ICT Supporters Trust

We still have some tickets available for the Race Night at 1900 on Saturday at the Caley Club. Why not take this opportunity to enjoy an evening in the company of friends, make new friends, enjoy a few drinks and have a great time. Admission is only £5 with tickets available from the Caley Club or by contacting the Supporters Trust (on Facebook, by e-mail to info@ictsupporterstrust.org, or by completing the form on our "contact us" page https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/contact). Tickets will also be available at the door on the evening. Thank you again to our sponsors who have made this event possible: Stagecoach, D&E Coaches, Inverness Computer Centre, Scottish Citylink, Ness City Tyres and the ICTFC Social Club.

A reminder about the Race Night this Saturday at 1900 in the Caley Club. Tickets are available at the Caley Club, by contacting the Supporters Trust (on Facebook, by e-mail to info@ictsupporterstrust.org, or by completing the form on our "contact us" page https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/contact, or at the door on the evening. We hope many of you will be able to attend. Thank you again to our sponsors who have made this event possible: Stagecoach, D&E Coaches, Inverness Computer Centre, Scottish Citylink, Ness City Tyres and the ICTFC Social Club.

A reminder about the Race Night this Saturday at 1900 in the Caley Club. Tickets are available at the Caley Club, by contacting the Supporters Trust (on Facebook, by e-mail to info@ictsupporterstrust.org, or by completing the form on our "contact us" page https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/contact, or at the door on the evening. We hope many of you will be able to attend. Thank you again to our sponsors who have made this event possible: Stagecoach, D&E Coaches, Inverness Computer Centre, Scottish Citylink, Ness City Tyres and the ICTFC Social Club.

So that how to contribute does not get lost in this thread, we have put the payment methods together in a new thread that you can view here: https://caleythistleonline.com/topic/36186-stronger-together-how-to-contribute/#comment-563689

Given details may get lost in the thread about Stronger Together, we thought it would be helpful to put all the details of how to support the scheme in one post. If we add alternative payment methods, we will update this post. Since the launch, we have added the option of paying through Stripe. To make a recurring monthly payment through Stripe, use this link: https://buy.stripe.com/5kA00Fe5U5Sq4YoaEE The link allows recurring payments to be made on a monthly basis. The default setting is £10, but you can change this to any sum by clicking on "Qty 1", which appears below "ICT Sharesave". Changing the quantity to 2 makes the recurring payment £20, changing the quantity to 5 makes the recurring payment £50 etc. To make a one off payment through Stripe, use this link: https://buy.stripe.com/28o9Bfd1Q4OmcqQ3ce Simply insert the sum you wish to donate. These methods are in addition to those available at the launch, full details of which are in our brochure: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/stronger-togetherd The link contains all you need to make one off or regular payments via your mobile banking app or internet banking, and also a Standing Order form that you can print and complete. The Standing Order form has the Supporters Trust bank details pre-populated, with these details which also apply for payments via your mobile banking app or internet banking: Sort Code: 83-23-10 Account Number: 11486617 Account Name: Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Society Sharesave. If anyone has any difficulties, please contact us at info@ictsupporterstrust.org or by completing the form on our "contact us" page: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/contact If you are not already a member of the Supporters Trust, have a look around our website, and you can join us at this link (joining is only £5 or £1 for under 16s): https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us

Given details may get lost in the thread about Stronger Together, we thought it would be helpful to put all the details of how to support the scheme in one post. If we add alternative payment methods, we will update this post. Since the launch, we have added the option of paying through Stripe. To make a recurring monthly payment through Stripe, use this link: https://buy.stripe.com/5kA00Fe5U5Sq4YoaEE The link allows recurring payments to be made on a monthly basis. The default setting is £10, but you can change this to any sum by clicking on "Qty 1", which appears below "ICT Sharesave". Changing the quantity to 2 makes the recurring payment £20, changing the quantity to 5 makes the recurring payment £50 etc. To make a one off payment through Stripe, use this link: https://buy.stripe.com/28o9Bfd1Q4OmcqQ3ce Simply insert the sum you wish to donate. These methods are in addition to those available at the launch, full details of which are in our brochure: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/stronger-togetherd The link contains all you need to make one off or regular payments via your mobile banking app or internet banking, and also a Standing Order form that you can print and complete. The Standing Order form has the Supporters Trust bank details pre-populated, with these details which also apply for payments via your mobile banking app or internet banking: Sort Code: 83-23-10 Account Number: 11486617 Account Name: Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Society Sharesave. If anyone has any difficulties, please contact us at info@ictsupporterstrust.org or by completing the form on our "contact us" page: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/contact If you are not already a member of the Supporters Trust, have a look around our website, and you can join us at this link (joining is only £5 or £1 for under 16s): https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us

