Supporters Trust: Updates to Members / Fans Meeting on 1 March

[ICT Supporters Trust]

We issued updates to members following our Board Meetings in January and February. You can read the updates in posts in the Supporters Trust Forum:

https://caleythistleonline.com/forum/152-supporters-trust/ 

The February update includes details of the Fans Meeting that will take place at 1230 on Saturday 1 March in Bar 94, with an additional matchday bus being provided by Stagecoach at 1200 to the Stadium, which will allow time to grab a pie or a drink before the meeting starts.

Charlie Christie and Scott Young will both be joining us to give an update on the club’s situation, whilst Charlie will also look back on the club’s first 30 years in conversation with our Chair, George Moodie.

The meeting is open to all fans and we hope to see many of you there.

If you are not already a member of the Trust, joining is easy (and only £5, or £1 for under 16s):

https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us

 

Edited February 13 by ICT Supporters Trust

[ICT Supporters Trust]

This is the flyer with details of the Fans Meeting on Saturday 1 March, starting at 1230 in Bar 94.

This is an ideal opportunity to ask any questions you have for Charlie Christie, Scott Young or the Supporters Trust Board, as well as hearing their updates on the club's situation and Charlie's thoughts on the club's first 30 years.

We hope to see you there, and remember there is an extra bus being provided by Stagecoach at 1200 from the Bus Station, allowing time to grab a pie or drink before the meeting starts. Concession passes are valid, with the single fare being £2.40.

[ICT Supporters Trust]

A reminder that the Supporters Trust is holding a Fans Meeting in Bar 94 at 1230 on Saturday, before the match against Montrose.

Full details are in the flyer below, but the meeting gives fans an opportunity to put questions to Charlie Christie, Scott Young or the Supporters Trust Board. Charlie and Scott will be giving updates on the club's situation and Charlie will be sharing some memories of the club's first 30 years.

If you are unable to attend but would like any questions to be asked, please contact us at info@ictsupporterstrust.org.

The meeting is open to all fans and we hope to see many of you there, and remember there is an extra bus being provided by Stagecoach at 12.00 noon from the Bus Station, allowing time to grab a pie or drink before the meeting starts. Concession passes are valid, with the single fare being £2.40.

[big cherly]

  On 2/25/2025 at 9:24 AM, ICT Supporters Trust said:

Scott Young or the Supporters Trust Board. Charlie and Scott will be giving updates on the club's situation

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Can you advise if the update includes the position (or better still a statement), from the Administrators BDO where they are in the discussions with the potential buyer(s), whether we are closer or further away from a deal and a expectation of a timeline for concluding the negotiations. 

If it’s just Charlie’s and Scott’s own views of where they think the club is (or are allowed to say), then Ok, that’s fine, but it may just add to the uncertainty that currently exists on the matter.

thanks 

bc

Edited February 25 by big cherly

[ICT Supporters Trust]

  On 2/25/2025 at 2:04 PM, big cherly said:

Can you advise if the update includes the position (or better still a statement), from the Administrators BDO where they are in the discussions with the potential buyer(s), whether we are closer or further away from a deal and a expectation of a timeline for concluding the negotiations. 

If it’s just Charlie’s and Scott’s own views of where they think the club is (or are allowed to say), then Ok, that fine, but it may just add to the uncertainty that currently exists on the matter.

thanks 

bc

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Among the issues we are asking for updates to be given on are where we are with the administration process, the discussions with interested parties, the timescale for exiting administration and the implications for the club’s licence should things drag on.

The meeting also gives anyone present the opportunity to any ask questions that they have. 

[ICT Supporters Trust]

As you make your plans for the match tomorrow, remember the Fans Meeting at 1230 pm in Bar 94, at which we will be joined by Charlie Christie and Scott Young: full details below.

All fans are welcome, and we hope to see many of you there.

An additional bus is operating from the Bus Station at 1200 noon, allowing time to grab a pie or a drink before the meeting starts.

Bar 94 will be open from 1200.

[STFU]

Won't make the meeting but hope we get some uplifting news and more than an update that there's still people kicking the tyres or it'll be a waste of everyone's time.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

From Companies House - 

Accounts overdue

Next accounts made up to 30 May 2024
due by 28 February 2025

Last accounts made up to 30 May 2023

[+snorbens_caleyman]

  On 3/1/2025 at 8:25 AM, CELTIC1CALEY3 said:

From Companies House - 

Accounts overdue

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Wot they going to do?  Put us into administration?

[big cherly]

Yeah we can play with words ‘what they going to do - bust us’. Doesn’t look or come across great thou at a time when we hoped we had left such practice behind. Again some statement from BDO could alleviate any concerns. ie Account submissions are frozen until the admin stage is concluded? Just guessing as I don’t know, hence the need for BDO to release an update / communication.
bc 
 

Edited March 1 by big cherly

[STFU]

Anyone at the meeting able to give an update?

[ICT Supporters Trust]

We will post a summary of the main topics discussed in the next day or two.

Please bear with us as we pull it together.

