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Feel like I have had to write too many of these posts more recently. Gutted to hear earlier today that a staunch ICT supporter and good friend to all of us who used to frequent the Caley Inn and Innes Bar has passed away. https://williamtfraserandson.co.uk/notices/david-shields-inverness/ David "Uncle Albert" Shields was a gem of a man who I was proud to call a friend. He was on the receiving end of much of the banter from myself, Big Stu, Calum and others over the years and was nicknamed "Uncle Albert" by us in reference to the character in Only Fools and Horses after he had made one too many references to what he did in the Navy. He took it all in the good nature it was meant, even using @UncleAlbert as his login name on here, and we always had a laugh in both pre and post-match "get togethers". In terms of ICT he was a staunch supporter, and while fit and healthy, was always there to the side of the tunnel with his wife and fellow ICT stalwart Kay who was also - for a time - a moderator on here when I needed a few people I could trust to help out. Sadly, ill-health overtook Dave and I don't think he made it to too many games in recent years, but I will always remember one thing from quite a few years ago, when we were having money troubles at the club (sounds familiar). He and Kay bought and paid for a set of electronic substitute boards for the club. No fanfare just asked what was needed and then went and got them sorted out with the things they needed. Thats the kind of person he was, and they both were as a couple. Real good people, who were not in it for reward or recognition, just wanting to do what they could, where they could. Off field he was a friend to many, including myself and others on here, and a really close friend with Calum, Jill and their kids who called him Uncle Dave instead of Uncle Albert. Not sure who adopted who, but when they say you can choose your friends but not your family, in this case that is wrong, as they became family to each other over the years. David, thank you for your service in the Navy, no jokes this time, and thank you for being you. You will be missed my friend. I will likely have a nice wee (?) tot of rum tonight to celebrate your memory. I also want to offer our deep and most sincere condolences to Kay, his wife of countless years, and also to Calum, Jill and the kids, on behalf of me personally, and also my entire family who also knew and admired Dave. I hope the positive thoughts and memories of Dave may help lessen the grief they feel right now. Please feel free to share memories and pictures of Dave in this thread as I am sure there are a lot of stories and anecdotes to be told.

That is a wonderful tribute Scotty.

Seldom do I post on these forums these days, but it seems whenever I do, it's to pass on condolences and share memories of those whom made ICT such a joyous football club to support. Dave 'Uncle Albert' Shields, alongside his wife Kay, was absolutely part of that. Dave and Kay welcomed us Gringo's many years ago as we travelledup from Coventry; from giving us lifts to games from the Caley Inn (in what I believe was a blue Renault megane estate?), to hearing stories from the Navy, and of course those Innes Bar days, Dave will be sorely missed by us all. Many people on here will have heard of the Highland March - a fundraising walk between ICT's final two league fixtures for each season from 2003-2015 - What most people won't know is that if it wasnt for UA, there may not have been a HighlandMarch! After the original support driver pulled out at the last minute, UA stepped forward to take on the task. He, alongside the late great 'Bronson', looked after us brilliantly for that inaugural event. Without their support, the Highland March would not have existed. Dave, you gave me, my family, and so many people around you, so much joy and laughter. My condolences to Kay, Jill, Calum, and the kids. Rest easy kind sir x

As you will have seen, we have now established separate areas for the Supporters Trust and the Travel Club who have started to make use of them to publicise events and add content. These are self-contained areas within the site and the management and moderation of them is under their control. Topics will appear in the main list of topics and calendar events will appear in the calendar sidebar. We have also added the fixture list for 2025-26 to the calendar and it will also be available in the traditional stats program. We are still looking for a sponsor for that part of the site to enable us to pay for an upgrade to the program, or for someone with mad PHP/SQL skills to deconstruct and reverse engineer the program we are using. Its classed as 'abandonware' from the original author and only one person (we know of) has taken it up and kept it modern. Easy option is to pay him for the updates, but the cost is high For now it will trundle along as it is. I am now starting the next stage of updates and as part of that some areas of the site may become unavailable at times, menus may change, and some unused parts of the site, or infrequently posted in forums may be merged into others. If you spot something not working for an extended period, or looking weird beyond a few minutes or hours, let me know. I want to streamline everything and remove any clutter and noise before we perform the actual software upgrade. All being well I hope to do the software upgrade at some point (later) next week or perhaps the week after.

