Investment

[bdu98196]

13 minutes ago, STFU said:

Given that Ross Morrison put charges in place I have serious concerns that he has any intention of writing off what he is owed.

Given the tone of his previous interviews it seems he feels the fans turned on him and didn't appreciate the gravity of the financial crutch he was providing, so I'd expect he wants back now whatever he can. He's already seen as a villan along with Scot Gardiner rather than hero so why stop any attempts to recoup as it'll not change perception and if the club falls it substantiate his previous points.

[STFU]

5 minutes ago, bdu98196 said:

Given the tone of his previous interviews it seems he feels the fans turned on him and didn't appreciate the gravity of the financial crutch he was providing, so I'd expect he wants back now whatever he can. He's already seen as a villan along with Scot Gardiner rather than hero so why stop any attempts to recoup as it'll not change perception and if the club falls it substantiate his previous points.

The charge was put in place long before any of this kicked off and the fans decided enough was enough.

He was entirely responsible for his own demise and financial situation.

Such a big ICTFC fan and hero that he'll now drag the club down with him?

[Charles Bannerman]

4 hours ago, STFU said:

A new investor looking for a majority share of even 50% would need over £4 million (£12 million if they want 75%). 

You also need to include the ST’s entitlement to a fixed 10%. When you do that, I reckon that £5M would be required for 50% and £20M for 75%. However if any new investors were able also to buy some of the current shares, these figures would fall.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

Charles you are a famous author and award winning athlete, can you not spare a dime at this difficult time?

[+DoofersDad]

6 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

Given the tone of his previous interviews it seems he feels the fans turned on him and didn't appreciate the gravity of the financial crutch he was providing, so I'd expect he wants back now whatever he can. He's already seen as a villan along with Scot Gardiner rather than hero so why stop any attempts to recoup as it'll not change perception and if the club falls it substantiate his previous points.

Whatever his perception of the fans may be, that should simply not be a consideration in this.  As Chairman, he must take the responsibility for taking the club to the brink of administration.  If he has any genuine wishes for what is best for the club and if he has a shred of decency in him, he will remove the charges against the club and write off all or most of the loan.  From the concert company fiasco through to the current crisis, his behaviour recently has been such that I have lost any respect I once had for the man.  Rather than fronting pie in the sky ideas for making money for the club, he now has an opportunity to do something which is 100% guaranteed to be a big help to the club.  If he does that simple but generous thing he will earn back a lot of respect from a lot of people.

[bigterrybutcher]

Big Dunc saying today that new owners is becoming closer and closer and that when that's completed there will be scope to add a few players

[buckett]

39 minutes ago, bigterrybutcher said:

Big Dunc saying today that new owners is becoming closer and closer and that when that's completed there will be scope to add a few players

Well I'll believe it when I see it but sadly don't have much faith anymore in statements like that from the club.

If true though, I'd like to think Mark Ridgers may yet rejoin the team.

[bigterrybutcher]

16 minutes ago, buckett said:

Well I'll believe it when I see it but sadly don't have much faith anymore in statements like that from the club.

If true though, I'd like to think Mark Ridgers may yet rejoin the team.

Marks situation is awkward but in all honesty there's no way back for him here I don't think ... very vocal on social media and there's probably a reason that he's not signed for a club yet ... part time and set up of his own academy is a sensible way ahead for him I think. Pinning the hopes on former players won't take the club forward needs new players with a fresh impetus to take the club to the next level again.

[IBM]

1 hour ago, bigterrybutcher said:

Big Dunc saying today that new owners is becoming closer and closer and that when that's completed there will be scope to add a few players

I hope it is true but it might just be more spin that SG is giving him we are waiting patiently 

[CaleyTennis85]

1 hour ago, bigterrybutcher said:

Big Dunc saying today that new owners is becoming closer and closer and that when that's completed there will be scope to add a few players

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/6533408/duncan-ferguson-hopes-for-caley-thistle-investment-within-weeks/

Here's the confirmation of what @bigterrybutcher says and tbh it sounds all positive so hopefully this comes off though a month is a bit of a wait but I suppose we've been waiting for ages so what difference will another month make . 

What worries me in this article is that a couple of our players are being linked away so I'm wondering who because we really can't afford to lose anymore experienced players!!

The other thing to take out of the article is the bit at the end which is basically Duncan Ferguson saying that he has no intention of walking away so it looks like we're stuck with him for the foreseeable so we'll just have to back him .

[STFU]

I can't believe there's still people pinning their hopes on these kind of comments from the club.

[Starscape]

8 hours ago, CaleyTennis85 said:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/6533408/duncan-ferguson-hopes-for-caley-thistle-investment-within-weeks/

What worries me in this article is that a couple of our players are being linked away so I'm wondering who because we really can't afford to lose anymore experienced players!!

Does it? I can't see it.

[ymip]

More flannel than a Lumberjacks' convention..... 

