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It is with heartbreak and sorrow that I must announce the passing of well-known ICT supporter, my great friend for many years, and the best man at my wedding Stewart Anderson. Stewart, his brother Ross, another friend Calum, and I sat directly above the tunnel from the second season of ICT at the Caledonian Stadium and even if you didn’t know him, you likely knew of him or encountered him. It will always be an unforgettable sight to have seen the big man in full swing shouting “encouragement” to opposition players, managers, and referees! Those tickets changed hands over the years as paths crossed and uncrossed or personal circumstances changed, but always within people who were a part of that group with Stewart at or near the centre. The banter and ‘encouragement’ on a Saturday afternoon were all just football. Away from the stadium, Stewart was the proverbial gentle giant, a 6’5” teddy bear dedicated to family and friends who was also hardworking and conscientious. He would never knowingly do you any wrong and would give you the shirt off his back to help you if needed. I had the privilege to know Stewart for nearly 30 years. It started through football but transcended into far more areas of our lives. Stewart became a close friend before I moved to Canada, and when I did, he was the best man at my wedding, his dad Blair was our piper, and his mum Mary and brother Allan were also in attendance. He gave a speech at the reception that made even the ministers blush (we had two ministers – a husband and wife team from Nova Scotia who were very broad minded). I think I still have the handcuffs and blow-up sheep somewhere! Over the years we had some memorable times in Scotland at ICT games both home and away, starting or ending in either the Caley Inn or the Innes Bar. He came to Toronto a couple of times after the wedding and we had a fun time travelling through the Rockies from Vancouver to Edmonton, then to Calgary and back to Toronto. Another time he came to Toronto then with us to Cuba where he celebrated mine and my wife’s 5th anniversary in style, looking and feeling equally happy as he relaxed with a Pina Colada and a Cuban cigar at the beach in Varadero or sipping a Mojito in Hemingway’s bar in Havana. He also came with me to a couple of Toronto FC games that year and managed to get an entire pub singing “Bridge and Castle”! (see video). He made friends here in Toronto who still ask for him after all this time. Friends who I will now have to break this tragic news to and who will feel the pain like everyone else. Stewart was a bit of a technophobe, who just about managed to work his way around Facebook, so you won’t find him as a previous poster on the site. However, you will find many on here who knew the big man, respected, and loved him, and will miss him dearly. I am seldom lost for words, and even though I have a thousand stories I could relay about fun and crazy times with the big man, I am honestly and truly at a loss for more to say right now other than that I am thinking of his parents Blair and Mary and his siblings Blair, Ross, and Alan. I offer them my sincere and heartfelt condolences which I know will barely make any dent in their loss, but hopefully at some point, they can take comfort in knowing that my feelings are reciprocated across thousands of people whose lives Stewart has touched over the years whether from his travels, work, family, or football and every one of us sings the same song about his warmth and generosity. To Stewart, what else can I say but ‘Jeezo Big Man - Rest in Peace. I love you. I cherish all the happy memories we had together. I even cherish the times we disagreed. It made our friendship stronger, and you truly were the best man, not just my best man. You were one of a kind and I will miss you dearly. I and many others in several countries will raise a ‘peedy’ to your memory and look back on your life with great pride to have known you and been a part of it. Rest in Peace my friend. //Scott.

I really enjoyed that game especially the second half where we kept the team spirit up after loosing a goal and the way they kept pushing after getting our first goal and earning a well deserved second. Good subs from Dodds and well done to the team

What an enjoyable Friday evening. Two highlights: coming from behind to win and silencing the large, noisy away crowd. It was great to be in the stadium with a decent crowd, a bit like the old days. Both sets of fans were making themselves heard, even those in the main stand. Killie were the better team in the first half and I was happy it was 0-0 at the break, although we did have a few chances, notably Chalmers shot and Mckay was nearly in. The goal we lost looked like sloppy defending to me but I’d need to see it again. Dodds made good substitutions, which showed the value of Carson in midfield and after we equalised there was only one likely winner and up stepped Chalmers to get us the three points. I feel we deserved the win, and it is good to be in the play offs, but I feel this season is a missed opportunity. If it was not for that 11 game winless run we could, possibly should, have been looking at automatic promotion. Now we need to focus on finishing third and performing as well as we did in the last 30 minutes tonight. If we can do that, we need not fear any team in the play offs. Killie were troubling us early on, but we seemed to work out how to neutralise them and, other than their goal, we were not troubled in the second half. Bring on the play offs. Who knows what could happen!!

