New Beginning

[CaleyTennis85]

Now that we know Alan Savage is the preferred bidder to buy the club we can now put the past few years of mismanagement etc to one side and start looking at new beginnings with someone competent that has the club at heart and I am certainly certain will run it very well.

As was already pointed out in the Administration thread, work already seems to be getting done regarding recruitment next season with trialists coming up plus in this period, the under 18s are also training with the first team so Scott Kellacher can look at them and see who is capable of stepping up to the first team for next season.  Hopefully most of the current first team squad can sign up on new deals so that the rebuild isn't as tough a job as it would have been!

One thing that should certainly not be in question is the management team because Kells and Billy have done a REMARKABLE job so Alan doesn't need to be looking at managers because we have one that I 100% believe in to mount a title/promotion push for next season.

 

I am fairly confident that nearly ALL fans of this club will be as delighted with this news as I am because, at one point during this tough few months, I was seriously concerned we were not going to have a club going forward :caleyscarf: : caleyscarf:

[Scotty]

A refreshing topic. Not out of the woods yet, but certainly very positive on the surface. 

With Charlie Christe perhaps having the interim tag removed from his title, and I personally hope that this is the case, we would have a CEO with intimate knowledge of the club from all areas of operation from the commercial side to the team management side and of course including youth development. Charlie is utterly invested in the club on a level far more than financially and deeply cares for it as any interview you hear shows this. The article I posted in another thread also shows he has a plan to blend youth and experience and to try to get the most sustainable and engaged squad possible. People wondered what he could do for the club after he stepped down as manager. I think this is his role. 

https://archive.ph/3gzWH

With Kells at the helm as manager, we have done well. He has quietly learned his trade under multiple other managers both good and bad and hopefully taken the good stuff into his arsenal. His press conferences are a breath of fresh air, and fan engagement is higher than it has been for years. Although I have not worked it out, his points-per-game ratio must surely be up there among the best so long may that continue. Couple that with the circumstances he is operating under and to not go with him as manager would be sheer lunacy. Billy as his assistant is also a bit of a no-brainer.

 

I am also good with Alan Savage as preferred bidder. Again, we have someone with strong local ties and a desire to see the club come out of the current malaise. Somone who has been involved before and has shown a genuine affection for the club. We may have questions along the way, not least over the 100% ownership statement, or other mechanics of any offer, but no-one else has seriously thrown their hat (and their money) into the ring either on an interim basis like he did, or with a plan for the future and without him this entire conversation might have been moot.    

 

Pretty sure there will be many bumps in the road both on and off field in the ensuing days, weeks and months, but at least that roadway seems to be more visible now. 

Edited Thursday at 05:46 PM by Scotty
added link to the article i referenced.

[+snorbens_caleyman]

The BBC reports Savage as saying that Lionel Nessie will be reinstated as mascot.

That seals it for me! 

[Scotty]

24 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

The BBC reports Savage as saying that Lionel Nessie will be reinstated as mascot.

That seals it for me! 

[STFU]

Hopefully s/he's reduced their salary demands.

[big cherly]

Congratulations to AS. He is now driving the bus ICT for a while. I look forward to see the details of how he will structure the non football piece of the club. Interesting that it appears one of the previous potential buyers retains an interest in possible involvement going forward. 
I am pleased that a non born and bred highlander now holds the reins. Can’t do any worse than the previous incumbents. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some deals struck with past individuals that got us into the mire reappear at the club. 
Expect to see us playing Championship football at the UHI campus within 5 years with a 20 year rental agreement in a more realistic sized ground. 
Wishing AS every success. He saved the club singlehandedly and deserves the chance to take it forward. Now the hard part - delivering expectations!
bc 

 

Edited Friday at 10:59 AM by big cherly

[IcyT]

3 hours ago, big cherly said:

Expect to see us playing Championship football at the UHI campus within 5 years with a 20 year rental agreement in a more realistic sized ground. 
Wishing AS every success. He saved the club singlehandedly and deserves the chance to take it forward. Now the hard part - delivering expectations!
bc 

 

It would be a shame if Caley were to leave the Longman, if only because the Moray Firth/Black Isle is such a picturesque backdrop.  Rivalled by our administration in arms, Dumbarton, on that score.

Fantastic, though, that we look to have an immediate route forward and exit from administration, fingers crossed.  Hoping there'll be a great buzz around the place for Kelty tomorrow.

