Liam Polworth accepts he was unable to win over some Caley Thistle fans as he brought his time with the club to an end.
The Motherwell-bound midfielder endured an up-and-down relationship with a section of the club’s supporters, which Polworth stressed affected his friends and family more than him.
An ugly incident in a goal-less draw with Ayr in August saw one of his family members verbally abused by a small group of supporters, which the club and manager John Robertson roundly condemned.
In certain occasions he feels like he was perhaps misunderstood but there is certainly no animosity on his behalf.
Polworth said: “I’ve had a lot of good messages too but it’s never something that’s really bothered me. To people on the outside like family and friends, it’s frustrated them more.
Last day at @ICTFC today. Disappointing end to the season but hopefully get back where they belong next year. Been a pleasure ? pic.twitter.com/z2wr9LIgdM
— liampolworth (@liampolworth) May 21, 2019
“You’ve seen a lot of people come and go for a year or two and be treated brilliantly. Some people just didn’t take to me and maybe I’m just one of those people that not everyone likes. But personally, it’s not something that’s bothered me.
“To some people, I think it was my style or they felt I was lazy, or even off-field things. I’m probably a quiet guy until I get to know people and maybe that was perceived as arrogance.
“There’s some good and some not so good memories. It wasn’t great getting relegated but overall I enjoyed my time there and played with some good players in the Premiership.
“Even in the Championship we still did well. We got to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, which was a massive achievement.”
Polworth made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2011 and played under four different managers: Terry Butcher, John Hughes, Richie Foran and John Robertson.
He said: “There was a lot to take from each manager and you owe managers a lot for putting faith in you. Every manager seemed to be a fan of me and appreciated that I could bring something to the team. They were all helpful to me.”
His prospective move to Fir Park was announced in March, bringing to an end the family association with the club where his father Iain was also a youth coach.
He said: “When it came towards the end of my deal I felt like I needed something new. At 24 years old, it felt like the right time and Motherwell was something that came up which excited me. Maybe another season in the Championship wouldn’t have been beneficial for me.
That Scottish Cup semi-final was the first of two last-four disappointments for Polworth before he left the Caley Jags.
He was sent off in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Dundee United, which turned out to be his last game in a blue and red shirt.
Polworth said: “It’s definitely not the way I pictured it would end. It’s one of those things that maybe could have summed up my time there.
“I didn’t picture that being my last game, even sitting and watching the first half of the second leg. We were extremely hard done by over the two legs.
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson sold him on the opportunities available to him with the Steelmen, with his first priority to force his way into a competitive midfield.
Allan Campbell and David Turnbull are two of the brightest young prospects in Scotland, with the latter scooping the Scottish Football Writers player of the year award this season.
Polworth added: “There’s the opportunity to play in the league above, which we wanted to do at Inverness but it didn’t work out. I spoke to the manager (Stephen Robinson) and he gave me a clear indication of his plans. I spoke to a few people about the club in general and they told me how good it was and to enjoy my time there. They have a good track record of pushing players on too.
“I need to get myself in the team first and then perform well. It’s a very competitive squad and it’s something to look forward to.
“It’s going to be a big lifestyle change for the pair of us. It will probably be a lot easier for me, being able to see people every day, but it’ll be a big change for the family.”
