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As above, I don’t see how people can disassociate so quickly from players. I doubt Gary is feeling very chipper and either will any of the players who are close to him. It’s not a nice thing to be doing. That it is like water off a duck’s back for many i find a bit soulless. Him staying or going either now or at the end of the season will not make or break the finances and I find that getting so excited about the money saved and dismissing Gary’s situation, and the club’s word, as sentiment all a bit crass. Aware I’m in the minority here, certainly not bothered about that. Raven’s farewell speech after his last game brought home that sometimes you owe and stand by people who committed to the club. I honestly dont see how people can applaud and cheer and celebrate our captain for years and then quickly dismiss their fall from grace overnight as a good cash deal.

What is far more relevant is your clear view that - "Current Board (who no longer employ Caley D)... baaad.... previous board (who did employ Caley D).. perfect (as you told us for years... before relegation)".... after an even earlier period when they didn't employ Caley D during which they were absolutely deplorable. Let's be up front Donald. It really looks to me as if you are putting yourself right in there to become some kind of Hero of the Caley Thistle Workers' Conglomerate. Maybe one of the first things you need to do is to convince the people you need to vote for you in the forthcoming CJT Board election, that you are aren't simply in there in a personal attempt to throw the rattle out of the pram against the Board which no longer employs you - and that you hence become far more of a liability to this club than you ever were an asset. On the other hand, maybe we should welcome the fact that you have sufficiently extricated yourself from Kenny Cameron's backside to be able even to issue the lame inanities against the current board that you have managed to create.

Alan Simpson?

Every thread I seem to read has two individuals locked into a battle of one-up-manship with each other. They attack each other, and others,who dare to speak out against their view points and comments. Attacks come in the form of carefully cloaked and worded exchanges - with neither actually coming out of things particularly well. If said individuals put as much effort into supporting the club, not attacking each other, the board, the club, the players, other members etc then I would imagine that the club would be much better for it, and this forum would be much more bearable for all who wish to catch up on the latest coming and goings. Gents, may I suggest you meet up behind the bike sheds to resolve your petty squabbles and perhaps leave the forum to postive exchanges based around the good of the club and not the good of yourselves.

Bye.

You know, I've taken half an hour to reflect - by no means for the first time in recent months, but today through the medium of this individual thread - on where CTO seems to be going, in particular since relegation. The unfortunate conclusion is that it simply isn't the same vibrant and constructive medium that it was when I first joined in the early 2000s, and in particular the feeling that everybody was in this journey together seems to have gone. This isn't a sudden observation on my part, but more a "next step" in an ongoing process. Consequently, and this is a conclusion come to at considerable length, not just this morning, I think I'm going to give contributing to CTO a miss from now on. Quite frankly, it's lost its allure for me and I'm sure I can find some other means of engaging with ICTFC.

I am on a years employment contract. Next june I have to have found a new job but I am also on three months notice which makes it hard for future employment contracts. If i was allowed to move freely i might be able to get a longer contract with another employer before the end of the year to give myself greater security or better long term prospects. I am sad Gary will eventually leave the club but not holding him to the notice period gives him the choice to stay and potential to look for longer or better prospects elsewhere. And if there is no fee he might get a signing bonus. Fair and honourable and football . Good decision and good communication to gary and supporters.

If we can't afford him then he's over-priced. He scored a few with us but he's done nothing either before or since. Apart from his spell with us his career record is 12 goals from 124 appearances. Just 2 goals from 33 appearances with Partick. It may be he would be keen to return in the hope of re-igniting his form, but if he came here it would need to be on our terms and not his.

