CaleyD

The problem is, and it's not a new thing or specific to ICTFC, that the vast majority of those sitting on club boards don't have a clue what's important to fans. There's a dangerous combination of ignorance and arrogance which drives them to believe that they know, without having ever asked, what people should want...when they actually don't even know what they want themselves. I've said already that the studies I have seen and partaken in demonstrate that winning is low on the list of priorities and last nights result against Fort William proves that....is there really much (long term) enjoyment in results like that? If it was all about the winning every week we'd all be wearing green and white hoops! In regards the last paragraph, there's evidence to suggest that fans aren't as tuned in to what they want either. What we strive for is success, but as I said already, if that was the most important factor we'd all be following other teams. I'm the kid who always asks why...I was lucky to have had parents, an education and strength of character to maintain it. Others find it irritating because they were told, and learned to accept, "just because" as an answer...not me...and it's something that is most useful in situations like this. If clubs want to understand what fans want/need...and fans want to understand themselves...then the easiest way is to adopt the use of the "5 Whys Technique". Google it, then try it on yourself starting with the question "Why do I go to watch ICTFC?" And see where it takes you.

Don't forget the darts!

We could all sit and surmise as to what it might have been spent on....but that discussion just raises further questions, like why are they quick to tell us where they are making savings, but not so quick (in fact not at all) telling us where costs have increased? Every time a statement is released it raises more questions than answers.

That's not my point though, my point is that if your income drops by £1.2M...and you make cuts of £1.1M then your shortfall is only £100k.....if you've had investment of £900k, then the financial position should be pretty good. I don't have the accounts to hand, but there was a healthy chunk of money in the bank account at the end of the last financial year as well, so unless costs have increased elsewhere we should be sitting on circa £1M. Why then is the Chairman stating that more money is needed? Something doesn't add up!!

The financials talked about in that statement don't add up. Financial implications A second season in the Championship has implications for the way we must run the club. We estimate the loss of income this season was £1.2 million through smaller gates, fewer visiting supporters, the absence of television monies and reduced prizemoney. In the coming season, our parachute payment will be reduced from £300,000 to £150,000 and we no longer qualify for the UEFA payment for Celtic reaching the Champions League stage – a payment of £374,000. So the challenges are even greater. More than £900,000 has been injected into the club and more is needed. It is clear we need a more sustainable business model. And significant savings are being made to all aspects of the operation in order to better balance income against expenditure. We're told that income reduced by £1.2 Million...which is a figure I am familiar with. John Robertson has said that he has trimmed £1.1 million from the playing budget....if true, then that pretty much takes care of the drop in income. We've had £900k injected and MORE IS NEEDED!!! Take off the 100k difference between what Robbo's cut from the playing budget and the reduced income and we should be sitting on £800k (that doesn't include the money we had in the bank at the end of the last financial year). If we're needing more, and are to believe the figures being given....then what have be spent circa £1 Million on? Someone is either telling porkies, or we're haemorrhaging money at an alarming rate on....what?

Previous catering company have not had contract renewed, so there will be some inevitable changes. Believe we have retained the services of the person that was running it on behalf of the previous company.

This is all stuff that was done regularly before. Not sure about the current policies, but it used to be that any school could phone up and request tickets, the community department had tickets to pass out at kids courses for every home game etc.. The challenge for some schools is/was getting enough volunteers to accompany the kids...and that's not just with bringing them along to football, getting volunteers (from staff or outwith) is a growing issue. The 100 kids v players thing started back in Terry Butchers time....and wasn't even limited to 100 kids! The day was a bit more structured with skill stations and fun football challenges before having a mass kick around. Even better still, there was no need to purchase anything to qualify....all kids were welcome, regardless of whether their parents could afford to buy a shirt or not (or what preference they had for home/away shirt). D&E provided/help with transport for bringing in school groups. There was open training sessions where the team were put through their paces whilst the manager/coaches provided commentary over the mics...the first one of these we ever did had over 1000 fans in attendance, and it was pouring rain! Exclusive events for Season Ticket holders etc are great for adding value, but they should be in addition to the open, free offerings.....not instead of. Unfortunately, the "nothing for nothing" approach seems to be the direction the club is being taken down just now.

Being apathetic towards poor results is the thin end of a very fat, barbed, poisoned wedge.

IMO, Scottish Football is already squeezing every penny it can out of the fans who still attend...so any plan based on getting more from them is destined to fail. First thing that needs done is to stop the rot. Having taken part in, and seen the results from, fan satisfaction surveys...and what keeps them coming back (or not)...I can say with certainty that positive results on the park come a pretty long way down the list. It's an often given reason, but when you drill down into it you realise that it's actually just an easy excuse and the cause is a bit more complex......lacked identity with the club, didn't feel valued, poor treatment by club, poor value from the matchday experience etc. Deal with those things and you then have a more positive, engaged support who do the next bit for you...mostly...and that is to encourage more people to attend more regularly. From there on it's about tweaking the offering to ensure that resources are concentrated where they provide the biggest benefit...to club and fans. That's inevitably going to be supporting families and attracting new young supporters to the club. Build from the bottom up : 40+ yr old fans who have been attending since 1994 and who have weathered the good and the bad aren't going to need as much convincing/pampering to keep supporting the club as an 8 yr old who's having his head turned towards following a Champions League team that he'll never likely get to see live in person. Not saying the older fans should be ignored, just that it's easier/cheaper to find things to improve their matchday experience.

I think TV money is pulled and included in prize money for this tournament....same as IrnBru Cup.

Had people tell me they were told that is the case, but club not advertising it...not seen anything official though.

I think you may be making the same point I was!!

One sure fire way to ensure it never changes is to take the attitude that it will never change.

Bad enough when Hearts used to do this for league matches, but it was their money to lose. However given that this is a cup game for which we are due a split of the gate, then ICTFC should not be allowing it.

Before my time.

Was about to suggest you use your Hearts season ticket...but that won't be valid for this game ?

Not against the idea, it is/was the best option available to us....but it also means that they get Highland League quality training, match prep, tactics etc.

That was hilarious, and I think I may have bought just about enough for an open sandwich...best bus trip ever.

Nobody is suggesting another level, as such. What's needed is a means for these young fringe players to be getting regular competitive game time in a more experienced environment to allow them to properly develop and realise their potential.

Because they had been on shift for hours, needed water, the ambulance doesn't fit into the bays and the only other option was a disabled space....also those double yellows are in a private carpark, so legally mean nothing.

Never touch the stuff....well, it never touches the sides, at least!

Should rules always be rules?

It is that gap in progress/development that the SPFL/SFA have constantly failed to rectify....and one which Project Brave also fails to rectify. As the song goes.....Rip it up and start again!!

And that is how football should be decided....on the park. Hearts made an administrative error and the player was there's, had been there's and had agreed the extended contract...it just hadn't been registered. It is not as if they played a player who could/would not have been eligible if not for that fact. We can go with all the faux outrage, but in reality, they gained no real competitive advantage.

It's the friends I've made through ICTFC that, above all else, keep me coming back.