Sneckboy

Looking at the Albion Rovers 'experiment' mentioned above, although on a smaller scale, they claim to have doubled their gate and increased takings by 160%. I assume they do mean they increased their takings by 160% and not that they're takings were 160% of what they'd normally expect. e.g. If they doubled their attendance - and folk paid the 'going rate', they would increase they're takings by 100% (and have 200% of 'expected' receipts). On a doubled-gate, if Albion Rovers got 160% of their normal takings, people would have, on average, been paying less. But, if as they claim, they increased their takings by 160%, the punters, on average, were paying more than the standard price. It's a great initiative - I'll be paying a fiver, I reckon - and getting a taxi to-and-from the game with the money saved! (probably only joking)

And Brora have already beaten them 3-1 in the North Cup final this season - although 8 of Elgin's team had been playing Berwick away the previous day.

Former youth player Stuart Leslie has left Nairn County to sign for Deveronvale. He's also had spells at Clach and Elgin.

Apologies. The sentiments remain the same - I would love to see Richie back in the fold for ICT.

Foran speaks!...naturally tipping his country to do us over! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30026747 I happily accept that - he's a proud Dubliner after all - but I really hope we see him playing again for Inverness, and that his shoulder injury hasn't prematurely ended his career. He always seemed to keep himself fit and at 34, has hopefully got another 2 seasons, but playing he'll have lost the proverbial 'yard of pace' now, one would expect - but he could still be effective in central or left midfield. But most likely, off the bench. We're not stuck for players in that role - and, sadly there's no room for sentiment. Just checked, I'd forgotten we've got him signed until 2017!! If he doesn't make it back, then a coaching role within the club would be a natural step.

It'll be fascinating to see how it goes. I doubt we'll publicly hear the gate receipts but the attendance will be interesting. I'm sure other clubs will be keeping an eye on the outcome. As a 'control', the previous 4 attendances against St Johnstone are below. Friday 5th April '13 (19.45pm) 3,744 Saturday 23rd November '13 (3pm) 3,255 Sunday 11th May '14 (12.15pm) 3,121 Saturday 30th September '14 (3pm) 2,770 Looking back, the Friday night game attracted a decent crowd. But the most recent encounter - a traditional day/time - was 1,000 down on that. It's encouraging to see the club trying out these initiatives - it makes good business sense to acknowledge that crowds are stagnating despite the on field product, and to try to encourage more bodies into the stadium.

Revised draw after replays: St Johnstone v Ross County St Mirren v Inverness Caley Thistle Stirling Albion v Raith Rovers Rangers v Kilmarnock Hearts v Celtic Queen of the South v Brora Rangers Stranraer v Dunfermline Athletic Bo'ness v Arbroath Falkirk v Cowdenbeath Spartans v Morton Berwick Rangers v Albion Rovers Dundee v Aberdeen Annan Athletic v Brechin City Alloa Athletic v Hibernian Motherwell v Dundee United Partick Thistle v Hamilton Accies

Scottish Cup - 3rd Round (replay) Andy Barrowman TWO GOALS (Airdrieonians 0-2 Morton)

Albion Rovers tried it in January for a game against Montrose. The stipulation being pay £1 for entry - or more 'if you want'. They got over 700 instead of their 'usual' 300 and gate receipts were UP 160% on the takings from their previous home game against the same opponents. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/pay-what-you-can-crowd-3054068

Thanks for the updates ICTPaisley. Sounds like chance missed to grab our first away win. But a clean sheet is certainly a first for us this season. A 0-0 in any Development League game is a rarity!

Agree, Alex. Elgin should be concentrating on remaining in the league - they are in danger at present. Who knows, East Stirlingshire may end up being even worse, as they so often are! ... But, Elgin, perhaps could do with the 'shake up' that demotion would provide. But, I also think they'd find even the Highland League more difficult than they'd expect. They've lost to Junior and Highland League sides in recent weeks. At least the pyramid ensures that teams are promoted on footballing ability, rather than 'fiscal models' or other such presentations! Elgin probably weren't/aren't equipped for SPFL football at present. They really need to take a step back before moving forward again, which I don't doubt they will do. They're still a 'big' small club, if that makes sense. A wealthy local sponsor would help, if they could find one. The whole commercial dept/club needs to re-evaluate and start-over. They've got tourism, woollen mills, Baxters and whisky on their doorstep with a population of 28,000+ they could be competing with the likes of Peterhead, Brechin, Forfar, Montrose and Arbroath. This consistent bottom end of the league isn't surely what they envisaged when they took the big step up? Good luck Barry Wilson - a major job ahead!

How Shinnie's not in the squad beats me. And that's not a biased point of view! I've been calling for his inclusion for a while, and a lower league player being called-up ahead of Graeme baffles me. However, I'm giving Strachan the benefit of the doubt here. He's doing a good job with the national team, and if he's getting the right players into his system then, as long as it's successful, I won't complain !

It's amazed me for a while now! I absolutely think Shinnie should be given a shot! Typical 'big team' bias. While on that topic, I was listening to BBC World Service on Saturday night, and their 'Scottish football' headline was, 'Hamilton Academical miss the chance to go top'! Never mind who has (at the time) gone top - central belt club could have gone top - but didn't - that's the headline. Utterly depressing journalism.

A Brora v Elgin double-header for SPFL football would be terrific!

The 'Geek Wars' trophy would be nice to put in the outside pocket of my anorak!

The win against Hamilton means we have now defeated, in Inverness, all the clubs who have ever been members of the SPL/Premiership. We've also won away at all these clubs - except Partick Thistle! (although we've beaten them at Firhill in the 1st Division). March, next year is our chance to complete the 'set'! It's quite an achievement. Aberdeen Celtic Dundee Dundee United Dunfermline Athletic Falkirk Gretna Hamilton Accies Hearts Hibernian Kilmarnock Livingston Motherwell Partick Thistle (still to beat 'away' in the top-flight) Rangers Ross County St. Johnstone St. Mirren

Allan Smart has been appointed as boss of Southern League club Daventry Town (level 8) - his first managerial role. Smart played in the ICT's first few games before being snapped-up by Preston North End.

Incredible that the guy who scored the decisive penalty in 'sudden death' actually missed in the actual 5-penalty shoot out!

A really innovative line up - I like it! Even with that team, look how strong our bench is. Cover and options in abundance!

After tonight's result, tomorrow's game is the undisputed key fixture in Scotland - either ICT or Hamilton will go top of the Premiership on Saturday evening.

Premiership Iain Vigurs (Motherwell 1-0 Dundee United)

Inverurie Locos have signed Martin Laing from Clach in deal until the end of season 2016/17. Butcher occasionally picked Laing for the subs bench (14 times) but he didn't actually make a first team appearance before leaving last summer. I bet Locos have offered him good money!

He should certainly be encouraged by retaining his place in the Northern Ireland squad. It would have been 'easy' for the boss to not include him this time, but he's obviously been impressing enough in previous squads to merit inclusion again. They're actually quite well-off for strikers so Billy's doing well remaining in the picture. I'm sure he'll grab a goal for us before too long!

Just wonder if there's any significance to the timing of Billy Stark 'stepping down' as manager of Scotland's U21s? I'm sure the 'well fans would be looking for a more imaginative or high profile appointment but perhaps the board see Stark as an experienced guy who knows the Scottish scene inside out. A safe pair of hands, employed simply with the mandate to 'keep us up this season' and if successful an extended contract would be on the table.

Great debut post D180! Having a guy called Adam Morgan in the team gives scope for one of those pre-conceived, elaborate goal celebrations. He's probably been made captain for that eventuality alone!