I echo everything said above - so sad to hear this - RIP Dave and condolences to Kay and the rest of the family.

It's preseason so results are secondary and it was a decent day for getting out to put faces to new names in the squad. Although £12 for a friendly does feel a little steep. I don't think the trialists were as bad as some others are saying. Ojo was getting into dangerous positions with the ball but seemed a little reluctant to pull the trigger earlier. He seemed to be constantly looking for a final killer pass so that may be down trying things out and instructions from coaching staff. I'd be raging if he was doing that it competitive matches. The other fella didn't do anything I would consider out of place and seemed comfortable throughout. Billy Mckay will know what they were looking for so I trust he'll judge based on that but I wouldn't be surprised if both were offered contracts. The goal we conceded was a classic scramble and Munro was unsighted for the final shot and could do nothing about it. We weren't really troubled aside from that.

Such sad news and a wonderful tribute thanks Scotty. I had the pleasure of getting to know Dave during HM1, what a great character and he very generously tolerated having to be bunked with a member of the ‘junior’ service. I wish I could have spent more time with him. My condolences to Mrs Guz and the rest of the family - RIP Dave, you were a legend and will be sorely missed.

I enjoy games at HL stadiums when you are pitch side and hear everything that’s said, which is why I go. I’ve just tried to give feedback to those not there, particularly about the trialists. You are right that results don’t matter at this stage, but it’s not long until we do have competitive games and we need to be ready for them. And I’m sure we all want a win next Saturday for Aaron, and I hope he gets a really good crowd.

Some posters getting carried away with performances and results in pre season friendlies. These are just about building up fitness and sharpness, nothing else. That's why I don't bother going to watch. They have little bearing on the season ahead. That said, I would imagine a much better picture will be given in the friendly against Partick with possibly our normal first team line up being chosen. Again though call about fitness and sharpness.

A nice tribute Scotty, I remember them both from the early away days, a lovely couple. Condolences to Kay and her family.

Poor game with not much of note. Nairn will feel unlucky they didn’t beat us. Savage, Kerr and MacLeod were the players who caught my eye. I don’t think the right back or striker trialists would add anything to our squad, whilst Heredia was perhaps a bit more promising but not as impressive as he seems to have been on Saturday. Early days but work to do before the competitive games start.

another group shot I came across from the Innes. Originally posted this to the memory page for Big Stew!

Game day! The nip inn is open.

Sad to hear this news. Dave was some character in his day. Loved his fake scratchcard which showed he won £50k. Got him a few new friends and beers in the Innes that day. One Saturday we were heading to Dundee in my car. As we were cutting it fine I was tramping on a bit cross country to Dundee over the top. Dave related the good old days when he had a motorbike and used to get up to 130mph out of it. However, after getting to Dundee he was reluctant to come back with us telling the guys that he was not happy with my driving. Pot kettle sprung to mind RIP Dave and condolences to Kay and other family and friends, you will be missed.

Sad news. My heartfelt sympathies to Kay if she still comes on here. My biggest memory is after his heart op, many moons ago. At half time I came up to him and clapped him on the arm, and he yelled in pain and cursed loudly. This was in the main stand as well, causing some people to pause in unwrapping their Werthers. Apparently they took veins from his arm for the op.

Stretching it a bit far, but half a century ago Bobby and Freddie Neild for caley and Brian and Alistair Black for the other lot.

Not sure if anyone different is running this or they have just become unshackled from the previous regime, but its been really entertaining to read these last couple of weeks. Well done to all involved.

LOL - The 'Wotherspoons' breakfast .... yes, very clever. I hear from a good source that he is indeed training with us today, so fingers crossed. Quite a few other trialists still around and apparently, we are being made aware of these through various people who have been around the club in our good years ... nice to hear about people pulling together for the benefit of ICTFC. Cautiously optimistic for the season ahead.

This any use? ICT_2025_26_Fixtures.ics

Aw. Been a few years since i met Dave and Kay last. Condolences to all friends and family. A stawart indeed. Thanks for that tribute Scotty......said it all

Sean Welsh has joined Spartans, Morgan Boyes has joined St Johnstone, Jack Newman has joined Peterhead, Cammy Kerr has joined Livingston, Billy King has joined Bonnyrigg and Nat Wedderburn has joined Cowdenbeath.

