big cherly

Everyone can / should have a rant! That’s part of the joy of attending matches. Yes the team/club is fighting for its life, but let’s not condemn any criticism from what was a rotten performance today with very few exceptions. It was a no-show by our team today and that happens, so let’s recognise that and hope we learn and move on. Big game coming up next week. If I have a choice I would take loosing today against Cove if we win next Saturday. bc

Nae defence (literally), nae attack, nae bovril!! Positives # Dibaga - saved us from a thumping. # Longstaff - our only real threat. # Didn't rain. We had some spurts of nice passing in non-threatening areas, but that was it. Outfought, outclassed and out-thought. Put down to a bad day. Move on!

Charles asked - There’s one further point which could become important. Did anyone notice that the Administrator said that, given the point in the process that the Charge was created, there may be grounds to challenge its validity? That, I think, is a space that may be well worth watching. Very pertinent question. Coupled with C1C3’s posting above, the order, timing and endorsement of events on the buyout of ICTP and whether it was in done in good faith with the best interests of the club (and not the individual to the detriment of the club) in mind is worth a check! I don’t know what the club constitution / rules allows but it would be interesting to see just see what authorisation, checks and approval was required. Companies Act 2006 is great bed time reading but there are clauses that may be worth checking. (eg 41.3) Someone professionally better placed than I may shed light? 41 Constitutional limitations- transactions involving directors or their associates. (3)Whether or not it is avoided, any such party to the transaction as is mentioned in subsection (2)(b)(i) or (ii), and any director of the company who authorised the transaction, is liable— (a)to account to the company for any gain he has made directly or indirectly by the transaction, and (b)to indemnify the company for any loss or damage resulting from the transaction. Ultimately better if as James Stephen said, - all main players with the club’s interest at heart can meet in January and reach a settled position to allow the club to move forward.

Good summary. No flies on Ross Morrison, he’s worked himself into a very strong position. Pity he didn’t use the same acumen when Chairman of the club. Anyway, whilst it looks messy just now with multiple factors / variables in the mix, the good news is there remain (it appears) serious interest. Hope the individual with strong affinities with Inverness is that bloke from Dubai that has a B&B at Inverinate.

Terrible timing, but the pars have been in a terrible run. As the club is looking at new investment, kicking around at the bottom of the division was a bad sell. Was on the cards imho and only a matter of time! Feel for the guy but they all know the score at being a manager!

Exactly, wonderful result. Could be crucial come April. Never say die attitude strikes again. A happy returning set of team and fan buses! Onward and upward!

Ha, if clients want their lawyers to pursue fan forum posters, then I think of SG getting his lot scanning, photographing and cataloging this forum for defamatory, offensive and hateful postings to add to his legal action. Deep pockets needed there!

I welcome the report. It detailed the facts precisely and unclutters the fog of words around the clubs precarious position and challenges it faces. How we got here is now history, it’s dealing with the future that matters. I do share your unease on the mood music coming from the report and more importantly from AS. The debt and the uncertainty on the leased land remain the obstacles to any serious potential buyer. AS did say if I recall rightly, that he would ensure the suppliers that were owed money would be seen ‘OK’. That looks now like it possibly could be dealt with as part of the admin process (in which the suppliers will end up receiving less). In regards the loan values for A Munro, Cameron et al, I expect AS spoke to them all to see what arrangement could be reached on an acceptable figure & timeline (and possible carrots of future involvement in the club). Ditto Ross Morrison but he has more insurance with the floating charge loan and a stronger bargaining position. Whatever was mooted at the time, the offer was not enough to win them over. BDO have followed up of course through the formal admin line but I expect the main protagonists (take out Bennett), felt stronger as a group to ‘sit it out’ to see if any better offer is forthcoming. BDO engaging lawyers to help understand the leased land around the stadium just makes me groan on the time and costs, however to be expected I guess. With the debt and lease land uncertainty, I can understand hesitancy in buyers coming forward until both elements are ‘fixed’. (it’s too risky a business decision just now). I will be interested to hear and see what BDO /AS say at the forthcoming press conference. Possibly entering a CVA to settle the debts with a Consortium led by AS to see through a stabilisation period (1-2yr), where the legal position on the leased land is understood. Thereafter a buyer ie group that is still interested can step forward. Certainly a long way to go yet and the supporters will play their part (I will) where we can funding the appropriate cause. sorry, a bit longer than I wanted! bc

