Fraz

Seems they've been (and continue to be) charmed for years on Gardiner's Koolaid so it's not a stretch.

Absolutely gutted to hear this. I didn't know Johndo super well but I'd chatted to him fair a number of times, particularly at away games. He was a character that was larger than life and one you just don't forget. ICT is diminished by his loss, my heart goes out to his family. Wherever he is, I hope he finds his way to Telford Street and the Howden End is there, plus plenty of Vodka! RIP sir.

Great to get a win. Hopefully give some confidence to the younger players. Wasn't aware there was a big (or any) demonstration planned.

That's cute (to be clear you're referring to the girls' academy, my post was about the ICT women's team which predates the ICT branding of Thistle Girls), and he certainly liked to have a lengthy meeting about how he saved the girls' Academy after the collapse of Thistle Girls due to a disgusting situation. Fact is other than lending the ICT badge the club has done nothing for the Girls Academy and has zero influence over it. Your concern for Gardiner's feelings are very sweet but I doubt he even knows anything about the Academy and since the ICT rebrand I've never seen him at training or a game. Perhaps I'm being unfair and should give him the plaudits for example for two of the U14 teams coming 2nd and 3rd in a tournament in Grangemouth last weekend. ETA- the fact that you can watch a women's game knowing that you're not helping fund Gardiner's business to the tune of £10k a month is also a bonus.

Yes but accommodation costs must have been too high don't you know. Better to bring in someone from Dundee United.

Not really. 'The club' provide no real support, financial or otherwise (maybe some 'in kind' like an occasional home strip or the use of the pitch once a year) that I'm aware of to the women's team or academy. All the organisation and management is done by volunteers. In fact I believe that the women actually pay so they can play and cover some the costs of pitches, ref's etc.

If you're not going to the men's game but still want to support an ICT team this weekend that's in the Championship with many young Academy graduates, that also doesn't have a manager on hundreds of thousands a year then fill your boots!

You can let us know, as I assume you'll be there today and going forward.

"So in short, I couldn’t care less. Disdain is good." That's what he thinks about folk who don't like him (fans included I assume). He's that narcissistic he'll carry on doing what's best for SG. Doesn't give a monkeys about ICT and the state he'll leave it in.

Clearly flippant comments are lost a bit online or to those who struggle to comprehend light hearted comments. Your inability to understand the link between what is going on 'off the field' and what we have ended up with on the field this season is, I suppose your own issue. Perhaps one day you'll be able to see the connection. Perhaps in hindsight if fans (myself included) were not so willing to just keep throwing money at the club year on year recently the board et al may have taken notice before things reached the awful stage it has. We have, 'off the field' thrown hundreds of thousands at an impotent CEO and incompetent managers. If you don't think that impacts the 'on the park' situation then I don't know what to say. I sincerely hope you enjoy the game though tomorrow regardless.

What do you mean?

I'd heard that they couldn't afford the bill for the kegs and also to save the cost of the staff. May not be correct of course. Surely we could buy a few crates of cider and beer on sale or return and just sell them instead?

It would be streets ahead of the Pixallot offering Gardiner organised.

What's the view of the pitch from the lay-by on the A9 like these days?

Yeah, full price below for those interested.

I assume also that dispite being asked many times that the club yet again never bothered to designate a singing section for fans who want to stand?

Just 2 hours until the extended early bird period finishes guys! If you get in quick you also get a limited edition dart board sized Scot Gardiner poster.

#MCGA

If they had I'd imagine they'd be pretty quick to say. My guess the club isn't saying anything further so there's nothing more to comment on.

Scott and Fiona do a lot more beyond their normal jobs I believe.

Going by the evidence and past behaviour, no. It seems he has one system he likes to play regardless of the opposition team or tactics and also regardless of players at our disposal, will persist with no plan B. However I haven't seen any preseason games other than Clach so maybe that's unfair.

'Comet' system yeah, been a bit of a burach.

Both already do play for ICT but a bit young yet for the 1st team and also the wrong gender

Normally (I'm my limited experience) things stay confidential because it is 'commercially sensitive' and could be detrimental to either or both parties. The length of someone's notice is a nonsense in this regard as it is literally impossible to keep confidential. If SG leaves after 4 months, everyone will know it is 4 months long, if he leaves after 6 everyone will know it is 6 etc. It will be apparent regardless, the only difference being that if was shared, it could help the club in the short term and would have zero detriment to Gardiner in any way that I could see. ETA- it's of course quite possible that SG is just being petulant and the club have to do things by the book as he would love for something to slip so he could take legal action. He absolutely seems that kind of person. Perhaps I've worked in the lower paid public sector for so long that I take it for granted that things are open to scrutiny at all levels and your pay and contracts are public knowledge, you are accountable for every penny you spend etc.

I was told by Scott Young the SLO that it was for confidentiality reasons. Which is kinda odd because I believe he's not a direct club employee but is effectively subcontracted to the club for his 'services'. Or lack thereof.