big cherly

Mekwana-isms Figital = physical + digital gitsuckjockers=_ _ _ _ /_ _ _ /_ _ _ _ _ _ _

I agree! The fans have next to ZIP influence on how the club is manipulated by speculators who have no interest whatsoever in the football club other than a mechanism to a land grab of the surrounding area for development (with us indirectly funding it through grants). It’s the sell-on in two or three years after all possible money has been squeezed out of the Council, Scottish Gov and locals to some Thames Water type sharks that I fear we may head. However, whilst there is little we can do but watch, (since there is no appetite for a protest), we must continue to push the Press, Coonsil, Supporters Trust (?) to seriously and vigorously prob challenging questions to S7V. Additionally send out the message to any serious shareholder or potential investors looking on, ‘the fans will be ready to unite and return’ if and when the S7V scheme comes crashing down, to a plan with the interest of the football club at its centre.

Hope the lads do well. It may take a half a dozen games or so to get the best balance, but we’re right behind you.

Exactly DD, “I’m putting my money where my mouth is”. No he is not!! On what we’ve seen, he does not come close to be able to financing much. The money (as is mostly always with chancers like this fellow) is someone else or some groups Money. These people are happy to wheel and deal because the risk is with the funders - not there own risk. Where the funds come from we know most likely is Jersey. So a dead end in just where and how this money was generated. As I mentioned in another posting the money could be coming from Russian interests or rich UK dubious individuals that hold offshore accounts. I’ll use Huw Edward’s as an example. - The fact is we just don’t know how clean or not any funds forthcoming are. It may not be an issue to a lot of fans but for me it’s an uncomfortable position to be in. I see a lot of talk about lots of plans for building and entertainment that is to be on land that will be brought (?) back into the club ownership. RIGHT! 1) I understand all the profits from the new buildings and operations goes to S7V. What if any money goes to the football side? Rental of the land? 2) I envisage the Highland Council will be contributing (our council taxes) as part of ‘the deal’ as some form of other to the development. Ditto Scottish Enterprise (again our tax money). So S7V get us to fund part of his scheme and profits. 3) Once the land is back in the ‘clubs’ ownership ie S7V just what guarantees is there this land is not sold on at great profit for S7V to fly the kite in 3-5 years. I could flag up the relationship between the Board, SG and Ferguson but it’s all too ‘trust -us’ for me. Count your fingers if you shake Mr Makwana’s hand!!

I’m laughing, like a condemned prisoner just about given up waiting in (forlorn) hope his pardon is about to come through before he is to be executed! You have summarised it concisely and precisely Achfary, and again I am impressed with the clarity of what you post. So, as I take all this in, I boil things down to the following: 1) The major shareholders have signed up with S7V and have agreed to transfer over enough shares to allow S7V to gain 51% as the major shareholder, (and control) of the club. The reason for the existing major shareholders is either through philanthropic nature in the interests of the club, or their is possibly ‘something in it for them’ in a deal done in the shadowy world of jersey future investment opportunities. 2) The interest from S7V is in the development opportunities in the land of the ground and surrounding area in the Council Good Fund. How S7V allure the Council is for another day/posting. 3) The supporters have already been set aside as incidental to the whole plan. They don’t matter and will play no part whatsoever in the decisions regarding the direction of the future S7V project visioned development of the land 4) The football club is simply a mechanism and hub to pull together the various elements of the plan. It is not in any way an attractive business investment, but needs to be retained. Ie Kept ticking over with the minimal expenditure. If it gains promotion then ‘fine’. 5) To maintain the Council ‘engaged and on-side’ on the projected plans careful and managed communication about community and local benefit to the area must be maintained. Key job and entertainment/hand shaking required. 6) Similarly, whilst not important there will be a need to have some level of interface with the football support Trust. Details to be decided later. Last cigarette sir ?

This takeover looks like it’s a done deal. However whilst S7V may have secured the 51% to control the club there are a number of serious questions regarding what money is forthcoming and when. How sound (clean) is any Jersey finance? Is Gardener now ‘back in the game’ or do we have a leave date. What plans they intend to release regarding the land and what is ICTFC getting 250k ? Is the council on board and have they been submitted anything by the new Board? Through in a mass of unhappy fans, it’s like a disaster unfolding in front of our eyes I know the ST issued a ‘welcome announcement’ however in the absence of any serious information from the club or THC on the due diligence and ‘soundness’ of the takeover, can the ST issue a similar note requesting the club address the fans concerns. Does it need a rebellion again by the fans for the ST to act? Or if they are fully behind the new regime irrespective of the concerns raised, come and fully endorse them in a statement.

