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Lots of talk of being embarrassed at being an #ICTFC fan on other threads but it is things like this that still make me proud to be one. We rose as a COMMUNITY of fans, current and former team-mates, club staff (past and present), families of all of the above, and, it has to be said, also several football journalists to donate to this cause initiated by a former team-mate who himself went through injury hell and didn't get the support he needed and should have received from the club. £7K in less than 24 hours is great. Aaron will get his op and whether or not he plays football again, he should at least be able to play with his kids, which the article said he couldn't even do right now. That's the least he should expect after almost a decade and a half of loyal service. Look at the list of names in there and you will see many folks whose names you recognise but you may also notice - unless donating anonymously - the glaring lack of any names you might hope had developed a conscience and personally donated to the cause even if the club couldn't or wouldn't. I AM proud to be an ICT supporter because it means i can stand with and mingle with people like our supporters and others in our team's COMMUNITY. The ineptitude, inefficiency and seemingly utter disregard for our club from those who should be speaking now will not deter me from that. THEY are not the club. WE are the club, whether we have been here for 30 minutes or 30 years.

What a shambles we are. Fans have no idea what the hell is going on but are being asked to fork out to support the club despite there being no details of season tickets, strips or anything like that. Compare that to pretty much every other team in the country who have had their new tops and season ticket prices out for weeks and are proactively planning for the forthcoming campaign. As a result a large number of supporters have threatened to withhold money they would normally spend supporting the team, allegedly to the tune of £200,000, until they see change in the boardroom. The Chairman has resigned with immediate effect. The CEO has resigned and is working his notice. The rest of the board are, we assume, doing something but we don't know what. We are teetering on the brink of administration with an insolvency practitioner brought in to advise the club on what to do. Something like 4 weeks before the season starts and we have essentially no team. All our rivals are strengthening, getting players signed up and will very soon be starting pre season training. Meanwhile we fool around with the idea of moving our training base half way down the country, don't tell any of the senior or youth players or staff. It then transpires that the deal we did with Kelty Hearts hadn't been run past Fife Council as it turns that they own the ground / training site and not Kelty, something we never bothered to check on. We then decide to end the agreement to train in Kelty a few days later except we apparently don't tell Kelty Hearts about it who find out that we have changed our minds when they read about it in newspapers. We haven't heard anything from the manager who seems to have gone into hiding for the last month. We assume he is staying on but there's never been any official confirmation about what he is doing since relegation though there has been mention of a pay cut with the drop down the divisions. Players have been completely sidelined by the club with many speaking out to say they've had no contact since relegation and, as they are out of contract, assume that they won't be an ICT player any more. In the case of one player they have had important, potentially career saving surgery, postponed twice by the club. The player was advised by a director, ironically a retired knee surgeon, to essentially "run off" the injury. The costs for the operation are now being crowdfunded by a former team mate to help pay for it. In a piece of good news, it looks like the crowdfunder will reach its target in less than a day. The only communication we have had from the club are two tin eared statements, one announcing the ill fated Kelty move, the other saying that we aren't moving to Kelty but that we are basically f'cked anyway so YOLO. Nothing about the Chairman resigning and nothing about players or staff leaving the club. Anything I have missed from this basket case of a football club?

Match/season tickets, travel and subsistence, half time draw tickets, hospitality (when it’s been on), the Sports Bar (when it’s been open), pie shop, merchandise, player sponsorship, shares, programmes, car parking, Centenary Club…. and probably a few more things I haven’t mentioned. How much of their own money have the supremely loyal fans of this club spent in following Inverness Caledonian Thistle - some of them for the last 30 years? And then there’s the kind of expenditure that can’t be quantified in monetary terms - the emotion, commitment, passion and so on that so many people have committed in abundance to this club across three decades. I can’t possibly include myself as that kind of supporter since my involvement has necessarily been different. However I am experiencing a real challenge at the moment, feeling for those who truly are that kind of fan - and indeed for these players and the non-playing staff as well - amid rising frustration. Fans and players/employees alike all face a big enough tragedy in the possible disappearance of their club. However alongside that severe injury, they also bear the added insult of the complete lack of regard and the cynical disrespect of the current total wall of silence. They deserve a whole lot better.

