Admin by Oct 16th - It's here now!

[ictchris]

Someone who might know about this sort of thing told me that Brooks was one of our highest earners.

[Hearach]

52 minutes ago, ictchris said:

Someone who might know about this sort of thing told me that Brooks was one of our highest earners.

The highest seemingly

[big cherly]

On 10/31/2024 at 10:10 AM, ICTPaisley said:

Along with the others I don’t think he’ll be missed too much on footballing merit.  He couldn’t do it in the championship and he couldn’t do it in league 1 either. The amount of moans I’ve been hearing this past year and a half about needing better strikers in also proves this point.
 

He wasn’t signed up for league two with us next season which might have been his level?

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

[STFU]

With players taking a case against the club for breach of contract there may be very good legal reasons why nobody has been allowed to contact them.

[Yngwie]

Latest press release today says the administrators have had 20 expressions of interest. I guess that is very good news, but these are not bids, and some will be time wasters who will be weeded out by the administrators and not given access to the confidential information.

[tm4tj]

Official Statement as mentioned in Yngwie's post

Read Here

The Joint Administrators of Inverness Caledonian Thistle have confirmed that they have received expressions of interest from 20 parties following the commencement of the sale process for the club. Interested parties will shortly receive further documentation outlining details of the investment opportunity.

[STFU]

Positive news indeed. Anyone who knows anything about the club knows it's potential with the right people running it and that will be as important as whoever owns/controls it.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

20 clearly better than 0! However, clearing the decks is the critical aspect of the administration process that will result is what we hope are some genuine decent bids. Sounds good, I am optimistic, but nothing is easy in life.

[The Long Man]

I wonder what the qualifications are for a successful bid? It is more than likely that some of the bids will be chancers who see an opportunity to acquire an asset on the cheap. There could be property developers, asset strippers, clueless glory hunters, all sorts. What reassurance can we be given that football and the existence of the club will be the priority, or are they bound to take the highest offer regardless of the intentions of the applicant?

[buckett]

Whoever takes over, we the supporters must NEVER let the club fall into disrepair again.

It is imperative that, through the Supporters' Trust or some similar body, we have a voice and influence over major decisions involving the running of the club.

No club - no supporters.

No supporters - no club!

[big cherly]

1 hour ago, The Long Man said:

I wonder what the qualifications are for a successful bid? It is more than likely that some of the bids will be chancers who see an opportunity to acquire an asset on the cheap. There could be property developers, asset strippers, clueless glory hunters, all sorts. What reassurance can we be given that football and the existence of the club will be the priority, or are they bound to take the highest offer regardless of the intentions of the applicant?

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.

Edited November 4, 2024 by big cherly

[ICTPaisley]

Unsure if this was posted earlier or not but came across this and thought it was a good listen. Nothing new is discovered in this but still good for an extended run through our current history so far.

I do know a video was posted earlier that I didn’t get round to watching so apologies if it’s the same one. 
 

 

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

I would hope Inverness Area Committee Members will soon give comfort to some supporters that there are very strict conditions attached to the 99 year lease granted for football purposes.  

[STFU]

The hypocrisy of some fans is incredible.

Want council to stand strong on land use at stadium but hammer them for standing strong on land use at site of the battery farm.

[Scorrie]

On 11/4/2024 at 6:42 PM, The Long Man said:

I wonder what the qualifications are for a successful bid? It is more than likely that some of the bids will be chancers who see an opportunity to acquire an asset on the cheap. There could be property developers, asset strippers, clueless glory hunters, all sorts. What reassurance can we be given that football and the existence of the club will be the priority, or are they bound to take the highest offer regardless of the intentions of the applicant?

Fellow Fans,

The administrators say they’ve received “20 expressions of interest” to buy the club—and pigs will fly! Let’s be honest: how many of these are from people who are just here to take the “mick”? We know better than to get swept up in empty promises. Our club now needs real, sustainable commitment and a clear path forward.

As we face this critical moment, we need the administrators to approach things with a focus on stability and learning from past mistakes—not a quick fix like we’ve seen other administrators attempt with Scottish clubs. We’ve been staring into a financial abyss, enduring a steady freefall as chairmen and board members have scrambled for last-minute bailouts. Now, more than ever, we must put long-term stability first.

