bdu98196

Given the proximity of both sets of fans a later inspection would have been welcomed. Appreciate its on TV but to do this to avoid mobilisation of cameras from the central belt (if thats the reason) is very poor judgement. Afterall our fans have traveled significant distance and already set off for games to be inspected only a few hours at most before KO. Logic (which never applied in Scottish football) would be to rearrange for 3pm tomorrow (normal football time) as any rescheduled fixture is unlikely to be on TV so both clubs could just agree to forego any benefits that could have brought. Would still allow use of any catering or hospitality and many fans will still be available to attend.

Good news, hopefully fit again soon. Given the run in with potential for play-off and even SC final thats an extra 7 games of playing time - we dont have a big squad to rest players so need to try rotate in some youngsters like Danny & his peers when or if we have a good lead in games or are safe in the play-off places.

Only being done to try avoid further criticism form fans - reasons for KO times are clear, so its being done knowing full well the outcome. Rather than wasting time complaining maybe assist the fans if its such a concern with travel arrangements? Quite sad we have more negative posts about the time & location that positive about having another great day out.

Folks moaning about times & locations. Its known that Glasgow & Hampden is the location for cup semi finals and has been for years so really don't see all the fuss. As for times, the game has to be outwith the 3pm scheduled games so its either a 12.15KO or 5.30 - if the later time was chosen then I'm sure there would be more complaints its too late in the day and folks will travel home in the dark and maybe even have to miss their dinner. On a Sunday public transport is more limited - put us on an early Sunday time and fans might not make it at all and on late they will complain as they have work the next day or that its interfering with the Sabbath. We have had about 5 Hampden visits in 25 years so hardly worth getting all upset about - plenty other clubs & fans would love to be in a cup semi - lets focus on the prize rather than the inconvenience of having to get up at 6am on a weekend on one occasion!!!!

Dons play at 2pm on Sunday- hardly evening and thats probably due to significant outcry last few semi appearances where no public transport could get anyone from Aberdeen to Glasgow on time so the SFA have listened it seemed

I was reading elsewhere that any Sat game cant clash with normal 3pm KO times for media reasons, therefore it would need to be a 12.15KO to ensure ET & pens its over by then as its unlikely itll be a 5pm KO. I'd expect the media want the 'big' game on Sunday at lunchtime

All we need now is the day & time. Its not an OF semi, so they should be able to get this sorted quickly I'd hope? Most likely expecting Sat - Hearts V ICT @ 12.30 Sun - Dons V Cellic @ 12.30 Can see us getting a decent 3pm Sat unfortunately.

Last SC semi WAS at Hampden and we beat Celtic 3-2. Only about 2000 ict fans that day but lives long in memory probably more so than the final.

Can we get transparency and a plan for moving forwards? Also given the constant use of the word communication by the board can we get some thought shown into this such that messages deliver facts the fans want to know. Recent comms seem to centre around asking the fans for more money as that is the solution where as above suggests that its restructuring with correct persons. If board members are on the site then hiding behind nondescript user names is not going to help build a closer union.

The more that comes out, the higher the danger of this becoming our 'banter years'...............

Oh well this doesn't look very good..... If thats the case I'm sure the club would be happy to show transparency on what the bids were and the manner for selection. Maybe not guy public but certainly at the request of a fans group leader. Any refusal would be seen as trying to hide something.

Given the KO times won't be announced until after the replays I'm not sure the SFA would risk wasting time thinking of alternative venues as these can take a period to resolve and ultimately effect ticket sales, policing and tv arrangements. Given it's expected to be Hampden I think fans will reluctantly accept and just get on with it making it easier for SFA and sponsors

One less overhead to claim expenses. For someone with a background in PR this has been an area of the club that over the short term has been a shambles and the relationship between club and fans has never felt bigger - negative stories and second hand info regularly appearing and it seems a club unable to take advantage of situations to put positive spin on them and gain profitable advantage.

Best idea on here so far. Surely the club can reimburse the costs and then use it as a positive spin and advertising (not sure on how much it cost CaleyD but as a club I'm sure we spunk much more on needless crap and board 'expenses')? Now we are in a SC semi and another Hampden trip they must have learned lessons from last time when nothing seemed to be done on the back of the cup win such that marketing & promotion uses this as the tool?

But its an utter hole of a place, so would rather head to Hampden TBH.

That would expect a huge improvement in marketing & media over the next 4 wks which we haven't seen in the last 18 months!!!!

Wonder if it'll be like the last Hampden semi where around 8000 fans held off waiting for the final ??

Robbo will be here, but hardly think we should be looking to erect a statue of him yet. Our league form has been patchy and inconsistent with numerous issues documented - the fact we are in play-off contention is more an indication of the quality of the league as a whole rather than just our team and as it stands we can equally still be well outside top4 come end of season. As for the cup a Hampden trip and semi is great but other than 2 Championship clubs we havent played a single Premiership team on route - the draw has been favorable and we will take it but we are hardly storming along.

Seems like the pudding must have gone off and got thrown out in the bin never to be seen again..................

