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my dream team would be the team that won the scottish cup

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).

Ooft ? A wonder it wasn’t his last.

It'll be interesting to see how the views of older and younger supporters compare - those who joined the ranks after 2004 and are used to top flight football will be familiar with higher quality players, whereas those who watched the club in the lower leagues will have attachments to those who stood out in the early days...and to the ones who went ballistic! My own opinion is that Ross Tokely, Bobby Mann, Charlie Christie, Barry Wilson and Dennis Wyness should be shoo-ins. What that quintet accomplished in our colours is astonishing. Tokely, Christie and Wilson played for us in all four divisions, Bobby is surely our greatest ever captain, and Dennis' goalscoring was astonishing (as were his stepovers!). As for the other choices, I like the idea of an exception being made for Alan Hercher, our first club captain and scorer of a hat-trick in our first league game. As Charlie Christie himself put it, “Alan was more than a terrific football player; he was a terrific individual who was hugely respected by all those who played alongside him and against him." Besides, I don't think there is a real standout in the other options to fill the second central midfield spot anyway! My own XI: Jim Calder - the last Thistle player, a proper cult hero and one of the stars of that night at Celtic Park Ross Tokely - more appearances for the club than anyone else by miles - that record will surely never be broken Bobby Mann - our greatest ever captain and an outstanding centre-half. His ability to ping the ball to a teammate 40 yards away was astonishing at that level Grant Munro - always seemed like the second-best central defender we had at any one time, but a local product who made over 300 appearances for the club and would have been a one club man if Terry Butcher had allowed it! Graeme Shinnie - captained us to Scottish Cup glory. Consistently one of the best left-backs in the country while playing for us and has gone onto international recognition Barry Wilson - immense in his first spell at the club, and scored two of the most special goals of the early era - vs Celtic and Motherwell in the Cup. Came back from Livingston to help us to promotion and was an important factor in our first few top flight campaigns. Now on the coaching staff Charlie Christie - the last Caledonian player, seemed to get better as we went up the leagues and orchestrated the attacks in the gung-ho Pele days. His spell as manager was better than was often acknowledged. Now our head of youth development Ian Black (if I can't have Hercher) - the toughest pick to make. I went for a midfielder who always gave everything, who liked a tackle but could also pass the ball beautifully (I would happily pick Russell Duncan, Ross Draper and Paul Sheerin here too) Jonny Hayes - the second toughest pick to make, because it means leaving out Barry Robson. But Hayes was my favourite ICT player of the last decade. No tricks, just pace, balance and a work-rate that 99% of wingers don't have. A wonderful player who deserves all the success he's had since he left us Dennis Wyness - our record goalscorer, and a technically gifted player who was a joy to watch Billy Mckay - could just as easily choose Richie Foran, Paul Ritchie, Adam Rooney or Iain Stewart here but Mckay's goalscoring between 2012 and 2015 was mental.

I mean...they finally won a game the other day...

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

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

Report from Inverness Courier.... NEW signings James Keatings and Nikolay Todorov grabbed the goals as Caley Thistle were made to work hard for victory against a stubborn Clachnacuddin. Keatings broke the deadlock after seven minutes connecting with Tom Walsh's cross to volley home from close range. Kevin McHattie was forced to come off midway through the first half after suffering a knock to his thigh. The Championship outfit had to wait until a minute before the hour mark to double their lead. Bulgarian Todorov rose high above the Clachnacuddin defence to head Walsh's cross into the net from close range. The hosts had a great chance to pull one back when Ross Logan played a great one-two with Martin Callum through the Inverness defence to give him a chance at goal but Mark Ridgers did well to block his shot. Clachnacuddin goalkeeper Douglas MacLennan produced two fantastic saves in the closing minutes from a powerful Walsh free kick from 25 yards and a Coll Donaldson header to keep the defeat to two goals at full time. Strathspey Thistle 3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6 Meanwhile Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat Strathspey Thistle in a nine-goal thriller in Grantown on Spey. Jordan White scored twice with Charlie Trafford, Roddy Macgregor, Millar Gamble and Mitch Curry also on the score sheet.

We could give this 'Staggie' a trial https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-48748148/deer-enjoys-playing-football-in-the-scottish-highlands

Think that it is as much of keeping what we had last season and adding in some more reliable back-ups. And lets hope that the yoof can progress. The bottom line is the feckin available spondoolicks ?

No he likes to play up front but sometimes attacks from the back and can play in the hole.

Spent a good number of Saturday afternoons last season watching Harry at Ochilview. He is an extremely talented footballer and I would have thought would relish the opportunity. Not sure what his current contractual arrangements are though!

Maybe not a popular choice but Harry Paton from Ross County could be a great signing. Did well at Stenhousemuir and was good for County towards the end of the season. Probably wont get a look in next season with them with all the midfielders they have. Could be a perfect replacement for Polworth.

Just not a diving cheating wretch like McMullan.

I'm afraid you are going to be disappointed. I'll be sorry to see Liam go but we've lost better players than him before and not missed them as much as we feared. I think that with the youngsters coming on well, and the likes of Walsh, Welch, Trafford and Chalmers all developing, then if we can retain them we will have decent options in midfield next season without needing to bring more players in. I think we may need a bit more cover in defence and options up front. There will be no cash to splash and I imagine that the money available to spend on new signings will be largely dependent on cash freed up from the wages of those who leave. Perhaps a little bit more if we get a fee for someone still on contract.

Gonna be a tough league this season huge statement by United getting Shankland Morton and Thistle have signed decent guys! Be a poor season if we don't get play offs and maybe a cup run or 2 going! If not what happens to Robbo sack?