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The Changing Game, Part 2:
Inverness Caley

Inverness Caley Training (video clip)

Highland side Inverness Caledonian Thistle formed from the merging of Inverness Thistle and Caledonian FC, in an effort to secure a Scottish League place, in 1994. It was thought at the time that individual bids would not be successful and the local enterprise company would only support a united bid. Both clubs had long histories of Scottish Cup upsets:
Caley drawing with Premier League side St Johnstone and Thistle beating Ist Division Kilmarnock 3-0, are just a couple of many examples.

It wasn't the first time an Inverness bid had been made, Thistle were beaten by Meadowbank by a single vote in 1974. Travelling distance was given as the reason by member Scottish League clubs as to why an Inverness side should not be given a league place.

Both grounds were sold:
Thistle's (Kingsmills) and Caley's (Telford Street) and a new ground built on the outskirts of the city. The amalgamation caused bitterness with some fans of the defunct clubs:
loyal supporters still refuse to recognise the new club, and refuse to attend games. The club were admitted to the League, with Ross County, for the 1994-95 season.

The new club did achieve a notable success in February 2000, when they defeated Celtic 3-1 in Glasgow. This game is memorable also for the tabloid headline it produced "Super Caley Go Ballistic, Celtic Are Atrocious."

Inverness Clachnacuddin still represent the town in the Highland League.

The film shows Inverness's Caledonian Thistle FC training at night, in 1990.

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