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{{Short description|Association football club in Scotland}}
'''Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club''' are a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[football (soccer)|football]] team based in the city of [[Inverness]]. They play in blue, red and white strips, and are nicknamed ''Caley Thistle''. Their home ground, [[Caledonian Stadium]], is situated beside the [[Moray Firth]], in the shadow of the [[Kessock Bridge]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Inverness Caledonian Thistle
| image = Inverness Caledonian Thistle.svg
| fullname = {{nowrap|Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club}}
| nickname = Caley Thistle<br/>Caley Jags
| founded = {{Start date and age|1994|8|df=yes}}<br /> as ''Caledonian Thistle Football Club''
| ground = [[Caledonian Stadium]]
| capacity = {{SPFL-stadiums|inverness}} (seated)<ref name="capacity">{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/clubs/inverness-caledonian-thistle/ |title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |access-date=30 September 2013}}</ref>
| chairman = Panos Thomas
| owner =
| owntitle =
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = [[Duncan Ferguson]]
| league = {{Scottish football updater|InvernCT}}
| season = {{Scottish football updater|InvernCT2}}
| position = {{Scottish football updater|InvernCT3}}
| website = http://ictfc.com/
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| current = 2024–25 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season
}}


'''Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club''', commonly known as '''Caley Thistle''', '''Inverness CT''' or just '''Inverness''', is a professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Inverness]], Scotland. The team currently competes in [[Scottish League One]], the third tier of the [[Scottish Professional Football League]], and hosts home games at [[Caledonian Stadium]].
The club was formed as '''Caledonian Thistle F.C.''' in [[1994]] following the merger of '''[[Caledonian F.C.]]''' and '''[[Inverness Thistle F.C.]]''', both members of the [[Highland Football League]], to fill a vacancy in the [[Scottish Football League]].


Inverness Caledonian Thistle won the [[Scottish Cup]] in [[2015 Scottish Cup final|2015]], were runners-up in [[2023 Scottish Cup final|2023]] and were also runners-up in the [[Scottish League Cup]] in [[2014 Scottish League Cup Final|2014]]. They have also won the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] three times and the [[Scottish Football League First Division]] twice. Its highest [[Scottish Premiership|Premiership]] position is 3rd in [[2014–15 Scottish Premiership|2014–15]].
After a promising start to their inaugural season, Inverness eventually finished sixth in the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]] in Season [[1993]]-[[1994]]. The following season, they finished third and, eventually, in Season [[1996]]-[[1997]], Caley Thistle won the Third Division Championship.


== History ==
The club then spent two seasons in the [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]] and, after a closely-fought season, finished runners-up in Season [[1998]]-[[1999]]; a feat which saw them promoted to the [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]].
{{See also|List of Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. seasons}}


=== Formation and early years ===
Season [[2003]]-[[2004]] is regarded by many as Caley Thistle's most successful. In [[November]] [[2003]], they defeated [[Airdrie United F.C.|Airdrie United]] 2-0 to win the [[Scottish_League_Challenge_Cup|Challenge Cup]] and reached the [[Scottish Cup]] [[semi-final]], losing a replay 3-2 to [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]] after a 1-1 draw at [[Hampden Park]]. However, the best was still to come. On the final day of the season, Inverness defeated [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] 3-1 and, as a result, pipped [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] to the championship. This made them eligable for promotion to the [[Scottish Premier League]]. Things, however, were not as simple. SPL rules stated that all member clubs must have a stadium with a minimum capacity of 10 000 seats. Caledonian Stadium did not and this left the club's board with a dilemma: do they remain in the First Division (like [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] the season before) or do they groundshare with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]], over 150 km away? After consulting with supporters, the board decided the sacrifice of one season in [[Aberdeen]] would be worth it for Premier League football.
Before 1994, there were three football clubs in Inverness competing in the [[Highland Football League|Highland League]]: [[Clachnacuddin F.C.|Clachnacuddin]], [[Caledonian F.C.|Caledonian]], and [[Inverness Thistle F.C.|Inverness Thistle]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://ictfc.com/formation|title=History – The Formation|website=ICTFC|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> [[Inverness Union F.C.|Inverness Union]], which competed in the Highland League in the late 19th Century, merged with [[Inverness Thistle F.C.|Inverness Thistle]] in 1895.