Almost £4K of the £5K target raised in just a few hours, initiated by a former player because that’s his mate, and looking at the names of the donators, actioned by fans, colleagues and family. That is what you call COMMUNITY and that’s the power that can be unleashed if those who should never darken our doors again don’t let it hit them on the way out. If everyone pulls together we can perhaps stop the club from flatlining… anything else, while perhaps looking inevitable or unavoidable must still be regarded as unthinkable.

Wee birdie tells me there was a meeting earlier and announcement imminent, Administration avoided maybe?

Think £5000 was on cautious side. Op could cost £7/8k so the more that’s donated the better

Not Michael Gardyne by all accounts...

That plan won't do at all, no sir. Ross (and the directors) is likely banking on the club limping on with another consortium, with the proviso they service his 1.5m debt. Or in a CVA, we could be going back to pre-2018 and paying him an annual stadium rent of £205,000 (or whatever 2024 prices would be) and signing over the lease of the car parks so he can sub-lease it to Statkraft for £300,000 per year (or whatever discount they give on the ransom they tried to charge our Norwegian friends). Or perhaps get the administrator to package it up to someone else and give him hard cash? Of course, as a fan, he wouldn't sink the club because he spent like a Babylonian King on crap, but wants the fans to pay for that...

In the beginning of Gardiner's life at the Club 9 April 2019 Inverness Caledonian Thistle is delighted to announce the appointment of a prominent figure in Scottish football administration as its new Chief Executive Officer. https://ictfc.com/scot-gardiner-appointed-new-ceo/#:~:text=Inverness Caledonian Thistle is delighted,its new Chief Executive Officer. 3 October 2019 - 'We have no debt now, no soft loans any more, no bank debt and we own the stadium.' https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4792055/inverness-appeal-shareholders-away-administration-threat/ Nearly five years later.....

It’s a bit like a mirror image of Monty Python’s “what have the Romans ever done for us” sketch. No prizes for guessing who Biggus Dickus is!

No need for a physio if you've got no players With every new snippet of information, it looks more and more like the club's finished. I do so hope that I'm proved wrong and the club and the jobs of those who are totally blameless in this disaster are saved.

Now up to £3630 with over 160 donations. . At this rate Aaron will be able to have the other knee done too

I am sorry but I find it truly disgusting that Aaron, who has been with the club for 14 years, may have to fund his own operation because the club has cancelled the insurance it had to cover such eventualities. He hasn’t even had his testimonial match. Have the Board no shame? Just when I think the club can’t go any lower in my estimation. The club might be in financial difficulties but surely our successful directors have a conscience and a sense of moral duty towards a long time player who was injured on the playing field.

We are all waiting patiently with our fingers crossed

All the injuries come from work-related incidents. He was injured playing for his club. It's only correct that they cover his medical bills.

Aye he's probably deep in his boardroom bunker poisoning his alsatian & wishing he had a girlfriend called Ivy Brown.

Now, we take the money, put it all on a horse at 3:40 from Kempton to come in at 10/1. Save the club.

Wow, target hit in less than a day! It shows how the ICT community can rally round. Hopefully we have a club to rally round in the new season, under leadership we can support.

A couple of new physios were interviewed, but with the expectation they would be living in the central belt due to the team traning in Kelty, that’s how the job was sold to them. Was told that by a medical person connected to the club.

This is NOT for the Board. It is for Aaron, other players out of contract, staff at the Club, staff out of contract, currently signed up players, Inverness businesses who sincerely have helped the club, ex players who have retained their silence on key issues, and the fans of the club. This says it all...............

I think this is appropriate and also linked to the club before the cup final in 2015. This song is not so much for the board but more what the board should show players, staff and supporters:

It's ok though, we'll continue to pay Gardiner, Ferguson, Dodds and Robbo to the tune of five figures a week combined. Genuinely, when you think you've heard it all, I knew more would come out but not to this tune. If the club goes under, you wonder how the Supporters Trust would feel about stepping in to help Aaron. After all the fans and Trust members surely would back it given the additional backing, members and funds that have been taken in.

