Inverness provost Glynis Campbell-Sinclair is determined to ensure the Inverness Cup becomes an annual attraction on the Highland football calendar once more.
The Highland Council figurehead helped promote the relaunch of the cup – with common good fund money being used to help stage the Clach v Caley Thistle match at Grant Street Park next Tuesday.
The winners of the game between the city’s Highland League club and Scottish Championship outfit will claim the glittering trophy, first played for in 1895-96 when Caledonian FC were winners.
The Inverness Cup was last played for in 2005-2006 when Forres Mechanics were the winners, but busy diary dates and a lack of interest led to the previous tournament and the cup itself being put on ice – until now.
Clach and ICT usually play an annual pre-season game. This year, Caley Thistle’s appearance in the Scottish Cup final, in which they lost to Celtic on June 3, meant a delay.
It kicked off discussions between the clubs and the council, which has resulted in this fixture now having something more at stake.
The modern Caley Thistle last claimed the Inverness Cup in 2004-2005, while the Lilywhites last held it aloft in 1951-1952.
‘Whole new audience’ awaits Inverness Cup clash
Provost Campbell-Sinclair hopes the financial support provided will help generate fresh interest in the piece of silverware and its history, including from younger fans.
She said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have this competition back at Grant Street Park. We couldn’t do anything other than support it.
“This is going to be the one-off match to kickstart it, but it really should be an annual competition once again. After this game, the tournament dates can be organised to play for it next year.
“Inverness has evolved and grown so much since the last time the Inverness Cup was contested, so we have a whole new audience for it.
We are delighted to announce that The Inverness Cup will once again be played for as we welcome @ICTFC to Grant Street Park on Tuesday 22nd of August.
Join us for a fantastic evening of local football.#thefuturesbright pic.twitter.com/jouErNyjFY— Inverness Clachnacuddin FC (@clachfc) August 8, 2023
“It’s really important we move forward with this at pace so people can get behind the whole ethos of it.”
Fans urged to flock to Grant Street
The provost recalled how supporters from decades ago would flock to Inverness Cup matches.
She added: “The local derbies involving Clach, Caledonian and Inverness Thistle were massive.
“Back in those days, not a lot of families had cars, so people would be walking along to Grant Street, Telford Street Park, or Kingmills, and they would be mobbed.
“It really was an event and hopefully this will help bring even more fans in.”
The 2023 edition can be first of many
Clach chairman Alex Chisholm is thrilled the Lilywhites will be equal partners when it comes to the relaunch and he hopes it grows from strength to strength.
He said: “It great. Not just for Clach, Caley Thistle and all the history that goes along with the trophy.
“We have a long history as a club and had a long list of players having played in that tournament.
“It’s great to relaunch it with the full support from Caley Thistle, the council and the provost. It allowed us to get everything organised so quickly.
“We will see how we can progress the competition next year and the years after. We want to keep it going and further develop the competition.
“It’s a really prestigious trophy.
“Caley Thistle always like coming to play us at Grant Street Park.
“We’ll enjoy being the hosts and hopefully there will be a really good crowd for it.”
Clach’s new arrivals will get chance to shine v Caley Thistle
Chisholm explained it is a boost for the Clach players to have a free hit what will be a mainly up-and-coming ICT side next week.
He added: “It’s always good to play teams from a higher level. It will be a good test for our young guys.
“We have a few new players in, so it gives the manager (Jordan MacDonald) a chance to give these players a good run-out.
“So, from the club and the management side of things, the return of the Inverness Cup is a really positive thing for Inverness overall.”
Old trophy has an ‘amazing’ history
Inverness chief executive Scot Gardiner insists bringing a local cup with meaning back to life makes sense for both competing clubs this year.
He said: “A lot of the old regional trophies were well-loved and well fought-for.
“In one of my previous roles (at Dundee), we were trying to reinstate the the Forfarshire Cup, and it has been brought back for youth level.
“I think it’s great to have the Inverness Cup back and playing Clach for it is fantastic.
“The history of the cup, going back to 1985, is amazing.
“Having the game early in the season is a good time to do it.
“And having an annual game is good and will bring in some funds for Clach, whom we have a very good relationship with in any case.”
Gardiner is delighted ICT fans will get a further opportunity to see the some of the club’s next generation in action, with the likes of Keith Bray and Robbie Thompson breaking into Billy Dodds’ senior squads in recent weeks.
He said: “Our emerging talent gets more of a chance than most (at first-team level), but at the same time, this is the perfect time for fans to see our youngsters in a game such as this.”
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