Scarlet Pimple

There is no use in trying to sum up all the different posts that have been made on here since all aspects of his tenure here, including his unique personality, seem to have been covered. And it's up to each of us to separate the wheat from the chaff and decide for ourselves what is factual, rational and accurate. As much as anything, I suggest that his public statements, and actions (such as ignoring the fans at the cup final venue when even a casual wave would have been an obvious gesture of both recognition, delight and a SHARING of emotions) often made in a negative-sounding manner, increasingly led to the inevitable decision to terminate the connection by the Board. And not just by the Chairman. IMHO this was a decision made in unison by the whole board. Despite all his achievements he felt that he was entitled to greater recognition perhaps and therefore just had to speak up without due consideration to what the outcomes could be from such bold frankness. Yet he was the Coach/Manager, not the spokesman for the club! The Dundee United affair highlighted his deep frustrations and keen ambitions but whether they coincided with that club's needs, or just were representative of his feelings about his own greatness and capabilities, will always be open to debate. Constantly hammering away at management for more funds to be provided to allow him to implement his grander plans, when he appears to have been advised repeatedly that the limits within this club were finite and had already reached, was one of the stubborn attributes of his personality that did not allow him to contain his emotions and deal with it. Had he been able to present a more diplomatic and gracious outward attitude to the public and the press he would have continued to endear himself to both fans and club management alike, all without washing the dirty linen in public. If he felt that opining negatively in public, however obliquely, he was going to get the fans on his side or sway the Board's decisions on the financial issue then he was mistaken. This Board is not weak as has been previously suggested, but very practical and clear in their goals .... there must be a limit to expenditures in order to secure the future of the club as the first priority, unless some wealthy entrepreneurs come along with money to risk and burn. John really did not appear to be a deep thinking diplomat and relied on outspoken public remarks to attempt to get what he wanted. They may even have been accurate or correct but could hardly have either influenced the Board to meet his terms or disposed them to see him in an ongoing kindly light. He was a rough diamond with talent but IMHO he forgot his place........and humility may not have been one of his strong points. As some other poster put it -- a rift between the Chairman and the Manager as catastrophic as a probable "not speaking" relationship indicates a very serious problem which could not have been allowed to continue, and wasn't. Perhaps future contracts could also be re-written to make certain things more clear to future prospective managers. That is....if they didn't run a mile when they first reviewed it? Meaning, we may need to search for a younger person who has a lot to gain from coming on board on any terms that are clear and rational and make it quite clear to these prospects that the bosses are the bosses who, within reason, need to be accommodated to ensure the survival of the club as the first priority. And that prospects with a future and are ambitious understand that they have to prove themselves before being in a position to dictate anything to the Board of Directors .

It's inevitable that somewhat negative comments are now the order of the day in view of the way in which this season has finished. But ,in every case where one door closes, another one opens. This presents a fantastic opportunity for the Board to experiment ---well, just a little bit-- and appoint Richie Foran to the position despite his evident lack of managerial credentials/experience in this top flight. However he has some great strong points which I may, deferentially, suggest would be: a. Great player with skill and drive--the younger players would look up to him , seek his advice and be well instructed. And Richie is LEADER. b. Relative youth on his side --which allows him room to experiment and implement strong plans with knowledge and enthusiasm as the backdrop, whilst gaining every day in experience and confidence. The players would not necessarily look up to him as a God but, being closer to him in age, there might actually be a greater rapport and understanding between them of what he had in mind to achieve success. AND, if they liked working with him ,they would soon realise that this would be a golden opportunity to listen and learn and further their own careers as well. c. I don't think, despite all his affection for the players, that if they tried to NOT take him seriously then they might very well get a shock since I don't think he would be the person who would suffer fools gladly. Players would follow his instructions or he would find those who would be willing to toe the line and work hard accordingly. Add to this his indefatigable drive and determination and who knows what an upbeat, confident team could achieve. d. Being a younger man there is also a strong possibility that Richie may favour the younger player because such players are more quick on the uptake, more ready to seek out and accept good advice and are generally stronger and fitter. All of which opens up vast prairies-full of ambitious lads all ready to accept a challenge. Good youth like challenges. Period. e. So, rather than sit in my rocking chair with my proverbial Indian pipe and moccasins to hand, may I respectfully suggest that getting Mr. Richie Foran into a managerial chair as quickly as possible would hardly be a big mistake but more likely to be a golden opportunity to raise the bar in this, yes, experienced, League but at the same time realise that his team would easily run the legs off the other guys in short order. There would be no slackers on board and who the heck has a better plan anyway? Summary: Golden opportunity 5 ...the other ancients 2.