All three clubs had won a number of local titles, and Inverness Thistle narrowly missed out on being elected into the Scottish League in 1973.<ref name=":0" /> In 1993 the league agreed to expand by an extra two teams, and improved road links to Inverness now meant that competing in national competitions was more possible.<ref name=":0" />
The club are also famous for their [[Scottish Cup]] victories over [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in [[2000]] and [[2003]]: winning 3-1 and 1-0 respectively. Inverness have also knocked-out other [[Scottish Premier League|SPL]] teams including as [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]], and [[Heart of Midlothian|Hearts]] and as a result had gained themselves a reputation as being 'giant killers', but following their promotion to the SPL, they have now become 'giants' themselves.


'''Caledonian Thistle F.C.''' was formed in August 1994 from the merger of Caledonian and Inverness Thistle (both formed in 1885), with an objective of taking up one of the two available places in the Scottish League.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/10-things-about-inverness-ct|title=10 things about Inverness CT {{!}} SPFL|website=spfl.co.uk|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> The merger was opposed by some supporters of both clubs, with Caledonian fans staging a number of protests,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/29/inverness-caledonian-thistle-scottish-cup-final-falkirk|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle writing more history in Scottish Cup final|last=Murray|first=Ewan|date=2015-05-29|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-08-15|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> but the merger went through and the new club was selected to the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Scottish Third Division]] along with fellow Highland team, [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]].<ref name=":1" />
{{Scottish_Premier_League}}

[[Category:Scottish football clubs]]
Caledonian Thistle started [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1994–95]] with a game against [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]] on 13 August 1994, which ended in a 5–2 win at [[Telford Street Park]], the former home ground of Caledonian. Alan Hercher scored Caledonian Thistle's first league goal, and went on to complete a hat-trick. The club eventually finished sixth in the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Third Division]], and followed this up with a third-place finish in 1995–96. Before the start of the 1996–97 season the club changed its name to '''Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.''' Part of the application to join the Scottish League was a commitment to move to a new stadium and, a year later than originally planned, Caley moved to the newly built Caledonian Park in November 1996. With a new name and new stadium, the club finished [[1996–97 in Scottish football|1996–97]] as Third Division champions, earning promotion to the [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]]. The club spent two seasons in the [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]]. After a closely fought campaign, they finished runners-up to [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]] in [[1998–99 in Scottish football|Season 1998–99]], securing promotion to the [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]].

=== First Division (1999–2004) ===
The club first came to national prominence after their [[Scottish Cup]] victories over [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in 2000 and 2003: winning 3–1 at [[Celtic Park]],<ref name="3-1 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/636000.stm|title=Caley's minnows slay Celtic|date=8 February 2000|publisher=BBC Sport website}}</ref> resulting in the headline "[[Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious#Other references|Super Caley Go Ballistic Celtic Are Atrocious]]" in ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)#Popularity|The Sun]]'' which is now framed in the foyer of Caledonian Stadium,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20021020/ai_n12579086|title=A Second Chance to Go Ballistic|last=Grant|first=Michael|date=2002-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306044934/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20021020/ai_n12579086|archive-date=2008-03-06|url-status=dead|publisher=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Glasgow Herald]]}}</ref> and 1–0.<ref name="1-0 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/2871857.stm|title=Super Caley do it again|date=23 March 2003|publisher=BBC Sport website}}</ref> Inverness also knocked other SPL teams out of cup competitions, including [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]<ref name="1-0 Well">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3532159.stm|title=Motherwell 0–1 Inverness CT|date=6 March 2004|publisher=BBC Sport website}}</ref> and [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]].<ref name="3-1 Hearts">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scottish_cup/1780004.stm|title=Super Caley shock Hearts|date=26 January 2002|publisher=BBC Sport website}}</ref> Over the first ten years of their existence the club had been responsible for a total of 12 'shocks' and as a result had gained themselves a reputation as being "[[Underdog (competition)|giant killers]]". On 25 February 2007, Inverness's run of cup victories over Celtic came to an end following two goals in the last two minutes of their fifth round tie at Caledonian Stadium. Having led 1–0 for the majority of the game thanks to a [[Graham Bayne]] goal, [[Steven Pressley]] equalised before [[Kenny Miller]] netted the winner in stoppage time.<ref name="1-2 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6389245.stm|title=Inverness CT 1–2 Celtic|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=25 February 2007|publisher=BBC Sport website}}</ref> However, another victory against Celtic occurred on 16 December 2007, this time in the league, when the team came from being 2–0 down to win 3–2, with goals scored by [[John Rankin (footballer, born 1983)|John Rankin]], [[David Proctor (footballer, born 1984)|David Proctor]] and [[Don Cowie (footballer)|Don Cowie]].

