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Amongst all the Cup Final excitement, let's not forget this'll be Graeme's last appearance in an ICT shirt. Let's hope his last act will be to lift that cup. What a fantastic player he's been for us, and while I hate the thought of him going to Aberdeen, I fully expect him to move onto bigger things from them. Easily good enough to play top end Championship/bottom end Premiership level. All the best Graeme, now make sure you'll be lifting that cup for us all come Sat evening.

Hence my previous reference to engaging fewer than a fifth of the population. Falkirk has a population of approx 145,000 in its very small council area ....about 6 miles x 10 miles and we are taking 18 000 on the relatively short trip to Hampden nowhere near 20% of our local population so Inverness is doing really well considering the added cost and time of travel.The crowd at Hampden will still imo be over 40 000 and that does show these ridiculous doom n gloom experts who predicted 20 000 or so to be just jealous Old Firm Fans that hate the fact that 2 wee teams are there and they ARENT. I think the poor uptake of neutral tickets to be more indicative of the partisan nature of football esp in Glasgow...anybody complaining of no football to go to this weekend should be at HAMPDEN in the neutral sections if they truly love football

end of the day the merger was 21 years ago and is history. We should never forget our history but we should also not dwell on it. The generation that opposed the merger is lost to us as ICT supporters whether they fill a phone box or a stadium and even a cup win and European football will not bring them back ... and many of our most fervent fans today were not even born when it happened (making many of us feel old). This club has created 20+ bits of history this season alone so lets focus on that rather than rake over the same old subject from the same contributors for the several hundreth time with the same old comments ! #ThisIsOurTime

oh I was getting to see it ... just means I will be seeing it legally

As per kingsmills it was a thistle perspective for me wTching them from late 60s through the fantastic team of the seventies and I was a 3rd year apprentice for the Falkirk game No bunking off school. I wasn't a reluctant merger I was all for it after the jags lost out to Ferranti thistle I always wanted a Scottish football team to support and from the first league game to Arbroath to this THE SCOTTISH CUP FINAL it's been an absolute blast. Even all the cold winters nights get forgotten What does it mean? Absolutely the pinnacle of achievement for any sporting team from the highlands if we win and I'm not going to get ahead of myself and say we will definitely win but if we do. For us oldies this might be our once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm finding it hard to describe the right words but it would be the most emotional fantastical experience of my life out with marriage family etc. I'm only putting the last bit in incase the wife gets wind of this post

As one of the older posters on here, I've supported Caley from the early 50s and ICT from its inception in 1994. Although I was not in favour of the merger, I soon got over it and embraced the new club. Particularly in my youth I always dreamed of us winning the Scottish Cup. For this aspiration now to be within touching distance is truly unbelievable. A win on Saturday will just be amazing, and if we follow it with one or two wins in Europe in the summer, my joy will be complete. Roy of the Rovers stuff! Bring it on.

Hullo dear Canadian and U S chums.. After much work I have managed to oblige my Western Canadian T V friends to find me the channel , that's going to show the GAME on Saturday, So, finally I received a call today from my hard working Chinese Technician from Shaw Cablevision, the Western Canadian cable provider, to say that they have finally found a channel that is streaming the game . And are going to set this channel up for me today and check back on Saturday at 3.30 p,m (GMT) to make sure I am viewing it on my 52 " screen in full technicolour and in possible H.D. Now that's service with a smile eh? Wheeeeeee! I am ecstatic and jumping around in my living room punching the air as often as I can in a ridiculously childish show of emotion. I LOVE IT! Which I know you will not hold against me----- forever. I hope. The Shaw Cable Channel in Western Canada is in the green sports section ---GOL T.V. which I think is either 147 or 167 and probably is H D accessible. Gol T V states on their 2010 webpage that the channel is 151 but that surely must by now be out-of date.Total cost to me for the 3-4 days will be about $4---daylight robbery. GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!

This but from a red and black perspective. Reluctant supporter of the merger but, win or lose on Saturday (Hope to Hell it's the former) we have achieved what we could only dream of in the Highland League days. Added to that I have a long nursed, Scottish Cup related, score to settle with Falkirk. Back in the frozen winter of 1979 I bunked off school for the afternoon to make the short journey from Midmills to Kingsmills to watch the mighty Jags take on the Bairns in the 29 times postponed cup tie which finally kicked off at half past one on a Thursday due to Falkirk's refusal to play under our rather good floodlights. If memory serves, we were three down and well and truly out of the match after 15 minutes and a further goal adrift by half time. My misery was compounded the following day by incurring the wrath of the formidable deputy rector Mr 'Abdul' Johnston for my unauthorised absence. Revenge, they say, is a dish best eaten cold.

