big cherly

And using your proposal we sell 1500 tickets to highland tic fans!

Why would Celtic care or want to help Caley on the day! If they have a few thousand tic fans in the ICT end that helps their cause on the day (god knows they have enough of an advantage)! Wallpaper talk of Celtic telling their fans to not buy ICT tickets is for the gullible. The Green Brigade heed their every word!! The reality is highland ‘tic’ fans will be buying up our tickets. On one of the last Celtic matches in Inverness it was when we scored I found out I had to look round for another ICT fan to celebrate with (another row up). The rest around me in the north stand were stone silent. I’ll throw in another direct link - Charlie bhoy Christie makes no apology in declaring where his loyalist are! You could call him Celtic's (free) highland youth coach and eyes. Wonder how many ICT tickets he gets for his group of mates. At the end of the day it simply comes down to money. The board simply will flog as many tickets they can get their hands on to any one that will pay for them! Our average attendance for the past few seasons is kicking around 2250. Any allocation over 5000 is the SFA being benevolent to our board!

I hesitate as a long standing footie fan to say anything that would counter a place in the final and playoffs, however what goes on at the chairman and board level ultimately positions the club identity, relationship with the area, local community and business. The Trump -Johnson approach don’t fit well with me and sometimes you need to experience a Liz Trust moment to get change! Time will tell……….

Can’t and wouldn’t like to stop the dreamers! That’s all it is - dreams. Patrick was our last real test. Bitter experience won’t let me see past tomorrows match with Hamilton. Artificial pitch, Team fighting to stay in the league, unlike Cove Hamilton has a core support and will fancy their chances based on the past results this season. So let’s hope we’re up for the fight, carry a bit of luck when we need it and score one more goal than Hamilton.

Yes, tend to agree with this. To be honest couldn’t recall any real contribution Samuals made through the night, couple or runs but never in control or serious about winning the ball. He ‘hid’ in my opinion during a lot of the match and if the bloke wanted subbed he made a good case ahead of Mackay of me. We’ll need all our players mentally and physically ready for the next two matches to take 6 points and keep the playoffs a possibility. Hope Samuals improves to get to where he can. Last comment - observation on last night. Delighted about the win; the first half was dreadful. The continued play safe square passing at the back will come unstuck sooner or later and cost us a goal. It’s a risk we continue to play and we need more emphasis on getting the midfield involved going forward. Good luck on sat against the Cove.

Sorry Billy Dodds, if that needed to be explained! To some it clearly does…

You have to consider what would DD offer and be able to provide to the club and team to warrant offering a new (extension) contract. I agree you should use facts in any assessment, but it’s not the sole category as facts like statistics (or results if you like), tend to hide key facets like performance, capability to change the team during a game, competence and ability to communicate/ inspire the fans. On all of the above categories, in my opinion by attending all the home matches DD fails to get close to ‘maybe OK at this’, and should not be considered for retaining. SG and the board may wish to retain a scapegoat and cover for another season or two to deflect the criticism away from their inept own performance, but that’s not vision, it’s incompetence! I would argue the point that if the ICT powers have the desire and (importantly) the Will to move forward, (irrespective of any luck that stays with the team), it is important that a new manager and direction for the team is selected. If not for that luck (cup twist and results), part time could have been a distinct possibility going forward. You could make an equally good argument to ditch SG and most of the board, but turkeys and Xmas …….. I might as well throw it in, if it’s not already apparent, I will not be renewing and season ticket with DD in the dugout! Couldn’t sit through another season like the one we have just been through to date!

Well, well, Here we are again, we have the arrogance and pretence to think we (ICT), are a team of stature, reputation and ability to poo-poo and belittle Falkirk as a Micky Mouse outfit that will be washed aside on to our rightful position against the mighty Celtic in the final. Our only concern is will it by 8, 10 or more goals against us in the final. No matter we will cheer our boys on irrespective of potential Darvel like records being made and all have a great day out! It’s a Scottish fault fine characteristic failure which is often sorely exposed in sport with football being the biggest exponent of this “wha’s like us” behaviour. I don’t open or question whether this miss led bravado is right or wrong, or what other nations really think of us, because I truly believe it is beyond us to change, but forgive me if I don’t join in this way of thinking. Falkirk, in just about every facet or aspect of their club, be it tradition, fan base, stadium, financial stability and potential are years ahead of ICT. The fact they are currently in a league below us is neither here or there, having watched ICT this season, only the happy clappy would say our manager and players are better than Falkirk’s. I’ll go further to say our lot would struggle to be in Falkirk's league position if we were in that league. Anyway, before we start worrying about getting hammered by Celtic in the final let’s give some respect to Falkirk. This will on the day be tough match in my opinion and low behold the consequences to the loosing team!

Sir Roy you mean!!

