big cherly

0-0 A valuable away point and start! 2250 bc

I’ll leave the last word with you! Too much reasoning for me!! bc

Yes thank you, Thats my problem with it. My problem, but until someone provides me with achievable targets then I remain out with the trust the trust route. bc

Ok Scotty Sound case and reasoning behind all groups back the Trust route. It’s open however on a few fronts for me. So respectfully my questions to you are: 1) what is the acceptable criteria to measure against for implementing change with the club powers 2) how long is the period to wait to measure any change / improvement. 3) what’s plan b bc

I understand DD you’ve invested a mountain of time and effort for the ST, no less the match day experience survey, and act a link man between the ST and the forum. It’s a love of labour I would think and all credit to you, you do it tirelessly and exceptionally well! So down to you note. The issue or ‘charge’ is by a good number of disgruntled fans is the club has been in a steady decline both on and off the park since we won the Scottish Cup in 2015. This rate of decline has been more pronounced under the current CEO, Chairman and Board (the power holders to use my term). The concerts fiasco alienated and cost long stand local small businesses and the outcome by the powers was to close the concert Co and do a Pontius Pilate. They control the money so ignore any approach and hide the facts on how vulnerable the club are doing. They have lost the connection with a lot of life long fans with their apparent couldn’t care less approach. Bottom line they can do a lot of damage to what is left of the club before (and they will in my view) ultimately departing on to somewhere else. Their are three options as I see it to influence the ICT power holders 1) Keep things as they are and continue to support and fully back and finance the status quo and hope things improve. 2) Hope that an Alan Savage like saviour with a big bag of money takes over and invests heavily in the club and ground. 3) Enough fans rally behind a change campaign and make moves to implement change. I’m in the last camp, although as I explained earlier, it’s the slow train route for me as I think it’s the more sound route! You’re clearly in the ST route. I respect that but I don’t agree with it as it’s a retread of an already limited structure that the powers have shown to ignore. The ME survey was nice but in my opinion says a lot of stuff that any clubs fans would say! Respectively, it would not influence the power players except on the periphery. Maybe it’s a combination of both, I don’t know. But I fear this hierarchy getting lucky and staying in power too long. bc

Continue to do what I am doing! Which is focus on the long term (ie 3years plus in the future), and flag where I believe a lack of accountability or representation is abused by those controlling and owning the power. I personally did not renew my season ticket as I was unhappy with the basically the style (wrong term here) of play and the continued decline of the club and couldn’t see where or when it would improve soon. That registers my lost few quid over the season where the powers only notice (the pocket). My choice!! Now that said I have no issue with the fans that have bought season tickets as it is ingrained in fans to support the club as they normally would! I back every fans stance to support the team as they wish. I will pick and choose the matches I want to attend!! Back to the main point. Billy Dodds has a two year contract. I personally don’t agree with those that have the power voted in support of this new contract extension (be good to know who exactly did), however the deed is done, so they say, so I accept ( and respect) that decision. I see improvement will only come incrementally, taking 5 to 8 years to get us back to a level that I believe the club (and dare I say the city) could compete at a level equivalent to say a Killie, Livvy or the Well. - That requires a thorough thought out strategy and plan. Much that I wish Coonty did not have Sir Roy funding them, they have pulled away and left ICT in their tracks on stadium, management and fan engagement, (Decade in my view). I do not foresee a sugar daddy coming over the horizon to save us. We’re in such a precarious position, it’s just a bad financial business judgment to make. Alan Savage, like him or not, is no mug. So it’s back to the slow grinding incremental plan for me. Now the current people in charge and Mister Dodds might just succeed this season and the team gets promoted! Would this be good (I don’t know), but I’d go along for the ride for sure. If not then the fans will begin to back the case for change, certainly if next seasons campaign comes of the rails early. So finally, it’s too early in my mind to call for the manager’s head or the CEO or Chairman when the season had just started. In fact I believe it may rile a core of fans that may have some views like you express, but makes them defend the status quo more. I understand your angst is the visual steady decline of the team and club and loss of anything to arrest and change that. You’re not alone and for me it’s great supporters like you are out there fighting and promoting for positive and tangible change. For me long term Bc

The season has just started. I’m confident the team will ‘find their game’ and start to turn the results round in the coming two matches. It may be a couple of 0-0 matches and unattractive, however we just have to realise and accept where and what we are as a club and start grinding out some no-loose results. That will settle the team which hopefully they can then build on to add a goal or two in the Sept games. bc

Yes indeed, a low threshold of enjoyment in my opinion; however everyone has the right to be wrong and choose and select where they want to be entertained and if ICT has 22 months of similar joy to look forward to maybe just some will be looking up the shinty schedule matches. It was here before the fitba and is the ancient sporting ancestry of the highlands.

Can’t be worse than crying at the the crap on show today!

