Robert

I’ve watched the goals now and have voted: Player of the Year: Billy Mckay. Young Player: Nathan Shaw (as we had him the full season whereas Henderson joined at new year). Goal: Billy Mckay: first v Livingston.

1730 is confirmed: disgraceful! https://ictfc.com/scottish-cup-final-date-and-time-confirmed/

1730 is confirmed: disgraceful! https://ictfc.com/scottish-cup-final-date-and-time-confirmed/

Voting is now open on the club website. I must admit I hadn’t realised Samuels is as young as he is, as he is one of many eligible for the young player award, although with the injury he had he will not be a contender. Shaw is also in the young player category. I suspect there will be many varied views on here as to who the winners should be. I’ve not voted yet as I need to watch the goals, but should we either have a poll on here or post our own views? The link: https://ictfc.com/2022-23-ictfc-player-of-the-year-awards/

8000 is low, 10000 may be enough. I assume the club will prioritise season ticket holders again, but the number made available to each needs to be more than 1. I attend every home game, but my wife hates football but wants to come to the final. I need to be able to get 2 tickets as a result, and to sit with the person I attend games with, who’s wife also wants to attend. Many will be in the same boat. 50/50 is unrealistic but we need enough to cope with our likely support, whether regulars or fair weather fans and glory seekers. Hopefully all is confirmed quickly.

Shocking if true. We should get at least the 14000 we sold last time with some being returned if not sold within x days of the match.

They better not: my hotel is booked! Get in quick as prices are rising.

It will be disgraceful if the SFA make the game a lunchtime kick off. Another kick in the teeth for those of us not in the central belt.

I felt we didn’t expect to have Deas this season which is why we brought Delaney in. Dodds actually called Delaney a “young Deas” despite there only being a year or two between them. I’d be delighted if Allardice stays.

I agree, we have some key players out of contract who we would ideally keep. If not, recruitment is key. I make it one defeat in 12 since the Hamilton double defeat, with 9 wins and 2 draws, so we have done better since the injury situation eased and the likes of Deas and Allardice returned. Just how we’d have done had we had fewer injuries we will never know. For me, the cup run has been great and I’m relishing the final, but our most important game is on Friday against Ayr. It is simple: we must win it. Regarding Dodds, his record in 2023 justifies an extension in my opinion. We do seem to have a strong team spirit and a never say die attitude, which is great to see. If we did make a change, who would actually want to take the job?

Now on the club’s website: https://ictfc.com/match-report-falkirk-0-3-ictfc-29-04-2023/

Thanks for running it and I’ve surprised myself to be near the top. To have any chance of being in contention: Queens Park v Dundee draw @ 4.00 please.

Ross Draper for Elgin yesterday in the 94th minute to ensure they cannot finish bottom of League 2.

We’ve nothing to lose at the final so the players, backroom team and fans just need to enjoy the experience and if we exceed our expectations it will be unbelievably brilliant. I was hoping for Rangers as I think they’d be more likely to underestimate us, whereas we have upset Celtic over the years in the cup so they will treat us as a serious threat. Looking forward to ticket details and getting the weekend planned.

I hope this is coherent as just back at hotel after a celebratory afternoon and evening! On a sample of 1, I like VAR! Watching it back, it was a penalty and taken well by Mckay. Falkirk then troubled us and should have equalised but hit the post at an open goal after Ridgers and the defence got in a muddle, but the second came at the right time. A great ball by Henderson and perfect finish by Mackay, who loved it! Probably his best game for us this season too. The third also came after a spell of Falkirk pressure, and another lucky escape for us, with Mackay picking out Mckay who finished well. Shaw hit the post twice and was unlucky with both. A more comfortable result than we maybe deserved but a thoroughly deserved win. Well done to all 16 who played and to the backroom team. A shout out to the singing section also. I just hope everyone there today comes on Friday evening for our must win game against Ayr. Now time for sleep!

Back in the hotel after a few beers. Hearty breakfast planned then a bus to Hampden in plenty time to see the build up. Just watched a humorous film on the BBC app with two of our 2015 heroes, Doran and Devine. BBC saying we’ve 5000 fans tomorrow. Let’s make it a noisy crowd to show the players our support and see them through to a win. Thankfully not heading back up the A9 until Sunday so time to enjoy or drown the outcome. Come on ICT. Make this our time (again)!!

Thanks for the reports. I’m with DD. Whilst standard business practices may have been followed, it leaves a sour taste that the failure of the concert initiative has left local businesses out of pocket. The club and concert company may have done nothing wrong legally, but misjudging they potential revenue has been costly for many and has damaged the club’s reputation. The club may not have suffered financially but how do you put a price on reputation and the potential loss of future revenue as a result? It is also worrying that they don’t see the disconnect with fans. Hopefully the good fortune of the cup run, allied to the penny maybe dropping over how fans feel about those in charge, will see them work hard to stabilise things and start to rebuild broken bridges. Anyhow, my focus now is on tomorrow. A win will yield a big payday which we need!!

Stirling @ 1.65 please

HT 1-0 FT 2-0 ICT Billy Mckay Falkirk Kennedy Yellow Donaldson Goal time 22 mins Crowd 14000 Joker please.

3k was the last I heard but that was in the Chairman’s statement a week or so ago, so it is hopefully a lot more now. We were outnumbered in 2015 so will be again.

A lack of hype here too which is why I started the thread! I’m looking forward to a great weekend in Glasgow.

Less than three days to go. How are we all feeling: confident, nervous? I know there is a theory that, after being reinstated, our name is on the trophy. I don’t subscribe to that. Saturday will be tough as Falkirk could hold their own in the Championship and probably be in a similar position to us. Their recent form is mixed so we are clearly favourites. Mckay and Donaldson, along with on form Kennedy, add some spice. If we approach the game correctly, and do not under estimate Falkirk, we should be good enough to get through this, but it won’t be plain sailing. Without Carson, we need to see the best of Duffy and I think it is a game for Doran: he will invite fouls from Mckay and Donaldson. I’d start with: Ridgers Duffy Devine Deas Delaney Henderson Welsh Allardice Shaw Doran Mckay The hotel is booked so either a celebration or a drowning of sorrows will follow the full time whistle (whether after 90 minutes, 120 or even penalties). Hopefully a celebration!

He will surely be Manager of the Month for April given our league record this month. 5 wins and a draw in our 6 games.

First home game I’ve missed all season in all competitions. I stick by the view I expressed above. Mackay put the ball into a dangerous area, Dundee didn’t deal with it and we scored. Dundee also got lucky with their goal as we couldn’t deal with the ball in our box and their player capitalised. Two big games ahead that make or break our season.

Ironic after the recent naming debacle which ended ICT 1-0 Rossvale!!