CaleyD

I think the "Mummy/Daddy is moving for work and taking their child with them so they can play football for a professional club" loophole was closed a long time ago (as it was being abused, particularly south of the border) and that dependents, whatever age, are required to meet the Tier 2 Sportsperson criteria in their own right.

It's been at least 6 months since this last came up, but for the four hundred millionth time....a part of the stadium is built on land reclaimed with rocks, sand and soil. No rubbish was ever tipped into that area. The image below shows how it was before any reclamation was undertaken.

What are you is yogi up to these days? Maybe you he could come in and help?

I may be wrong (it happened once before), but I'm pretty sure getting a work permit for a 17yr old is nigh on impossible. Hopefully I am wrong and he goes on to great things for us ?

Project Brave requires different things at different levels...the higher the level, the more people you need in different positions full time/part time etc. We were originally shooting for Elite Level, we didn't make Elite Level, but we have put things in place which would have only been required at Elite Level....there was also the option for us to split resource/cost with Ross County on some things, but I believe that hasn't happened. My understanding was that, with the additional funding that comes from the SFA for Project Brave, then being at Progressive Level would have cost clubs already operating at similar level previously (which we were) no more than it had been previously. If that's not the case, then it's because we have brought in personnel (and associated costs) that aren't required by Project Brave at Progressive Level. i.e Cost of our own making. Not saying it's necessarily a bad thing to have done, but it doesn't fit with other decisions/communication. We've performed well at Youth level for as long as I can remember, the problem has always been bridging the gap in bringing these players through to the first team....on that basis, it doesn't make sense not to have entered the Reserve League which fills that gap. We're being told everything is happening to push for promotion and a return to the Premiership....but we're channeling funds away from the first team to bring in staff that aren't compulsory and/or contributing to that aim (and not just additional coaches). As you say, there are significant issues that are being papered over....and, IMO, Project Brave is being used to assist with that. That's no reflection on the staff or the work they are doing. I'm in awe of what our Youth Department has achieved over they years with the resources available. Ok, so we might not have had high numbers coming through to the first team (certainly not since we made it to the Premiership), but just take a look at how many go on to have decent careers at some level in the professional game and we are batting above average.

I'm assuming it was Robbo's decision not to enter the Reserve League (his decision to make and he wouldn't accept being anyone else's decision, and rightly so). On that basis, the need to blood youngsters in these games would be a situation of his own making....so the buck stops there.

I wasn't passing judgment, I was highlighting that the current crop coming through are the product of a system that has been in place for a number of years and not a result of anything that has happened or been in place more recently. As you quite rightly point out, the time to judge the current setup will be in the future, although I suspect a couple more seasons is generous as those coming through for the next 4 to 6 years will still be inherited from the previous system. Some credit has to be given to Robbo for choosing youth players, but let's not forget that it will be largely due to necessity....again, time will tell on whether or not it's a setup that delivers the promised push for a return to the Premiership.

From memory, it has been suggested at previous AGMs that the cost of the clubs Youth Setup was around 10% of turnover....in the last couple of years in the premiership that would have put it at about £350k to £400k. Less than the (rumoured) fee we got for Christie.....a lot less if/when Celtic sell him and there's a kick back from that. As with many things, it's not the what's being done that is cause for concern, its the "how". We got rid of Big Dunc when relegated because we couldn't afford a development coach, but we've now brought in 3 coaches to do the job he was doing. It should be noted that the success with the youths is not a new thing, it is not the result of anything that's been done by the current board or any of the 3 new coaches who were brought in. Those success came from how things were running previously and under the very capable hand of Fiona, Ronnie and the coaches the oversaw (Charlie Christie has always been little more than a public face for PR purposes, with very little hands on coaching). I had limited involvement with Project Brave stuff when at the club, but my understanding was that it would only increase the costs if we wanted to hit Elite Level....which we haven't. Any additional cost is entirely of our own making. I'm not against additional investment in the area, but money could have been spent giving additional support to what was there (and working) instead of creating more jobs for the boys!

They didn't miss the Meekings incident, they saw it and judged it as not deliberate or meriting any action.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion or to moan....even if others disagree or think it unjustified. What people are not entitled to be is abusive, and it's clear that many don't understand the difference between the two. Those who try to pass off abuse as criticism don't get it. Those who, when taking a stance against the abusers, also lump in those who partake in a bit of moaning/critique also don't get it. They are far from the same thing, so let's not paint everyone with the same brush and portray the issue of abusive fans as being any bigger than it is. One abusive fans is too many, but by blurring the lines we do little to foster support from the vast majority (including the "moaners") who are appalled by such behaviour.

Posted this elsewhere, but will repeat it here..... Best thing people who witnessed the abuse being given out today can do is name/point out those responsible to ICTFC. Throwing abuse at them in response is only stooping to their level....be the better fan ?

I've heard this case made a few times over the years and it's one made purely on direct income....no credit is ever given to it's value as a marketing/PR/communication tool. We'll spend thousands on marketing companies/consultants etc but baulk at the idea of losing a few quid producing a programme. Very shortsighted, IMO.

Why is everyone worried about Shankland? All his goals came at a lower level and there's nothing in his career to date to show he is prolific at any higher level!

Teams outside the Premier League can sign unregistered players and loans until the end of August. He's not going to be an EPL target, and if any other club wants him then all Ayr have to do is come to a private agreement with the player to terminate his contract...he's then free to sign south of the border and use his signing bonus to pay whatever it cost to get out of his Ayr contract ?

Great start...and keeps us above C*unty ?

Angus Beith is #8

Absolutely not and I enjoy reading the views of others when it comes to talk on tactics etc....just not my bag. Anyone who'd ever read one of my match reports will attest to that ?

Plans to make this game have been thwarted. Robbo and his coaching staff are infinitely more qualified than me to decide on the selection and formation most likely to bring a result, so I'll make no comment on that. All I'm looking for is that the players give the best possible account of themselves....can never ask for any more from them than that. COME ON THE CALEY THISTLE!!!!

I have spoken with the CEO, but she's on holiday and unable to meet until she returns.

I have made (more than one) request to the club, the last one directly to the CEO, for them to provide us with squad and fixture information needed to keep the pages up to date (we keep it up to date for here and the official site)....and we've still had nothing from them.

After selling Adult Walk Up (and Season Ticket) prices to us last year on the basis of a promotion push; I find it quite incredulous that they have now sold us those prices this year on the basis of doing fans a favour by not having increased them....with no acknowledgement they are still, effectively, charging premiership prices for championship football. If Robbo has cut over £1 Million from the player budget, then where is the evidence that the additional fans money is being used to support a push for promotion? As I said before, every statement raises more questions than it provides answers...that's not an indication of good communication, let alone the promised transparency we were told could be expected. Respect is earned. Honesty is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is returned.

Sorted ?

From the article, you need to have a season ticket to get the free U12 season tickets. Clearly, our preference is that supporters commit to purchasing a Season Ticket. One of the benefits for those with a Season Ticket in the North Stand is that they can buy two Season Tickets for Under 12s free of charge.

Club have scrapped free walk-up tickets for U12s this season ?‍♂️ https://ictfc.com/news/club-news/2258-get-behind-your-team

So why the Celtic tattoo?