Duncan Ferguson hopes for Caley Thistle investment ‘within weeks’

The Inverness manager needs funds to add new faces as his team get set for their long Annan trip in the Premier Sports Cup.

Duncan Ferguson is confident fresh investment will come Caley Thistle’s way in a matter of weeks as the club gears up for the start of the season on Saturday.

Amid a summer of turmoil at the Highland club, which was relegated from the Championship in May, the push for a new owner has dominated the past few weeks.

The threat of administration for ICT, which has just posted a £588,000 loss for last year, was soothed by the board saying investment talks were positive almost one month ago.

While fans have been waiting for news on this front, Ferguson has been unable to sign any players.

Only the transfer of defender Nikola Ujdur, seemingly to Championship side Queen’s Park, will free up funds for Ferguson to add a face or two.

‘No one knows what the future holds’

Former Rothes defender Callum Aspell and ex-Ross County midfielder Adam Mackinnon featured as trialists against Raith Rovers and Brora Rangers and could be added if Ujdur’s deal is completed. 

When asked about whether he’s hopeful of better financial news, Ferguson said: “We’re waiting for a new owner to come in and I believe that is getting closer, so we will see what happens.

“No one knows what the future holds. Hopefully when the new owner comes in, things will pick up and we can tweak the squad a little bit.

“I’m positive that the club are well down the road with the takeover.

“We’re all excited about that, and hopefully it’s only two or three weeks away, and then we’ll get a cash injection.”

‘At the moment, we have no budget’

The action begins for real this weekend when ICT set off early on Saturday for the 480-mile round trip to face League One rivals Annan Athletic in the opening group game in the Premier Sports Cup.

Relegation and financial constraints mean Inverness have a largely young squad for the upcoming campaign.

Ferguson says he’s impressed by the group he has, but knows it’s going to be a testing year ahead.

He said: “At the moment, we don’t have a budget, so we can’t go looking for players.

“To be fair, we have one or two in the pipeline as such, but the players will be mostly local due to accommodation costs.

“It’s wonderful to see a lot of younger players in the squad.

“They are well thought of at the club and a lot of us like the players.

“They are young, very good players, and they will get their chance.

“We know the season will be tough, but we’re ready.

“Annan will be a tough game for us. All the pre-season games have been tough.

“Nothing changes – we go out to try and win the game.”

Ferguson asked about Doran

In the first press conference since relegation, Ferguson was asked about ex-midfielder Aaron Doran, who said the club twice cancelled his knee operation.

The Caley Thistle boss said: “It’s not down to me. It’s down to the club to answer these things and I am sure, in time, the club will do so.”

‘I’m a fighter and looking forward to the new season’ – Ferguson

With everything that has gone on across the summer, including the proposed training base move to Kelty being binned, Ferguson stressed he’s determined to meet the challenge head on.

That begins with the four Premier Sports Cup ties, against Annan this weekend, Bonnyrigg Rose on July 20, Arbroath on July 23 and Dundee on July 27.

He said: “We’re looking forward to the new season.

“We have four cup games first and it will be a big challenge for us this season as everyone knows.

“But I’m a fighter and I’m looking forward to it. ”

Striker and skipper Billy Mckay, fellow forward Adam Brooks and defender Danny Devine are facing a race against time to shake off injuries for the Annan trip.

Ferguson is aware of fans’ disquiet, with many refusing to buy season tickets until they see internal club changes.

He added: “I just ask them to get behind the team and support these young players.”

Edited July 12 by ymip

[+DoofersDad]

Ferguson's thought's dominate the back page of todays "Courier" too.

The interesting thing for me is that he refers on a couple of occasions to a "new owner".  The current "owners" of the club are the shareholders.  I don't know whether Ferguson is simply using the word "owner" loosely to mean someone who is going to put significant money into the club and who would head up a new Board, or whether the new money is conditional on the investor becoming a majority shareholder.  The first scenario would be a very welcome development but the 2nd option would represent a major change of business structure for the club and would, I assume, require approval of the existing shareholders.  It would appear that nobody at the press conference picked him up on this point.  It would be good to get some clarification.

It was good that someone asked him about Aaron Doran.  I accept that the decisions taken may be down to the club, but I don't accept that he can brush away accountability so easily.  As team manager, he has a very clear role in terms of communicating with his players and discussing issues which impact on their careers.

[Duke of Inverness]

1 hour ago, DoofersDad said:

Ferguson's thought's dominate the back page of todays "Courier" too.

The interesting thing for me is that he refers on a couple of occasions to a "new owner".  The current "owners" of the club are the shareholders.  I don't know whether Ferguson is simply using the word "owner" loosely to mean someone who is going to put significant money into the club and who would head up a new Board, or whether the new money is conditional on the investor becoming a majority shareholder.  The first scenario would be a very welcome development but the 2nd option would represent a major change of business structure for the club and would, I assume, require approval of the existing shareholders.  It would appear that nobody at the press conference picked him up on this point.  It would be good to get some clarification.