[Satan]

3 hours ago, big cherly said:

Congratulations to AS. He is now driving the bus ICT for a while. I look forward to see the details of how he will structure the non football piece of the club. Interesting that it appears one of the previous potential buyers retains an interest in possible involvement going forward. 
I am pleased that a non born and bred highlander now holds the reins. Can’t do any worse than the previous incumbents. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some deals struck with past individuals that got us into the mire reappear at the club. 
Expect to see us playing Championship football at the UHI campus within 5 years with a 20 year rental agreement in a more realistic sized ground. 
Wishing AS every success. He saved the club singlehandedly and deserves the chance to take it forward. Now the hard part - delivering expectations!
bc 

 

Thing is, most of the future development will already be sketched out.

Alan Savage is usually two steps ahead of the rest, no reason to think its any different now.

[Scotty]

4 hours ago, big cherly said:

Congratulations to AS. He is now driving the bus ICT for a while. I look forward to see the details of how he will structure the non-football piece of the club. Interesting that it appears one of the previous potential buyers retains an interest in possible involvement going forward. I am pleased that a non-born and bred highlander now holds the reins. Can’t do any worse than the previous incumbents. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some deals struck with past individuals that got us into the mire reappear at the club. 

Was glad to hear the Dougie M was around yesterday. I know that there have been well publicised "differences of opinion" when it comes to DM, DFS and AS and likely others too, but the three I mention there have all done their best to move us forward in the past and its nice to think all three may have some role in moving us forward in the future. Even if it's only a tacit nod that AS is the man to take us forward by giving up shares, it's still an important milestone and validation of AS.   

 

4 hours ago, big cherly said:

Expect to see us playing Championship football at the UHI campus within 5 years 

In October we thought we might be playing amateur league at the Bught so I will take that! 

 

1 hour ago, IcyT said:

It would be a shame if Caley were to leave the Longman, if only because the Moray Firth/Black Isle is such a picturesque backdrop.  Rivalled by our administration in arms, Dumbarton, on that score.

I like the location but the stadium itself has never been completely suitable. We went for the one big stand, hoping for big things I guess, that would fund the construction of three other similar large stands in years to come. Perhaps we should have gone for 4 smaller stands from the off and create a compact but great little ground for our needs. Thats not a criticism of who went before, but an observation purely from hindsight.  

 

1 hour ago, Satan said:

Thing is, most of the future development will already be sketched out.

Alan Savage is usually two steps ahead of the rest, no reason to think its any different now.

Indeed. I think if you take bits and pieces from various articles, you can work out what bits of the plan might be. 

1. Caledonian Stadium will be vacated in the future with a plan to move to UHI. Timescale to be determined based on how this can be financed.
2. Current stadium land to be repurposed / subleased to generate income for the club and/or AS and investors either as a one-off or on an ongoing basis as part of an expanded border to the freeport.
3. Off field expenditure to be curtailed and reverted back to a model of fiscal responsibility. Club to be sustainable and aim to break even as a mid-level championship side each season. 
4. Youth system to be given more prominence (and funding). The hope being that we not only develop our own talent but also can generate income if and when these players move to other clubs either through transfers or development fees. 
5. Have other players come in with a point to prove. Charlie alluded to this, and we have seen quite a few of these players over the years who turned into club icons. Those who may be overlooked elsewhere or are coming back from injury and have a point to prove. ICT can be a shop window, or like some, a place they end up making home.   
6. Re-establish relationships and reputation with other clubs so we can get loans of the calibre of Alfie Bavidge and others on a yearly basis. Show we are player focused in terms of looking after their wellbeing which we lost sight of in the last few years. 

 

 

 

 

[CaleyD]

Kenny Cameron was run off for running the club in that way.

[Scotty]

26 minutes ago, CaleyD said:

Kenny Cameron was run off for running the club in that way.

You know me Don. I have nothing but respect for Kenny. I did not like the way it ended for him. He was caught between a rock and a hard place and resigned the day we got relegated. I was there that day (unfortunately) and my son was one of the two mascots. I dont think Kenny got run off for running the club that way however, it was more to do with the fact that he put too much faith in Richie Foran and was ultimately too loyal to him when results did not work out. Loyalty and faith in your employees are wonderful qualities in most businesses but apprently not in football as we know. Being an honourable man, he resigned when we got relegated as he knew the buck stopped with him as the Chairman. He is and always will be regarded in my eyes as one of the best Chairmen we ever had, and in my opinion, those that followed him began the demise that led us to where we are today.    

 

 

[CaleyD]

If Alan Savage gets his deal over the line then, as the one solely in control, the buck truly will stop with him.  He won't end up carrying the can for the actions of others using any situation to their advantage.

[Charles Bannerman]

On 4/11/2025 at 3:16 PM, Scotty said:

Caledonian Stadium will be vacated in the future with a plan to move to UHI. Timescale to be determined based on how this can be financed.

