As a youngster growing up in Nairn in the 90s, it took me a while to have any affirmation to a team. Most of my friends at school supported Rangers or Celtic, especially Rangers whilst they went through their 9 in a row. A few mates supported Aberdeen since they were geographically the closest club in the Premier League. However I just couldn't buy into following a team which felt so far away. I could have even supported Nairn County but it was always frowned upon to like someone at that level.
It wasn't until 1994 when my father would talk to me about Inverness having a new team merge and compete in the 3rd Division. I didn't really take to it at 1st but it wasn't until the 95/96 season when Caley were drawn home to East Fife in the Scottish cup 3rd round. My father being a Fifer followed East Fife as a youngster and was keen to take the trip to Telford Street for which would be my 1st Caley game. I still remember standing high up the top of the Howden end terraces watching a game under a rowdy atmosphere and I loved it! The game finished a draw and the replay took place in Methil where we won on pens to reach the quarter finals.
Our draw put us together at home against Rangers however Telford Street wasn't up to standard so the fixture was moved to Tannadice. My father realising how much I enjoyed the East Fife game and the fact it was Rangers we were playing took me down to Dundee for the game. I was in awe watching the stars of the time Gascoigne, Laudrup, McCoist and so. We lost 3-0 but I didn't care, I just watched my local team from Inverness play the biggest team in Scotland at the time.
So from this point the seed had been sown. My dad started taking me to more league games and we watched the club rise. Unfortunately once we reached the 1st Division we started going to less matches as ticket prices increased but my love for the club was there and followed on 20 years later.
I alway remember my father being realistic over how Caley Thistle would do in years to come and he would say we would be a competent Championship club maybe lucky enough to get the odd season or 2 in the Premiership. I would never have thought we would be competing so high in Scotland's top division, let alone playing in Europe next year. Add a Scottish cup final to this is unbelievable, I feel I have gone full circle with this, from my first game v East Fife in the Scottish cup in the Howden End to Hampden Park in the final tomorrow.
What a 20 years it's been!!...