big cherly

The absence of any recognised striker signing is beginning to play on a few fans minds now as we creep closer to the friendlies and the new season. - I’m sure there are three or four players (out there) that Charlie Bhoy has been negotiating with clubs and maybe some agents on money, guaranteed playing time and expenses (digs, travel costs etc). They push for largest, we offer the lowest to tempt and nudge it on until the last week before the season commences. I expect we will end up landing a couple of loan deals in July. Alfie B may still be in the mix, time will tell. If a Alonge offer is ‘still on the table’ then I wouldn’t be too upset his inclusion as I feel he developed his game in the latter half of last season, knows the club, most players and has height that I feel we could do with in the rigours of the Championship league. bc

Ha. I could’t stop laughing when I saw your posting. It’s one that I will cherish and store for posterity. I don’t want to be overly cruel or mean spirited Satan, but your posting to me seems to be bereft of any coherent argument or recognition there is a problem (ie safety of fans at a ICTFC home matches). It’s content was such that it could have been written by:- # The CEO or any Board Member. # One of the individuals who chose to engage in physical altercations (ICT speak). The simple answer is clear on who stumps up of course. However the desire for some to cling to an ancient tradition of highland league club operation seems comical and overwhelming to me. With a highland (friendly) derby coming up in the near future, the Ned fans of both clubs will be sharpening their appetites and other implements in anticipation of the match pre and post activities me thinks. Goodness knows what local political fraternity and Police Chief will think if any recurrence of 2nd May flares up. The SPFL hierarchy will be in a fizz if their WC jaunts are interrupted with news that problem again has occurred at a ICTFC due to a lack of proper preparation. Someone somewhere said ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’. We only need to know which way we’re going. I conclude by providing the name of Justin McLaughlin as a reference on the matter. Yours, Kier

Well C100, you’re asking the wrong person, this should be put directly at the custodians in charge and responsible for managing the affairs of the club. To me that is the owner, the CEO, the board and the security manager. If you take in any of my earlier posts you will have noticed my thoughts on getting those responsible for match safety and control. For what it is worth here my main views. # Deduct points - as it’s the only way to get complacent, lazy and negligent attitudes changed. # Install cameras at all entrances to assist with identifying profiles, clothing and physical features of all entering fans. # Have match crowd control risk assessment undertaken and recorded for all matches with a police representative identifying the risks and preventative measures required. Include a Supporter Trust member (not on the board). # Provide proper levels of match stewarding (not the minimum cost package). # Have a police attendant as part of high profile (risk) matches to assist the club security manager. # Advise the security manager to take a concealed phone to record all match control meetings, where in the event he is told to ignore any concerns he may raise, he can provide evidence in the event any incident results in any corporate or individual legal action. Any use? bc

I think the SPFL have run away from their responsibilities again here. The disciplinary punishment handed down to the offending clubs is paltry and simply puts this problem into a cupboard under the stair (put it out of sight so to speak), until it happens again at any of the top two divisions in our country. It is all so predictable with clubs pleading “you’ll ruin and hurt us (and YOU) if you fine or deduct us points!”. And the SPFL not wanting to ‘rock the boat’ by addressing the problem and hoping the Police or Scottish Government don’t force their hand. The punishment imposed on Celtic is bordering on the ridiculous. It presents no deterrent in my mind to the mindless thugs that enjoy courtship by these major clubs (Celtic here). Ie they want their money, noise and fear factor and tacitly accept the risk they will invade the pitch now and again. Fingers crossed no one gets harmed or maimed. In my club’s case ICTFC, they have been allowed to get off with next to no consequential penalty impact or imposition whatsoever. - I’m not celebrating this as unlike what was said by Scott Young after our Ned’s pitch invasion that ‘lessons to be learned’, thats precisely what we failed to do from the relegation match against the Accies in 2024! I expect our CEO and board to smile (“we got away with that Hey”) and just carry on regardless! In my book is ‘No pain - no gain’. I will continue to argue the case that until our club show clear steps of acting more professionally both on and off the park we will be unable to progress as a serious football operation. bc

What a heel! 👞. Meant the ‘soul’ or heart of the game 😁

We’re selling the sole of the game we love it seems to me when each WC tournament comes around. The game football was created on the backs of the working class man. It was the outlet where these urban fiercely proud, hard grafting people (mines, shipbuilding and like) escaped and put aside for 90 minutes any domestic, money or personal worries. The rules were simple and both sets of players reflected the challenges their onlookers had in trying to overcome their opponents, (Fairly and on ability). The greed, corruption and commercialisation that infests the game today effective precludes the very fans that created the game are priced out of attending any match. Throw in VAR, water breaks (adverts), players that pride themselves in conning referees (cheating) and finally that the game has become an almost contactless sport! Heck I didn’t mean to rant on so much.🧐 I will attempt to follow Scotland without the hysteria that engulf our people at these times and hope they save face (don’t get gubbed). When I can’t watch the bbc I will avoid the commercial stations pre-match 3 hour build up, the 30 min half time and water break bookie and Christmas adverts. Finally - Hope every fan manages to avoid ICE agents and gets back home alive and safe. bc

