highlandexile

1 hour ago, CaleyCiuin said:

As I posted, it’s overpriced. I had my two kids with me. It’s not just the beer, it’s all products. My opinion, my comment.

That is a shame you have come away from Bar94 with the opinion that it's overpriced.

As Robert said, like for like, it's substantially cheaper than bars in the town. Not just the beer.  This has been achieved by it being run exclusively by volunteers.

But that's just life, you can't please everybody. 

6 hours ago, Fraz said:

His position with the Community Trust has nothing to do with his position on the ICT board though and absolutely nothing to do with the financial situation we're in. Just looked like a massive deflection to me. 

To be fair, somebody in the room had asked what would happen to the community trust should the football club go into administration.  

But he did milk his moment to talk about the community trust and completely ignored anything to do with his 7 years on the football board.

Pretty annoyed with the club at the late call off yesterday afternoon.  I'd organised 2 tables totalling 20 people.  Mostly season ticket holders wanting to put money into the club.  Yes, £50 was quite pricy for a curry, a pie and 2 drinks.  But, as has been said, a lot of our group thought it was an opertunity for a good get together while putting money into the club.  

I  think only one other table had been booked but even with 30, we had thought it would have gone ahead in some form.  After all some money for the club is better than none.  

Posted for old caley girl:

HT 1-0

FT 2-0

ICT first to score: Bray

Dundee first to score: Murray

Crowd: 1869

Absolutely gutted to hear the news.  Been friends for a long time with Johndo and I too have been led astray by him many times over the years!

He will be missed greatly.  Away games will not be the same without him.

This is a horrible situation we find ourselves in as fans.  We don't want to be seen supporting the current board/SG but we are still supporters of the team.

Personally I'm going to the game today after a lot thinking about it.  It's a pity that a protest isn't happening before the game as I think that would show the feeling of the supporters rather than just not going to the game.  

I Worry that without a protest a low crowd will just be put down to fan apathy rather than a boycott.

I also don't buy the argument that a protest would in any way jepordise the investment talks.  Rather the opposite it would show the club has support and is worth saving.

16 minutes ago, DoofersDad said:

 

Under what name was the appeal lodged?  If successful we have to hope that Morrison and Munro can find another company to build and operate the plant.  This could still bring in some significant money for the club, but relying on such speculative ventures is no basis on which to fund a football club.

 

It's just been lodged today so the documents have not yet been uploaded.  But I'd assume the appeal would be made in the same name as the original application which was Intelegent Land.

11 minutes ago, DoofersDad said:

 

Under the heading of "current assets", there is a figure of over £1M against "Debtors".  In the previous year, this was just £172K.  So why the big increase?  Who owed us the cash and has it subsequently been paid?  I wonder if it is primarily the money we were expecting for the park and ride scheme associated with the hydro scheme project and which won't now be received?  If so, that will make our net assets position around £1M worse than the 2023 accounts show.

The accounts then show we owe over £3M to creditors.  Does this mainly relate to loans made to the club by Morrison and Munro?  If so, future investors will want to know how much if any, these 2 expect to be returned.  The charges are still in place at Companies House.

 

It's always difficult to see the whole picture when there is no p&l accounts posted. But, I'd hazard a guess the debtors will be an accrual done to pull the cup money into that years accounts.  

It's also interesting to see that the appeal for the battery farm with the scottush government was also lodged today.  Maybe that's the way to clear the balance sheet of the directors loans?

38 minutes ago, robbo1985 said:

Has anybody bought a season ticket yet and does anybody have intentions of buying one before the 'loyalty/early bird' period finishes on Tuesday? 

I ask because totally conflicted myself and find it hard to imagine the team running out to next to no supporters next season...

However I am shocked at the way things are being run and handled right now and would find it hard to part with the best part of £300 given the current situation.

I bought my season ticket after the first  supporters trust statement encouraging it.  I deeply regret doing it after what has happened since and the trust u turning.

I was deeply conflicted as I could not see a time where I would not be supporting the team.  But on the other hand I feel uneasy of supporting a club that has done the things to our players they have done.

9 hours ago, bigterrybutcher said:

Rough count and I mean rough but nearly 1000 season tickets sold already generating nearly 200k into the club personally I've ordered 4 shirts today and renewed the season ticket. Now is the time to back the team if your able to 

Season ticket sales were steady but nowhere near that figure.  A lot holding fire on renewing until certain things have been sorted.

I really struggled between holding out till SG was gone or buying my season ticket so the club has cash flow to pay wages for the staff etc.

I decided it was more important to buy my season ticket and trust the directors when they say that SG is working his notice and will be gone at some point.  The sooner the better.

