Sneckboy

I wish I could remember him! Just been reading that Filipe Morais has become a 'free agent'. I always liked what I saw of him. I wonder if he was at Hibs when Yogi was manager!? Wages would be the problem I suppose. Although Tansey has just come from the same club, Stevenage! But, to be honest, any money we've got to spend needs to be for an out-right striker. That's priority. We won't 'get away' with one forward for another season!

Not sure when the team re-groups for pre-season training but I can't help thinking of poor Billy McKay! He played in every game last season and still has to go to South America with Northern Ireland! I'm sure he's buzzing about the trip with games against Chile and Uruguay - the adrenaline will get him through! With only 4 strikers going he's certainly going to get played at some point. You'd imagine that Yogi would give him an extended break and join up later - he doesn't need to be playing pre-season games. Nothing to prove with us but Hughes, understandably might want to experiment with systems that include Billy. But I hope he shows up well if given the chance. Some of the guys normally ahead of Billy in the 'pecking order' are injured, including Kyle Lafferty. Interestingly, the 'other' 3 forwards travelling, for Northern Ireland are also Scottish-based. Niall McGinn, Dean Shiels and Josh Magennis (although he's now a free agent).

Just had a look at the World Cup schedule - 2nd July is day after the last 16 knockout stage - no games! So...we've no excuse! (damn!) It is such an early fixture though - I notice from the 'link' above that County are also playing Clach at Grant Street, but 3 weeks later! 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 9th August - Season starts

Clach game confirmed! http://www.clachnacuddinfc.co.uk/club/277827/News/view/842609 Pre-season games so far, (all away): 2nd July Clachnacuddin 12th July Elgin City 16th July Brora Rangers

That's true, caleydawson. I'm sure we will get a Clach game but it's probably best to 'discount' that date at the moment.

Aside from the actual game and its implications, what really struck me watching the highlights last night was how impressive the artificial pitch looked. As a traditionalist, preferring grass, I've got to say that they've fairly 'come on' from the old astroturf days - it looked just like an early season grass pitch. I may yet be won over!

Clach (away) on Wednesday 2nd July? Not sure on the reliability of the source, but if correct, that's just 41 days away! (from date of this post) http://scottishfootballmagazine.yolasite.com/pre-season-2014---15.php

You never know, the way Hibs have been performing at home this year, there might just be one final twist! Raith went there and won in the Scottish Cup a few months ago, scoring 3 goals, so it's not over yet...although it will take a huge effort from Hamilton Accies now!

What the hell is this Trequartista/Enganche....? Sounds like a lot of pretentious nonsense to me. I'm sure I ordered that as a starter once! Doubtless some 'football manager computer game' jibber jabber! We've got countless discussions on this forum about our attendances - perhaps the 'elephant in the room' is the advent of armchair kids - managing ICT to the Champions League - why bother going to see the real team play against Partick Thistle when you're managing the team against Real Madrid? An unfortunate sign of the times.

"**** measuring competitions"

Delighted to read that Billy's in Northern Ireland's 22-man squad for their glamour trip to South America. Games against Uruguay and Chile beckon, teams who are preparing for the World Cup on their 'home' continent. He'll hopefully get game time in at least one of the fixtures - maybe even play against Suarez... The only reservation I've got is that the guy really needs a rest! He was the only player to feature in all 46 of our games this season and did look jaded and his sharpness wasn't quite there in the latter part of the campaign - but he's obviously very much part of Northern Irelands plans.

It's interesting to note that Caley Thistle's 'eagle landed' in 1994 with the formation of our club. Palace's current eagle also 'landed' in 1994! - The following article summarises the evolution of the Crystal Palace badge/crest. http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=5194

Actually, they only had Aberdeen at home once, whereas we had the boost of two visits from the dons fans.

I think it's good for Scottish football that there's a new name on the cup. The Scottish Cup is the oldest trophy in world football. I hope one day we can see Inverness lifting it! But, first things, first - I'd settle for a final! Or even a semi-final - something we've not achieved since becoming a 'top fight' team.

If this was played as a single game at a neutral venue I'd fancy Hamilton to win - but I just feel that over 2 legs, somehow, Hibs will 'fall over the line'.

We'll maybe have to wait until the new squad numbers are revealed!

It's a really strong message that players can come here, settle, prosper and enjoy the way-of-life in Inverness. I assume his fiancé must also be happy in the town for Gary to commit to a long-term deal. Great news. Also really encouraging that he's keen to start doing coaching badges - Warren seems the type of character who'd do well in that capacity....who knows, down the line we could have a Foran/Warren management team!

