BARRY KOPS A HUGE DRAW FOR TESTIMONIAL

Caley Thistle midfielder Barry Wilson has signed up what could be the biggest football name ever to hit Inverness when a Liverpool XI visit the Caledonian Stadium on Monday August 18th for his testimonial match.

This will give local football fans as well as a huge number of visitors to the city the opportunity to see one of the most successful clubs in the history of European football meet head to head with the Inverness's SPL side.

The match, which is expected to be a huge crowd puller, is a major coup for the fleet footed winger who has played such a decisive part in Caley Thistle's rise up the leagues all the way from the Third Division.

"I was so pleased to get a testimonial and the icing on the cake certainly has to be attracting a huge club the size of Liverpool for the game to Inverness," he said. "Already I just know that the occasion will give football fans up here a night to remember and the atmosphere in the stadium will be fantastic. I've already had a great dinner, there's a golf day coming up at the end of June and then we're going to have the climax of this major draw for the testimonial match. I'm just delighted"

It's been a busy few months for Barry's testimonial committee who have put together an attractive range of events, including also a sell out dinner in March and a golf day next month, but this one tops them all.

Tickets have been attractively priced at £15 for adults and £7 for children with a special family offer of two adults and two children for £40. These will be on sale to priority groups (Caley Thistle season ticket holders, shareholders, centenary club, supporters' trust and supporters' club members) from Monday 12th May and any unsold tickets, including away stand tickets, will go on general release from Monday 19th May at the Caledonian Stadium ticket office.

Barry Wilson first signed for Caley Thistle in 1996 after spells at Ross County, Southampton and Raith Rovers. His time in Inverness has been split by three years at Livingston and he has played a central role in Caley Thistle's rise from Division 3 to the SPL.

His 336 appearances have been surpassed only by Ross Tokely and he has scored 82 goals, a figure which only Dennis Wyness now heads. These include one each in the famous 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in 2000 and in the win by the same score over St. Johnstone which secured SPL status in 2004.

And he's still going strong. Just last Saturday Barry scored the goal of the game for Caley Thistle in their record breaking 6-1 home win over Gretna in the SPL.

Very much a fans' favourite, Barry's status with the ICT support should certainly guarantee a massive crowd on a huge night for Inverness football on August 18th.