GordonS Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 25 minutes ago, Sergeant Wilson said: Aye, name change is needed from their point of view, but I hope they don't. Do people about up the ra, or adapt any songs...Maybe if they were nearer Glasgow? Dunno, but it's particularly ironic that the R stands for Royal. The IT department in my work used to be called ISIS. They kept that name for years after they ought to have changed it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty-RCFC Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 29 minutes ago, Sergeant Wilson said: Aye, name change is needed from their point of view, but I hope they don't. Do people about up the ra, or adapt any songs...Maybe if they were nearer Glasgow? Why do they need to change their name? It’s been called that since the late 1700s. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 (edited) 6 hours ago, Matty-RCFC said: Why do they need to change their name? It’s been called that since the late 1700s. Maybe it could be renamed after some of the areas it serves? Perhaps the Inches, Nessbank & Lochardil Academy or INLA for short? It would be a shame to disrupt the years of continuity though, even provisionally. Edited June 8 by Cyclizine 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 1 minute ago, Cyclizine said: Maybe it could be renamed after some of the areas it serves? Perhaps the Inches, Nessbank & Lochardil Academy or INLA for short? It would be a shame to disrupt the years of continuity though, even provisionally. I hope you are just stirring lol It doesn't need a name change. Literally nobody North or East of Harthill could care less and apart from the outsiders drawing attention to it, I've never heard it be brought up in conversation 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigkillie Posted June 9 Share Posted June 9 Irvine Royal Academy also gets abbreviated to similar. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 On 08/06/2024 at 18:12, Spyro said: I hope you are just stirring lol No, I'm really serious... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 (edited) Ira Gershwin's having a blue Monday reading this thread. Edited June 10 by welshbairn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 12 hours ago, craigkillie said: Irvine Royal Academy also gets abbreviated to similar. And it's far more closer to the....umm....action? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 On 08/06/2024 at 18:07, Cyclizine said: Maybe it could be renamed after some of the areas it serves? Perhaps the Inches, Nessbank & Lochardil Academy or INLA for short? It would be a shame to disrupt the years of continuity though, even provisionally. But officially it might be worth it. Really. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsmart Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Just saw this on Inverness Courier's website Talks to take place tonight about bringing Inverness Thistle back to senior football PLANS are being discussed to bring back Inverness Thistle into senior football, 30 years after they played their final game in the Highland League. People are being invited to take part in a video conference which will take place tonight to establish a team called Inverness Thistle into the North Caledonian League. If successful, it is planned that the team would enter the competition for the 2025/26 season. Inverness Thistle previously played in the Highland League before merging with Caledonian to create Inverness Caledonian Thistle and join the Scottish Third Division in 1994. Organisers say the idea to re-establish Inverness Thistle has nothing to do with the current financial situation at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. They say it has been an idea in the making well before problems with the League One outfit came to light. Project spokesman Martin Mainland says while the idea to re-establish Inverness Thistle is still at an early stage, is keen to see how much interest there is to set up a club. He said: “I have been sitting on the idea for a while now. In 2015, there was an amateur football team called Inverness Thistle who were looking for a revival of the club and I played for them then. “What we are looking to do is see if we can push a team forward to play in the North Caledonian League if possible. “Amateur teams come and go, but by having a team in the North Caledonian League, we are looking to get a bit of longevity this ti “The idea is still in its infancy, I have had the idea for a while, but we waited to see what the engagement levels are like before I pulled the trigger on anything. “I have been in touch with the North Caledonian League who are happy to discuss things with us. We want to make it a community club. If we can do fundraising and get people on side, we will look at some fan ownership model. “This is about getting Inverness Thistle back to where they should be and it is the right time for action. “The current situation at Inverness Caledonian Thistle has not been a factor in getting Inverness Thistle up and running. This is not about any other club apart from Inverness Thistle.” Inverness clubs have reappeared in the North Caledonian League in recent years with Inverness Athletic and Clachnacuddin A currently playing in the division. Loch Ness had success in the competition, winning the NCL in the 2022/23 campaign, before deciding to withdraw from the league this season. Mainland says he has drawn confidence from how other clubs in Inverness have had success at NCL level, and thinks an Inverness Thistle team could do well too. He said: “Inverness Athletic have a good thing going, their youth development is fantastic and have shown that a club can be run sustainably and build for the future “Hopefully, Loch Ness will be back in the North Caledonian League in the future as you saw the success they had on the park and off the park.” The video conference is set to take place at 8pm tonight (Wednesday) and can be accessed here or visit the Inverness Thistle Facebook site for more information. