ICTFC director Graeme Bennett says sorry over the Kelty plan but tells protesting supporters: ‘You got your wish, the change of the hierarchy is there… so let’s see your commitments’.
ICTFC director Graeme Bennett says he is sorry about the way the Kelty proposals that sparked fury were handled and he believes that fans should have been given the options: “Either go to Kelty and stay full-time or part-time in Inverness”.
Having spent many years at the club, Mr Bennett now fears for the future of Caley Thistle as he challenged the supporters, saying: “You got your wish, the change of the hierarchy is there, we are not going to Kelty so let’s see your commitments”.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle is now in a fight for survival as it casts around for someone for a buyer – sources told The Inverness Courier that there are significant potential investors who have expressed an interest.
In the meantime Mr Bennett is also aware that bridges need to be mended with the fanbase over the plan to move training to Fife but he also believes that is a two-way street – it is also time for the fans to show their commitment.
On Wednesday when the club confirmed the Kelty move was off and that it was having initial talks about insolvency. Earlier, we revealed if that happens then the club could receive a 15 point penalty in the immediate season and five the next.
On top of that the SPFL board may decide which league is appropriate to compete, so ICTFC could drop further in the leagues.
Asked whether changing the Kelty decision was hard, Mr Bennett said: “No.” He also expressed his regret at not being open with supporters and giving them the choice: “either go to Kelty and stay full-time or part-time in Inverness.”
“I spoke to the staff today and I spoke to Scot Gardiner,” he said. “We didn’t consult, we were poor at consulting, we have to hold our hands-up and we should have given the fans the options – either go to Kelty and stay full-time or part-time in Inverness.
“I apologised to the staff today and I apologised to the fans – we should have had better consultation.”
But Mr Bennett also feels the board has taken action to respond to the demands of the supporters including accepting chief executive Scot Gardiner’s resignation, though he is working his notice.
So the club stalwart feels now is the time for those threatening to boycott season ticket purchases to reconsider as administration would see loyal local staff put out of work instantly.
He said: “The supporters' trust were saying they were keeping £212,000 off the season tickets so we have to reach out to them and say – you got your wish, the change of the hierarchy is there, we are not going to Kelty so let’s see your commitments.
“Administration is a bad word with us now, either we get a business consortium to get a pathway to restructure the club and the youth development is the part of the club that will get hit hardest by insolvency.
“The staff who would be 100 per cent out of a job the minute administration happens.”