The notion of relocating the stadium is an interesting one, not the least on account of issues of expense and availability of land. I saw a mention somewhere that AS wants to involve HIE, who also control the Campus, so I don’t know if there are thoughts about trying to obtain their cooperation with respect to that. However I think we also need to remember that the Campus is a prime area, so it’s not clear how any stadium proposal would fit into the pecking order there. Given also that ICT’s assets won’t have enormous value on the open market (although I’m not sure about what the East Longman lease might be worth) I’d be interested to see how a club that’s had a close encounter with liquidation might fund new premises?

Then in the longer term, given how much unearned cash the club has gone through in the last 30 years, there’s the bigger issue of how it can continue sustainably without the danger of a third near death experience.

[CaleyD]

There would be a variety of different business lining up, and willing to pay handsomely, for our current site...my area of immediate expertise is tourism/hospitality, so I'll give a hypothetical scenario around that.

I've said it elsewhere that I believe a deal would be along the lines of ICTFC giving up the lease in return for a stadium elsewhere, and at no cost to the club.

The rateable value on the stadium at present is something ridiculous like £50,000. As such it is making very little contribution for business rates. It's also not bringing many people to the area who are spending beyond their ticket and a pie.

Compare that to something like the AC Marriott, which has a rateable value of £600k, and the economic benefits to Highland Council of having a new tenant are immediate and manifold.

Inverness ranked 2nd in the UK in the 2025 hotel market report...which means it's a sound place for anyone to build an hotel.  Add in the long standing demand for event/conference space and it could be a goldmine for everyone.

These are the kind of projects HIE exist to support.  Regardless of how much has been put into ICTFC over the years, throwing a few million at relocating us would be nothing in comparison to the economic benefit...a virtual no-brainer.

It would be daft not to look at it.

 

[Charles Bannerman]

3 hours ago, CaleyD said:

There would be a variety of different business lining up, and willing to pay handsomely, for our current site...my area of immediate expertise is tourism/hospitality, so I'll give a hypothetical scenario around that.

I've said it elsewhere that I believe a deal would be along the lines of ICTFC giving up the lease in return for a stadium elsewhere, and at no cost to the club.

The rateable value on the stadium at present is something ridiculous like £50,000. As such it is making very little contribution for business rates. It's also not bringing many people to the area who are spending beyond their ticket and a pie.

Compare that to something like the AC Marriott, which has a rateable value of £600k, and the economic benefits to Highland Council of having a new tenant are immediate and manifold.

Inverness ranked 2nd in the UK in the 2025 hotel market report...which means it's a sound place for anyone to build an hotel.  Add in the long standing demand for event/conference space and it could be a goldmine for everyone.

These are the kind of projects HIE exist to support.  Regardless of how much has been put into ICTFC over the years, throwing a few million at relocating us would be nothing in comparison to the economic benefit...a virtual no-brainer.

It would be daft not to look at it.

 

If there are tourism implications, why not just turn the entire site into a great big campervan park? In fact I’m surprised that SG and RM never thought of that one as well.

There’s one further, (and more serious) question which may be worth asking, simply given the level of opposition to the club being granted the lease in the first place in 1994. Is anyone familiar enough with the precise terms of the lease to know whether it may contain any clause terminating it or preventing the club from selling it under circumstances where the site as a whole would no longer be used as a football ground. Back in 1994 there were both councillors and District Council officials who opposed it being granted at all, and one official claimed that the District Council could lose £5.4 million over its 99 year period compared with what a commercial lease might bring in.

Given that background, and the tone of the discussion at that time, I just thought it might be worth asking the question about precise terms relating to any sale - although I do also realise that Tullochs were given control over the lease of the entire site as part of the 2000 bailout.

Edited Sunday at 10:49 PM by Charles Bannerman

[CaleyD]

Appreciate it was a bit tongue in cheek, but Inverness itself doesn't need additional campervan facilities.  The vast majority of the challenges there exist in more rural parts of the Highlands....like Dingwall

I couldn't speak in any detail about current lease conditions, other than knowing it can't be transferred without council/CGF permission and that carparks primarily have to be used for the business/benefit of the football stadium. Things which are relatively easy to change if organisations are so minded.

There are other site users who will likely be far more informed on those issues.

[Charles Bannerman]

1 hour ago, CaleyD said:

I couldn't speak in any detail about current lease conditions, other than knowing it can't be transferred without council/CGF permission and that carparks primarily have to be used for the business/benefit of the football stadium. Things which are relatively easy to change if organisations are so minded.

There are other site users who will likely be far more informed on those issues.

Embarking upon another episode of Devil’s Advocacy - in such an event, the club may have to be prepared to defend its position against the view that the original lease was granted solely for the purpose of allowing the arrival of Scottish League football in Inverness, and not as a gift of a saleable asset to act as a later remedy for three decades of fundamental loss making which have included two insolvency events, both involving creditors writing off substantial debt.

