HamCam

Broadfoot and Gillespie are baffling options. I thank them both for their efforts but keeping them even as squad players just looks like a waste of two wages when we already operate with a tight budget.

The reality is as a fan owned club we must live within our means. Others out there can splash the cash as we did in the DDFR era. What we know for this season coming is we have a larger budget hence the soundings we are offering more in terms of cash and length of contract but alas we may still find ourselves being gazumped by the big spenders. For the most part I do not begrudge players in the existing squad who accept better terms on offer elsewhere but they have to accept they will get it tight if they sell their soul to the likes of Partick and Falkirk. As tough as it is we have to be patient and trust in Imrie to bring in the players to take us to the next level. As an aside, it would be a real plus if this year we had a decent pre-season friendly ideally involving a tour to pastures new.

Not sure we can complain about other clubs running at a loss given during the DDFR years we regularly posted annual losses of £300k.

In his post match interview last night, Imrie appeared to acknowledge he has to consider a squad overhaul for next season. The problem he will have is if we do not finish higher than the budgeted finish of eighth there will be less in the transfer fund to build a bigger squad never mind improving the quality.

Power is a player in decline in both thought and movement. While he has contributed in some games, age has caught up with him and the negatives outweigh the positives. Blues I would only keep as a squad player. The positive side of his game is almost negligible but you cannot fault his defensive efforts especially as he has played much of the season out wide rather than through the middle. Quitongo is a conundrum in he is one of the few players in the squad, when fit, who offers an X-factor but the problem is he is injury prone and with a small budget can we afford to keep taking the risk? Muirhead does my head in. He is one of the most talented players in the Championship and his goals have been vital this season but when he is off the boil it is playing with a man down. As for his petted lip he has to realise he is at our level for a reason.

A step in the right direction but still tone deaf to many fans in Inverclyde who are experiencing a cost of living crisis. I remain to be convinced this is the right message to be sending out for a fan owned club. Just seen the event is now no longer black tie. I can only assume the pushback to the original proposal has required a response.

The pricing is out-with the reach of most 'ordinary' fans especially for those that require to hire for a black tie event. Fair enough if you are targeting a 'commercial' market but an end of year awards event should be for all.

For a while under HS we were a basket case. Current governance has to some degree got lucky with the cup draws and support of main sponsors but nonetheless they deserve huge credit when you understand the shambles they inherited.

Kirkcaldy has had a lot of new housing and benefits from being within commuting territory for Edinburgh. It is still a pigsty but one where the local football team have had success in increasing their fanbase.

Inverclyde is an area struggling in many ways and encouraging new fans along is a major challenge. I have always believed success on the park is the most important factor. I am not sure how much more the Club can do but that does not mean it should not try. At least, at the moment, there appears to be momentum to ensure GMFC is central in the community and hopefully this will slowly result in improved attendances.

Internet char suggesting Reece Lyon to Hamilton for a small fee.

Edinburgh City are in dire straits. Their solution was to ask for consent to merge with Spartans mid season. After this was knocked back the two new backers are solely focused on survival but difficult to see how this will not end in tears. There could be some interesting score-lines in the months ahead if all they have to fall back on is kids from the development squad.

I enjoyed the day as did my two young lads. Fans may rightly have issues with how Fred exited the club but his efforts on the park were appreciated by the majority. As for our commercial activity it is what it has always been - less than perfect. The priority though, for me anyway, is the game on Saturday and 3 points against the Hampden cuckoos. The weather forecast looks ideal for our football.

How dare you describe my modus operandi are requiring wrinkles. NewTon was fine until he was groomed by Harold Shipman.

A leopard does not change his spots.

On a positive the strip is out now and we appear to have been pro-active on the sponsorship otherwise as bland as bespoke gets.

Needed a wee laugh so drifted over to the Falkirk thread on P & B - comedy gold especially the meltdown at offering Nesbitt the sand dancer a two year contract. Glorious days.

Each to their own but they all look good to me and I suspect they will sell. It does though highlight how 'safe' recent strips have been.

Big step up for Tidser and without the money from the exiting Chairman who is rumoured to be taking over at Rsith.

Irnbru your bitterness towards MCT knows no bounds. You had your day - move on. Just to add I am not a member of MCT. I responded to the shareholder AGM e-mail, was sent a link and had no problem joining the meeting. My two boys also got send the e-mail but were not able to participate. The issue with some stakeholders missing out however requires to be urgently addressed. Gordon Ritchie appears to be the point of contact and I would hound him to get it resolved. As for the AGM, I am sure when one of the volunteers has a moment they will provide a proper summary. In the meantime my take on it as follows: - The loss in 2021/22 was concerning/alarming but has to a great extent been addressed after MCT took over. The feeling was historically costs were not as closely monitored when people assumed there was always a sugar daddy down the line to bail the club out. - This years accounts, when they are published (after the year-end in May) will show a healthy profit largely due to the cup game with Celtic bringing in over £200k. Even without this 'windfall' the Board are confident the club would break even. - Recent sponsorship deals are crucial to the financial balancing act. If I picked it up correctly, the main sponsor Dalrada provided a 12 month package with the option for a further 5 years. Dalrada require the club to share in their ambition for GMFC to succeed and the Board are optimistic/positive Dalrada will take up the option to exercise the option to extend sponsorship at the end of this season. - The majority of the new sponsorship monies has all gone to the manager to improve the squad hence the additions, contract extensions and loanees in January. - All players contracts have been reviewed updating from a template someone found on the internet to a more bespoke arrangement reflecting the modern world of football. - The Board are aware with success other clubs could come in for the manager and players. The Board have tried their best to protect the Club but accept if the money is right they will not stand in the way of an individual looking to better themselves. It is a difficult balancing act protecting the 'assets' without handing out lengthy and onerous contracts to players who maybe do not ultimately fulfil their potential (my words not the Board). - For the first time I heard people explicitly stating the ambition is not just survival in the league but promotion. Realistically recent results have made a title win more difficult but we should be targeting a play-off place. - Average gates are slowly increasing. - The ongoing ticket and entry farce at Cappielow was fully acknowledged. No quick solution this season but the proposed arrangements in the future should hopefully resolve the issue. - Proposals in hand to improve the fan experience and tidy up Cappielow. The Board are looking at the options for the parcel of land they acquired to do something similar to what Ayr provide in their car park. I believe it is a mix of something for the fans on the ground floor and offices above. - Importantly the proposals to replaces the 'Articles' were passed with only one minor amendment requiring (not optional) the Board to hold an AGM. - The three Board members, in attendance, highlighted they would encourage any fan to come forward for election to the Board if they believe they have something to offer. The Club is now 'ours' and it is up to us to ensure it not just survives but moves forward. I am sure there are aspects of the AGM I have omitted but hopefully the above is an accurate recollection of the main points I recollect.

Together with progress on the park such a positive to see progress off the park. The last couple of years have been brutal for many clubs as recent announcements have confirmed but Morton appears to have weathered the storm to the point we look like posting a profit this year. Rather than resting on their laurels the Board are looking to kick on and it will be interesting to see the proposals for Cappielow. For the first time in a long time supporters can look ahead with positivity and can also help out by resurrecting the DDFR marketing campaign of "bring a friend".

I hate rocket.

The very definition of the must buy Christmas jumper.

Cabbages, bars of soap and other dangerous weapons.

For what it is worth, I was also searched earlier in the season. Unless they were profiling under-tall people with a dodgy dress sense, I just assumed it was a random search by someone who thinks being a steward provides you with a super power. For lots of reasons, aired on the forum, our stewarding is a very poor example of how to engage with your client base.