big cherly

Scotty, Your comment on what happens at Toronto matches got me thinking about the mobile candy/drink vendors I have seen in films and live baseball and NFL matches. Taking into account we, (I’m sure just about every other club) have problems with the time taken for half time pies/drinks/sweets, I was wondering if something similar could be done at ICT matches. - I'm not sure if it has at other clubs and failed or if their are some crazy laws / regulations that prohibit this type of merchandise sale? It seems to me safe locations can be established (i.e next to match security) and excluding alcohol, hot food or hot drinks, - Crisps, Kit-kats, soft drinks and such stuff being sold in the stands, (no cash-card only -at any time) may lighten the load/time at the half-time pie/bovril rush. Just wondering if /how it works at TFC matches ? Just my tuppence worth to the discussion. bc

I was late to the match and didn’t see the cheerleaders so can’t comment any way on what their routine was or the fans reaction. That doesn’t really interest me. For me we have entered a new regime under AS and any initiative that looks or tries to make the match day more (choosing my words carefully for obvious reasons) of a spectacle / entertaining Most ideas and gimmicks have already been tried, ie kids 10 min pre football, fans taking penalties or trying to get a football into a car boot. Most fade out as they are boring and in winter I do not envisage any cheerleader greeting the teams coming out! I am however prepared to give credit to the club in attempting to win over / more fans. Some fans will consider the cheerleaders are not appropriate at a match as certain ‘fans’ may be offensive. Fair enough, opinions are welcome, however the problem is with society not the club. I’m sure feedback and the considered success or failure of the cheerleaders will be monitored and assessed by the club and any future sessions will be decided accordingly. For me it’s simple, if we want to consider and try initiatives to bring ‘more’ to the ground then I am willing to give the new owners the credit for trying! I hasten to add a winning team is the best motivation. bc

So near - yet so far, for me. I enjoyed the match if not the result. Don’t want to be too critical of the result today as I expected STJ to come out on top as they are a couple of levels above us (just relegated but still Premiership structure and capable players), whilst we are still getting our team settled and short of a striker. So-near, in that sheer hard graft, good goal keeping, luck, poor finishing on STJ part and time wasting got us almost a well earned draw and into penalties. So-far, in that we were second to most balls, poor passing, caught ball watching and out-of-position for half the team, weak on both back positions, (Macleod simply not a RB). Goal kicks need work. I took heart in the attitude of the team however and the result should be a lesson on what we have to do (mostly on the training field) to correct the errors and step up the speed and accuracy needed at the higher game level. Liam looked a threat when he came on and something we can build on I’m convinced. Good to see Billy demanding more from the team. This attitude will serve us well if we take heed and work on improvement. Tough test it seems coming IMO against East Kilbride. Unknown entity but their results so far show they they mean business. Onwards! bc

Hi Scotty, Cancel, went down to ticket office and sorted the registration locked password problem. Ticket bought for STJ game. bc

Scotty, Since the upgrade I find I cannot buy any tickets or even log in. Comes up with password used too many times - try in 30 mins! Even though I haven’t even entered anything. Went onto the main ICT webpage and same occurs. Before I approach the club, thought I would check with you first. Don’t know if others experience same problem? bc

Good test for the team. Lovely evening on a great looking pitch. Some nice flowing football across the pitch / team. Thought it would be an evening of not taking our chances when Billy scored with quick thinking and feet. Great strikers goal. The second was a beaut, with smart quick passing and great finish. Second half was a bit of a lower gear from us, however overall a deserved win for me. Elgin were a decent outfit and had the shot in the first half when in instead of hitting the bar the game may have had a different edge to it. Great to see the Elgin fans in town again. Been too long. I wish them well in the season to come. Only gripe for me was why their fans were pushed out to far wing of the south stand. If we want to bring back some atmosphere surely we can safely control them closer to our our fans. bc

What do I know. 3-0 well done Chelsea. Pressed hard at PSG from the start and never let off through the first half. Did to PSG that PSG did to RM. The unpredictability is for me, what makes football the most exciting of all games. Still believe PSG play some of the best football irrespective of the defeat to Chelsea. bc

I watched PSG destroy Real Madrid on Wed at the SF of the FIFA Club World Cup. This was no one team having a good night and the other an off game. Real were out to claim ‘their’ rightful place as the number one football team in the world. All they had to do was turn up and play there dominant game. PSG and Luis Enrique however wasn’t prepared to be the bit part of the RM script. PSG outplayed RM in just about every position. The speed, collective and individual skill and no little willingness to ‘stand up’ to the physical challenge impressed me. Having thumped Inter Milan 5-0 in style at the ‘real’ club competition (Europe champion league) after knocking out Liverpool, Aston Villa & Arsenal my interest was raised. Ok the USA club competition is a bit gimmicky and money driven, however you could see it meant a lot to the teams and players participating (especially the none European clubs). PSG have seen off Atletico Madrid, Miami and Bayern prior to the Real SF (well done Botafogo)! OK PSG are a pile of a rich man’s players, something that doesn’t sit well with me. That said I cannot deny I simply love watching this team play. I was fortunate enough as young teenager to watch/see live on tv the Brazil team of 1970 win the World Cup. For me (and I don’t say this lightly) PSG has come the closest thing I have seen that compares to that level. They have set the new benchmark IMO and it will be interesting to see them next season as they become the team everyone will want to knock off their pedestal. PS -Also a test of the system since Scotty’s upgrade. bc