We have been looking at making alternative payment options available, which may be easier for many than setting up a Standing Order. Payments can now be made through Stripe, following this link: https://buy.stripe.com/5kA00Fe5U5Sq4YoaEE The link allows recurring payments to be made on a monthly basis. The default setting is £10, but you can change this to any sum by clicking on "Qty 1", which appears below "ICT Sharesave". Changing the quantity to 2 makes the recurring payment £20 etc, changing the quantity to 5 makes the recurring payment £50 etc. Thank you to everyone who has got in touch with positive feedback on Stronger Together and especially to those who have contributed so far.

We have been looking at making alternative payment options available, which may be easier for many than setting up a Standing Order. Payments can now be made through Stripe, following this link: https://buy.stripe.com/5kA00Fe5U5Sq4YoaEE The link allows recurring payments to be made on a monthly basis. The default setting is £10, but you can change this to any sum by clicking on "Qty 1", which appears below "ICT Sharesave". Changing the quantity to 2 makes the recurring payment £20 etc, changing the quantity to 5 makes the recurring payment £50 etc. Thank you to everyone who has got in touch with positive feedback on Stronger Together and especially to those who have contributed so far.

The Supporters Trust Board has been encouraged and heartened by the many supportive messages received, both at Saturday's Fans Meeting and subsequently. To pick up on some of the questions raised since Saturday (many of which were covered in the presentation on Saturday, in the brochure about Stronger Together or in the Q&A at the meeting), the objective is to raise funds which will be used to allow the Supporters Trust to invest in the club through the purchase of shares. The Supporters Trust will look to purchase shares when it feels the time is right, and only if it is satisfied by commitments given by the club. A long standing aim of the Supporters Trust is to have a fans' representative on the Board of the club. Any scale of shareholding in itself does not guarantee this as, for example, the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Trust Limited (the single biggest shareholder) does not have a representative on the Board. By having fans representation on the Board, we can look to ensure that decisions are taken with the fans' interests taken in to account, and that the club does things that are important to fans. In the Fans Meeting, the Chairman was receptive to an approach, and the Trust Board will consider the timing of this at its next meeting, taking in to account the restructuring that was indicated would be taking place for 1 June. The club Chairman and SLO were briefed on Stronger Together in advance of Saturday's launch. Both responded positively by e-mail and were supportive at the meeting. We also discussed the plan with other major shareholders and were encouraged to proceed. We are seeking to raise funds through Stronger Together. However, if anyone wishes to transfer their existing shareholding to the Trust, please contact us, and we will explore this with the club's Company Secretary. The club is clearly facing some of the most challenging times it has faced in its 30 year history. The Supporters Trust wishes to assist in ensuring that we have a sustainable club that can move forward, hence the launch of Stronger Together. We recognise that this initiative alone will not turn around the club's financial problems, but we have been arguing for some time that the club should be looking after the pennies as well as chasing the pounds. We believe that this message has landed with the club, as evidenced by a Man of the Match sponsor being in place at Saturday's game for the first time in a long time. For those not at the Fans Meetings or who have not joined the Supporters Trust, the Trust has made significant progress with the club this season. This started with the Matchday Experience Survey, and then the strength of feeling shown at the initial Fans Meetings. The club has clearly recognised that there have been issues and has started to engage positively with the Trust and to address some of the issues raised by us. We highlighted the need for an effective SLO, and welcome the appointment of Scott Young to this position. Scott clearly wants to maintain a positive working relationship with the Trust, to engage with fans, and to make a difference. Scott has been joined at our last three meetings by Ross Morrison, the Chairman, and both have engaged openly and honestly with the issues raised with them. Until the Matchday Experience Survey and the Fans Meetings, the Trust was struggling to have any meaningful dialogue with the club. That has changed during the course of this season. The club has recognised that their communication with fans has been very poor. There is still work to do on this, but we are now better informed than we have been for many years. The club has recognised that the way some complaints were dealt with was very poor and, through Scott Young, are now showing a willingness to ensure that issues are resolved promptly and professionally. The Trust has highlighted concerns about the Matchday Experience for fans with disabilities, and established a group to work with the club on this. The initial meeting is later this week. The club has recognised our feedback that fans are priced out of hospitality, and we got confirmation on Saturday that new offerings will be available next season, with a mix of corporate and affordable offerings. On our theme of looking after the pennies, the club has recognised that they have missed out on many sponsorship opportunities, in terms of sponsorship of players, matches, man of the match and match ball. This is starting to change, with a Man of the Match sponsor in place at Saturday's game. We will continue to push for the reintroduction of a meaningful player sponsorship scheme next season. This is a simple but effective way of increasing fan engagement, and we have even offered to administer it for the club. These are just examples of what has been achieved, but we recognise that there is more work to be done, and we will continue to work on your behalf. The Trust Board is made up of volunteers who are passionate about the club and happy to devote their own time to helping to take things forward. Finally, thank you again to our many recently joined members for signing up, to all our members for their continued support, to everyone who has attended the Fans Meetings, and for all the supportive messages about the work we are carrying out.

