Kirishima

I voted no. An unpopular choice no doubt. However, i think we use the players we have at the moment and im sure Barry gets a salary, which ICT need to justify, so my head rules my heart over this one. If hte club do sign him i will be very happy, however, i would prefer to see the wages go on a future talent as it may benefit us more in the long run.

Well, I guess that as the festive season draws nearer and nearer, it won't be this year. However, it is an excellent inititive, and if the club are watching...please allocate some time to this. A little goes a long way, and it is Christmas after all. I think my pie-runner idea has legs, i mean it doesn't cost any extra dough but its gone a bit stale now. Seriously though, BB is one of my favourite features, it is usually trivial, but it does matter, and basically could we have it back please.

Ha ha. But i'm not in the least surprised. I mean, look at the name of the scottish fottball fans forum...pie and bovril. It is the only place i can get both,and not feel like a jake, or a pig. I, for example, wouldnt order one for lunch and go back into the office...i would hide in the toilets and scoff it...but at a game - bingo. Seriously though, it is a huge part of the matchday experience, and thats why people are posting.

I prefer vegetable lasagne to meat lasagne, and i am the biggest carnivore since T-Rex/Les Dawson. I personally like to have ma Bovril in one hand and Scotch pie in the other, with two more in my pocket. It's part and parcel of football for me. I cannot see the caterers adding vegetarian options asides from Macaroni pies unless it made up 20% of orders. Scotch Pie, Steak Pie, Macaroni Pie, Mince Pie, Balti Pie, Chicken Pie... thats where the real money is. 10% won't get them changing the order books I don't imagine. I wouldn't order a vegetarian burger but i would order a broccoli, carrot, potato and stilton pie. Does such a thing exist? If so, I would prob buy that (and my 3 scotch pehs)

Yes, very pleased to see some club viewpoints on the catering, which is a very important part of the matchday experience. I hope this is a sign of things to come, as although i don't expect the club to be on the forums day and night, a quick Q and A on certain matters via a mod, can work wonders to fan morale. Sterling work.

Yes, i think we are all on the same page (maybe just different paragraphs) with this. The list was just used to underline some of the reasons that why, one way or another, some fans are not as content as they could be, though in saying that, no fan is ever truly happy, and can always do better from their armchair, such as myself. Darren does have the backing of me, and I dare say most people too. The catering issue is new, and up in the air, and indeed will remain to be seen. I am optimistic about what Darren will do given time. What I would lile to see is CTO, the Supporters Trust, and ICT working in partnership, within reason given that the Supporters Trust and CTO are volunteers and as was pointed out by CaleyD, cannot be expected to fix things overnight. So, I guess the bottom line is this: Improved communication is essential to ensure a strong, consistent, healthy operation of the club, now and for the future. It is imperative that there is a much bigger effort made by ICT, which I believ will go a long way to making sure attendance numbers do not drop. My fear is that without this, the effects will be seen at the start of next season, and that there is no time for indecisive action from the club on this. They will reap what they sow, so to speak. A simple marketing example: There are 20 odd social media outlets such as Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, Twitter, Wordpress, blogspot, Flickr, You Tube, Google GEO, Digg, and many more. Now, im sure most clubs aren't on these, but that doesn't mean it's acceptable. My point here is that the club are well aware that communication is a sorepoint, and it is simple to fix it overnight. So, we will see if they either react in the positive, or in the opposite by doing nothing. (My Christmas travel plans have been destroyed as of 50 minutes ago via BA Cabin Crew, so apologies for any harshness in tone) As always, my great thanks to all at CTO who regularly provide an amzing service to fans through their own selflessness. I am not being sycophantic, it is just that it goes unsaid too often.

Yes, I agree. I would imagine it would not be on those terms, if it all but rather if the landscape was considerably different than the staus quo. As I say, it is pie in the sky stuff. But if we build it, they will come. Georgeios...you are the ICT Head of Lossiemouth Development and Recruitment, a post you have been in for some time now, no?