I think I was trying to make the point that they shouldn't be allowed to get away with it otherwise it could become a tit for tat free for all. 'Well they got away with it, sniff, so why can't we?" As for the Banks, IBM,all I can say is "many a word spoken in jest.....". Look at the RBS for a classic example of a decent outfit having gone on the downward slide. I saw a piece on the local telly about the banks and Freddie the Fearless Fly Goodwin, the former Board Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland., whose 3 year law suit has just ended NOT with a conviction against him for his part in the financial disaster created under his watch, but a not-guilty verdict--all this despite the fact that he got a few millions in a settlement after he had resigned from the Board, bought another house after selling his last one for millions and is now a very wealthy individual. Meanwhile, back at the ranch ,we note that the shares fell from great heights to a smaller 25 cents or something and then the British Government had to rescue this once stable and highly-thought of bank to save it from the knackers''s yard. Not that the Scottish or English Banks have proved to be unique since we can also remind ourselves of the Wall Street ponzie schemes that bankrupted half of American in the last decade. You know, what the "Donald" is on about as well as Bernie Sanders, the latter seeming to at least have his head screwed on a bit tighter than the competition. OCH! Scarbaby , it's the end of the season ease off and awa an get a wee snooze. Help my Smilies won't work. Cheers guys and thanks for the memories.

That's a bit strange. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Bad decision. A possibly very high fine but it could also be one that was such at this level so that ICT could not complain and say that D.U. got off lightly. ICT should sue them. The chairman has a very good lawyer friend in the West and they should undoubtedly push for points and money. If the rules are such that they are deffo the rules in this scenario how could they get away with It. ICT would be vindicated and have more points and it would be a signal lesson to these twits in the West. PLUS, a great end to an otherwise slightly disappointing season. Go for it Kenny.

By the way, do you live in or near Eaglesham .....?

Palace strip--rather busy is it not Eagle? And, it lacks the EAGLE ? Smile.

Just a thought......but why not be managerial assistant to the ICT manager , whether it be for JH or A.N.Other.For at least one or two more seasons. Invaluable assistant but he would still be young enough , perhaps, to play a game for another club thereafter? And why not play a game or two if needed for ICT? His experience and leadership could hardly go amiss now could it ?

worthy.