What a spineless and sycophantic cretin Gianni Infantino is. The US customs refusal to allow Somali referee Omar Artan entry into the States smacks of Trumps MAGA FU policies. For Infantino to simply cancel the referees involvement in the competition is disgraceful. If this corrupt FIFA president had any spine he should have shuffled three match officials such that Omar Artan could / should have officiated (refereed) in Mexico or Canada. What a cretin Infantino has shown the football world he is. It seems the norm now that football authorities put more emphasis on their own image, recompense package and pensions ahead of the game they are supposed to care for, develop and present in its best light. bc

Chippies, plasterers, sparkies and painters/decorators me thinks. (Maybe a better chance of a good player in that lot than third or fourth team Celtic players being offered and assessed). bc

I wasn’t a fan of Millen as an individual. I felt however in his favour he brought a fierceness and intensity onto the pitch. He was always driving forward when he had the ball. He had more better than poor crosses into the box IMO. The somewhat negative comments from some (fair few) fans may have influenced the decision (Christie’s or Millen) to go different ways. So he wont need much motivation when we meet up with Raith next season. Just feel loosing that hard edge attitude in a player is something we might be found wanting in the Championship season coming. bc

I know this is the norm at this period of the close-season, but I feel a little uneasy if we end up loosing Remi by playing ‘who blinks first’ with a cheap contract offer. Splashing headlines about resigning Shinnie (where decent money is involved), then playing hard ball with Remi on money could backfire badly if he moves elsewhere for a better purse! Remi is a far more valuable asset to have in the team next season than Shinnie in my view. Ie we have player options in midfield; central defence is sorely exposed if Danny has to team up with a new (another) sweeper. bc

Yes well everyone to their own opinion. I only seen one team that was creative and looking to take the game head on by attacking. Especially in the second half PSG were fully encamped in the Arsenal half of the pitch. Baring two defensive last minute challenges the score would have been 3-1 for PSG. Arsenal’s few attack ventures were humps up the park mostly by their goalie (there best man IMO). I would have happy praised Arsenal if I saw attacking guile but for me there game is based on not getting beat; that is Dull and pretty uneventful, however beauty is in the eye of the beholder, bc

30th May 2026. PSG 1 Arsenal 1. PSG win on penalties. Skill and ability prevails over brawn and procedure. A victory for football. The greatest game still on the planet. I rest my case. bc

Yes agreed. Any jungle drums on Remi Savage? Is he wanting somewhere else to play (back home, higher league or more money), or waiting for AS to come up with a better deal? Pivotal if not defining signing IMO. bc

Tried to load a prediction I had on next season but technology and age got in the way! bc

Says our CEO! bc

May 2024 I believe. Police were previously called to the stadium to restore order between Accies and ICT fans. Caley Thistle crashing 3-2 Accies in the second leg of the Championship play-off final, losing 5-3 on aggregate. bc

Yes, Well, Errr; Only one way to get it registered with these complacent, lazy or calculating clubs that ignore their association rules and responsibilities is to penalise them. As only a few can afford to wave away financial penalties, the best way to get them to ‘sit up’ is to sting them with point penalties for the start of next season. bc

Great player for us a decade ago. Tonnes on experience at the top level and clearly a ‘leader’ in the truest terms, however Graeme’s legs have gone. I’m not sure he could handle a 90 minute stint in Championship midfield bear pit. He’s too small to be a sweeper (fingers crossed Remi sticks with us), so I’m not clear where we would really use him to the point where he fits in ?? Just my tuppence worth. bc

I’m away to book my ticket noo! Can hardly wait!! bc

I don’t get or understand this view or position ICTP. Are we such a people that feel we are incapable or unwilling to challenge riotous and aggressive behaviour on our football fields? I’m going to separate the club from the behaviour here. It can be any clubs fans where a section are almost at encouraged to be in attendance but they have their own rules that are out with the considered norms of acceptable behaviour and consequences. The authorities and clubs need to come down hard on the Neds. - Again revenue trumps everything and comes before principles. In the title decider we had a number of Hearts players physically threatened (never mind the verbal ) by Celtic fans. Completely unacceptable - End Off! I will keep repeating the line. It is only one step to where a fatal incident occurs before the hand wringing and politicians superficial condemnation begins. Watch this space!!!!!!! bc

