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.

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."