Dear Friends So we think we have problems here in British Columbia, Canada ? Why, all we have to worry about is the undoubtedly inevitable”Big One”earthquake, now 25 years overdue, which will in all probability wipe out all our wooden–built houses, all high rise buildings and any other structure that has not been seismically strengthened by the attachment in their basements of huge spring- loaded absorbers of strain and vibration sunk into concrete....such as schools. But this article and footage shows clearly what is happening to the community of Fort McMurray, in the oil sands district of ALBERTA (the easterly province adjacent to B.C.)http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/the-fort-mcmurray-disaster-read-the-latest-on-the-fire-the-response-and-theevacuees/article29930041/ If you scroll down a couple of pages after you open the above link you will see an awesome photo of the size and intensity of this out-of-control wildfire, now spreading rapidly into the adjacent Province of Saskatchewan and now being attacked by over 500 firefighters from all over Canada and the U.S. and a few (15) water bombers plus helicopters dropping huge baskets of water on the fire. The town has now evacuated over 80,000 folks who had to escape by running the roads right through the massive fire on either side of them. The smoke and burning fragments , driven by high winds, showered the roads and the cars as they fled for their lives through the smoke which made viewing the road ahead extremely hazardous and difficult to navigate. One driver said that he could feel the heat through the sides of his car. One firefighter captain on the T.V.camera became very emotional stating that some of his buddies had worked for 40 hours without sleep....wow! This huge fire has now grown to some 200,000 hectares of tinder-dry forested land (approximately 1800 square kilometers) and it is estimated will not stop growing until it is well over 2,000 square Kilometers (Just imagine a huge fire some 500 kilometres long by 4 miles wide!!) AND until heavy rain comes out of the Pacific heading East. The chances of that happening are currently remote with last year being the hottest year on record in Canada. Appeals to the public for donations to the Red Cross to help with the clothing, baby supplies, accommodation, refurbishment, food, water, fuel and other necessities to the residents who have fled , and probably lost everything, have been successful and now have risen to $50,000,000 (fifty million dollars ), a figure which will be matched 100% by the Federal Government for a grand total right now of at least $100,000,000. The Insurance companies are supposed to re-build houses but it is suggested on T V that that might take years to settle so the money has to come from somewhere. So the daily news is consumed by this story and little else in the world matches it. Last year there were many additional wild fires in the Pacific North West here in B.C. and the adjacent United States all attributed to global warming and it is not expected to abate with British Columbia being unable to send any firefighters to help in Alberta because they are all tied up working on the many new fires that have started up again in this Province this year already . Bye for now Roderick

Er...please remember the old saying..."Be careful , you might get what you wish for ."

I was in my Western cave eating my Pacific salmon soup with the Maple spirtle that I had just whittled from the nearby forest when I read the alleged offer to Devine. The spirtle dropped frae mah lips in horror and disbelief and shattered on the pre-Cambrian rocks far below. But, when Caley Girl appeared on the scene to lighten mah load, I bounded doonhill in mah grass skirt and, retrieving it, I finished off the salmon-colored soup and feel much better now, thank you. Thonder Moose is still looking at me kinda askance, like, but I mouthed at him across the divide, "Go Back tae yer patch, Moosey." and he duly obliged., confirming that I am still the top dog around them thar pairts..... Oh, but wait, I see Tonto coming on the horizon wi a mountain sheep slung across his shouthers and struggling and screaming blue murder at being constricted---er, sorry, constrained is it (?). He's been busy these last few weeks trying to start up a herd, like. Good Lad, Tonto. Dinna ken whit ah'd dae wi'oot him in thae wildernesses. Have to replace him wi IHE if it came to a head, like. Right! Back to the flint stone, I guess.. Geez! Life gets tejious, don' it?

Och, Mantis ...there is nothing average about you. You are my hero since you are the gentleman responsible for telling me about Caley Thistle Online these many years ago. Never shall we forget that hallowed day when I woke up to the reality of life and on your advice joined this august club of fellow travellers. Remember the (wartime?) song--"You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine. You Make me Happy When Skys Are Grey...." Yes!

Yep! Dead as a Dodo, like. Bughtie. In fact I would suggest that this thread must be a dead-ringer for more comments wouldn't you? But , truly, in point of fact this thread is, well, probably pretty penny d.r.eadful.

If so we can then approach MacKinnon of Raith?

You are dead-right on that Bughtie. Do you think that it's approaching it's deadline?

Eh hiv naething to hide good sir. It shows how honest eh am and there was no harm done whatsoever ,either to me or the Bank! a And , foreby, I don't give a flying duck what you think.

Exactly Bughtie.!

Wasn't Leicester the team that came to the Caley park at Telford Street about the year(s)1951 to 1954?

Just Old Fogies. Ignore them.......

Goodness Gary-acious! Is that a modern sculpture of the Loch Ness Monster snaking along the wooden boulevard ? Surely it has little to do with this lovely northern City. Is this deemed to be reflective of the Highlands.? I could perhaps see it as being somewhat reflective of the products and work of a logging town in a north west Washington or Oregon State in the western United States but here this just seems to be more of a waste of money. Or what am I missing? If IHE comes out of yon building on a dark night after having quaffed a pint or two then, for sure, he is going to stub his toe on the curvy thing and come a cropper on the boardwalk. He might even fall overboard and it would be more our loss rather than his, since he would be unable to feel anything whereas our loss would be deeply felt in the heart. It would be so unfair....