[LisleRightPeg]

Administration and Club Update:

Charlie advised that he and Alan Savage had had a Zoom meeting with BDO the previous day, and BDO were aware that the Fans Meeting was taking place.

However, he was unable to give much of an update about the situation, confirming that there remained three or four interested parties with whom discussions were continuing. Those discussions were covered by Non Disclosure Agreements between them and BDO, which meant the identities of the parties and the nature of the discussions could not be disclosed.

At this time, BDO are not indicating a date when we should come out of administration.

With the majority of players out of contract in June, this means we do not have a timescale for being able to speak to players about new contracts, although at least six of those who will be out of contract have already told Scott Kellacher that they wish to remain with the club. We are not permitted to extend contracts whilst in administration.

His hope is that the outcome is a local consortium involving Alan Savage.

Scott advised that he and the Directors had had several meetings with BDO, and that he expected an update from BDO in the next two to three weeks about the way forward for the club.

He advised that BDO had also had several meetings with former Directors of the club, and BDO had assured him that the car park ownership issue is not a barrier to a way forward.

He also advised that the Board has limited influence at present, and is not able to hold Board Meetings, but they are doing all they could to try to get things going.

Regarding licensing situation, the club needs to apply for a derogation by 31 March which, if granted, allows the club to retain its licence and league position. Whilst the derogation is not guaranteed, Charlie expects it to be granted as all the indications are that it will be.

Footballing Update:

Charlie advised that he is confident the club will remain in League 1, which almost certainly allows it to retain its full time status. By remaining full time, he expects us to be challenging for promotion next season despite the five point penalty.

There is a much better atmosphere around the club.

He was relieved we did not have many bids from clubs for players during the Transfer Window. A very poor bid for one player was rejected.

The deal for Keith Bray is good for the club. It includes add on clauses, whilst his loan back is free of charge to the club, with Dunfermline paying his wages.

Developing and getting fees for our young players will be important going forward, and Charlie recognises that the club needs to change how it develops 16-19 year old players, to help them develop and prove their worth. He is confident that three or four will feature more next season.

He expects a squad of 22-23 next season, including loan players. There is a new scheme for next season where clubs can take in three players from one club free of charge.

Alfie Bavidge is loving his time here, and he is being well looked after, as are the other loan players. Charlie is planning to get a testimonial from Alfie that the club can use to attract other prospects to come to the club as a stepping stone to furthering their career. Agents are indicating to him that they expect a lot of players to be interested in doing that with us.

Interim Chairman / SLO Update:

Scott was very positive about the support being given by fans, both at home matches and away matches with us having, by far, the biggest travelling support in the league.

He was delighted with the progress with Bar 94, and to see such a good attendance at the meeting.

He recalled his first Fans Meeting in the Innes Bar, and noted how far the Supporters Trust and fans collectively had come since that time.

The 30th Anniversary Dinner had been a great success, with almost £35k raised.

The club had appointed Andrew Benjamin as Commercial Director, and Scott would be working closely with him to progress things.

Scott remarked that there had unfortunately been a small number of incidents at away games, involving a very small minority of fans, and those involved tended not to be regular attenders. This had included racial and homophobic behaviour. He asked for assistance in stamping out this type of behaviour. Comments were also made about over zealous stewarding, particularly at the recent Arbroath game.

Commercial Update:

Andrew Benjamin advised that this had been his first week working full time for the club.

He was struck by the great atmosphere in the club and the hard working staff.

His aim is to raise funds for the club, and he highlighted that some advertisers have not paid for their boards, so he would be chasing payment.

He would be looking at hospitality packages, the matchday experience and ways of getting more families and children attending games, including working with Primary Schools.

30th Anniversary Chat with Charlie:

Following the formal business, Charlie and George Moodie (Supporters Trust Chair) discussed Charlie’s memories of the club’s first 30 years.

Charlie’s stories were humorous as he recalled the Ballistic game and much more, with a lot of anecdotes about former players and Managers.

He also reminded us of who was the best Christie to play for the club.

We are grateful to Charlie for sharing these memories with us.

Scottish Transplant Active Football:

We were joined by Duncan MacAuley, Manager of the Scottish National Transplant Football Team, which participates in the European Transplant Football Championship.

Duncan explained the origins of the organisation, which were in Inverness, and how they actively promote the importance of Organ Donation and play to honour their donors and their families.

You can find out a lot more about their work at the Scottish Transplant Active Football Facebook page.

Closing Remarks:

George closed the meeting by highlighting some of the work carried out in Bar 94, particularly the matching (and comfortable!) chairs that we now have, whilst work on the Ladies’ Toilets is imminent.

George advised that the Trust is planning to hold a “Staying Up Party” in Bar 94 once our survival is confirmed, and announced that Calum Jones will be playing in Bar 94 from 1800 until 2000 on Saturday 12 April, following the game against Kelty. Calum is an up-and-coming local musician, who featured on The Voice last year. Watch this space for more details!

[STFU]

Thanks for the update.