The Supporters Trust Board has been encouraged and heartened by the many supportive messages received, both at Saturday's Fans Meeting and subsequently. To pick up on some of the questions raised in this thread (many of which were covered in the presentation on Saturday, in the brochure about Stronger Together or in the Q&A at the meeting), the objective is to raise funds which will be used to allow the Supporters Trust to invest in the club through the purchase of shares. The Supporters Trust will look to purchase shares when it feels the time is right, and only if it is satisfied by commitments given by the club. A long standing aim of the Supporters Trust is to have a fans' representative on the Board of the club. Any scale of shareholding in itself does not guarantee this as, for example, the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Trust Limited (the single biggest shareholder) does not have a representative on the Board. By having fans representation on the Board, we can look to ensure that decisions are taken with the fans' interests taken in to account, and that the club does things that are important to fans. In the Fans Meeting, the Chairman was receptive to an approach, and the Trust Board will consider the timing of this at its next meeting, taking in to account the restructuring that was indicated would be taking place for 1 June. The club Chairman and SLO were briefed on Stronger Together in advance of Saturday's launch. Both responded positively by e-mail and were supportive at the meeting. We also discussed the plan with other major shareholders and were encouraged to proceed. We are seeking to raise funds through Stronger Together. However, if anyone wishes to transfer their existing shareholding to the Trust, please contact us, and we will explore this with the club's Company Secretary. The club is clearly facing some of the most challenging times it has faced in its 30 year history. The Supporters Trust wishes to assist in ensuring that we have a sustainable club that can move forward, hence the launch of Stronger Together. We recognise that this initiative alone will not turn around the club's financial problems, but we have been arguing for some time that the club should be looking after the pennies as well as chasing the pounds. We believe that this message has landed with the club, as evidenced by a Man of the Match sponsor being in place at Saturday's game for the first time in a long time. For those not at the Fans Meetings or who have not joined the Supporters Trust, the Trust has made significant progress with the club this season. This started with the Matchday Experience Survey, and then the strength of feeling shown at the initial Fans Meetings. The club has clearly recognised that there have been issues and has started to engage positively with the Trust and to address some of the issues raised by us. We highlighted the need for an effective SLO, and welcome the appointment of Scott Young to this position. Scott clearly wants to maintain a positive working relationship with the Trust, to engage with fans, and to make a difference. Scott has been joined at our last three meetings by Ross Morrison, the Chairman, and both have engaged openly and honestly with the issues raised with them. Until the Matchday Experience Survey and the Fans Meetings, the Trust was struggling to have any meaningful dialogue with the club. That has changed during the course of this season. The club has recognised that their communication with fans has been very poor. There is still work to do on this, but we are now better informed than we have been for many years. The club has recognised that the way some complaints were dealt with was very poor and, through Scott Young, are now showing a willingness to ensure that issues are resolved promptly and professionally. The Trust has highlighted concerns about the Matchday Experience for fans with disabilities, and established a group to work with the club on this. The initial meeting is later this week. The club has recognised our feedback that fans are priced out of hospitality, and we got confirmation on Saturday that new offerings will be available next season, with a mix of corporate and affordable offerings. On our theme of looking after the pennies, the club has recognised that they have missed out on many sponsorship opportunities, in terms of sponsorship of players, matches, man of the match and match ball. This is starting to change, with a Man of the Match sponsor in place at Saturday's game. We will continue to push for the reintroduction of a meaningful player sponsorship scheme next season. This is a simple but effective way of increasing fan engagement, and we have even offered to administer it for the club. These are just examples of what has been achieved, but we recognise that there is more work to be done, and we will continue to work on your behalf. The Trust Board is made up of volunteers who are passionate about the club and happy to devote their own time to helping to take things forward. Finally, thank you again to our many recently joined members for signing up, to all our members for their continued support, to everyone who has attended the Fans Meetings, and for all the supportive messages about the work we are carrying out.