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 5 minutes ago, kevsmart said: Just saw this on Inverness Courier's website Talks to take place tonight about bringing Inverness Thistle back to senior football PLANS are being discussed to bring back Inverness Thistle into senior football, 30 years after they played their final game in the Highland League. People are being invited to take part in a video conference which will take place tonight to establish a team called Inverness Thistle into the North Caledonian League. If successful, it is planned that the team would enter the competition for the 2025/26 season. Inverness Thistle previously played in the Highland League before merging with Caledonian to create Inverness Caledonian Thistle and join the Scottish Third Division in 1994. Organisers say the idea to re-establish Inverness Thistle has nothing to do with the current financial situation at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. They say it has been an idea in the making well before problems with the League One outfit came to light. Project spokesman Martin Mainland says while the idea to re-establish Inverness Thistle is still at an early stage, is keen to see how much interest there is to set up a club. He said: “I have been sitting on the idea for a while now. In 2015, there was an amateur football team called Inverness Thistle who were looking for a revival of the club and I played for them then. “What we are looking to do is see if we can push a team forward to play in the North Caledonian League if possible. “Amateur teams come and go, but by having a team in the North Caledonian League, we are looking to get a bit of longevity this ti “The idea is still in its infancy, I have had the idea for a while, but we waited to see what the engagement levels are like before I pulled the trigger on anything. “I have been in touch with the North Caledonian League who are happy to discuss things with us. We want to make it a community club. If we can do fundraising and get people on side, we will look at some fan ownership model. “This is about getting Inverness Thistle back to where they should be and it is the right time for action. “The current situation at Inverness Caledonian Thistle has not been a factor in getting Inverness Thistle up and running. This is not about any other club apart from Inverness Thistle.” Inverness clubs have reappeared in the North Caledonian League in recent years with Inverness Athletic and Clachnacuddin A currently playing in the division. Loch Ness had success in the competition, winning the NCL in the 2022/23 campaign, before deciding to withdraw from the league this season. Mainland says he has drawn confidence from how other clubs in Inverness have had success at NCL level, and thinks an Inverness Thistle team could do well too. He said: “Inverness Athletic have a good thing going, their youth development is fantastic and have shown that a club can be run sustainably and build for the future “Hopefully, Loch Ness will be back in the North Caledonian League in the future as you saw the success they had on the park and off the park.” The video conference is set to take place at 8pm tonight (Wednesday) and can be accessed here or visit the Inverness Thistle Facebook site for more information. Where will they play though? Other "Inverness" teams have found out the hard way... North Kessock? Fortrose? Muir of Ord? Inverarnie? Evanton? Aberdeen? Kelty? Because they sure as hell won't get a licenced ground in Inverness 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 But of a non-story really. Ignoring the fact that ICT will have something to say about a team called Thistle, this'll not be a reformation, just using the name. Like when there was an Inverness Citadel in the amateurs (or welfare or whatever grade the I&D were at the time). As @Spyrosays, where will they play? What makes then different to any of the other Inverness teams that have sprung up over the last few years? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pollok mad Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 11 hours ago, Spyro said: Where will they play though? Other "Inverness" teams have found out the hard way... North Kessock? Fortrose? Muir of Ord? Inverarnie? Evanton? Aberdeen? Kelty? Because they sure as hell won't get a licenced ground in Inverness Sat in and listened to their call last night and they really didn't seem to have any plans for anything, for the ground they just said we've got a long time to get in the council's good books to get a pitch, which all just seems very hopeful. