dougal

I'm afraid Malpas is NOT the answer, as an assistant he's fine but no way should he be risked as the successor

You only have to look at what he did with Motherwell in his short spell in charge there to see that the guy can't cut it as the main man

With the club sitting where it is at present as the second best club in Scotland I would have thought there would be some pretty big names filling in applications when the post becomes vacant

Its vitally important we get the right guy in for the club to keep progressing so its laughable that some people think that Malpas or Christie should take the reigns

Dougal

Looks like it was purely co incidental on this occasion but the timing of this flag being unfurled amongst our support while the SDL are having a demo/rally or whatever they call it a few miles up the road in Dundee certainly does us no favours

We have enough fans already who freely admit they supported the Orcs in the past or still at present without attracting some of these lunatics

Now the union flag does not cause me any offence whatsoever but unfortunately over the last few decades it does seem to have been hijacked by your far right groups like the SDL, The National Front and the BNP

When these groups see this amongst our support its inevitable some may try and latch on so my advice would be to keep it well away

Why some of our fans albeit a small minority seem to revel in Orc behaviour is beyond me but if we are not careful we will be branded the Rangers of the North and we most certainly don't want that offensive tag

Dougal

^^^^^

Alias

It's got nowt to do with stirring the melting point think you'll find I'm only contributing to a thread started by some roaster

In fact you'll only find me discussingthe merger now when provoked into doing so

Dougal

So Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon are Scotland's dream duo are they?

Its time to start looking for employment and property elsewhere if that is what the majority think

Everywhere north of Perth will be like being behind the iron curtain

Dougal

You just gotta laugh at the mock outrage at the mere mention of a merger with County

There are some very deluded ICT fans on here who think they could boot this into touch should such a merger ever surface

Like twenty years ago the fans would not have any say whatsoever and the decision to merge would already have been agreed before any token vote or disharmony could take place

I see ICT fans that fall into very different categories so let's see

1. Caledonian Fc fans - very few if any embraced the new club, (I'm talking off the ones that attended Telford St regularly but also travelled to away games)

The remaining although very small in number(the ones that picked and chooses their games, the johnny come latelys and gloryhunters )would vote YES to merge because let's face it they did it before although they might be looking for freebie season tickets yet again

2. Thistle Fc fans - without a shadow of doubt they would vote YES, they were quite happy to see their team being killed off so they can see their new team play in Blue while everyone called them Caley, they are a disgrace and they always will be in my eyes, they showed no loyalty and they are deeply untrustworthy

3. Incomers fans - think this would be more split but at a guess I'd say 70-30 in favour of merging as like the Thistle fans you have to question their loyalty, I doubt many have ICT at heart but they do have money to burn hence why they have season tickets and plenty time on their hands

4. Newer/younger ICT fans - like the fans twenty years ago I'd hope the younger generation of Invernessians would attempt to block such a merger and they would consist mainly of NO voters but we all know that this might not be enough so let's just hope for their sakes this vote will never come to fruition

One things for certain the local media would be up for it especially if there was another book on the pipeline

I'll be honest I can't ever see a merger between ourselves and County as I doubt they would even entertain it, although that's not to say Clach or Inverness City could not get involved at some stage which could be a possibility

Inverness FC or Inverness United with a completely neutral playing kit could be the way forward, some may scoff at such an idea but far more scoffed at the idea of Caley and Thistle merging

We are top of the SPL yet we can only muster 3000 home fans!! That alone tells me there is something far wrong

Dougal

This thread provides the proof that our support appears to consist mainly off incomers to the city,folk that have moved away from Inverness or those that hold some sentiment to the highlands

What's glaringly missing is the lack off born and bred Invernessians hence why our home attendances are so poor in my opinion

Now we can blame the old firm and Aberdeen,we can blame Ross County for getting a very strong foothold in Inverness and we could also blame other teams to a lesser extent but the question we need answered is why is this the case?