I suspect that a good few more tickets would have been sold, especially to neutrals, if the national public service broadcaster and the Weegie press gave a little more oxygen to the annual showpiece event and a bit less to a routine league play off match. Who would have thought so many journalists were so obsessed with Motherwell........

I've got an even better idea....let's all just cheer for the full match in celebration of the entire team and all those who have come before and played their part in where the club is today.

It would be nice if we could do the minutes applause thing after 3 mins as he has been fantastic for the club and reading his column in the paper each day shows how much he loves the club even if he is moving on

I think the older generation get something of a bonus out of this since they have a long and direct experience of what things were like in the Highland League and are hence in a position to appreciate the profound contrast. No one much under 30 can even remember when Thistle and Caley played in the Highland League and one of the highlights of the season was the quarter finals of the Qualifying Cup when, each October, your club might just be one of the lucky four to win a place in the "first round proper" of the Scottish Cup. Indeed in order to have an established and reasonably detailed memory of this, you would probably have to be nearer 40. Even for these younger supporters the sense of satsfaction will be immense. But take, say, a 65 year old whose first 30 years of supporting football will have been within the virtual dead end of the Highand League with the odd opportunity of a modest Scottish Cup run. That is a long time to establish a pretty solid and indeed limited set of norms, values and expectations which don't really change very much from year to year. But now, over the rather shorter period of just 21 years, history has produced (in chronological order): Election to the SFL (1994) - Scottish Cup quarter final (1996) - Division 3 title and promotion (1997) - Division 2 runners up and promotion (1999) - Two Scottish Cup semi finals (2003 and 2004) - Division 1 title and promotion to the SPL (2004) - SPL football coming to Inverness (2005) - (let's quickly bypass season 2008-09!) - Second Division 1 title and return to the SPL (2010) - Top six (2013, 2014 and 2015) - League Cup Final (2014)- Europe (2015) - Scottish Cup final (2015). To have witnessed that at all is a great experience. To have witnessed that off the back of decades of existence in a footballing dead end is absolutely stupendous! Having raised this issue, I would now like to mention five gentlemen whom I like to count among my friends. Jimmy Falconer (still football secretary) and Ken Thomson (now back on the board) and John Douglas (now in charge of the turnstiles) were all deeply involved with Caley back in the Highland League days. Ian MacKenzie, (still a club official on matchdays) was one of the Thistle inner circle from the same era. Tommy Cumming has been groundsman at Telford Street and the Caledonian Stadium since time began. People like that (and there will be one or two more I haven't named) who have been right at the centre of things across all these inspiring years, must feel a very special sense of satisfaction as this final approaches.

Right O.K. I have been to World Cups, Euro's and play offs with Scotland, I have been to FA Cup finals at Wembley, I have watched Leeds Utd win the League and have followed them in Europe. But for some reason this game has created more in my 51 y.o mind than any other I have ever been too. I moved back to the Highlands in '94 so picking somewhere to watch my football was easy, new start for both a club and me and because of being there at the beginning this game and club means so much more. Roll on Friday for travelling down and on Saturday, if anyone sees a grown man shaking uncontrollably it the corner of the Beechwood, say hello as it will be me.

Definately this club has surpassed my expectations. I always knew Caledonian & Thistle when we merged, were far superior to the then 2nd and 3rd division teams; so as far as dreams were concerned it was to play in the top division which we achieved in no time at all. Yes I always had dreams of winning a major trophy or playing in a European competition but these were pipe dreams. Credit must go to Butcher & Malpas for installing the "I believe" ethos in the team and the fans; and i'm happy that that has been strengthned with Hughes et al. What would it mean to me? Well some fans spend their whole lives supporting a team who will never reach the heights we have, so this would mean the world to me and hopefully to the kids growing up in Inverness. If we do win this cup i emplore the club to exploit it and ram it down kids throats. Bums on seats is everything. and my thoughts are with those 2nd and 3rd division teams who are still chasing that dream. BC

Never been so excited about a football match in my whole life....and nervous

I have just had Rod the Mod and Kenzers on the blower asking how to secure season tickets.

