Group asks fans to stop buying Inverness Caley Thistle season tickets until club gives answers
A FANS group says it can no longer support purchasing season tickets or merchandise from Inverness Caledonian Thistle due to the club’s lack of communication over its current financial and playing squad situation.
The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust are calling on fans to pause purchasing season tickets or merchandise until the club improves communication with the public.
The Trust says it previously received assurances from the club earlier this month that it would inform them and the public about its financial situation following their relegation to League One in May.
The Trust are disappointed that the club has not given any further update regarding talks over potential new investment, as well as an update on the position of chief executive officer Scot Gardiner, who the club said is working his notice after resigning.
The Trust are also disappointed with the treatment of players out of contract at the club have received, with players such Aaron Doran, Wallace Duffy and Mark Ridgers claiming they have received little to no contact with the club.
The Trust says as a result, they are calling on fans to stop purchasing season tickets and merchandise until Caley Thistle are more open about the current situation at the club.
The ICT Supporters Trust released a statement which says: “The new season is almost upon us. We had hoped that this would bring about positive change for ICTFC but the reality is that the club has regressed.
“On 13 June the Supporters’ Trust received assurances from the club board regarding improved communication, potential new investment and an update on the position of the CEO. We have yet to see anything concrete regarding any!
“In addition, the reputation of the football club has been dragged further into disrepute by the recent treatment of players and staff.
“From the well-documented Aaron Doran situation to the lack of contact with out-of-contract players and coaches who have been loyal servants.
“This is unacceptable. These are not the standards we expect from our club.
“The responsibility for communicating with the playing staff must sit with the management team yet they appear to have been invisible at a time when players, either in-contract or out-of-contract, needed them the most.
“This calls into question the long-term viability of the first team management and their commitment to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
“Communication from the club has been poor for years. It is now beyond awful. We have a situation where the first team squad and management have returned to pre-season training yet there has been no communication regards the makeup of that squad and management.
“How can we as fans support this? The answer is we cannot.
“We have always stated that the renewal of season tickets is an individual choice.
“However, until such time as we receive reassurances from the club board with regards investment and a leaving date for the CEO, it is the unenviable and regrettable position of the Supporters’ Trust that we are calling on fans to pause their purchase of season tickets and club merchandise.
“We again ask that the club communicates with its supporters, provides updates on the playing and coaching staff and publicly acknowledges the service of players who have left the club, as well as addressing the financial situation and that of the CEO.
“We were promised change, we will continue to lobby for change, and we need that change sooner rather than later.”