There's certainly enough doughnuts at the club but I wouldn't necessarily trust throwing hundreds and thousands at them We're crumbling quicker than an empire biscuit

A ‘me too’ moment. Sadly I feel the same - I find it quite astonishing that a handful of irresponsible, self-serving ***** have brought us to our knees so quickly and trashed 30 years of such a brilliant and thrilling history. It’s been a blast but I think we’re done for as ICT - just got to look forward to the rise of Inverness Phoenix and do it all again…

I said last night that those making decisions at the club should hang their heads in shame. Today’s news about Aaron simply underlines that. I’m speechless at some of the actions they have taken in recent times. Well done Shane, and it’s great to see the support being given to Aaron. Its so sad that Shane felt the need to make this wonderful gesture. I dread to think what tomorrow’s revelation will be.

I'm not sure he can stay silent much longer tbh

So proud that Shane has stepped up here and of our fans who are donated. Completely and utterly ashamed of my club treating folk like this.

We're all on tenterhooks here waiting for some news. Is there something specific I've missed or is 12/6 some arbitrary date that has been suggested? Whatever it is, please tell us something....anything!!!

Yes he's got a loyalty card.

Lewis Vaughan knows more than anyone regarding this kind of injury. I believe he has already been through 3 with Raith.

Some familiar names on the list of donors. Scott Allardice, Robbie Deas, Cammy Harper and Roddy MacGregor. Also in there are the likes of Tom Grivosti, Lewis Vaughan and John Souttar who appears to have donated £250 which is very generous!

We now know who the members of the SPFL Board will be, and who will call the shots if we fall foul of rules & regs, after yesterday's election: Michael Nicholson (Celtic), a sports law specialist and former solicitor Malcolm McPherson (Hibs), a corporate lawyer James MacDonald (Ross County), Director of Global Energy Group (and etc. etc.) Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians), Property Asset Owner/ Businessman Graeme Mathie (Ayr United), ex-player, ex-Hibs sporting director, Andy Allan (Alloa Athletic), chartered accountant Allan Maitland (Clyde FC), former manager of Clyde, and Hamilton and Alloa In addition to the regular members: Neil Doncaster (SPFL chief executive) Murdoch MacLennan (Chairman), media exec., former CEO at The Telegraph, Karyn McCluskey (Independent non-executive director) If administration happens, it will be the ones above who can make or break whether SPFL 25/26 has ICT in it (assuming 24/25 happens...).

Will be a minor miracle if we manage to put a team on the park for the opening game of the season

The pies.

Almost at target now. Proud of us all and his fellow pros.

The club clearly isn't going to to commit to anything or anyone unless they need to and until this financial shambles is resolved. I think we can all draw our own conclusions as to how bad things are if the club aren't bothering to hand out renewals of any kind to players or staff.

Nobody has picked up yet on a comment Doran made when talking to the press about his injury/operation, that our Head of Medical, Dan Cluett’s contract with the club ended 2 weeks ago. I presume we are not in a position to renew or replace at the moment.

Wonder how grassa would have felt if the shoe was on the other foot seen as he seems to be heavily involved in things the now . The board really are as bad as it ever has been . Morrison and Gardiner have handled things so bad it’s been unbelievable . As for the rest of the board they really are just as bad, Certainly proved that the last few weeks . Only hope is some neural investor would come in and clear out the whole lot of them . It’s been disgusting how players and staff have been treated. We have spent 30 years of been proud of what we achieved on the park . Now the board and ceo have turned us in to a laughing stock.in less than 30 days

Every day you think things can't get worse at ICT and every day your heart gets broken more. Unbelievable way to treat Aaron, one of the teams most loyal, talented and nicest players we have ever had. Just happily donated but it's heart breaking that this has to happen in the first place. The board all get treated well between themselves but where's the same loyalty and decency when it comes to the the team, the players that have given us the memories, goals, games and special days in our lives that I will never ever forget since I started supporting them back in 1996. If we do survive this mess, Who would want to come and play here when they see how how a long term and loyal player like Aaron has been treated. I can't imagine what a bad taste this will leave in the mouth for Aaron after all these years here but hopefully this will show how much he means to the fans at least.

We are at a low point. Can it get any lower? We might find out tomorrow, which some people have suggested would be a critical day if no rescue deal was struck by now.

Can't see that happening now - I think the ICT name has been permanently stained. Not sure I want to be part of it anymore.

