Robert

I’m told that at present there are no seats remaining for the northbound journey, but they are trying to source additional coaches so hopefully there will be availability again in the next few days.

I agree. It would have been nice if the presentations had taken place after the Ayr game, despite the outcome, allowing the full squad to get the appreciation of fans. That’s what’s happened in previous seasons when the awards have been at the last home league game.

Hester has put in a transfer request. Seemingly he wants to play for a team further south as he moved south with his work.

You can rant at me any time you like! I agree entirely that the KO time is the underlying issue, but I was only trying to point out (as I understand it) that the fares result from each coach having to do about 600 miles in the day rather than 300 due to there being no coaches available locally over and above the limited number available to the club and supporters club. A lot of people have concession cards: that is Government policy, so they can benefit by using them. It may even mean some can attend the match who would not otherwise be able to. Surely it is beneficial that a company (that sponsors a board in the stadium) has come together with the club to provide a travel option that may benefit some?

In fairness they are having to bring a coach (or coaches) up from the central belt to do the journeys as there is no availability locally due to the cruise ships so the vehicles are doing two return trips. Remember that concession card holders (under 22s and over 60s/disabled) travel free, although they still need to book, so for many there is minimal cost. https://ictfc.com/scottish-citylink-and-megabus-cup-final-initiative-announced/

Search on Hampden Park rather than Glasgow. That looks to be the extra journey, on sale on the Citylink and Megabus websites. It leaves Hampden at 2015, but will wait if the game goes to extra time or penalties. I think the 1200 from Inverness extends to Hampden too. I will get confirmation from those involved in arranging it tomorrow and confirm anything I can. https://uk.megabus.com/journey-planner/journeys?days=1&concessionCount=0&departureDate=2023-06-03&destinationId=49&inboundOtherDisabilityCount=0&inboundPcaCount=0&inboundWheelchairSeated=0&nusCount=0&originId=481&otherDisabilityCount=0&pcaCount=0&totalPassengers=1&wheelchairSeated=0 https://uk.megabus.com/journey-planner/journeys?days=1&concessionCount=0&departureDate=2023-06-03&destinationId=481&inboundOtherDisabilityCount=0&inboundPcaCount=0&inboundWheelchairSeated=0&nusCount=0&originId=49&otherDisabilityCount=0&pcaCount=0&totalPassengers=1&wheelchairSeated=0

https://ictfc.com/match-report-ictfc-1-2-ayr-united-05-05-2023/

Coll Donaldson and Kai Kennedy for Falkirk tonight in the play off recovering from 0-5 to 2-5 but it ended 2-6 with 10 players each.

Airdrie 5 up on Falkirk before half time in the play off semi first leg. Didn’t see that coming.

I also gather that McHattie has been “credited” with an own goal for The Spartans opener.

I’m hearing that Citylink are adding a journey to Hampden returning after the game. I will try to get details and share them. It has the added advantage that concession card holders (both young and senior / disabled) will only need to pay the £1 booking fee to reserve their seats so they don’t have to pay the fare. I will try to get details tomorrow and share them.

Why was Hoban subbed off in stoppage time?

No, just that one as it was its first day in use. I was tipped off. They’ve had that contract for a number of years and it is replacing an older coach as I understand it.

In sure the CEO and Dodds know if he’s staying or going, same with Robbo. Contracts will sit with the CEO and Robbo is meant to identify targets. Hopefully we know who we want to keep and are speaking to them about new contracts or extensions. However, with the usual comms with fans, we are in the dark.

I’m worried about what candidates we will realistically get if we do make a change. It will be hard to attract anyone with a track record given our well documented finances. An option is former players who remain in the area and have picked up some experience: some sort of combination of Tremarco, Warren and Esson, for example, but that comes with risks. Thinking about our six years back in the Championship, we’ve made the play offs twice, and we were on course for them in the curtailed season when Covid hit. Whether we like it it not, we’ve become a mid table Championship team, with some years better than others. This season an unexpected cup run has meant it has turned out better than most of the last six. We should have done better, despite our injuries, and the long run without a win and the Ridgers debacle were both avoidable in my opinion. I think it will come down to whether Dodds wants another season or not. I suspect he may call it a day but if he wants to stay on I’m sure he will get a new contract. Where does Robbo fit in going forward? Will he leave at the end of the season? Could he want to step back in as Manager? With only 6 weeks between the final and the first group game, we need to be planning now and not leaving it until the close season. More questions than answers this year!

Kevin McHattie had his penalty saved in the shoot out against The Spartans so Brechin stay in the Highland League. He was the last taker, but their fourth was saved too so at least he doesn’t get all the blame!

D&E have this new Mercedes coach for the Citylink service to Ullapool. It started on that route on Monday after a day out in Glasgow last Saturday carrying the youth teams.

I must say I’m surprised to have pipped you and Doofers Dad at the very end! Its good fun, thanks for doing it and I’d encourage more forum members to have a go at it next season. And thanks for the “young man”! I get my bus pass in a few months!!

No idea what that means Gringo as I didn’t have a joker to play: just as well when I scored 0! Good luck to all in contention for the last game: could be one of the hardest ones to predict in terms of the scores and crowd!

I agree with the comments. I expected more from him, but he has shown at times what he can do. Whether that was down to Dan or the backroom staff we will never know. I was really impressed last week at Hampden, which I thought was his best performance for us, and he clearly enjoyed his goal. Perhaps being cruel, did he perform at his best as the game was high profile and he knows he is on the look out for a contract somewhere?

In the unlikely (but not impossible) event that we win the cup, at what stage would we enter the Europa League: is it the last knock out round before the group stages? If so, and we lose that, do we parachute into the Europa Conference group stages? I’ve not paid much attention to how these competitions work, but curious about what the unlikely scenario could be.

11 players under contract, including 3 youngsters, so we need a lot to resign or to find a lot of gems in the coming weeks.

I missed the first 20 minutes as it took 105 minutes to get from Perth City Centre to the A9 courtesy of those blasted roadworks. Don’t think I missed much though! I thought the Ayr goal was offside but tight: need to see it again. I was proud of the guys after the break. Some were dead on their feet but gave it 100% and I think that’s why Allardice and Welsh were subbed. Devine was struggling before the break so I assume was injured. The introduction of Carson and Samuels changed things, as Shaw was excellent in the wide role and Carson showed why he’s really a central midfielder. I hoped we’d kick on and get a winner but Ayr caught us, despite seeming happy to play down the clock at 1-1. I thought Samuels was onside when he “equalised” but it was too little too late anyway. A rollercoaster of a season. Should we have done better in the league: yes. Did injuries impact our position: undoubtedly. Did our tactics let us down: yes, particularly “hoofball”. Have we a great group of players who give 100% and deserve praise: yes. Roll on the cup final. I expect a heavy defeat but in a one off game anything can happen. Hopefully planning is taking place for next season as we will have quite a bit of rebuilding to do, on and possibly off the park.

Tonight is really as big a game as Saturday’s. We must win or our league season is over. I hope we get a similar crowd to the numbers who went to Glasgow and support the players to another win. I hope no one is assuming we will win. It will be a tough match with the same prize at stake for both teams. I just hope our recent attitude and form continue and we get the win that keeps our league season going. Come on ICT!

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT Billy Mckay Ayr Akinyemi Crowd 2330