Correct, How dare he complain’ bc

Literally liquid gold🍺. Temperance application in the post! bc

Just a word of praise to those that undertook some ground general tidying-up. I noticed that the place looked a lot smarter with simple but clear improvements at the small detail. The perimeter of the pitch and ‘path’ had been cleared of weeds and growth for the first time in I-don’t-know how many years. I’m past such activities, but for me it is evidence of a club trying to get back some pride in its self and for the fans attending. Well done. Achieved its goal for me! bc

Hi Mantis, Understand the root cause issue you’ve identified, however it is a problem for ICT if people give up buying a ticket. Gone it seems are the days when you just turned up and paid cash for entry. You now need to provide your name, address and other personal details (credit/debit card) to simply apply for a match ticket. Introduce the potential glitches where any part of the above or platform provider (ie ticketing.co.uk) kick-in, then it becomes a chore. I don’t know how many times now where I have just shut down a purchase (eg paint) due to coming up against such grind. The club should make it as easy as possible for match access/ tickets to be purchased. If cash turnstiles cannot be reintroduced then a clear notice on the club ticket site that tickets are available for purchase at the ground right up to kick off IMO. tuppence worth. bc

Popped down this afternoon to buy a ticket for Aaron Doran’s testimonial after three failed attempts to buy one via the e-link. Wasn’t going to miss giving Aaron the well deserved recognition for his long service to the club. One of the most gifted players IMO to pull on a ICT top. That aside it concerned me a little my failure to get an e-ticket may have been experienced by others, who eventually just gave up. Result - fan for the day and income lost. Never done social media sites but expect hackers are ‘out there’ so that might trigger some access restriction? Just raising it as I’m sure it will be experienced by others when wanting to buy a ST or just a single match ticket. Don’t know what is possible to remedy or make it simple to get into the matches. Flares and security may have done it for cash turnstiles, but I can’t help feel it’s another turn off for potential fans (income). PS looking forward to a long awaited ICT - RC derby again (even a so called friendly). Finally - Thank you Aaron! bc

Yep, Invention, ability, experience and game wise. Might not be as sharp as he was (Dunfermline seemed to be a wrong team (football-wise) for his game. But the short period he spent with us before leaving for DU left some good markers (couldn’t have been the manager or CEO), allowing Wotherspoon to weigh up a return. Expect the deal will allow him to spend most is the week at his home in the central belt. Simply delighted and looking forward to a player of this talent in our colours again! bc

Delighted this lad has signed on for another year. Might be the difference in achieving promotion position (direct or playoffs) this season. Best / most significant signing so far in my opinion. Still need a proper striker; not a kid! bc

Sorry Jock Broon.

Sad to see the Hamilton diehard fan pleading for the individuals/ pacts having a game of power-play (it’s ma baw), over the clubs future like a toy. It’s too close to the bone after what we (ICT) have experienced over the last 18 months. That said, it is another poignant example and precarious case for a lot of Scottish clubs that simply have been ‘hollowed out’ of fans, staff, facilities and money; and trying to exist on long past memories of town / area identities and what that once represented is not enough to keep the club afloat now. De industrialised to many towns has left them with dwindling population and reduced spare money. Throw in the ease for fans to now travel to watch the big city teams, well it’s a struggle for sure. I expect Craig Brown will come up with some agreement with the ‘other faction and individuals’ to enable Hamilton to stay at Douglas Park (or whatever chip shop now owns the ground name). Fact is, for me it’s just kicking the can down the road for 5 or six years. There is an inevitability IMHO more small teams will face Administration, merger or do a Gretna or Clydebank in the not too distant future. bc

Also a tacit warning to Cowie and insurance of minimum disruption if things don’t go to plan by Xmas this year. Cowie, (and by implication Robbo) has been told that getting back to the Premiership, directly or via playoffs, is expected next season. If results by Xmas don't show or keep that target a reality, Cowie will be kindly ‘booted’. This is where the Robbo insurance kicks into play. Min disruption, worked with and knows all the players strengths and how to get more out of them, aka results. Know’s the place, training facilities and expectations of uncle Roy (demonic) and the fans (fingers-crossed). The dumping of Tremarco and Cowie’s brother is more evidence, if it was ever needed, just how ruthless and clear minded good old Unc-Roy is when he deals out some doctrine tenets of his!! I have the feeling it won’t be lost on AS the level of comparative success Coonty has had with this doctrine! PS - Still hope to be playing Coonty season 26/27. bc