Facts laid bare! As others have said it’s not great reading, however at least there is clarity on the debt, assets, uncertainty, perilous running (if you can call it that) of the club operations and expressions of possible interested parties. Just what I gelled that stood out: Up front: # Its an excellent piece of work by BDO. # Thank goodness for AS. He’s bailed us out to date and kept us alive. Don’t believe anyone else could or would have done what he has for the club. If we don’t have a buyer for the remainder of the season (unlikely imho), another 350k may be needed. Ie circa 550K and counting if AS remains around, not including the Admin costs and any SG outcome. # The debt as it currently stands and the uncertainty of the leased land around the stadium are the main stumbling blocks I see for any buyer. # R Morrison floating charge or 1.65M looks insurmountable unless is willing to agree to a much reduced settlement. Tough one to bridge! # Unsecured Creditors - Kicking 2M. Process started to see whether an agreed figure can met. Expect some will not!! # The HMRC will for sure get their piece of whatever the administrators finally reach agreement with the creditors. # As DD indicated, a CVA may be the only route available for the administrator to pursue if a settlement with the creditors cannot be reached. This would extend the whole administration operation. # The running of the club has been an eyeopener in that the report shows systemic poor fiscal control and scrutiny of the accounts and the club running operations for some period now. Whether the rot had started before SG was brought in there can be no doubt now he was a main contributor to the slide the club is in! The model of Directors bailing out clubs is nothing new, however the floating charge loans was a gamble on the never-never (getting back into the Premiership any time soon). # If BDO are seeking legal advice on the stadium and leased land assets it only shows that clarity on a clear position is required, and what that brings in way of any tangible asset will only create uncertainty for any potential buyer, ie land may be the prime interest for some. # Again back of fag pack. The operating costs need another 500 supporters (2000) give or take, to break even. Using £20 / head ave entry charge to knock the 10K out. (Happy for anyone to give more sensible figures). This is achieved in the championship but not in LD1, so some other income strands needs to fill this gap until promotion achieved. Bar will help. # BDO fee. Unless we get a buyer coming in to pick up for this season (personally can’t see it), then BDO could be engaged through to July or even later. Their doing a proper job, but there’s a reason (quality costs). Their fee could be 750K or more if it goes this way! In closing, better to know what we have to cross, rather than guessing with people that have proving incapable or running the club properly. Risky times still ahead but remain optimistic. bc

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-0 1st Scorer ICT: McKinnon 1st Scorer Opp: NA Crowd: 1555

I hear Clyde today are scrambling about to raise 55K to meet required funds to keep operating. It’s not an insurmountable sum, (all be it they’ve already been at the few fans for the money they have gathered). Some benefactor may come to there rescue, but it just reaffirms snorbens point on how vulnerable many of the smaller teams are in the bottom leagues. Clyde have been in steady but slow decline over four decades for what was once considered a strong Scottish team with a core support outwith the old firm. They’ve been nomads since they quit Shawfield and after a disastrous relocate to Cumberland (loss of the core support), they have never recovered. Having suffered (suffering) the pains of administration I have sympathy for the Clyde fans, however I have to ask myself if whether it is best to face reality here. Is Clyde capable of anything more than just struggling along with no home, a fan base of any consequence and little to offer the game in Scotland going forward! Too harsh and condescending considering what we have experienced ????

You can’t keep a good bigot down!

Nothing but praise for the team and the result today. Never say die attitude, may it long last. A word also to the fans that attended on what can only be the worst weather this season. Well done to both sets and safe journey home.

Not so sure it would be ‘jumped on’ by the nutters, but take your point. We just sit tight ! Just a thought, I must check my Nutters Charter before the new year subscription!

