gordieict

I don't know anything about EFFECTIVE marketing so I don't see how I could help. Since inception this club has relied heavily on volunteers (workers) and they will always be needed to help where required. However, our ability to attract new customers and get old customers back is non-existant and far beyond the capabilities of someone like me. We need to EMPLOY PROFESSIONALS who are accountable, know what they are talking about and can evidence their success in this field NOT volunteers who have the club at heart but have no professional experience. You are very much mistaken if you think there's nothing you can do to help with the marketing of the club. Each and every one of us has the power at our fingertips to be an ambassador of the club...it's never been easier. e.g. It takes seconds to share a story or link about ICT on your facebook/twitter or to post something positive and encouraging about your team. In the canteen at work, over lunch, waiting for a bus, standing in the queue at the shop, sitting in the doctors waiting room...all opportunities to strike up a conversation with someone and slip in mention of ICT. Ok, so the club don't get everything right, but if you choose to focus only on the negatives when communicating with people then they will be left with a negative impression of the club and will likely never become another person spending money at ICT and without people spending money then we'll never have the funds/resources to undertake the bigger things. This forum is visited by thousands of visitors/guests (not the regular users) every week. Without doubt some of these people will be newcomers to the area, tourists, visitors or whatever looking for a bit of information on the local football team. They'd be a bit naive to expect to come on and see nobody making critical comment about the not so good parts of the game....but when they come on and see endless negative content then they're not going to be rushing down to the next game. As I said, things aren't perfect at ICT and TCS....but I believe they are getting better. How about we concentrate a bit more on that, or at least temper our propensity to whine and moan by acknowledging that (as far as is within the clubs control) things are getting better.....both on and off the park. I've been arguing for the best part of a decade against the dangers of the business/customer attitude that took over at ICT after we got to the SPL. I strongly believe that there is realisation within the club of where things have gone off the rails and also a desire on their part to be making changes for the better. If that wasn't the case then I'd still be arguing the case instead of redirecting my energy and effort into encouraging people to work together. The club do not need any more convincing of the need for change....and they cannot move forward with exercising the change that's needed without the help, support and backing of the fans. It's almost as if we have slipped into a parallel universe where the prior situation with club and fans is the total opposite to what it was. The club are trying hard to change, but it's the unwillingness of the support to embrace and help with that which is preventing the progress being made....rather bizarre!!! I don't know anything about EFFECTIVE marketing so I don't see how I could help. Since inception this club has relied heavily on volunteers (workers) and they will always be needed to help where required. However, our ability to attract new customers and get old customers back is non-existant and far beyond the capabilities of someone like me. We need to EMPLOY PROFESSIONALS who are accountable, know what they are talking about and can evidence their success in this field NOT volunteers who have the club at heart but have no professional experience. You are very much mistaken if you think there's nothing you can do to help with the marketing of the club. Each and every one of us has the power at our fingertips to be an ambassador of the club...it's never been easier. e.g. It takes seconds to share a story or link about ICT on your facebook/twitter or to post something positive and encouraging about your team. In the canteen at work, over lunch, waiting for a bus, standing in the queue at the shop, sitting in the doctors waiting room...all opportunities to strike up a conversation with someone and slip in mention of ICT. Ok, so the club don't get everything right, but if you choose to focus only on the negatives when communicating with people then they will be left with a negative impression of the club and will likely never become another person spending money at ICT and without people spending money then we'll never have the funds/resources to undertake the bigger things. This forum is visited by thousands of visitors/guests (not the regular users) every week. Without doubt some of these people will be newcomers to the area, tourists, visitors or whatever looking for a bit of information on the local football team. They'd be a bit naive to expect to come on and see nobody making critical comment about the not so good parts of the game....but when they come on and see endless negative content then they're not going to be rushing down to the next game. As I said, things aren't perfect at ICT and TCS....but I believe they are getting better. How about we concentrate a bit more on that, or at least temper our propensity to whine and moan by acknowledging that (as far as is within the clubs control) things are getting better.....both on and off the park. I've been arguing for the best part of a decade against the dangers of the business/customer attitude that took over at ICT after we got to the SPL. I strongly believe that there is realisation within the club of where things have gone off the rails and also a desire on their part to be making changes for the better. If that wasn't the case then I'd still be arguing the case instead of redirecting my energy and effort into encouraging people to work together. The club do not need any more convincing of the need for change....and they cannot move forward with exercising the change that's needed without the help, support and backing of the fans. It's almost as if we have slipped into a parallel universe where the prior situation with club and fans is the total opposite to what it was. The club are trying hard to change, but it's the unwillingness of the support to embrace and help with that which is preventing the progress being made....rather bizarre!!! CaleyD, good post and while I agree with a lot of it I am not so sure where you are seeing the improvements on the park but I suppose that is subjective. I think one of the problems may well be that I am not sure the improvements behind the scenes are being seeing by the everyday fan, By that I mean where have ICT improved in promoting the club within the area, it looks like the online shop has gone backwards in terms of stock rather than forwards. I see more of Clach promoting their lottery than ICT. I agree with Caleyboy that somebody with real marketing experience needs to be taken in as the club has been very weak in this area since the beginning.