Just to echo the words of Joonya, Dave and Kay made us so welcome to the Caley family. I remember the time we first met in the Caley Inn. Neither of them could believe we travelled up from Coventry to watch Caley (they were not alone in these thoughts by the way). We'd never met them before and they instantly offered us a bed at their place to save on B&B for our next trip. So many good memories that we will treasure forever. Sadly not too many photos but those I do have are the highly treasured shots from our title winning day in 2004. When we first met they lived in Ardgay. Mrs Gringo and I stay with them many years later. We travelled with them to a game in Dunfermline leaving Ardgay around 1000 and getting home via the Innes and take away around 12 hours later. We won 1-0 too - Liam Fox goal. Uncle Albert, we will never forget you. We send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.

The windy conditions made it a bit of a lottery but it was a pretty poor performance by us despite the strong line up. We got our penalty when Clach were down to 10 as Meekings got a knock in the first minute and hadn’t been replaced by the time Longstaff (I think) was brought down. Wotherspoon took it well. We moved the ball pretty well, largely through Chalmers and Wotherspoon but lacked a cutting edge and didn’t create much. Clach equalised against the run of play but there was a clear offside in the build up. Clach had the best of the second half, with Munro making one fingertip save to keep it level. Our best chance fell to young Gardiner late on but he couldn’t keep his shot down. I’ve now seen Nkwonta and Ojo twice and am not convinced by either. Nkwonta was subbed with MacLeod playing right back for the latter part of the game. Next weeks games will be much bigger tests and we will need to up our game if we are to get results.

According to Transfrmkt his contract with Morcambe doesn’t finish until June 30th so I’m guessing he can’t play until Tuesday

Was Destiny Ojo the no 9 at Nairn? I heard calls of what sounded like Jojo, so presumably that was him. I must say I was not overly impressed but it is always hard to tell in one game, particularly pre-season. He scored 2 goals in 17 games last season.

I wonder who the other trialists Kel is looking to bring in are (this is mentioned in the Inverness Courier and P and J article) mentioning Alfie Bavidge loan bid/enquiry and the Ross Munro articles respectively. It seems to have gone quiet on these two but could Jordan Alonge and Dajon Golding be 2 of the trialists ? I see Destiny Ojo has played in Northern Ireland with Cliftonville so he could quite easily play at Scottish League 1 level but I will let Kel decide that as he's a better judge than me . I'd imagine Carlos Heredia could be signed up if he continues to impress this weekend and especially on Tuesday against Partick . As I have said previously, our squad is taking shape now .

Huisdean and Dave Lazenby also for the other lot, slightly earlier.

Went to Rothes as I imagined everyone would go to Nairn .Not far wrong I counted about 10 ICT fans .Enjoyed the game and got 5 goals .Was quite impressed with new signings as it’s early days .No 18 trialist certainly made his mark .Would like to see him get a chance .

First time involvement with our first team! Cole Thomson, Archie Kerr, Cameron McAllister, Archie Beaton, Gavin Thomson all featured against Nairn County Ellis Leighton, Alfie Reid, Jim Forsyth and Kenzie Harkness all featured against Rothes

At Rothes: Limited Report cobbled together from ICTFC X (Twitter accounts) An Inverness CT XI took on Rothes FC with one trialist and Academy players making up the squad already listed in the team lines. Alfie Reid (GK), Leo Walker, Ellis Leighton, Kenzie Harkness and Jim Forsyth. 24' GOAL! 1-0 Rothes have the lead at Mackessack Park through Ruairi Duncan’s header. 37’ GOAL! 1-1 We’re level in Rothes via David Wotherspoon! Good play from Ben Gardiner to set up for a cool finish from inside the box. HALF TIME: Rothes 1-1 ICTFC 53’ | 1-1 James Clark is replaced by Ellis Leighton 57’ | 1-1 Good play from Ben Gardiner as he forces a save from Stewart Black 59’ | 1-1 Billy Mckay’s effort from just outside the box goes just wide 63’ | 1-2 GOAL! Sam Thompson makes it 2-1 with a header at the back-post after meeting Trialist D’s cross in the box 65’ | 2-2 GOAL! Instant response from Rothes as they equalise through Kenzie Shepherd 68’ | 2-3 GOAL! We’re ahead through Robbie Thompson after a quick one-two with David Wotherspoon. 70’ | 2-3 ICTFC Subs: Sam Reid and Kenzie Harkness on, Joe Chalmers and Ben Gardiner off 78‘ | 2-3 ICTFC Sub: Jim Forsyth on, David Wotherspoon off 81’ | 2-3 ICTFC Sub: Alfie Reid on, Logan Ross off 83’ | 2-3 Billy Mckay sees his shot go just past the post. FULL TIME 2-3

I wouldn't read anything into players not being included. This will be as much about running the rule over trialists/younger players, seeing where new signings are at, and giving anyone who needs it a bit more time in the legs. It's possible, and very likely, one or two might have aches with being back training full time, but it's not the only/obvious reason for me.