Dougal

Maybe potential fans come on here, read the drivel some post on here, and think, "jeez, if that is the type that follow ICT..."

^^^^^^^^

Can't handle the truth type of post

My point being if it wasn't for the likes of yourself our home attendances would be considerably worse than they are at present

Dougal

Surely EA sports wouldn't just rely on reviews from any fan that decided to throw in their tuppence as you could get a very unrealistic ICT team with ridiculous skills and attributes

Lets hope renegade ain't a FIFA gamer eh?

Dougal

This thread provides the proof that our support appears to consist mainly off incomers to the city,folk that have moved away from Inverness or those that hold some sentiment to the highlands

What's glaringly missing is the lack off born and bred Invernessians hence why our home attendances are so poor in my opinion

Now we can blame the old firm and Aberdeen,we can blame Ross County for getting a very strong foothold in Inverness and we could also blame other teams to a lesser extent but the question we need answered is why is this the case?

Dougal

Surely it would have been more appropriate for caleyjagsforever to approach their own membership about the recruitment rather than post on here considering that it will be their group who are going to gain financially or have they already done so with very little or no success

Dougal

C'mon guys get a grip anyone who thinks we can actually win the league are wired to the moon

Afraid Celtic will win the league at a canter and I'd guess by at least 18pts

Yes in one off games the odd team like ourselves will take points off them but in the course of a full season we won't keep up and never will keep up due to the difference of money both clubs have and that gap will get greater each year providing they keep qualifying for the group stages each year

We are a club who at present should be aiming for the top six each year and possibly a crack at European football

Other than finishing runners up and european football the main goal should be a cup final appearance

Dougal

The question I would ask is. Would Hearts have done the same had it been the other way round and ICT were in financial trouble?

I very much doubt it in my opinion

We have set a dangerous precedent now.Will we. be doing the same when the newco Orcs return for their first game in the Highland Capital?

Dougal

It's a ludicrous decision because you have hundreds if not thousands of football fans including ones that are inebriated crossing one of the busiest roads in the country

As for your point that has clearly got you seething

County had a higher average attendance than us last year and the novelty factor of SPL football would obviously make them have more season ticket holders. What's more with our dwindling numbers at home I can't see any different trend this season especially since we are doing so well.

If you are so worked up on stats you please show me that we have more Season ticket holders than them if it keeps you happy

Dougal

Can't help think If Billy had a more glamourous name he would be more in the limelight and get mentioned more often

Sounds like a local plumber/joiner/painter but if it keeps him out of the minds from the money clubs from the English championship

Billy does his job quietly and brilliantly for us and his goals last season and so far this reason are one if the main reasons where we presently are

Dougal

It was a ludicrous decision to construct a stadium so close to the A9 to be honest I'm surprised we got planning go ahead for it

I agree the build up off traffic was probably the worst I've seen on Saturday and like others have said an accident could easily have happened

Another grave concern I have would be the need for emergency vehicles travelling north and south so it has an impact on everyone not just the football fraternity

Only 4000 there on Saturday just imagine how bad it would have been if the game had been a sell out

Dougal

I doubt we will ever see a fourth stand at TCS, our stadium was thrown up without any consideration to the fans due to the need to get SPL football in Inverness after our time at pittodrie

Due to the temporary nature of our north and south stands I still live in hope that the TCS is a temporary hone that another site will be identified in the not too far off distant future where we can call our permanent home

I stand by my argument that a stadium within Inverness and not on the outskirts will add hundreds to our home attendance

Dougal

Hats off to Butcher he has assembled a squad with the emphasis on passing and the togetherness amongst the players is quite evident

Only negative on Saturday was that we failed to score more than the two we got but its another three points on the card regardless

Yes it's still very early days but I reckon this team providing we don't get hit badly with injuries will be fighting out runners up spot with Motherwell meaning a venture into Europe next season

