big cherly

Why not first? bc

Stay free of main injuries to key players (down the centre line), don’t have Aberdeen pulling back Alfie B (can they do this at anytime?), don’t pick up too many red cards, have luck when we need it; Sixth for me, but more likely seventh. Be delighted if we get into the playoffs and be proved wrong. But if I would pick any position over them all right now I would be happy with Eighth. bc

Great result, fully deserved. Whilst the first half provided a great constructed and taken goal, I give full marks to the team’s defensive performance for the second half. Dibaga exudes confidence between the sticks and while not pressed too much today took control at the corners. He was ablely protected by Danny and Remi in front of him. Says a lot about the team’s development. We’ll need more of the same for future matches to come. Enjoy and take credit for today’s result and display. Those that decided to stay in the pub and watch the rugby, you missed a really good match and performance today. ps - didn’t foresee the Annan or Dumbarton victories coming today. bc

Really tight first half. Great though ball, run on and finish by Alfie B to score an excellent goal. Feel Queens are wanting to outmuscle and bully us, so an interesting second half awaits. We were a little vulnerable on both back positions in the FH I feel so may need to help both players.

Really intriguing match today and a real test IMO of where we (the team) are as a group and a measure of where we stand as we look ahead to the remainder of the season. Queens will fancy themselves for three points I feel thinking they have a measure of how to get behind our defence having beat us recently. They are seasoned campaigners in this league and know there way around it. They’ll have their eyes on the top of the league given their recent momentum, so it’s up to us to prove we’re capable of matching them on every front. We look a more balance team now that we are carrying a threat up front. Dibaga is a real find for me and if we can provide him enough protection there is a good chance we can get something out of the game today. Looking forward to the match. Love a victory but I would consider not loosing today being a point closer to Annan at 5 o'clock. bc

‘To be honest, it's difficult to see why anyone would want to buy a small, lowly Scottish league club miles from most places, which can't possibly sustain itself through football income alone’ ‘hasn't Savage talked about him leading a consortium being a way forward?’ Well said snorbens. Your first point is the question that we (the club and the fans), have IMO been tumbling over for the past decade or more as we try to understand the club’s true and real position in the Scottish football whilst dealing with the expectations of the fans, City and region giving the limitations in the arena we / they operate. As has been well documented in CTO and other outlets we have insufficient fan numbers to make the football operation viable. That’s unlikely to change as simply the population in the Highlands is too small to support two teams. Throw in competition from the old firm and other more comfortable alternatives (cinema, gaming), it’s hard to see where the numbers we need would come from. The clubs rise and achievements over the past 30 compete admirably with other comparable provincial teams. But there has also been a slow steady decline with neglect and overspending our reach resulting in where we currently are. As you (and others) rightly point out we need the new owners (being positive they materialise), to look at a different model for financing the operations. To your point 2, Alan Savage has no question about it, saved the club from going under IMO. I question whether ICTFC would have had any proper future if K Mahwana had succeeded in buying the club with SG still around. I do hope AS is part (steers) any consortium or group that takes over for a couple of years. He has the club at heart I’m sure and has invested heavily (1M by the time we’re out of Admin?), to let the club travel down the same error strewn road. It may be there will be some significant changes for the club and fans that we have to accept as part of any new regime. Just wish him good health! bc

HT: 1-1 FT: 2-2 1st Scorer ICT: Gilmour 1st Scorer Opp: Brooks Crowd: 2115

Pretty much agree STFU what you’re saying regarding prise money outwith the SPL is buttons. That said the Championship has a few ‘bigger’ teams (if I can call them that), that brings along more decent size away supporter, eg Patrick, Falkirk & Dunfermline. Helps with modest increase of income and fans riling each other. Can’t think of any team this season bringing more than 100 away fans. bc

Patience is a virtue I’m lead to believe. As we head towards Feb I have to say I’m burning closer to the bottom of my patience candle. Understand we have to sit tight and hope/trust this time we get a better owner and board than the previous past 10 years. Know the admin and short list of preferred interested buyers are crunching through the numbers and get-into-the-black operating algorithms. I believe DBO we’re looking to be in a position to make some sort of an announcement or update in Feb. Hope it the first half of the month. A good turn out by the fans and a win against QoTS would only help with any discussions. bc

HT: 0-0 FT: 0-0 1st Scorer ICT: n-a 1st Scorer Opp: n-a Crowd: 634

Like the summary of journey and match E4C. Bonus points 12 out of 10!!

