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I am still reliving the events of Saturday over and over. For me they were the culmination of a 20 year long journey that nobody could have foretold ( not even the great Seers on this site!) I grew up an Aberdeen fan:, the city of my birth and most of my upbringing. I was on the terraces during the glory years when history that will never be repeated was made by Alex Ferguson and his brilliant team. When the Inverness merger took place and election to the league was achieved I just knew that this embryonic club was for me. I started making long lonely journeys to far away places from my base in the Border country and Saturdays soon became an addiction. I remember well a conversation with my good friend Wanderer during which we decided to part with some serious money ( for us) and invest in some shares. He too had joined our merry band of supporters. I spent the first couple of years attending matches anonymously; barely speaking to anyone during the course of a game and heading home straight after. Then came visits to the Caley Inn where I first met Scotty and Big Stu, Uncle Albert and Guzz and the Gringos. We graduated to the Innes for pre match craic and here I encountered Caley 100, Caleystan, TM4TJ and his sons, Bronson, Seoras,DJS,Donview Maimie, and LG ( a special mention for you as you have been so good to me over the years) amongst others. This new social aspect to a day out increased the matchday experience immeasurably. The away days were where I first met close buddy Mantis, Yngwie,Ymip and wee Fraser, The Fly ( where he?), Maryhill, Top Six, Govan Jaggie, IHE,Big Don,ITN (Yompa) and family,Big Dougie, King Beastie, Red Card, RIG...........what a gang.! Many regular attendees with whom I chat are,I know, not on this site. I met and married Mrs Naelifts who had to buy into the cause ( I think she had to sign something). She remains the only person to ever enter the Celtic supporters Club at Parkhead wearing an ocelot coat. The story of this constantly evolving club is an outstanding one. I am just so proud today. I have been slapped on the back by so many people who know how much this all means to me. But it would not have been the same without you guys ( and others who I have carelessly omitted). Its been a privilege. As I write this however my thoughts are of Iain and Alison Coia...............how they would have loved all this And so the journey continues...........to foreign fields. Hopefully our ranks will be swelled by some new blood inspired by the efforts of our brave wee team and their manager. As someone said to me recently. .....if those shares had been in a Biotech company or similar, with a growth and success record such as ICT.......I would never have to work again;they would be worth millions! And so on to the next chapter........see y'all there!

Yes I am.

Is this in danger of becoming a negative thread. We won the oldest cup in football (broken repaired replica, lol) The city got right behind the club and the region too. I've been getting well done handshakes from most of my customers. We took double the amount of fans to a final than we did last year. The city was buzzing Saturday night. I've never witnessed that before Rangers 9 in a row didn't even come close. Thousands turned out to cheer on the cup winners. The stig has got 15.4 K followers on twitter Big things are happening if you allow it to. In just over 4 weeks TCS will be sold out. Why get dragged down by the past when we can push on to the next level. This Is Our Time !

We may not like it but we need to accept it as a fact of life. We are a small town club with a correspondingly small fan base. As long as the club relies on income from gate receipts, merchandising, TV rights, payments related to league position etc then we will only ever be able to pay players wages which are not competitive with those offered by other clubs. Players have to make a living and think about their long term financial position when their short playing careers are over. We really can't blame them for moving on whether it be to our rivals or anybody else. This is why the success this year is so important. A range of circumstances have come together which have led to us winning the cup and securing 3rd place in the league. We won't always be able to put together such a good squad as this season and our opponents will not always be as weak as this year. One thing that could harm our club is unrealistic expectations for the future. For a club with our resources just staying in the top flight is an achievement and anything else is a bonus. So savour what has been achieved this year - the memory of it may need to last a lifetime.

Lets have a reunion next month, destination TBC :)

I'm just thinking back to "that feeling" that I'm sure most of us experienced between 87 and 96 minutes. It's a weird cocktail of tension, excitement, happiness, agony, nerves and sheer disbelief. The kind of feeling you just don't get in any other aspect of life. It's actually pretty well summed up by this:

Hard to believe our adventure started 21 years ago and during that time we have met, made friends with, and even fallen out with a good few folk along the way. I showed my wife some of the videos from last week of fans with big s***-eating grins, of Dave the Rave and the lads at the NMP, the crowds lining the streets, all sorts of random stuff and she made the comment that "ICT really is something special, isnt it". Dont tell her I said this, but she was right! ICT really is something special and I am proud to be a part of that in some small way.

