lizi

The definition (in my old Chambers dictionary) of a Supporter is : One who supports, a backer, or defender. Then, please, lets all support, back, defend Inverness Caledonian Thistle and return to the supporting, backing, defending our team, once and for all, no matter who the Manager is. Surely by now we are all tired of the slagging off whoever, whenever, whatever - please! I love my Club and want it to prosper. Come on - all of you - or do I need to shout like Delia Smith did once at Norwich City!! (Think I sound like her - wish I had her money!) Just waiting for the usual backlash and, no, I am not a scorned lady as previously commented on a previous posting.

Now I remember why I seldom post and the responses here confirm it - make a comment and get shot down in flames, criticised, comment taken out of context, misconstrued, etc - can't people see that the Directors organised this with Kath, as she is Bus Convener for the Supporters Club. Surely its for the benefit of the Supporters and our Football Club and maybe, just maybe, more people will travel on the supporters buses in future. It is will be interesting to see how many turn up to go on the Supporters bus for the next away game when payment has to be made. Very sorry I posted "last night" and not Wednesday night - dreadful error for me to make to those who are always accurate.

Please note everyone: The free buses are entirely an arrangement between the Board of ICT and the Supporters CLUB, and nothing to do with the Trust or their meeting last night. The Trust may claim their involvement but it is entirely nothing to do with the Trust, but everything to do with the SUPPORTERS CLUB.

Unfortunately, despite being a paid up member of the Trust, I will be unable to attend the scheduled meeting next Wednesday evening. However, I wish to make a few points, as I believe this meeting may have more than one agenda, ie 1. The members of the Trust wish to ascertain the views of their members in regard to the current league position of the Club - yes. 2. Only members of the Trust, at this meeting may speak or vote - is this not an indirect, veiled, way of trying to increase membership? Surely those attending the meeting could listen and then make up their minds if membership of the Trust is worth ?10 a year? 3. The Trust should put their own house in order at the same time as trying to advise the Club about theirs - eg my Trust membership newsletter arrived today, 3rd January 2009, in the same post as my membership card for 2008/2009, despite payment for same being made in October 2008. Mid-way through the season is not the time for membership cards to be received - a very poor show. As a member of the Trust I see the Trust giving monetary support to the Football Club, to youth groups, ballboys, etc which, despite all being extremely worthwhile, are a bit exclusive (or is that inclusive?) and leaves the ordinary "common or garden" supporter thinking what really is the point of the Trust and what does it do really for the man/woman in the Stands? As a very long time ICT fan and season ticket holder, I attend almost all away games but seldom, if ever, see any member of the Trust committee in attendance - likely due to work/family commitments but - I have the same commitments and manage to adjust my schedule/money accordingly to support my beloved ICT. I do hope the meeting on Wednesday night is productive and not entirely destructive but, from some of the posts, I am not very hopeful. Remember, fans, its Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club we support and the main objective of the meeting must be for the good of the Club at all times.

Quite right Smee about the blue strips - I vaguely remember a cold day at the footie, as a wee bairn, cheering on the team in blue running onto the field and then saying to my Dad - "Who are they, playing for Caley" - and the reply was "Shut up - that's Peterheid". Learned after that to keep quiet. Not so, when at Telford Street, one lady whose husband was an ardent fan of Caley, and sat in the Stand beside us (with Anne Shaw as was, her Dad, and Neil Smith's wife and daughter) but had to be explained to, that teams changed ends at half time - to her husband's exasperation and our quiet but hopefully disguised humour! Happy days. Also remember when it was a Peterhead throw-in, the call from their support was "Tis a heid ba"

Wow - had totally forgotten the white mice! That was umpteen years ago! I also fondly remember the displays in the Playhouse, a wonderful childhood experience. Thanks for the reminders.