Well, Mantis, who would have thunk it? I am also interested as to why you have such knowledge about the club and are so interested in it. I mean if you passed down Main Street in Methil these days I am sure your first thought would be how quickly can we get through this forgotten, dilapidated town...is that true ? I would love to see whatever items and stories you have and if you are into touch with Gary , the Manager, please send him my best wishes for more success and you can also mention that I will be looking forward to seeing them climb the ladder into the Premier league just like our own club. Then, if the two teams were to meet , I would really be ...TORN. ARGH!

Charlie Just had another look at this long but very absorbing and interesting thread. At the school sports in 1952,I was unable to spot and identify, Messrs. David Thom (who once belted me very hard), Mr Murray the gym master who chalked-off a try I managed to make on the Millburn sports field and I had questioned him as to why he let me continue if it indeed was a "knock-on:, and D. J. the Rector. However, what I did find very interesting was going back aways in the thread to note that persons selected to go to the Academy were usually in the top 15% of the range of intelligence required to qualify. That was a fillip since I had never ever given it much of a thought other than wondering from time to time what criteria were once used in my day to allow me, or anyone else, to be selected for the Academy. e.g. was it just a random type of choice or a very selective one? Now I know , thanks to you, so thanks for that Chas. In fact I do remember that, prior to sitting the qualifying exam that we all had to do in the Central school, I was asked by the teacher which school I would prefer to go to if I qualified. I simply said the Academy because I had no idea what the Technical school really was for, or what outcomes going to that school would imply. I mean, if what I decided upon prior to the exam had any bearing as to the selection of school to send me to, I would nowadays be quite upset because surely, even at age 12, a child should still be imbued with some knowledge as to what he/she will be committing their future to don't you? There is no doubt in my mind that having "Inverness Royal Academy" on the Resume when I first started out in the banking system in 1955 probably did not hurt my chances of getting the mighty position of apprentice in the Union Street Office of the RBS over the other lad who applied for the position who also went to the Academy but was described in the bank's interview records as being "not quite as polished as SP". So how do I know that? Well, later, as an Inspector with said Bank working out of the Head Office for 6 years, I had access to all the employee files in the Staff department and, whilst preparing for an Inspection one day and scanning the files of the employees at that particular branch, I thought that I would quickly whip out my own file since nobody was around and I was surprised to note the comments therein. Just shows, though, that you just never know what awaits you round the next corner. I was probably wearing my best blue Academy blazer on that fateful day as well and, to please my mother, looked really spiffy with a new haircut and polished shoes, etc. Jings! Imagine, that one small observation from the then Branch manager in his interview report to the bank's Head Office sealed my fate as to my future life, circumstances and destinations. And the ironic thing is that it also led me to emigrate to Canada, then leave the banking system altogether and run my own business for 29 years until I retired at age 70 still in Western Canada. All experiences which often were just plain joyous and changed and developed my abilities and my inner knowledge of what I am, and might be, capable of -- some of which were actually eye-openers as well. There is no doubt ,Charles ,that had I not been interviewed on that day in Union Street and been seen in that light by the RBS's branch manager, my life would almost certainly have been very different and it's more than probable that I would still be around in Scotland rather than in spellbinding Canada, That is, where there are more opportunities for advancement and less stifling prejudices against you for minor mistakes as you learn the ropes and grow accordingly. That is, if you can overcome the prejudice against British Immigrants which will be thrown at you by some misguided and probably fearful people when you first arrive!

Mantis. You know my personal interest in East Fife so could you please advise me on the difference between old Bayview and the New one (didn't someone say it was now down at the old docks area?) . How much better is the new one--if anything? This has always been a team, as far as I can assess anyway, that had more heart than money. Cheers.