Scotty

*** VOTING IN THE POLL ABOVE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE AT THE MATCH ONLY *** If you were at the match, please use the poll above to vote for your top 3 players Based on feedback, we have also now added a choice to give a referee rating*NEW* Please make sure you vote for 3 separate players. If you make an error, let us know so we can fix it. PLEASE ONLY VOTE ABOVE IF YOU WERE AT THE GAME Anyone caught trying to cheat the system WILL be banned from voting in ALL site polls...this is your only warning. **NEW OPTION for those NOT at the game** As a result of requests received, we have made a slight change to how these threads work for site users who watched the game on TV or listened to the full game live on the radio ....... You too will now be able to cast your votes, but should do it in the thread below, and NOT in the official poll above. Just list the three players of your choosing and award 5,3, or 1 point(s). You can give the ref a mark if you want too ! These votes will NOT be counted in the official total, as we only count votes from those who where actually at the game, but it IS a way for you to participate in the process .... which many people asked for .... a happy medium we hope !!!!!

ok. one and only public warning on this thread ...... I already rebuked one poster for what could be construed as a potentially abusive post. I will now do the same for the person it was aimed at for what could be interpreted as response that is an invite for a square go. Any more of it (and the inevitable off-topic drift it will cause) and this thread will be closed and the person who caused that action will have their posting privileges reviewed. Lets get back on topic folks ..... thanks ! EDIT: OK, thats one person banned from the thread and their subsequent posts hidden. Despite fair warning, they chose to keep dragging the subject off topic .... I have also removed the responses made to that person ... so if you can read this thread ... it wasnt you who was banned from it ... you just may have had a post removed that was now out of context. Maybe a slightly bigger font ..... Lets stay on topic please and keep the bickering and personal stuff out of it. thank you !

are you joking??? esson fair enough but foran better than hayes? this forum really is S**T and you do not know football! As much as I can, and have, disagreed with DalneighCaley on many occasions, sometimes quite vociferously, he is, as Donview points out, entitled to his opinion whether you (or I) like it or not so there is no need for the abuse. IMHO, I would say he is pretty knowledgeable ... I dont usually take issue with that knowledge, its the opinions that we each form from that knowledge that we tend to differ on .... and thats one of the big reasons why the Internet has forums !!! PS: If the forum is that "S**T ... there a link near the top right corner that says "sign out" ..... feel free to click it !!!!

good news.

Ticket information (prices, shop hours etc) now in the awayday thread:

LG - Can you confirm prices and purchase arrangements. Just about to post the travel thread for the supporters buses, but other than knowing its all ticket and one poster paid £28.50 including fees, there is no info ........