I don’t understand the premise of your point here. Most comments, I believe, of the people that contribute to the forum are ICT fans, turn up and pay their money. From the comments I have read, the bulk appear sincere in the support for the team, but want to be able to comment (for good or bad) on what they see, hear or read regarding the club/match performance and experience. That’s a healthy position I would suggest!! Maybe you don’t and you’re entitled to your view! Just to cemented my point, I have attended all the home matches this season and with few exceptions the team performance has been a hard watch to say the least! I wrote previously in this forum prior to the Killie match, that to date, I saw no evidence on past performances to see how we could prevail, however we knew on football there was always a chance. (Which we took on the night). So unlike a few on this topic, I attending on what was a bitterly cold night to support my team. I was delighted and cheering with the rest of the die-hard fans as we matched Killie in energy, effort and no small bit of guile. We should have secured a 3-1 victory but I don’t loose sight of a fantastic result! - Just wish we had applied some of the same attitude in the past games. Spare me trotting out the tired old injuries excuse!! Just to pare back a little of the good feel of last nights result, this was at best an average Killie team. The good thing for me was our boys didn’t shrink back to believe they were inferior to a top league team and went on the attack. Dare I suggest the reduction in our usual habit of playing the ball backward from an attacking position helped!! Anyway - out with the team and manager on the night, credit from me goes to :- # the young team - awakened and stirred the corpses in the north stand. More flares, tapes upsetting the gentry and general mischief (great), - crucial on the night I suspect. # Killie fans - announcer says 2950ish attendance for the match. They brought up over 600 fans in my opinion. (Where were our faithful)? On one of Scotland’s coldest days they travelled in numbers at a rotten time, watched and noisily supported their team in defeat to then travel another 3 hours to arrive in Ayrshire around 01:00 Here’s to you Killie fans. So in conclusion - I turned up and supported and cheered my team onto a fine result! Well done. I will continue however to express my views on where and when I consider the team, manager, CEO, board or facilities fall short! Unless of course that type of criticism is not allowed here??

The biggest night of the season for ICT. In the sports bar 60 min before kickoff. Queue wait 20 min to find no draught drink on tap. Cans or bottles only. Staff behind counter looks like they have never worked In a bar before. Timing for serve and charging snail pace! Does anyone in the broad even know or care just how amateurish it is and it’s lost revenue???

The low expectations is more of a reflection of how this season (both on and off the field) has unraveled, for a large (most) section of the fans. No need to expand on the team and coach (manager is not a term I use) performances! Of the field, the anxiety of whether the fans can trust what comes out of SG and the board, with absence of communication, smoke and mirrors and hand picked auditors raising concerns on future viability of the club. For me the question is do we believe things will be any better or worse if this lot remain (ie get lucky tonight)!

Soulless, lonely with no atmosphere!!

Or outwith ‘trust us’ words, any details or timescale on these enterprise zone, battery farm, exciting opportunities etc on how to deliver them is missing. I understand the frustration of the fans here, (I have to mention how pleased I am at the level of intelligent comment presented on the forum ), however we will get through it (albeit we may have to restart after administration). The simple solution and answer of course lays on the football pitch. Get a winning team and the agony we are experiencing dissipates. SG becomes a background figure again! Trouble is the team lack the leadership, and dare I say it now, the long term player commitment, to play to their real potential. SG and the board stuck with BD and we are now down to hoping luck carries us through the cup and remaining league games. Problem is you can’t run a company’s finances simply on that alone!!

If it is ever completed, or even part completed, can we have a competition to name whatever is built. Starter for 10, I propose ‘ robbo’s heid’ (ie the head on a submarine) or the ‘hearts north hillbilly riff raff! over to the riff raff!

Friday 10th March is now a watershed date for the fans/club. The cup match with Killie will set in place a series of events that will be pivotal to ICT immediate future : Win - Money spinner and media attention heading into the semis. Much needed injection of funds to reduce account loss projections. Fans interest and enthusiasm reignited. Change of fortune and results for the team resulting in achieving the playoffs. BD hangs on till end of season. Loose - More austere operating challenges for the club. Economy cuts across the playing and stadium staff. Billy Dodds and coaches depart as fans boycott any further involvement from him! Part-time team during realignment phase. Youth teams cut back. Fan base -season tickets reduced. JR takes up full time radio punditry at Dingwall. I expect their will be a change in the directors irrespective, so I’m parking that for now. It’s been a hell of a season so far and I find it hard to put drum up much evidence to see a victory for ICT on the day. That said we all know there is a small chance of a surprise on the day! I just wonder however does the current lot (on and off the park) deserve the fall from grace and another chance.??

Hi, I don’t follow the trust stuff much, but this topic/survey caught my attention. I completed and submitted the questionnaire. Would like to know when its findings and number of returns will be published. (Any chance this forum)? For me the common denominator is always money. And if anything cost more that a token few quid the ICT board will stick it in the ‘for filing’ tray. It’s understandable as they have no money anyway, ref concerts and fans to stump up for Robertson’s shed cover. I wish the trust well in the efforts to improve the match experience and facilities. A wide range of issues for sure - Need young members here!! Hope the board treat it more that a foot stool and give a yes or no and set timetable for top recommendations made by the independent trust.

My apologies gringo, I did not intend to offend. I regret my choice of words!

