Kingsmills

Rangers are an enormous institution selflessly subsidising not just Scottish football but much of the wider economy. For that reason, I have come to the conclusion that the normal rules should not always apply to them. I know that they were not in the original draw but I seriously believe it is time to stop persecuting them amd to cut them some slack by allowing them to compete in the Ramsden's Cup.

I don't suppose my single stance will hold any sway with our board whatsoever and maybe it shouldn't but I have been considering what I would do in the event of our club voting a newco Rangers back into the SPL since the possibility first emerged in February. It may be a sad reflection on a middle aged man but ICT are a significant part of my life and one of a limited number of connections with the town of my birth. I have, often to the amusement of others, been following a team I still stubbornly refer to as The Jaggies ever since I bought my first overcooked bridie from the pie shed at Kingsmills over four decades ago. Witnessed the trauma of merger and stomached being the junior partner in the grand project of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. I have revelled in the remarkable rise and achievements of the boys playing "primarily in blue" with just a hint of the much more attractive hues of red and black. I think it's wonderful that my children take for granted the fact that the witness international footballers kicking a bit of leather about the Longman every second Saturday whereas when I was their age the realisic ambition was to make the last four of the Qualifying Cup and maybe, just maybe, survive a round or two and and bag a " glamour" tie against the likes of Morton or Kilmarnock. I am a businessman so I am not naive about the superficial fiscal attraction of contriving a way of keeping Rangers in the SPL and there would no doubt be a short term financial benefit in doing so. In my opinion, however, whichever cub, including our own,went down that route would no longer be worthy of support. Leaving aside the fact that many of those who have follow followed Rangers over the years are steeped in bigotry and sectarian hatred, to which our domestic football authorities have largely turned an expedient blind eye, the club have now been exposed as having lied and cheated their way to success and, having been caught, have shown little or no contrition opting instead to seek scapegoats and to rail against their accusers. All in all a slightly long winded way to reiterate that I agree with the original poster and to say that in the event of ICT supporting Rangers resuming their place in the SPL as though little or nothing had happened I will never watch them again and, instead, lend my support to Inverurie Loccos who are my local Highland League club. The loss of my few hundred pounds a year will have very little effect on the club and I actually hope that very few others do likewise or there might be serious consequences beyond the relatively short term pain of doing the right and proper thing as far as the cheats and criminals are concerned. All that said, the realist in me can see the mighty Gers playing in the SPL as usual next season while I stand in the rain at Harlaw Park. Ach at least they play in colours once sported by another part time team of distant memory and, by way of bonus the pies are tasty, locally sourced and reasonably priced.

Ross has beem a tremendous servant to ICT for more than a decade and a half but, when all said and done, football is his career and his source of income. Whatsmore, it's a career that is coming to it's end. In these circumstances, if he can squeeze a wee bit of additional income out of his final couple of seasons by making the only move that doesn't upset his domestic arrangements then who can blame him. Good luck to Mr ICT overthebridge....

Very poor show indeed the manager not showing up for this. Can see Grant, in particular, embarassing him next seson with the level of his performances.

No problem with the comment. It's accurate. ICT never played in the Highland League.

I was dubious when we appointed Butcher in the first place. There's no doubt that he was a wonderful player but, as a manager he had one good season as a manager with Motherwell but failed dismally at Coventry, Sunderland, Brentford and in Sydney. Similarly Malpas had the same good season in (assistant) management but always failed elsewhere when a manager in his own right. There is no doubt that in his first season there was an initial "Butcher Bounce" but that soon ended and having taken us out of the relegation place he contrived to lead us back below a frankly poor Falkirk team who demonstrated quite how bad they were by taking the drop themselves the following year. There were some bizarre selection decisions along the way; who realyy thought that it made sense to play an out of form and lacking in confidence Michael Fraser ahead of Ryan Esson in those crucial relegation encounters ? The following season he was fully supported by the board. Despite savage cuts elsewhere in the company, he was allowed to retain the core of the SPL squad. Assisted by an on fire Adam Rooney and Dundee's implossion on and off the pitch, he has to be given credit for getting us straight back up. Last season was satisfactory again, in no small measure to Messrs Rooney and Hayes. This season he was given carte blanche to reshape the team and was ruthless in weilding the axe. County's debut in the SPL is in no small measure due to the rock at the back who is Grant Munro. I know we have been unlucky with injuries but which of the new recruits has been an outstanding success ? In my opinion the best of the new bunch by far was David Davies and such was Butcher's influence on him he chose to ply his trade at the foot of League one in England than to remain in the Highlands. I am not calling for a change just now but unless there is a dramatic improvement by January I fear that the First Division beckons again.

Our defence was a complete shambles for all three goals which, given that our management team consist of two international defenders is difficult to comprehend.

In my opinion, we are still one win away from safety and that status is far from guaranteed after a frankly disappointing season when we have definately gone back from where we were this time last year. We are fortunate that the Pars have been even less reliable in defence than ourselves and that Hibs are at sixes and sevens. We have similar resourses to St Johnstone and, in comparison with them, have definately under achieved.

Very competent coach. Possibly the best coach our club has ever had. Doubt we have heard the last of him as a manager/head coach.

It will never happen but from a personal point of view I would not be bitterly disappointed. Big Tel is not the worst manager around but, in my opinion, he is far from the best either as his chequered record bears out.

Worst; Vetle Anderssen Best; Marius Niculae

Hope they do go up. As long as we stay up ourselves the derbies will be worth an additional £80,000 or so a season to us. the cost of bringinging in a 'star' player.

What about his commitment, would he dye for the club ?

That may have something to do with the fact that there are still over a thousand home tickets unsold.

He should ensure that the side burns up the opposition.

If he stays will he settle for a modest salary or will he prove to be a gold DIGGER ?

A solid competent debut in difficult conditions. Out of contract at Bradford at the end of the season so, if he enjoys the Highland air, who knows...

Let's take care of business at East End Park first before discussing what might be a non topic come this time next week.

If we beat the Pars our late late equaliser on Saturday will be worth the guts of £300,000. The difference between breaking even or not in the course of the year.

Fair enough. Was a last man challenge and probably a foul. By the letter of the (absurd) law. a red card.

Come upon this belatedly. Brilliant as ever Johndo. Would have made it earlier but Toich stole my bike.

Usually fairly optimistic but I see relegation staring us in the face this season. Only real hope is somehow to finish above the Pars.

HT; ICT 1, Dunfermline 0 FT; ICT 2, Dunfermline 0 ICT; Tade Dunfermline; Kirk Crowd; 3,092

The elm trees at Telford Street when it was an away ground for this middle aged Jaggie.

HT; Celtic 1, ICT O FT; Celtic 1, ICT 1 ICT; Tansey Celtic; Samaras Crowd; 44,984