Yes - and the wee red haired Celtic .......! Steve Bruce of Wigan, Alec Ferguson of MU, Martin O'Neill etc etc.,they all show they care, during their matches - why not current ICT management staff - Robbo did, for example. Thats what we want - show commitment/enthusiasm and the fans will follow that. Have any of you watched re-runs of the DVD of our win v Celtic last year (I do - just to reinforce my following of ICT)(what a saddo!!!)(don't need reminding - have been a fan for umpteen years, before amalgamation). Our management at that game just seemed bemused by the result, not elated! We need more passion, more commitment, more whatever it is.

During the game at Love Street yesterday, the Home support were so quiet the Away crowd could clearly hear Gus MacPherson yelling instructions and encouragement to his team. There seemed to be little or no instructions/guidance/encouragement coming from our Manager or his Assistant - just grimaces and turning away from the pitch. Very disheartening, both for the team and the supporters - please can we have the Manager show some more passion for ICT or, is this the epitome of "highland" reticeness, even though he is not originally from the highlands.

Robbo.... Can scarcely believe that I've found a positive source on this site! Many thanks indeed - my night is made (especially after that game yesterday at St Midden)(one to forget)(a good day out, spoiled by the result). Your input is definitely a breath of fresh air to the Forum! When will you be back to ICT in a paid capacity - soon I hope? So many happy memories and whenever you are doing the radio commentary, we all know it will be fresh, concise and not (south of A9) nonsense. From the North Stand, the binoculars are trained on you!!!!!! in the press area - here comes the master, with his expert views. Best regards to you and 'her indoors' and her laptop.

I am surprised by CaleyD's comment that the Club have "a regulatory responsibility to acknowledge AND reply to all concerns received by letter/e.mail" and "they do not have the option of ignoring individual correspondence". Someone had better tell that to Mike Smith as I have written and hand delivered letters to him at the Stadium on several occasions. To date I have yet to receive an acknowledgement or reply to any of my letters. However, when I have contacted Tabitha, or previously Angela, their responses were by return. Perhaps Mike Smith is above "regulatory responsibility"?

Alex i work at sea, it's kind of hard to commit to anything for 100% of the time in my job, or should I just sit back and do **** all like everyone else? I would hardly call working to support my family hiding. Like you I work offshore. The whole point of organising is to lead. Choose a game when your not away and muster support. Dont say lets do something then say count me out. Dont get me wrong. I agree something needs to be done but it has to be done in such a way as not to ostrasize those doing it. It has to be mature and adult. My personal thought would be something along the lines of choosing one match and staying outside the stadium during it. Follow the letter route suggested. Put pressure of the Trust to represent thier membership. Anything to let the board see the fans staying away and hitting the club in the pocket. Congregate outside the stadium and dont go in is one option.

Bit of a bummer, considering I phoned the Stadium in the morning and was advised that the game was ON.

Second best Pittodrie was louder. Great, noisy, singing, away support today - obviously appreciated by the team. Nearly as good as at Pittodrie in August but that was different as that was a 1st win against the Reds. No wonder so many of our "away" fans enjoy the away games better than the home games - the atmosphere is SO different.

And when he stripped off his top, ready to come on the park as a "sub", his "six pack" - a joy to behold!!!!! I, among many, will be pleased to see Liam on any field again, in any colour of strip! Wow!

Yes!!! But what happened to the foot stomping! (Great for warming up cold feet and trying to ensure the North Stand MAY last for 10 years?)(maybe!!); and what about "bouncy bouncy" - where has that been the last few weeks! If Motherwell fans can do bouncy bouncy and a conga, surely we can do better? Section G was very quiet last week - why? too many crass songs the previous week? come on, you lot - show we can sing ICT songs with the best of them - please - and - get the drums going - thats really the best way to increase the noise. As a "golden" oldie, I miss the drums when they are not there - come on boys (and girls too) make the noise and we will join in. We do! Incidentally, we were offered to change our season tickets from Section G, North Stand, to the main Stand and said, No Way - in Section G we have no sun, no wind, no rain, plenty of laughs and good craic and, especially, no Hospitality fans nearby cheering on the opposition. Here we will remain and, with the drums around, the benefit of cheaper (dry) seats!