It's a gamble.  But after a few weeks of not knowing whether I had a club to support next season, I decided to take the leap of faith.  Let's hope I'm not let down by the club.

15 minutes ago, STFU said:

£300k on renting can't be right.  That's 25 properties at a grand a month.

Unless they've all been living it up by staying in the Kingsmills Hotel.

If we were really paying that sort of sums in rent for players accomodation, why did the club not buy some properties for players.  That's what other clubs do.

That way they are not paying silly money to line the pockets of others and the club retains the assets.

You wouldn't think that several board members make a living in the construction/property rental businesses.

38 minutes ago, bdu98196 said:

Sounds like a principled stance, however all this does is weaken the finances at our club and increase those of our competitors. In another years time everyone will say we should have invested more or done better if results dont go our way yet individuals including fans need to be honest about their roles in that case.

 

I get your point but unfortunately there are very few other ways for fans so show their feelings to the board.

This situation where fans feel they are now so disconnected with the club hasn't happened overnight.   There has been fans meeting etc but nothing is getting through to the board.

In the statement Ross Morrison talked about unity.  If him and the board really beleive this then the only actions fans have to make them sit up and listen is by withholding money buy not renewing season tickets etc.

Its not something most fans want to do but what is the other option to get change? 

1 hour ago, Robert said:

From the note of the February Fans Meeting, Scott Young said there were 1459 season tickets and a further 50 half season tickets. 

Unfortunately he could not say what the split of these are.  The real question needed asked was how many full paying season ticket holders?

1 hour ago, ictchris said:

 As for the old Caledonian and Inverness Thistle shareholdings, again, who controls that?  My memory is that these shares reflected the membership of the pre-merger 

 

From memory, these shares are classed as category A shares which do not have the right to vote like ordinary shares do.  However, instead these shares came with a fixed 10% voting right which is currently  held by the supporters trust.

What a sad day this is for ICT supporters.

Reading all the responses here and on other social media platforms, it feels like this has really divided our support.  Everyone has the right to their own opinions but its really sad to see that anyone who thinks the council has come to the correct decision is somehow not a real supporter of the club.

Just remember it was not the council who got the club into this financial situation resulting in an all or nothing planning application.

At a time when supporters should be coming together to find a way to salvage the club, we seem to be fighting with each other.

25 minutes ago, bdu98196 said:

Try contact the club directly, there could be a platform for online participation?

I've sent an email to the SLO asking about the possibility of a live stream.  Will see what the response is.

 following the bewildering behaviour of certain Highland Councillors in seeking to overturn a democratically lawful decision to award the club with planning permission for the ICT Battery Farm, I feel we must enlighten our fans re just what has been going on in relation to this most crucial matter and I will answer all and any questions relating to the Battery Farm 

I’m finding the above statement from the club very uncomfortable as a supporter of the club.  Its seems that anyone who does not support the battery farm somehow does not support the future of the club.

Its also a bit of a contradiction that, the club are objecting to the overturn of a democratically lawful decision, even though the council are more than lawfully entitled to call this decision in to the full council.  But the chairman made it clear that if the planning decision went against them they could raise a challenge with the Scottish Government!

This all feels like a publicity stunt to bully the councillors to vote in favour of a planning application that many do not feel comfortable with.

It’s also disappointing that the club are finally engaging with supporters but only taking questions relating to the battery farm.  When really most of us are wanting answers as to how we got to this situation and would question the running of the club in general.  The current board really do not seem to have any other plans if the battery farm fails.

Without the accounts being made public, its hard to see how bad things really are financially but rumours are the club could have made up to a million pounds in losses.  When you compare this to other clubs like Ayr and Morton who have both managed to make small profits despite having a similar support to us, what is going so badly wrong with us?

So many questions, but I feel this meeting will be nothing but Highland Council bad and its all their fault if the club fails!

8 hours ago, Fraz said:

I wasn't at the meeting nor can I speak to the rest of it but the ICT girls football academy has absolutely no link to the battery project and is entirely self funded. 

Not sure why Mr Morrison would say that. 

This is all to try and prove that the profits from the battery farm sale will have a socio-economic benefit for the city.

The document submitted by he new planning consultant is very reliant on claiming the funds will go towards a lot of projects particularity things run by the community trust.   There is also a lot about the funding of the new pitches which basically claims that none of these things can continue without this money.

All very odd as its always been claimed in the past that all these projects as self funded!

