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All Points North Charity Challenge

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On 25-26 July 2004, 4 intrepid men are going to attempt a feat which, to our knowledge, has never before been undertaken. We are going to try and visit all 42 Scottish Football League grounds in 24 hours, and hope to raise thousands of pounds for charity, as well as setting a record!
My name is Mark Whitworth from Barnsley in South Yorkshire (centre in picture). Myself and 3 friends are organising the All Points North Charity Challenge, which will take place on 25-26 July. We are going to try and visit all 42 Scottish football league grounds in 24 hours. Starting at Berwick Rangers at 6pm on Sunday 25 July, we hope to arrive at Ross County, 776 miles and 41 stops later, before 6pm the following day.All money raised will be split between the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the National Kidney Research Fund. We have raised nearly £2,500 far but are hoping for a final total of at least £10,000.
All the details can be found on our website, www.scots42tour.co.uk. Please help our appeal by sponsoring us if you can - no amount is too small. Alternatively, if you would like some of our raffle tickets, please e-mail me at [email protected]. Details of the many great prizes can be found our or website.
Among many items which have been donated for auction is an ICT signed football, which will be going on eBay in August - there will be a link to the item on this page.
Finally, if anyone would like to come along to Victoria Park around 6pm on Monday 26 July (I know that's asking a lot of Caley Thistle fans!), we would be delighted to meet you. There will some press people around so if you want to get your mugshot in the local papers, here's a chance!
The Journey ...will begin at Berwick Rangers at 6pm on Sunday 25 July 2004. We hope to cover the 776 miles between there and Ross County before 6pm on Monday 26 July. In between the two, we will be taking the following route:-
* Berwick Rangers - Shielfield Park * Gretna - Raydale Park (83.0 miles) * Queen of the South - Palmerston Park (23.9) * Stranraer - Stair Park (71.4) * Ayr United - Somerset Park (50.8) * Kilmarnock - Rugby Park (15.0) * St Mirren - Love Street (22.1) * Greenock Morton - Cappielow Park (15.3) * Dumbarton - Strathclyde Homes Stadium (19.1) * Partick Thistle - Firhill Stadium (13.8) * Rangers - Ibrox Stadium (4.2) * Queen's Park - Hampdem Park (4.1) * Celtic - Celtic Park (4.0) * Hamilton Academical - New Douglas Park (9.1) * Motherwell - Fir Park (3.8) * Albion Rovers - Cliftonhill (6.7) * Airdrie United - New Broomfield Park (3.0) * Clyde - Broadwood Stadium (7.6) * Stirling Albion - Forthbank Stadium (16.1) * Alloa Athletic - Recreation Park (6.8) * Stenhousemuir - Ochilview Park (10.9) * East Stirlingshire - Firs Park (2.8) * Falkirk - Falkirk Stadium (2.0) - we'll have to count it even if it's only half built... * Livingston - Almondvale Stadium (19.4) * Heart of Midlothian - Tynecastle (16.5) * Hibernian - Easter Road (3.6) * Dunfermline Athletic - East End Park (18.6) * Cowdenbeath - Central Park (5.2) * Raith Rovers - Starks Park (8.6) * East Fife - Bayview Stadium (9.4) * St Johnstone - McDiarmid Park (29.8) * Dundee - Dens Park (25.4) * Dundee United - Tannadice Park (0.2) * Forfar Athletic - Station Park (13.2) * Arbroath - Gayfield Park (15.0) * Montrose - Links Park (12.6) * Brechin City - Glebe Park (8.6) * Aberdeen - Pittodrie (40.6) * Peterhead - Balmoor Stadium (31.8) * Elgin City - Borough Briggs (70.7) * Inverness Caledonian Thistle - Caledonian Stadium (38.6) * Ross County - Victoria Park (13.7)
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