He certainly seems to have lost his Magic Hat!!

three things charles 1 - like it or not, CaleyD's criticism is of the club as a whole not individuals. There are individuals running the club, but he has not named any of them specifically and the club itself is not a person therefore criticism of it cannot be personal. Yours on the other hand is entirely personal in nature and in several cases crosses the lines we have in our rules. it cannot continue. Debate the topic, agree, disagree, but when it gets personal its done. You want to counter any claim that he makes about how badly he thinks things are running ... then do so with the other side of the coin if you see it that way .... 2 - Also from our rules ... you seem to be getting offended on behalf of someone else? Posters here are a fairly intelligent bunch and will decide if they agree or disagree with CaleyD's posts. Some will agree with your oft-posted point of view and will dismiss his posts as those of a bitter ex-employee (a point he has corrected in response), whereas others with different experiences may agree with him. Thats for them to decide. However it appears that it is only you who are getting personal about this. Others are debating the topic. 3 - All of this is completely and utterly off topic and it is not the first thread where this has happened between you and CD. It is however the last one. CTO goes wherever the opinions of the members take it. We dont sail a particular direction. Its not rocket science to think that after the pain of relegation that direction would be somewhat negative. If you do decide to give things a miss then that is up to you. I will miss the contributions, but i will not miss your significant role in the current lack of vibrance and constructive mindset that you talk about. its the silly season. thats how it always goes. 3 months with nothing to talk about on-field and plenty of conspiracies and overly personal digs. >Look back to June/July of almost any season and you will see this kind of thing. then look at other teams' fora and you will see the same there too. Yup. I have been on loads of football forums, including P&B, and we are most definitely the most polite. I make no apologies for that. I do however get pissed off myself when some get oversensitive and pissed off on behalf of others ... that does rankle! 25 years of the club ... and 25 years of CTO - definitely something to celebrate next season. think I will leave the last word to Jockdoonsouth ......

I'm not surprised about this. Warren must be the last of the relegated squad still on premiership conditions. The comments from Robbo seem very fair to me. Nothing will happen unless he comes up with a club that works for him. It sounds very different from the treatment of Raven and Fon Williams, and the club is trying to be fair.

You have to give them credit though. Finding Scotland’s only sloping loch means their kit is likely to appeal to water skiers. My sister works for him so I can only ask. If we corner the market in gourmet haggis pies we can charge twice as much as County.

He maybe shouldn't be saying it the way he is, nor should it really bother him but we are all thinking it and all know it's true.

Oh Scotty this was jus getting interesting ?

Personally, I'd rather have Nathan Austin over Storey..which, luckily, we do!

In that case, can we bring the whets on as soon as possible so that we can play our full part in Europe and the wider world while the rump UK remains in splendid isololation led by progressive and forward looking characters like Rees Mogg and John Redwood. Perhaps you should head south just in case you get trapped on the wrong side of the border.

so who all going to to watch the Royal Wedding on sat 19 may cant wait for it think a lot off People in Scotland will watch it

Judging by Yngwie's post in the UK Football section, Storey is still under contract but on the transfer list, so we would need to buy him: unlikely!! We should be looking forward, not backward in terms of our squad. Intersting comparison: they transfer list Storey so want a fee, we will release Gary Warren free if he finds a club that suits him. i think we are being the honourable ones!

Trying to get back on topic, Gary has been a great player for the club over six seasons. He was unlucky to miss two finals, but always a great inspiration, even when just a sub. As I said before, I'm not surprised the club has made this proposal, but I think they are trying to treat him right: stating he remains captain whilst he is here is a big statement. On the argument about the leadership off the park, I am not well placed to comment. The previous regime got us to two finals, win the Scottish Cup which will never be forgotten, achieved several top six finishes, got us into Europe, , appointed a rookie Manager, paid wages that were not sustainable if we got relegated and....we got relegated. The current regime has to steady the ship and balance the books, to give a foundation for growth. Yes, it means tough decisions, some we will agree with and some we won't, but it I see too early to pass judgement. This is a key season for us and we will understand the ambitions of the Board better,

It will be a tough league but if we can have a decent start ,unlike last season where we had a terrible run early season, then I can see us challenging for the title.

I don't know the rights and wrongs of the discussions, but CaleyD shows a remarkable level of restraint in the face of constant, unprovoked attacks on his character.

......starting with a high level of discipline will be worth quite a few points too!!!

Away to Hearts is not a bad shout for the club's finances as it would draw a bigger crowd there than here.

All this has the same taste as last season with Raven and OFW - find a club and go or walk.away from the contract the club had committed to. If he doesn't go will frozen out or brought back in? Gary is a professional and I'm sure will give his all but I expect that like OFW if he refuses to walk and is unwanted he will come under criticism. As a club we seem to be paying unwanted members of staff a lot of money these days.