Sounds like lots of talking and hopes/plans for the future when we don't even know who will own and run the club and it will ultimately fall to them how things are done.

[LisleRightPeg]

I am not a fan of announcing a staying up party until we are mathematically safe, you can bet that statement is pinned to every opposition changing rooms before they play us. Charlie assuming that 3-4 of the ICT academy graduates will feature next year is a bit premature. With the way they are currently being handled I doubt they would want to hang around here and I’m certain clubs will already be snooping about them. 

[STFU]

Deadline for offers to be set soon and preferred bidder status hoped by end of April according to Alan Savage.

https://archive.ph/Sc8dw

 

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

Thanks STFU for making the article available. As positive as it can be.

[+snorbens_caleyman]

  On 3/4/2025 at 1:05 PM, STFU said:

Sounds like lots of talking and hopes/plans for the future when we don't even know who will own and run the club and it will ultimately fall to them how things are done.

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Chicken and egg.  Positive plans and good ideas for the future should encourage prospective owners, even if they have different ideas. 

[ICT Supporters Trust]

Thanks to LisleRightPeg for copying the text from the e-mail we sent to our members this morning, and subsequently uploaded to our website.

The link to the formatted text of the notes of the meeting is here, and includes a couple of pictures taken on the day:

https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/post/summary-of-fans-meeting-1-march-2025

Once again, we are grateful to Charlie, Scott and Andrew for giving up their time, and to Duncan MacAuley for speaking about the Scottish National Transplant Team. An article about Duncan and the Team appeared in The Sun yesterday and may be of interest:

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/14424645/transplant-euros-glasgow-teams-new-goal-second-chance/

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting, and welcome to the new members who joined on the day, and to those who have joined recently.

If you are not already a member of the Trust, joining is easy (and only £5, or £1 for under 16s):

https://www.ictsupporterstrust.org/join-us

 

[big cherly]

Alan Savage’s piece in the P&J is welcome. It provides a clearer position of where the administrators and negotiations are with potential buyers and ICTP (Morrison and Cameron). 
 

I need to delve deeper on the release details, however on first impressions it appears to me that Morrison and Cameron and playing hard ball on the sale / transfer of the car parks and holding out to maximise the return of their asset. 
There appears to be still more than one interested buyer in the game, which, for me, is a plus as it offer us more scope than accepting the only offer, were it a sole investing party. 
 

April is a bit of surprise. But given the above it’s possibly to be expected. It does however keep the shadow of uncertainty with us through critical run  down to the rest of the season.

BDO keep rolling it in! 
bc
 

Edited March 4 by big cherly

[CaleyTennis85]

That seems a very positive update with the key points below making me very optimistic of our future and possibly future success 

: It's good that we should be able to stay full time if we stay up, that makes it very easy to attract players be it transfers or loans.

: It is very encouraging that there is going to be an emphasis on developing our youngsters so we get fees for them, it seems Charlie is a big advocate for youngsters getting game time because it's not the first time he's mentioned that. Though it's gone from the 8-8-8 formula to only 3-4 getting into the first team, surely it would be better to try and develop a few more so that we aren't filling our squad with loanees . Am I being too harsh here regarding the loanees, if so then pick me up on it .

: 22-23 squad seems reasonable for next season but if injuries and suspensions occur then we are in trouble . I suppose it's easier with a small squad though as it saves us in terms of finances as we aren't paying for a massive squad in terms of wages etc plus it makes it easier to keep everyone happy as most will be in matchday squads with only a handful not making matchday squads.

[STFU]

  On 3/4/2025 at 5:22 PM, snorbens_caleyman said:

Chicken and egg.  Positive plans and good ideas for the future should encourage prospective owners, even if they have different ideas. 

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For me it comes across as more of what we've had the last few years with plans and promises being made when we don't know if we'll have the resources to deliver it.

Look at the post from Caley Tennis to see how many within the fanbase will take it as a given that this is the way things will go.

I'm not saying I like or dislike what's been said but to be saying it under the context of our current situation is meaningless hype.

I get that Charlie, Scott and Supporters Trust will want to be keeping everything positive but if we should have learned anything over the last few years it's a need for basing things in reality. Organising a staying up party whilst sitting in a relegation playoff spot and still no guarantee we'll even exist next season is indicative of that lack of reality.

The update from Alan Savage was far more meaningful and at least contained context.

[STFU]

Is it an idea to merge this with the existing admin thread to keep all the chat in one place?

[Starscape]

"Though it's gone from the 8-8-8 formula to only 3-4 getting into the first team, surely it would be better to try and develop a few more so that we aren't filling our squad with loanees"

I think it will be around 8 around the first team. Most of them with the odd appearance here and there but primarily reserve players, then a few making a challenge for regular selection. But that can't happen immediately, what with the lack of emphasis we've had on youngsters in the past.

[ICT Supporters Trust]

Following our Board Meeting last week, we have issued an update to our members, which is available to all fans.

We have posted it in the Supporters Trust Forum, and you can access it here:

https://caleythistleonline.com/topic/36668-update-to-members-march-2025/