Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager ‘surprised and gutted’ over club’s plans to move training to Kelty
Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Billy Dodds says he ‘could have been knocked over with a feather’, when he heard his former club are moving their training ground to Kelty as of next season.
He said that he is ‘surprised but gutted’ over Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s plans to move their training ground 139 miles south to New Central Park, home of Kelty Hearts.
Ten days ago, Inverness confirmed that they will be moving their training to Kelty next season.
The club say they are making the move as they are highlighting difficulties in convincing players to move to the Highlands, They are looking to allow players to remain closer to their families in the central belt while playing for Inverness.
They also highlighted difficulties in providing accommodation for players due to the high cost which the club are looking to reduce.
Fans at the meeting said they would prefer for the club to be placed into administration than the club relocating training to Kelty.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland show Sportsound on Saturday, Dodds, who was sacked as manager of Inverness in September after they were bottom of the table with just one point from their first five games, believes the club are making the wrong decision.
He hopes that the club will be able to reverse the decision and find another way to make financial savings.
He said: “It is a shame on the club which has brilliant supporters who are really passionate and that is what is coming through just now.
“The chairman Ross Morrison is an Inverness fan and he wants what is best for the club, but sometimes like anybody, you make wrong decisions.
“There are good people on the board, Alan Munro, David Cameron and Graeme Bennett, but they have backed themselves into a corner with this one.
“There are things that I would like to say that I can’t go on the record, but the one thing that I will say is they could have knocked me over with a feather with this one. I don’t think this one will work.”
Dodds also referenced Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor after the Staggies won their Premiership playoff final against Raith Rovers last Sunday, about the importance of being part of the community.
Dodds continued: “Roy MacGregor said, the first thing he said when Ross County stayed up, it was a privilege to be part of the community. Sometimes you have to realise that.
“For me there are other ways to bridge the financial gap, but that is for the chairman and the board to sort out. I have had good years there, I love the place, it is a home to me. I was surprised but gutted when they made the decision to move. I hope they find a way to reverse it.”