Historically, the club has only managed to turn a profit for six years out of its 30-year existence. Season ticket sales, merchandise, and hospitality revenue—which should form the backbone of our finances—have fallen short, leaving us dependent on emergency funding to survive. Now, we need a different approach, one that builds a stable club for the long haul.

Here are some points I think we can all get behind:

1. Balanced Budgets: We can’t keep spending beyond our means. We need a realistic budget that keeps us in the game without risking another crisis. A steady, manageable budget is the foundation we need to avoid the deep financial holes we’ve fallen into before. Let’s be transparent—do we, as fans, want to know the yearly budget? This could help set realistic expectations and build trust between the club and supporters.

2. Transparency We Can Trust: We, the fans, deserve to know what’s happening with the club’s finances. Quarterly updates, clear goals, and a Supporters’ Trust member on the board are the minimum we should expect going forward. We must ensure our voices are heard and our priorities as fans are respected in club decisions.

3. Ticket Sales Goals: This is where we can make a massive difference as a fanbase and community. How many season tickets must we sell to keep the club sustainable? Could a target of 3,000 season tickets be achievable? if we work together to bring more people on board. By spreading the word, bringing friends, and getting Inverness behind us, we can give the club a financial safety net and move away from the edge of that abyss.

4. Reliable Income Sources: We have been in this position by relying on a single benefactor or one-off funding sources. We must build consistent revenue streams through ticket sales, merchandise, and community initiatives. It’s our club; by supporting it financially, we’re ensuring it stays ours.

5. Stability Through Partnerships: Renewing partnerships with local businesses is crucial. Historically, local partnerships with companies like Inverness Medical and Orion brought in reliable revenue, independent of promotion or league performance, keeping us steady, no matter where we stood in the league.

6. Smart Transfers: We all want the best team possible but must build it within our means. A mix of youth development, local talent, and balanced recruitment can give us a strong squad without risking another financial freefall.

We’ve all given so much to this club over the years, and now it’s time to take the next step together. Let's rally around, bring our friends and family to matches, and get our community fully behind the club. If we do this, we can help ensure that Inverness Caledonian Thistle doesn’t just survive but thrives for years to come.

Let’s show up, support, and pull our club back from the edge. Together, we can build a stable, united Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

[+snorbens_caleyman]

1 hour ago, Scorrie said:

The administrators say they’ve received “20 expressions of interest” to buy the club

Actually, they don't.   The official club statement says that they "have received expressions of interest from 20 parties following the commencement of the sale process for the club."

The BBC news report does indeed start off by saying that there have been 20 expressions of interest in buying the club.

But it then quotes BDO: "We have had many inquiries from people wanting to help and support the club financially, ranging from on-site restaurant opportunities to advertising and so on."

I think that's your 20 - and that the number of parties interested in buying the whole club will be considerably less than 20.

But fingers crossed that the right solution can be found!

[Scotty]

1 hour ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

Actually, they don't.   The official club statement says that they "have received expressions of interest from 20 parties following the commencement of the sale process for the club."

The BBC news report does indeed start off by saying that there have been 20 expressions of interest in buying the club.

But it then quotes BDO: "We have had many inquiries from people wanting to help and support the club financially, ranging from on-site restaurant opportunities to advertising and so on."

I think that's your 20 - and that the number of parties interested in buying the whole club will be considerably less than 20.

But fingers crossed that the right solution can be found!

This is how I read it too. 20 expressions of interest in helping the club, ranging from buying advertising to on-site restaurants and possibly more revenue generating ideas as opposed to full-scale 'buyers'. We just have to trust the process now and hope that the administrators sort the wheat from the chaff in any/all actual offers to acquire the club.

Got my package from the administrators yesterday with the claim form if I want to be listed as a creditor. I assume this is because any sale of the club will mean we are all no longer shareholders? I can deal with that on a personal level, but how does that affect the likes of the Supporters Trust with their 10% voting right? 

[Scorrie]

38 minutes ago, Scotty said:

This is how I read it too. 20 expressions of interest in helping the club, ranging from buying advertising to on-site restaurants and possibly more revenue generating ideas as opposed to full-scale 'buyers'. We just have to trust the process now and hope that the administrators sort the wheat from the chaff in any/all actual offers to acquire the club.

