Kingsmills

Much as I've been pilloried by some on this site for expressing support and admiration for County's cup exploits this season to the extent of enjoying a fine day out in Glasgow yesterday notwithstanding the result, I would not like to see County gain a place in the SPL. Firstly, despite the astonishing progress they have made, County are, when all said and done, a team based in what is little more than a large village of 5,000 souls unlike ICT which represents a vibrant and still growing city. I know that County also attract considerable support from Easter and Wester Ross and beyond but the hoards who went to Hampden are a one off and I believe that Division One is probably their natural ceiling. I would be concerned that, The backing of Roy Mcgregor apart, they would struggle to maintin the costs of competing as an SPL outfit and that might be the undoing of years of prudent incremental work to get them where they are. Secondly and from a selfish perspective, there is limited commercial backing in our area at the level required for SPL and County being in the SPL would inevitably dilute finances and resourses which would otherwise come to us. Much as I admire what County have achieved, I am an ICT fan first and foremost and I would not want County to succeed if that were to be to my team's prejudice.

Agree with Alex. Brian Kerr was offered twice as much by Dundee as we offered. Who wouldn't have made the same decision as him in similar circumstances ? He's a professional footballer plying his trade not a fan of ICT.

Whatever you may think of Ross County and whether you wish them well or not tomorrow surely you agree that for a club based in a town will a population of little more than five thousand to sell close on four times that many tickets is nothing short of phenomenal. I'm well aware that I don't speak for all, or even the majority of users on this site but good luck to them and the hoards of Highlanders who will be travelling down the A9 to roar on a team who were unable to pay their players even expenses and were on the verge of going out of business barely two decades ago.

No way!!!!!! I work with Taffs and they're all rrrrrrrssssssss's Have you long harboured such a warm regard for one of our fellow Celtic nations Alex ? !

As I recall Motherwell used to tour Eire pre season when Terry was manager.

Good gesture by the local rag. I wonder what the competition was. What other professional players come from that paper's circulation area ?

Competent player with SPL experience. I'd be happy to have him back.

Would be a good addition to the squad and, as you say, not beyond the realms of possibility.

Taking my kids to cheer on County. Who knows when they will next get an opportunity to see a Highland team in a national cup final.

For no particular reason, I've long had a soft spot for Blackpool.

You've got to remember that Scottish football is in a very poor financial state and that clubs have got used to picking up players at or close to the end of their contracts for little or nothing. Of our current squad I would say that only Rooney and Hayes have any significant transfer worth.

Was he not the longest serving manager in the SPL ?

Seems to me that he did a very adaquate job with limited funds. I suspect that something must have gone on behind the scenes.

Seems to suggest that relations between messers Savage and Sutherland might not be a poor as might once have been the case. Get the inference from the press release that the deal might not be just as lucrative as the recent Flybe sponsorship but very welcome news nontheless.

Did Toich's interaction with lamp posts not amount to a bit more than simply talking to them? I have to say that the recent election would have been a lot livelier if Willie Bell had been standing once again and with Granville back as his Agent! I'll allow you that Mr Bannerman since, leaving aside the fact that these grand Invernessian characters are now no longer with us, the defence of veritas is almost certainly available !

GTWB you've been sadly missed. Can I be a real jobsworth steward !

Can I have some of what Dead Ball Specialist was on ! There's more chance of Susan Boyle becoming Miss Scotland than ICT being SPL champions. Come to that, there's more chance of me becoming Miss Scotland than ICT winning the SPL !

Wot, not Marco deBarros ? !

Jim Calder for the 90s and Ross Tokely for the decade just past.

I might have been inclined to give Duff another year to try to get back to fitness but otherwise wouldn't argue with any of it.

I'd settle for one season of brilliance with a club record fee at the end of it !

Very good news. Especially the fact that it's for two years. Once Esson, Tokely and Proctor sign I will be a very happy ICT fan indeed !

Wouldn't argue with that XI at all. That side would finish top six in the SPL in my opinion.

Only if you covered your eyes as well !

As far as an experienced back up 'keeper is concerned, Soutar would be a better option than Bullock. Ritchie Hart would be a good squad player for the SPL.