I've given an estimate of 25 years to my wife, before I stop replaying it daily . Can't wait for the club to produce a DVD of the cup run.

OK, now that the dust has settled, here's my stab at player scores for the final - I'll ignore the temptation to give them all 10s! Esson - 7. Nothing he could do about the goal and was a safe pair of hands....apart from a terrifying moment when he mucked about with it on his own line! Shinnie - 6. Not his best game, but obviously playing out of position. A couple of dangerous crosses in the first half. Devine - 8. a really solid match, except when he was beaten to it for Grant's goal. I'm not sure you can say he was at fault, though. Meekings - 8. Dependable as ever. Great ball through to Watkins in the first half. Tremarco - 5. I thought he had a good first half, but he'll have flashbacks about that mistake for the rest of his puff! Draper - 6. Was surprisingly quiet throughout. Good header out to set Watkins on his way for the winner. Tansey - 6. Unusually quiet. A couple of decent free kicks. Christie - 6. Not his best game and definitely faded in the 2nd half. Doran - 8. I thought he had a great first half. His slip pass to Watkins for the first was outstanding and I thought he was going to skin Grant for another before half time - superb tackle in the end. Inevitably, the winger gets sacrificed after a red card! Ofere - 6. Playing in the hole didn't really suit him. Had some decent touches, but tended to hold on to it too long after making space. Didn't get a sniff in front of goal. Watkins - 9. Could not have worked harder for the cause. Probably should have passed instead of shooting for the 2nd....but the right result in the end! Yogi: - 7. Was dealt a bad blow when Dave the Rave was ruled out. Not sure the shake up at the back really worked, but there weren't many other options. I don't think Ofere in behind Watkins worked and he should have been pulled early in the 2nd half to shore up the midfield which we were losing. But, hey - you only went and won the cup for us Big Yogi! Collum - 9. Got all the big decisions right. Special mention has to go to Vincent: I know he was fresh on as a sub, but that run to catch Watkins and still have composure to finish was astounding. The payers often say he's the fittest boy there - I believe it now!

Good luck in the future Marley and thanks for your contribution over the past couple of years. You will always have a special place in ICT's history

If he was to stay with us Yogi would make him into a real force regardless of wing or strike.. Good luck to the lad he has done us proud!

Another contributing factor is the strong promotion on Sky and other tv companies brainwashing us all to watch the EPL and European football which is nearly always so much better presented than the Scottish game. The good news is the wonderful turn out of the youngsters in our colours, the promotion in schools of the local team and of course Winning the Scottish cup. Success breeds success so here's to another exciting season with ICT. methinks the future is getting brighter.

You raise two very important issues here Deano. In the case of Rangers and Celtic fans, Inverness is no different from other communities outwith Glasgow where they also proliferate. In Inverness, I believe there are two main reasons for this. Firstly, and this is a factor which applies across Scotland, Glasgow's toxic religious and political mix has, over many years, created two opposing sectors in society down there and these two football clubs have become conspicuous features of that divide. This has given these clubs sufficient critical mass for them to act as footballing black holes which drag in additional support from areas a long way away from Glasgow. The whole of Scottish football suffers from this. The second issue in Inverness is that until just a decade or so ago, the place didn't possess a major force in football. As a result, a lot of people could have their "big" team - usually the OF but possibly Aberdeen etc as well - and also their "wee" team, in other words lower league ICT or before that Jags or Caley. These could comfortably coexist. However now that ICT is also a "big" team some fans have had to make a choice and some of these have remained with their OF preferences. Hundreds of Invernessians regularly disappear down the road to Celtic Park and Ibrox, but I do believe that, as time has passed and ICT have become more successful, this unfortunate trend has already begun to dwindle. Evidence is largely anecdotal, but I think OF support in Inverness (especially Rangers for obvious reasons) is on the wane. Regarding the second issue of lower home gates now than several years ago, this is largely part of something that is happening across Scottish football, it's not just ICT. Football attendances do go in cycles and there are probably several reasons for the current downturn. I would include silly kick off times, unavoidably high prices, lack of personal funds after the recession began and competition from a range of non-football activities. So although ICT's success has provided motivation for more to attend, it has been difficult even to stand still against these other negative factors.