My feelings exactly! Ditto.... to the previous comments - whenever Wossie is on, either TV or Radio, the off switch is engaged in my household and as for Brand, I find him totally unfunny and any programme he is on is likewise switched Off. Both are overpaid, under-talented nobodies who should never be on BBCTV again or the licence payers should complain in numbers. In my view Ross has been overpaid for years and the time has now come - OUT if he doesn't like the current climate. Goodbye to both and BBC, bring in some worthwhile talent, please. (At a much lesser salary!!!!).

After such a great start against Aberdire at the start of the season, we all had high hopes but, Killie game apart, home form hasn't been great. Maybe v Celts it will again become fortress ICT but I'm not holding my breath, but hope to be a very happy fan by 5pm next Sat.

It's a sign of the times and, in agreement with the views of the majority of the posts on this site, that there are still tickets available for the game on the 18th. Previously there would have been queues for tickets and Sold Out signs - is it the credit crunch, or better still, the fans showing what they think of the OF increasing the prices for the ordinary fan?

Must be mad! Will be going to the game but fingers crossed and hope NOT for extra time or penalties as got to work the next day. Home at 0200 or so, all traffic (penalties) etc ok, up again by 05.45 and then an 8 hour shift. That's devotion to ICT - hope they appreciate it!?

Why has this topic been moved from amongst the "stickies". Is it not considered important to try to encourage fans to travel to this Cup game? Please, whoever moved it, put it back at the top, where it should remain until the game is played.

I remember the Stewarts Restaurant, not for being in it, but for waiting to get into the Playhouse Cinema on a Wednesday afternoon (after juping from school, which we did every Wednesday in 4th year). We had to hide until the teachers came out from Stewarts Restaurant, where they had their lunch, and only then could we go into the Playhouse for the 1/9d seats! (the back row of the front stalls). I remember the Carlton Restaurant vaguely - was taken there on special occasions like birthdays, for a treat. (obviously before being a 4th year jupe). Was much too young to know about drinking in the Heathmount until much later on!!!

After all these years, and the success of ICT, I think some of the comments are quite sad. I know of Thistle supporters who have vowed never to go to an ICT game ever - how to cut off your nose to spite your face (as my granny used to say!). They are the losers, poor souls (how to hold a grudge for ever and a day - men!!) I was brought up a Caley supporter but, eventually, agreed with the merger and join in with singing "oh to be a Jaggie" when the occasion arises (ie when ex Thistle fans get pxxxxed off with shouts of come on Caley)(give us a C, etc). Come to think of it, haven't heard that for a while. Surely the time must come when Invernessians support their local SPL team, not join the masses in supporting the OF (why? - what allegiance do most of you have with them, if any?). If most of us can try to forget the "them and us" scenario in ICT, then why continue with a grudge. I

You lot are all SO young! I am still young enough to not qualify for concession at Hearts games (and several other meanies of SPL teams who demand concessions for over 65s only) but I can remember as a primary school child being taken for the day out into town and going to a Meal Store in Eastgate! Bags of flour etc., even dog biscuits, for sale in cloth sacks. Who remembers that? Or am I havering?

Hello Marko Welcome to the Highlands. My nephew is a Leeds fan - used to be a season ticket holder there and still attends games as often as he can afford (despite staying in Nottingham!). I always look out for the Leeds results just as he does with ICT (his second love). Hope you bring us luck and - I have already texted my nephew to say that Leeds cannot get our Don Cowie - he is not going anywhere (we hope).

My computer was "out of action" for a few weeks and when I eventually got it sorted I found I could not log into the site. My user name kept being thrown out and telling me someone else already had that name - YES it was ME! I have given up and logged in under another user name but, its a pain as umpteen folk knew me by the first user name. Does this mean that my first user name just dies!