CaleyD

I suspect the lack of "novelty" factor has also had a significant hand in reduced interest.

U16's GO FREE - When Accompanied by Paying Adult (or Adult ST Holder)...Max 2 Free Tickets per Adult Season Ticket Holders Bring a Friend for a Fiver Offer Tickets MUST be obtained at least an hour before kick-off. See Official Website or Call Ticket Office for Further Details

It is the Christmas period, so I guess it's appropriate, right?!

Depends on the conditions and whether snow or surface water needs to be dealt with....wind can also cause issues in ensuring nobody ends up in the Firth! Today was pretty straight forward as none of those things were a factor. I wasn't there, so couldn't tell you how long, but certainly don't think it would've been any more than about 45 minutes...if that.

Covers serve a dual purpose....they help hold heat in and keep the frost off. This compliments use of the USH system. It is expensive to run, but not as expensive as having a game postponed so cost isn't a factor on whether or not it is used. Fair point...if the club worked on the basis that fans were out to take advantage! Thankfully that's not the case and there was a good few folk who couldn't afford a ticket that were grateful of a chance to "earn" one by helping out the club. Also had some who took nothing and those who already had tickets who were using the extra ticket to bring friends/family. Being "restrictive" is one of the biggest criticisms levied at football clubs, surprised to see you suggest it should be applied in this (or any) instance. Don

But how times has an ICT player gone down to easy or from no contact It's precisely that kind of approach to thinking on the subject that prevents it being dealt with.

Appealing red cards is quite a difficult affair...especially when it's not a clear cut case. When it comes down to the likes of the Draper one, where there is contact and it falls to refs opinion, then you are basically relying on him changing his mind in order to have it overturned....and that rarely happens. Again, it's an example of a system that is not fit for purpose as you are asking the person who made an error to admit to it and have a mark placed against them on their record....and it costs the club £500 to ask the question!

Yes, I forget which turnstile numbers for cash gates, but just look for the notices or get along in the morning if you can and purchase from ticket office (open from 9am).

I don't believe McCoist ever, technically, worked for free. Like others he merely accepted that cash flow was non existent and he'd have to wait for what he was due under the "footballing debt" rules which assured him of his cash despite all external creditors being told to do one. I have no issue with him taking/seeking what he is legally entitled....but let's not try and paint him as some kind of Saint.

The club are looking for volunteers to assist with removing the pitch covers at 10am on Sunday. Free match ticket for anyone able to assist...and if you have already purchased your ticket for Sunday you can have another to bring a friend or we'll give you a ticket for the St Mirren match instead (same goes if you are a Season Ticket holder). Those able to assist should just turn up at the Stadium for 10am on Sunday. Thanks in Advance.

I was, tongue in cheek, making the point that the game is on Sunday! You seem to be working on the assumption that we've not sold many home tickets...which is far from the case. Main Stand is all but sold out and the North Stand looks about 65% full already. It's not inconceivable that it could be close to capacity attendance for Sunday.

Rival Not harsh at all fair chance we will see Dons fans in the home areas tomorrow too all beit without colours I'm no fan of Aberdeen mainly due to their stupid accents but I tip my hat to them for travelling in such numbers Dougal Can have the entire home end tomorrow as far as I'm concerned.

The pitch is not frozen and was fine at lunchtime when the covers were put on...purely as a precaution.

Yes....they've sold out the South Stand, the uncovered south wing of Main Stand and less than 70 tickets left in the West Stand.

The Away (Aberdeen) End will be ALL TICKET on Sunday. Still a few away tickets available, but these MUST be purchased in advance. Please also note that due to the volume of ticket collections (both ends), we ask you arrive in plenty of time....at least an hour before kick-off. If you are able, we recommend collecting tickets from Stadium before Sunday. Still North Stand tickets available for Home Fans Only.

It's not inconceivable that one act of cheating could "earn" a club 10's of thousands of pounds from an additional league place and qualification for Europe. Factor in things like potential increase in crowds from Euro qualification, additional merchandise sales etc and the financial gains could easily be a healthy 6 figures, maybe even 7 figures if you can get a wee run going. On that basis the current system of punishment is out dated as it is "soft" (in comparison to the potential gains) and no longer fit for purpose as it does nothing to compensate the team which has lost out as a result of the cheating....redress is pretty much non existent. This is something that has been recognised in cup tournaments where cheating can now result in a game being replayed...or a team being removed from the tournament and the other team advance in their place. There's no reason a similar approach/attitude should not be applied to league tournaments. What's more, does it not seem bizarre that the league will happily strip points from a team for off field irregularities, but not for cheating on it!?

I'd be more concerned if nobody was showing any interest in our players.

I'm not sure it works like that. Isn't his "unavailability" for the Utd game just an arrangement between the two clubs rather than unavailability under SFA rules? Have looked at the rules and the reference is "Effective immediately to the player’s Recognised Team’s next two matches"....so the whole availability thing isn't actually a factor. Pretty sure this must have changed in the past couple of seasons as I'm certain it used to refer to availability.

As I understand it, he would miss Dundee Utd plus another two games....as he's on loan from him then he's not available for that game and the ban pertains to his next two "Available" matches.

The Ticket Office is extremely busy with a large call backlog. They are asking that people phoning for tickets use the Hotline number instead 0844 847 1888 Or Purchase online at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ictfc/default.aspx

These decisions are not made on a whim and the club do publicise opening hours (festive hours have been out there since start of December). They also look at sales from previous seasons and which days are busy on the lead up to Xmas...then around that they decide which days they can/will open....baring in mind that there's a very small number of staff and their time off also has to be factored in. Having looked at all the information and the resource available, the decision was made to close over the weekend and open the 3 days this week (including Xmas Eve) instead, as historic information on sales showed these days tend to be busier/more profitable. Getting a stall in the Eastgate the weekend before Xmas is near impossible (and a lot more expensive) compared to other times, which is why the club had their stall up there a week last Friday....and did a healthy trade. Whilst any "lost" sale is unfortunate, it's just not practical to cater for every scenario or the needs of every individual. Had the shop opened on Saturday and closed Xmas Eve instead then it would have probably meant someone else missing out....or likely more people based on historic sales patterns. The "should have publicised it better" point is one that does irk me a little. The majority of people who complain are those who haven't seen the published information...and as Joe has highlighted above, those who haven't even bothered to look for themselves. The club does more to publicise information these days than it ever did...I know this because it used to be one of my biggest announces and something I personally work on at the club. If there's anything that's likely to send me on a wee foot stamping rant around the stadium it's when there's a failure to communicate something properly to the fans....thankfully it doesn't happen too often these days. My post is not there to defend, or otherwise, the clubs decision to close on Saturday....merely, in the spirit of good communication, to explain the reason for it. Some people will agree, some will disagree and a few will just see opportunity to call me a Happy Clapper or (my new personal favourite) a Caley Thistle Rent Boy!

Joe...as per the times on the website, the shop was shut on Saturday. http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1433-festive-period-opening-hours Whether it should or shouldn't have been is a different discussion, but the info was/is there and was publicised.

I was under the impression that much of the work done by Brora this season was in preparation for making the step up!

Congratulations to Caley Jags Fan, Ken Selkirk, winner of the #ICTFC 12 Days of Christmas Prize Bundle valued at over £1000 : http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1442-we-have-a-winner

Codswallop. If, as the OP states, losing to sides we feel we should be beating was a frequent occurrence we wouldn't be 2nd in the league. He then goes on to try and make a direct correlation between the result on Saturday and the expected performance in 10 matches time! Assertions that are inaccurate and illogical.....in fact, you could call them "knee jerk".