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When we were knocking-on-the-door of the top-6 but again just missing out, I remember realising just how difficult an accomplishment it was - and hoped that one day we could achieve it. 5th place, and certainly 4th seemed fanciful - so to have achieved 3 consecutive top-six placings and a 3rd placed finish is extraordinary! But, to be ranked 2nd in Scotland over the past 3 seasons is insane! Not even a chat between 12th Man and Bughtmaster would have dared predict such! Total positions for the nine clubs who've contested all the SPL/Premiership seasons in the past 3 years: N.B. Interestingly, County have set a 'wee pattern' - could they be heading for 11th this season?!

Marley on twitter: "Absolutely loved my time at ICTFC - amazing family football club which deserves more local support - I'll never forget the cup run. Moving to another Scottish team would have been wrong so close to what we achieved recently! Kenny Cameron and the rest of lads are heroes!"

Cheers Marley, good luck!

He's gonna be busy modelling for the statue the city is going to erect of him in Falcon Square.

Aaaaahhh - the Coia Bus

I expected Watkins and Ofere, Kink would all be away but I will be absolutely gutted if we don't somehow manage to get a new deal for Ross. The guy is absolute class and one of our own ... it almost seems like the Munro situation all over again

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 !

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!

Quite apt that his name can be reassembled to I Gain Virus as this would be the effect on our squad if we signed him.

Contract News..... http://ictfc.com/news/team-news/1557-new-deal-for-cup-heroes

And the motley crew in Inverness for a game in 2004 ..... a week before another trip to Hampden (to face Dunfermline this time) but lets also not forget others who sadly missed this moment and who would have revelled in it ..... GordyFromSneck for one (). LG's husband Dave, and of course Mikey Diamond. Sure there are (unfortunately) many more.

Still only 1 thing on my mind too.

Wow, that's some sentence, Kingsmills!

Polwarth, Ferguson and Horner signed up for another year according to Jamie Durent of the Courier on twitter.

Our team spirit is a major factor in our success, the players comment on it often. Why put an ar5eh0le like Vigurs into the mix and potentially upset that balance? Besides is he better than all the options that we have already? Not in my opinion.

The cup final wasn't Oferes best game, but some of the pish being spouted on here is beyond belief. His hold up play has generally been decent, he might not be as good in the air as you'd think for his size, but has scored with some headers, not least the goal that qualified us for Europe. Ironically, some of the best worki have seen him do in the air has been in defence. I don't want this to turn into a n assassination of our squad, but all our players have short comings - that's why they were playing for us in the cup final last week and not the Champuons League final tomorrow. Doesn't mean they are useless though.

Holding up the ball and linking up play is one of things Ofere has done very well since he signed. Also, considering that he still probably isn't fully fit, I don't think his current goal ratio is something to be dismissed and he's one of the strongest headers of the ball I've seen at ICT in a long time. I noticed elsewhere you said you don't frequent the Caley Stadium very often. Perhaps had you seen him play more often, you wouldn't be dismissing him as quickly as you are.

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:

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. Well remembered. Yes I'm good ... Difficult not to be after last weekend eh?! Good times. In Moray now but get through to the home games with my 8 year old son who has become hardcore ICT over the last 2/3 years. I'm a bit of a newbie to this forum so pretty cool to put a "well kent face" to an alias. Take care bud and we'll maybe bump into each other again soon :)

I met up with Iain, his girlfriend Pam and son Craig in the Drum & Monkey in Glasgow the night before the game. Iain was at the game on Saturday. Stories of the Coia bus and other outings were the order of the night. Got pished too.

Tug, it definately sounds to me like someone has had a go at you recently and like everyone else here I would have told them to do one as well. If someone has then in no way should you feel bad nor do you have anything to apologise for, you've put your money into the club in the past and surely will in the future when you are able to. I'm sure we all have a reason why we don't go to ICT games as much as we would want to and for the whole you'll find it's simply 'life'. I for one along with Caleyjag would love to go to more games but it's simply not possible anymore, we have a one year old daughter and live in Aberdeen so the chance of going to 20 games a season like we did when we went down then the proceeding two years after are gone for us or the season ticket Caleyjag had before moving for uni but we follow our club, buy merchandise from the club and listen to every game every week on the radio or at least what we there is on. The fact is you have put what money you could into the club and will in the future and you, like I, and everyone else can say that they are part of the rich history of the club and no one can take that away from you. Be proud that your money has gone into that and pay no attention to anyone else.