<table width="80%" border="0" align="center"> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#000033"> <tr> <td rowspan="3" width="55" scope="col"><div align="left"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png" alt="ball" longdesc="ball icon"></div></td> <td><div align="center"> <h2><font color="#FFFFFF">THE AWAY-DAY THREAD</font></h2> <h5><font color="#FFFFFF">Ticketing, Travel and Other Info</font></h5> </div> </td> <td rowspan="3" width="55" scope="col"><div align="right"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png" alt="ball" longdesc="ball icon"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF">Celtic -V- Inverness CT</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF">11th February : 3:00PM <br> Celtic Park, Glasgow<br> </font></div> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr bgcolor="#0000CC"> <td scope="col"><div align="center" style="vertical-align:middle"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ticket.jpg"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ticket.jpg" alt="ff" align="right" longdesc="ticket"> <font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="vertical-align:top"><strong><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ticket.jpg"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ticket.jpg" alt="ie" align="left" longdesc="ticket">Official Ticketing Info</strong></font> </div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#F2F2F2"> <td valign="top"> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div align="center"> <table width="70%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="05" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td><strong align="center">Adult:</strong></td> <td>£26 or £23 (restricted view)</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Over 65s:</strong></td> <td>£17 or £14 (restricted view)</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>U-16s:</strong></td> <td>£17 or £14 (restricted view)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td><font color="#FF0000">NOTE:</font> There are no Student concessions for this game, just U16 &amp; Over65s</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Tickets:</strong></td> <td><p><strong><font color="#FF0000">ALL TICKET</font></strong>: Tickets<strong> MUST </strong> be purchased from ICT Club Shop prior to match. The club have been told there will not be any ticket sales at the ground on the day of the game so dont say you werent warned !!!!!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Club Shop Hours:</strong></td> <td><p>Mon - Fri 10AM - 5:30PM</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tickets can also be bought at the stadium this Saturday but only <font color="#FF0000"><strong>AFTER</strong></font> the Cup game has finished. Prior to the game, the ticket office will be busy with their normal matchday routines and unable to deal with tickets for this game, especially given the early kick-off !!!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The ticket office <strong>will</strong> post tickets to ICT fans outside the Inverness area, but suggest you order before TUESDAY to ensure delivery. All tickets are sent 1st class mail, but once they leave the stadium, its all in the hands of someone else and the club will not guarantee, nor be held liable for, the non-delivery of tickets ordered at the last minute !!!!</p></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0"> <tr bgcolor="#990000"> <td colspan="2" scope="col"><div align="center" style="vertical-align:middle"> <img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/bus-r.jpg" alt="bus" align="left" longdesc="bus"> <img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/bus-l.jpg"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/bus-l.jpg" alt="bus" align="right" longdesc="bus"> <font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Supporters' Buses</strong></font> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="col"><div align="center"><strong>Supporters Club Bus<br> </strong> <a href="http://caleythistleonline.com/supporters-club" target="_blank">http://caleythistleonline.com/supporters-club</a> </div></td> <td scope="col"><div align="center"><strong>"Official" Travel Club<br> </strong> <a href="http://www.ictst.co.uk" title="External link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external">http://www.ictst.co.uk</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" scope="col"><div align="center"><strong>CONTACT</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Booking:</strong> 07519 763507</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Booking:</strong> 07951 309504 or <a href="http://ictsupporterstrust.co.uk/travel-club/booking" target="_blank">Online</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Questions: </strong>PM Username "<strong>LIZI</strong>" with any queries</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Questions: </strong>PM Username "<strong>CALEYD</strong>" with any queries</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Email:</strong> [email protected]</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Email: </strong>[email protected]</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Other: </strong>---</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Other: </strong>Seats can also be booked in person at Club Shop</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" scope="col"><div align="center"><strong>MATCHDAY</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Leaves:</strong> TCS @ 10:00am</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Leaves: </strong>ICT Social Club (Greig St) @ 09:15am </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col">&nbsp;</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Leaves: </strong>TCS @ 09:30am </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Stops en-Route:</strong> Yes - Perth </td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Stops en-Route:</strong> Short Comfort Stop Only</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Arrives at match:</strong> in plenty time before KO</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Arrives at match:</strong><strong> </strong>in plenty time before KO</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Leave Match:</strong> ASAP after final whistle</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Leaves after match: </strong>ASAP after final whistle</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Stops en-Route: </strong>Short Comfort Stop Only</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Stops en-Route: </strong>Short Comfort Stop Only</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Arrive home:</strong> Around 9PM (traffic/weather permitting)</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Arrive home: </strong>Around 9PM (traffic/weather permitting)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Drop-Off points:</strong> Drakies, Kingsmills, Town Centre, TCS</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Drop-Off points: </strong>TCS & Social Club.</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Pickup/Dropoff en-Route:</strong> By arrangement</td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><strong>Pickup/Dropoff en-Route:</strong> By arrangement</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCCC" scope="col"><div align="center"><strong>COSTS</strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" valign="top" scope="col"><p>£12 (members only) </p> </td> <td width="50%" valign="top" scope="col"><p>£13 (same price members/non-members)<br> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" scope="col"><p>NOTES:</p> <ul> <li>Supporters Club membership is required. </li> <li>Can be purchased beforehand or on the bus on the day. </li> <li>Membership costs £5 for adult, £3 for Concessions (juniors, seniors, students) and is valid for whole season. </li> </ul></td> <td valign="top" scope="col"><p>NOTES:</p> <ul> <li>Membership is not required to travel on the bus.</li> <li>Joining info here: <a href="http://ictsupporterstrust.co.uk/join" target="_blank">http://ictsupporterstrust.co.uk/join</a></li> <li>Membership costs £10 for Adult, £5 for Junior and is valid for a year. </li> </ul></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" > <tr bgcolor="#003300"> <td valign="middle" scope="col"><div align="center" style="vertical-align:middle"> <img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/train.jpg" alt="train" align="left" longdesc="ticket"> <img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/bus-l.jpg"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/bus-l.jpg" alt="bus" align="right" longdesc="ticket"> <font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Travel Offers</strong></font> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Not everyone will use the Supporters Club or Travel Buses as not everyone comes from Inverness area .... please share any travel offers (bus/rail etc) you find with other site users and we will highlight them here .... </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table>

PS CaleyTeenager - great topic BTW !!!!