If he chooses to go to Aberdeen I'll wish him no future success in his career. We've got used to losing players over the years, to bigger clubs. While no one can deny Aberdeen are a bigger club, and can pay much higher wages, in footballing terms they're no better than us. So if he goes to them it shows a complete lack of wanting to progress his footballing career in my opinion. Anyway, we've lost far better players (Bingham, both Shinnies, Rooney, Mckay) and we've always gone from strength to strength. And we have something very special at this club, something the likes of Aberdeen don't have. So I've no doubt we'll continue growing no matter who leaves.

I know what you mean tug but you shouldn't feel or made to feel bad just because your not there each week. I was fortunate to live in Caithness and although still a trek I made it every 2nd weekend with my cheap child ST. I then moved to Stirling for uni and although the ticket went up a bit I was still able to travel up to most home games infact the craic on the train south with away supporters was top class. But I moved bk to England and I can now no longer go although I love to go each week especially now with our much better record than when I held a ST. But we are from the same family and want the same things so it doesn't matter if you go week in week out or once in a blue moon we are all ICT

A video not a pic so I'll put it here.

Scenes as the City of Inverness Celebrates......

....the first goal was class from start to finish. Six wonderful quick passes down the right and through the centre and a clinical finish. If you want Hughes' philopsophy summed up in <10 seconds of football, that was it.

Was in school with the young fella on the far right behind IHE. CiF...? If those are initials, then I'm going to guess Lovat Road... Right on the money, alternative maryhill ... Or is that AY from 'round the block ? ;) It is... It's been a while - hope you're well I think Simon and I bumped into you at the 4-3 Livvy game back in 98, iirc.

Does that include Calum Ferguson then? He seems to be in a bit of a grey area in this regard. Interesting though that he wasn't on the bench for the Celtic game. One would think that suggests that he's leaving the building (provided he wasn't injured of course). Bare in mind, Jason Brown and Ali Sutherland have signed new deals and were on the bench, but Baptie has not been offered a deal and wasn't. Wonder if the same can be said for Ferguson then? I don't know for certain what the contract scenario is with the U20's. I do know that he is/was injured though (had been for a few weeks), hence the reason he wasn't included in the squad for Celtic.

Was in school with the young fella on the far right behind IHE. CiF...? If those are initials, then I'm going to guess Lovat Road... Right on the money, alternative maryhill ... Or is that AY from 'round the block ? ;)

I nearly forgot the outstanding work of Caley Jags Together. Making the card idea come to life. All those volunteers that made it happen. The pop up shop. ICT merchandise is everywhere now. All those buses and all the logistics behind it. And all they are looking for is £1 from you to become a member.

A keeper just needs to be loaned in until Brill is ready.

Will the club be selling any more cup final related merchandise / t-shirts? If so, when and where likely to be available?

How about Nick Ross? of course we want nick Ross, but Ross isn't a striker...Watkins has been playing as a striker. Put ross, christie and doran behind a striker and you can't complain.

Bingham

I'll tell him you said that!

TO NAELIFTS !!

I hope we keep Nick Ross, if Marley does go, which I believe he will, I'd really like to see Nick get an opportunity to play further forward. I think he's got the pace, vision and skill to do a great job. Also with someone like big Eddie up front with him when 2 up front is appropriate I believe he'd thrive. Anyway if Marley goes I wish him well and thank him, I doubt he'll have as much enjoyment in his career as he has had with us, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do. When we lost Billy I was told our season was over, we'd drop down the table now, not score any goals now, blah, blah, blah... Look what happened! LOOK!!

Talk about fickle fans! It's almost like you're suggesting it would be beneficial for us if he moved-on. "Hey, Aberdeen - here's Marley. Good luck with this injury-prone dud!" If the club released a statement, that after much consideration, Marley Watkins had committed himself to Inverness by penning a new two-year-contract, you'd surely be on here singing his, and the club's praises!

