gets the keepers shirt for his ability to save 50% of the penalties he faced. Tokely, an absolute legend, marauding runs down the right, priceless. Bobby Mann, one of our greatest ever players, calmness personified. Meekings, pace and power and good in the air, great match to cover Bobby's lack of pace. Golly! Gets the nod over Shinnie but little difference between the pair. A no nonsense full back and both wear their heart on their sleeve. Bazza, pace skill and always a goal threat. Tansey afforded us plenty of bite in midfield and packs a punch from dead ball situations. A great pairing for 10cc at his prime who had skill in abundance. Hayes has pace to burn and a goal threat. Fantastic player for us. Wyness, what a striker he turned out to be and Billy will pick up any scraps left, excellent finisher. Harsh by me leaving out Brown, Shinnie, Dods, Black, Duncan, Robson, Rooney and maybe Foran. I'll let them sit on the bench this time out.

If we continue to play against Highland League teams yes.

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/super-six-for-ict-at-forres-179965/ Forres Match Report

But then you have to find replacements at this late stage, and with no realistic sums of money to do this, we are at a competitive disadvantage even before the season starts. Do you ever think your posts through?

Dalneigh United would sit well with me ?

Too much discussion about football developing. Can we please get back on track with discussing pre local government reorganisation geography!

good point

At least let's make the effort and try. Cultivating our own players has to be the future and this would certainly help.

It’s funny how people are for this but as soon as Rangers and Celtic want to have colt teams everyone has a meltdown.

This is an opportunity to sit down with Clach and really set a pathway for ICT youth players. *Clach have a very limited player budget but could subsidise the ICT players wage *ICT cannot afford a reserve team so Clach continue funding the SHFL team bur save on signing on fees. There are so many benefits here for both clubs if they just see sense and sit down round the table.

The young team can give there input about the historical things to see in Brechin