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!

Edited June 3, 201510 yr by Naelifts

Great read Naelifts.

Oh well that's my tears started again!! Great read!

Cheers Mr. Lift! Onwards and Upwards...
See you in Minsk*
 

As I write this however my thoughts are of Iain and Alison Coia...............how they would have loved all this

 
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!

What ICT really need to be successful in Europe is a reliable paramedic and a psychologist - but feck knows where they will find them ?! - another great, emotional testament - can simply savour the feeling.

Super stuff Naelifts. It has been a pleasure all round.

  She remains  the only person to ever enter the Celtic supporters Club at Parkhead wearing an ocelot coat.

 

 

 

More to the point, she managed to leave with it too!

And

Aye lad, been some happy times and a few yarns to tell lol

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. 

Lets have a reunion next month, destination TBC :)

Awwwwww  :cry: :ictscarf:

Excellent post Naelifts.

 

And you are right - the journey continues . . . 

Reading that post was like being back on the old Sportnetwork and Rivals sites

 

Good read Naelifts. We often get hammered for our small crowds but what I do like about our normally low numbers, especially at away games, is you can turn up without anyone alongside you but easily find plenty of friendly faces in the crowd that you know. Saturday tends to be the highlight of my week seeing the folk mentioned above at the football and of course getting the pre and post match 'banter' as well.

 

The summer sucks without football.

SMILE

 

 

Fantastic story

Do you have the share certificate framed hanging on the dining room wall?

TO NAELIFTS !!

Yep, our fantastic journey continues....

Lets have a reunion next month, destination TBC :)

From Paris to Berlin.

Great post naelifts. Pleasure to know you and I enjoy getting the the chat with you.

Edited June 4, 201510 yr by TopSix

TO NAELIFTS !!

 

What game was that before / after?

 

TO NAELIFTS !!

 

What game was that before / after?

 

 

Birmingham - don't you recognise the dodgy pub in the background?

So it is! That pub was something else...

Tremendous stuff Roddy.  I think it's all the sweeter for us given the amazing journey we've been on over the past 21 years - unique, inspiring and never to be beaten.  Gutted I missed yourself and Mantis on Saturday, we did manage to bump into Yngwie and squeeze a quick pint in before heading back up the road.  Myself and the little fella will hopefully see you somewhere in Europe in July for a medicinal libation - thirsty work European football.  Onwards and ever upwards....

TO NAELIFTS !!

Was in school with the young fella on the far right behind IHE.

 

TO NAELIFTS !!

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...

 

 

TO NAELIFTS !!

 

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?