Chief executive says going part-time is better than Inverness Caledonian Thistle disappearing

CHIEF executive Charlie Christie says Inverness Caledonian Thistle going part-time is better than the club no longer existing.

He says Inverness Caledonian Thistle may have to suffer ‘some pain before it can take some gain’ as the League One outfit could be on the verge of administration.

He spoke of his views as Inverness Caledonian Thistle held an open meeting at the Caledonian Stadium on Monday night as board members and club officials met with fans and shareholders to discuss the club’s financial predicament.

Officials say it was looking likely Inverness Caledonian Thistle were facing administration on Wednesday, October 16 unless it could raise £200,000.

However, the club could be rescued as it has been reported that there is interest from Denmark, United Arab Emirates and United States about investing into the club.

If Inverness Caledonian Thistle do go into administration, they will be deducted 15 points which would currently put them on -6, 12 points behind Dumbarton in ninth.

Christie believes Inverness could still survive relegation with a 15 point deduction, although it would be a difficult task.

However, he says he would accept administration if it meant that the club survives.

“My main concern isn’t getting relegated again, my biggest concern is this is a ghost stadium in two years,” he said.

“We have to realise we might need to take pain before there is a gain and that might involve relegation.

“I still think we have a chance of staying up, depending how cutting the administrator was.

“If we have 16 of our lesser earning players with a 15 point deduction, then staying in the league would be impossible. That is a real reset, running a full time team in the bottom leagues is not possible.”

Christie says he was surprised when the board decided to remain full time in League One after being relegated from the Championship last season.

Since becoming chief executive officer in August and looking at the accounts, he says the current situation at the club means full time football in League One isn’t possible.

He said: “I was surprised when the board decided to keep the team full time this year.

“I have seen more figures in the past seven weeks than I ever did before and it has been a real eye opener.

“It is a million miles off adding up in the Championship. Operating like this in League One is not doable unless there is a total restructure.

“So if we go part-time and do what we did between 1994 to 1996, it is better than not having a club that is for sure.”

Director Graeme Bennett says how cutting administration will be on the team would remain to be seen. But admitted they can’t continue as they have.

“We hope some young players come out of this,” he said.

“But it depends on how administration works in relation to what funding we have and who that we want to keep.

“It will be a hard task to keep us up. The long term future of the club is we can’t keep posting money like we have.

“We have to take a step back to take a step forward and if that is the reality, we have to support it.”

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