tm4tj

First draft of Montrose game report And that's a wrap!

Our final squad for the season Nolan starts MacLeod starts MacKinnon out Strachan out Longstaff on bench

And Relax! We have all been on the emotional rollercoaster in a turbulent season that saw us go from potential promotion candidates to administration casualties, relegation favourites, possible liquidation fatalities before we pulled through with Scott Kellacher lifting the spirits sufficiently to enable us to retain our League1 status as Alan Salvage dug deep to stabilise our off-field activities and leave us all with fresh hope and a renewed vigour for next season. Aaaaand breathe! For the first time this season we can relax. Relax in the knowledge that Scot Gardiner is gone, Duncan Ferguson and his Duncball tactic is a fading memory, Bar94 is thriving thanks to the Supporters Trust, the ladies toilets are working again, the feelgood factor is back and Administration is on the verge of departure. Enjoy Montrose away, for the pressure is off and it's time to rejoice in our new found joy. The joy of having a football club to support and one that will rise again from the burning embers of near extinction. Mon the Caley Jags. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Supporters Bus/Info ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Final quarter of the season: W L D L W L D W ? Let's forget the rest of the season: Despite injuries, suspensions and administration taking it's toll on the squad we dug deep with a superb penultimate game win over the Smokies. The last phase shows we only had three wins, but all were emphatic and vital. A 4-1 win in the re-arranged game at home to Stenhousemuir and a brilliant 3-0 win at Cove plus last weeks superb performance against Arbroath. A disappointing home defeat to Annan was followed by another disappointing home draw against Alloa. It got worse the week after as QotS battered us 4-1 and following the win at Cove, Kelty dumped us 0-2 in the Highlands, that was another three points that went abegging. We almost pulled off a good result away to Stenhousemuir after the Kelty game but a 91st minute own goal left us with just a point after Billy Mckay had scored his first goal for three months, but what a strike it was, earlier in the second half. Them's the breaks, as disappointing as they are. With three minutes to go, we were sitting in 7th place in the table until Montrose equalised against Dumbarton and Stenny levelled with us. We did get up to eighth in the table last week though after a swashbuckling performance in a 3-0 win over Arbroath and that is the one that makes the final game against Montrose more relaxed with safety guaranteed. Billy Mckay with another stunning strike along with goals from Keith Bray and a Paul Allan penalty dribbling over the line. Waaahayyyyy! Three games with Montrose this season. Both fixtures in the Highlands ended 1-1 and we pi$$ed off Gardyne the Gudgie with a comeback win in early December. Webster and Lyons had Montrose two up before we mounted a comeback. Longstaff scored after the hour before Montrose were reduced to ten men with Steeves sent off. The comeback was completed when Paul Allan scored twice in the 88th and 94th minute, direct from a corner. Limbs! Latest Caley Jags News: Marcus Gill will fill the breach once again with Musa Dibaga still unavailable. A clean sheet for young Marcus last week and another this week would be nice to round off the season. Inverness look to be coming out of administration soon and 32year old Danny Devine is keen to stay on. Adam MacKinnon is our only player with a contract for next season at the moment although with the feelgood factor surging through the club he feels that many might consider it prudent to return next season. Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1🏆 Arbroath 35 16 63 2😎 Cove 35 16 54 3😀 Queen o Sth 35 5 54 4😀 Alloa Ath 35 9 51 5😵‍💫 Stenny 35 2 50 6 Kelty 35 -7 41 7😛 Caley Jags 35 5 40 8🙁 Montrose 35 -7 40 9💩 Annan Ath 35 -25 36 10 Dumbarton 35 -14 20 Last Six: W W L L D L Despite faltering over their last few games, Montrose have made the 'cut' and will play in League1 next season as well. A 3-1 home win over Annan was followed by an excellent 3-2 win at Ochilview. Two defeats at the start of April, at home to Arbroath (0-1) and at QotS away (2-1) before drawing 2-2 at Dumbarton with a 2-1 defeat at Alloa allowing us to jump above them in the table, albeit on goal difference. Owen Stirton, on loan from Dundee United, is their top scorer with nine goals in just thirteen games. That's a good return from the young striker. Blair Lyons has seven. Callum Sandilands is another hungry young forward. Good experience through the Gable Endies ranks as well. Gardyne the Gudgie is still at Montrose as is Matheus Machado. Wiki said: The first Montrose Football Club was formed on 25 February 1871 after a meeting of local young men seeking to organise the practice of the 'national game of football' on the Links of Montrose. The variety of football played at the time did not resemble the modern game (nothings changed) and was more akin to rugby. Friendly matches amongst club members and townsfolk, Montrose Academical, Arbroath and Aberdeen University were played over the next few years before the club was dissolved. On 8 September 1877, a new football club was formed at a meeting at Montrose Academy. During the new club's annual meeting on 13 October 1879 at the Town's Buildings, the committee unanimously resolved to change the rules of the club to those of General Association, with an association rules match amongst club members played later that week on 18 October 1879. The club played their first external association rules match against Arbroath Wanderers on 8 November 1879. Given the fact that the Montrose side were unfamiliar with new rules of the game, the team unsurprisingly lost 4–0. They are the 18th oldest association football team in Scotland still in existence. It's rumoured that they still don't know the rules

