Robert

This summary of his managerial doesn’t inspire me: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Kernaghan

I was expecting Robbo to replace Dodds in the summer. It was common knowledge that there were issues between them and Robbo wanted him ousted during last season. I assume the cup reprieve stopped that happening. I think the next two or three games will dictate what happens. Perhaps Robbo until the end of the season but I’d like to see Warren and / or Tremarco recruited to the coaching team to be a potential longer term appointment.

The decision made regarding Dodds is undoubtedly correct. He had lost the fans and we are on our third atrocious run of his tenure. I believe we had two seasons when we would have been promoted had we not had mid season collapses. The start this year made things untenable, as highlighted repeatedly here. We also played predictably in many games and teams knew how to play against us. However, we should also recognise that he got us to the play off final, and therefore closer to promotion than anyone else has managed since our relegation, and, with a bit of help from Queens Park, to the Scottish Cup Final. As a result we had great away days with a large support at Perth and Hampden twice, whilst enjoying beating Livingston and Kilmarnock in the cup run. I stress I agree with the decision but we should remember the good days as well as the bad. Now we need to turn things round, starting on Saturday.

I’m surprised we’ve taken this step but see it as a positive. We all know it had to happen, but who made the call? Morrison? Gardiner? Time may tell but I hope this is a sign that the Board (or maybe even the CEO) have noticed the views of fans and taken a decision they maybe didn’t want to make but they realise they had to to stop the decline of the club. Goodness knows what deal Dodds was on. Hopefully it was performance related so the pay off is not damaging to us. Robbo and Charlie need to steady the ship, starting on Saturday, but it sounds like neither is in the frame for the job. I believe we have a squad that can compete at the right end of the table. I hope they now have the chance to show their real capability. I wonder if Doran will now get a start? Recent starting line ups looked to me that they were either “hope for the best” or drawn out of a hat. I never like seeing anyone lose their jobs but this decision had to be made. I just hope it means onward and upwards for us as we’ve 31 games to right the wrongs.

Got an e-mail from the club today with a 40% off offer from Puma, saying I could share it so hopefully it may be of use to some: Good Afternoon, Please see below 40% discount offer that will be available from club partner PUMA.COMwebsite through to Sunday 17th September. Simply use FOREVER as a discount code and it will apply a 40% discount off the goods at checkout (T/Cs apply).. Please feel free to share with Family, Colleagues, Playing staff and players.

Dundee United & 1.70 please.

Jay Henderson for County in the North of Scotland Cup against North Caledonian League Golspie tonight. Golspie get the plaudits as County only won 3-0.

That’s unfortunate as I’d have attended but can’t as I’m meeting a pal who supports Dundee United and is coming up that day for a couple of drinks before the game. I hope it is a well attended productive session.

HT 1-1 FT 1-2 ICT Billy Mckay Raith Vaughn Crowd 3000

Andrew MacRae for Brora at the weekend in the Highland League Cup.

Given the shareholding of the Trust, can they demand / request a seat on the Board? That would get a fan’s representative involved in the key discussions and decisions and, subject to the usual confidentiality constraints, able to give fans updates and (hopefully) reassurances. The Trust nominee on the Board can also hold the club’s staff, including the CEO and SLO, to account. It would also raise the profile of the Trust and perhaps allay some of the concerns voiced by BC and others

I take it back about Duffy. He’d picked up a knock: https://ictfc.com/arbroath-4-2-ictfc-09-09-2023/

I take it Duffy was the half time fall guy this week for his part in our gifts to Arbroath. It looked like we were lucky just to concede 4.

I paid my £5 so am a member of the Trust but I’ve not been actively involved. From my knowledge of businesses, the contract extension would have been a Board decision, most likely in response to a recommendation by the CEO. Shareholders, including the Trust, would have played no part in the decision and would not have been aware in advance of the contract being concluded. I welcome the Open Meeting as a positive step by the Trust. They are struggling to get the club to engage with them, which simply highlights the failings we are all concerned about within the club and of those charged with running it. I see how easy it can be to align the Trust with the club, but I disagree with those who have drawn that conclusion. I hope the Open Meeting is well attended as that will help the process of getting change at the club.

Friday: tick, but as expected with the current Scotland team. Saturday: cross, also expected with the current ICT team. Sunday: maybe, anything is possible with the current Scotland rugby squad. Here’s hoping!

I agree but I hope the absence of Anderson is not a worry after him taking a knock last weekend. Anyway gardening for me this afternoon (having a tea break just now) so I will be back at full time to see how we’ve done!

Not much interest in this one! Our starting line up: MacKay Davidson Duffy Boyes Delaney Longstaff Bray Thomson Doran Brooks Samuels With Ridgers, Harper, Gilmour, Hyde, Lodovica and Shaw on the bench. If Arbroath are playing their first picks we will be in trouble I think.

As things stand(enjoy it while it lasts!):

You’ve beaten me!

A few years ago who’s have believed that we could be within 2 points (or any points dropped by Norway and Georgia) of successfully qualifying for a major tournament with 3 games still to play (without relying on the Nations League). 11 wins on the spin in qualifiers. A goal machine in Scott McTominay. A great Manager in Steve Clark (and I admit I was a doubter initially). Now all we need is Scotland to beat South Africa in the Rugby World Cup and Caley Thistle win tomorrow and it will be the perfect weekend!

The fiasco shows how out of touch some people sitting behind desks in ivory towers can be. At least the Senior Traffic Commissioner had the balls to eat humble pie quickly. There are many others out there who should do the same!

Kick off 2000: https://ictfc.com/north-of-scotland-cup-fixture-rothes-a-27-09-2023/

Only one I spotted at the weekend was Harry Nicolson for Clach.

I think it’s a UK proposal so we are getting tarnished by issues south of the border (although I’m sure some fans of the Glasgow ugly sisters haven’t helped the situation). The Scottish authorities have spoken out against it: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-football-expresses-concern-at-proposed-new-rules-for-fans-travelling-on-public-hire-vehicles/?rid=13929