big cherly

12 hours ago, CELTIC1CALEY3 said:

What is remarkable is the low level of hype in the Highlands. In days gone by reaching the QF of the Scottish Cup was seen as an amazing achievement. However, apart from the Club, it seems like it is just another game.  The pressure must be on Killie as McInnes states to reach their second semi of the season.  That said, I would imagine Dundee United gaining a point at Livingston in mid week focussed the Killie players minds. What is more important - SPFL survival or a Cup Semi? Here's hoping our players have practised penalties just in case.

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)!

On 3/1/2023 at 1:06 PM, Ronaldo said:

Slightly off topic, but in my opinion the stadium will always be our ball and chain.

Soulless, lonely with no atmosphere!!

1 hour ago, ictchris said:

Charles is right, that statement is just waffle.  It doesn't explain why our losses have increased so markedly.

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. 
 

8 hours ago, Gringo said:

I am very real and wide awake. Cheers. 

No need to be blunt as you've hit the nail fully on the head.

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

2 hours ago, Gringo said:

McCall is available. 

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

1 hour ago, RiG said:

Yeah we really struggled in the years that followed what with promotion to the old SPL, holding our own there for a number of years, bouncing back at the first attempt after being relegated, appearing in major cup finals and even winning one in addition to minor cup success as well.

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

4 hours ago, Big cherly said:

In response to STFU note, in most respects I suffer from a similar guarded mindset when media promotions (that’s what a podcast is), sell themselves as the ‘must have’ thing. i.e who controls the content, what is ‘pumped’, and who benefits from it!  
 

I really don’t care a dot on bulk of the stuff I see above, but I recognise and accept this is probably what the podcast is for.

I am interested however when Scott Gardiner does participant and sticks his head above the parapet! For too long the fans have been treated as mushrooms (KITDASO) by only told what the board want the fans to hear and when!!

The involvement by SG allows the level of question to maybe (i go back to my 1st para), to rise above self promotion and enables proper questions (such as the sensible real points you raised) to be put across! 

Now SG can decide this type of serious forum is not for him and he can retreat back into the ivory boardroom tower until he decides to move on, or he sees the long term development of the club is better with fans backing.

Personally I hope it’s the latter but time will ultimately tell. Less fog and more clarity on the team - youth level and ground / facilities ( ground desperate needs putting on the menu) is vital going forward. 
I believe we need to be seeing plans or initiatives for both.  The current position is not sustainable as the (I put myself in this group) older fan base die-of, for any forward thinking club.  We really need 5 and 10 year visions and know the current arrangement / structure can’t deliver that! 
Dropping the swearing raises the bar, but that’s the first hurdle for many.

Just my tuppence worth!!

bc

 

14 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

But we were meant to get financial stability and growth through a side hustle of concerts and promotions. Now there's the battery storage facility........

All a bit 'This time next year Rodney we'll be millionaires........'

15 hours ago, buckett said:

The piggy bank is empty and unless some generous, wealthy donor comes along we'll just have to accept that we're at our level.

Best chance is to direct our limited resources to nurturing local talent and bringing youth players through the ranks.

 

This is the reality! Get used to it remaining fans.  
The common denominator for any club  is its fan base.  If we want to ‘get real’ then we face the facts ICT have never attracted enough fans from the beginning. We struggled to get over 3000 when in the top league when the Hamilton’s of the world visited. The players and managers through the years knew this and apart from one or two that couldn’t get a better offer decided to live here as they got older.

The real challenge of all boards was to make the experience of a match such an attraction that it would develop and increase the fan base. Simple fact is they haven’t managed to see or do this! Putting aside the team performance for a moment, getting to & the condition of the stadium is an off-put.  Dangerous crossing of the A9 (main road for 100 mile radius) for pedestrians. Stadium view (seat rake & distance from pitch), is poor. i.e reference Tynecastle!

I have some sympathy for the current board; their not idiots or have their head in the clouds, but maybe they thought a shuffle of the existing limits assets and resources plus a few concerts to raise a bob or two may be enough to get us into the cash haven of the top league. (We would almost certainly be soon back down ).

So summing up, We are where we deserve to be simply on the fact that we don’t have enough fans to generate enough money to put a better team and game experience on show.  Sorry to be so blunt about it but until we ‘get real’ we will continue to dream above our station.  Just like 90% of other teams in Scotland.

bc

 

There comes a time to stop digging when you are in a hole. ICT are not quite at the bottom yet (that’s relegation which is a distinct possibility), but the signs are clearly there! 
I stopped supporting Scotland when Craig Broon got the reigns and filled the team with 10 centre halfs. We’re still suffering from that legacy!  Feel that ICT haven’t got over the Ritchie Foran experiment (due to an inept and visionless board)) and like Scotland are still suffering from small thinking boardrooms.  
Dodds is a product of this board and with the current philosophy things won’t change. We need a complete new structure and vision (5 year) fir the club. I am sure A Savage’s door has been knocked on a few times, so that boat has sailed.  The recent podcast was a big improvement in the abismal communication with the fans, so their is some light.

Best we can hope for is not coming bottom of the league this year. Part time team is a reality!!

bc