It's Another Double

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Fresh from winning the League and (Challenge) Cup double. Caley Thistle have won yet another one with John Robertson being named the Bell's Manager of the Year, and Paul Ritchie winning the Bell's Player of the Year trophies. Caley Thistle win another Double
Fresh from winning the League and (Challenge) Cup double. Caley Thistle have won yet another one with John Robertson being named the Bell's Manager of the Year, and Paul Ritchie winning the Bell's Player of the Year trophies.
RobboRobbo, faced a tough task when he came to the club in December 2002. Many thought he had no chance of emulating the success of Steve Paterson who had steered the club to the top of the league and overcome Celtic at Parkhead on that famous night in February 2000.
The first few months under Robbo saw the club slip from pole position in the league, but also saw us overcome Celtic again, this time at Caledonian stadium, enroute to a semi-final showdown with Dundee at Hampden. Still yet some supporters said he was only riding on the coat-tails of a squad and team spirit that Steve Paterson had built.
Season 2003/04 has put paid to the doubters with John Robertson not only emulating Steve Paterson's success but also exceeding the expectations of all but the most optomistic fans. Losing quality players such as Dennis Wyness and Barry Robson was never going to make the job easy but he began to mould his squad by bringing in quality players such as David Bingham and Barry Wilson.
The season couldnt have worked out better ... Bell's Challenge Cup Winners, Scottish Cup semi-finalists again, and finally Division One Champions on the brink of an SPL membership. Does anyone now doubt that John and his equally important assistant Donald Park have what it takes ?
Now for the adventure that is the SPL .... we are sure .... Robbo is Ready !!!
Paul Ritchie
Paul Ritchie took a long time to win over the fans at Caledonian Stadium, and was maybe overshadowed in previous seasons by the scoring exploits of Dennis Wyness. This partnership produced a bucketload of goals as Caley Thistle outscored every other team in the SFL ... but it was Dennis who got the plaudits, and Paul was perhaps 'the forgotten man' with some supporters. His knowledge of the game, and understanding with Dennis ensured that he was responsible for a large number of Dennis' goals.
With the departure of Denzil, many looked to his replacement, Steven Hislop, to be the main striker this season. However, injury has plagued Hissy and it was Paul who made the massive contribution to taking Caley Thistle to the SPL with a total of 24 goals for the season.
As we celebrate the achievement of raising our game to the next level in the SPL, Paul will instead be heading in the other direction with a part-time playing role at Brechin City that enables him to work in his 'After Football' chosen profession of Accountancy.
It however, doesnt take an accountant to add everything up and know that Paul is the Player of the Year for the Bells First Division. Well Done Paul, and GOOD LUCK.
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

It's Official - Groundshare Is On

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle have released a statement that confirms an agreement has been reached with Aberdeen FC to groundshare at Pittodrie Stadium for season 2004/2005. The agreement has to be lodged with the SPL by tomorrow (friday) and then ratified by the SPL on June 1st. If this happens, ICT will be in the SPL next season.
CALEY THISTLE SIGN GROUNDSHARE AGREEMENT WITH ABERDEEN 
 
Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are delighted to announce today (Thursday) that a groundshare agreement has been signed with Aberdeen FC by which the Inverness club proposes to play in the SPL next season.
 
Directors Graeme Bennett and Ken Cameron travelled to Pittodrie today to sign the document in time for it to be lodged with the SPL by tomorrow's deadline.
 
Club chairman Ken Mackie commented: "This is a historic step and we're very pleased that a great deal of work behind the scenes has achieved a solution acceptable to both ourselves and Aberdeen FC."
 
"We look forward to the SPL meeting on Tuesday now being able to formally admit us to play at the highest level in August, only 10 years from the formation of our club."
 
"Our supporters, shareholders and sponsors have been virtually unanimous in their call for us to take up our SPL place. We did not leap in to this, we held our consultations, we let people know the position. The people who matter most to this club wanted us to do this -- and now that we have taken this major step, we look for their continued support next season."
 
"Our financial projections have been made but much will hinge on the level of attendances at ICT home games at Pittodrie. We need our fans next season more than ever. Without decent income at the turnstiles, we would be stretched financially."
 
Mr Mackie added:"The board is unanimous in its decision to sign the agreement and I'm grateful to those who have worked tirelessly in the past two weeks to make this happen."
 
"Our lawyers have worked overnight to put in place an arrangement for which there is no precedent at this level. Aberdeen FC, while naturally representing their own interests, have been extremely cordial and constructive and we hope that our one year's tenancy may reinforce a relationship which can be of ongoing mutual benefit in the years ahead."
 
The ICT board have factored in additional spending on their first team squad to try to make playing at Pittodrie as successful as possible. Mr Mackie said:"We have built extra money for players into our budget because we recognise we are playing at a different level and we have to replace Paul Ritchie and Bobby Mann."
 
"We have, however, to be realistic in our expenditure and we will be in discussion with manager John Robertson when he returns from holiday in a week's time."
 
"Our ideal scenario is that we avoid relegation from the SPL and are able to start the 2005-06 season at Caledonian Stadium, bringing Premier football to Inverness and the Highlands."
 