VAR is the tail wagging the dog. It was supposed to be introduced as a tool to assist the referee. Ie For me checking whether a ball had crossed the goal- line. Add in it’s almost a contactless sport now then the officialdom or responsibility for making the call on any match tackle, corner-ball challenge or diving-(cheating, let’s call it what it is); is in the hands (or eyes) of the VAR officials. Refs are under such scrutiny that they are more likely to overturn their own decision and default onto the VAR. The decision to award Celtic the penalty was simply shocking. I feel sorry for the Hearts as Celtic will now take the title on Saturday through a victory in their own patch. Whilst the Celtic fraternity will rejoice, it will be a hollow crowning with VAR the winner - not football. I also agree with DD regarding the linesman raising their flag at the completion of the move. It should be raised immediately when the infraction is seen. It’s another step towards killing the game for the fans. bc

Hi Huisdean, I read with interest your posting and respect your view/opinion. Whilst some damage to seats is certainly vandalism and to be condemned#, the uppermost issue was the uncontrolled violence that occurred and the risk /dangers it brought to anyone attending on the day. Under the SFLC rules there is no ambiguity. – ‘Clubs are significant, comprehensive responsibility for fan safety, enforced through SPFL rules (H25-H32) regarding "Unacceptable Conduct," including violent or disorderly behaviour. I respectfully provide a perspective to a couple of points in your post · ‘Some of our fans as well as some of the Hamilton fans were simply looking for a fight’ – From my position/viewpoint the Hamilton fans were making their exit of the ground (more than half had already left the ground), at the final whistle when they were faced with a charging mob (30-40?) of the pitch invasion running towards them. The security staff at the Accies end had been earlier transferred to the North stand to strengthen the inadequate staff levels at that end. Faced with this impending mob threat what would you do in such a situation? At this point some Accies fans went onto the pitch to face ICT fans and the violence kicked off. · ‘You could see, from the main stand, that fans were going to charge on the pitch and, to be honest, no amount of police or stewarding would have stopped that’. I understand the point you make however I suggest the presence of half a dozen police would have had a greater controlling influence on excited kids and more importantly the neds looking for trouble knowing law enforcers were present. · ‘A few police at their end would have helped hugely as well. The club do need to be honest about why so few stewards and police were in place and what they are going to do in future; Agreed - the most important point. A match risk assessment on crowd control I hope was undertaken in advance. With the clear signals of many ticket sales a large attendance was foreseen some weeks beforehand I suggest. The police should have been involved with the club to determine the security precautions and levels required. This either did or didn’t happen but whatever it fell well short of what was needed on the day. I don’t write the above to be a thorn in the side of the club or a PITA to the posters here in the forum. It’s a football forum and that’s what we should be talking about. However if we don’t raise these matters or talk measures to mitigate possible repeats for future matches (with larger away fans coming next season), then the club could incur heavy penalties or partial part ground closure if some serious incident occurs. It only takes one idiot with a concealed knife (irrespective what club colours its owner wears) to undo all the good work done by AS and the club over the past two years. # I suggest few if any of the culprits will never be identified or brought to book for their offences. My final word on the matter - Back to the football. bc

Real speak - A large number of our Ned’s charged the Accies fans leaving the ground and started fighting with them, but we want to emphasise the damaged chairs are the issue here. All ICT fans should follow this line and not ask any questions regarding anything else! It’s called deflection! Something the Mcgrig@r files would be proud to contain! bc

Security – A selected pertinent comments I took from my post on the Accies game. It was clear to anyone in the main stand the stewarding and security for the match was SEVERELY INADEQUATE. The result was the INEVITABLE charging onto the park when the moment presented itself. I condemned the Old Firm fans for their behaviour at the Cup OFM. – I can’t sit and write here a good number our fans didn’t do exactly the same and run towards the leaving Accies fans GOADING for some action. the kicking and punching that occurred in front of our ( and the many children attending) eyes. - Police were called to restore order, but the fact remains the club ICTFC are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for the SAFETY of ALL FANS attending. this goes directly up to the CEO and Mr Savage. C Christie’s duties and responsibilities as CEO extend beyond simply trading and buying players. Yes security at matches cost money and if questions weren’t asked then the unsavoury events of 2nd May will (as sure and night follows day) happen again. So in simple language - yes chase the Neds but don’t attempt to disown or whitewash the responsible the part the club had in the pitch invasion and consequential following violence that occurred. The match security was woeful and corners were either cut (for cost savings) or gross negligence in not assessing the risks. The police IMO are also ‘in the dock’ as they would have been aware of the potential for a large attendance. If they meet with the club in advance and jointly agreed the security and stewarding for the match was suitable, then we clearly have a problem, as we will simply repeat this conversation sometime in the future. Does it require a major injury or worse to occur before we take notice and act professionally. bc

Yeah, I was of a similar mind but the Accies match was instrumental and directly related to many points. I was also to lazy to start a new topic! bc