There might be a case to say Sergei Baltacha for both ...... On paper, he was the most experienced player we have ever had and its hard to question his playing pedigree before he ended up in Inverness .... 45 full caps for the then USSR, and almost 300 appearances for Dinamo Kiev before going to Ipswich then St Johnstone and onwards to manage Caledonian Thistle in Div3 .... but on the field, and in the dugout a complete let down Marco DeBarros was another who flattered to deceive, as was Vetle Andersen. Lionel has to be in there somewhere too. Paatelainen had potential I think, but due to injury we wont ever know. Does Tom Parratt count as foreign? born in Inverness but raised in USA? OK - I can choose only 1 ..... so going to go for Sergei .... such a great player in his day, but the entire 94/95 season was an "off-day" ! On the plus side, Juanjo and Marius Niculae go to the top of my list at first thought, but I have to say that leaving aside the domestics (inc Eire), then we do have a triumvirate of fantastic Frenchmen who, given more time at ICT, may eclipse the others in terms of the value they add to the team. Kenny Gillet leads that particular race right now, but Tade's goals are helping and Gnakpa will either be "loved or Lionelled" depending on how he continues ! I think Dani Sanchez may also have developed into a cult figure for us if we had kept him, and who knows how Piermayr or Golobart will shape up over coming months (years?). However, depite his failings (being extremely left sided for one), you also cannot look too far beyond Richard Hastings. An international throughout most of his ICT career, and if memory serves me correctly he also played (early rounds in) the Champions League for Grazer or Maastricht ... but is he foreign? He may have been born in Canada but spent most of his life in the highlands. So ... to choose only 1 .... which one !!! mmmmm ....... In terms of technical ability I would probably have to go for Marius then Juanjo with an honorable mention for Sergei, but I mentioned "the value they add to the team" above and if this is how I make my decision I would have to risk giving Caley100 a coronary, and go for Richard Hastings. Over his entire ICT career, and when compared to the others, Richard probably added the most to the team. Never a superstar, under-rated by some, and over-rated by others, he was at the very least capable and dependable for most of his career. I have a feeling that if Kenny Gillet sticks around for a season or two, that he may be the one to take over the mantle of best "foreigner" though ....

You know what ... good luck to them !!!! I actually dislike County less than a lot of other teams !!! We have had a few good players from them over the years, and they have seen fit to extend the playing careers of a few of our legends too ! A very symbiotic relationship ! Regardless of the actual team, and more usually in debates where we were talking about stadium criteria, I have always said that whoever wins the first division deserves to go up to the SPL, regardless of anything else, as they have shown themselves to be the best football team in that division over the course of the season and its the football that matters. That opinion still holds true whether it is County or another team come the end of the season. I have no love for County, other than the love of beating them ... but I do kinda like the idea of those teams who already bitch about coming to ICT once or twice a season now having to bitch about the tortuous journey up the A9 to face two teams !!!!! Furthermore, I also stand by my own opinion on stadium criteria which is a newly promoted team should be allowed to use the existing seated part of its stadium for the SPL and if they choose to, should be able to use that first season in the SPL - and the extra money that brings - to make the stadium compliant rather than go down the route of spending money by March to have a compliant stadium "just in case" they win the league in May. I guess this position is less relevant now as ICT also set a precedent here too by sharing with the Dons and then getting the North/South stands built in double quick time ... but I just disagree with forcing teams to spend money they dont yet have on the off chance they will be champions ... It should be about the football and encouraging and assisting teams to reach the top rather than making them gamble with their own futures, incur debt they may not need to, and potentially spiral downwards if the gamble doesnt pay off ...... I didnt catch what Jim Spence was saying early doors on the radio on Saturday as I was running late .... but he seems to have been touting the larger league idea again .... something else I think is a good idea .... plenty of teams in D1 that could grace the SPL, and Ayr also took a good contingent to Hampden ....... even if they wouldnt have a fraction of them for a normal game.

The only one starting " silly rumours " is Butcher ! What specific rumours has he started ?

Gnakpa definitely having an impact ... hits post, has another chance, gets booked for diving ... all in the space of a few minutes !