Salute to the ICT fans that journeyed down for this match. You fall into the dedicated die-hard fan category for me. Tuesday winters day, couple hundred plus miles over a four hours trek with hope and a bit of uncertainty in the outcome. It captures perfectly the appeal of football and why fans still enjoy and put themselves out to follow and support their team through thick and thin. It wasn’t the outcome the team and fans wanted, however the positive effect on the team of fan support on the night was valued and helped in their effort and performance I’m sure. It’s up to us ‘home birds’ to do our part at the home matches. 10 out of 10 for attending last night. bc

Artificial pitch time again. Fingers crossed for a win today as pound for pound we have better players and better team. Prefer the win, but won’t be too disappointed with a draw as I still believe Annan can be caught over the remaining months.

Found out! Reading this in my cherry patterned dress. Time to quickly move on.

Simplistically you can argue that is the case. It nevertheless dismisses any responsibility of duty of care or due diligence by the council to consider the effects of one of its sub tenants (ICTFC) folding and going into liquidation. Whilst ICTP may still provide the rent, their remains the issue of the stadium upkeep and security costs which will have to picked up by the council (they own the stadium). Another concern were this to happen is the likelihood of any development of the area would be deferred some years I expect. This stance also goes against THC common good fund principles Ie ‘Common Good Funds are made up of assets including buildings, land …. , are ‘held by the Council principally for the benefit of the local community’. If what it appears from an earlier posting it maybe a moot point, insofar it appears their will be a statement by BDO mid Jan. Hopefully their is some positive signs of an agreement or a road map to achieve that between RM/main stakeholders and the long suffering retail suppliers. bc ps - I hasten to add THC would like to avoid anything to do with ICTFC right now giving the complete pigs-ear they made of dealing with the battery farm.

Thanks Charlie, Didn’t know the history of the Bught and knew there would be insurmountable hurdles. The thrust of my point (like you and others on CTO), is to not lie down and simply accept what RM and his cohorts intend without a challenge either directly or indirectly. BDO will do the legal route. I want to influence where we can the groups, individuals and other interested parties that may feel unease and express this angst to RM. The Highland Council does have a direct interest on what happens within the stadium and surrounding area. I would like to hear what the Council thoughts are on the matter. Are they indifferent on the direction the club is being pushed? bc

Thats a possibility. However, where would we go and how would we finance a new stadium? Yes agree, it’s a worse case scenario. Put forward when cornered, where all other options are exhausted and you have to fight yourself out of it. It appears fantastic and crazy, but if nothing else RM has etched in every ICT fans mind, money is his God. If we affect that mindset I.e ICTP land value would be seriously devalued and put back a number of years. He should keep that 1% chance when he meets with BDO later this month. Crazy idea - The practicalities and economics probably don’t add up, but RM or his people / solicitor's don’t read CTO so no worries there Here goes - We see out this season at the stadium (going on the premise the current lease is to the summer). We notify the council of handing back the stadium in July whilst consider safer and viable short and long term alternatives. Recognise we are a least another season in Div 1 (Div 3 to me) I.e June 2026. There is no need for any more than 2000 seats IMO. Short term - Rent Victoria Park from Uncle Roy for two or three seasons. (I know I know), But RMcG is a (excellent) businessman. He probably is a buddy of RM, but money talks. He gets to greatly reduce his running costs and we give him a tonne of grass-seed twice a year. Most fans would come round to seeing this got one up RM and journey to Dingwall. Bear in mind we hired Pittorie 20 odd years ago (freezing place). Long term - My immediate thoughts are the Bught Park. It would need more capacity and upgrade to meet the league stat requirements. Or share with the athletic or rugby clubs! Nuts I know, and probably more expensive than coughing up to meet RM’s asking price. But in the absence of just bending on both knees and begging for RM to help us in out in our hour of need and not shaft us. ???? My application for the asylum is already in the post. bc