As I said, a news release before the festive break and it doesn’t need to be detailed !! I’m going on the string pullers behind the Administration pay more attention to CTO & PaB than the previous CEO and SLO and want to keep the fans ‘close’. Just my viewpoint !

Understand this line of thinking and one I pretty much agree with. That said, there is a limit to everything and a news release to keep the fans on board before the festive break would be prudent I believe for the club. It doesn’t need to go into detail, but the administrators have surely cut out the driftwood and narrowed down to the serious bidders. Words to that effect and a timeline announcing their final decision would be suffice imo.

We’re in the Administration stage right now so good reasons to explain why a ICT shop would be / is not open. That said it highlights just how switched-on and ahead of us RC are with fan engagement. They know there will be a push (hopefully) by ICT on fan recruitment once we come out of Administration. Once we’re back, let’s knock our country cousins of their smug pedestal and overtake them in this marketing area.

I understand your argument, however the cancellation of matches by the authorities (SFA or SPFL) is something they would want to avoid unless advised / instructed by the Police or Gov’nt. Liabilities and costs not covered by there insurance is a real factor (ie televised games), and unless a pitch is unplayable or a team cannot ‘field’ a team the powers to be would look for the game to be played. Responsibility for officials, teams and spectators travel arrangements is not their responsibility. An argument for summer football maybe.

It may well be in 10 years such a decision is made on again purely economical reality!

Yes, it’s a very valid point buckett. Also a tough one to provide a response that sees a way ahead that doesn’t boil down to a simple survival of the fittest! i.e we on the south side of the kessock bridge have to ‘win’ over the bulk of the area - region’s fans to support us! Uncle Roy’s been the sole financial backer over the full life of RC in the Scottish League. It’s been to RC’s benefit that one person has provided that stability and funds to develop, (let’s be honest here), a better operation both on and off the field over the last decade. We can bleat about the unfairness, but the reality is we have no right to expect fans to gravitate towards ICTFC simply because we’re the city and base for most of the population. We have to earn their support back or ‘over’. The quickest way is, in part, with a successful team on the park. This is achievable with the right guidance and the early signs already are encouraging. A stable new ICTFC owner that sees the football team an equal and integral part of any business model would be a welcome component of achieving the above. Ultimately, for me it’s a fight for the limited fan base. Waiting for uncle Roy to kick-it isn’t enough. We need to sit down with the new owners and develop a detailed strategy for significantly improving the fan base. tuppence worth

‘’And if more teams go into administration’ In some respects more cases of small, (I use the term respectfully) clubs running close to the wind financially doesn’t surprise me. Many of the lower league teams have been scrapping by on lower and dwindling incomes and fans for years ( some like Dumbarton for decades). There’s many factors involved but maybe the effect of Covid has had a telling impact on recovery of gate money. The powers at Scottish Football has kept many of these clubs operating for years, but this is unsustainable and now the time has come to ask whether a reassessment of what clubs can realistically operate on a level that is more than just surviving. The argument for retaining four divisions in Scotland’s senior game has imo run its course. I would argue ICTFC have, can and should be one of Scotlands top 20 clubs if run properly. The emotional and historic case for a lot of the div 3 and 4 should be reviewed. Put simply we have too many small clubs that should be allowed to drop into the regional leagues.

Great result. Just keep going and only focus on the next game. Nothing else matters!

Not that there was much of a choice for the club in the matter, I was going to say the location of the stadium. But if pushed to a single event I would say the design of the north and south stands. (Again driven by league regulations, time and lack of funds). Not that I like to, however compare our stands with the Dingwall away end stand.

The right decision and outcome for the City. I fully support the determination of the DPEA. As mentioned elsewhere, ICTFC should concentrate on football matters and stay clear of risk-leaden, half baked business ventures. The clubs reputation has suffered badly in the last few years as a consequence of such decisions. Hopefully we can turn the corner after Administation and build on the early shoots already done by AS and team of engagement with local businesses.

Great result. Never an easy place to go and get a result. Well done and earned boys. The result we all needed to change the direction we’re on!