Investment

[Scotty]

I think we had the wrong acronym ... He went from ICT to QE2 when in reality he should have been saying FU to CEO SG. 

[Charles Bannerman]

22 minutes ago, Scotty said:

Yes, many in the press did not ask any hard questions, they never seem to do so these days locally or even nationally. Seems they were either scared of losing access to the club from the man who should have been answering these questions or realistically just filling space. The older journos that have been around the block may be less intimidated, but it seemed to work on the Courier and elsewhere who were gushing about this new owner and falling all over themselves to give him column inches. 

I have to say, in all honesty, I was also a little surprised at the Podcast lads too. In the episode just after the 77 ventures "takeover", I felt they let him off the hook a bit too easily with the 'wait and see' approach. I get it that they perhaps had to be a little circumspect and watch their words as certain listeners may want to see if they cross that slander/defamation line, and that private thoughts may not have aligned completely with the podcast content, or perhaps I was just too cynical about the whole thing and was only seeing one side?    

either way, I think, if we do get a local consortium of concerned business people to right the ship, we will all have played a part in preserving the life of our club in its 30th year. #OnwardsAndUpwards

To be fair, the media have had virtually no opportunities to ask questions about this since the manager has been the only person the club has put up to speak and this is very much not within his remit. However very many questions have been submitted in writing by several journalists but no reply has ever been received. My own reporting of this has very much reflected the same scepticism as the supporters and has been articulated by highlighting Mr Makwana’s business record and the magnitude of his task if he were ever to achieve his 50.48%. As a matter of policy, I have never referred to Mr Makwana as the “owner” or “majority shareholder” or to a “take over” since there has never been any evidence that he owns a single share.

[ictchris]

If this is correct then I imagine as soon as it came time for Makwana to produce some money he ran in the other direction.

[Scotty]

2 minutes ago, Charles Bannerman said:

To be fair, the media have had virtually no opportunities to ask questions about this since the manager has been the only person the club has put up to speak and this is very much not within his remit. However very many questions have been submitted in writing by several journalists but no reply has ever been received. My own reporting of this has very much reflected the same scepticism as the supporters and has been articulated by highlighting Mr Makwana’s business record and the magnitude of his task if he were ever to achieve his 50.48%. As a matter of policy, I have never referred to Mr Makwana as the “owner” or “majority shareholder” or to a “take over” since there has never been any evidence that he owns a single share.

My reference to reporters who had been around the block, and maybe not scared to ask harder questions (even if not answered) was specifically aimed at you and Paul Chalk! Most others fawned or gushed over this character. 

[Achfary]

58 minutes ago, RiG said:

Yeah fair point that the fans saw through his mince quickly. Same definitely couldn't be said for many at the club and some of the local press who were quick to let him spout nothings about his plans without any pushback.

Indeed.  The board whisperer struck again.  Birds of a feather flock together, so both sides were in good company.  

But it beggars belief that Courier and P&J sub-editors not only entertained the claptrap, but then went on to actively facilitate the codswallop, and leave it unfiltered and unchecked, without comment.  Their papers are the poorer for it.  

[Charles Bannerman]

29 minutes ago, Scotty said:

My reference to reporters who had been around the block, and maybe not scared to ask harder questions (even if not answered) was specifically aimed at you and Paul Chalk! Most others fawned or gushed over this character. 

Fully understood!

[+DoofersDad]

22 hours ago, jagster said:

We really are becoming a laughing stock now 

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/13334933/scottish-premiership-complaint-inverness-dundee-ross-county/

A day later and the BBC are picking up on this saying the SPFL are looking into the complaints.

 

The Scottish Professional Football League is looking into complaints about monies owed to Dundee and Ross County by Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The unpaid fees concern the loans of 28-year-old Cammy Kerr and Alex Samuel. Forward Samuel is back with County while defender Kerr left Premiership rivals Dundee to join Queen's Park in the Championship.

Both players joined Caley Thistle in January and left at the end of last season when the club was relegated to Scottish League 1.

County confirmed to BBC Scotland that their Highland neighbours owe them £20,000 for the Samuel loan.

Caley Thistle have been trying to attract a new majority shareholder to avoid administration and last month agreed a deal with Seventy7 Ventures.

 

This story was updated a couple of hours ago, but apparently their well paid journalists have not picked up on the latest speculation.  

[RiG]

I am staggered that we agreed to give someone £20,000 to borrow Alex Samuel for a few months.