The biggest worry is can the club survive with the current attendance level's ?

They are not the only ones!!!

While I might agree there is to much negativity, fans pay their hard earned cash to watch the team and if they are not satisfied are entitled to express their opinion, do you think this is exclusively an ICT problem? fans of every club moan. The biggest mystery is how it was deemed acceptable by many to have a go at Brewster but having a go at Butcher is frowned upon.

It certainly doesn't help, and it would be unwise to ignore it when people who have followed ICT through good times and bad, home and away, are telling you that they are about at the end of their tether due to the attitude of fellow fans...as opposed to a poor performance on the park. It's actually getting much the same way on this forum...I no longer enjoy visiting here, it's become a chore and if not for the fact that I have a stake in it then I'd be a far less regular visitor. Not because of the football, but because of a small but hugely disruptive minority who do nothing whatsoever to give ICT, the fans, the club or anything a lift. So much so that they have become a part of the overall problem. So what do you feel has changed with the fans attitude from previous seasons and if there has been a change what has brought that about. We are losing fans not only because of fan's attitude so something has to change. I agree that there is to much negativity after 4 games into the season where our one loss has been to Celtic, I am worried myself and I must admit to having some doubts about Butcher but in no way am I calling for his head, I am hopeful that he will get it right this season.

Luke I think you are missing the point it's not the fact that Celtic beat us yesterday it was the manner of the defeat that has upset a lot of folk. What ever way you want to dress it up Butchers tactics were atrocious yesterday

It's not the result that worries me it was the level of performance. Very poor.

Very poor performance and while credit to Draper for his 2 goals they had switched of by then. As poor as I have seen ICT play but hopefully a one of but defence looks very poor

And what do you think you gain from saying the same thing over and over again? You can't post ANYTHING these days without closing with a swipe at someone. We're 3 games in to a new campaign, a campaign a few people had written off before a ball was even kicked because in their eyes no signing Butcher was ever going to make would be good enough....and/or he's never going to be good enough. Instead of admitting that they might have got it wrong, or that it's not as bad as they claimed it would be, they choose instead to latch on to any and every problem/glitch as if it somehow justifies their previous stance.....and you reckon Butcher is the Narcissist? IMO, your BS and negativity does nothing but act as a magnet for further BS and negativity....and that has driven away many of the best contributors to this site. Anyone who disagrees with you or challenges you is shot down with accusations that they are just a "happy clapper" or they somehow don't have the brain power, wherewithal or mental aptitude to be taken serious....if not that then you fall back on the tired old "it was sarcasm", "you took the bait" lines. We're not Man Utd, Barcelona or any such team, and that means our players aren't the best in the world and we have a manager who isn't perfect....get over it because it's not going to change any time soon. In fact, get over it because for a City the size of Inverness, with a club that has the resources we have, then we're actually doing not to badly....and that deserves far more praise than it does criticism. Nobody is asking that anyone ignore things that go wrong, but reading these forums at times would make you think that nothing was going right. To read these forums the last couple of weeks you wouldn't think that ICT were playing some of the most entertaining football we've seen for a long time. Some of the squad must be wondering what they have to do to please the fans when they get little more than a passing mention on the matchday thread whilst one moment of madness/stupidity (call it what you will) gets so much attention. Heck, even when someone does try to start a conversation that's a bit more positive, along you come to chit on their parade. If wanting to start of the season in positive mood, behind the team and trying to do my bit to spur them on and give them credit for the good stuff makes me an "erse licking happy clapper", then send me the t-shirt and I'll wear it with pride. And what do you think you gain from saying the same thing over and over again? You can't post ANYTHING these days without closing with a swipe at someone. We're 3 games in to a new campaign, a campaign a few people had written off before a ball was even kicked because in their eyes no signing Butcher was ever going to make would be good enough....and/or he's never going to be good enough. Instead of admitting that they might have got it wrong, or that it's not as bad as they claimed it would be, they choose instead to latch on to any and every problem/glitch as if it somehow justifies their previous stance.....and you reckon Butcher is the Narcissist? IMO, your BS and negativity does nothing but act as a magnet for further BS and negativity....and that has driven away many of the best contributors to this site. Anyone who disagrees with you or challenges you is shot down with accusations that they are just a "happy clapper" or they somehow don't have the brain power, wherewithal or mental aptitude to be taken serious....if not that then you fall back on the tired old "it was sarcasm", "you took the bait" lines. I am more surprised that anyone takes IHE seriously enough to leave the site because of his comments