All members of the Supporters Trust should have received details of Stronger Together by e-mail from the Trust yesterday. If you did not receive it, please let us know. The courier and Press and Journal were at Saturday's Fans Meeting, and both have covered it on line and we expect it to feature in their print editions: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/fans-investment-initiative-looks-to-give-supporters-greater-347261/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/6425681/appeal-for-caley-thistle-fans-far-and-wide-to-back-trusts-new-fund/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

All members of the Supporters Trust should have received details of Stronger Together by e-mail from the Trust yesterday. If you did not receive it, please let us know. The courier and Press and Journal were at Saturday's Fans Meeting, and both have covered it on line and we expect it to feature in their print editions: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/fans-investment-initiative-looks-to-give-supporters-greater-347261/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/6425681/appeal-for-caley-thistle-fans-far-and-wide-to-back-trusts-new-fund/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

It was great to see so many of you at the Fans Meeting yesterday, and to receive so much positive feedback about the meeting and the good progress the Supporters Trust is making in getting issues addressed by the club. It is clear that we are making progress with many of the issues and concerns raised at the previous meetings, and that the club now wants to hear our concerns and to see if they can act on them where it is practical to do so. However, there is more work to do, and we will continue to pursue issues on behalf of fans. As at this morning, our membership has grown by 33% this year already, and if you are not already a member, please consider joining, as it will increase our ability to get improvements for fans. Membership is only £5 (£1 for Under 16s) and you can join using this link: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us We are very grateful to the Chairman, Ross Morrison, and SLO/Director, Scott Young for attending the full meeting and answering questions in a very open and frank manner. They also took the opportunity to speak to many of those present after the Q&A finished. This update is not intended to be a full report of the discussion, but it will give those not present a flavour of the issues discussed. Stronger Together: This was launched at the meeting, and is covered on a separate thread: https://caleythistleonline.com/topic/36172-stronger-together/ Battery Farm: The Chairman advised that the club will submit its appeal to the Scottish Government Reporter, but it cannot do so until it receives the decision of Highland Council in writing,. The process is likely to take six months. He is confident that the Reporter will approve the scheme. However a new buyer has to found, so there could be a reduction in the sum the club will receive. Club Finances: The club is preparing its budget for the year starting on 1 June. This includes a restructuring due to the losses being incurred. The Board is working hard to develop revenue streams, as it wants the club to remain full time. Income is now being received for the North Stand car park through the Red John project. Other revenue streams being are being pursued with the objective of raising £600k per year from the ground, the club's land and through greater use of the facilities. Issues being explored include sponsorship of the three stands, a tenant in part of the building, greater use of the Highlander Suite and Boardroom for conferences and events, electric charging points and a car wash. Squad / Academy Graduates / Injuries: The Chairman explained that decisions on players are taken by the Manager. The Manager reports to the Board, but it is the Manager's job to make decisions on players and he decided which players would go out on loan. The Chairman recognised that we have a lot of promising Academy Graduates, who have been out on loan since January and therefore not available to us. Our injury position has been bad, but the Chairman pointed to other Championship clubs who have had similar issues this season. There were a lot of concerns raised in the meeting about the Academy Graduates being sent out on loan when we should be giving them game time ourselves, and about what the reasons were for the injury situation. Hospitality: The SLO advised that he had taken on board the feedback about the cost of hospitality, and that next season there will be different packages for different games, with some being the current corporate offering and others being at a much lower cost and targeted at the wider fanbase. He hopes that hospitality will be in place for every home game. The Supporters Trust has been pushing for this for a significant time, so it is good to see the views of our members being acted on. Season Tickets: This is another issue the Trust has been pushing for some time, and it was pleasing to hear the SLO confirm that there will be proper marketing for next season, including contacting fans who have not renewed. Disability Issues / Singing Area: The Trust has been seeking an on site meeting with the club to review the matchday experience for fans with disabilities. The meeting is scheduled to take place this week. The club is also looking at options for a Singing Area, so will look to resolve both issues at the same time, ensuring the needs of both groups are met. Stewarding Issues in North Stand at the Ayr Game: The SLO had a positive meeting with Section 94 this week and outlined the actions taken following the incidents at the game. A number of Section 94 members were at the Fans Meeting, and confirmed that they were happy with the action the club had taken and that they considered the matter to be closed. 30th Anniversary: The club will share its thoughts with the Supporters Trust in the near future.