Regarding the fan base it's time some folk realised that 2500-3000 is what it is. Most Invernessians don't see ICT as their local team for various reasons but its pointless bringing up the same moan on every match thread

Dougal

Normally the attendance would be up for the opener but what with Moy Game fair on and the Belladrum music festival can't see this one being that much different from last season to be honest

Think we are lucky with the opening fixture given to us though and it's a real chance to get an early three points on the board and that we come out of the traps flying

2-0 or 2-1 victory for us if I was to hazard a guess

Dougal

Troll-tastic - in fact a lot of trolling going on tonight ;-)

Tichy if I'm trolling its certainly not intentional

In my opinion no self respecting Caley fan would ever wear the away top

As long as ICT continue to display the Thistle on the badge I personally won't purchase club merchandise but I certainly am not stopping any of my fellow ICT fans from doing so, like I said its my personal opinion

Dougal

Nice little fenced area for the pitch. A decent start - hopefully the on pitch performances match it.

Yes let's hope the local press start to get behind City as they progress on and off the park

Dougal

Brora challenging for the title          ?

 

 

I think they will have a good season but they WON'T challenge the likes of Cove, Deveronvale, Huntly, Buckie and co.

What's really funny is that you think Huntly and Buckie will be challenging!!!!!!

Do you even watch Academy or do you get your highland league knowledge from the local press?

The standard of the Highland league is continuing to improve year after year and the money in the game in the north is quite remarkable

The fact that the likes of Elgin City can't hold onto players when Highland League teams come in says it all

Brora will be challenging this year whether the Caithness yokels like it or not

In fact I'd quite like to take in the Brora v Wick derby game at Dudgeon park as it should be a cracker

Dougal

Ok I've stolen this thread or a similar one from Over the Bridge but it makes good reading and it would be interesting in my opinion to see where our core support resides

Quite surprised by the large number of County supporters that don't seem to have any ties to Ross-shire

1 Where were you born? My Answer Raigmore hospital Inverness

2.Where did you spend your childhood? My Answer Inverness

3 When did you start following football in Inverness? My Answer Late 70's/early eighties

4 What is you current location? My Answer Inverness although I did spend a number of years in Nottingham and the surrounding area

Could have made a poll like the County lot have done but think its better this way as it doesn't allow anonymous voting

Dougal

Pretty poor losing that with a relatively strong side.

To be fair to our players this fixture is one they dont really want to be in so close to start of season. Nobody wants to risk injury in a game that has more meaning for HL teams than it does for us.

What complete rubbish if any of our players don't want to play in these games they frankly shouldn't be at the club

If this was the case then why do we play numerous Highland league clubs every pre season

In my opinion Brora will be challenging for the title come May, show some respect!!!

Dougal

Anyone being down the Bught lately

Looks like Inverness City are finally getting their park in shape for the fortcoming junior season

Despite the snipers I wish them all the very best and I'm hoping to watch them when I get the opportunity

They really have been a credit to Inverness bringing the junior game to the highland capital

Dougal

Well done St Johnstone, really hope they now finish them off at home

Think I'm right in saying there is another round to win before they get to the group stages but its a remarkable achievement already no matter what happens

Fair chance they will get a big name in the next round but then it's likely to be a real money spinner

Could have been us but who knows what next year will bring, when hopefully we will be more geared up for Europe and have a run ourselves

Dougal

To be fair to the club I think that they have done more this close season than in recent years to get folk along. I'd be interested to know how many posters on this site have a season ticket. Not to find a stick to beat them with but it might give an indication (from a representative sample) of what percentage ICT fans do have season tickets.

What have the club done more this close season than recent years then?

The club with its performances and final league position last season alone should have increased season ticket sales, think its a bit off for some to blame the club for not doing enough

It's worrying that County will have more season ticket holders than us for the second year running but i very much doubt that it would effect Terry or the players on the park

Maybe a recruiting drive by Caleyjagsforever is a more apt suggestion

Dougal