Just done it and it's at over £1000 already. A great way to show our appreciation of Aaron's contribution to our club. Thanks Shane.

Well done Shane

Absolutely disgusting. Not only been a loyal servant but a total gentleman off the park as well. It can't get any worse.... can it?

I would normally expect a fit, active adult in their early thirties who had sustained an ACL rupture and who saw an NHS orthopaedic consultant to (after a long wait, of course!) get an ACL repair - regardless of whether they are a professional athlete or not. Having a ruptured ACL and a potentially unstable knee has ramifications for any sort of physical activity, both recreational and as part of employment - and also results in an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the knee within the next decade or two. So for Aaron to be told - by a retired orthopaedic surgeon, no less - "to try and rehab it" - well...draw your own conclusions as to why that was suggested to him as an option. Every day I think that nothing about this club and the current situation could appal me any more...and yet every day they manage to outdo themselves.

Shane Sutherland's set up a gofundme in response to this, in order to get Aaron's treatment sorted. https://gofund.me/4dce6b2f

We have complained about the club being tight lipped before over many years - not just in the here and now - when difficult subjects came up, but the sheer level of silence to staff, players, and fans right now is utterly mind-blowing. It pains me to say this, but at this moment in time, I don't think we will have a club taking to the field for the 2024/25 season and there are quite a few people who will need to look in the mirror and ask themselves about their part in that. They can blame the fans, or the lack of sponsors, or the failure of various Walter Mitty schemes dreamt up by the CEO, but in the end, I hope they can feel proud of themselves when our club dies. They will go down in infamy. ICT (2025) to be reborn from the ashes? The Eagle and the Thistle rising from the ashes like a Phoenix under fan ownership and backed by the community and the city? Lets hope so.

Agreed - both in terms of prudent decision making and now morally. Gordy Fyffe is a Public Relations Consultant but clearly the last month has been an absolute disaster for him by being on the Board. The Board have brought not only the football club into disrepute but also the City. Their performance will be ridiculed far and wide. With the Chairman having handed in his notice on the day the Accounts should been signed off it is fair to say the Directors will be quite concerned about their own legal position as Directors. Therein lies the problem, there is no one in charge at the club beyond the Insolvency Practitioner and the CEO. The Honorary President is probably the lead person. Take your pick from this slightly out of date list https://ictfc.com/the-board/

Today is yet another very sad day, embarrassing for the club and everyone who has treated the players so disgracefully should hang their heads in shame. I’d like to join others in showing my appreciation for everything those leaving have done for the club. We know about Mark Ridgers, Cammy Harper, Wallace Duffy and Cammy MacKay. Best wishes to each of them and all other players in the same situation.

Gardiner should have been sacked long ago. The Board have created a problem for themselves by trusting Gardiner and allowing him to have far too much control in the running of the club. Gardiner's management style is of the control freak variety. He has never wanted anything done without his say so. There are things which should have been delegated but which he would keep to himself. As a result, I suspect there genuinely are a lot of things which realistically, only he can do. For instance, we are due a club AGM and this had previously been administered by the Company Secretary. We haven't had a Company Secretary since April last year and I would imagine that it has been the CEO who has taken on the Company Secretary roles. There may be nobody else in the building that would know what to do, where to find the relevant files etc. On the other hand, the Board also know there are people who do not trust Gardiner and who will not put a penny into the club until he is finally out of the door. They will be aware that of all the loose ends to be tied up, he is the biggest. I would assume he has at least 3 months notice to work, but if the club is to move forward quickly in a meaningful way, he needs to be away before then. The Board therefore need to identify what "loose ends" there are which Gardiner needs to action and give him a clear timescale to get them sorted. They need to identify who will now carry out his former management roles. They then need to identify what information he has which needs passed to others to allow the club to function, and make sure it is passed to the relevant people. That should not take more than 4 weeks at the most. After that, he should be away on gardening leave for the rest of his notice period. Of course, if Gardiner was even a remotely competent manager, none of this would be necessary because he would have trained his staff properly and kept relevant staff appropriately appraised of issues. This should be routine practice in order that other staff can seamlessly take over the reins in the event of unforeseen absence. There should have been no reason for him to stay in the building beyond the day he resigned.