Good, hit a nerve and a worthy repost. I will be succinct and concise as I can! Why, Well principally two reasons, 1) As long as there is no Supporters Trust link or representation to the Forum, then their fair game. The purpose of the ST in their headline webpage is ‘Representing the fans of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC’ - A bridge between the club and its supporters. – Then the forum is where I would expect a wider and more spread fan representation where sensible debate on the more serious matters relating to the clubs are aired and discussed.(#) The posting of alleged foul language by the management team is up there as an example. Right now, there is no way via the forum to understand whether the Supports Trust think this matter is of importance or whether they would take the matter up with the club’s representatives in a timely manner and seriousness that the club would address the ‘complaint’. Whether the club feel they have to do anything about it is part of my second point. # The case I hear is join the supporters trust. Well I disagree here in that any ICT fan should have a voice and platform to air serious alleged grievances such as the one above without having to join a club. Or indeed have to take the matter up on their own directly with the club and hope that some action is taken and a reply issued, ( their track record here on communication needs no further words). 2) Does the ST Board represent the full spectrum of the fans in the redress to their voting rights? I understand from the posters the Supporters Trust Board carries 10% voting rights and is second largest voting block with ICT. Are the fans views across the spectrum of the support reflected in their submission to the club? If the supporters trust only represent their members, (I’ll guess a 2 or 3 hundred number of mostly 50 plus aged members) is this truly representative of reflective enough. – The two main examples or issues for me is a) the poor to little incentives for increasing the younger fan base, and b) the two-year contact for the manager. On the latter there are many fans that did not agree with the decision to award him a two-year contract extension based on the performances and style of play for the past two seasons. Unless the decision to award BD the new contract as solely down to the CEO and Chairman I would consider the STB were signatories to this decision. – That’s Ok if this was the case, but it would be useful for the fans to know. So, concluding, – My having a pop at the supporter trust board isn’t an attract on any individual, (if it is taken as such then it’s my place here to correct that and apologise). My efforts and focus are prosecuting what I think is in the best future long term interests of the club I support. For me the Supporters Trust has to reach out to a wider and dare I say it a younger fan base and the Forum (not sure twitter or their equivalents are ‘solid’ enough), is the artery that a ST representative, (doesn’t need to be named), can comment on pertinent matters considered by the CTO high heid yins to support can be made. Anyway – I’ve had my say, I can move on!! bc

Maybe they see Dodds as a master football visionary with his hoofball and pedantic back 5 slow square passing strategy. It just we hicks in these northern climes can’t appreciate the finer points of this strategy and execution of the elan’. Well we can only pray and hope the Arabs look further north than Glasgow. We have enough Dodds apologists dusting of last February's excuses for this August. What’s Arabic for Billy Billy,,,, bc

Maybe the head of the Supporters Trust Board can submit it in an email to the SLO! - Oh I forgot, no one in the STB looks at the forum, (makes you wonder why their there), and the ICT suggestion box disappeared years ago! bc

Not forgetting the ‘Hack and Hope’ strategy to be deployed at the last 10 minutes of the game. That always catches out the opposition centre halfs and goalkeeper unaware!! bc

Well, let’s just think about who cares or will change their opinion on what is posted on this forum. # the CEO - no chance # Chairman - nope # board members with influence - mmm (based on the last 2 seasons)? # the supported trust board - you kidding! # the season ticket holders - some I suspect but have no clout (ie unlike the top 5 teams in Scotland ). So, we can rant all we like, but it doesn’t really count for anything. The forum is just an outlet to allow ICT fans to put down the views, and for the most it does that pretty well I believe! Just enjoy the footie - who knows, we might be pleasantly surprised! bc

This seasons budget has already been allocated / committed. You’re no mug so I’m sure you already know that! There are a couple of players Dodds is chasing but the limit on what he can pay for them is in this budget. (Yes that means average to suspect injury prone players that other championship teams won’t go near). I’m afraid that’s where we are given the past two seasons. (I suspect it would have been a lot leaner if not for the Queens Park cup boo boo)! It doesn’t make any sense in my view to push for a replacement of the manager on the back of two poor results in the early season (3rd level) competition. This really, for the club, would always be a period for getting the team structure, play pattern, strengths and weaknesses set out and amended for the real test (the league), where the manager & coaches will be judged. (Add to that where the CEO and certain board members look in a year or so). As I mentioned we don’t have the money to dump Dodds. It just will not happen (for now), get used to it! The test for Dodds is to try and get the team results. (I don’t mention or mean quality of play, as I suspect most fans accept, the style of play - structure is already in place. Their is no other plan B). A poor winter set of results may influence my opinion and make me look a bigger mug! bc

Don’t think that’s a question that should be raised right now. The guy has just been offered a 2 year contract. Irrespective whether we think that was right or wrong, the fact is it is in place. We can’t afford to pay him off, simple, so we just move on! Tonight’s result ends interest in this cup. We just hope Dodds and the team learn from the mistakes over the past two games and get it right for the league games ahead. We can’t enter into another winter like last year!! bc