Signed up until the end of season 2016-17: • Gary Warren • Richie Foran Signed up until the end of season 2015-16: • John Hughes - Manager • Russell Latapy - Assistant Manager • Dean Brill • Aaron Doran • Danny Williams • Ryan Esson • Ryan Christie • Carl Tremarco • Ross Draper • James Vincent Signed up until the end of next season (2014-15): • Greg Tansey • Daniel Devine • Graeme Shinnie • Nick Ross • Marley Watkins • David Raven • Josh Meekings • Billy McKay • Liam Polworth • Calum Ferguson • Jaime Wilson (U20's) • Kane Hull (U20's) • Jason Brown (U20's) • Struan McArthur (U20's) • Blair MacLennan (U20's) • Calum Howarth (U20's) • Chris Brown (U20's) • Ali Sutherland (U20's) • Stephen Rennie (U20's) • Cammy Mackay (goalkeeper) (U20's) • Chris Blackett (U20's) • Daniel Hobban (goalkeeper) (U20's) Signed up until the end of this season (2013-14): • Ben Greenhalgh - rumoured to be getting released • Adam Evans - RELEASED • Conor Pepper - RELEASED • Matthew Cooper - RELEASED

Just looked to see if Cowden have ever been in the same division as Rangers - and indeed they have! But only in black-and-white! They regularly played each other in the 1930's and earlier but aside from that they did meet in 1970/71. There have been no competitive matches since the 1991 Scottish cup. Technically, this is all academic, as the reality is that the clubs have never met, due obviously to The Rangers being formed only recently!

That's a great crowd for what is effectively a third-tier club - although obviously it was a huge game for the Pars coupled with it being a derby game. Massive blow for Dunfermline to miss out on what's going to be a really competitive Championship next season. I've got to be honest, Dunfermline are a bigger and higher profile club than Cowdenbeath. But a huge result for Cowden, who'll 'benefit' from 4 games against the Rangers. Not sure if they'll have ever played at Ibrox in the league before. They've got a few blue-nose connections with their manager (Jimmy Nicholl) and chairman, Donald Findlay QC.

I think the Scandinavian countries run their leagues between March and November, eliminating the traditional winter months. But, I wouldn't like for the Scottish leagues to convert to 'summer football'. I like the traditional way with floodlit games in the dark nights and also the packed festive program, often with derby games - although I hate the biting wind as much as anyone!

We've just released 60% of our players from the Republic of Ireland - Joe Gorman, Adam Evans and Conor Pepper, leaving Richie Foran and Aaron Doran. With the 8 new boys joining the squad (initially in the under 20's) all being Scottish, we've no longer got the most Irishmen in our squad.

Highland League Dachi Khutsishvili TWO GOALS (Fort William 1-4 Clachnacuddin)

As we always play Clach, we could make any game with Inverness City part of a re-invented 'Inverness Cup'. A 3 game round-robin with the games at Grant Street on maybe Monday, Wednesday, Saturday). Clach v ICT, Clach v Inverness City, Clach v ICT. Alternatively, and still wikth 3 games, there could be 2 semis and a final if a fourth team was invited - say a select from the newly reformed Inverness and District Amateur League. With the likes of Avoch and Maryburgh now competing, a competitive team could be formed and the old Inverness Cup trophy could get dusted down and given a new lease-of-life with a rebrand...if anybody knows where it is!

Signed up until the end of season 2016-17: • Richie Foran Signed up until the end of season 2015-16: • John Hughes - Manager • Russell Latapy - Assistant Manager • Aaron Doran • Carl Tremarco • Danny Williams • Ryan Christie • Dean Brill • Ryan Esson • James Vincent • Ross Draper Signed up until the end of next season (2014-15): • Greg Tansey • Daniel Devine • Graeme Shinnie • Nick Ross • Marley Watkins • Gary Warren • David Raven • Josh Meekings • Billy McKay • Liam Polworth • Calum Ferguson • Jaime Wilson (U20's) • Kane Hull (U20's) • Jason Brown (U20's) • Struan McArthur (U20's) • Blair MacLennan (U20's) • Calum Howarth (U20's) • Chris Brown (U20's) • Ali Sutherland (U20's) • Stephen Rennie (U20's) • Cammy Mackay (goalkeeper) (U20's) • Chris Blackett (U20's) • Daniel Hobban (goalkeeper) (U20's) Signed up until the end of this season (2013-14): • Ben Greenhalgh - rumoured to be getting released • Adam Evans - RELEASED • Conor Pepper - RELEASED • Matthew Cooper - RELEASED • Jay Cheyne (U20's) - RELEASED • Nick Draper (goalkeeper) (U20's) - RELEASED • Joe Gorman (U20's) - RELEASED