Scotty

official shop is [email protected]

Indeed I do. I also remember the days at the Caledonian Stadium (as it was then) when although not standing for long periods we could do so without hassles, we could also get banter going with opposing players and management from above the tunnel and then go back to the pub to dissect all that was good or bad about the game ... in short, an enjoyable day out. I actually felt this on my last visit. the atmosphere when we were demolishing Kilmarnock 3-0 during my last visit was at best, subdued, but compared to my days as a ST holder it was morgue-like. Even the craic in the pub before the game was different with a lot less anticipation or enthusiasm for the game. Seems many felt it was a chore to go (although that might have been becuae the only home victory in 2008 up to that point was against Gretna). Also, after the game, virtually no-one was back at the pub - was that economics? or was it the fact that they left the stadium in a far less happy mood than in previous years. We had just scored an impressive 3-0 win yet no-one wanted to celebrate that fact. shame. Oh **** agreed. BUT some actions by stewards are because the "power" goes to their heads. I agree its a problem at other grounds too, but perhaps because of our lower crowds, or the inconsistencies between home and away ends its just more apparent here.

Indeed And that is why we are disgruntled. The club need to realise that it IS our club and although many of the supporters that come on here or grumble in bars, or in silence may not have the high profile of some of our shareholders they have also sunk a fair bit of thier own cash into the club in many ways - be it shares, tickets, merchandise, centenary club etc etc etc .....

I hear you IHE !!! Its a stark contrast to MLS where they are trying to develop the game and encourage more fans. The Toronto FC 'model' is seen as a breath of fresh air in MLS and its success although overshadowed in the media by Beckham's arrival in LA is seen as more important because it shows what can be achieved if a club focuses on football, the fans and entertainment. Toronto FC is a pretty mediocre team so far, they are getting better, but they are still mediocre .... yet there is a 20,000+ crowd at every game and the waiting list for season tickets is now reputed to be more than EIGHT YEARS (due in no small part to the 99% retention rate of existing season ticket holders). Why is the list so long? why is the retention rate over 99%? ...... in my mind, it is because they want us to enjoy the experience and allow us to do so (within reason). In the next few years the MLS will expand by several more teams - Seattle [2009] and Philadelphia [2010] have already been confirmed and there are rumours surrounding Cleveland, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Rochester, New York (2nd team), Miami, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, St Louis and Orlando. Most of these will be urged to follow the Toronto model which sees fans as an integral part of the whole experience. no argument from me - although I can think of a few bodies in the Gate who might cringe LOL. But seriously, there would be no harm in ICT talking to the likes of Paul Beirne or others at TFC ... these guys work for MLSE who own many sports franchises and have many many years experience in marketing and making their teams popular .... even when they arent winning things !!!

I hate to keep harping back to TFC for my examples but as its the only regular football I see, then its my yardstick these days. TFC has a "supporters section", part of which is shown in the photos above. Like the rest of the ground, it is 'all-seated' but the front office at TFC worked with the fans before the start of the first season to relax certain rules and set certain guidelines which apply only to this part of the ground. In the supporters section it is almost required to stand (in others sitting is enforced - but not strictly). If you dont stand, you wont see anything because everyone else is standing. The only part of standing that seems to be clamped down upon is when fans are standing on the seats from the row in front to get a better view which is fair enough as the seats can break when people start bouncing. The supporters section is allowed flags, drums, and certain noisemakers but no flares, air horns etc. A few have lit flares or smoke bombs and been huckled out which is also fair enough. Other parts of the ground have more restrictions. The whole ground has alcohol available to it but as Luvgravy mentioned, prices are quite steep ... anything from $9 - $13 for a beer. TFC has had a problem with some fans throwing beer onto the field when opponents come to take a corner or such like and this has led to some restrictions in the supporters section ... there are no more beer sellers going up and down the aisles in the supporters section and the sales stop around the 60th minute, but if you want to go to the concourse you can buy one up until then (and beyond I think). This past week has seen the introduction of the 'capo' stand which has been hailed a success. The front office know that they need atmosphere and despite ramping up security somewhat (because of beer throwers and other idiots spoiling it for the rest), they continue to work with the fans to try and create the atmosphere they (the club) want in the ground. There are quite a few things the front office at TFC dont get right in many fans' eyes but when it comes to the supporters section, I think they do it pretty well. They are slowly but surely weeding out the real idiots and at least trying to encourage the real fans (and those from the season ticket waiting list that replace the idiots) to generate a formidable atmosphere. The front office has lost no control by allowing fans to stand or to bring flags, in fact, many of the fans become self-policing in weeding out the idiots because they know that the privileges they have been given may be in jeopardy if they dont. There is a fair bit of respect towards certain named members of the front office staff who have worked with the fans and listened to them and even when things are not quite right between the fans and management, they still talk to each other. If Toronto FC can do this with a whole stand at BMO field and still keep control over a 20,000+ crowd then there is no reason why ICT could not do this at the TCS with a 4000 crowd. I know they are bound by certain regulations or guidelines about standing and could potentially get into trouble for openly flaunting them but what is to stop them taking the fight to the SPL/SFA or whoever. They have done this before over bigger issues (SPL entry / stadium capacity) and won. Why not work with a group like StandUpSitDown or similar and suggest a pilot scheme whereby the West Stand is allowed to be terracing or even a seated area where standing is 'tolerated' and the singers can congregate without having seat numbers constantly checked so they can be separated from each other by the killjoys. Work with the young lads who are only wanting to generate the atmosphere that has been lacking at the stadium for virtually every game since the stadium opened and embrace the fact they want to gee on the players rather than try to crush their enthusiasm. From the other side though, it means that those wanting to do this would also have to follow certain rules. There have been incidents in the past where fans were sitting on the wall or where some rushed one of the stewards and then complained it was the club's fault. If something could be done, then fans would need to view it as a privilege and not abuse it. If that can be achieved then maybe ICT could have accomplished yet another thing for Scottish football ................