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 12 hours ago, Spyro said: Where will they play though? Other "Inverness" teams have found out the hard way... North Kessock? Fortrose? Muir of Ord? Inverarnie? Evanton? Aberdeen? Kelty? Because they sure as hell won't get a licenced ground in Inverness They don't need a licensed ground for the NCL of course. Maybe the planned new development across the road from the Inverness Royal Academy? And could they be part of the refurbishment of Bught Park? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 1 hour ago, GordonS said: They don't need a licensed ground for the NCL of course. Maybe the planned new development across the road from the Inverness Royal Academy? And could they be part of the refurbishment of Bught Park? Inverness City jumped through every hoop imaginable, built their own ground (just to play Junior Premier league) at considerable cost to them, only for the council to kick them out and make them return the land back. Forcing them out the town and eventually into oblivion. Other clubs have had the same problems trying to set up a base in Inverness for years now. What makes you think anything will change? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 30 minutes ago, Spyro said: Inverness City jumped through every hoop imaginable, built their own ground (just to play Junior Premier league) at considerable cost to them, only for the council to kick them out and make them return the land back. Forcing them out the town and eventually into oblivion. Other clubs have had the same problems trying to set up a base in Inverness for years now. What makes you think anything will change? I'm not saying I think anything will change, I'm asking whether the developments and investment at two sites are a sign that anything has changed or not. If not, what are they doing it for? The bit of Bught Park that was Inverness City's ground is now the home pitch of Highland Athletic, isn't it? The requirements of the NCL are presumably lower than the NRSJFA, a few grounds don't even have a pitchside rail. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 (edited) 18 minutes ago, GordonS said: I'm not saying I think anything will change, I'm asking whether the developments and investment at two sites are a sign that anything has changed or not. If not, what are they doing it for? The bit of Bught Park that was Inverness City's ground is now the home pitch of Highland Athletic, isn't it? The requirements of the NCL are presumably lower than the NRSJFA, a few grounds don't even have a pitchside rail. It is being built for the kids teams, which is great, but there are other places that are similar around town but aren't suitable or are fully booked. Both Inverness Athletic and Loch Ness found it less hassle to play out of town because of the availability and issues trying to utilise these parks. The Bught is a no-go as the changing rooms aren't suitable and are miles away from the pitches, which are just open fields that probably wouldn't even reach NCL standard. Coupled with the council having a kitten if anyone (apart from the shinty) dared to have any sort of crowd in there. EDIT - Even Clach under 20's have been forced to play home games 15 miles away in Evanton. Edited June 13 by Spyro 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNU_Linux Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 S'all coming up Milhouse North Caledonian League president Niall Harkiss reckons the division is as strong as it has been for 25 years as it gears up for next season. Champions Invergordon will kick off as the team to beat, with a pack of rivals out to challenge for the crown when the action starts on August 17. Their main rivals, league winners from two years ago, Loch Ness, have withdrawn from set-up, four years after joining the association. Originally based in Inverness, they shifted their games to George V Park in Fortrose. Helmsdale club Bunillidh return after a four-year absence to ensure the league remains at 12. Invergordon, Halkirk United, St Duthus and Inverness Athletic have accepted guest invitations to compete in the North of Scotland Cup along with North of Scotland FA members Golspie Sutherland and Fort William. Real competition from top to bottom Harkiss, who was elected president at the association’s annual general meeting, believes the NCL is in fine shape going into the new campaign. He said: “The geographical spread is probably as wide as it has ever been. Nairn would have taken it slightly further east (when their reserves competed a few years ago). “We have Fort William competing and Orkney at the other side of that is great. The advent of the pyramid has clarified for a lot of people the importance of the North Caley and its role in senior football. “It’s important the North Caley remains strong and is there to be custodians of senior football in this area. “To have 12 teams again going into next season is amazing for the league and we’re arguably going through the strongest period for participation we’ve had in the past 20 to 25 years, which is good to see. “From the top to bottom places, there is real competition, no matter who has finished