These extracts are directly from the document submitted to HC:

A significant proportion of the financial benefits accrued from the development will be managed through the ICTFC Community Development Trust. This is an established charitable Trust organisation that already provides significant benefits to the local community including funding community related initiatives; incorporating school visits to develop the importance of health and exercise, walking football, facilities to enable participation by disabled persons and school breakfast clubs. The community/charitable work is delivered by a combination of paid ATC staff, volunteers, supporters and members of the local community. The investment of time spent on community and charitable work is some 14,000 hours equivalent to 1,758 days or 352 person weeks. The Trust access funding through multiple sources which is challenging in the current financial climate and the stability of income over several years can help provide a stable platform to flourish and grow. For 2022-23 the Trust had an income of some £181,718 of which £165,000 was spent on community initiatives. The Trust delivered projects to the local community and in an educational setting equivalent to some 12, 000 hours or 80% of its annual activity. This is a considerable contribution to the area and will continue to expand and progress with the funding the BESS provides.

The proposed new Hub at the IRA will enable these initiatives to be expanded and developed and increases the community benefits to the local area. The new Hub will only be capable of delivery with the funding this proposal will deliver.

56 minutes ago, ICT Supporters Trust said:

A big thank you for everyone who came along to yesterday's meeting in the Caley Club, and particular thanks to Board Member George Moodie who led the Q&A Session.

Thanks also to Ross Morrison, who joined for the first hour, and to Scott Young, who was present for the full meeting. It is encouraging to see the Chairman and Board wishing to engage with the Supporters Trust and with fans in general.

A full update will appear on the Supporters Trust website in due course, but some highlights from the discussion.

Ross Morrison provided an update on the Battery Park, and the implications for the club. The planning decision will be made by the Council at Wednesday's South Area Planning Committee. The club has overcome three of the four grounds for refusal, with the loss of open space being the remaining issue. With the work that has been put in since the previous Planning Meeting, Ross is confident that the application will be approved. If it is, the club will quickly receive a seven figure sum which will stabilise finances, allow debt to be cleared, and allow investment to start in areas which will secure future income streams for the club. The club will not get an ongoing income stream from the Battery Park. Areas which may see investment include the North Car Park.

However, the position is very bleak if the application is refused. An appeal will be submitted, but the delay will cause significant cash flow issues for the club, as it cannot continue to sustain the level of losses that have been prevalent in recent years. This will have a serious negative impact as the club will not be able to support all its current activities.

Fans received an update on the activities of the Community Trust, and in particular the good progress that has been made on the Sports Hub. The future progress on this is one of many issues which are dependent on the planning decision on Wednesday.

Scott Young advised that, at the club's Board Meeting on Friday, he was confirmed as the Supporters Liaison Officer. Scott indicated his commitment to making this role work, and to ensuring that the club responds to contact from fans and takes action where it is required. The Supporters Trust has been pushing for the club to make the SLO work properly, and this is a welcome step forward. We look forward to working closely with Scott to ensure that fans' issues are understood and addressed.

Scott advised that there are 1459 season tickets, and a further 50 half season tickets were sold. The club intends to be more proactive when it comes to season ticket renewals this year.

The meeting between the Trusts Disability Group and the club remains outstanding, but a date should be fixed soon.

Options for Hospitality Days that are aimed at fans rather than businesses are being explored.

The club recognises that the attractiveness of player sponsorship has reduced, and intends to address this for the coming season.

It has been great to see some new members join the Trust in recent weeks: welcome to you all!

The Trust exists to represent fans of the club, and to be a bridge between the club and its supporters. Membership is only £5 (£1 for under 16s) and joining is easy. Just follow this link:

https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us

If anyone has any comments for the Supporters Trust, we can be contacted through this link:

https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/contact

or through the Trust Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ICTSupportersTrust

Thank you again for everyone who attended yesterday's meeting.

 

Robert Andrew

(please note that the above is my personal summary of the key issues and not a formal Trust report on the meeting).

 

 

I  did make the meeting and while I do appreciate the chairman and a director turning up,  I came away from the meeting feeling very disheartened.  While there may be some small sound bites being said to try and make out they are listening, most suggestions were being dismissed.

To see no progress with the disability group is also very disappointing and for the club to now say they are waiting  for potential names to allow for due diligence before the meeting feels like they are just stalling on a very important issue. 

They were also very dismissive of the issues that happened in the North stand at the Dundee United game.  They did not seem prepared to listen to season ticket holders that were affected.  Homophobic abuse and unacceptable behaviour by a small majority of supporters were brushed under the carpet.

I know a lot of the focus is currently on the battery farm but does that have to be to the detriment of the day to day running of the club.