LOL ... shouldnt be, but lets no tell anyone !!!

Only things that have made me look up from the keyboard so far were 1) Brian Irvine almost tripping over himself at the start and saying he was a "Ross, er Inverness fan" ..... 2) Brian Irvine condescendingly saying that Tade's failings were why he was playing at "Caley Thistle level".... perhaps true, but not in the manner you said it, and not really the best place to say it with hundreds of ICT fans listening in ! twat !

*** VOTING IN THE POLL ABOVE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE AT THE MATCH ONLY *** If you were at the match, please use the poll above to vote for your top 3 players Based on feedback, we have also now added a choice to give a referee rating*NEW* Please make sure you vote for 3 separate players. If you make an error, let us know so we can fix it. PLEASE ONLY VOTE ABOVE IF YOU WERE AT THE GAME Anyone caught trying to cheat the system WILL be banned from voting in ALL site polls...this is your only warning. **NEW OPTION for those NOT at the game** As a result of requests received, we have made a slight change to how these threads work for site users who watched the game on TV or listened to the full game live on the radio ....... You too will now be able to cast your votes, but should do it in the thread below, and NOT in the official poll above. Just list the three players of your choosing and award 5,3, or 1 point(s). You can give the ref a mark if you want too ! These votes will NOT be counted in the official total, as we only count votes from those who where actually at the game, but it IS a way for you to participate in the process .... which many people asked for .... a happy medium we hope !!!!!

nahh, this one is : just running a bit late this morning (morning for me at least).

<table width="80%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#003300"> <tr> <td width="55" scope="col"><div align="left"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png" alt="ball" longdesc="ball icon"></div></td> <td bgcolor="#003300"><div style="background-color:#003300;" align="center"> <h2><font color="#FFFF00" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">THE MATCHDAY THREAD</font></h2> <h5><font color="#FFFF00" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Discuss ICT & other games in this thread as they happen </font></h5> </div></td> <td width="55" scope="col"><div align="right"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png"'>http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ball_icon.png" alt="ball" longdesc="ball icon"></div></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" bgcolor="#CCCCCC"> <tr> <td width="100" rowspan="3"><div align="left"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/public/added_images/club_crests/inverness.png" alt="home team logo" width="120" height="120" longdesc="home team logo"></div></td> <td><div align="center"> <h2><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Inverness CT -V- St Mirren</font></h2> </div></td> <td width="100" rowspan="3"><div align="right"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/public/added_images/club_crests/stmirren.png" alt="away team logo" width="120" height="120" longdesc="away team logo"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://caleythistleonline.com/page/index.html/_/previews-2011-12/inverness-ct-v-st-mirren-preview-r911" target="_blank">PREVIEW</a></font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">28th Jan @ 3:00PM Tulloch Caledonian Stadium</font></div></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" bgcolor="#99cc99"> <tr> <th width="33%" scope="col"><div align="center"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/twitter-icon.jpg" alt="twitter icon" width="50" height="50" longdesc="twitter icon"> Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/ICTOnline" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div></th> <th scope="col"><div align="center"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/facebook-icon.png" alt="facebook icon" width="50" height="50" longdesc="twitter icon"> Follow us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/CaleyThistleOnline/122778317770191" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </div></th> <th width="33%" scope="col"><div align="center"><img src="http://www.caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/chat-icon.jpg" alt="chat" width="50" height="50" longdesc="chat"> Go to the <a href="http://caleythistleonline.com/index.php?app=ipchat" target="_blank">Chatroom</a> </div></th> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr bgcolor="#0000CC"> <td width="51" scope="col"><div align="left"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/ie8-logo.png" alt="ie" width="50" height="50" longdesc="ie"></div></td> <td width="601" scope="col"><div align="center"> <h2><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Media Coverage</strong></font></h2> </div></td> <td width="51" scope="col"><div align="right"><img src="http://caleythistleonline.com/media/images/misc/firefox-logo.png" alt="ff" width="50" height="50" longdesc="ff"></div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#F2F2F2"> <td width="51" align="center" valign="top"><div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>AUDIO</strong></font></div></td> <td colspan="2"> <ul> <li><a href="http://radioplayertwo.mfr.co.uk/" target="_blank">Moray Firth Radio Live</a> Commentary [<font color="#FF0000"><em>UK Only</em></font>] </li> <li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7742209.stm" target="_blank">BBC "Open All Mics"</a> Live discussion and Goal flashes [<font color="#FF0000"><em>UK Only</em></font>] </li> <li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/default.stm" target="_blank">BBC "Live Commentary"</a> (see links on page) [<font color="#FF0000"><em>UK only</em></font>] </li> </ul></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#C0C0C0"> <td width="51" align="center" valign="top"><div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>TEXT</strong></font></div></td> <td colspan="2"><ul> <li><a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/scores/_/league/sco.1/scottish-premier-league?cc=5739" target="_blank">ESPN</a></li> <li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/live_scores/default.stm" target="_blank">BBC</a></li> <li><a href="http://live.skysports.com/ScoreCentre/live.html" target="_blank">SKY</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/latestscores/" target="_blank">Sporting Life</a> </li> </ul></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#E9E9E9"> <td align="center" valign="top"><div align="left"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>VIDEO</strong></font></div></td> <td colspan="2"><ul> <li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/default.stm" target="_blank">BBC Match Highlights</a> (online) - [<font color="#FF0000"><em>UK only</em></font>]</li> <li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006zrbv" target="_blank">BBC Sportscene </a>TV programme [<font color="#FF0000"><em>UK only</em></font>] </li> <li><a href="http://www.ictfc.co.uk/page/matchhighlights/0,,10447,00.html" target="_blank">ICT Official Website Highlights</a> [<strong>Worldwide </strong>- Registration Reqd (free)] </li> </ul></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" bgcolor="#FEFEEB"> <tr> <td scope="col"><div align="center"><strong><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">TEAM LINEUPS</font></strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"></div></td> </tr> </table> <p> </p></td> </tr> </table>