[[2003–04 in Scottish football|Season 2003–2004]] could be regarded as the club's most successful up to that point. In November 2003, they defeated [[Airdrie United F.C.|Airdrie United]] 2–0 with goals from [[Steve Hislop (footballer)|Steve Hislop]] and [[David Bingham (footballer, born 1970)|David Bingham]] to win the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]], and also reached the [[Scottish Cup]] semi-final, losing a replay 3–2 to [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]] after a 1–1 draw at [[Hampden Park]]. However, the greatest achievement was on the final day of the season, when Inverness defeated [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] 3–1, with goals from [[Paul Ritchie (footballer born 1969)|Paul Ritchie]], [[David Bingham (footballer, born 1970)|David Bingham]] and [[Barry Wilson (footballer)|Barry Wilson]] and, as a result, pipped [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] to the First Division title. This made the club eligible for promotion to the [[Scottish Premier League]] (SPL). However, SPL rules at that time stated that all member clubs must have a stadium with a minimum capacity of 10,000 seats. Caledonian Stadium did not meet this criterion, leaving the club's Board with a dilemma: either to remain in the First Division (like [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] the previous season) or to groundshare with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]], over 100 miles (160 km) away. After consulting with supporters, the Board decided the 'sacrifice' of one season in [[Aberdeen]] would be an acceptable compromise to ensure Premier League participation for the club.

=== 2001 Name Change Ballot ===
{{Infobox referendum|name=Inverness Caledonian Thistle Name Change Ballot|date=27 January 2001|question=|choice1=I would like our name to change to '''Inverness City F.C.'''|choice2=I wish our name to remain '''Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.'''|part1_choice1=412|part1_choice2=1,067|votes_counted=100|outcome=Name remains Inverness Caledonian Thistle|yes=412|no=1,067|location=[[Caledonian Stadium]], [[Inverness]]|part1_percentage1=27.86|part1_percentage2=72.14|total=1,479|invalid=}}
In late January 2001, following Inverness' [[Scottish Cup]] match against [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]], in which ''Caley Thistle'' overturned a 0–3 deficit to win 4–3, fans were asked to fill in a voting card on whether the club should change their name to reflect Inverness's recently granted city status. However, the name change was overwhelmingly rejected by the fans in attendance by 412 to 1,067, mostly on the grounds of the amount of success they had under the Inverness Caledonian Thistle name, namely it being just shy of a year since they had beaten [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in the Scottish Cup. The name Inverness City was registered by the club, seemingly in case of a change of heart within the voters, however it was soon dropped when Inverness CT won the [[Scottish Football League|Scottish First Division]] in [[2003–04 Scottish First Division|2004]], and were promoted to the [[Scottish Premier League]]. With the name now free to use, in 2006 now defunct local amateur side [[Inverness City F.C.|Inverness City]] were born, and competed in the lower echelons of the Scottish Football Tier System, playing in the [[North Caledonian Football Association|North Caledonian Football League]] and later the [[Scottish Junior Football North Super League|North Junior Superleague]], before folding in 2019 due to lack of a home ground.

=== Scottish Premier League (2004–2009) ===
[[File:Caledonian Stadium - geograph-916623.jpg|thumb|right|Inverness playing [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] in May 2008 at the Caledonian Stadium.]]

