Laurence

Nothing to do with systems, or weakness's we were diabolical, that's all. We were a mess from start to finish. And also if you take my advice don't boo oposition players, who used to play for us. It only spurs them on to crack in the goal of the season.

could have been worse. Hamilton at home ? no chance

***********I think it's fairly academical, we will hammer Hamilton, in great style . ************* , Notice I am now saying we, although I have only supported ICT for a very short time.

Hi Today is my birthday by the way - born 1st August 1943 I took my train from Aviemore to Inverness at a quater to one, turned up at Inverness about 40 mins later, It was raining quite hard, being on the mean side ( no taxi ) I decieded to get a bus. Nobody could tell me were I could get one. Eventually I was directed to a 25x , who dumped me on the highway opposite Medceded Benz showroom. Still pouring down, I walked towards the Caledoneon stadium. Spray from passing trafic and puddles on the pavement didn't help. I had to negociate the roundabout, Notice said " high speed trafic, cross with care ". I have an old Rugby League injury which means my knee is sore, so running is not my strong point. I stood by the road getting covered with spray untill suddenly a gap appeared in the trafic and I went for it. I then proceded to walk to the ground at a sedate pace. On my left side a salt distribution depot, surounded by railway lupins, and thistles, not the nice traditional Scotish thistle but an ugly corruption of this plant, on the other side a beautiful seascape second to non of views from any British soccer stadium. I puzzled in my own mind who could give planning permission for a football ground acessed by an high speed road, with no flyover. I never cease to be amazed. On arrival at the ground I entered the stadium, for the first time, never before had I been into any sort of stadium in Scotland and I was quite impressed. I was puzzled by the names on seats, and I wonered where to sit, worried that the owner whose name was on the seat, would have a claim on it. I did eventually sit on a seat marked David Cameron, which I thought had a certain irony, as a life time member of Labour and the trade unions , I had to smile. I chatted to a couple of supporters of Queen's Park, we were discussing the history of the club. I was amazed at the fact that all the players were totally ameteur. It was mentioned that if it had embraced professionalism in the old days, it would probably be a top team in Scotland if not Great Britain, throughout the ages. The game set off , Queen's looked busy, and Inverness looked rusty. An early atack showed no 18 to be tottaly out of position on the left side of the midfield, he certainly looked like a squre peg in a round hole. In fact in the first attack, he gave the ball away in a sloppy manner which put Queen's immediately on the counter. The first 20 mins I thought it was hard to think which team was in the higher division, which players were paid, and which were ameteur. I suppose the strenth of the Inverness defence , was the difference. I was particulary impressed with the ability of the left footers in defence , No 3 ( very one footed) , and No5, who for the life of me should not be taking throw ins. No 18 although playing on the left side can't kick at all with his left, and kept wandering out of position. His positional sense was very poor. He did however looked dangerous in the middle ( Diago Forlan like) when he ran with the ball. He also like to take set pieces, a feature he should forget. The three goals were well taken, especial y lthe one scored by the defender that I thought was real class. The strenht of the ICT players showed towards the end as the willing Queens Park players wilted. I remember thinkinking they will have to play much better than this in the SPL, or they will be cut to ribbons. On occasion Queens Park did break through the ICT defence but failed to score, This could have been more serious against better oposition. My view having seen many games in England at all levels that the standard is better than the conference. About as good as league two. A couple of the ICT defenders could get a game in a Championship side. Something that did puzzle me was the ICT goalkeeper, threw the ball right handed, but kicked with his left. Having said all the above I know the players are still not mach fit , and there are injuries, but they sure have to improve to survive in the top flight. Just an opinion , but I have watched the game now for over 60 years.

I don't like arguing politics But the last election seems to me, that turkeys voted for Christmas.