How are Ebbsfleet doing anyway with their fans buyout? I also thought there was a team in Scotland already who had a fans buyout?? Stirling Albion's owner is far far worse than DS, infact, DS is a saint compared to SA's. They couldn't do it because he wanted more cash in his greedy hands. Scotty is chief scout for Canada, Latviaman, Gabby, Me, Scarlet Pimple, Stevico, are all similarly busy, as with others abroad that I am missing out. A fans buyout will be the future of many a club

You are right, MorganSpice. It is far too early to say for sure. However I base my assumptions on the basis that at the start of the season the club were pushing the bounce back up slogan, and fans were looking forward to seeing lots of wins...that hasn't happened. And yes, there is a chance that we may be playing SPL next season, though i think it would be a big turnaround. I just think that the supporters will be a bit teed off when there is a sudden drive and impetus from the club at season ticket time, when before and after is like a ghost town. That is why, and I don't wish to be correct, i think you will see a fair drop. Is it incorrect to make such assumptions? I don't think the club can expect people to keep the same level of loyalty/spending when they aren't making any efforts to please them In this day and age of social media, where 76% of the population is online and of that 86% of 15-24 year olds, 89% of 25-34 year olds and 67% of 55 yearolds who are online use social media with user-generated content, it is damned easy to connect with your customer base. The fact is, nothing, and i mean, nothing is done to engage with customers of ICT...until season ticket time. That will be reflected come season ticket time

How many season tickets will be sold next year? The same? 90%? I'd say less. Its got to the stage where only the thick and thin supporters will be left. Administration is a reality for all clubs if things dont go well. There is less money in the Scottish game than ever before

theman4thejob will love this thread... Since i'm bored trying to organise my connections back to the isle of skye I will distract myself on this one. A fans buyout may yet be in the pipeline, only after its been rundown into div 2 mind, and Marius has got 3p in the pound after the administrators have been and gone . All clubs are facing the wall, mind, so this is not a directed post. But speaking in the clouds I would have this Alan Savage and David Stewart as Chairman (rotating), with Robbie the Pict as vice-Chairman, Caley D, Guzz, IHE, and Maimie as directors, Pele as manager, Charlie asst., Barry Wilson, and Iain Stewart as coaches, and SMEE as Gaelic-relations officer.

Issues with atmosphere DS vs DJS fiasco Catering Singing section Video Marius Savage Car Parking Stewards Standing Chants Youth team Club shop Strips Songs CTO features All these things could have been responded to. Infact, i would be as bold to say it would have taken an afternoon meeting. However, it is simply the case that the club operates within itself, and has a policy of not interacting with the fans. It's policy. As Caley D said, next season, next season will see very little income come ICTs way, season tickets will be massively lower than this year, playing squad reduced, administration. And i doubt any fight will be put up by the club. I am resigned to this fact. It's a shame, because with a bit of effort it could be different. However, the apathy of the ICT staff (i exclude the club shop staff- 10 years ago they were great, and still seem to be as good) means we face watching the slow decline. Oh well.

Hmmmm?? Why just season tickets holders? Of course, for everyone, true. I am not a season ticket holder, but I think people who buy season tickets are entitled to know if prices are going to be increased in advance. Any price hike should be done beforehand. I don't want to get all heavy on the club, but I think it is unfair to have increased prices without notifying anyone. Obviously this was part of the negotations in signing the five-year deal - so what do fans get out of this? They are now being forced to spend even more money, and that is the bottom line. I just think that everything seems to be moving further and further away from the fans. It doesn't feel like being part of anything anymore, and that's sad.

Does anyone remember what the prices were before and after the new takeover? From the Press release it stated "Last season (08/09) the Lindley Group increased revenue returned to clubs by an average of 12.5%, with some clubs achieving increases as high as 21% and 22%." So I think we can now see how that was achieved: sell less, charge more. Still, a bit galling for season ticket holders, especially familes with hungry kids.

Can someone please verify this from the club? Or could someone from CTO ask the club as a matter of PR. These questions are purely for information only and are not meant in any manner apart from the aforementioned. Were the "staff" from Edinburgh? Have prices gone up? Were the queues the same? Has quality remained the same or even got worse? Did the shop run out of things at half time? How long is the contract? What was the reason for appointing this company? Thank you ICT/CTO for assisting us on this matter.