A change in SPL rules during the [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05 season]] reduced the stadium seating requirement to 6,000 seats for SPL membership. The [[Caledonian Stadium]] was rendered a valid SPL venue after a rapid ground expansion, with two new stands added. The stadium was renamed as the '''Tulloch Caledonian Stadium''' in honour of the local building firm that completed the work in only 47 working days. The [[chairman]] of Tulloch, David Sutherland, was also chairman of the club at the time and remains a major shareholder.<ref name=DFS>{{cite web|url=http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/media/public-lectures/christmas-lecture/david-sutherland|publisher=University of the Highlands and Islands website 2012|title=David Sutherland Biography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926191833/http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/media/public-lectures/christmas-lecture/david-sutherland|archive-date=26 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The club returned to playing in Inverness, defeating [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline]] 2–0 in their first SPL game in their own ground on 29 January 2005, thanks to goals from [[Barry Wilson (footballer)|Barry Wilson]] and then player-manager [[Craig Brewster]].<ref name="2-0 Pars">{{ cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4214189.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title= Inverness CT 2–0 Dunfermline|date=29 January 2005}}</ref>

A significant event in the club's history was the signing of [[Romanian national football team|Romanian international]] [[Marius Niculae]].<ref name="Niculae">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/inverness_ct/6268878.stm|title=Romania Striker Joins Inverness|date=17 July 2007|publisher=BBC Sport website}}</ref> Niculae was involved in the club's [[2007–08 in Scottish football|2007–08 campaign]] and played at [[UEFA Euro 2008]], before leaving for [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]]. He later became involved in a dispute with the club over a share of the transfer fee that was not paid to him when he left. As a result, Inverness were ordered by [[FIFA]] to pay £133,000 to the player.<ref name="Niculae court case">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1440045?UserKey=|title=Inverness told to pay Niculae £130,000|date=15 October 2009|publisher=Press & Journal}}</ref> The club appealed against the decision to the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]],<ref name="appeal">{{cite news|url=http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Angry-Caley-ready-to-fight.5735699.jp|title=Angry Caley Ready to fight Niculae ruling|date=15 October 2009|publisher=The Scotsman}}</ref> and in November 2011, the club won their appeal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Caley-Thistle-win-130K-Niculae-transfer-case-8527.htm|title=Caley Thistle win £130K Niculae transfer case|date=24 November 2011|publisher=Highland News|access-date=30 March 2013|archive-date=26 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926105849/http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Caley-Thistle-win-130K-Niculae-transfer-case-8527.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During season [[2008–09 in Scottish football|2008–09 season]], the team incurred a number of bad results and struggled near the bottom of the SPL. Eventually, manager [[Craig Brewster]] was sacked after a run of seven consecutive defeats, ending with a 1–0 loss to [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical]].<ref name="Brewster sacking">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/inverness_ct/7837715.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Inverness sack manager Brewster|date=19 January 2009}}</ref> This was the first time the club had sacked a manager, and the fans had previously voiced concern about Brewster's ability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/inverness_ct/7806048.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Inverness support voices concerns|date=31 December 2008}}</ref> Brewster was replaced by former England international [[Terry Butcher]], who was unable to prevent the club's relegation, despite an initial improvement in results. Inverness Caledonian Thistle's tenure in the SPL eventually ended in May 2009 after suffering a 1–0 home defeat to Falkirk.<ref name="Inverness relegated from SPL">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8062736.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Inverness CT 0–1 Falkirk|date=23 May 2009|first=David|last=McDaid}}</ref> Their final total of 37 points remains the highest ever for a team finishing bottom of the SPL.

=== Return to the First Division (2009–2010) ===

[[File:ICTChampionsMay 2010.jpg|thumb|The team celebrating winning the [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]] title in May 2010 at the Caledonian Stadium.]]
After a slow start to their first season back in the First Division, which looked set to be won at a canter by runaway leaders [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] who were 15 points ahead in January, Inverness put together a run of form which saw them go on a 21-match unbeaten run. On 21 April 2010, Inverness secured promotion back to the SPL with two games to spare after Dundee lost to [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]. Inverness became the first team in ten years to secure an immediate return to the SPL. The team went on to celebrate their promotion with a 7–0 win at [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]], their biggest ever away win. On the final day of the season, Inverness beat Dundee 1–0.