Good chance someone will come in with a few quid above our limit that makes it a moot point. There is a (strong in my mind), argument for Musa to consider what’s in the stable he knows. ICT will be in with a good chance of either winning promotion outright, or get into the playoffs. For this to happen, as Starscape puts well, Musa gets starting place as long as he is fit. It provides him a full season to demonstrate his goalkeeping credentials and showcase his potential for interested bigger clubs. With the full promotion case, he would be offered the chance of playing in the championship and certainly a marked increase in wages. If it’s playoffs (and fail), then Musa has the season under his belt and the further exposure of playoff games. Musa’s manager/agent was certainly of the view he would benefit with another season (at ICT) as the boy knows the management, players and area. A stable and contented place to play goes a long way, and I’m sure that’s not lost on both Musa and his manager. Anyway, I don’t see it as a lack of ambition, more his manager/agent trying to get the best (full package) he can for his client. All up in the air until Admin is settled as far as the club are concerned. By that time Musa may have signed for the Coonty!! bc

For me, the two most important positions in a team that can influence a match is the striker and the goalie. The Striker will always demand the top dollar💸. Goalies tend to be a lot further down the pecking order in way of wages. They can however accrue more points than the rest of the team players as was proved so effective last season where, whilst we couldn’t score in many games, Musa helped in no small measure getting the points needed to get above Dumbarton and Annan. I think the guy is a real talent and could be the difference in getting promotion next season. I know all the talk is players earn too much and we (the club), will stay within their new wage structure. I hope that means we pay at least the minimum wage for the hours the guys are contracted for (12, 16, 32 or whatever). Savage is no mug however. He knows talent when he sees it. He also knows the value of achieving promotion next season. Musa’s manager will do (rightly so), what he can to get the best deal for the player. If Musa is content with ICT and would consider staying for another season (to gain more exposure), then I hope AS comes up with a deal that could be acceptable to both parties. If the boy does move on then I wish him every success in the future. Like it if he finds a team in Scotland bc

Pity, would loved to have the Elgin game through at Borough Briggs. Can’t remember the last time I was at a game there. Got to be 30 years plus. No matter, looking forward to the match already. Brings back big-match memories at Telford St for me. bc

Yeah, ditto! I thought it would be great having derbies every year and visiting Dingwall for over most of the seasons. (To be fair we had some great ones at the beginning). Over time the novelty wore off and the large crowds dwindled down. Being in separate leagues (by both teams) just continued that detachment for me. (I have always been a ICT fan but did at the beginning pop over to Dingwall when ICT were ‘away’). My thinking those years back was ICT would become the dominant team and attract players as we consolidated our place in the top league and grew our fan base to around the 4-5 thousand. It’s clear for a number of well known reasons after reaching our pinnacle of the Scottish Cup and Top league run it’s been a steady but clear drop down the leagues (and status). With County being relegated, I like some other posters take little satisfaction with the Highlands (wish it was us), not being represented in the top league. I have a feeling RC will find it tough getting back up to the top league next season. Uncle Roy has let it be known the money will be cut accordingly. I also have the feeling he will begin to think he may want to reduce his involvement (£££ & time) more. The realisation for me is the ability of either club to progress and succeed is directly linked to the number of fans it can pull through the turnstiles. In my view there are not enough (fans) for both highland clubs to obtain a firm standing in the top league. Ideally in my view a comparison could be be Kilmarnock or Dundee. (I know both these teams experience relegation, but both teams are ‘established’ and recognised ‘top teams’). So, while I look forward to derbies returning in the season 26/27, I feel both highland teams are locked competing for the same fans. As a consequence each other is held back by their highland cousins. just my tuppence worth. bc

Yes agreed, I was impressed by the fitness and physicality of Livi. Fast, strong and not short of ability. Their players were definitely up for it and not willing to accept or drop their heads when 0-2 down. I can’t imagine or think of many teams is Scotland that would be able to turn it round scoring four goals. Their third goal was simply superb. Full credit to Martindale. - Unfashionable Ex-Con has never shy’ed from being brutally honest about his team or his own performance or opinion when loosing or winning. Doesn’t fit the tabloid image or ingratiate himself with the pundits. ‘Plastic pitch and Mickey Mouse support’. Just waiting to hear these calls from the press / pundits wailing about there right to play with the big boys. bc

Yeah, More like friendlies for me. Might pop along if a team or player comes up that I might like to see again. Other than that TBH I’m less interested. bc

Maybe the incentive for Ardrie was avoiding a winter’s A9 journey stiffened the resolve! 😄 bc