Probably not in the accounts until next year (along with the transfer fee). I am sure there will be a few who have long memories IHE, and this thread will still be stored this time next year Indeed Will be interesting to be able to read the full accounts when sent to shareholders ..... Perhaps the club should pay attention to some of the low cost ideas that might put more bums on seats .... regardless of what we all think of this person or that person at the club, or the disagreements we may have in discussions on here, I think we are all united in wanting the club to tick over each year or make at least a modest profit

nope. A ban was introduced after violent clashes during the 1980 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in Glasgow. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/s...rem/7265902.stm

to be fair - even though the numbers are still quite high, the club already do this. The cost of 2 adults for the main stand is ?680, and for the North Stand ?580. The cost for 2 adults + 2 kids (over 8) in family section of the NS is ?640 so less than the cost of two adults for the main stand and just ?60 more than the non-family portion of the North Stand. If the kids are under8, two adults and two kids in the family section are just ?420. I still believe the whole cost is over-priced but that is not an ICT thing, it is a Scottish and to a greater extent, British Football thing. Incidentally, I paid around $260 (?130) for my season book for TFC ... 15 home games, 2 international friendlies, and this year, the All-Star game. That is pricing !!!!!

each item that has a size option also has a link next to it (when viewing the item's own page) with a size chart where the actual dimensions are shown.

Why do you bother posting at all if you have nothing pertinent to add. You can read it or not, I dont really care what you do, but I think it was a valid response to an earlier part of the discussion so for you to post that you can't be bothered reading it qwhile quoting it in its entirety is a lot more wasteful than saying nothing at all.

nahh - I am there .... and so is another SPL supporter - GaryJambo (guess which team he supports LOL)

Maybe you guys should have a 'capo' stand ...... TFC built this in front of the supporters section after discussions with the fans. It was first used on Saturday night and really helped co-ordinate the singing. bonus points if you can spot me in this pic Some of them even sung the bridge and castle song when Big Stew was over earlier this year MP4 (16.5Mb) - http://tfcpics.com/gallery/misc/OHInverness-ipod.mp4 AVI (31Mb) - http://tfcpics.com/gallery/misc/OHInverness-avi.AVI

If he signs a commanding centre half - such as Dods - then I think he will have done pretty well since the end of last season. We may have had the "Marius Money" and we may yet have to give some of it back to Marius, but the simple fact is that the way his deal was financed doesnt leave space in the wage budget for the 8 new players that have been touted at the top of this thread !!!! CB seems to have gone for mainly youth over experience with internal club prospects such as Duff, Vigurs, Gillespie, Sutherland & Wood being promoted to the first team squad alongside Rory. All of these seem to be exciting players if they perform to the potential we have heard about. We have also picked up what may be a great bargain in Rooney and given Barrowman's start, he will come good if given the service (ie. to feet). Zadi seems to be signed for cover and that is fine in my book, Proctor is also for cover although he may eventually replace Rossco, and with the possibility of Wagaluka still being signed and the rumours of a potential move for Dods, I would be happy if thats how we finished up the window unless someone tremendous came along and we could afford them.