I too have been wondering about this. August came and went and no boardroom banter. Can anyone from CTO confirm if the questions were sent as usual and if so when?

Scotty/Caley D: Can we have a Matchday Pie Thread today? You can easily throw together a photo of Linley's, a pic of a pie, the eat-off time, the menu line-up, half time stock take stats, and those at the game could send tweets to let us know how they are going; quality, queues, prices, etc. I would go as far to say that the pies may overshadow the game today, such is the clamour here. I have decided tofly back to sneck just for the pies on boxing day.

I applaud the club for addressing the pie issues. I said many moons ago in ye olde boardroom banter of yesteryear that they should get pie-runners...the jury is still out on that i guess. I would hope that the pies would not be some frozen stock that is farmed out to all and sundry rather that they are managing the service and efficiency of the operation, rather than cutting costs and offering mass produced stodge. All eyes will be on the pies.

I would say this is a very good thread. If the fans could: - set up a ICT Choir Group - Submit to the club the numbers in said group - discuss the possibility of musical instruments - work with police, stewards, club to allow instruments, etc - agree on some basic dos and dont's - take requests, do rehearsals etc If the club could: - give 10% discount to this group - allow them to use drums, bagpipes, etc - allow them to store banners, instruments, etc at the club - allow them a free hospitality day once a season then i think you would get a very good response. I am unclear about SFL rules on instruments etc. It is unfair to ask people to do something without a little in return (i would never join as I am both overseas and too quiet, but realise that those who make the effort should get something in return) Would the club make an offer of 10% discounts, storage, support and a free hospitality day in return for the co-operation and effort of a section of the support?

no no nooooo...

what happened??

I think that a few good suggestions have been mentioned. Golden Rules 3 week break Yellow/Red cards Though i regard myself as articulate, (and modest) i am not bothered if something written by someone else is not. As long as it attempts to add something to the discussion (i.e. isn't just an insult) then it doesn't cross my mind. Younger users are the lifeblood of this forum. Eventually, one day, when Scotty and Caley D hang up their boots (or should it be mice) then one would hope that someone would keep the home fires burning. That will invariably (just proving my articulateness here...) be some young whippersnapper. Is there anyway the forum could encourage them to be more involved? At present, some (and certainly not all) younglings are far too removed from the site (as in have never met scotty/caleyd, or any of the mods, and haven't been in the pubs yet to meet the other 97% demographic) to really care about the integrity of the site. Some initiatives could help self-moderation (until they get into the pubs) Any thoughts on this?

If you take a peek at my avatar, you will see that I am only to familiar with the big brother, censor, style. I cannot access Faceb, Twitter, Picassa, Blogspot etc. It is not a great road to go down. I believe that this forum should cease to be anonymous. I think that would help the forum in terms of virtual bullies, liability, personal attacks, et al. Anyway that could realistically be done? On the Japanese version of Facebook, called Mixi, membership is by invitation only. That may work?

The long and short of it is, if the site becomes a chore for the operators, it will go the way of the dodo, for sure. I can understand why, there is so much backbiting, and i think it is from people arguing over Section G. If we could remove those arguments (and it is the subject of Section G, and not necessarily the people in section G, i am referring to) I have never heard of Section G, and i would not know where it is if i was asked to point it out. The only reason i know of section G, is because this site is full of references to section G. That leads to personal abuse, squabbles, petty infighting and abuse. I really believe that over-moderation is fine. I don't swear, use abusive tones or threats, get into personal abuse of posters or staff, and it has always seemed very simple. I do think that the answer is a break-off as GordyfromSneck sagely put it. It is kind of like the church: Church of Scotland, Free Church, Continuing Free Church...

Dalneigh Caley, what possible reason would you have to attack Pele in this way? The man who has given all ICT fans the best memories by far, and is probably the sole reason we ever got near the SPL. I can understand a County fan saying this but never an ICT fan. Anyway, imo success as a club manager does not mean success as an international manager. In my opinion the tp three things are: 1. Motivation 2. Tactical know-how 3. Knowledge 1. Motivation - Walter Smith 2. Tactical know-how - Walter Smith/ Craig Brown 3. Knowledge - Jim Jeffries/Walter Smith/Craig Brown So, WS it is.