IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

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greed orientated

Fer fecks sake - Dargo is in a bidding "war", via his feckin agent fer weeks - Bristol City and Bournemouth (with Sherringham ) head the list. If he goe south then his missus is a feckin WAG and he is a ******. The name of Callum Elliot is at the bottom of ma feckin teacup again this morning.

It would be very difficult for me to attend and I think my presence may not be a wholly positive move. For some reason I have been put a bit in centre stage. There were others at the Pars game who were treated far worse than I was. As I said before I suspect that the Pars affair will get an apology but little more - if there is a formal apportion of blame that may have to suffice. To me the issue is the Singing Section and some sort of structured action plan to take it forward. That may need another initial planning meeting with a small focussed group. Mr Savage is evidently a wise entrepreneur with a wealth of experience. He will simply have to take a corporate stance on the Pars game. I am usually good at sussing people out so I would be disappointed if he did not proffer an apology for the Pars came and I EXPECT him to openly back the Singing Section proposal but he will point out that it simply is not down to him and ICT. But if he moves it on to another level then that is the only RESULT I am after. And I think it will happen. :003:

Mr Savage has indeed been in touch but I did state to him that I would hold his communications in confidence. I have found him to be a very professional yet open person. He has expressed an interest in my responses and he does appear to be very supportive - So far he has gained my respect but the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. I am going to try my damndest to be there but I am extremely busy at work at the moment. As far as I am aware Mr Smith may still be on his hols and his presence at the meeting may well be inflammatory and counter productive. His absence may well be a business decision - which is understandable. Personally I do not expect that any report on the Pars game will come out with anything conclusive - it will undoubtedly end up as one word against the other and counter argument against counter argument. I feel that the support in general deserves an apology and the people behind the scenes who worked hard to try and ensure that the day was a success. The members of the Trust are in a difficult position but, IMHO, they have pursued this matter and the promptness of the meeting says volumes - for Mr Savage and the Trust. I do expect a personal apology - and if it attaches any blame, which I doubt, I will not hold that information in confidence. If this serves to strengthen the argument for a Singing Section then the hassle was more than worth it - It doesnt stop here. :023:

What are the rules about standing ? Do we have to remain seated during the meeting ?

I am reliably informed that Newcastle United have already agreed.

Thanks Steve. Once I start summat off I see it through. To be faair to the club it is not two weks since I "complained". I have e-mailed Mr Savage again: Mr Savage, I am not sure what representations you have received from the Supporters Trust but I have written to them adding the following "localised" argument: Previous text I would be most intersted to hear the clubs views on the above suggestions. I am a patient individual and I can fully accept that the business side of ICT is in a summer recess but the content of posts on the forum and the feedback I am receiving are ones of frustration and concern that this will simply become yesterdays news. I am sure that you are wholly aware that this issue is here to stay until a resolution is agreed or directed. John MacKenzie

muscle men

. Berkshire experts

This is the feckin only thing that I would do barefoot.

:clapping03: :clapping03: Aspbergers is becoming rife at the moment. People with autism are difficult to work with and usually end up being left in the middle cos nobody wants to take responsibility.

:clapping04: good idea.... we all :dancing01: :dancing01: :dancing01: :dancing01: then the stewards come along and say... hey its the :rules03: ye canna stand or you will get a Johndo and :walking03: out the gate... We say :finger02: the :rules03: we want to :banana99: :banana2: :banana99: :banana2: and have a good time! Along comes :steward: and we all :walking01: to the Innes for a :drinking09: :rotflmao:

[img width=600 height=115]http://www.torbenenevoldsen.com/sectiona/top.jpg

Anne Summers :010:

Ive had a drink with Nessie several times after staggering in to the Dores Inn.

Well you should feckin stay of it then. SLOOP JOHN B sang by SECTION A - studios, instruments and acoustics available in Charlestown (North Kessock).

like chocolate

Dont fret. Alan and I will work it out.

milk shake :rotflmao:

Ive heard that the wean has walked thirty feckin miles already. :rotflmao: Congrats to the old gits. :crazy07:

The bestards from the Mental Health services have been making me take the Olanzapine twice a day fer two feckin weeks now. :rotflmao:

Power to the feckinp peeple. :021: :011:

Ach the feckin Flower couldnt even get in the feckin Dochgarroch School choir. :blah01:

