CaleyD

I wouldn't read anything into players not being included. This will be as much about running the rule over trialists/younger players, seeing where new signings are at, and giving anyone who needs it a bit more time in the legs. It's possible, and very likely, one or two might have aches with being back training full time, but it's not the only/obvious reason for me.

People getting offended on behalf of others always presented as a bigger challenge. A good example was when we changed the disabled/carer charging. Previously, it was the disabled person that got the free ticket and carer paid, but after discussions with involved groups it was suggested we flip it. The point put over was that everyone wanted to feel like they were contributing, and the only concession they wanted was if they required a carer to enable them to comfortably attend. The backlash did not come from disabled fans, but there was plenty of it from the wider fanbase. I think ICTFC may have been the first pro club in Scotland to change it, but others followed not long after. It's in the past, and we draw a line, but I know for a fact that there were funds ring-fenced (partly from disabled fan ticket income, partly from community funding) for work to make the west stand accessible, and properly covered*, so wheelchair users and those who couldn't manage the steps could be in among everyone else sitting over there. After Kenny stepped down, his successors denied the existence of those funds and the project never happened. As I said, in the past, but it's the kind of project that could be revived, and would benefit the club as a whole. *I was talking to one of the wind farm companies about recycling an old blade for the roof, and they were going to pay for the install. The bottom couple of steps would have been made into a platform, and a ramp installed.

I believe it's a removal of the shackles, and still the same person at the controls. The amount of criticism I got from other clubs when we started doing more candid and fan driven social media was incredible. We were called unprofessional, a bad example, accused of dragging down the tone, etc. We even had clubs try and raise complaints via the SPFL and SFA because we'd "had a laugh at their expense". For me, ruffling the feathers of the blazers was a sign we were doing something right. It even spilled over to when I was on the tannoy. I forget the game, but it was a cup match and we beat County. I decided to play 'Another One Bites the Dust" as the exit music and I got a warning from the police for inciting opposition fans. So the next time we played County I played Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves...and got a written warning. So next time we met them at home I played 'The Shadows'. At that point the match commander came to me and said "we're not going to win this one, are we" and I never got warned again I will add, I don't take all the credit. We had some amazing support on socials, especially matchday twitter, and I only ever applied one rule....never be deliberately offensive. Bouncing off other members of the fans media team was a real buzz, and hopefully they can find that again. The people on the other side of the computer get a ton of 5h1t from ours and opposition fans during the bad times (please remember there's a person on the other side), and having the freedom to be a fan and have fun on the club side really helps. Hopefully there is more positives than negatives for everyone to enjoy during the coning season.

Agree, but it sets a poor precedent and potentially ill feeling with other players. Personally, I sit in the camp that would say that if a player wants to be here, then they need to commit to properly moving here. Terry Butcher, arguably the best recruiter we've ever had (via Steve Marsela), was very strict on this. He had a formula for recruitment that went way beyond ability on the pitch, and it's no surprise a good few of his signings still live in, and are involved with, football in the area.

This any use? ICT_2025_26_Fixtures.ics

So, is this the first of the marquee signings?

With the filing on Company House today, and the first new player in the door, I'm going to hazard a guess that necessary paperwork has been completed, and we're just awaiting the filing/announcement.

I have two large surfing flags I'm willing to sell if anyone is interested (Not really)

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At only 25 he may well have been getting interest from the type of teams claimed, but he's unlikely to have been offered first team football, more likely a chance to see how he developed. Whatever the standard some might consider Crusaders to be, there's more 'shop window' opportunity for him there than here .

Which of the teams would you say were unambitious?

You'll grow out of it, along with other things like having to wear nappies and drink your meals from a bottle.

There is/was a mentality surrounding football that gaining entry to the pro leagues would bring fame and fortune...and spending money to do that would pay dividends. People who'd never been to games in their lives would start flocking to see the local team playing the 'big boys'. As we, and many others, have come to realise, that's not the case. What you're then left with is clubs which are, put simply, financially unsustainable. We've seen various attempts, schemes, promotions, offers etc. over the years that are designed to grow the fanbase. Even a Scottish Cup win and European football hasn't shifted the needle by much...if anything. If our new sustainable business model is dependent on growing crowds, we're screwed. The previous regime knew that, they were just REALLY bad at executing the side hustles needed to supplement income....and equally bad at valuing fans who were providing the income we were getting. Whilst I don't like/agree with everything Alan Savage is doing/done, I do think he's spot on with things like the need for a more affordable stadium. Recent comments may hint at the fact the planned tie-up for a move aren't going to happen soon, so work to reduce costs (and increase income) where we are are entirely sensible... saving £1000/month on energy is probably more realistic, and easier, than trying to put an extra 50 bums on seats every game. With regards to Hamilton, there have been a lot of rumours about some of the business practices taking place at/through there over the years, and there was even a time when the club had a 'feck it, we don't need fan money' and were doing things like charging 20p entry and only had something like 200 season ticket holders. This day was always coming for them, and my only surprise is that it took this long. Scottish Football needs a paradigm shift, and soon, if this trend is to change.

You three are a pair if I ever saw one

Evolution of language https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/the-proof-is-in-the-pudding/ https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/origin-of-the-proof-is-in-the-pudding-meaning https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-19082014