Got my package from the administrators yesterday with the claim form if I want to be listed as a creditor. I assume this is because any sale of the club will mean we are all no longer shareholders? I can deal with that on a personal level, but how does that affect the likes of the Supporters Trust with their 10% voting right? 

A wee summary of my understanding of the potential scenarios for shareholders:

1. Shareholders Lose Their Stake: In most cases, when new owners buy a club out of administration, they acquire only the club's assets (though this may be debatable in our case), excluding its liabilities and existing equity. This often results in current shareholders losing their stake entirely as the new owners assume full control.

2. Diluted Shareholding: In some instances, existing shareholders may be offered the option to retain a reduced stake. This generally requires them to contribute new capital as part of the restructuring, but it typically results in a significant dilution of their original shares.

3. Shareholders Retain Their Stake: Although rare, some existing shareholders—ideally, the Supporters Trust in this case—may retain their original stake. This occurs if administrators and new investors choose to keep them involved in the club's future, often to maintain fan representation and continuity.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

4 hours ago, STFU said:

The hypocrisy of some fans is incredible.

Want council to stand strong on land use at stadium but hammer them for standing strong on land use at site of the battery farm.

The 99 year lease has strict conditions attached to it because of the use of Common Good land. Those of us who have worked on such projects know that.  Common Good is not defined scientifically so is open to some interpretation and the Council could have been much stricter at the outset.

The battery farm application was somewhat different - although as you say it too involves land use although not Common Good land. The decision was taken based on Planning Law by a Highland wide Committee. It was the manner of decision making that seems to have caused angst i.e. agree and then reverse. The Appeal questions the logic, not the right of the Council to change its mind which we all support if there are very good reasons for doing so.

The football officials who helped negotiate the 99 year lease approached the Council in a more conciliatory way than those  who handled the battery farm application. I think hypocrisy is quite a strong word to use.

[STFU]

21 minutes ago, CELTIC1CALEY3 said:

The 99 year lease has strict conditions attached to it because of the use of Common Good land. Those of us who have worked on such projects know that.  Common Good is not defined scientifically so is open to some interpretation and the Council could have been much stricter at the outset.

The battery farm application was somewhat different - although as you say it too involves land use although not Common Good land. The decision was taken based on Planning Law by a Highland wide Committee. It was the manner of decision making that seems to have caused angst i.e. agree and then reverse. The Appeal questions the logic, not the right of the Council to change its mind which we all support if there are very good reasons for doing so.

The football officials who helped negotiate the 99 year lease approached the Council in a more conciliatory way than those  who handled the battery farm application. I think hypocrisy is quite a strong word to use.

CGF decide the terms of the lease but not what the land is zoned for which is for the council to decide. CGF could agree transfer of the lease to a supermarket tomorrow but without a change in planning they couldn't build a new store.

ICTFC fans want the council to lean one way with the fairways site and another way with the stadium site due to the mindset that the entire city is somehow responsible for ensuring the football club has a future.

It's the very definition of hypocrisy.

[Yngwie]

4 hours ago, Scotty said:

Got my package from the administrators yesterday with the claim form if I want to be listed as a creditor. I assume this is because any sale of the club will mean we are all no longer shareholders? I can deal with that on a personal level, but how does that affect the likes of the Supporters Trust with their 10% voting right? 

Shareholders will remain shareholders, unless they sell their shares to the club’s new owner (which I can’t see happening, certainly not for small shareholders). You might have been sent a claim form because you are on the club’s list of suppliers and there is therefore a chance you are owed money.

[CaleyCanary]

37 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

Shareholders will remain shareholders, unless they sell their shares to the club’s new owner (which I can’t see happening, certainly not for small shareholders). You might have been sent a claim form because you are on the club’s list of suppliers and there is therefore a chance you are owed money.

I can’t even begin to understand the complexities of this process - all I want to understand is whether my paltry £250 shareholding will remain in the club or not.

I don’t want it back, I want it to remain in the club, but equally I don’t want it lost and added to any payouts to certain creditors that have helped land us in this situation in the first place.

