Supporters have their say on new Inverness Caley Thistle takeover

Fans have had their opinions heard after it was announced that Inverness Caledonian Thistle had received new majority shareholders.

It was confirmed earlier today that Seventy7 Ventures, a sports conglomerate led by chief executive Ketan Makwana had led a successful takeover of the club.

At the Caledonian Thistle Social Club, fans were eager to deliver a message to the club’s new owners.

• Meet the new owner of Caley Thistle Ketan Makwana who has secured the future of the stricken club

• Inverness Caledonian Thistle confirm deal for firm to become majority shareholder

Findlay Macrae said: “If the new owners can invest into youth then I think it will be a good start.

“Having a future is a problem in Scottish football that a lot of clubs struggle with. I’d say that we need to have a good youth system in place for youngsters to come through.

“I also wasn’t a fan of the decision to move to Kelty [which was later reversed], but I could understand it from a business point of view. If the new owners don’t make decisions like that, then I think they will do well.

“I don’t know the financial capital they’ve got behind them, but we’ve seen smaller clubs get an injection of capital so that could be an amazing thing for the club. I don’t know if they’re planning anything Wrexham-style, but that could be really cool.

“The club definitely needed a change and something fresh. A new bit of money could be a good thing.”

Inside the Caledonian Club, supporters who did not wish to be identified also gave their immediate thoughts. One said that he was a fan his entire adult life, but had grown disenchanted in recent years due to poor off-the-field decisions: “I love Caley, but what has been happening lately has been a disgrace.

“I think the club might be doomed - even with new owners - especially with the league they are in.

“But I hope I’m wrong and whatever happens, it is good. I would say getting someone from outside the area is good. There are a few people in Inverness who could buy the club with the money they’ve got, but they don’t.

“Hopefully with the new people coming in, it makes a serious difference. If something good does happen and the club sees success again, I’d be chuffed. I want the club to be a success.”

Another patron at the social club said he hoped the new owners would manage to pull the club out of the financial hole the club currently find themselves in.

“I hope the new group spend well,” he said. “They’ll have to if they want to survive and get success.

“Whatever happens, it won’t be an overnight thing, but there needs to be a bit of belief again.”

All three supporters had a personal message for the new investors, and Mr Makwana. Findlay said: “Good luck. Try something that’s not been done yet. Try something new.”

The members of the social club added: “All the best to the new people. Make the club successful again.

“Get the club into the top league and make something happen!”

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