It was great to see so many of you at the Fans Meeting yesterday, and to receive so much positive feedback about the meeting and the good progress the Supporters Trust is making in getting issues addressed by the club. It is clear that we are making progress with many of the issues and concerns raised at the previous meetings, and that the club now wants to hear our concerns and to see if they can act on them where it is practical to do so. However, there is more work to do, and we will continue to pursue issues on behalf of fans. As at this morning, our membership has grown by 33% this year already, and if you are not already a member, please consider joining, as it will increase our ability to get improvements for fans. Membership is only £5 (£1 for Under 16s) and you can join using this link: https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us We are very grateful to the Chairman, Ross Morrison, and SLO/Director, Scott Young for attending the full meeting and answering questions in a very open and frank manner. They also took the opportunity to speak to many of those present after the Q&A finished. This update is not intended to be a full report of the discussion, but it will give those not present a flavour of the issues discussed. Stronger Together: This was launched at the meeting, and is covered on a separate thread: https://caleythistleonline.com/topic/36172-stronger-together/ Battery Farm: The Chairman advised that the club will submit its appeal to the Scottish Government Reporter, but it cannot do so until it receives the decision of Highland Council in writing,. The process is likely to take six months. He is confident that the Reporter will approve the scheme. However a new buyer has to found, so there could be a reduction in the sum the club will receive. Club Finances: The club is preparing its budget for the year starting on 1 June. This includes a restructuring due to the losses being incurred. The Board is working hard to develop revenue streams, as it wants the club to remain full time. Income is now being received for the North Stand car park through the Red John project. Other revenue streams being are being pursued with the objective of raising £600k per year from the ground, the club's land and through greater use of the facilities. Issues being explored include sponsorship of the three stands, a tenant in part of the building, greater use of the Highlander Suite and Boardroom for conferences and events, electric charging points and a car wash. Squad / Academy Graduates / Injuries: The Chairman explained that decisions on players are taken by the Manager. The Manager reports to the Board, but it is the Manager's job to make decisions on players and he decided which players would go out on loan. The Chairman recognised that we have a lot of promising Academy Graduates, who have been out on loan since January and therefore not available to us. Our injury position has been bad, but the Chairman pointed to other Championship clubs who have had similar issues this season. There were a lot of concerns raised in the meeting about the Academy Graduates being sent out on loan when we should be giving them game time ourselves, and about what the reasons were for the injury situation. Hospitality: The SLO advised that he had taken on board the feedback about the cost of hospitality, and that next season there will be different packages for different games, with some being the current corporate offering and others being at a much lower cost and targeted at the wider fanbase. He hopes that hospitality will be in place for every home game. The Supporters Trust has been pushing for this for a significant time, so it is good to see the views of our members being acted on. Season Tickets: This is another issue the Trust has been pushing for some time, and it was pleasing to hear the SLO confirm that there will be proper marketing for next season, including contacting fans who have not renewed. Disability Issues / Singing Area: The Trust has been seeking an on site meeting with the club to review the matchday experience for fans with disabilities. The meeting is scheduled to take place this week. The club is also looking at options for a Singing Area, so will look to resolve both issues at the same time, ensuring the needs of both groups are met. Stewarding Issues in North Stand at the Ayr Game: The SLO had a positive meeting with Section 94 this week and outlined the actions taken following the incidents at the game. A number of Section 94 members were at the Fans Meeting, and confirmed that they were happy with the action the club had taken and that they considered the matter to be closed. 30th Anniversary: The club will share its thoughts with the Supporters Trust in the near future.

The subject of a target was asked at yesterday's meeting. At this stage, as it is very early days, we have not set a specific target, but we aim to raise as much as possible on an ongoing basis. As examples of how similar schemes have worked in other Scottish clubs, the scheme at Morton raises £10k per month to assist the club, whilst the scheme at Falkirk has bought players for the club. The key thing is to increase fan influence on how the club is run. Remember, the Supporters Trust is independent of the club. We will hold the funds raised, and we will seek commitments from the club when we decide the time is right to purchase shares. As will hopefully be apparent when we post a summary of yesterday's discussion, it is clear that the hard work put in this season by the Supporters Trust is starting to have an impact, with the club now listening to feedback and starting to act on it.