[Charles Bannerman]

37 minutes ago, DoofersDad said:

A day later and the BBC are picking up on this saying the SPFL are looking into the complaints.

This story was updated a couple of hours ago, but apparently their well paid journalists have not picked up on the latest speculation.  

The BBC locally are following this on a minute by minute basis and are currently awaiting a statement from the club which it was understood would arrive around 2pm. The output you’ve seen above is from BBC Sport Scotland, originating from Glasgow and, as one Inverness local newspaper reporter recently observed, it perhaps has to be recognised that Caley Thistle have now fallen so low on the national pecking order that not much coverage in the national media can be expected.

Edited August 13 by Charles Bannerman

[buckett]

1 hour ago, big cherly said:

Yes, thankfully the ST was that champion of rigour and question on behalf of the fans and not jumping to endorse the first snake oil salesman that came along!!

 

Yes I think they were a little naive in their urgency to be first with the news, and first with an opinion.

Hopefully learnt from all that!

And perhaps with increasing membership they will become more of a voice of the fans!

[+snorbens_caleyman]

8 minutes ago, Charles Bannerman said:

The BBC locally are following this on a minute by minute basis and are currently awaiting a statement from the club which it was understood would arrive around 2pm.

If Makwana really is on his way back from Dubai, as his earlier post suggested, then perhaps they are doing him the courtesy of waiting to inform him first when he touches down.

Though I'd have thought he would be travelling in ultra-exclusive-platinum class, with the best immersive digital experience - internet to you and me - on the planet. 

[Scotty]

5 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

If Makwana really is on his way back from Dubai, as his earlier post suggested, then perhaps they are doing him the courtesy of waiting to inform him first when he touches down.  Though I'd have thought he would be travelling in ultra-exclusive-platinum class, with the best immersive digital experience - internet to you and me - on the planet. 

He has phygital wi-fi on the jet. 

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

He could of course be rearranging the letters in his surname into two words of 2 and 5 letters and laughing at the fun he has had .

[+snorbens_caleyman]

The Sun article has been updated.

 

"It's understood Savage has already been contacted by potential investors from Europe and further afield to help with his plan.

Windsor-based businessman Makwana only assumed control of the League One club in the close-season.

Chief executive Gardiner had indicated in June that he was ready to resign - but would stay on to assist with new investment.

But now both men have left the club with details of the fresh takeover set to be confirmed in the next 24 hours.

It's understood Savage has already spoken to manager Duncan Ferguson, club directors and staff at the Caley Stadium to inform them of his plans."

[buckett]

12 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

If Makwana really is on his way back from Dubai, as his earlier post suggested, then perhaps they are doing him the courtesy of waiting to inform him first when he touches down.

Though I'd have thought he would be travelling in ultra-exclusive-platinum class, with the best immersive digital experience - internet to you and me - on the planet. 

Or maybe he brings tidings of a new billion pound deal he's made on our behalf, with an Arab sheikh who fancies a footie team in the Scottish Highlands!

[+snorbens_caleyman]

More from the Sun:

"A club statement read: "After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, the board of directors have appointed local businessman Alan Savage to take charge of the struggling Highland club to put the team in a firm financial position.

Working alongside the directors, Savage has taken the initiative to oversee the organisational restructure of the club as they seek to remedy their financial issues, with chief executive officer Scot Gardiner leaving his role with immediate effect.

The club have also suspended negotiations with Seventy7 Ventures, who had been seeking to acquire a majority shareholding, with Savage beginning immediate work carrying out an internal forensic review of the club's financial position to establish plans for the club's future and setting the team into a viable position for new ownership.

Savage and the board are now looking to rejuvenate the connection between Inverness

Caley Thistle and the community which will be integral to the long-term future of the club and are seeking support from local businesses to address the immediate financial shortfall until further long-term investment can be secured.

The club are now working with Scottish sports marketing agency GRM Marketing to engage with a number of investment leads and commercially drive the club forward.

Inverness Caley Thistle is hopeful that the community will once again rally around the team and come together to support the new foundations being established."

 

[Scotty]

Just now, snorbens_caleyman said:

More from the Sun:

"A club statement read: "After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, the board of directors have appointed local businessman Alan Savage to take charge of the struggling Highland club to put the team in a firm financial position.

Working alongside the directors, Savage has taken the initiative to oversee the organisational restructure of the club as they seek to remedy their financial issues, with chief executive officer Scot Gardiner leaving his role with immediate effect.

