Kingsmills

HRH has now given a rousing 'address to the nation' without a word of apology or explanation as to why he sought fit to ignore the rules applying ordinary people. Arrogant sense of privilege and continuing to 'self isolate' from the population at large.

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.

I entirely agree. Getting very close to home. A near neighbour, otherwise healthy as far as I know and only in his early fifties, fell ill on Wednesday and is now in hospital in a coma fighting for life. There may be adverse effects of all of this for football in general and ICT in particular but another year in the Championship, part time football or even administration are as nothing just now. Some things, in fact right now, almost everything is more important than the fate of a football club. Once again, stay safe everyone and look out for each other particularly the most vulnerable and be brave enough to call out the tiny minority who do not think the rules apply to them.

The vast majority in my small village are being very sensible and hugely considerate and mindful of one another and not a single elderly, or otherwise self isolating, person has been left without a couple of local contact numbers. Very proud of the vast majority of ordinary people. Some less ordinary individuals please take note. Stay safe folks until we all meet at the Longman once more. This will not be short term, it will not be easy but eventually normality will return.

You have carefully selected the one BBC report showing a little balance and posing one question in the gentlest of terms. Perhaps you were not at home, as I was, yesterday morning viewing the BBC news which was broadcasting an informative programme where relevant experts were answering urgent queries from very concerned viewers when the programme was interrupted, that vital source of information was halted and we had fully twenty minutes devoted to the news that a moderately elderly man was moderately ill and that his less moderately elderly mother was well. Nicholas Witchell was interviewed and was indeed sickenly sycophantic and toadying. At no point during those twenty minutes or so did any of the three very senior journalists involved query why he was in Aberdeenshire contrary to the advice of both governments or why on earth precious testing kits had been used on him, his spouse and presumably his entire bloody enterage.

The BBC has a duty to keep spirits up during these unsettling and worrying times but it also has an obligation to report the news in an honest and open way. I live in Aberdeenshire not a million miles from the Balmoral Estate and there is outrage, bordering on apoplexy, amongst the local community and not just those of us who normally have disdain for the royal family but many who would describe themselves as monarchists, about recent events. Charles Windsor flouted the clear advice issued by both the Scottish and United Kingdom governments for people who reside in urban areas who are fortunate enough to have second homes in more remote rural locations not to move to these homes but to stay in their principal residences to avoid putting additional strain on our already stretched and likely soon to be stretched to breaking point and beyond limited health care facilities. Yet, despite this very clear instruction to the whole population, this individual chose to flee the sadly already badly infected capital of England and head here with his spouse and a large retinue of staff. What a disgracefully poor example to set and, unlike most selfish and self interested people of his type, he is not only putting additional strain on our health resources but also our police who surely have better and more urgent things to do with their limited staffing just now than to deploy a significant number of officers to provide 24hour security on the Balmoral estate. That is not to mention that this individual displaying 'mild symptoms' was able to get a scarce test carried out as yet, not available to our front line medical and nursing staff unless they themselves end up in an ICU. Why then are the BBC still reporting on this with their usual sycophantic deference and concern for the health of this mildly ill man and his elderly mother ? We are all very concerned for our elderly parents but the vast majority of us are doing the right thing to keep the whole community safe and not selfishly just our own immediately family. Can the BBC please point out how thoroughly selfish and irresponsible this behaviour is so that others who are in the privileged position of being able to do so don't follow suit.

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.

Delighted to see that the club are now mobilising it's resources to assist with the fight. Well done to the chairman, board, coaches, players, office and ground staff and every single fan getting involved. Club and community standing shoulder to shoulder at this time of crisis. Very proud indeed.

We are at war against a hidden but deadly enemy that will deprive many of their lives and many more of their livelihood. The vast majority are acting as one caring community. Those selfish idiots who are bulk buying and depriving others of essentials need to be called out and shamed. Worse, those that are profiteering are nothing short of vile. Such activity is perfectly legal although abhorrent. However, these are not normal times and both the Westminster and Holyrood parliaments need to pass emergency legislation making such conduct a criminal offence, at least for the duration of this crisis.

Football is unimportant just now. The late Bill Shankley had it wrong then and is, without doubt, wrong now. Like many other posters, I am in a relatively privileged position, Although getting on a wee bit, I am not in an at risk category, the roof over my head is secure and, although my income may be diminished, I will still be able to put food on the table. I have an elderly parent who is very vulnerable and now socially isolating but she has myself and my brother close at hand to help. I am aware that there are many not so fortunate, so can I take this opportunity to ask any members of this site who need help in any way not to be shy in asking for it. Also, and for all I know they may be doing so already, there are a couple of dozen fit young men employed by ICT who are barred from their normal occupation who could perhaps help in the community subject to taking precautions not to spread or contract the virus. It's not, in any way, the priority but that may also engender a lasting bond between club and community which might bear some fruit once things eventually return to normal.

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.

What a very good suggestion. I am sure that a very suitable charity will benefit considerably from the members of this site alone.

Something done at last about this curse would be a very fitting tribute and perhaps something positive to emerge from this tragedy. We are brought together my a love of football and of ICT in particular but this puts the trivial nature of sport and the various, spats, niggles and emnities we have with our fellow posters into stark perspective. Mea Culpa as much as anyone. I have always been a good and willing listener to the concerns of others but, and I think that being a middle aged man brought up in a stupidly stoically Highland tradition has been a large factor, I have always had a tendency to bottle up and cover up my own worries when sharing them, or at least discussing them, would have been better for myself, my family and colleagues both present and past. If by being more open and honest about ourselves and offering the help and experience that we are able to give to others can prevent another such tragedy then some good will come of this and I too am very happy to make myself available to listen to anyone at any time. I have been as guilty as any but perhaps, whilst still having robust discussion and disagreement, we can start being a little more respectful and tolerant of one another not just on this site, not just on social media but in general.

What dreadful news. Another much valued and respected member of the ICT family gone far too prematurely. I can't add to what has already been said but fully endorse every word.