Sneckboy

I can't think of any others. I don't think Gattuso ever faced us.

The squad re-assemble for pre-season a-week-on-Thursday (July 26th). The Highland News reports John Hughes as giving Billy McKay a bit longer away! Phew! He hasn't had a proper break!

Clach have signed goalkeeper Ally Ridgers from Brora and have also taken ex-ICT youth, Ryan Watson from the Highland League champions. Elsewhere, our released U20 player, Jay Cheyne has gone back to Buckie Thistle.

I was wondering what you were confident about, Gavroche, but I looked back in the thread to see that you tipped Italy! A cliché it may be, but Italy are 'always there-or-thereabouts'. For me, both teams played better last night than in the 0-0 draw at the 2012 Euros. England are still very much in it. Despite all the media pundits proclaiming that the Uruguay game is a 'must win', it needn't necessarily be the case. It's more of a 'must not lose'! A draw followed by a win against Costa Rica could well be enough. But, overall, it's been an excellent tournament so far. I actually watched 5 football matches yesterday...went to the Muir of Ord United v. Golspie Stafford, Highland Amateur Cup game and got home just as the first of the 4 World Cup games was starting. Football heaven!

Barry Wilson is slowly assembling his own team at Elgin. Will be interesting to see how they go this season particularly with the threat of demotion from the Scottish League hanging over all the clubs now. The appointment of Barry Ferguson at Clyde adds extra spice!

Great start to the tournament. The only complaint can be some of the refereeing decisions. I really hope that football will soon employ technology and have referrals to a video referee like in some other sports. Rugby and cricket utilise available technology. Obviously, to prevent abuse, there would have to be a limit to the number of challenges, like in tennis with HawkEye. Clearly, it could only be an option for major tournaments at present, but with the rapid advancement of technology, who knows, it might even be feasible eventually at all games at any level.

Whatever happened to the one-guess-at-a-time 'rule'!! Right, that's it...I'm going to the Word Association thread and put flower power Rangers Celtic connections joins.......

Paul Sheerin has been recruited by Aberdeen to coach their U20's. It's an interesting development in that after presiding over Arbroath's relegation to the 4th tier, I felt his job might be in jeopardy - instead he gets what's effectively a promotion. Funny old game!

Not sure what he'll do with a St. Johnstone v. Dundee United shirt, but there's always ebay! Sarcasm and pedantry in one line, I'm getting the hang of this.

Fort William now added, although will be predominately U20's. https://twitter.com/FortWilliamFC/status/477069278823604225 Wed 2nd July - 7.30pm (Grant Street)...Clachnacuddin Sat 5th July - 1.00pm (Claggan Park)…Fort William (ICT U20’s) Wed 9th July - 7.30pm (Mosset Park)...Forres Mechanics Sat 12th July - 3pm (Borough Briggs)...Elgin City Wed 16th July - 7.30pm (Dudgeon Park)...Brora Rangers Sat 19th July - 1.00pm (Mackessack Park)…Rothes (ICT U20’s) Sat 19th July - 3.00pm (Stark’s Park)…Raith Rovers Wed 23rd July - 7.30pm (Princess Royal Park)...Deveronvale ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat 9th August - Season starts

He must curse Mark Brown! He (Brown) was a virtual ever-present for us with Michael Fraser his understudy for ages. When Brown moved to Celtic, he finally got his chance, but I was never a huge fan. Was surprised Motherwell moved for him - probably on the back of his great save against Celtic! Didn't work out for him there, though and eventually found himself back in the Highlands - as understudy to Mark Brown again! Still, at 30 years old, as a 'keeper, he's got a number of years ahead of him. Probably land at Elgin City next!

We should get the Corriegarth to be 'bottom of shirt' sponsors! Then we'd have Korrie at the top and Corrie at the bottom. Maybe we could look to sponsor Coronation street? Then Corrie would be sponsored by Caley who are sponsored by Korrie and the Corrie!

Forres game is the latest addition, confirmed in yesterdays P&J. Here's a scary thought, our first game (Clach) is only 2 weeks and 6 days away! Wed 2nd July - 7.30pm (Grant Street)...Clachnacuddin Wed 9th July - 7.30pm (Mosset Park)...Forres Mechanics Sat 12th July - 3pm (Borough Briggs)...Elgin City Wed 16th July - 7.30pm (Dudgeon Park)...Brora Rangers Sat 19th July - 1.00pm (Mackessack Park)…Rothes (ICT U20’s) Sat 19th July - 3.00pm (Stark’s Park)…Raith Rovers Wed 23rd July - 7.30pm (Princess Royal Park)...Deveronvale ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat 9th August - Season starts

Yeah, it'll be interesting to hear Terry's 'take' on it all, when he eventually goes public! I hope he can find the dignity to admit that he made a mistake in moving from here. Pele, Brew and Robbo all swallowed their pride and have, at one time or other, conceded that they left too soon and regretted it. Unfortunately (for Butcher), the manner of his leaving means that he's burned-his-bridges and he will never be a candidate for a return here. I will however, miss his after-match interviews on Radio Scotland which were often amusing and certainly different to the often cliché-ridden tripe offered by the likes of Danny Lennon and others. Not sure if Terry would be a very good poker player as his tone of voice always betrayed what he was feeling! - a win and his ebullient mutterings were delivered with witty enthusiasm but after a loss his demeanour was markedly different - his observations being spoken in a much slower, almost depressed manner. But always entertaining. For the record, Butcher lasted 7 months at Hibs; Robertson survived 6 months at Hearts; Brewster was gone from Dundee United after 9 months while Paterson was fired from Aberdeen after 15 months ( I didn't realise it was that 'long' until checking)! However, I feel it's maybe premature to be writing Terry's football obituary - I have a feeling he'll 'remain in the game' in some capacity.