Really appreciate all the positive feedback and kind comments. I speak on behalf of the rest of the band when I say we never anticipated the level of acclaim we've got. A huge thank to you all. Mannys hints are correct. We will be playing the song live for STV on Friday in the social club.

a few folk have walked past my desk in the last little while wondering why i have my headphones on, tapping my feet and shaking my head in time to music, and wearing a s***-eating grin on my face Cheers AJS !!! In 21 years of doing this I think I have to say that so far this been one of the most enjoyable weeks on this website. We have little to no negativity, we have fans showing their pride, passion, and love for our team, as well as their own skills in making the rest of us smile and appreciate our club even more ... and even the opposition fans who have come along seem to be pleasant and articulate. I know normal service will be resumed at some point but for now ... long may it continue

Let it go, Let it go Can't hold it back anymore Let it go, Let it go, Turn my back and slam the door And here I stand And here I'll stay Let it go, let it go The merger never bothered me anyway

In a parallel universe somewhere, we're still being managed by Pele and about to enter our 10th season in the Champions League.

ONE GREAT CLUB - TWO GREAT HISTORIES INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC

It was Nick Ross that brought it up by speaking to the papers though, if anyone is trolling surely it's him? What is it with people moaning about the merger, if people want to discuss the possibility of more fans coming back because of the final then why not? I think it's a very valid statement that has been made.

All 28 buses now sold out.

Good luck from a Motherwell fan. Kinda got a game or two to keep us busy this weekend but will be watching on Saturday.

Good Luck on Saturday Boys !! Bring the cup home to the Highlands !! ... Come on ICT !!

I'm still waiting to see what Maarlon's got to offer....Inverness Cup Final

And let's have a look at all the usual characters who simply have to rise to the bait every time and prolong the threads -LOL. But as a psychological expert I have to excuse them as guilt complexes are undoubtedly at the core of their need to defend, deride and project.

Great to hear the level of sales but IMHO that begs the question(s) ... Should more stock have been bought? ... Should limited edition shirt prices have been set slightly lower for proportionately better total sales (much more units x slightly lower price)? The fact is win or lose (obviously hopefully win) that stuff could be sold after Saturday. I bought stuff and could have bought still more after the League Cup Final ...just saying. The club did their homework in advance and spoke to other clubs of similar size to ourselves to try and get a handle on what the demand might look like...then ordered a bit more, just in case. Sales have been way beyond that and....due to advance planning....the club were able to bring in more, which has also sold. On some things, the manufacturers have simply not been able to keep up with demand despite putting on extra shifts at production facilities. With shirts there was the same issue as has always cropped up with Errea in regards to their turn around times and the club got as many extra shirts in as they possibly could. I don't know the figures, but if I was to hazard a guess from just seeing the amount of stock passing through and how busy staff have been, I would say that the club have turned around 4 or 5 times the merchandise that we did ahead of the League Cup Final last year. Great news and credit to all those working their socks off to both satisfy fan demand and maximizing income for the club.

Great to hear the level of sales but IMHO that begs the question(s) ... Should more stock have been bought? ... Should limited edition shirt prices have been set slightly lower for proportionately better total sales (much more units x slightly lower price)? The fact is win or lose (obviously hopefully win) that stuff could be sold after Saturday. I bought stuff and could have bought still more after the League Cup Final ...just saying. The club did their homework in advance and spoke to other clubs of similar size to ourselves to try and get a handle on what the demand might look like...then ordered a bit more, just in case. Sales have been way beyond that and....due to advance planning....the club were able to bring in more, which has also sold. On some things, the manufacturers have simply not been able to keep up with demand despite putting on extra shifts at production facilities. With shirts there was the same issue as has always cropped up with Errea in regards to their turn around times and the club got as many extra shirts in as they possibly could. I don't know the figures, but if I was to hazard a guess from just seeing the amount of stock passing through and how busy staff have been, I would say that the club have turned around 4 or 5 times the merchandise that we did ahead of the League Cup Final last year.

That was surely novelty factor for County and Gretna neither(wee)team had ever reached this level before, sort of a cute puppy/pat on the head thing, getting a lot of neutral support. ICT have played in the top level for ten years now and are seen as an established team, so I don't think we get much neutral support. Anyway i'll be there and the many thousands who make the long slow journey will surely enjoy the day out.