Regardless of my criticism of the club, If i were still in Inverness, I would still be a season ticket holder. It would not stop me criticising where I felt it was warranted, but some of the things I highlighted, while not good, would not stop me going to most of the games. When I next visit, i will still go to the game no doubt, despite earlier comments to the contrary

It will sort itself out once more Celtic games have been added !!! right now, Rangers have been scheduled to be televised at every away ground except ICT and Dundee Utd, Celtic on the other hand have only had 4 away televised fixtures sorted out (plus 2 home ones). prediction 18th October - ICT V Celtic 3rd January - ICT V Rangers

Sorry to disappoint you !! but as I said in my post, I dont blame everything on the club - the current economic climate has a lot to do with it - but conversely, the club dont get off the hook either as I dont really see what they are doing to entice fans to the stadium or to participate in other ways. Lets get the economic factors out of the way first ..... I think many would agree that the price of petrol, the dwindling amount of disposable income that people have, and just the general malaise that accompanies an economic downturn is definitely a big factor. We have a lot of fans who do not live in Inverness and many people are not prepared (or cannot justify) spending a fair bit of cash on petrol/food etc to travel long distances to watch the team. We have heard Mantis say it, we have heard others say it and I am sure there are others who feel the same even if they live in Inverness. Accompanying those economic fears are also fears over the performance level they will witness when they arrive and that is valid too. Lets look at fans going to the game (be they Inverness based or if they have travelled to get here). It costs ?25 for an adult for most games for the main stand and what are you guaranteed for that. In previous years you could be guaranteed a somewhat friendly atmosphere, the club actually talked to and not at its fans, you could release some of your humdrum day-to-day life frustrations by urging your team on to victory and in most cases you could do this without the threat of a banning order or heavy handed stewards. Because we were in the lower leagues we put up with sub-standard facilities such as the car park, the club shop, the serveries etc and concentrated more on watching what was for many years a very good product on the park itself. That was all that mattered. Pele, Robbo, Charlie, and in spells even Craig Brewster put out a team that made some of the other stuff bearable. Fast forward to today, we are in the SPL so the club hands are tied somewhat in terms of certain rules they have to follow. I understand that they do have to be more strict about stewarding (but not to the point of oppression), they do have to be circumspect about some of the things they say on their website (as they can be held responsible), and they do have to be a lot more business-like in most areas (as the revenue streams depend on it). However, it seems to me that the SPL is a double edged sword. It is great to be in the top league in the country but our 'style' has suffered because of it. The 'entertainment' on the park is no longer as entertaining and people can have their own theories as to whether this is because of the manager's tactics, or because its a dogfight from day one and you do what you have to do to stay up knowing that the best most teams can ever hope to achieve is 3rd place. I havent done this but I am sure if we looked back over these boards to certain posting dates, that the grumbling about other things is directly relative to who we were playing and what the final score was. When we have victories over the OF or play well there is far less negativity than when we lose at home to the likes of Hamilton (no disrespect intended). I have stood and applauded the team off the park on numerous occasions when we have lost but given 100%. I came to be entertained, and a hard working team that tries its best will always entertain me and have my respect regardless of a win or loss. However, when the team takes to the park and doesnt perform, or the tactics are wrong (long ball against tallest back line in the SPL for example) then I fail to be entertained. When the entertainment level drops, people get grumpy and look around at what else is not right and you get the list of things we have seen on here, or people have talked about in pubs over a pint for years ... the stewarding, the car park, the shop, the serveries, etc. fixing these things will NOT fix the lack of entertainment on the park, but the fact that we are still talking about these inadequacies 10 or more years after they first surfaced is symptomatic of the problem in my opinion, and that problem is that the club have little regard for and are doing little or nothing to improve the matchday experience for fans. I agree with those who say the shop staff are excellent. They ARE and I am sure they would be just as excellent in a permanent location and who knows, they might even feel more like a part of the staff if they werent bolted onto the outside of the stadium and actually worked inside it !!! Lets also not forget that we DID have an internal club shop at the stadium for a number of years so the move to what was supposed to be a temporary portacabin was actually a step backwards. As for the car park, I still cant believe we havent figured that out since we moved to this stadium. I understand the lack of a tarred surface (its to do with keeping the rates down), but it baffles me as to why we have not got some proper idea of traffic flow in place. I regularly park near BMO field for TFC games and even with 20,000+ of a crowd, I am out of the car park and onto the highway within 15 minutes of the game ending, and thats in a downtown location with its already heavy non-football traffic. I could also cite numerous examples of ideas (or promises even) that were sold to the fans over the years that were going to make it a nicer atmosphere. 10 or more years ago there were going to be TVs in the servery area so that fans could see HT scores from other games and also what was going on if the queues were too long and the game restarted before they got back to their seat. A number of times over the years the idea of a matchday pub has been floated as has a proper social club in the town centre that was neither Caley or Thistle. All in all, there has been very little return on any ideas sold to us. Whilst I am writing this short novel, I may as well also add on my own personal bugbears which is the lack of consideration for those fans who may like to participate but cannot make it to the stadium on a matchday, and the lack of communication between club and fans. I would like to order things via the club shop online but the ridiculous p&p charges for overseas fans make it a non starter. I would like to buy a season ticket for audio/video coverage via the net, but ICT are one of 4 SPL teams who have no package available. 2 of that 4 are in the process of creating one if what I hear is true, so ICT will be 1 of 2 soon unless Hamilton also start one. As for communication, I think this is where the club fall down badly. Communication has virtually evaporated in recent years. We went from having a monthly Q&A from the boardroom to the current state where things are on the BBC or on here days before the club issue any statement. We have also seen examples of where directives are issued with no consultation with the fans. I understand that the club are forced to do certain things but as with a lot of things in life, the bitter pill can be easier to swallow if it is presented in the right fashion. So all in all, yes, I do have a down on the club right now and I hope this rant is taken in the right context as the club can easily fix that 'down'. I am still and always will be a fervent ICT supporter, I get up very early on a Saturday morning to try and establish a connection to audio for the game, I am an ambassador for the club over here and despite any misgivings I may have, I miss no opportunity to talk the club up to others who may not know of the club or its history. However, that does not mean that I have to be content with what I see as half arsed attempts at PR or development, or that I should just accept that we do not treat customers the way they should be treated. I want the club to improve on and off the park, I want the club to be a success, I want us all to come on here and praise both the team and the backroom staff to the hilt and I will do that if I think the club are making an effort .... its up to the club to show they are making that effort. To finish on at least one positive note, I will say one thing on the communication front .... We have been asked by the Supporter's Trust if we have any copies of the old Boardroom Banter articles available (which we do) and I hope to send some examples of these to both the trust and Mike Smith at some point this week. Hopefully, this might be a sign that the club would be willing to work with both the trust and this website to try and rectify the communication issue. As one of two people involved in setting this up initially, I can definitely say that it was one thing that got almost universal praise when the club did it before and if they would like to co-operate with us in reinstating it then we would be delighted to do so so that we can turn all these frowns upside down