I have replied on the AGM thread to most of the points you made already, but will agree fully with your final statement and that whatever is done needs to be sustainable and as part of a long term strategy and not just short term fire fighting. Bringing out the begging bowl to fill the cash hole regardless of which administration is at fault wont rectify the underlying issues which any investor whether bringing pennies or pounds should have full visibility of. If the club want help then they have to demonstrate to fans why we are in this mess and lessons learned to avoid this becoming a reoccuring issue which may mean hard and unpopular choices but if presented as a plan to fans most will understand and see the long game.

What I am suggesting is that a hard look and difficult choices are made, in business in its very basic terms, money in must exceed money out. Therefore cutting the outgoings needs to be looked at further, this is the only way for the club to survive. No point having a begging bowl asking fans for yet more without outlining what the club are doing - for all the challenging of my posts on this nobody seems to think that the questions regarding where the monies have gone should be addressed - who has had payoffs, how much in wages, whats spent on maintenance & running costs and finally while directors dont take a salary we all know expenses can be manipulated - without full honest and transparent disclosure then why would any fan give away their money? For me, I'd be happy with a long term goal - cutting the playing staff costs by removing some of the still higher earners and those who seems to make little impact or contribution, use some of that to increase the youth budgets & investment and pack the team with young guys who are on lesser financial contracts, include incentives based on club income & success and overall develop a product that may get us to stability & maybe even players to sell on (imagine that!!!!) - its longterm vision which may mean dropping down or even PT to come back stronger, other teams have done this so why cant we. It may not be popular with all fans especially those focused on the Premiership as a holy grail but better to be here for a long time than just one good time. Unfortunately for those on the board they went into the positions they have with greater transparency of the clubs position than us fans (I hope so anyway) - they have to be prepared for hard questions and tough decisions otherwise why are they there - cant just have good times. While it may not be the fault of the current regime they have a duty to fix this and thats what comes for the roles they have taken. I've posted before where I feel the club fails and primarily its engaging with fans - we have communication, marketing and image issues yet have people dedicated to these roles. Directors coming on here saying 'we dont know what to do'. 'we need money' - theres pages of threads & topics the mods can direct them to with numerous great fan suggestions on improvements without any real cub outlay. Phase 1 of any improvement plan is to perform a Lessons Learned on whats gone wrong before then strategise how in small and manageable steps we can work towards an end goal. Have the club done this and understand what to do or just blaming the old regime stating the mess isnt their fault but give us money to fix it?

So if your local shop stops trading because they cant compete - would you start giving them donations? No, you'd let them either restructure and trade accordingly or go to the wall. This whole idea that the club trades on loyalty of hard working individuals who often already contribute to offer even more in return for nothing seems naive. Its time for the board members (afterall they have each chosen to be there) to make the hard choices of how to restructure the club and move it forwards in a long term and sustainable way. Begging for money is not the solution - however if there are affluent fans who want to throw their money into this pit then go ahead, maybe they will even create a plaque with your names so you can all get the plaudits from the rest of us.

Its not for me to tell you how to fix running your business. I'm not the one begging the public to fund the holes and plug the gaps due to financial mismanagement. Demonstrate what has been achieved with the current youth programs - we have had little to no break through into the first team historically. Right now removing some full time (experienced if you call them that) players to use that money back into youth development might be a better longer term strategy. This chasing a dream of getting back to the Premiership and everything will be rosy is a falsity and not all fans buy into it. Go search and look for posts and threads, even mine if you like as there is plenty said about footfall, lack of communication and the lack of marketing strategy. For a club that announced it has a dedicated resource in charge of this - then why has there been no improvement and if by general consensus its gotten worse? I'm sorry you come on a public platform announcing your position and get upset with opinions, but the reality is that not everyone on here will cream themselves because they can access a board member. Statement coming out of the club constantly cause concerns and suggest that its all been smoke and mirrors for years (especially the finances) - while you may be all trying your best and whether the investments are pennies or pounds its a choice that you make so don't bite the hand that feeds you or start criticising fans or you may find footfall drops further.

Football clubs are a business and not a charity, we have a board of directors who need to see that there are several factors that need addressed for long term stability and development - reduce playing budget, get rid of high earners and jobbers then introduce youth - develop a plan for long term success and stability, even if it means relegation to League 1 and P/T team - invest more into youth teams and building a you squad with marketable assests - increase footfall - establish why with a marketing & communications director we are worse than ever - clear out boardroom dross and get fresh ideas and people instead of those looking to ego boost and maintain an old boys/girls network Sort out some of these points and have the club put together a business plan outlining what as fans we would be investing in and there may be some interest - right now its just throwing cash into a bottomless hole to help bridge the mismanagement & financial gaps that the directors need to address.

It'll be an embarrassment for Scottish football if this trophy is not won by a Scottish team. County or not we should all hope they win and it puts an end to this farce of expensive travel to other countries to play teams where the fans care no more than ours. A foreign team winning will only validate the decision to include rather than suggest it was a failed exercise. As for obsessed ICT fans wanting to spend money to support a team against county not because they are fans but to see RC loose is like something OF fans do. As posted above if you have that free cash go support or invest in your own team.