Good afternoon and welcome to the opening match of the season that see?s us up against Highland League champions Cove Rangers in the Betfred

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Good afternoon and welcome to the opening match of the 2018-19 season that see?s us up against Highland League champions Cove Rangers in the Betfred League Cup.

3 Good afternoon and welcome to the opening match of the season that see?s us up against Highland League champions Cove Rangers in the Betfred League Cup. I find it particularly harrowing to say that our visitors remain in the Highland League after dominating Cowdenbeath over two play-off games and losing 3-2 on aggregate and they must be kicking themselves at not progressing to the senior division two, after a host of missed chances and a hugely controversial deciding goal saw them remain for another season in the Highland League. I?m sure John Sheran and his coaching staff will use that disappointment to bounce back and with the added incentive of moving in to the brand new Balmoral Stadium as they will once more be huge favourites to win the title. This afternoon will be a dangerous match as the Cove side is full of players with previous senior experience and they will be led again up top by the free scoring (52 last season) Mitch Meggison and he is only one of several dangerous and capable Cove players. We will have to concentrate to make sure that we do not allow him the space to show his goal scoring talents. We have had a very good pre-season build up and looked at something differently this year alongside our sport science department by playing double header games that meant everyone could have equal rest and recovery, and 3.

4 train on the designated days. We feel that this has worked well and that the players will feel fit sharp and ready to start the season this afternoon. I am delighted with the signings we have made so far and believe that Tom Walsh, Jamie McCart, Jordan White, Shaun Rooney and Angus Beith will all add ability energy and desire to the squad and make competition for places very high indeed and am sure you will look forward to seeing them perform in an ICT shirt. Brian Rice has left for the Premiership with St Mirren so that has meant a small re-shuffle of the coaching staff with Scott Kellacher stepping up to Assistant Manager and Barry Wilson and Ryan Esson joining as coaches. Whilst, Ryan?s main focus will be on the goalkeepers, he will also be hands on with the U18 side and will share these duties with Barry, who will also assist with the first team when required. Both these guys need no introduction having both played for ICT with distinction for over a decade each. Scott has deserved the opportunity to step up having coached from Community all the way up to first team under the three previous managers and he is well up for the challenge that being Assistant Manager. The group not only pairs us with Cove but also Cowdenbeath, Raith and Hearts and whilst the Edinburgh club will be hot favourites to win the section we only have to remind ourselves of just how dangerous this group format is when they could only finish third in their group last year behind Dunfermline and Peterhead. So, the warnings are there for the lads and we must be ready right from the off and make sure we give Cove maximum respect and take all 3 points today to give us a platform to build from and hopefully qualify for the knock out stages. Once again, I thank you for your loyal and passionate support today and for the season ahead. Best wishes 4. John Robertson

5 Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium for this afternoon?s Betfred Cup match against Cove Rangers. Over the Summer I was delighted to be named new ICTFC captain, but the armband won?t change the way I play my game. I?d like to welcome the Cove players, directors and officials to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium for this afternoon?s match. I?m looking forward to getting the season started now and getting back into a routine of games after a hectic summer period. Pre-Season is always the same, loads of games coming thick and fast and it?ll be nice to get back to business today. I think the Betfred Cup Group stage draw has been quite kind to us, with no disrespect to Cove and Cowdenbeath who will give us a tough test, but we?re hoping to have six points from our opening two matches. We then have a tough test against Raith, who are no slouches and then we hope to have the opportunity to go to Hearts with a chance to qualify from the Group, which would be nice. Cove beat Falkirk in a pre-season friendly recently so none of us are under any illusions that today?s match is going to be a walk in the park. We?ve got our heads on for a tough game and it will be, no team is going to come here and lay down for us, we have to earn the right to play and show full concentration and commitment or we?ll be found out. Thanks for your support, enjoy the game! Carl Tremarco 5.

6 Let me begin by thanking our remarkable supporters, shareholders, sponsors, patrons, service providers, employees and volunteers for everything they do for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club (ICTFC). The first team finished the season very strongly and narrowly missed out on getting into the league promotion playoffs. A highlight for everyone was winning the IRN BRU Challenge Cup in March. We are most grateful for your steadfast support and good cheer, and together, we will do our best to make the Club stronger, play great football and continue to compete for honours. I would also like to welcome the Directors, Management and Players of Cove Rangers Football Club to Inverness? it?s our pleasure to host their trip to the beautiful capital of the Highlands. Here?s to a competitive game of football and no injuries. During the summer break, the Club management have continued to be busy. We were delighted to sign ten players from our Youth setup. There have been some changes in the football management and coaching staff and several players have left the Club while others joined the team. We thank all those who have served the Club so well, and welcome others into the ICTFC family. Additionally, two new directors have joined the board, and we have appointed a new Chief Executive. As in life, it is vital that we keep trying to adapt and advance and never give up. What?s important is that as ICTFC supporters, we all get behind the Club, the manager and the team and show them our loyalty and encouragement. Please join me in wishing our team the very best for today?s match. Graham Rae Chairman 6.

