Very tight at the top of the Highland League just now with 2 points separating the top 5 teams and our nearest neighbours are up there in 5th place.

In the unlikely event that they win the Highland League this season they would be eligible for the playoffs for entry to Scottish League 2.

What are your thoughts on this outcome? Would you like to see Clach in League 2?

I'm thinking Inverness is far too small to sustain 3 senior teams (obviously including Ross County here) and our support would be significantly diluted, so despite my soft spot for Clach, I'd rather they stayed in the Highland League.

Must admit though, it would be good crack to see Clach in the Scottish League! 😂

Clach do not hold the Bronze Level Licence required to be eligible to play in the promotion play off so there would be no play off.

There was no play off in 2024 when Buckie won the league as they did not have the correct level of licence.

Clach have turned a corner under Gethins though, built on a strong defence that includes Mark Ridgers and Josh Meekings.

The last published licence levels are here: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/media/12796/190325-club-licensing-awards.pdf

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by Scotty
fixed link

Clach missed the boat with the merger although I like to see them doing well in the Highland league. For me it's anyone but Brechin who fiddled their way into the Highland league as they thought it would be an easier path to get back up the leagues and even with a millionaire backing them it hasn't happened.

12 hours ago, buckett said:

What are your thoughts on this outcome? Would you like to see Clach in League 2?

I'm thinking Inverness is far too small to sustain 3 senior teams (obviously including Ross County here) and our support would be significantly diluted, so despite my soft spot for Clach, I'd rather they stayed in the Highland League.

I'm not so sure (that even if they held the correct licence and were promoted) it would have a significant impact on ICT crowds. An impact, yes, but not significant in my opinion.

Those who denominate themselves as Clach fans would continue to be, as would those of a purely ICT persuasion. Those that do both would probably continue to do both, and with all teams in the SPFL fixtures would presumably be arranged so that only one Inverness team is at home on any given weekend. Where there are fans who would decide one or the other they tend, on the whole, to go to the one higher up the league.

Any vibes I get suggest they wouldn’t be interested in going up anyway.

Hoping Clach do better than we did against Stenny this weekend!

Greetings from London.

Why not! It would add to the excitement in Inverness. Would make more of a destination of the place.

But then, I don't live in the city to contend with potential extra traffic and crowds that this may bring on non-ICT Saturdays and weeknights.

Whilst it is good to see rivals stay down - to be honest getting closer and closer to likelihood of local derby matches is something that football is made for in my opinion. Just keep the hotel prices down for me please!

Edited November 28, 2025Nov 28 by London Caley Jag
to add words for clarity

On 11/28/2025 at 4:14 PM, London Caley Jag said:

Greetings from London.

Why not! It would add to the excitement in Inverness. Would make more of a destination of the place.

But then, I don't live in the city to contend with potential extra traffic and crowds that this may bring on non-ICT Saturdays and weeknights.

Whilst it is good to see rivals stay down - to be honest getting closer and closer to likelihood of local derby matches is something that football is made for in my opinion. Just keep the hotel prices down for me please!

Greetings to you and welcome to the forum.

Seems it's not gonna happen even if they do win the Highland League.

Our derby rivals are Ross County anyway - a sorta Gretna-esque team based 12 miles north of Inverness, currently in the Championship but staring relegation in the face. Ironic if we pass each other at the end of the season but serves them right for not harvesting local passion!

On 11/28/2025 at 4:14 PM, London Caley Jag said:

Greetings from London.

Why not! It would add to the excitement in Inverness. Would make more of a destination of the place.

But then, I don't live in the city to contend with potential extra traffic and crowds that this may bring on non-ICT Saturdays and weeknights.

Whilst it is good to see rivals stay down - to be honest getting closer and closer to likelihood of local derby matches is something that football is made for in my opinion. Just keep the hotel prices down for me please!

Yeah, a few folk staggering out of the Nip Inn and tripping over the pavement would create havoc with the traffic right enough.