=== Return to the SPL/Premiership (2010–2017) ===

Having won the [[2009–10 Scottish First Division|2009–10]] [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]] title in their first year back in the division since [[2003–04 Scottish First Division|2003–04]], Inverness competed in the top tier of Scottish football from 2010 to 2017. In [[2013–14 in Scottish football|2013–14]], the club reached their first major final – the [[Scottish League Cup]] – [[2014 Scottish League Cup Final|losing on penalties]] to [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]. They then beat [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] in the [[2015 Scottish Cup Final|final]] of the [[Scottish Cup]] in [[2014–15 in Scottish football|2015]]. That same season, Inverness secured entry to European competition for the first time, with a best-ever third-place finish in the Premiership.<ref name="Europe">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32678064|title=John Hughes thrilled to seal European place|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC |date=9 May 2015 |access-date=16 May 2015}}</ref>

As part of the push for promotion in the [[2009–10 in Scottish football|2009–10 season]], Inverness went on an unbeaten away run in the league that continued through the entire 2010 calendar year, culminating in a 1–1 draw against [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] at [[Tynecastle Stadium|Tynecastle]] on 18 December.<ref>Winton, Richard (19 December 2010) "Equal opportunity goes unseized". Glasgow. ''Sunday Herald''.</ref> This extraordinary sequence ended in defeat at [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] on 2 January 2011 when the [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] side won by a single goal. At the split, Inverness narrowly missed out on a top six spot, eventually finishing in a club record-equalling 7th place. However, two years later, they would finish even higher.

During the [[2012–13 in Scottish football|2012–13 season]], a 3–0 win over [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] on 8 December 2012 saw them rise to second place in the SPL (behind [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]), their then, highest ever league position.

Continued good form over the course of the season consolidated the club's position in the top-half of the table. Victory over [[Highland derby]] rivals [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Inverness CT 2–1 Ross County|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21724386|work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=16 March 2013 |access-date=17 March 2013 }}</ref> on 16 March elevated Inverness CT onto an almost unassailable points-total in their quest for a maiden 'top-6' finish. This achievement was confirmed the following day as the club benefited from a favourable result in the Sunday [[Scottish Premier League|SPL]] fixture.<ref>{{cite news |title=History as ICT top six spot confirmed|url=http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/History-as-ICT-top-six-spot-confirmed-18032013.htm|work=Highland News|publisher=Scottish Provincial Press|date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 }}</ref>
This guarantee of a 'top-6' place ensured that the [[2012–13 Scottish Premier League]] season would see Inverness CT record, their then, highest ever finishing league position.

Ultimately, Inverness CT finished in 4th place, narrowly missing [[Europa League]] qualification on the final day of the season, succumbing to a 1–0 defeat from local rivals Ross County.<ref name="Ross County beat Inverness CT for the first time since 2009, which helped edge their Highland rivals out of a Europa League spot for season 2013/14.">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499131|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Ross County 1–0 Inverness CT|date=19 May 2013|first=Kenny|last=Crawford}}</ref>

Inverness CT began the inaugural season ([[2013–14 Scottish Premiership]]) of the revamped [[Scottish Professional Football League|SPFL]] [[Scottish Premiership]] with a 3–0 win over [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]]. This result saw the club take pole-position in the league table. They remained top of the league until the 9th game of the season when they dropped to 2nd place following a loss at [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]].

On 11 November 2013, Hibernian reached a compensation deal with Inverness for Terry Butcher to move to the club, alongside assistant manager [[Maurice Malpas]].<ref name="BBC Online">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24897952|title=BBC Sport&nbsp;– Hibernian: Terry Butcher to take over after Inverness CT agree deal|date=11 November 2013|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

After an extensive recruitment process, on 4 December 2013, [[John Hughes (footballer born 1964)|John Hughes]] was unveiled as the new manager of the club.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25203280 |title=Inverness CT: John Hughes confirmed as new manager |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=4 December 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> In January 2014, [[Russell Latapy]] was appointed as Hughes' assistant manager.<ref name="Latapy">{{cite web|title=Latapy Arrives|url=http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1169-Latapy-Arrives|work=ICTFC.com|publisher=Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC|date=24 January 2014|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201144319/http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1169-Latapy-Arrives|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2014, Inverness defeated [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] in the Scottish League Cup semi-final. Inverness struck first with Greg Tansey firing the Highland side into the lead. Jamie Hamill then scored 2 goals in 2 minutes and gave Hearts hope of reaching their second League Cup Final in two years. Just when Inverness were on the brink of defeat, Nick Ross equalised in the 94th minute and sent the game to extra time. After no goals being scored in extra time, Inverness clinched the win on penalties.