ICT are committed to work to bring Caledonian Stadium up to the criteria currently being revised for admission to the SPL. Mr Mackie said:"All the hassle of playing home games 108 miles away is geared to the target of playing SPL in Inverness."
 
"This, of course, will cost money we do not presently have. We will be holding discussions with various parties who could assist in this regard. The board has agreed to call an extraordinary general meeting as soon as practicable to make the necessary alterations to our constitution to allow significant fresh investment to come in as a matter of urgency."
 
Mr Mackie added:"There will be all sorts of logistical difficulties for us over the 2004-05 season. We are taking a leap of faith in groundsharing to play SPL football. We dearly wish we could have been playing at home, but we accept the rules."
 
"It is crucially important that our Aberdeen adventure does not leave the club with a level of debt that is unsustainable. We have put in phenomenal work on the costings and we think that our budget is sustainable, given the support in match attendances."
 
David Sutherland, the club's largest single shareholder, said: "The leading shareholders will warmly welcome the directors' decision. The board deserves credit for the extraordinary 'feelgood factor' there has been in the city since the First Division was won."
 
"The impact this has for the image and profile of Inverness is of enormous social and economic benefit and I hope those who can help will now react positively to the need to upgrade the stadium.
 
"It is my intention to help financially and I look to others to do the same so that this opportunity is maximised for the benefit of our club and our community."
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

CHAMPIONEES!!!!

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Caley Thistle are the champions of the SFL after a 3-1 final day victory over St Johnstone. Clyde hammered Brechin 5-2 in Brechin, but it was too little, too late after being beaten by Caley Thistle last week.
Caley Thistle have just completed the League and Cup double that caps the club's finest hour.Earlier this year, Caley Thistle won the Bell's Challenge Cup, and talk later turned to a possible cup double as we reached the semi final of the Scottish Cup for the second year in succession.
The league seemed to be lost as Clyde had a big lead, but Caley Thistle consistency and a few stutters from Clyde led Caley Thistle to the top of the league last Saturday after beating the long time leaders at "ICT Station" Broadwood. With only one game to go, the title's destination was now in Caley Thistle's hands, a win over St Johnstone would see Caley Thistle crowned champions.
And didnt we just go and do it .... Caley Thistle are the 2003/2004 Bells First Division Champions
Immediately after the game, the board of directors issued a statement saying that no decision had been made about SPL football, and that meetings would be held with supporters and shareholders in the next 7 days
John Robertson issued a challenge to the board by saying, "We are an SPL team, with SPL fans, and now we need an SPL board to take us there"
Director of Football Graham Bennett said, if he were a betting man he would "definitely bet on ICT being in the SPL next season"
Full Match Reports will follow when everyone sobers up !!!
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

Robbo Off To Hibs?

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It is barely 15 months since Caley Thistle lost the management team of Steve Paterson and Duncan Shearer to Aberdeen, but could the current management of John Robertson and Donald Park be about to head for Hibernian to replace Bobby Williamson ?
Caley Thistle seem to be embroiled in turmoil and nervousness again as John Robertson's name comes up as the front runner to replace Bobby Williamson should he go to Plymouth.The massed ranks of journalists on Saturday's football programs have installed the boyhood Hibs supporter as favourite for the job and Robertson didnt do anything to quash the rumours when interviewed later on Radio Scotland.
The timing couldnt be worse ... with a cup semi-final replay on Tuesday and sitting second place in the league with only 4 games to go, this news could probably end our season if it causes any upheavel and restlessness in the dressing room.
We can only hope that Robbo is still with us until the end of the season .... and beyond
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