That was emotional. See the funny thing about it is after reading a lot of football forums mainly of whoever we playing match day and also pie and bovril, this 1 is by far the tamest in regards to personal abuse. Obviously we don't want people personally insulting people with swear words and stuff but that is something that never happens here. It seems we have become a little over sensitive on here because most of it you will debate the same way with friends but you won't just say that's it am no your mate anymore cos you disagree. As far as the forum starting as a journey and has lost its allure were still going on a journey which has a very important phase coming up with 25 years to celebrate along with hopefully a promotion .

I don’t blame you for getting pi##ed of Charles. A lot of posters just want to sling mud at each other or slag of ITFC . Come back soon we need positive posting and less pessimism .

Yes, agree with this. We seem to be putting together a good squad with a mixture of youth and experience who I very much hope will do well next season. I am optimistic.

What seems to be going largely unremarked here is that many of the posts I am highlighting appear themselves to be personal in nature, in that they are consistently critical of just about every conceivable aspect of how the club is being run. I therefore feel obliged to respond to this constant undermining of the club’s governance - which was quite sudden in onset - by placing it in context.

Gary will be 34 in a couple of months. 35 at the end of his contract that he holds. I suppose a club might come in and offer him similar terms on a two-year deal (a one-year deal is moot, he already has that). How many 34-year-old defenders (who have been written off as too old and too slow by their own fans and are being asked to leave a Scottish Championship club) are getting such offers? At the end of last year he said, "...At my age you just want to be playing and enjoying being out on the park. Enjoy trying to pass on as much advice and experience to people as you can" Gary will retire or play in a much lower league at the end of this contract. ICT are trying to save on money by trying to get out of seeing him off into retirement. I do not agree that he is currently walking around going, "well that's fair". Perhaps it is devil take the hindmost at ICT now, and if it is, I find that to be distasteful. As a last word, I do see the merits of other posters' posts, absolutely. but there are two ways to see this, and this is one. (edit: shameful > distasteful)

Bang on mate. It's no sinister plot it's football

Your completely missing the point. Unless something comes up, which it probably wont, something that means he doesn't lose out financially or suit his personal life then come the start of the season he will be still our player and our captain. It's blatantly obvious in black and white with actual quotes from the gaffer. He only leaves if he wants to leave and that will be by his agent getting him a better deal that suits him AND his family. The faux outrage is cringeworthy from some. Yes we will miss him as a player from a couple years ago maybe or even yes towards end of this season and undoubtedly as captain and leader of men but this is football and players come and go. We are not pushing him out and we certainly haven't sneaked the news out as the most important person involved knew weeks ago the situation.

When did Zibi Malkowskie become Liverpool goalkeeping coach?

Some people seem to be having their cake and eating it. 1) Lament the club for being a 'shambles off the park', then complain when a CEO with business acumen is appointed. 2) Claim the clubs finances are 'perilous', invoking the possibility of administration, then lamenting the manager for shipping out our highest earning players.

If we sit back and take stock, is this not normally seen as the kindest way to treat someone leaving a club that is surplus to requirements. Get yourself a deal elsewhere and the club will not make it difficult for you to move on. Been a good servant for a few years now but as seen with the likes of Coll Donaldson moving in it's unfortunately time for Gary to move on if he wants to continue with first team football. No brainer for me and good luck to Gary who has served Inverness well. Worth a hall of fame entry.

I have always liked Warren. In my opinion he has been the best signing the club made in the last decade or so. My reading of the report indicates to me that the club is treating him entirely fairly. Whatever transpires I wish him all the best for the future. Top man.

Plenty of BS that post. Read the report again. This is no overnight decision as robbo stated he made Gary and his agent aware a few weeks ago. He has also been told that if he doesn't find a deal that suits him financially and more importantly somewhere him and his family are happy to move too them he will remain an ictfc player and also our captain for the remain see of his time here so he obviously won't be frozen out as he will be playing as captain not benched. Somethings gripping your sh*t within the club at the moment as all your recent posts are coming across as butthurt. I think we have played this exactly as we should. He's free to leave if it 100% suits him to do so if not carry on for his final year.