7 G EO RG E O A KLEY HIS PLA NS A ND G O A LS FO R THE CA M PA IG N A HEA D This time last year George Oakley was preparing himself for his Inverness debut against Brechin City in the Betfred Cup match as the Englishman moved from his hometown London to a bit of difference setting in Inverness. Oakley would net in his debut match as he would go on to become the club?s leading scorer for the 2017/18 season and he would also become one of the fan favourites. Oakley now has his sights set on his second season and he wants to keep the title of top scorer at the club again and is hoping that the competition of the likes of Nathan Austin, Daniel Mackay and, new signing, Jordan White will help him reach his goal. OAKLEY The Englishman exclusively told the programme for today?s match:??it?s good to have competition to push yourself on, it pushes me on as a player. I finished top goal scorer last year and that?s my aim again this year so if that?s having people involved around you helping you push on then that?s what you want, you want healthy competition pushing for that title of being top goalscorer. It?s going to be good because having the competition pushes the team on and if everyone can chip in with the goals then it?s only going to be positive for us.? There?s been some change in the leadership of the first-team squad over the summer with Carl Tremarco being appointed as the new club captain and Aaron Doran appointed 7.

8 the new vice-captain, Oakley believes both men are deserving of their new roles as he said:??it?s fully deserved for both, they are both hard working willing players at the club and both of them have a lot of experience that rubs off on everyone. Carlo was always a leader no matter if he was captain or not, he?s a leader both on and off the pitch. You?ve got Aaron who has the experience of playing for the club for so long and has played in the English Premier League and he?s come here and done well. We?ve got two good players there to look up to as leaders, it?s good for the club to have leaders like that because not every club has them.? Oakley is glad the season now is upon him after a grueling pre-season after his break during the summer:?pre-season is obviously every footballer?s worst part of the season, you are coming back and you don?t know where you are fitness wise, you try and maintain it as best you can but you?ve got to try and enjoy your break too. It is hard getting back on top on your fitness but we all do it now for being fit and ready for this occasion, the first game of the new season.? He did enjoy watching the World Cup throughout the summer though and especially the performances of the England team, as they got the semi-finals:?it?s always nice as a nation to go on a run England have, if it was Scotland, Ireland or another home nation I?d be cheering them on because that?s what it?s all about. It?s nice to spend the summer watching your nation get to a World Cup semi-final, but obviously we were just unlucky to miss out on the final. You always keep fighting and keep going and it was a young squad, but it was good to watch. It?s been a good World Cup to watch to generally as a football fan looking into it.??i?m definitely tipping France for the final, they?ll be rubbing their hands together for that one!? 8.

9 The 22-year-old is looking forward to today?s match against Cove but is under no illusions it?ll be a walk in the park for the Caley Jags. Oakley is hoping that the team can progress through the group stages:?i think coming back off last season where we went 12 or 13 games unbeaten and we want to continue that. It all starts again this weekend, we just want to keep pushing on and win every game in this group hopefully and keep this run going. It?ll keep everyone positive, keep everyone going in the right direction and that?s what we want for the rest of the season and hopefully it all starts in this cup.? 9.

Cove came close to promotion to the Ladbrokes League Two last season but narrowly missed out over two legs against Cowdenbeath, losing out 3-2 at Central Park after a first leg 0-0 draw.

10 Cove came close to promotion to the Ladbrokes League Two last season but narrowly missed out over two legs against Cowdenbeath, losing out 3-2 at Central Park after a first leg 0-0 draw. Cove earned their play-off chance by winning the Highland League by an 11-point margin. Cove striker Mitch Megginson starred in their title win as he scored 52 goals last season for the Highland League Champions which lead to offers from Scottish Premiership sides, but Megginson has decided to stay put at Cove. Cove have added to their squad this summer as they?ve brought in Blair Yule from League One side Arbroath. Cove have an exciting season ahead as they move into the new stadium, Balmoral Stadium 10.

Fair Play t o ICT Walk in g Foot baller s who return with award 75-year-old Kenny Mackenzie is pictured holding the Walking Football Scotland Fair Play Award, which ICT won at the Walking Football

11 Fair Play t o ICT Walk in g Foot baller s who return with award 75-year-old Kenny Mackenzie is pictured holding the Walking Football Scotland Fair Play Award, which ICT won at the Walking Football Scotland annual Scottish Cup and Festival held last Saturday at Glasgow Green. Goalkeeper, Kenny, was one of 10 regulars of ICT?s weekly Walking Football sessions who took part in the festival element of the event, which attracted more than 300 footballers from throughout Scotland. Walking Football Scotland were impressed with the fun clearly enjoyed by our team the oldest at the event - featuring 5 players over the age of 70. Kenny and his team-mates were presented with the award at the prize-giving at the end of the day?s event. Th e t eam w er e su per vised by Com m u n it y Developm en t M an ager Cr aig M ast er t on an d h is assist an t, Scot t Ross. Improving mental and physical health is one of the main aims of Walking Football Scotland, whose event was supported by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Football Association. Kenny Mackenzie is a great example of the benefits of the?slower version of the beautiful game?, which is growing in popularity for older footballers. 11.

12 He underwent a triple by-pass operation in 2008 and Walking Football has proved a rewarding part of his rehabilitation. Kenny said:?i have been attending the Walking Football sessions for the past three years and greatly look forward to our Thursday sessions at Hilton Community Centre. It is really well organised by the Community Development Team, who provide strips and referee games, ensuring the rules are adhered to ie no running and that the game is played in the proper spirit." "It?s a good fun way to exercise and socialise. I have made many new friends and we are having an end of season night out, when we can relive the good times at Hilton Community Centre and at Glasgow Green. It was a real bonus on Saturday to be presented with the Fair Play Award.? Kenny is also Chairman of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland?s Inverness Bravehearts, who meet weekly to encourage exercise for those recovering from a heart condition. 12.

FC CENTRAL NEWSLETTER

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