Inverness Caley Thistle’s Kelty u-turn a ‘step in the right direction’, but Supporters’ Trust call for more clarity over leadership structure at Highland capital club
The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters’ Trust say that the decision to reverse a planned move to Kelty for first team training is a “step in the right direction”.
However, they insist more clarity is needed over the leadership structure of the club to mend the bridge that many supporters feel has been burning away in recent weeks and months.
Caley Thistle this afternoon confirmed that they would base training at Fort George ahead of next season, amid plenty of backlash over their proposed move to Fife.
The plan had enraged Inverness supporters, and the Supporters’ Trust are pleased that those concerns have been listened to.
“It would have been nice to see in black and white that the move to Kelty is off, but we’re delighted that the club’s board have listened to the views of the fans and taken that decision,” Trust board member Robert Andrew said.
“It’s certainly a step in the right direction.
“Fans had concerns about some of the decisions that the club have been taking, and the leadership, and there are still questions that need to be answered in terms of where things are going.
“If Kelty is off the table, then that is a significant step forward which we would welcome.
“We definitely look forward to engaging with the club on other areas which they are clearly working on, and to offer assistance where we can.”
While the u-turn on moving to Kelty will be welcomed by many supporters, they may also have cause for concern at the rest of ICT’s statement earlier today.
They said that while they were pursuing new investment and searching for potential new owners, conversations would also begin with a qualified insolvency practitioner to assess the club’s financial situation.
“Quite clearly, it’s no secret that the club has had financial issues for some time,” Andrew continued.
“Things that have happened relatively recently have probably compounded that, so we welcome the fact that they are bringing in a specialist to look at the club’s finances and give advice.
“Hopefully that will give clarity over the asset base of the club as well.
“We hope that will give reassurance to potential investors that Caledonian Thistle is a club with a bright future, and enable new investment to come in which secures the club’s future.
“We welcome the fact that the board has clearly realised that they need fresh advice to assist in identifying the way forward.
“Inevitably you have to worry (about the future of the club), but equally part of the solution to a problem is facing up to the fact that there is a problem there.
“Going out and seeking advice to help with that can only be a positive.
“The fact that there are potential investors clearly interested in putting money into the club has to be a good thing, and obviously those people – whoever they are – will be looking for comfort that there is a sensible business plan for the club, that the asset base is secure, and their money will go a long way to helping secure the future of the club and future success of the club on the pitch.”
Although rumours have been rampant about what is going on behind the scenes at the Caledonian Stadium, the latest statement out of the club was a mere 107 words.
While they did touch on two major points of concern, there is also be a feeling that there are more questions remaining that must be answered.
“Without doubt there are other things that we as a Trust, and the wider fanbase, would welcome clarity on,” Andrew added.
“For example, we know from media reports that Ross Morrison has stepped down as chairman and as a director, so we would welcome clarity on who the new chairman is going to be.
“We would also like to hear more about any other changes to the board or leadership structure of the club, and what the plan is for making sure we are ready for the new season and will have a team to put out on the pitch.
“Kelty was one part of the concern that fans had, but clearly the wider leadership of the club was another, and I don’t think the fanbase yet understands what the leadership structure of the club is.
“Until they do, and they have confidence in that, I don’t think today’s statement will be enough to appease the concerns that fans have been voicing.
“We need to sit down with the club, hopefully in the relatively near future, and understand what else is happening and where it’s going, because at the end of the day the new season starts in about five weeks.
“We would be keen to ensure that the board recognises that the Supporters’ Trust is part of the solution, and we can bring things to the table to help the club through this difficult time.
“We all want the same thing: to have a club that is viable, prosperous and successful on the park.