The draw took place last night, and we are delighted to announce that the winner is Duncan MacAuley. You can read further details about the draw here: Season Ticket Prize Draw: we have a winner! Thank you to everyone who entered. The level of interest was amazing. If you have not yet renewed or purchased your season ticket, we encourage you to do so.

The draw took place last night, and we are delighted to announce that the winner is Duncan MacAuley. You can read further details about the draw here: Season Ticket Prize Draw: we have a winner! Thank you to everyone who entered. The level of interest was amazing. If you have not yet renewed or purchased your season ticket, we encourage you to do so.

I reckon the club’s social media chose which clips they wanted to use ages ago, and the management team were then instructed to find and sign players with names that match the clips!

Given we start on - 5 I’m hoping we will be in positive territory by mid August Excellent news today and we do seem to be getting a decent squad together early which gives them time together before the serious business starts.

Really pleased that we are supporting Jake in his rehab. The last 12 months were a dark period in our short history and here's hoping Jake is back playing in early January 2026.

Jake Davidson has signed his contract extension to January.

People getting offended on behalf of others always presented as a bigger challenge. A good example was when we changed the disabled/carer charging. Previously, it was the disabled person that got the free ticket and carer paid, but after discussions with involved groups it was suggested we flip it. The point put over was that everyone wanted to feel like they were contributing, and the only concession they wanted was if they required a carer to enable them to comfortably attend. The backlash did not come from disabled fans, but there was plenty of it from the wider fanbase. I think ICTFC may have been the first pro club in Scotland to change it, but others followed not long after. It's in the past, and we draw a line, but I know for a fact that there were funds ring-fenced (partly from disabled fan ticket income, partly from community funding) for work to make the west stand accessible, and properly covered*, so wheelchair users and those who couldn't manage the steps could be in among everyone else sitting over there. After Kenny stepped down, his successors denied the existence of those funds and the project never happened. As I said, in the past, but it's the kind of project that could be revived, and would benefit the club as a whole. *I was talking to one of the wind farm companies about recycling an old blade for the roof, and they were going to pay for the install. The bottom couple of steps would have been made into a platform, and a ramp installed.

The problem these days is folk are so easily offended by the slightest thing. They were never brought up in a world of Tom & Jerry, Roadrunner or Fog Horn Leg Horn. Poor wee mites bless um.

I believe it's a removal of the shackles, and still the same person at the controls. The amount of criticism I got from other clubs when we started doing more candid and fan driven social media was incredible. We were called unprofessional, a bad example, accused of dragging down the tone, etc. We even had clubs try and raise complaints via the SPFL and SFA because we'd "had a laugh at their expense". For me, ruffling the feathers of the blazers was a sign we were doing something right. It even spilled over to when I was on the tannoy. I forget the game, but it was a cup match and we beat County. I decided to play 'Another One Bites the Dust" as the exit music and I got a warning from the police for inciting opposition fans. So the next time we played County I played Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves...and got a written warning. So next time we met them at home I played 'The Shadows'. At that point the match commander came to me and said "we're not going to win this one, are we" and I never got warned again I will add, I don't take all the credit. We had some amazing support on socials, especially matchday twitter, and I only ever applied one rule....never be deliberately offensive. Bouncing off other members of the fans media team was a real buzz, and hopefully they can find that again. The people on the other side of the computer get a ton of 5h1t from ours and opposition fans during the bad times (please remember there's a person on the other side), and having the freedom to be a fan and have fun on the club side really helps. Hopefully there is more positives than negatives for everyone to enjoy during the coning season.

Bus for Kelty 2nd August leaves stadium 10.00 picking up in Aviemore and Pitlochry. £20 a seat. Book through Facebook or on 07462218717

Buses booked for all league away games for coming season. Keep an eye out for special deals

Given that he said in his interview that it was going to be hard on his family, I think he will be up for the majority if not the whole week.