big cherly

Couldn’t agree more Long Man. I would imagine the land and the prospect of government money invested in any new port authority initiative is the prime interest for a good number (if not most), of the interested parties, with the football ‘bit’ a lesser side issue. This is where AS comes into the vetting! Thankfully and hopefully he has enough about him to suss out and kick back the grifters. AS is no mug and I expect will see benefit for himself with a preferred buyer. I’m fine with such an arrangement in that he saved the club from collapse and dipped into his own pocket deeply in the past months. I pray and just hope he is part of whatever comes out of a buy-out suitable to the Administrators.

Geez, That community club and highland spirit we espouse will fondly be remembered and cherished by the player. Pity no past club representative had the courage or dignity to approach him when shown the door but I suppose we have form in this area. As for being a crap player in his period with us, well, we’ve been spoiled for choice! Just as well we’re focusing on local talent! I wish the boy well and better luck with his next club. bc

Thanks Charlie, that helps me understand things better. It’s my problem as I seen it simply that : - # Players have no control of off field events and activities! # Cross the line and players have full control of events (win, draw or loose)! Clearly this season to date the players have had the off field activities effecting their performance. Hopefully that’s in the past now and they (we), can move forward without these millstones affecting our professional, full time, but mostly young team. Obviously we can’t retro fit the same excuse onto last season. Hang on, we had Billy Dodds and Big Dunc, - solved!

I simply don’t understand how you can make this statement. The current players and SK have been part of the club (in one shape or another) in coaching, training or playing for the club throughout this season games. The bulk of the same personnel were with the club during last seasons campaign. If our highest earning striker (now part of the new management team), had scored a goal in two or three more of last seasons games, we may not even be playing in this division imo. I want the new management team and players to succeed this season and stay up, but however poor the previous manager was, we fool ourselves if we believe he is the sole reason for us being in the position we currently find ourselves. bc

I’m sure SG Lawyers will, quite rightly, be scrutinising every piece of media shows and paper quotes by AS, CC and previous board members to use in any legal action. Grassa and others must be wondering what emails, minutes of meetings and records SG has to pull up from the past. Be interesting to see what SG comes up with in way if any facts supporting his action.

I bow to your superior wisdom and easy access to such fonts of information. Must remember to get your permission to consider raising a post or opinion and have it vetted.

Me neither. Worth considering imo

If discussions have not already been undertaken some weeks ago, I would approach Graeme Stewart and see if an arrangement could be made for the remainder of this season, with an option for both parties to consider an extra year extension if we stayed up and the ‘direction’ of the team was considered worth-while by the new owners.

For me, we the fans played our part in the position we find ourselves now! Will we be so gullible the next time round round?

Excellent piece of journalism. Succinct and based on good historic experience.

The location and mis-shaped construction of the stadium, is I would say, a major factor in the fan disengagement with the club. Put aside football results (success and failure are twins and come and go), the experience of most fans # I know attending matches is a negative one. # To a person any away fans (friends, family and general people), I spoke to over the years are bewildered and somewhat surprised at the standard and condition of the stadium. Match distraction with the view and noise of passing lorries and vehicles. Poor viewing (low rake angle ) from the away stand. No fan atmosphere whatsoever. Throw in the risk of chancing your luck crossing the A9, and building site conditions, well it’s not an easy sell. That’s all of the above based on a good summer’s day. Winter Saturday’s, well……. Having visited the refurbished club bar I can recommend that to all fans as the improvements make it more appealing, so credit there. I know the siting and construction of the stadium was driven by (limiting) fiscal constraints and it is what it is, and it ain’t going to change. Helps I know when you have a sugar daddy! Unfortunately, in my opinion (whether it’s liked or not), until something major is done regarding the stadium, the appeal to attract new fans (both home and away) to attend matches will remain a tough challenge.

Quite understand, the ‘I don’t hate Ferguson’ twice was just for effect!!

Wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time! But don’t you just love football, it brings out such emotions! Wouldn’t you love to be DF’s position where just about everyone despises you and your son get’s booed because he’s your son. If I recall rightly, the players were the individuals that contributed most to our relegation, but that shouldn’t get in the way of personal insults. For all of DF’s faults (and there are many in my book), whenever he does depart, he leaves with no malice from me and I wish him well in the future. bc

Agree about MacKinnon. We kind of fell out of the game in the second half and allowed Annan (a poor to average team imho) to get into the game without seriously testing Dibaga. Take the 1-0 on any day but today was more for the players. Pity Dumbarton recorded a victory.

Half time 1-0. All over Annan. With a bit more accuracy would and should have been more. Reasonable play by the team and easier on the eye. Nice cross and header by Danny Devine for his goal. Annan look vulnerable with cross balls into the goals and hopefully that something we can capitalise on in the second half. Can’t think of any serious attempt on Dibaga’s goals and a stroll in the park for him in the first half. Hope we don’t come to regret not getting a second! Beautiful day for football!

Absolutely. Full purple. Valladolid!

You would have to think RM is better to be involved in any takeover (back controlling events), as opposed to being exposed to whatever Administration offered.

You just have to hope their philanthropic nature and interests is football related and not what profit they can maximise for there own personal gain! (Freeport and government funds to exploit/extort) Christ, I am sick to the back teeth of these ‘businessmen’. This has good old Grazza stamped all over it.

Agree with you re Povlsen. Hoping and praying for better but I (and us fans in general), have to be realistic about where we currently are (how low we have sunk), and just what type of attraction we would be to ‘interested parties’ (and what that would mean). Right now as I understand things, We don't have the funds to keep going under the current lot. They are speaking today to interested parties to see what terms these parties would require (land assets and dumped debt? - legal challenges all over the place?), before signing up (I expect these 3 have the delegated authority so this can be done without the rest of the smaller shareholders?). If the outcome of any discussions fail to conclude with a buy-out, then it’s the administration route? Just a prolonged nightmare right now! bc

Clear out of them all from very top to bottom. The calibre and quality (ability) of what’s came throu the youth structure over the past decade has been sadly not good enough. Why retain any of a failed system. Start with a clear slate and don’t close minds to looking at Dingwall.

Club Statement "The board can confirm that the time for any interested parties to offer for the Club has come and gone. We are currently looking at our position and will make an announcement in the coming days" Taking on board the club statement released, can the ST advise if the fans Open Meeting is still going ahead as planned? Thanks

Your going to get the Mahwanas and there like throwing wild offers in at a fire sale level. AS is right to just hold his (and what remains of the board) nerve.

Don’t trust any of them!

I would expect (and hope) AS holds the reins for whatever these individuals do regarding the club’s future.

‘Some economist needs to crunch the numbers and see where the sweet spot.’ Yes to being sick of hearing how great and rich TFC are. The point however is not lost on a proper and professional appraisal for a long term strategy to increase (double /treble) the fan base. We WILL come out the other side of Admin or a new owner, and once that is settled we have to have a grown up strategy for increasing greatly the fan base, Roy Magregor did it with County, so it can be done if we structure it properly. I suggest we invest in looking at small clubs of modest means that have succeeded in increasing there fans by a marked number. Visit and learn lessons (Scandinavian ideally as the weather is a key factor) The stadium is a big problem in my opinion and nothing should be off the table!! tuppence worth!!