The setanta payments are based on league position not the number of televised games. Its on here somewhere else but basically each team gets 4% of the revenue (total 48%) and the remaining 52% is dependent on league position ... 12th place gets 0.5%, and it then increases by 0.5% for each position up to 3rd (who get 5.5%), 2nd place then gets 11% and 1st place 13% For 08/09, the 4% guaranteed to each club is about ?450,000 and each 0.5% increment is about ?56K

How would we get to our cars? Valet Parking .... :thumb04:

Its all well and good throwing out stats Wanderer - I should know, I do it often enough !!! However, in this thread I have read several comments from fans of various backgrounds and who live in various places and the stories are pretty well consistent 1. The economic climate is a big factor. Thats a no brainer. We have all heard credit crunch, the 'R' word (recession), and all sorts of other forecasts of doom and gloom. Football tends to come from most people's "disposable income" so when that is being disposed of before you get it ... there is a lot less to go around. 2. The club are doing nothing to entice fans. Whether it be personal issues with certain staff, the quality of the product on display (long ball hoof), or just the countless PR blunders we see each year, the club are - and have been - alienating themselves from the normal fans for quite some time. The permanent club shop is not a solution to all of this, but the lack of one is most definitely one of the outward symptoms of the contempt from some, and apathy from others, aimed towards fans. I hope to be in Inverness for a visit soon, and right now I dont know if I can be bothered even looking at what game is on !!! That may not say much to you, and it is unlikely to have the club quaking in its boots but it is very telling to me personally.

yup, substitutions were somewhat baffling today .... especially Zadi/Imrie one [commentators believed he might have been limping but if so, why Zadi and not someone else]. Glad to see Vigurs come on and he got a few positive mentions from Leckie in the commentary box

Final Score 1-1 ... feels like 2 points dropped. Sponsors MOM - Jamie Duff

Zadi on for Imrie ???

I believe it was

Yup - we sound pretty ropey at the back but Leckie has mentioned more than once about how well we are using the width of the pitch and how we are playing it on the deck. How not to start the second half 1-1 Nish

You trying this page - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/t...dio/6354443.stm its working fine in Canada (for once) PS - we are playing decently enough but sounding scarily shaky at the back - Rankin should have scored at least twice and Nish too. Hibs had a decent penalty claim denied as well.