no big deal....players get red cards from time to time, OJT's was stupid Forans part and parcel of the game, it happens

Can't wait for it now

Yessssss Pepper

Don't think I will bother with this now.

Sorry but do you have the slightest idea about the rules of the game. The ref doesn't think oh he had a bad injury last season so it's ok for him to assault the other player. He did the wrong thing and he was correctly punished for it the ref had an easy decision No need to get too personal ! The OP makes a valid point as to why he may have over-reacted, or let the 'red mist' get the better of him and maybe TB will take that in mitigation when any internal discussions take place in terms of disciplinary action. However, it is also correct to say, that regardless of any mitigating factors we might be able to come up with after the fact, the ref simply applied the rules the way he has to. Like last week in the case of St Mirren's Lewis Guy, he raised his hands (or head in this case) and therefore has to go ... no argument, no excuses, and no leeway for a yellow regardless of how much we as ICT fans might like to mitigate the decision and hope for it .... Yes you are right Scotty sorry missict I didn't mean to make that so personal

Sorry but do you have the slightest idea about the rules of the game. The ref doesn't think oh he had a bad injury last season so it's ok for him to assault the other player. He did the wrong thing and he was correctly punished for it the ref had an easy decision

Butcher having words with those in the stand is becoming a fairly common occurrence. I know he is a passionate man but feel that someone at the club needs to tell him to stop with this. I know it must be frustrating for him with some off the stuff being shouted but I am afraid that's part of the managers job and he needs to rise above it.

Sorry Luke but the heat is a ridiculous defence.

I am not defending him stupid thing to do but to say that you never want him to play for the club is a bit extreme. Not quite sure why it's relevant that he is an internationalist... Remember Zidane, the best sometimes have a lapse hopefully it will be his last

That is what Samaras defence was last year against Tansey that he got a "poke in the eye"

I find it very strange and a bit disturbing that they are the most active team in the transfer market this season

The problem is I don't think there is the will...as the vote for independence will prove

I don't think that is what people were moaning about last season, it was that we were constantly lumping a high ball, if the team are defending a lead of course there are times they will have to sit back and defend. I agree that we could have lost the goal if we did sit back and defend but I understand those that are complaining we perhaps should have introduced a more defensive minded player with a bit of experience. Myself I just think it was a mistake by Esson, unfortunate and disappointing but would have been more than happy with a point at the start

I am afraid I have to agree with Charles on this one I think Scottish medals would be very thin on the ground had we not been part of team GB. And do you honestly think an Independent Scotland would be investing a lot of cash in sport, where would the cash come from??

Yes 2-1 up McKay

So the new season is almost upon us, lets all look forward to it with anticipation. We all need to show a bit of patience as the squad gets used to playing with each other. Lets not shout Butcher never should have got rid of Tokley at the first poor performance as remember there were plenty of poor performances with Tokely in the side last season. The new players need a chance to bed in, the new squad needs a time to gel together lets give them the chance to do that. Finally please no "should Butcher go" polls should a couple of early defeats happen. Lets all believe!!!!