Yes it does fit. The budget is being cut - end of. In order to run a squad of viable size under these circumstances, the decision has been taken to dispense with the services of a high earner given a long and well-remunerated contract by the previous regime which can no longer be afforded. What would you be proposing on the basis of your "quantity over quality" argument? James Forrest or similar, the ten young lads given contracts the other week, plus nobody on the bench? That is its ultimate extrapolation. It rather strikes me that this is another attempt to portray the current board as worse than the previous one - ironically by using a decision by the current board to dispense with a lengthy and expensive contract handed out under the previous board, but now no longer affordable as a result of the relegation also arrived at on the watch of that previous board.

Kyle Hutton didn't sign because he was reluctant to move his family. Players and agents talk and clubs get a reputation. It will become even harder to attract players when the club keeps on trying to push players out. What options did Warren have when he was offered this contract? What did he turn down? So it was offered by a 'previous regime' - but by the same logic would we be equally indifferent if it was our manager or company owner that changed and then the new incumbent said we weren't wanted? Who is it we support at this club, the players or the board? Clubs take hits, for every Christie you may have a player for year longer - that's a gamble at all levels and all clubs. If Warren is what stands between the club and administration then that is a different matter, but it isn't as the board haven't said so. We can afford Warren, with such a young team and injuries he has a place, but the board clearly wants to rob Peter to pay Paul. Hutton would have moved had the deal been attractive enough, it wasn't. I don't deny the validity of the arguments above, and agree with the sentiments but surely concerns on the motives behind Warren and the road that this ethos will bring to the club as time goes on are worth airing.

For goodness sake, be realistic. Patrick, who are likely to have a bigger budget than us, can't afford to keep Storey and we apparently can't afford to keep the higher paid players we already have. If there is any spare cash at all surely we should prioritise keeping Warren rather than coveting a player who did well for us but has done little of note since.

I really don’t see the problem here. The bottom line is that if his contract needs to be honoured, it will be. But as part of a process of urgently necessary cost cutting, an alternative option is being sought. The financial reality is that each and every means of cutting costs has to be pursued. There is, unfortunately, no room for sentiment when the future of the club is at stake. I don’t know the intimate details of Gary’s current contract but would guess that it was, a la Foran, a fairly long one given under the previous boardroom and managerial regimes in the Premiership. We need to thank Gary for his huge contribution (for which he has been remunerated) and regret the earlier failure which has made it necessary to try to terminate his engagement.

Got the away top today. Completely in love with it. I'm taking it out for dinner at The Kitchen tonight.

Cyril?

What a strange thing for a grown man to post.

The latest generation of royals are spun as having a social conscience. I would find that a great deal more convincing if they had invited the local registrar to marry them in private in front of a dozen or two of their friends and family with the millions upon millions that must have been spent on pomp, security and all the rest being, at their request, being earmarked and ring fenced to buy land and build decent social housing in terraces with gardens for all those displaced by the Grenfell tragedy. That truly would have been a worthwhile and lasting legacy that the couple and the nation could be proud of.

I'm really lucky.....I don't have a TV licence...and even if I did, I wouldn't watch the wedding of the lassie from Suits no matter who she was marrying.

A post from someone who knows much about the properties of Kevlar and very little about the subtleties of cricket.

Looking at the final table, I'm not entirely convinced that it was Scotland who were over hyped for this year's Six Nations.

It's laying the exact same line on Gary as they did on David Raven and OFW.....the former who was made an offer they knew he couldn't accept and the latter who found himself frozen out in an attempt to move him on.....you could probably throw Draper in there as well, as his parting wasn't exactly amicable. Robbo will say all the right things, but ultimately it's designed to put pressure on the player to go. If he stays and the season flops, he becomes the scapegoat....the guy who refused to leave and stopped us bringing in other signings. Sadly it seems to be the way with football these days, but that doesn't mean we have to accept or like it.

Really hoping the club show a bit of ambition and push the boat out to get the legend that is miles storey back would add a cutting edge up front specially since Austin good as he is is apparently made of balsa wood! All the best to big Warren a tremendous player over the years!

....unless by "new Craig's" Alan means the flat his mate Craig moved into the other day? (Or is that offensive to people who have difficulties with apostrophes and proper nouns?)