I was absolutely shocked to hear of his passing. Can't believe it. What a wonderful gentle giant he was. So many laughs with the big man, so many happy memories. The Caley Inn, the Innes Bar, the stories, the peedys, broken chairs and tile toasties. We still love you 'big man' and will keep memories alive for many many years. Sincere and heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. R.I.P you absolute legend of a man.

At last night’s game, his scarf was laid across his seat. A very poignant moment for all involved. Thank You ICT for winning on his behalf!

What a result! Was always going to be a tough match, but to win like that after going one Nil down was hugely impressive, helpful that Carson came on and played like the Carson of old in midfield. Their goal seemed to come from Broadfoot being wrong footed and off balance, which was a shame because our defence was pretty good. Shane Sutherland seemed to be rather nullified operating on the right, and much as I like Duffy [as a CB] I'm not sure he's fast enough as a RB, although he went forward well. Samuels impressed me a fair bit in the second half, was much more involved and had two dangerous chances, I think there is defo a player there. Likewise Chalmers probably the MoTM for me although BBC Scotland gave it top McKay. We were a bit quiet in midfield until Carson came on, but maybe Kilmarnock were set up better. The non-winning slump over Jan/Feb has obviously cost us automatic promotion, but we seem to have everyone back fit now bar Allardice....probably hard to over-estimate the effect of not have him, MacGregor and and off-form Carson in the team, whilst trying to bed in 4 new boys. Can we catch Arbroath?? Could be the difference between going all the way of not in the play-offs [Partick are a bit of a bogey team for us].... I feel we have a strong enough defence, and enough attacking assets, and still think Doran and Walsh have big parts to play We need to play as many of our Play-off games in the pink strip, it feels lucky. Starying to think about coming up for a play-off game....away to Partick a possibility

Pundits on Sportscene thought he was trying to head it back to Ridgers but got it all wrong, he really should have lumped it forward. I must say this though: I'm happy we aren't a club that sack managers quickly because it would have been easy to sack him after all the cries for change, hopefully he gets support from now on as it is mission number 1 accomplished and with 3 games left. Oh and did I see Tokely in the dugout :O, I'm about 95% certain it was him keeping Samuels watered before a corner lol.

Stats available on this site https://caleythistleonline.com/stats/playerstats.html/ Filtered down to League games only: Deas - 9 Carson - 7 Broadfoot - 6 Devine - 6 Billy Mckay - 3

I say, thank you to Raith Rovers for that 90th minute winner. Next time I'm in Raith I'll buy everyone a dram.

The mid season slump was hugely disappointing and deeply frustrating but we have come through it and are now playing some very decent football and showing the short of character that was posted missing for too long. Personally, I would have settled for reaching the play offs when the season kicked off and, if we can continue to build on the momentum we are now building up this could still end up being a season to remember mostly for the right reasons.

As long as Carson isn't starting at full back, everything he gives us going forward is nullified when he gets posted missing on regular occasions in defence. Last night's starting eleven was a good solid formation from which to build quickly from the breakdown which we did several times, only a few loose passes from defence spoiled it. I'm not sure the substitutions would have been made with whom and when if we hadn't gifted Kilmarnock the lead.

Hopefully, Even better atmospheres to come for what, on last night's display, should be 3 home play off games. If the rules permit, I would be inclined to heavily discount the admission prices for income we have not budgeted for to get as many in as possible and have the place jumping.

Reflecting on last night's game, two thoughts come to mind; Carson must start and we need to wear the pink strip every game between now and the end of the season.

The best atmosphere at a game in 5 years. The killie fans helped build a great atmosphere and caley thistle played brilliant football. Who was the man of the match? Hard to say Shane bullying their back line, Defence playing well. Or just the most game changing 20 minutes from Doran and Carson? We will not lose again thus season. We are going up.

Aye and Chalmers to add the finishing touch

That second half was the best I have seen this season.Inspired subs putting on Carson and Doran,they changed the game.I thought we played lovely football at times.Great atmosphere added to by great number of travelling support

What an impact Carson had when he came on.

That pink strip really is lucky!! Great way to spend a Friday evening - atmosphere at the end was great.