It was good that someone asked him about Aaron Doran.  I accept that the decisions taken may be down to the club, but I don't accept that he can brush away accountability so easily.  As team manager, he has a very clear role in terms of communicating with his players and discussing issues which impact on their careers.

DF graduated at the same school of charm as SG!! 

[+CaleyHedgehog]

A message on the club website today too.

[Hearach]

Duncan Ferguson has nothing to do with the negotiations with any potential new owner, whatever shape that may take. Also does anyone actually know he hasn’t been in touch with Aaron Doran? He’s no Alex Ferguson but he’s the manager we have and he has stuck around when others might have walked. Time we got behind the manager and his team. 

[Starscape]

It wasn't just Aaron Doran though. None of the players were contacted by their manager when their contracts were running down. It happened at a place I worked and, although I can't be certain, I'm pretty sure that contributed to that awful people manager leaving. It's not just a football thing, it's an ability to manage.

[RiG]

49 minutes ago, Starscape said:

It wasn't just Aaron Doran though. None of the players were contacted by their manager when their contracts were running down. It happened at a place I worked and, although I can't be certain, I'm pretty sure that contributed to that awful people manager leaving. It's not just a football thing, it's an ability to manage.

And we've no idea why. In seasons past our former managers have talked about how they had to let players know they weren't being kept on. Ferguson meanwhile, after our embarrassing relegation, was MIA for weeks before resurfacing again suggesting that he didn't have any (face to face) communication with players who were out of contract.

With every passing day I find myself less and less likely to ever want to go to an ICT game again. What has happened to the club that I would previously do anything to support? It's unrecognisable now run by a bunch of charlatans who don't give a f'ck about the club, players or fans.

[RednBlackComeback]

58 minutes ago, Hearach said:

Duncan Ferguson has nothing to do with the negotiations with any potential new owner, whatever shape that may take. Also does anyone actually know he hasn’t been in touch with Aaron Doran? He’s no Alex Ferguson but he’s the manager we have and he has stuck around when others might have walked. Time we got behind the manager and his team. 

I wish he had walked!

I'll back the team but I can't back a manager that got us relegated, playing some of the most boring football I've ever had to endure, and paid handsomely for it!

What a waste of money!

[Yngwie]

43 minutes ago, RiG said:

With every passing day I find myself less and less likely to ever want to go to an ICT game again. What has happened to the club that I would previously do anything to support? It's unrecognisable now run by a bunch of charlatans who don't give a f'ck about the club, players or fans.

Maybe, but this is just a temporary state of affairs.
Being a fan is a lifetime commitment and we all took the vows - for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health! Everything is bad just now, and it might all get even worse for a while when we are getting pumped by the likes of Annan and Kelty, but we will bounce back, on and off the pitch.

[+old caley girl]

53 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

Maybe, but this is just a temporary state of affairs.
Being a fan is a lifetime commitment and we all took the vows - for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health! Everything is bad just now, and it might all get even worse for a while when we are getting pumped by the likes of Annan and Kelty, but we will bounce back, on and off the pitch.

I feel like RIG tbh. The lack of morality from the club I love (or maybe loved now)  just makes me feel sick tbh

If and/or when the new investment comes in maybe I will feel better. 

 

[hislopsoffsideagain]

Maybe the lack of information about 'new investor(s)' is necessary, for confidentiality reasons. Unfortunately the club's current custodians have not earned the right to receive any benefit of the doubt from supporters. There are still an awful lot of important questions left unanswered even from the snippets of information in the public domain. For example:

- Are we getting actual new ownership - as Ferguson seems to be suggesting - or just new people investing in the club? Are these new investors current shareholders or people from outside?

- The accounts state that new investors will provide funding via a share purchase. But this would either be through a purchase of existing shares (difficult when there are so many minor shareholders) or through the issuing of new shares (and can the board just do this without getting agreement from current shareholders?)?

- How on earth can David Cameron have stepped down as a director in 2022, yet Companies House not be informed until a few weeks ago? And why have the club continued listing him on the website as a director since then? It's not as if the page hasn't been updated, as new directors have been added in the last two years. Has it anything to do with the fact that Mr Cameron is, along with our former chairman, a director of the Battery Farm company?

 

And that's just the finance stuff. We still haven't got an explanation as to why Aaron Doran and other departing players were treated so dreadfully.

 

[CaleyCiuin]

2 hours ago, old caley girl said:

I feel like RIG tbh. The lack of morality from the club I love (or maybe loved now)  just makes me feel sick tbh

If and/or when the new investment comes in maybe I will feel better. 

 

Whilst new investment is welcomed, I’m not sure money will solve the underlying issues.

[+old caley girl]

23 minutes ago, CaleyCiuin said:

Whilst new investment is welcomed, I’m not sure money will solve the underlying issues.

I think it's a necessary start? I doubt we can limp on like this for long