However, on reading further... ‘English Premier League and Championship interest’ in Caley Thistle’s Musa Dibaga but goalkeeper could prolong Inverness stay Talks for the ICT number one are poised to kick off as soon as Inverness exit administration. Musa Dibaga in action for Caley Thistle. Image: Peter Paul. By Paul Chalk April 28 2025,

Unseen footage of the Caley Jags roasting the Smokies on the BBQ after the game has appeared on social media following the 3-0 win over them at the weekend. In a swashbuckling final home game, Inverness avoided the relegation play-offs before easing up to save the Smokies further embarrassment. More good news followed from the Club with a meeting scheduled for May 22nd to iron out any lingering CVA differences. Roll on next season!

STATEMENT BY JOINT ADMINISTRATORS OF INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC April 28, 2025 ICTFC Media The Joint Administrators were delighted to see the club secure League One safety on Saturday. This is a testament to everyone involved at the club and something all should feel very proud about. Now that this has been clarified, the Administrators intend to hold a meeting on Thursday 22nd May to propose a Company Voluntary Arrangement for the creditors’ consideration. If the CVA proposal is approved, it will allow the club to exit Administration and retain its place in League One. Significant progress has been made to fulfil the key conditions of the offer made by Mr Savage, namely: 100% of the voting shares to be transferred to his purchasing vehicle All loan creditors to be written off Agreement with Inverness Caledonian Thistle Property Company to purchase land around the stadium However, these conditions need to be in place prior to the meeting and we would encourage all shareholders in particular to complete and return their stock transfer forms as soon as possible. We would remind any shareholder who may be minded not to agree to the proposal that this may result in the offer being withdrawn, the assets sold to another entity and the club – should it survive – being demoted outside of the league structure. The existing entity would then ultimately be dissolved rendering all shares redundant.

The penalty went to the keepers right and the ball ended up going in to the keepers left 😅

Here's the YouTube version of the goals, it's a bit better that FB version.

CTO report. Well done all

Fixed it for you: Worth adding that we now have the best defensive record in League 1. Arbroath were best for most of the season but then Duncan Ferguson left!

'He's inspirational when he wants, Billy Mckay, he's inspirational when he wants'... Doesn't sound right

The supporter trust said: Bar 94 open from 12 as always! Got a few items for auction tomorrow and we are expecting a busy one so get down early and secure a seat! Don’t forget that Stagecoach run buses at 1pm and 2:15pm from the centre and will take you back ten minutes after full time or at 6pm. Come down and enjoy a pint of @DogFalls before pushing the boys on the park for a big performance!

The big pint Wet the head A few blasts from the past...

Marcus Gill confirmed as our keeper again this weekend.