Hi I should like to pay tribute to one of my heroes. He lost his battle against cancer today I know what it's like to fight cancer. RIP

By Tram

That is a good point. Somehow living in the far North of Scotland we get into a 1976 time zone. Just a for instance > If the club contacted somebody like the Thistle Hotel, or the Many car salesrooms on the Industrial estate, I am sure someone would sponser it. The running these days is all wireless technology, and no harder than programming your own computer. All the players kit sponsors could have their names broacast over it before the games, adding maybe a tenner to the kit sponsership. There a lot of big Hotels and large firms in Inverness who would buy time on the scoreboard. Just a case of somebody at the club grasping the nettle. If a little Lancashire club like Bury can have a scoreboard, and I know they have had one for at least 10 years, so can Inverness , for God's sake. When the Celtic fans turn up at the ground in a few weeks time, they will think they are back in 1976.

Iam not sure but when I used to go to Selhurst Park, not many years ago, there was no scoreboard, The hosted Wimbledon then in the Premier league, and Crystal Palace. When I went to Gigg Lane Bury, they had a very nice scoreboard. It was paid for by the sponsars who adevertised on it. It used to give out loads of information about local events, junior events and such like. It was run by the club press officer Gordon Sourfleet, who would program it from his lap top, using wireless technology. If the club are at all interested, they should contact Gordon at the Bury Club.

I had a look through the web http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Moore Nothing about a conviction Can I squash that alegation

Did you notice whether you had any jewellery missing? Well the story goes like this I think it was in 1968 - West Ham had been playing at Blackburn. Blackburn had a very nice night club call the Carleton, I sometimes popped in there for a pint afterwork. The bar was deserted because Bob Monkhouse was on and most people had gone to watch him. I was having my pint, when a friendly blonde guy started chatting to me,( no not like that, before you start). He asked if it was a good club, and was there much going on. I just chatted on about this and that. I realised he was some sort of cockney or Essex type, but I didn't think much about it. After a while a few more guys came in very loud and in your face types ( The West ham united team ) , I still didn't twig, about my drinking partner, untill I saw a look of pain cross his face. I thought after he was glad of a bit of piece and quiet, which was now gone, after , this unruly mob came in, with most of the waitresses , I might add. Not for me this sort of carry on, so I said my farewells to Mr Moore and left to play the tables before I went home. I must mention he was a very friendly nice bloke, quiiet spoken, and glad not to be reconised. The little chap in the middle was the fullback Charles, funnily enough he was the one I reconised, I said "are you footballers"?, he replied in a very rude way, I shall not repeat. Did you lose any jewellery though :crazy03: I thought women wore Jewellery - certainly not me. A crappy old watch maybe. I know there was some acusation in Mexico about Mooore, but I don't think there was any foundation in the story.

Did you notice whether you had any jewellery missing? Well the story goes like this I think it was in 1968 - West Ham had been playing at Blackburn. Blackburn had a very nice night club call the Carleton, I sometimes popped in there for a pint afterwork. The bar was deserted because Bob Monkhouse was on and most people had gone to watch him. I was having my pint, when a friendly blonde guy started chatting to me,( no not like that, before you start). He asked if it was a good club, and was there much going on. I just chatted on about this and that. I realised he was some sort of cockney or Essex type, but I didn't think much about it. After a while a few more guys came in very loud and in your face types ( The West ham united team ) , I still didn't twig, about my drinking partner, untill I saw a look of pain cross his face. I thought after he was glad of a bit of piece and quiet, which was now gone, after , this unruly mob came in, with most of the waitresses , I might add. Not for me this sort of carry on, so I said my farewells to Mr Moore and left to play the tables before I went home. I must mention he was a very friendly nice bloke, quiiet spoken, and glad not to be reconised. The little chap in the middle was the fullback Charles, funnily enough he was the one I reconised, I said "are you footballers"?, he replied in a very rude way, I shall not repeat.

Now if it had been Pam Shriver or Maria Schrarabova...that would've been a story!

Hi Having seen Pam on TV today, I was remined of an event that occured on East Croydon Railway Station about ten years ago I had put my case down on a seat that was placed back to back with another seat, hard to describe but each seat was facing a different platform. As my train came in, I turned and bent down to get my case. At the same time exactly a lady on the other seat turned and stared to pick up her case. Both our heads were bowed as we bent down. As I lfted my head up I saw the most striking coat imaginable opposite me, It was bright red , with military style black fastennings across. As I lifted my head further and stood up so did the owner of the coat, she appeared over 6 foot tall, and was as striking as you could imagine. Our faces were about two foot from each other, and she smiled at me. I turned around and caught my train. A couple of days later I was watching the Wimbedon broadcast, the presener Pam Schriber came on wearing the same coat. I realised then who I had briefly met on East Croyden station.

