Summary of Fans Meeting 16 August 2025, Bar 94.

The Supporters Trust is very grateful to Alan Savage, Charlie Christie and Andrew Benjamin for attending the Fans Meeting, updating on the club’s position and answering questions from fans.

We thank everyone who attended and who asked questions on the day or sent us questions in advance. We covered as many of the submitted questions as possible, and have retained a note of those we were unable to ask so we can put them to the club in due course.

We also thank everyone who participated in the auction for the framed shirts or took part in the football card and time of the first goal competitions.

This note is designed to give Members unable to attend Saturday’s Fans Meeting a summary of the updates and discussion. It is not intended to be a verbatim account of the meeting, but if anyone has any questions regarding the summary, please contact us at info@ictsupporterstrust.org.

George Moodie, Chair of the Supporters Trust, chaired the meeting.

Where are we with the BDO process and when will Alan have the keys and become Chair?

Alan explained that the BDO process had been quite prolonged, in large part due to the complexity surrounding the land leases and the shareholding in the club. However, it was likely that the final papers would be submitted to the Court by BDO in a couple of weeks, allowing him to take full control of the club.

What are your plans once in full control?

Alan advised that the planning had started last season with staying in League 1. He had approved a budget that allowed the squad to be strengthened this season. He wants the club to play attractive football and to be winning games.

Improvements had started around the ground, and he was trying to build from the bottom up, making it a nice place to be for staff and fans.

His ambition is to get into the Championship.

Alan also made the point that he and his team knew that there was a lot to improve, but their priorities had to be ensuring that the club survived and were able to put a team on the pitch.

We have seen great support from local businesses, Sarens PSG have come onboard as Stadium sponsors, Highland Fuels as well. Do you have a message for local businesses?

Alan complemented Highland Council for being very enthusiastic about his plans and advised that discussions had also taken place with HIE.

He wants more local businesses to get involved and they were working hard to achieve that now that the obstacles to businesses getting involved had been cleared.

There is clarity on the way forward now, and a new direction without distractions. He wants to keep things simple.

Thoughts on 1st Team recruitment for this season?

Charlie advised that he had been delighted to be able to retain the likes Remi Savage and Paul Allan. He was very disappointed at how Musa Dibaga’s agent had conducted business, as he had backtracked on a deal and the club found out from a third party.

Scott Kellacher has done very well with recruitment. Charlie noted that some players’ demands are hard to meet, and accommodation has been a challenge, but they have worked to overcome that.

However, we have brought a lot of quality players in, and he wants us to be challenging for a play-off place.

Will we enter a Cooperation Agreement with another club?

Charlie advised that two or three clubs had approached us, but so far, he felt the players being offered were not to a high enough standard. Celtic were interested and had said that we were one of two clubs they would put players to, and Shaun Maloney had visited Inverness. We do not want to stop a pathway for our own younger players.

We have a squad or 31, including 7 apprentices, but they need to be good enough to get places in the team. Some players will go on loan to one or two Highland League teams, but only if it is the right move for the players.

David Wotherspoon is helping to coach the Under 19s, and we have 16-18 Under 19s training at the club four times each week in addition to the apprentices.

Ross County and Dunfermline have scrapped they’re Under 19 teams, but we felt it important to continue to participate at that level to help the development of players.

Will we remain a full-time club going forward?

Alan advised that he was committed to it and was looking at initiatives that would bring revenue to the club, such as being the start point for NC500, a Park and Ride service to the Castle, and holding concerts in the car park.

When will the new strips be launched?

Andrew advised that there would be new home and away strips. They were originally expected on 21 July but got delayed. He hoped the players’ strips would be delivered next week, and that we would be able to launch the strips before the game on 30 August.

George advised that the Supporters Trust will be running a prize draw, with the prize being the new kit.

Are there extension options attached to the one-year contracts?

Charlie advised that he had sought to safeguard the club in the contracts that had been given. Most players have one-year extensions that trigger automatically if the club gets promoted and they get a pay rise at that time. Many also included clauses that, if we get a transfer fee for them, the player gets a cut of the fee. We have pulled back significantly on the payments to agents that the previous regime had made.

Why is Alfie Stewart on loan until January when Alfie Bavidge is here for the full season?

Charlie advised that these were the terms that Aberdeen had offered, but he hoped we may be able to get Alfie Stewart’s loan extended. He was disappointed that Aberdeen had played him in the Challenge cup on Tuesday, but he is ultimately their player.

George advised that the Supporters Trust would be sponsoring Alfie Stewart’s home kit this season.

Can Hospitality plans be shared well in advance?

Andrew advised that plans were being drawn up for hospitality on 27 September and for the Christmas period, noting there was a home game on 3 January. He was planning further Fans Days.

He noted that hospitality needs to cover its costs and make a profit for the club.

Any plans for match commentaries or streaming (outwith the UK) for fans unable to attend games?

Andrew advised that they were exploring opportunities for this and checking the legalities surrounding it.

What is the intention for accommodating Section 94?

Andrew advised that the club was looking at the West Stand being a standing and singing section.

George noted that there were increase fines and penalties for using Pyro and that we don’t want to see this impacting the clubs image and reputation.

Why are the electric car charging points out of use?

Andrew advised that this issue was a tangled web that was being worked through.

Issues facing disabled fans.

George advised that a number of concerns had been raised about the matchday experience for fans with disabilities and asked that the Disability Working Group between the club, the Trust and members with disabilities be reinstated.

Andrew agreed to this, noting that some improvements had been carried out, particularly the tarring of some areas.

Season Ticket Incentives:

Andrew advised that there would be some season ticket incentives put in place, and his objective was to raise crowds to 3000 – 3500 this season.

Alan added that without its fans, the club is nothing.

Closing Remarks:

Before closing the meeting, George sought an update on Ryan Christie’s recuperation, with Charlie advising that he is back in training and hopeful of being fit for the next Scotland games.

George passed on the thanks of all present to Alan, Charlie and Andrew, along with their teams, saying that fans felt that they now had their club back.

As well as the prize draw for the new kit and the sponsorship of Alfie Stewart’s kit, George advised that the Trust would be running an event in the autumn marking the 10th anniversary of the Scottish cup win. It had not been possible to hold it in May due to the position the club was in, but plans were now well advanced and a good number of the cup winning squad will be attending.