As the remaining details of the debt and leased land are finally laid bare the club finds itself in an insidious position with one person, Ross Morrison (the former Chairman no less), holding all the cards and ultimately the future survival /destiny of the club. Through his actions and acquisitions he has the club tied up like a ham joint in a butcher’s window for the world to see. I don’t dispute RM poured a lot on money into the club and had to make some provision to mitigate the extent of loss. (Spoiler alert – No board member /Chairman in my memory, enters into football expecting to make money). As mentioned by others what grates me is deliberate action to make timely arrangements he knew could be punitive to the clubs existence if things went pear-shape, (which they spectacularly did). These actions (floating charge loan and ICTP buy-out), would have been done in full view or knowledge of the board, and either through ignorance, stupidity or just saying nothing never questioned whether this was done in the best interests of the club. Most have run to the hills for cover, but as things unwind they will not be forgotten. We (the club), need the stadium to play in the league. We don’t have sufficient fans (3500-4000?) to finance a Championship level operation, so it appears any buyer for the club needs to include the purchase of a number of the ICTP land plots so none football revenue can be made to meet the running costs. ICTP (RM) foreseen this I expect, so can hold out to maximise this advantage to see what they can get in any arrangement or ‘deal’. The only pressure I see we can put on RM is the threat to hand back the stadium to the Council and go elsewhere. i.e Value of land crashes. The floating charge it seems we are stuck with – merely whether RM will hold out for the full 1.65M Whilst he may have not done anything wrong (politician like), I return to would the actions be considered in any way as an infraction on the best interests of ICTFC that he was the Chairman at that time? Maybe he was just four steps ahead of everyone. No simple or cheap answers I fear. bc

Consider a separate drinks only kiosk / table at a different corner of the hall (hot water urn and soft drinks). Card only means no cash around. Would allow those only wanting Coffee/ coke etc to queue for that service. Reduce the other food counters queues /waiting time. Just a thought! bc

2-0 Take the victory any day against what was a dreadful Dumbarton side. Their game plan seemed to be hold out until the last 15 and try and sneak a goal. If they hadn’t have gifted us the opener it could have been a tense second half. A superb strike by Gilmour for the second goal and killing the game. We needed that as Dumbarton came into the game with there subs more dangerous. Alfie B looks a good loanee. Strongly build and carried a threat throughout the match. The other plus was Annan drawing at Stenny. Two points closer with a head to head next week. A win would be great but a no loose would not be a disaster. bc

Time simply has caught up with McKay as is does with us all eventually. Signs were there before he was given a new two year contract imo. Whilst his mind is sharp enough the body cannot react to the minds request. McKay’s type of game was based on fast running through and feed of, of knock-ons (aka Foran), or incisive pass (aka Doran). He doesn’t have the physique to deal with Doddsball type hoof up the park. McKay will score again for ICT I’m sure, but they will be valued more by him I believe as time runs out. It’s really now what is the type of game and when he participates and can make the most impact. This is and should be SK’s decision, not McKay. It’s the club that matters most, not the player. bc

Charles, Completely in agreement with your posting and sentiments. Glad to see the end of that accursed year. I wish every success to all CTO posters and the club & team in 2025. bc

Simple football facts. Ignore them if you wish. No virtual about it, 18/5/24 ICTFC 2 Hamilton 3. Certain Billy McKay and L Longstaff were keys players that day I understand. Scott Kellacher was as I understand part of the coaching and trading since 2010, so directly has been influential in the quality, standard and strength of the players over the period. (Happy to be corrected). Sorry you say this but the Earth is not Flat! You continue to punt your line and I will stick to publishing and face the facts. bc

Here we go again!! Simply devoid of the football facts. I will continue to refute any excuse that the current management and players had no part in the club being relegated last season. It is delusional to spout - ‘It was all the fault of the previous managers, RM, SG and Board’. The sooner we stop feeling sorry for ourselves and coming up with excuses the better I believe we will perform.

I’d drop McKay. Been totally ineffective for far too long now.