This may be long winded but my feckin computer skills are naff and this may be my way of passing it on. I suggested that this is considered by the Supporters Club and the Trust fer the meeting on Monday Evening. If anybody wants to add, ammend or challenge then please do - ASAP. The “Stand Up Sit Down” campaign was launched in July 2004 in response to growing conflict between supporters, clubs and safety authorities with regard to persistent standing in seated areas. The membership now covers supporters of over 130 British clubs, and includes both those who wish to stand and those who prefer to sit. The campaign's name was specifically chosen to indicate that it wants to get back to supporters having a choice as to whether they stand or sit. It is not just a campaign for fans who want to stand, but is for all football supporters. With a little common sense and compromise on all sides this issue could easily be resolved. The campaign was set up with the objective to get at least one area of each ground where standing will be allowed, provided that supporters keep to a Code of Conduct. The aim is to work with the safety authorities and clubs to agree the most suitable areas for standing where this causes is no real risk. The campaign accepts that standing should not be permitted in areas where this could cause a significant safety hazard. By restricting standing to the most suitable areas it would improve safety over the current situation. By separating those who wish to stand from those who prefer to sit, it would overcome the customer care issues. To varying degrees, there are difficulties at most clubs because some supporters have a very strong desire to stand, and may block the views of those who prefer to sit. Until recent years spectators had a choice as to whether they sit or stand. Football is a passionate game, and many supporters prefer to stand, as they feel more involved, and it is more conducive to creating the unique atmosphere of British football. The authorities seek to prevent persistent standing, but increasing sanctions such as ejections, bans, capacity and ticket reductions, will affect all supporters, could lead to disorder, and will have an increasing financial impact on clubs. However despite these efforts, thousands of fans continue to stand every week. The time spent on this issue by the safety authorities is out of all proportion to the risks involved, and a resolution would allow them to concentrate resources on other more pressing issues. A compromise solution based on common sense appears to be the best way forward for all concerned. The following proposal was originally mooted by the fans of West Ham United in conjunction with the “Sit Down - Stand Up“ campaign. It certainly appears to provide a starting point where further work can be carried out by the Board of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the Supporters Trust and the Supporters Club - to reach a mutually agreed outcome. 1 A significant proportion of supporters wish to watch football whilst standing, and as terraced areas are no longer permitted, many choose to stand in seated areas. The desire of these supporters to stand is very high, and it will be very difficult to stop the persistent standing. 1.2 The efforts made by the authorities to prevent standing are out of all proportion to the degree of the safety risk, and there is concern that the sanctions imposed will have a financial impact on clubs, and could lead to crowd disorder. 1.3 The Government has used its powers under the Football Spectators Act to decree that stadia in the SPL should be all seated, and although there is a very good case for the re-introduction of well managed safe standing areas, it appears unlikely that this will be rescinded in the foreseeable future. 1.4 The law relating to standing in seated areas in not clear, but does not appear to forbid standing. Ground regulations do not permit standing during play, but are based on guidelines not legislation. 1.5 The safety risks associated with persistent standing vary according to ground design, and in particular the slope and tier of a stand, but are generally very small. Passive standing during normal play is less hazardous than standing at times of excitement, yet there is no attempt to prevent this. Spectators leaving the ground at the end of a game has also been identified as a greater risk than standing during play. 1.6 The Football Authorities state the possibility of a cascade effect as a major reason why it does not consider standing in seated areas to be safe, however given that many thousands of goals have been celebrated by supporters jumping from their seats with no such effect occurring, statistically the chances of this happening due to passive standing during play, must be negligible. 1.7 The Football Authorities’ potential concerns with regard to crowd management are largely negated if supporters stand passively in front of their seats, and concerns relating to customer care can be overcome by separating those who wish to stand from those who prefer to sit. 1.8 Unless some compromise can be reached there will be increasing conflict, which will have a negative impact on supporters and clubs, and occupy resources which the safety authorities could use to deal with more serious issues. 1.9 A common sense approach is required, with a realistic approach to safety management. 1.10 It is suggested that for a trial period, one or more areas of each ground should be selected as giving the least risk, and supporters in these areas permitted to stand in front of their seats. 1.11 Supporters should be involved in the assessment of risk and safety management of these areas, and a Code of Conduct introduced to cover issues such as keeping gangways clear. 1.12 A new initiative is required to reach a solution, and this would have greater chance of success if it concentrated on achieving compromise on standing in seated areas, rather than aiming for the return of terracing. Football clubs should be encouraged to become involved in seeking a compromise solution. It is fully appreciated that the club will have to liaise with all the other club representatives within the SPL but we feel that the following points may be of potentially significant benefit to ICT and should be afforded considerable consideration: 1. With the degree of lobbying actively taking place it could be conjectured that there is an air of inevitability that the allocation of Standing areas, in both the English and Scottish leagues, will be introduced or piloted in the near future. 2. This provides ICT with an unique opportunity to become a “pioneer” in regard to Standing / Singing Sections and taking a lead can only result in positive media coverage, take ICT into the National headlines and potentially endear us further to the large majority of football fans in Britain. 3. It may be suggested that ICT could offer to be a “pilot scheme” for the SPL in such a venture. Again this would attract positive media attention, potential financial gain and it would also place an onus on the supporters of ICT to ensure that the behaviour in the Standing Section was beyond reproach, as they would be representing the footballing fan base of British football. 4. It could equally be postulated that ICT have certain advantages over other clubs: a. Our home attendances are the lowest in the SPL. This means that, apart from the visits of the Old Firm, we have the leeway to safely allocate a specific section of the ground to encompass the Standing Section. b. There is no known “hooligan” or “casual” fan element evident within ICT. c. The Standing Section would not be allocated to an area close to the Away support. At many SPL grounds the vociferous and potentially inflammatory home supports often congregate in the close vicinity to the away support. d. The large majority of the ICT “singing support” either know each other or recognise each other. We are talking of a relatively small number (200-300 “hardcore”) who would be in regular attendance. This would make the “pilot” easier to “police” and it would bring a sense of ownership and responsibility to the supporters and may evolve into a “self-policing” philosophy. 5. The potential negatives are that there are incidents involving disorderly behaviour within the Standing Section. It has to be stressed that the “incidents” at the Dunfermline “experiment” appeared to be strongly influenced by the inflammatory behaviours of the stewards. Rules would have to be enforced but, again, the small but enthusiastic support would be placed under considerable pressure to conform. 6. The positives therefore appear to considerably outweigh the negatives. The potential “gains” are intensive nationwide media coverage, the attention and backing of a large number of football fans across the UK, bringing the club closer to the fans and the community again, potentially increased attendance figures and a potential platform to seek financial backing from the SPL or private sponsorship. IF YOU CAN SEE A CHANGE COMING - SRIKE WHILST THE IRON IS HOT - PIONEERING IS A RISK BUT COULD BRING MAJOR DIVIDENDS IF SUCCESSFUL. :crazy07: :crazy07: :crazy07: