Kingsmills

We have been making do for the whole of our existence and have, in the past, worked wonders on a shoestring. With young McKay back from loan and not so young Shane back in full time football with something to prove, I think we might do okay. Assuming there is no league reconstruction Hearts will be the team with massively greater resources to beat in the division but, as we know, the first season after relegation can be a difficult one and I see no reason, as long as we can somehow sustain full time football, why we can't compete.

I tend to be in agreement with you but, on this occasion, only half agree. I quite like Partick!

There was, without doubt, an element of self interest in our vote but at least we were honest and transparent about what we intended to do and did just that unlike Dundee who were entirely underhand and self interested. On that basis, I am expecting that if there is to be reconstruction the top division will be extended to at least sixteen clubs rather than fourteen. Dundee did not act as they did to ensure that only their neighbours and ourselves benefited from any reconsideration. Personally, I see merit in an eighteen team top division on a national basis with north and south regional divisions below that each also of eighteen teams comprising the current lowest Championship clubs, the clubs in leagues one and two and the leading clubs from the Highland and Lowland Leagues. I would then have top teams promoted from each of the regional divisions with the bottom two teams in the top division being automatically relegated and the top three teams in each regional division playing off against one of the teams finishing fifteenth and sixteenth in the top league with the winners of each of the north and south play offs either being promoted to or remaining in the top tier. Lots of refreshing of the teams to prevent the staleness we endure now and much for a good number of the teams to play for for most of the season. I would retain the Challenge Cup for the teams out with the top tier but regionalised until the semi final stage.

I admire your efforts and enthusiasm Caley Tennis and wish you well but I am with IBM and Gringo on this. I am not on Facebook and have no interest in being so. This is my ICT online community and one that the recent crisis has prompted me to fully engage in again after a period of self imposed 'exclusion' . What unites us is far more important and valuable than any petty differences or grievances that may have preoccupied us in the past.

What an excellent example of full and honest communication from our CEO. Well done to the club and well done to him personally. A stark contrast to the way his predecessor conducted herself and in very stark contrast to the way that Dundee FC and the SPFL are conducting themselves just now. Very proud of our club showing this level of transparency just now when we are all so very much in the dark.

We should compete the season by each team nominating a member of their playing squad to play paper, scissors, stone with the nominated player of the other clubs we have yet to play. Best of five for league fixtures, best of seven for the remaining cup ties and best of nine for the all important promotion and relegation play offs.

When it comes to honesty, the SPFL don't have the finest of track records. However, The Rangers and the club of a similar name who preceded them have a far worse track record in that regard. On that basis, I am strongly inclined to give the football authorities the benefit of the doubt.

Seldom impressed by our football authorities but, to be fair, right now, we are all making it up as we go along. Let's wait until the decision is made before being too critical of it.

Once all of this is over we need to have a fundamental review of who we value and rely on most in society and start to reward them accordingly. If the Tory government suddenly forget the value and commitment of the hundreds of thousands of nurses, carers, cleaners, shop workers and others who have got us through this crisis then the electorate need to remind them at the first opportunity.

Apparently, the PFA in England have issued a statement and said that their members in the EPL on an average of £60,000 a week should not take a wage cut as that would be 'detrimental to the NHS' depriving the country of tax revenues. If they are too greedy and selfish to share some of the pain they should just be honest and say so rather than insulting our intelligence.

There is more chance of the central belt pundits they would employ to predict the results having us relegated than retaining our play off place by the end of the virtual season.

The pedant in me can't resist pointing out that the Scottish football authorities will not face an 'injunction' 😁

Steve Clarke has today agreed to a 10% cut in salary. Given that that salary is £350,000, surely he could do a great deal better than thst without any hardship at all.

A bit off topic but it is heartening to note the change of tone on this site in the last couple of weeks with posters, at least the great majority of them, being far more polite and respectful of one another with sarcastic, dismissive or aggressive responses to posts very much reduced and 'red dotting' almost non existent whilst healthy debate and polite disagreement is still able to continue. It would be fantastic to think that we could continue in this vein once normal life is resumed.

Fantastic effort. Club and community United as never before. Well done to all involved. Actions like this are happening all over and will help us get through this crisis with as few fatalities as possible. The selfish hoarders and panic buyers get a great deal of publicity but they are, thank goodness, very much in the minority and kindness, compassion and community spirit are surfacing like never before.

I have often been highly critical of our football authorities but the stark reality is they cannot distribute money they don't have.

I disagree. It's important for normal life to continue in so far as consistent with keeping people safe. With there unlikely to be any actual football played probably for several months, it is an opportunity for the clubs and those charged with administering the game, to discuss reform and preparing for a sustainable future for as many of our clubs as possible. Maybe, just maybe, for once self interest might not get in the way of sensible reform.

On the positive side, we will remain unbeaten between now and the end of May. Caley D's suggested resolution is a fair and sensible one. Unfortunately, far too fair and sensible for the Scottish football authorities to implement.

Whilst that would be an idea it would do nothing to mitigate loss of income which could tip the balance for our financially fragile club. These are going to be an extraordinary few weeks in prospect and, although your circle of friends and acquaintances may have different views to mine, I have spoken to a number of season ticket holders and none would be looking for a refund or compensation or expect it. I appreciate that they would be making a financial sacrifice and something could and should when times return to something more normal. In the meantime, if this comes to pass, the club, like many others, may need every penny just to get through. I do, however, appreciate your different view and am pleased that you have expressed it in a non abusive or confrontational manner.

Effectively banned as you say. Probably a sensible precaution. If the SPFL insist on games going on behind closed doors rather than postponing then perhaps the club could set up a system for those of us without season tickets and who can afford to do so, to pay the usual admission price. I know that, in the circumstances, I would be happy to pay that. We could also mitigate the loss by still selling hospitality which would keep us well below the 500 assuming the income outweighed the cost.

Whatever agonies he suffered are ended now but those of his family and friends endure and if the 44th minute applause planned for the cup final help any of them in any way, even temporarily, it will be a wonderful thing to do. As part of our wonderful football family I have no doubt that the Raith fans will join in too and perhaps, depending on what is happening on the pitch at the time, our players could stop for a few seconds in quiet reflection.

There is no realistic prospect of catching the Arabs but second place gives us a fighting chance of promotion via the play offs and that very competent and professional performance cements our pole position in that regard. For those still constantly complaining just look at Partick and Falkirk. Both clubs with more fans, more money and healthier player budgets than us yet one look increasingly destined for league One and the other has been stuck there for two seasons now. We may be frustratingly inconsistent but, given our extremely limited resources including losing valuable players in the January window, we have remained competitive and firmly in contention in the play off places. Credit to the manager, coaches, players and our small but loyal band of fans for that. Time to stop griping and get fully behind the team for three months or so that could determined our future as a full time team.

It's clear that you have issues with a number of players but that is a thoroughly inappropriate post on a topic that, quite apart from the effect it may have on our struggling club and many other struggling businesses and individuals, is very likely to claim the lives of a number of Scots including, in all probability, some ICT fans. I entirely agree with DD. Take the advice given by the authorities seriously and follow it as well as looking out for our more vulnerable members of society.

At this stage of the season, all that matters is to secure three points by whatever means and by whatever score. Essential that we restain second place to have a realistic shot at promotion via the play offs.

A tragedy but, understandable as your feelings are in the circumstances, no blame whatsoever attaches to you. People in turmoil can be very adept at concealing that even from those closest to them and it appears that is exactly what happened on Friday. Stay strong and make sure you have someone you can talk to.