Debenhams Sign ICT

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An agreement was signed on Thursday for Debenhams to be the exclusive distributor of the club's merchandise from June, when the new strip for season 2004-05 is launched.
News release from Inverness Caledonian Thistle Good deal 'in store' as Debenhams sign up Caley Jags Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC have tied up an attractive 'transfer deal' with Debenhams.An agreement was signed on Thursday for Debenhams to be the exclusive distributor of the club's merchandise from June, when the new strip for season 2004-05 is launched.
This is the first merchandising agreement between a multinational department store and a Scottish Football League club.
Not only will customers in Debenhams' Inverness store be able to buy Caley Thistle merchandise -- it will also be available by inter-branch transaction to shoppers at any other Debenhams store in Europe.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle chairman Ken Mackie commented: "We're delighted to have formed this alliance with such a prestigious household name with a wide range of outlets.
"We have made major progress in our merchandising strategy in recent months and the Debenhams connection can take us to a new peak. It has the potential to be a valuable source of additional income."
John Gibb, manager of Debenhams store in Inverness, said: "Our company already have a merchandising agreement with Celtic and we're delighted to now be in partnership with Caley Thistle to give our customers the chance to acquire their kit and club souvenirs.
"The club has raised the profile of the city by winning the Bells Cup, reaching the Scottish Cup semi finals for the second year in succession and making a strong challenge for the First Division title. So we're sure the agreement will be a successful one for all concerned."
Debenhams' co-operation with the club is already underway with the store becoming a sales outlet for tickets for the Scottish Cup semi-final with Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden Park on April 10. Tickets are on sale there from tomorrow (Friday).
Caley Thistle will continue to have their club shop open on match days at Caledonian Stadium.
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

Highland March 2

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Steve Taylor (ITN) is at it again.. Not content with taking on a walk from Inverness to Falkirk last season ... Steve and his band of intrepid ICT fans plan a 7 day walk from the Clyde match at Broadwood to Caledonian Stadium for the last day of the season ... all for charity.
Steve Taylor, (InterTheNet or ITN as he is known on the website) is at it againNot content with walking 160 miles from Inverness to the last ever game at Brockville last season with a group of ICT fans to celebrate his 50th birthday, (and raising money for the Moray Firth Radio charity trust in the process) he intends to make it 170 miles this year with another 'scenic' walk. This year it will be "Caley Canary" (pictured left) who reaches that milestone ... and punishes himself by taking part again.
This time it is planned to start after the game against Clyde at Broadwood on Saturday 8th May and finish up at the Caledonian Stadium before the final game of the season against St Johnstone on 15th May.
If you were to check the mileage on a map, it comes out at less than 140 miles, but anyone who knows Steve already knows he doesn't do things the easy way. HMII (Highland March 2) as it has already been dubbed will take in as many hills as possible, (Campsies, Sherrifmuir, Dumvatand not to mention such lovely places as Drumochter and the Slochd) and will follow 'old roads' rather than the A9.
This year's proposed route is as follows ....
Sat 8th May Beer in the Broadwood Farm before the game (with MFR buckets to rattle). Walk to Stirling straight after the game (taking the Tak Ma Doon Road over the top of the Campsies). Sun 9th May Stirling to Crieff. Climb over Sherrifmuir and Dumyat (the hill above the Uni). Stay overnight in Crieff. Mon 10th May Crieff to Kenmore. Stay overnight in Pitlochry. Tue 11th May Kenmore to Dalnarardoch Lodge (foot of Drumotcher). Stay overnight at Laggan Bridge. Wed 12th May Walk the pass of Glen Tromie. Stay overnight at Newtonmore. Thu 13th May Drumguish (top end of the Pass) to Aviemore. Stay overnight in Aviemore. Fri 14th May Aviemore to Tomatin. Stay overnight in Carrbridge. Sat 15th May Tomatin to Caledonian Stadium via the Innes Bar.
Expected to arrive at the Hilton roundabout on the Southern Orbital Road at around 12.30pm.
As in HM1, all of the money is going to the MFR Charity Trust headed up by Joyce McKenzie and Lyndsay Thomson. Read more about the Charity Trust by clicking on the link, or send donations by emailing Lyndsay.
Lyndsay commented on Highland March 1 : The fantastic figure raised for the MFR Charity Trust after HM1 was £3075. I have to say that when Steve first estimated that they would raise over £3000 I thought he was being somewhat optimistic but they did it!!
Moray Firth Charity Trust Throughout the year the MFR Charity Trust hold a wide range of events ranging from our thirty-six hour non-stop on air Auction to Giant Car Boot Sales, Bring a £ to Work Day and a Sponsored Fishing Competition and much much more.
Every penny we raise is guaranteed to stay in our broadcast area where we support the smaller, often forgotten but none the less important cases.
We receive about 400 applications each year and our Board of Trustees scrutinise each before deciding where the money goes being very supportive of disabled, disadvantaged and the socially excluded. Many are from needy individuals who benefit from the extra money, for example a family with two autistic children whowould really love to get away for a week in a caravan, a teenage girl who needed new clothing & mum was in prison, or a disabled club who want a trip to the pantomime for their members - things that you and I would take for granted yet they mean so much to many of the groups and individuals we support.
Guest
By Guest in News 2004-05 ·

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