Totally agree, Renegade. The notion that 13 is somehow 'unlucky' strikes me as utterly ludicrous!

That strip for Bayern just looks all wrong! For me, they traditionally have all red tops!

Many posters on here like to take what Richie Foran says as being as gospel. For example, Graeme Shinnie's going nowhere, says Richie and, the boys have bought into Yogi's training methods and style of play. So we can assume he was also telling the truth when describing Terry as 'a great motivator' - this, being after Butcher had left and Richie didn't have to necessarily toe-the-party-line. "We're fully focused, training has been excellent in the past few days - the boys here have a great attitude. The gaffer was a great motivator, but our players motivate themselves. It's not going to be a problem at all." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24924203

Rather than starting a new thread each time there's a snippet of news regarding a former player, this thread can be used for such info. In a similar vein to the 'Ex ICT players score' thread. I see that Dougie Imrie has signed for Hamilton Accies. Has he still 'got it' for the top-flight? He's just endured a depressing season with a very poor Morton side. What I'm really surprised about is that he's only 30 - I always thought he'd come into senior football at a relatively late age, being snapped up from the juniors - he seems to have been around for ever! Reluctant to wish him too much luck as he's obviously going to be in direct opposition to us next season!

The fact that she refused to deny Butcher could be sacked suggests he's certainly not safe! What a humiliation that we be for Terry. After a very short 'bounce' when he took over, it's been an alarming slump for Hibs. Relegation from the position he took over is unforgivable and probably deserves the boot. Hibs will likely be looking for a manager who has the proven ability to prosper in the 'Championship' - someone with a history of taking his team straight back up after relegation! That's probably his only 'saving grace' and he'll need to emphasise that during his meeting. He'd probably lost the changing-room a while ago, but with the time to bring in his own men, he could get them up in a couple of seasons - but I'm not sure he's going to be afforded that time.

Wed 2nd July - 7.30pm (Grant Street)...Clachnacuddin Sat 12th July - 3pm (Borough Briggs)...Elgin City Wed 16th July - 7.30pm (Dudgeon Park)...Brora Rangers Sat 19th July - 1.00pm (Mackessack Park)…Rothes (ICT U20’s) Sat 19th July - 3.00pm (Stark’s Park)…Raith Rovers Wed 23rd July - 7.30pm (Princess Royal Park)...Deveronvale ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat 9th August - Season starts

Latest addition - Rothes (away) Sat 19th July, 1.00pm Wed 2nd July - 7.30pm (Grant Street)...Clachnacuddin Sat 12th July - 3pm (Borough Briggs)...Elgin City Wed 16th July - 7.30pm (Dudgeon Park)...Brora Rangers Sat 19th July - 1.00pm (Mackessack Park)…Rothes Wed 23rd July - 7.30pm (Princess Royal Park)...Deveronvale ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat 9th August - Season starts

I can't quite get motivated, yet, for the World Cup - I hate the close season! Aside from this excellent resource, what other 'football forums' or football websites/blogs do ICT-Online members regularly visit? I'm rarely on Pie & Bovril as I find it hard to navigate - then when I find my desired thread, It's full of 'in-fighting'! Over-the-Bridge!...It's a site often "quoted" on here, but I've only visited once out of curiosity! Personally, I do like 'Fitba North' and a site called 'Non-League Matters'. Narey'sToePoke is (for me) the best blog going. Certainly, for Scottish football. It's up-to-date, well researched and informative with a subtle touch of satire. That 'Narey' blog is from an ICT fan who posts on here and his observations are always impartial and witty without any bias unless it's clearly tongue-in-cheek! Any other gems out there?

That's the sort of stuff you'll get in the North Superleague next season, lukemackay! Lumbering 6' 4" centre backs from Torry!

All of our managerial departures have left a bitter taste, for me. I wouldn't have been so annoyed if any of them had gone on to further their careers - but none of them have. This assumption that things will be better at a 'bigger' club has been proven wrong every time. Yet none of them heed the warning! I loved Paterson and firmly believe he would have taken us to the 'SPL'. Robbo had a hell of a job taking Pele's mantle but got us there! Plus winning the Challenge Cup and TWO Scottish Cup semi's which we've never since equalled, even as an 'SPL' team! Brewster and Christie both had decent runs in the hot-seat...but Butcher, despite his overall poor managerial record, still seemed to click with us and whether we like it or not is historically our most 'successful' manager having guide us to 4th place in the top league. And archive tables will not have a * next to them proclaiming the financial plight of Hearts and Rangers. We were 4th one season - that's a fact! Maybe that's why the ButcherWatch thread is so popular - and no other "ex-manager-Watch" thread exists!