It is getting a bit silly now. So many of our players get pinched only to end up on the bench. (Mckay the most recent example) Can we really blame the club though? I'd imagine (and hope) if the finances were available we could offer better deals to players like Watkins and Shinnie. But the only way we will ever truly progress is if attendances increase. Any players we lose i blame solely on the gloryhunting scum that live here supporting Rangers and Celtic. Its an absolute travesty that a city with a population of 80,000 and growing gets an average of 3,000 per game. On par with Falkirk and County. Just something to keep in mind if he does go. Don't blame the club or the chairman. Blame the people who can't be bothered to get up of there arse and through the turnstiles

And

Based on that video, some people may draw the conclusion that these so called professional athletes had perhaps indulged in a little bit of alcohol. The club's lawyers have asked me to set the record straight. The players had indulged in a lot of alcohol.

I suspect my wife is getting slightly annoyed now of me playing Vincent's goal over and over again. Oh, and the last minute before the final whistle. I've told her it's going to be a looooong time, if ever, that I get bored with watching it. Been looking, but can't find anywhere...I'd love to see a video of our winner from the Falkirk end, just to see the mass eruption of fans, and their despair!!

If you want ICTFC to win....you're a fan....simples!!!

Cheers Mr. Lift! Onwards and Upwards... See you in Minsk* If I'd seen Iain after the final whistle I reckon I'd have broken a rib he'd have squeezed me so hard! And I'm sure Caley Ally would've had a wee tear in her eye. *or wherever the EUROPA LEAGUE may take us!

BTW - the Dons fan did make a comment along the lines of "You guys always seem to have more fun supporting Caley..." He was talking to a drunken, grown man dressed as a cartoon bear so I'm not sure what he meant!

I thought we had everything under control first half, but I agree about Ofere...the worst I've seen him play, and both Christie and Doran were a bit too quiet 2nd half, which meant we were over-run.....Devine was superb, must have won virtually every header. I actually thought Tremarco was having a very good game until he trod on the ball! Watkins was superb and the difference between the two teams, and Vincent's run from his own penalty box to support Watkins and get to that loose ball will live with me for ever

Lol aye I'm sure if he was asked to sign 2,000 seperate bits of paper he would say no bother give me 5 mins!

CTO Cup Final Report published complete with some video footage http://caleythistleonline.com/page/index.html/_/reports-2014-15/scottish-cup-final-2015-r1279 :smile: What a moment to be a Caley Thistle fan. 21 years in the making but a combined 239 years of magnificent history.

There was a time when even the likes of Livi and Ayr United were poaching our best players, and we still managed to keep moving forward. As long as we recruit well, and get the best out of players, we'll continue to prosper.

Nobody has mentioned one of the unsung heroes from Saturday. Just after Falkirk scored a pitchside photographer wearing an ICT jumper (quite far away, could be wrong) stood up, turned around towards the crowd with a big smile on his face, and started rallying the fans in front of him to stand up and cheer, starting a chain reaction that lead to the whole ICT support getting on their feet to rally the players. A small contribution, but perhaps a telling one. Well done that man. A wave of positive energy when it was badly needed!

Carl Tremarco has put in a decent shift when called upon - it's not easy to stay at match speed if you aren't getting regular games so he deserves a bit of slack for the odd mis-judgement. Same goes for Devine - it's tough coming in as a defender - if a winger comes on for their first game in a while and blooters it into the stands, it's no big deal - one slip for a defender can be calamity.

Some good pics here: http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/City-celebrates-Inverness-Caley-Thistles-historic-Scottish-Cup-triumph-31052015.htm and here: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/596458/party-time-inverness-caley-thistle-celebrate-scottish-cup-win/ apparently David Raven plays a mean guitar!

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but despite all our pre-match concerns about card-happy Willie Column, I thought he had a really good game. Only issued 2 cards, both correctly, and got the other big decisions right (eg claim for handball v Draper). The fact that nobody's talking about the ref is always a good sign.

Great to see Devine staying. Thought he was outstanding on Sat, and has been whenever I've seen him.

If we lose both our strikers we have a problem for our first European tie.What a pity vital members of this brilliant squad are moving on.

Ofere that is, not Yogi!!!! IMO that would be a shame. He won some good ball today and worked his socks off. If he could just release the ball quicker, he's be the real deal. If he goes it's with my best wishes because his goals quite simply turned the foundation before Jan into reality.

To have your song played at Hampden whilst ICT are parading the Scottish Cup is something you could only dream of and something to be very proud of, well done!