I get a frisson of excitement just thinking about the new season, and it's not yet two years since my first match at ICT. Never imagined I'd get reeled in so comprehensively... Furthermore, the poster called Wilsononourwing runs a 'BELIEVE' bus and, sooner or later, everyone has to get on it welcome along Laurence just out of intrest where abouts did you get your seat...are you a main stand sweetie rustler like me?? or a north stand singer Hi It is the Jock MacDonald Stand Row G I have no idea whether it is the main stand or not. I just hope I get a good view. see you there.

Hi I suppose to be absolutely technical. Promotions and relegations are not verified until the annual general meetings of the various leagues. At those meetings the formality of voting the teams in whatever division takes place. It has been known for teams to be denied promotion in England because the stadia was not good enough etc. Laurence

Ok Having watched one of Neil Warnock's teams on a regular basis, I am used to the long ball game. Laurence

Well the deed is done, the die is cast - My money spent , goodness knows what I am in for. I have never seen a football match in Scotland live. I once saw Celtic play at Burnley in what was billed as an Anglo Scottish cup match. The cetic fans rioted and were banned from the competition. Throwing iron railings at the police didn't help their reputation . My only other time I saw a Scotish team play, was the Airdionians at Gigg Lane Bury, again an Anglo Scottish cup match. A good game if my memory serves. I don't know if it is a first , but I think it is an unlikely event , that a season ticket holder , will see his first game , in a nation , let alone a club. Hopefully I will be treated to some good games. :023:

Hi To bring to your attention Colin Kasim-Richards Now Colin who is a UK citizen, has blotted his copybook in Turkey big time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Kazim-Richards Fenerbabachce I am told by a Turkish friend of mine won't have him back. They have farmed him out on loan to Toulouse. I am sure he wont be happy with that long term. My point his he is looking to get his credibility back. Could ICT not get him on loan with a knock down price from Fenerbachce. Just an idea. Nothing ventured and all that.

Who do you support?? Hi I have followed the Saints for a few years now. Last season I and my son , put ?20 on them to win the super bowl at 40-1. We laid a little off towards the end of the play -offs , just to protect our bet. I also like the Giants. The team I can't stand is Dallas, I know not why. Just cant stand them. The team I like to watch in defence are the Steelers, scare the hell out of me. They are tough, I mean tough - am beginning to sound like Paul Merson.

"Iam watching you"

Cleanest fingernails in the game. Won't catrch me mending a motor bike.

About half way through the season when we were sitting uncomfortably in the bottom half of the Div 1 table, I posted something to the effect that TB's appointment of manager was proving to be, not only a huge gamble by the club/ board, but one that could end up having dire consequences, and even threaten the very survival of the club. I do apologise - You are not on your own. I think the world and his wife expected the team to struggle this season. As an interested onlooker, recently arrived in the locality, I was amazed when I looked at the league table a few weeks ago. I though I was seeing things. I mean Dundee brought in a new manager, to steady their ship. What a co-ck up that was , the biggest since Monz as they say. No point dwelling in the past. Next season will be tough. St Johnstone have shown a promoted team can do reasonably well in the SPL. If ICT can hold their own it well be a sucess, don't expect too much.

Hi Good luck to all of the supporters travelling. I won't be there because I want my first match to be at home. Remember Ayr will be up for the match big time, so make sure you get behind the team. Laurence

Hi Just to say I have in my time been to matches where the league has been won, and the team winning it, has entertained a much weaker team at the end of the season. The weaker team often wins and this causes major disapointment, for the champions. What I am trying to say is. " Don't take Ayr likely ", or Dundee for that matter. Both these teams will be up for the matches against ICT big time. regards Laurence