Legal for me too --for $4. Crazy. I can't get over it . Somebody up there must love me? My heart has been racing ever since the phone call came in. A wee tear slipped out after I put the phone down when the enormity of this momentous occasion really hit me but I quickly brushed it away so that Matilda, my beloved little girl cat wouldn't see it. She pretends that she thinks I'm a stiff upper lip kinda guy but I know that she really knows that I am just a big softie at heart. We play this stern game all the time but somehow she always ends up with what she really wants and that's her belly rubbed. Darned charmer. Settle back in Scarlet's high chair at 6.30 am on Saturday and enjoy the build up . Wait for the intermission for ads and dash to the microwave to get a cup of coffee then settle down for the main event with a wee toddy in my left hand, on account of the fact that in my right hand there will be another, different, toddy all purchased at great cost specially for the occasion. Out come the teams and Scar baby spills his drink on the chaise longue 'cos his hand is trembling so much that it's rhythm matches that of his heart. Settles down and prays to G..d that he is still alive by game end. Cheers guys--enjoy the moment. It's really great to be a child again isn't it.

too late, the team left Inverness this afternoon!!!!

Never mind about the folks who are NOT going to be there !!!!!!!!!

What more do we need to say !! Well done to 'RedCard' for coming up with the idea and to those involved in putting the video together. Brought a tear to me eye ..... Personally I am gutted I cannot make it on Saturday but I will be with everyone all the way and through every single kick of the ball. Its not live on TV here but I have leveraged my IT knowledge and a few favours so I can watch it on my own big screen, or perhaps with a group of friends at a bar with even more humongous screens (if it works out). Wherever you are travelling from I wish you a safe journey there and back and hopefully we are all still smiling come 4:45 pm ! This week is going to fly by .......

I will be taking my 86 year old dad to the final. He was a Caley FC committee member for many years and is a staunch ICT supporter. I would dearly love to see the look on his face if we can win the cup. For me, it would be the fruition of a dream that started 21 years ago. To get our name on the cup would be fantastic.

Doncaster set to announce plans for a 14 team top flight next season.

I know this is being discussed but does anyone know for sure if you can buy on the day for our end? I'm not local so can't collect from the stadium, will be 50/50 if I can go but don't want to end up in the neutral area.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/inverness-ct-cup-win-can-heal-divide-nick-ross-1-3783047 His words not mine, fair play to young Nick for having the balls to address the subject and not sweep it under the carpet like caleyjagsforever and the local press Who knows he could be right interest in ICT surely would increase with a Cup win although I suspect it would be more the younger generation and the incomers again that will increase Dougal

....I hope uyou've left a zero off this number! Yeah, should read 012-01500

I'm presuming that's Yogi?!

I see The Kelpies make an appearance in that video but here they are showing their true colours:

And let's not forget Craig Brewster! Ryan Esson's been with us for so long, that he was actually a Brewster signing!

That's the only part of Scotty's post I would disagree with. I would rather say "SOME OF the generation that opposed the merger is lost to us as ICT supporters...." A considerable number of the 226, which was the biggest "no" vote recorded, have become loyal supporters. When I first saw this " Dougal https://m.youtube.co...eature=youtu.be" in TopSix's post #3, it took me some time to realise that this wasn't an expression of opinion but a reference to a video. But hang on. Let's not rise to Dougal's bait. This is far too proud and progressive a moment for Inverness Caledonian Thistle to be discussing the paranoia of grievance-ridden dinosaurs.

The C*unty thing is irrelevant. (C*ounty are irrelevant). We take as many as want to go, this is all that matters. We all have a great day out and (hopefully) celebrate together afterwards. For anyone there who wants to know numbers, I ask everybody in the ICT sections to stay still throughout the game so these people can count how many tickets have been sold. Thanks for your co-operation.

They should have held the final in Seville! But on a more serious note, the important next step, post-final, will be to entice even a modest proportion of what a poster less generous than myself would call the "gloryhunters" (not a term I particularly agree with) through the Caledonian Stadium turnstiles on a regular basis.

The Beechwood is on a first come first served basis. No wristbands needed

We've released a music video for the song. Selection of our favourite moments as ICT fans from time gone by. Hope you enjoy it.

Its No 1 - Its Top of the Pops

I am on the train form Aberdeen, my plan is to go to the Counting House in George Sq, My train gets in at 1230 ish so will have plenty of time for a drink or 7 before making way to hampden.