Yes, exactly. The harsh realities are stark when you look at our club in the cold light of day. I’d like to see someone like the ex Buckie thistle manager (some other poster suggested it earlier elsewhere). Did a good job at a level where our lot are properly at right now. Big plus for me is, he is a northern Scot that won’t jump at the first opportunity to get back down the A9 to manage any dead wood central belt team, ie Clyde!

At the risk of double downing on where the funds come from, I have to put a ‘ethics’ slant on this subject. Jersey has been a main artery for money laundering in the past with Russian money a key part of this practice. The Jersey government were told (by the UK & others) to get a grip of things. As such in 2019 the jersey gov put some sanctions in place to placate the noise. In 2022 Abramovich had $7bn seized by the jersey gov. That’s a hell of a lot of money sitting in a bank at low interest rates. So me being the cynic I am, question how the money men (the whole Russia -Jersey show) and their lawyers create the breathing space and rules ‘holidays’ to start the process again under the radar. For arguments sake if S7V’s investment cost £10M (hotel, flats and gaming centre where no profit goes to the club), then ten of such ventures quickly add up to a tidy sum. So for all the procedures, protocols, regulations and good practice rules espoused by such organisations and authorities (like the Highland Coonsil) and dare I say ICTFC, what if any checks are to be done to check any funding forthcoming from S7V is legit? Or are we such a lot that, that as long as it’s our club that is the recipient then ‘that’s OK’, don’t ask the questions.

Yes, Kelty was visionary. What a pity those thick fans that almost unanimously backed and brought it’s downfall couldn’t see its benefits!!!!!!

Also what conditions or qualifications come as a prerequisite to any funds being released. Going to be confidential of course to the board and characters like SG, however given the past performances and lack of real business experience or knowledge (not to mention any desire), just who is going to do the due diligence and check the small print clause x, sub section y, that doesn’t leave the Council and the fans picking up the pieces if and when it all goes belly up in 2-5 years when the current board have flown! Hope the council insist on a legal check regarding the land use. Just want to get it out in the open now.

‘Don’t worry we have enough lifeboats’ Captain of the Titanic as they leave Southampton.

Understand STFU the thrust of your reply. The ST were somewhat behind the ‘curve’ of the fans and were hesitant (a lot) about picking any route that was contrary to the Boards position. That’s said I beg to differ however on whether Kelty would have been binned without the ST finally coming round to what (most -they are still some that think Kelty was visionary), fans wanted. It history and let’s not split hairs. The next immediate battle, (if it’s already not too late), for the soul of the clubs future is proper scrutiny of S7V. With due respect to the ST team, they probably need professional advice on what checks they can do themselves, (because the current board are doing a soap+towel ‘C Whyte’ type of power transfer to cut their losses and head for the hills). A lawyer type person to properly scrutinise the S7V costs money and I’m not sure the ST or enough fans are ‘up’ for such a route?? It’s clear from the posts in this forum (we two excluded), we have some smart and professional people out there. Possibly they could comment?? thruppence worth this time. bc

As I said, take from it what you want. Couldn't care less!

Hears what the ‘wind’ just said to me!!!. 1) S7V are a face for the real players in the background. (Jersey). 2) They will gain 51% of the shares, so they control everything going forward. Ignore any opposition. 3) They plan to build hotel, flats and gaming centre. No profits go to the club. 4) The council has supported this plan in principle. 5) The football club get 250K rental for the land the hotel, flats and gaming centre stand. 6) S Gardiner is definitely part of the above plan going forward. Take from it what you like or care. For me it’s again non-highland people in control of the club. If we haven’t already tumbled on their interests are not in the long term of the club, city and area, do I question where this all leads in 3-5 years - YES!!!

I am a fierce critic of the ST, however they are the recognised formal voice and representation of the fans. They will be the first fan group any new investor will pay attention to as they will influence most of the supporter in whether to back or oppose new investors. Without the ST ‘Kelty’ would have prevailed. That said, the ST can’t be seen as the stooge for this new investor. They must be more professional in any dialogue they can get by probing challenging questions on the risks involved in the eyes of the fans, not investors in for a quick buck. Ie security of the stadium / land, Debt accumulation/ directors bonus and dividends. I just want to avoid a Thames Water type position in three years time at the club where the S7V investors have ‘tailed-it’ leaving a mountain of debt for suckers to deal with, whilst they move on to new ‘opportunities’.