Thank you OCG for your response as you understand things. I’m not a Supporter Trust member, just a simple supporter of the team. I’m still unclear what the Trust Board actually stand for in how a question like mine, (of relevant interest to us all I would hope), is taken up and addressed by the Trust Board. If as you say the TB has occasional meetings with the club officials, is there timetable for the these meetings or is it randomly held? I would be concerned if the club would consider withholding details like season ticket numbers sold, as it would (I suspect) be of interest to just about any season ticket holder or the fans in general. Why, well a number of reasons, Firstly, connection with the fans. The season ticket sales represent (for me at least), a sign of the general health of the club. Absence of such details weakens, I believe, the connection and bond between the club and fans, where as DD mentions, just about every other club is proud to promote and release there ST figures. Secondly, Anyone with any interest in the club know our average attendance is just over a couple of thousand. If their is financial sensitivity on the season tickets then given what I say above (other clubs release ST No’s), this may raise greater concern and focus from fans, vendors and potential investors that there is a risk the club is in a vulnerable position (yes, I take in the cup run). Releasing the ST numbers would dismiss this uncertainty. Lastly, it raises for me the question ‘what does supporters trust board actually stand for’. I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but I assume some of the Trust Board members look at the forum comments as well as taking in Supporters trust members emails. Like graffiti on a wall, some of the more salient and meaningful suggestions and comments (good and bad), that could help the club forward come from such sources. - The absence or lack of Supporters Trust Board interaction or feedback with the forum is a lost opportunity for me. Anyway, I personally feel the club has more to gain than loose by issuing the number of Season Tickets sold. Just my tuppence worth and final comment on the matter. common fan bc

I understood from recent posters Fraz, the Supporters Trust held 10% voting rights, and referring to Cattach 28th June, was insisting the trust board is held in a higher position and representation than the common fan. (ie, they would act on these fans behalf)! I stand to be corrected if I am wrong with the above, however in the event I am right, I consider my request for season ticket status was a simple and valid question the ST board would welcome and take to the club with a view of issuing a clear unambiguous answer! What is their purpose otherwise if they cannot or address with their common fans enquiries. Or is it a case that only certain questions can be accepted? Clarity would help me understand better! bc

Knowledge!

Hi, Can the trust board please confirm how many season tickets have been sold this new season to date, what is the club’s expected target. If not currently available, what date will it be available. Also obtain from the club the season ticket numbers for the last 10 years. Many thanks. bc

“Whats clear is the current club board appear to treat all fans the same, including the supporters trust. This has to change going forward.” The above bugged me since it was posted and I resisted commenting on it at the time as I didn’t want to deflect the main track of the issue. So after a period of time I came down on the side of ‘this is ‘ part of the problem’. - I’ll leave it with A Miller’s “we are all born equal, some are more equal than others”. bc

Understand where you’re coming from scotty in that you don’t care where the person comes from as long as they competent, ‘straight’ and professional in communicating to the respective bodies. I buy all that. Only thing is the level of distrust from a good number of the fans towards anything to do with what the board control (ie their SLO), will be met with some scepticism if a key issue in the fans eyes is not sanctioned. (Be it valid or not). I do feel a fans rep stands a better chance of mediation and progress fir both parties. just my tuppence worth. bc

Well done Douglas, for persevering when most of us just gave up. Be interesting to see if your stone in the pond gathers any momentum (wave like), time will tell. For me the recent posters has been what’s good about the fans (both positive and negative [depending on what side of the fence you sit]); so here’s to the start of the new season. Enjoy it !(all the ups and downs).

Hello Alan, I have taken time to digest what you say regarding true fans. I understand your point where you ‘support your team though thick and thin’, but stop and disagree at ‘No matter the circumstances’! - I have followed football as a fan boy and man going on over 60 plus years simply because it thrilled and excited more than any other sport! It extended beyond a simple sport to include and represent the community, people and town /area I lived in. For the most the people in control of the clubs I followed were from the town the club resided and were woven into the ethics and ‘sole’ of the supporters. In essence the club and team represented the supporters. In todays football society the connection between the club hierarchy [+team] and the support has been diluted as money overcame every aspect of the game to where the supporters connection has been reduced or diluted to ‘customers’, or to put it in more financial terms ‘cash cows’ via aka season tickets and sale of merchandise. What I have observed at ICT since we won the Scottish Cup has been a slow and somewhat painful decline both on and off the field. Excluding the Covid period and a fortunate cup run, the performances and direction over past two seasons with the team and CEO / Board had been alarming to watch and read! I feel the current club hierarchy do not have the same connection with the fans and community I mention above. I hate saying transient hierarchy but that’s where I am just now. This disconnect is most tangible in the almost bewildering and belittling regard of the fans worth and communication. So Alan, I have reached the point where I don’t want to continue with the current arrangement where I pay to receive more of the same ‘service’. As OCG eloquently put ‘it’s the only power we (fans) have’. To get the powers to pay some attention is to show that in their pocket, (Money again)! So to end my spiel, bring a true fan in my book depends on your interpretation on what you think is best for your team, and what you do to bring that into effect, (and loose). I respect your view but you don’t have a monopoly on what constitutes a fan. bc

Snap! Place it also a tip and adds to the disenfranchisement.