where. “There is a real reward for clubs being involved in the North Caley. If you win the league, you’re in the Scottish Cup the year after irrespective of the licence you hold. “If you are licenced, you have the possibility of a play-off (into the Highland League), so there is more to play for than there ever has been. That creates a sense of competition within clubs.” Division kicked on after pandemic Harkiss hailed the clubs and association overall from regrouping and learning annually, especially after the Covid pandemic halted play in 2020. He said: “There has been a continued growth in the way the North Caley has moved in the past seven or eight years in terms of the amount of teams involved. “That is evidenced by the teams who seek entry each year and we have Bunillidh coming back this year and in recent years Clach reserves and Bonar Bridge have joined. “The positivity within the association is very good. A lot of steps have been taken over a number of years to raise the profile of the league. “Some of the greatest milestones have happened since Covid. We steered through that period and emerged with Scottish Cup qualification in place for the league winners. “This year, the top four non-licenced teams gain entry into the North of Scotland Cup. “Overall, we are taking strides towards reinforcing the league’s status as the senior association for this part of the world, where we represent in the north Highlands.” Raising standards on and off pitch Harkiss is just as enthusiastic about what is happening away from the chase for points as clubs throughout the area put their best feet forward behind the scenes. He added: “Part of the legacy of what Sandy Stephen did as secretary has been really working towards club structure. “It’s about creating a mindset where clubs get everything in order behind the scenes and to have structure in place that supports the clubs whether that comes under compliance, first aid, or even a structure which supports due diligence. “One of Sandy’s last proposals as secretary was to have clubs working towards the SFA Quality Mark in 2025. “The idea behind that is it is a recognised quality standard, which a lot of clubs already have, but it allows clubs to work towards that and the North Caley League can then say ‘we know our clubs are being run within that standard’. “Clubs aspiring to join the league would then have to meet that as well. It would show we have that (SFA) stamp, which demonstrated what being in the North Caley in all about. “If you win the league, that’s a fantastic achievement but it goes back to zero again next season, whereas the quality mark and club structures are a continuous process. All clubs share the mindset to move on to another level. It’s an exciting time. Key office bearers in place for 24/25 Harkiss praised the efforts not only of Sandy Stephen for his work as secretary over the past four years and who will remain as assistant secretary to returning official (and former president) Iain Whitehead. Stephen also holds the position of vice-president, with Euain Penny continuing as treasurer. Harkiss said: “It’s a good time for clubs to have Iain in that (secretary) role. To have Sandy as assistant is also very good for the league. “Including me, we all came in around 2020 at a time when we were all new to our roles and we now have four years of experience under our belts. “It’s a really good place for the league to be in. We move from strength to strength in that regard.” 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 On 13/06/2024 at 11:54, Spyro said: Inverness City jumped through every hoop imaginable, built their own ground (just to play Junior Premier league) at considerable cost to them, only for the council to kick them out and make them return the land back. Forcing them out the town and eventually into oblivion. Other clubs have had the same problems trying to set up a base in Inverness for years now. What makes you think anything will change? This has come up on the forum before but here we go again anyway. Inverness City initially moved into the Northern Meeting Park in the knowledge the deal was only until the cricket season started and that it wouldn't cover the whole football season. When that happened they had no plan B. The council eventually gave them a bit of the Bught for a set amount of time to allow them to find a long term solution, and then extended it to give them more time. They didn't find a solution. It was always made clear it was never a permanent home. The club got a whole load of support and patience from the council and football authorities over several years. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Waspie said: The club got a whole load of support and patience from the council and football authorities over several years. Apart from the fact that after doing everything, they were still only left with options in other towns (which were also made impossibly difficult by Highland Council) rather than having a home inside the city. We will see how the new Inverness Thistle get on with their apparent application to the NCL in 2025. Maybe things will change but I'm not holding my breath Edited June 18 by Spyro 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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