We Scot’s ain’t great at history or learning from past mistakes. Hope I’m wrong but Mr Murray’s sale of rangers was a dark route taken for that club and plunged it deeper in the s##t that took a lot time to recover and a pile of money and agony. I add how close Celtic were before Macain stepped in and the usual benign bigotry starts here. Fingers & toes crossed we teuchters aren’t the mugs taken for granted and do proper checks (time will tell)! It’s a case of a leap into the unknown for me and tread (very ) carefully and don’t get taken in for slick sweet city slicker talk!! bc

I know IHE was properly ICT most fanatical fan, however without being crass, I just hope the club don’t have the temerity to take advantage here and issue some half assed sympathy note to curry some (false) credit. IHE will be remembered long after this board are long forgotten!

Never meet johndo and only came across him on this forum. He instantly brought me a smile with his probing and ‘on the edge’ of just about any tabboo subject. Clearly lovely by a lot of the fans. Now the Immortal part of his moniker takes it rightful place

A really positive and constructive reply LB. I’m in the camp for change and would back additional action (protest) to show there is a (large-ish?) body of supporters that want change at the top. SG gone being a starter. My fear is a lot of ‘my type’ are in the geriatric era and demos are looked on with dread. There has been no clear leadership in my view from the ST on the matter. Possibly the desire not to be seen out of step with their dialogue with the Board being a factor. Nor any willingness to alienate supporters that do not support any from of protest or holding back buying season tickets. I understand that position from the ST but I don’t agree they should be passive right now when the clubs existence is so perilous. I referred in my note earlier that we have insufficient fan numbers to influence change. By extension if we had a larger fan base I would have expected to see a ‘champion’ to the cause of further action / protest. We just don’t have the numbers, much to my angst (to really any serious club approach to build the young fan base for years). As such the natural division of opinion with the current fans is being used by the board to just sit tight and tough it out with absence of any communication. A tough few months ahead still to trundle before some clarity is forthcoming I fear!

Hi LB, I understand and like the multi-choice of where fans can select there preference on how they support the club. For me, it’s a simple ‘fight’ for the soul (if I can use that term) of the club. There are three support ‘groups’ as I see things:- 1) Attend the games as it’s the club you support irrespective of the team performance / results and who runs the club. 2) Attends and support the club, would like a stylish team and results, but indifferent about off-field ongoings to get involved. 3) Supports the team, but consider a new approach and set of leaders is required. Willing to promote change. I don’t differentiate between the home or away games support. Irrespective of which camp you fall (I change my leaning sometimes), I believe the fan base is too small to the have any real effect. The future direction of the club imho will be decided by who (individual or group) puts up the money to gain control of the board. There are few, if any individuals in the highlands willing to dig into there pockets to pay of the ‘leavers and debt fee’ before looking at stadium or team investment, (really can’t blame them). If there was 5 or 6 thousand supporters the decision would be more appealing from a financial position. Alas they are not and having supported the club from its conception, I don’t see any signs of increase in core base support in the numbers needed to effect change. So whist we the fans may pick and chose where we place our badge on how we support the club, we may have to just accept the level we have reached is where we actually should be. Ultimately what I think I am saying (poorly) is, we are all supporters of the club and want it to do well, but as things stand, with the exception of ‘Kelty’ have little influence on how it is controlled. Just my tuppence worth!

Correction - The fans at the meeting wanted (and for the most) still want SG gone. Not resigned (and hidden in the background still pulling some levers). It’s a choice want each individual fans does and your entitled to your view. I will always support my team ICT but not at any case where it is detrimental to its future existence and ‘soul’ of what it means to the fans, city and region!

Trouble is for me the press are too often (for right or wrong) see as being the lapdog and mouthpiece of the club spouting what they only want to be ‘spun’ and avoid probing questions. More ‘excuses’ (“we’re limited what we can report”) just feed this view for many!!

I agree DD and I know your not having by a dig at me, more a plea for action on a collective basis of the fans (it will always only be them), to raise the level of objection (to the uncertainty of the way the club is being manipulated my certain individuals for there own end / greed), by protesting outside and during the game. 100% with you. For me this is where the Trust should be leading from. Apologies for raising this old chestnut of mine again, but if the trust cannot be proactive or can initiate radical action to the way the club is being manipulated if front of our eyes (when it is possibly in its strongest ever position), when can or would it?? Maybe we need our own Greta to emerge and gather fan support in the way you suggest. (I’m past it!!). Getting a demo would get onto the telly and papers for sure!! I would be one to follow such person/demo. I for one will not accept SG remaining in any form (direct or indirect) at the helms of the club.

Simple - BOYCOTT until he is gone, and shout it from the roofs!!!!!

HT 0-1 FT 1-1 ICT -Devine Rose ? 1783