Edited yesterday at 09:27 AM by Charles Bannerman

[big cherly]

I don’t see the powers at the Scottish League turning down ICT moving to a new stadium as long as it meets the standards and criteria required.

AS is well aware there needs to be other ‘drivers’ to facilitate any change of where ICT play their matches. 
The driving factor for moving from the current location is the cost of running the place far exceeds any income. There isn’t the numbers (fans) to change this, so it’s not sustainable.  Simple economics. 
A sports facility at the UHI campus has been raised and kicked about for more than a decade, with ICT talked about at that time training there. The UHI are keen to have a sports component as an attraction to their desire to be recognised as a ‘real’ university. How it was financed (built and run) has always been the stumbling block. Ie always skint. 
The HIE (located in the campus) have just about run out of attracting major ‘life science’ businesses to the campus, so the idea of a sports facility could kick start athletic support consultancies and long talked about hotel investment. There is plenty of land on the east side of the campus. 
In due course the connecting A96 corridor to the Southern Distributor Road will be constructed on East side of the campus. Here I would propose / suggest would be the case to make a push for a campus sporting facility and car parking to be included in the road / site development. 

AS knows all of the above of course and he is a master of getting the best deal he can. (Ie get the taxpayer and others to pick up the bulk of the costs). Unless he can make the existing stadium viable then I can see AS’s logic to look at most likely option.

tuppenceworth. 
bc

Edited yesterday at 11:39 AM by big cherly

[CaleyD]

That may be why HIE won't entertain any discussion until the club is out of administration...as it's then not seen as part of the 'rescue' package.

I'm not sure there would be much, if any, resistance from the decision makers.  In the corridors of power we would be seen as 'giving up' a site that is worth far more to the area if used for something else.

Any outlay on building a new stadium at the campus would be seen as the cost of vacating the East Longman site....and a new hotel & event/conference facility would easily repay that in a 3-5 years by way of economic benefit.

There's actually plans for a hotel at the campus...it could be that those plans change if there's another, more desirable location becomes available.

ICTFC, for once, may be in a position to give more to the economy than it has taken!

[ICTPaisley]

When I think of a community type stadium within the UHI I come up with something that’s suitable for a highland/lowland league type setup. I’m all for moving to another stadium if it helps us in the long run but we get attendances of a mid table championship side at the very minimum.  I hope it wouldn’t end up being one of these astro soulless grounds that are being knocked up around the country. Ainslie Park or something similar to KPark spring to mind. 

[big cherly]

4 hours ago, CaleyD said:

There's actually plans for a hotel at the campus...it could be that those plans change if there's another, more desirable location becomes available.

The case for a hotel becomes more viable in that the new prison is being build on the other side of the railway and served by a new road bridge and footpath. There is a couple of budget hotels (at Howdens), however a higher ranked hotel with conference facilities would I believe be a viable addition. A lot of football clubs have included hotel facilities as part of new stadium developments. It need not be ICT own the hotel but are part of an economic case for attracting finance.
bc 

Edited yesterday at 03:13 PM by big cherly

[caley100]

2 hours ago, ICTPaisley said:

When I think of a community type stadium within the UHI I come up with something that’s suitable for a highland/lowland league type setup. I’m all for moving to another stadium if it helps us in the long run but we get attendances of a mid table championship side at the very minimum.  I hope it wouldn’t end up being one of these astro soulless grounds that are being knocked up around the country. Ainslie Park or something similar to KPark spring to mind. 

That would be exactly my concerns.

[CaleyD]

I'm just talking about hotel/events/conference facilities because it's the thing I know most about, and I can talk with some authority about the economic benefits.  The site could bring equal, or even better, economic benefit with other uses also.

The current stadium is hardly the most atmospheric, and a new compact stadium that brings the fans closer to the pitch would greatly improve that.  4 smaller stands to keep it fully enclosed would also help.

 

[Charles Bannerman]

1 hour ago, big cherly said:

The case for a hotel becomes more viable in that the new prison is being build on the other side of the railway and served by a new road bridge and footpath. There is a couple of base hotels (at Howdens), however a higher ranked hotel with conference facilities would I believe be a viable addition. A lot of football clubs have included hotel facilities as part of new stadium developments. It need not be ICT own the hotel but are part of an economics case for attracting finance.
bc 

The club is just in the process of escaping from a near death experience, where it was almost sunk by putting its faith in attempted non-football activities, and one of the first things Alan Savage highlighted when he came in back in August was the need to refocus on football activities.

In any case, is there any need for another hotel in the area if the new prison is already there?

 

[CaleyD]

ICTFC should absolutely not be looking to own/run a hotel....ask Kilmarnock how well that works!