[The Long Man]

The question wasn't really about what should happen, or what we would like to happen. It was about the obligations of the administrator. Is he obliged to accept the highest bid, in order to give maximum return to creditors, regardless of the long term implications and intentions of who might be making it? So a short term financial solution might be a long term bad solution for the club.

[CaleyTennis85]

13 hours ago, Scorrie said:

Fellow Fans,

The administrators say they’ve received “20 expressions of interest” to buy the club—and pigs will fly! Let’s be honest: how many of these are from people who are just here to take the “mick”? We know better than to get swept up in empty promises. Our club now needs real, sustainable commitment and a clear path forward.

As we face this critical moment, we need the administrators to approach things with a focus on stability and learning from past mistakes—not a quick fix like we’ve seen other administrators attempt with Scottish clubs. We’ve been staring into a financial abyss, enduring a steady freefall as chairmen and board members have scrambled for last-minute bailouts. Now, more than ever, we must put long-term stability first.

Historically, the club has only managed to turn a profit for six years out of its 30-year existence. Season ticket sales, merchandise, and hospitality revenue—which should form the backbone of our finances—have fallen short, leaving us dependent on emergency funding to survive. Now, we need a different approach, one that builds a stable club for the long haul.

Here are some points I think we can all get behind:

1. Balanced Budgets: We can’t keep spending beyond our means. We need a realistic budget that keeps us in the game without risking another crisis. A steady, manageable budget is the foundation we need to avoid the deep financial holes we’ve fallen into before. Let’s be transparent—do we, as fans, want to know the yearly budget? This could help set realistic expectations and build trust between the club and supporters.

2. Transparency We Can Trust: We, the fans, deserve to know what’s happening with the club’s finances. Quarterly updates, clear goals, and a Supporters’ Trust member on the board are the minimum we should expect going forward. We must ensure our voices are heard and our priorities as fans are respected in club decisions.

3. Ticket Sales Goals: This is where we can make a massive difference as a fanbase and community. How many season tickets must we sell to keep the club sustainable? Could a target of 3,000 season tickets be achievable? if we work together to bring more people on board. By spreading the word, bringing friends, and getting Inverness behind us, we can give the club a financial safety net and move away from the edge of that abyss.

4. Reliable Income Sources: We have been in this position by relying on a single benefactor or one-off funding sources. We must build consistent revenue streams through ticket sales, merchandise, and community initiatives. It’s our club; by supporting it financially, we’re ensuring it stays ours.

5. Stability Through Partnerships: Renewing partnerships with local businesses is crucial. Historically, local partnerships with companies like Inverness Medical and Orion brought in reliable revenue, independent of promotion or league performance, keeping us steady, no matter where we stood in the league.

6. Smart Transfers: We all want the best team possible but must build it within our means. A mix of youth development, local talent, and balanced recruitment can give us a strong squad without risking another financial freefall.

We’ve all given so much to this club over the years, and now it’s time to take the next step together. Let's rally around, bring our friends and family to matches, and get our community fully behind the club. If we do this, we can help ensure that Inverness Caledonian Thistle doesn’t just survive but thrives for years to come.

Let’s show up, support, and pull our club back from the edge. Together, we can build a stable, united Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Points 1 and 6 I 100% agree with and do think the club will seriously consider, especially if Alan Savage and Charlie Christie remain involved in any capacity once we're out of administration! I, and most on here, seem to agree with Charlie Christie when he suggested/mentioned the 8-8-8 formula at the meeting a week or so before entering administration. It should be achievable imho, we more than certainly have 8 current players who could well be contracted next season. The 8 academy players coming through to the first team worries me as I'm not sure we have 8 ready to make the step up, 4 is perhaps more achievable . And I've banged on consistently that we should be utilising the Highland League market because I am fairly certain that there ARE players that can make the step up the leagues, though I'd suspect we'd need to wait until their out of contract unless they are available for a very cheap price!  So we could easily operate on a slightly smaller budget than we currently have and still be successful imho especially if Scott Kellacher got the right players in because I certainly like his style of play .

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

For those with a keen interest in Common Good land and properties here is a very useful link https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/6038f965432bb_Common Good Land_web 24.2.21.pdf