Can all fans who think this way ‘get real’ and wake up. Irrespective of whether Ian McCall would be any good, ICT is not an attractive post for a manager - we have no money, can’t attract good players, terrible reputation with ‘burnt’ local businesses (investment), minute, dwindling and disgruntled support, fall guy to a toxic Board! Players speak to each other and reputations are made! - ICT and Inverness (the highlands) is not an attractive proposition for any ‘outside’ aspiring or established player of reasonable ability. - It’s too far away from the large urban areas. Away from your family and friends the novelty of the A9 and A96 quickly wear off. If you have made the move, once you fall out of favour, your playing career is in stuck in limbo if you have a family, - their is no other team to go to (County - only if you bow to Sir Ian). Ask Kettlewell! Players know ICT ground is a soleless and lonely place with no atmosphere. Throw in no money, ICT is just not a good image or option right now! Sorry to be blunt, but until we start addressing some of these issues we’re just treading water. bc

The agony of todays result is why we are addicted to this sport. It’s so unpredictable that we get high when we unexpectedly win well (Livi) and suffer when we fall short (today and more than we wish to admit this season)! I believe we were the better team today for 70% of the game but failed where it matters most (putting the ball in the net). Outcome, Hamilton scored and grew in confidence. Second goal killed the match as a contest. I’m no fan of BD but I’m not convinced he has to carry all the blame for todays result. Truth is our players failed to deliver (again) when required. There was no pressure against Livi (most hoped we wouldn’t be humiliated), but when we were expected to overcome lowly Hamilton the truth hit home (they couldn’t)! We all know scoring goals is the toughest part for all teams. Celtic and Rangers are so endowed that it’s less of a problem for them. When your the likes of ICT and don’t take the opportunities when they come along it influences both sides as the match progresses. We couldn’t handle it and lost our way - Wala 0-3! Had we scored first I personally feel we could have won the game! Outwith not scoring and loosing the two first goals, (don’t believe it was a penalty), my gripe from today’s performance was the reluctance to press up the field when we had the ball. Too many took the easy option to play the ball back - a pattern all to familiar for a lot of this season. I can’t and will not blame the kids if and when they make a mistake, that’s part of the learning and development of their match knowledge and abilities. So for me today’s shortcomings was down to the experienced players. Last week it was different and I believe, (and hope) the next match will also prove likewise. As has been mentioned in numerous notes throughout this forum, we are where we are in ways of money, players, board and manager capabilities and abilities! Our players are the best we can afford or attract to the area. Some will have to move on (age, money or too injury prone) once the season is completed. That’s just the reality we are in! The fan base is fragile however, and this is where I fear the CEO and board may make the biggest mistake by taking them again for granted. The current fan base is the core stock, and they are clearly thinning out as they don’t like the direction or what has happened to their club and state of disrepair to the ground over the past few years. Anyway - whilst no fan of him, for me todays loss is less blame of the manager and more for the players. just my tuppence worth! bc

It all depends on your viewpoint. You obviously think the record and standard you mention served the club (and fans) well. You are entitled to that view and I respect that. I personally have a different opinion. I believe our club benefits from open opinion and criticism. If you only want to hear and read one side of the argument that’s your right! It’s not mine!!

Wonderful, let’s all look back and luxuriate in the glow of past glories. It is also the point where we can see the start if the slow grinding decline of the club both on and off the park to the place we are now. Maybe we can put the Jan manager of the month in the calendar for 2024 to celebrate that also - double the joy!

Got to say I really had to dig deep on Saturday to attend the match. I ignored my brian saying you’re a mug to keep watching this excuse of a team and sit in freezing weather to boot. My choice to ignore the weather, but I’m dammed if I will turn up to buy lukewarm bovril, use toilets that have no lights, soap, hot water or paper towels, then enjoy 90 minutes of the best ICTFC can offer. Like most of the dinosaur fans that have followed the team from the highland league days, we can see just how shallow we are as a club! Whilst the young kids get our support as they break through, there is no way in my opinion this team could get into the top league. The fact is we don’t deserve it! I have to be upfront and honest to myself. I just can see myself continuing to think next season will be different!! And that’s where I drop out (like a lot of more others)!!

It’s a strange position I find myself. Such is the (poor) performance of the team this season I questioned the capability of the manager to affect the performance positively. When it was clear improvement on the field was not going to happen I looked to the Board / CEO to see a route for improvement! They are in full possession on the financial position of the club, so I expect they consider this in any decision as to whether Dodds can change things (the way we all want). Billy Dodds is no monster and wanted to see ICT succeed for sure! It just transpired that he, like 98% of other ex footballers turn out to be unable to translate personal positivity into actual team performance to match the board and fan’s aspirations. Billy Dodds I suspect would have taken an exit card in the past (and right now) but has been asked by the CEO to help steer the club to safety (that is avoid being relegated), this season. BD is a proud man and will I expect agree to this recognising most want him gone! So closing - I will turn up in Jan and try to give my team ICT support! If anything the fans are the club and we stick through the hard times! BD will do his best and ultimately be replaced in due course. Let’s give him and the team our support through to safety from threat of relegation! all the best for the festive season! bc