"Hiya Napa" .....

Former Toronto FC defender Nana Attakora (22) appears to be on trial at Hibs. The info came from a Toronto based journalist on Twitter who supposedly got it from his agent .... Would be a good signing for them in my opinion, and I think he would do well in the SPL. A little bio ... Trained with Everton in 2007 before signing for TFC in their first season in MLS. Made his debut in 2008 but only featured in 5 games (3 starts). Was ever-present in the TFC lineup in 2009 and 2010 and a great young prospect who formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Adrian Cann during the 2010 season .... Seemed destined to be a rock at the heart of the TFC defence for years to come but contract negotiations broke down, he got injured, the management changed, and he was eventually traded to San Jose Earthquakes in 2011 much to the chagrin of supporters. Has played for Canada at all age levels (U-16, U-17, U-19, U-20 and U-23) and made his full international debut whilst still a TFC player in 2010. TFC stats: 62 starts, 6 sub appearances, 4 goals, 6 yellows, 1 red. If Hibs dont sign him, he could well be worth a look ... and because MLS publishes player salaries, I know he was on a salary of only US$45,000 last year so about £550 a week !

Despite spelling the name wrong originally (Gnapka instead of Gnakpa - now corrected) the release from the club was pretty clear ... signed until end of season, no mention of loan ... but the point would likely be moot anyway as he is out of contract with Walsall at the end of season anyway ..... Thought he looked good in the video posted above, busy player with a physical presence and who can create chances and score both elegant goals and scrappy ones .... After gleaning a few facts around the web about him to add to his player profile on the site I did note he was an Aberdeen target in 2008, and that someone said he was a "flying winger" who has a "notoriously strong tackle and terrifying pace" ...... sounds promising to me. Given that Butcher has already picked up more than a few unpolished gems from down south in his ICT managerial career, and has said this was a player he tracked for a while, I am going to trust him on this one rather than subscribe to the notion that the player must be **** because of the level he plays at as opined by others ...

