absent friend

I take on board your points - on the subject of the (bar)stewards are they, in your opinion, losing us support or are they just a pain in the butt that has to be lanced in some way. I thought that they only affected specific people and supportive sympathy, like a growing ripple in a pond, was now touching others. I felt they were making the game unpleasant for some only. Do you feel that that is not the case and indeed revenue in the way of potential supporters not showing up, is been lost due to them?

I was hoping that some teacher would reply with the intention of inviting the club to his/her school but maybe the club already have an active involvement with the schools. The cost for the children ( if more than one) is high but does not appear to be much different from other grounds. The difference for us is that we are trying to elevate our spectating base from such a low starting point that the loss of a few kids tickets could be more important to our financial position than to other clubs so maybe the club does not have all that room for a sales manoeuvre. CD has stated a fact but maybe at this time offering a positive solution would be of more help. I do feel that we already enjoy a rich mix of men/women/children in comparison to most other clubs(From memory PT had a similar mix) and therefore it is from this healthy base we should be able to grow given the correct incentive. The product is excellent (4th highest points total/superb defencive record/great goal scorer) - the venue is acceptable( a bit airish) - Inverness is booming(fastest growing house prices) - surely this can be sold to a larger number of people at this time.

This board enjoys, although it does not always show, a latent talent that could be tapped into for the good of the club by suggesting options for consideration re increased home crowds. Postings on here are from far and wide and therefore maybe it is possible to benefit from some good scheme that has/are been used elsewhere that some one has experienced. . I have already posted that my feeling is that it could be via the school children dragging along parent and parent then becoming interest in their own right. It is a selling game and the correct work would have to go into planning by the powers that be, reduced cost/cheer leaders/ player awareness/own section. Having watched the Gretna FC documentary, I wonder if we are as involved in the schools as they are? If we are not we should be as all the little ones on the TV appeared to enjoy the players banter and no doubt urge their parents to go to the match as a result. I do feel that this is something that should be addressed now as spectating in sunny September is more enjoyable than frosty November for a novice supporter, if we want to retain them.

CD, you appear to have made a very valid point, concealed somewhat in the historic hurt you show in your writing. Perhaps this thread could be used to lay out the facts without the hints of 'he said/ she said'. The content of the approach - the reply and from whom - would open the debate up and perhaps your point could be reinforced on here. As Alex has stated, using another thread, as you did, only reduces the force of presentation. It would appear that you have a case and surely with the close season upon us, now is the time for correcting things for next year.

To echo Alex MacLeod's point about Pittodrie, I was with Colin and Bronson at the first game of the season and the hospitality extended to Colin was great. He was seated at the front of the Merkland stand in a special enclosure, slightly raised with a super view. He was taken and welcomed into the 'Home' dressing room and was fussed over by players and management alike. Robbo asking Colin which player would score first and when Colin gave his answer Robbo turned to the player and said he was lucky as if he had not been Colin's choice he was on the bench! Good fun and not reflective of the bad craic from the posts above. However I have no doubt that the statements above re the behaviour are correct - you only have to accept the mentality of the few - checkout I Jnr for instance.

I feel it is a sign of immaturity to have thread with this nonsense on it!! They are hero's - one and all. You can not have the position in the league - sorry the points in the league - without the whole unit working. Points - wonderful Goals against - wonderful Dargo goals - wonderful And you have the audacity to have a thread with a heading like this!! Grow UP!!

Well I would like to echo Alex MacLeod's comments - well said. The doubters of CC are still there - 'I'll wait till next year' says RIG. Well with this wee team and the limited budget, if we were in the central belt we would be hailed as hero's! Accept this feat for what it is BLOODY WONDERFUL!! Last years split, great young manager, the result, an embarrassment. This year - a Tina - Simply the Best!! Well done to CC the staff and the team, my only concern is that ICT is not being sold to the local public. The locals can read about the game but there must be some way to get them off their bums onto seats. An incentives like all school kids free with an adult, into an area for them away from sweary words - because they are needed at times - and have cheer leaders leading the youngsters in their support. We see and hear it at the rugby matches at Murrayfield so why not at the Tulloch Stadium? Loss of revenue, aye right, if wee Johnny is enthused Dad's Saturday golf or whatever will be replaced with football and maybe Dads other 3 golfing pals will join him and play on Sunday instead.

Now the site has a short history, how does the postings compare to the old site for the equivalent time? I feel they are down but that is perhaps because they are shared between the different headers making them feel less.

It is my opinion that the'spirit' within the squad has an effect on the form of players. When a player comes into the team it would appear that they play above their ability, or above the ability that was apparent at their old club. The reverse could also be the case that leaving ICT could impact on their form and they could be relegated to the bench or even the reserves. The team that played in ICT colours at Pittodrie and gave a good account of themselves did not include, IMO, a player that would have been fielded by any other SPL club and yet, as a unit, they were great to support! We can do the same again if some of the squad does go, provided new players want to come North and the scouting system alerts CC to players that could be converted into ICT stars.