Massive Game We have talked about big games before, but this one is absolutely huge in the thirty year history of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Only two games left of the regular season and we still need to ensure we avoid the dreaded relegation play-offs. We face Arbroath at home on Saturday and then make the trip to Montrose the week after and these two games could determine our fate. Musa Dibaga is out for the last couple of games as is Alfie Bavidge. Luis Longstaff returned after injury last week and played half a game. Prior to the game, and three years on from his passing, a few of us will be raising a glass to remember Big Stew in the Innes Bar from 1:00pm. Pop in to say hello and share some stories with us. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar94/Info Hospitality Available Bring a friend for £5 ICTFC PotY VOTING Wayne Addicoat RIP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sad news released by the club today to announce that former player Wayne Addicoat has passed away at just 45 years of age RIP Wayne 😥 His passing will be acknowledged with a minutes applause ahead of kick off against Arbroath. Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are saddened to hear of the recent passing of former player Wayne Addicoat at 45 years-old. Wayne played for the club from July 1996 until May 1999, making 54 appearances and scoring 4 goals. The club send its condolences to Wayne’s family at this sad time and we will be holding a minute’s applause before this Saturday’s match against Arbroath. Four meetings already this season and we have yet to win one. Closest we came was in the League cup game that ended goalless with Arbroath winning the bonus point after the penalty shoot-out. 2025 Apr 26th League (League 1) ? - ? H - Feb 8th League (League 1) 0 - 3 A 1,500 2024 Dec 14th League (League 1) 0 - 2 H 1,531 Oct 5th League (League 1) 0 - 1 A 1,381 Jul 23rd League Cup (Group D) p 0 - 0 H 754 Final quarter of the season: W L D L W L D ? ? Forget the rest of the season; it's what happens over the next two games that will define our season. As well as we have done to give ourselves the chance to stay in this division, we have faltered over the last few games with injuries, suspensions and administration taking it's toll on the squad. Only the two wins in this last phase, but both were emphatic. A 4-1 win in the re-arranged game at home to Stenhousemuir and a brilliant 3-0 win at Cove. A disappointing home defeat to Annan was followed by another disappointing home draw against Alloa. It got worse the week after as QotS battered us 4-1 and following the win at Cove, Kelty dumped us 0-2 in the Highlands, another three points lost. We almost pulled off a good result away to Stenhousemuir last Saturday but a 91st minute own goal left us with just a point after Billy Mckay had scored his first goal for three months earlier in the second half. Thems the breaks, as disappointing as they are. With three minutes to go, we were sitting in 7th place in the table until Montrose equalised against Dumbarton and Stenny levelled with us. Looks like we will be without big Musa again so I for one won't be holding my breath. I believe we are hopeful of acquiring Marcus Gill again. I also doubt very much that Arbroath will be sending up a second string starting XI this weekend like they did last week at Annan. They would have been as well not turning up instead of the embarrassing 5-1 defeat they were dished out by a team with a goal difference of minus 23, the worst in League1. Scott Kellacher does not want to make anything of this, however, I'm happy to do it for him. Meh! Kelty are at Cove, Montrose are at Alloa and Annan are at Dumbarton. All tricky away ties at this stage of the season. Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Smokies 34 19 63 2😀 Cove 34 16 53 3😀 Queen Sth 34 3 51 4 Stenny 34 4 50 5 Alloa Ath 34 8 48 6🙁 Montrose 34 -6 40 7🙁 Kelty 34 -7 40 8 Caley Jags 34 2 37 9💩 Annan Ath 34 -23 36 10 Sons 34 -16 17 Last Six: D D W W W L The two draws were both 1-1 against Dumbarton (h) and Kelty (a). Three wins on the bounce v Cove (1-0), Montrose (0-1) and the title winning defeat of Stenhousemuir (4-0). Last week was the embarrassing loss to Annan at Galabank where they made seven changes to their line up and were thrashed 5-1 by Annan. It goes against the grain to be honest especially as they can still influence relegation places by their bringing the game into disrepute tactic. It's certainly not in the spirit of things and unless they field half a team this week then it smacks of dishonesty. When you leave players out with the quality of Fraser Taylor, Scott Stewart, Sam Stanton, Ryan Dow, Tam O'Brien, Aidan McAdams...... yer havin a laff guys. Remembering Stewart Anderson who sadly is no longer with us having departed three years ago on 13th April 2022 aged just 52. A few friends of 'Big Stew' will be remembering the Big Man and having a peedie dram in his absence before the Smokies game. Join us if you like as we reminisce about better times ahead of kick-off and fondly get the craic with Big Stew in the Innes Bar from 1:00pm onward. Many a pre-match aperitif was had with Stewart before heading to the game with ample shouting juice absorbed into the body and boarding the taxi at four minutes to three (and still making kick-off). As you can see, this painting was done by Stewart's brother, Blair. What a fantastic instantly recognisable image that captures the energy and passion, and epitomises this Gentle Giant of a character. Cheers Stewart, missed by many Slàinte Mhath Here's the new barman sampling some of the wares in what could be described as a 'lock in' back in the day. Never one to shirk a challenge Stewart could easily demolish a peedie dram or equally a 31/2 pint tumbler of the black stuff in one go. A gentleman and a scholar who will be forever in our thoughts. I'm not sure what he would have thought about the current situation the club finds itself in, but I bet he would have had a few choice words for those that have contributed to our demise. More pics to follow once preview posted.

Where's ma jacket?

From P&J fan page Seven goalkeepers used this season Kellacher confirmed that a hamstring tear has ended Dibaga’s season. The Spaniard, who is out of contract this summer, may well have played his last ICT game after being injured last week. Against Stenny, 17-year-old Celtic goalkeeper Marcus Gill played as part of a one-week loan move. Kellacher added: “Musa has torn his hamstring and will be out for two to three months. We will now see if he has to go for surgery. “This season, we have gone through seven goalkeepers including loanees helping us out. “It’s a sore one for Musa, who has had a great season. We’ve had a lot of injuries at the wrong time. “We will consider our options for next week and whether Marcus can come back. Celtic, who loaned Aidan Rice to us this year, have been a great help.” Jack Newman Musa Dibaga Martin Mackinnon Corey Paterson Szymon Rebilas Aidan Rice Marcus Gill