Indeed ... but surely it is also not too much to expect that that same (vast) majority, and those who purport to speak on their behalf, should be encouraged to apply peer pressure to the idiot faction who are magnifying the issue rather than stir them up and inflame the situation? Its a direct parallel to your drink/drive example whereby you have the police deterrent but you also have the peer pressure from the public that makes it a socially unacceptable behaviour ..... As I posted above ... I dont want the authorities to have carte blanche, nor for stewards/police to ruin my day at the footy (whether it be in Inverness or Toronto) but it's cause and effect, and I cant really complain too much about the effect if I have done nothing to prevent the cause or to make it seem less "cool" by speaking out about it !!! Yes, we have seen threads on here about heavy handed stewarding, and I can also recount dozens of examples, both in Toronto and in Inverness, that dont make it onto any message boards. It IS a problem, and it should be dealt with (both broadly and on a case by case basis) ... but to my mind, this is the wrong horse to back given the history of bad behaviour in even just the recent past (ie. this season and last). If anything, this situation, and the Trust response to it actually works the opposite way ..... there is a problem (its documented), the body that should be the liaison between club and supporters doesnt condemn the illegal action of the minority, and instead calls for the majority to conduct what amounts to "civil disobedience" as a reaction to the measures, and this by default gives the club and authorities a perfect argument to say "see, we HAVE to do it !" I have to say at this point that I have no problem with civil disobedience as a protest tool, sometimes its necessary, and sometimes its effective, and sometimes it is all that we have, but in this case for it to have any impact, it would have to be accompanied by an undertaking or demonstration that the underlying illegal behaviour has stopped. If not, then its not civil disobedience, its bully boy tactics designed to let those partaking in illegal activities continue to do so regardless of the impact on the others ... the minority, in effect, are showing just as much disrespect for the majority as the stewards/police are !!! In contrast, I can think of two prime examples that I know of where our own supporters trust has acted as intermediary between fans and club during a "discussion" about stewarding in the last few seasons (there are probably more, but two come immediately to mind for me) .... Without getting into specifics, I think it is safe to say that in one of them, the club listened and took action as the fault was on their side, and in the other, it was a case of two sides to every story, where the story being told in the first instance was somewhat 'rose-tinted' and failed to mention certain actions that led to the security reactions .... In both cases, the two sides talked, listened and resolved the issues ... thats the way it should be. Right now, we have a club chairman who is very fan focused, not surprising considering he has always been one whether on the board or not, and on one of my trips home, long before he was ever chairman, I personally witnessed him quizzing the matchday security chiefs when he observed the lads in Section G getting a hard time from stewards for what appeared to be no good reason. He was spitting feathers at the time because he could see there was nothing much going on except a few at the very back standing up. No hassle, no belligerence (that we could see), and no reason other than bully boy tactics for stewards to give them a hard time. He investigasted it, and I believe even had a chat with the lads (as well as security) and it died down for a while. If WE have an issue, then my best advice is to talk to him about it rather than take the same stance that Celtic Trust seem to be doing ... maybe its because we are a smaller club, but I know he will actually listen if the case has merit.

on official site: http://ictfc.com/news/team-news/385-play-it-again-sam-asbutcher-swoops-for-wolves-starlet as is the news we have also signed Claude Gnapka (or is it Gnakpa?): http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/388-new-signing-claude-gnapka

Didnt realise Jonny was vice-captain ? thought that was Rossco ?

Tend to agree .... and again I can base it on experience ..... I spent many seasons right above the tunnel and although the main stand was quiet, our bit was not ... whether it was myself, Big Stew or Calum shouting things out, or whether it was Doresboy or Barry, there was always some banter with the touchline, and there was the odd bit of standing up to deliver that banter .... a few dirty looks from John S. in the tunnel below, but no hassle. Last time I was back I was shocked at how silent the whole experience was. Little or no banter (not allowed), certainly no standing to deliver it (also not allowed) and as for expressing yourself with "colourful language" ... forget about it. People I had gone to the games with for years, and who are first and foremost, diehard fans, had, over the ensuing years, been accused of being troublemakers by the stewards, one was accused of racism, and another had a quiet word in his ear for being a little "over exuberant" .. and all at one time or another had been threatened with removal of season tickets ... so they all just sat there and watched the game in a fairly sterile manner ... thats not enjoyment, its "duty". At TFC, fans are allowed, even encouraged, to enjoy themselves. There are no barriers on chanting or singing (provided its not 'offensive' in the traditional sense). There are pre-game promotions, giveaways and generally a happy and friendly environment. For the most part the club and the stewards are reasonable .... until or unless you step out of line. If the rules are broken, they flex their muscle ... if the rules are not, they leave you alone ..... its enjoyable. Maybe it IS time for the fans to take the game back ... if it is not already too late ... but as well as focusing on the heavy handedness of authorities, fans cannot turn a blind eye to some of the causes of that, one of which is the behaviour of small minorities of fans spoiling it for all .... if you try to push the boundaries week in and week out, and poke a stick at the authorities by breaking the rules all the time, you will eventually get pushback ... better to work with them than against to achieve a common goal !