The club have also suspended negotiations with Seventy7 Ventures, who had been seeking to acquire a majority shareholding, with Savage beginning immediate work carrying out an internal forensic review of the club's financial position to establish plans for the club's future and setting the team into a viable position for new ownership.

Savage and the board are now looking to rejuvenate the connection between Inverness

Caley Thistle and the community which will be integral to the long-term future of the club and are seeking support from local businesses to address the immediate financial shortfall until further long-term investment can be secured.

The club are now working with Scottish sports marketing agency GRM Marketing to engage with a number of investment leads and commercially drive the club forward.

Inverness Caley Thistle is hopeful that the community will once again rally around the team and come together to support the new foundations being established."

I just read that ... sounds legit but cant figure out where the statement is from though ...

nothing on the club Twitter feed, website or in email (we normally get sent the press releases when they go out)

[+snorbens_caleyman]

Looks as though the Board is staying.  But does saying that Savage has been appointed "to take charge of" the club mean that he's Chairman?

[Scotty]

1 minute ago, Scotty said:

I just read that ... sounds legit but cant figure out where the statement is from though ...

nothing on the club Twitter feed, website or in email (we normally get sent the press releases when they go out)

Press release just came through .....

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Interim Chairman Panos Thomas:

 

After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, the Board of Directors have appointed local businessman Alan Savage to take charge of the struggling Highland Club to put the team in a firm financial position.

 

Working alongside the Club's Board of Directors, Savage has taken the initiative to oversee the organisational restructure of the Club as they seek to remedy their financial issues, with Chief Executive Officer Scot Gardiner leaving his role with immediate effect. 

 

The Club have also suspended negotiations with Seventy7 Ventures, who had been seeking to acquire a majority shareholding, with Savage beginning immediate work carrying out an internal forensic review of the Club's financial position to establish plans for the Club's future and setting the team into a viable position for new ownership.

 

Savage and the Board are now looking to rejuvenate the connection between Inverness Caley Thistle and the community which will be integral to the long-term future of the Club and are seeking support from local businesses to address the immediate financial shortfall until further long-term investment can be secured.

 

The Club are now working with Scottish sports marketing agency GRM Marketing to engage with a number of investment leads and commercially drive the club forward.

 

Inverness Caley Thistle is hopeful that the community will once again rally around the team and come together to support the new foundations being established.

 

ends

 

 

[Scotty]

2 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

Looks as though the Board is staying.  But does saying that Savage has been appointed "to take charge of" the club mean that he's Chairman?

Reading the statement it sounds as though 

• 77 ventures kicked into touch   
• Gardiner (finally) kicked into touch  
• Savage offering to use his business skills to try and sort out the mess - on condition that Gardiner leaves the building immediately  
• No indication he will be chairman, and the wording is "appointed to take charge of" . I guess time will tell, or maybe someone can ask. 
• Forensic review of everything. GOOD.  
• Still looking for "new owners" long term. 
• Looking to rally round community and get back the community feel. 

 

Overall, pretty positive but still la few questions to be addressed. I certainly feel happier with Savage at the helm steering the ship than Makwana and Gardiner. 

Once the dust settles over the next day or two I think we will definitely be more positively minded in renewing our player sponsorship that we lapsed last year because of the CEO.  

[tm4tj]

It popped up on Facebook but it was not on the Official Site at the time of posting.

Great news

[SMEE]

This latest twist offer much hope. Lets hope it provides the club with a much needed Bounce. If nothing else, now that Gardiner has finally gone, the gate reciepts should be in a healthier state.
ICT fans gone through a load of sh1t this past while. Hoepfully now, the future is much rosier

[SMEE]

Ps, ICT really need Fergusson to do the right thing and walk away. Not sure he will do that. And that, leves a very hefty financial burden on the club

[+snorbens_caleyman]

6 minutes ago, Scotty said:

Overall, pretty positive but still la few questions to be addressed. I certainly feel happier with Savage at the helm steering the ship than Makwana and Gardiner.

Yes, of course there is still a mountain to climb for the club and team.  But with a local, genuine businessman in charge, who has always cared for the club, things are infinitely better than having an absentee fantasist whose interests were solely in making money.

I look forward to the statement from the Supporters' Trust

And I, for one, welcome our new winter constellation overlords

[+TheCaleyOne]

The first news out of the club in a long time that has made me hopeful of us moving forward. Hopefully someone with the right "vision" for ICTFC  now and to pull us out of the mess we have become lately!