On 1/28/2024 at 3:05 PM, Leaky Blinder said:

Just a thought but will the Supporters Liason Officer also be liasing with the supporters ?  

I received a response to an e-mail I sent to the SLO e mail address.  Turns out Scott Young is now officially the clubs SLO, so the answer to your question is yes!

Still being recomended for refusal.

1 hour ago, STFU said:

Doesn't make any difference to me, as I won't be going to the meeting, but I'm with Jamie.  The last time I was in there it was full of Rangers fans and even had Rangers memorabilia hanging on the walls.

Were a lot of fans not also boycotting it for this and other reasons?

I was one of many fans boycotting due to the Rangers issues.

Luckily, the person involved has now left and I went back to the club for the first time in a long time on Saturday.

The club is now being run by the committee and there is a big improvement already.

2 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

Is it not the case though, that whilst a lot of that bread and butter stuff has indeed been dealt with poorly, it is only big projects that could realistically make a major difference to our finances? 

Yes, I agree, but not to the detriment of everything else.  A football club is nothing withhlout fans.

I would also be happier if the big money projects SG was in the press shouting about actually made the club money.

We all know the disaster the concerts were despite SG telling us all that concerts were the future for the club.  Was that his fault with insisting on doing everything in house to make more money instead of handing it over to a company that knew what it was doing and making less money but still a profit. Yes it was.

We were then told by him that the free port was an amazing opportunity for the football club.  Only to be told by the chairman recently that was not true.

Now all hope is being placed on a battery farm, is that going to go totally pear-shaped too.......

Like I said, he talks a good game but never seems to deliver.  And thats not only at our club.

2 hours ago, MacOne said:

I'm just going to put it out there.  I have met SG a number of times, at games and outwith, and have always found him good company, interesting and willing to chat.  He's got an almost impossible job, with no money to do it, and most criticism seems to be based on him supporting Rangers, 'Gasp, shock, horror, pearl clutching'.

What I really dislike though is that no-one actually knows the facts but everyone is absolutely sure that if it is negative it is true. Yes communication is poor, but as far as I can see we have a SLO, and a communications team, and they are the ones failing.

The man has tried things, some have worked, some haven't, but at least he has tried.

While I'm on a roll.. Let's be honest about our club and our city. Our attendances of c 2000, if you believe that, are shocking, the cub is in decline and with the best will in the world it is not Scott Gardiners fault.  The city does not support the team, for whatever reason, definitely not because SG supports Rangers, and that is what we need to fix. Getting rid of the CEO will not sort that.

I agree that SG can be good company etc.  But, my problem with him is he talks a good game but nothing happens.

The club may not have a large budget, but he seems to not want the fans money and only interested in the big, high risk projects which so far have not been successful.

Too focused on concerts, free ports and battery farms and not interested in the bread and butter business of football and the fans.  Season tickets not being renewed, hospitality non existant, player sponsorship nothing like it used to be, businesses not supporting club any more due to the concert fiasco, lack of communication and lack of fan engagement.  The list goes on and that is nothing to do with him being a Rangers supporter!

2 hours ago, RiG said:

What involvement in the planning application have the club had? Everything has been done in the name of ILI. Have we chucked them some cash to get this off the ground and are now desperate for it to be approved so we (somehow) benefit financially? It's incredibly odd for a party with seemingly no direct involved in a planning application come out and lambast the local authority for their recommendation. This SPV sounds like another "at arms length" company using club finances possibly in a similar manner to the concert company which obviously went well. I'm all for diversification of revenue streams but it seems that we chasing overly ambitious schemes at times and don't employ the necessary expertise to deliver them.

According to he chairman at the fans meeting, they have agreed for the car parks at the stadium to be used by ILI for the red john project.  But instead of the club getting the money for the rental of the car parks ILI are doing the planning application for the club for this battery farm.  well that was my understanding.

At the meeting he said that the club owned the land, but when challenged that it was in fact David Cameron and David Sutherland that owned the land, he then sad that there was a lease in place.  Not quite sure how that then equates to the club getting a seven figure sum should planning go through.  Do they then get a rental figure from the company who would run the battery farm, who knows!!!!!

Then there is the planning itself, which was always going to be difficult to get through as its on land that was designated as an area where no development could take place.  The battery storage facility is also very close to a built up area.  The chairman had said that was not an issue as ILI had got lots of these planning permissions through but, these permissions were a lot further away.  In one objection it was quoted that the battery farm would only be 30m away where battery farms that had got planning granted  were over 250m away!

I really hope this is not yet another pipe dream by the club of making big money away from the football.  But after the concert fiasco followed by the freeport lie, my trust in the board of directors and the CEO is not very high.