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.

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.

Here is a player who has been with Elgin, Aberdeen, Celtic, ICT, County and Motherwell and has just been released. I was always impressed by Vigurs when he usually appeared as a sub during the Brewster era, he has a good touch and an eye for goal and was excellent during his time at County. he has always had an attitude problem but I believe under Hughes with an arm around the shoulder or a kick up the backside he could be an unpolished gem who should be scoring far more goals than he has to date. He is only 27 years old which is when players should be approaching their peak, with the right guidance, I believe this is a player we could get within our budget and who could potentially be a terrific signing.

All the best Marley. We will never forget your goal against Falkirk and the part you played in the second goal.

Sadly, one look at their first team squad would suggest otherwise.

Just got home from 28 days at the sea, missed the final, internet and tv on the ship not working, radio commentary was pretty crazy crap could hardly hear it. To make matters worse, the radio op on the rig said they had recorded the game and would burn it to dvd and then send it down to our rescue boat, what did the silly rousty do......threw the bag into the water. I think he came from Falkirk. Up to now I have still not seen the match. Am I the unluckiest ICT supporter ever ? Must add my good lady went out and forgot to set the time to record. Do you think the club will let me come and see the Scottish Cup

At least I feel better about him going there than if he had gone to Aberdeen. He'll join another of our old boys, Sam Winnall, there.

Yes, he would have to play for free after all the abuse he aimed at ICT and its fans. Think both sides should just take a pass on this. its a toxic relationship in both directions and would do no-one any good. Besides, as you say, not so sure he would improve us.

lol ........but I wanted second this season....... ........

no thanks.

Scott McDonald Someone said he was going to Wigan? If not, I think he's exactly what is needed.

Whether Eddie or someone else, an experienced striker is a priority. We can, at a pinch, cover every other position with what we've got.

Apparently 'confirmed' in the Courier print-edition! Very good news.

Is a player not considered by the team finishing eleventh good enough to be offered a new contract good enough to improve the team finishing third ?

Glad Iain was there to witness our day.

Shamelessly stolen from ictfc twitter feed but think this sums up perfectly the reaction to Jamesie Vincent's goal and the full time whistle ........

No

I agree he has some ability but our success of late has been largely due to a great team spirit. I can't see Vigurs adding anything to that. Non-starter.

I rate Williams highly and reckon he could play most positions. I'd actually give him a go in Watkins role. He's got loads of pace, good technique and can take a player on. That'd leave Tremarco at lb, which I don't have any worries about. He's a good player, but he is prone to the odd near decapitation of an opponent at least once in a game.

What game was that before / after? Birmingham - don't you recognise the dodgy pub in the background? I was at that game with Caleymad...it seems suuuch a long time ago, and after the match there were a few concerns for the season from some, ended up OK didn't it?

yeah keep ross and go for doran ross christie (behind strikers) ofere (if he stays) with williams at left back

Don't really want him to go but if he wants to go to Aberdeen then fine. He's not amazing and him and Ofere will be replaced a lot easier than Shinnie will be. On a side note, Aberdeen might as well move through and start playing in Inverness, save their players the travelling

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 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!!

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!

This is what is holding us back from being the Top Club in the league. We are so close to being that . If only we could find another 2/3K crowd at the matches and some generous sponsors we could afford to keep most of the players that are tempted by money. On the other hand we have brilliant players in the squad who just like being with us regardless of the money and will play their legs off for the Club so for the time being Let's hope J H can find us more of that calibre until Inverness and the Highlands wakes up to the reality of the big asset this city has. We have never had to buy our success in the past, should we look to be doing that now or can we accept a less successful period until such times as the development gang are ready to step up to the mark ? which they will do under our manager's guidance but it will take time. Then there are the players who just want to play and not be 'benchers' all the time, they are so valuable but how can you hold on to them when the poachers sniff around with lucrative offers and false promises? Optimism, pessimism, realism all comes into the equation, take your pick IHE , I'm just glad we have the brains and balls behind the Club to give us what we have had and will continue to give us as much as they can in the immediate future and hopefully beyond

Hard to believe but this is for real !

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.