On 25 February, Inverness beat Ross County in Dingwall in the Highland Derby. The 3–0 win was the first time they had won a Highland Derby in Dingwall in the League since March 2003.
They also won the next derby 2–1 on 4 April. The game was also played in Dingwall.

On 16 March, Inverness and [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] faced each other in the [[2014 Scottish League Cup Final]] at Celtic Park in Glasgow. After tense 120 minutes the two teams lined up for a penalty shoot-out. Inverness missed their first 2 penalties with Billy Mckay's penalty saved and Greg Tansey firing over the bar. Despite Nick Ross and Aaron Doran scoring their penalties Aberdeen won 4–2.

Inverness finished the season with a 2–0 win over [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] thanks to second half goals from Ryan Christie and Greg Tansey.

Between May and September 2014, Inverness kept a series of consecutive clean sheets, enabling them to achieve a club record of 616 minutes without conceding a goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/dean-brill-ready-to-see-caley-thistle-clean-sheet-record-go-138431/|title = Dean Brill ready to see Caley Thistle clean sheet record go|date = 9 November 2017}}</ref>

Further success followed that season, with a 1–0 victory away to [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] confirming a record third-place league finish for the club.
This also guaranteed Inverness qualifying for European football for the first time – they competed in the [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League]].<ref name="Europe"/>

=== Scottish Cup victory and European qualification (2014–2015) ===
Inverness CT capped an extraordinary [[2014–15 in Scottish football|2014–15 season]] by winning the [[2015 Scottish Cup Final|Scottish Cup Final]] against [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] at [[Hampden Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32728510|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 Falkirk|website=BBC Sport|access-date=2 November 2021}}</ref> This result came after they had defeated [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in a tense semi-final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32089585|title=Inverness CT 3–2 Celtic|work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref><br />The [[Scottish Cup]] win was the club's first major national trophy and the first won by any club from the [[Highland Council area|Highlands]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1957&newsCategoryID=37&newsID=14852 |title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle win 2015 Scottish Cup|date=30 May 2015|work=Scottish Football Association|access-date=11 July 2017}}</ref>
Furthermore, it entitled Inverness CT to enter the [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League]] in the Second qualifying round. The club were drawn against Romanian outfit [[FC Astra Giurgiu]]. An estimated 500 fans followed the team to Romania, watching the team grind out a 0–0 draw. However this was not enough to set up a tie against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in the next round, as the Romanians had narrowly beaten the Highlanders 1–0 in the first leg in Inverness.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33517063|title=Inverness CT 0–1 Astra Giurgiu|date=2015-07-16|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Relegation and the Scottish Championship (2017–2024) ===
[[File:InvernessCaledonianThistleFC League Performance.svg|thumb|308x308px|League performance since 1994]]
The team failed to carry the form from the previous season due to the loss of key players such as [[Marley Watkins]], [[Graeme Shinnie]] and [[Edward Ofere]]. Furthermore, an approach from [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] to bring [[John Hughes (footballer, born 1964)|John Hughes]] to the ''Tangerines'' in October was rejected by Inverness, leaving Hughes frustrated. <br />
The club's defence of the Scottish Cup began by beating [[Stirling Albion F.C.|Stirling Albion]] after a replay. In the following round, a [[Jordan Roberts (footballer, born 1994)|Jordan Roberts]] goal set-up a tie against [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]]. Inverness lost a replay to the Edinburgh club, who eventually went on to win the competition. Hughes left at the end of the season after mutually terminating his contract, citing a collapse in relations with the board.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36348210|title=John Hughes: Inverness CT announce manager's exit|date=2016-05-20|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Club captain [[Richie Foran]] was appointed as his successor, despite having no previous managerial experience. The club started the season scoring fifteen goals in four League Cup group games. They also recorded a 2–2 draw in the league against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], the only club to take a point off the Glaswegians for close to a year. However, this good form dropped off, and Inverness did not win a league game from October until February – when a last-minute overhead kick from [[Billy Mckay]] lead to a 2–1 win over [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].

Inverness were relegated to the [[2017–18 Scottish Championship|Scottish Championship]] on the final day of the 2016–17 season, despite recording a 3–2 victory over [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]].<ref name="2017 relegation">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39905635 |title=Inverness CT 3–2 Motherwell |first=Martin |last=Dowden |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=20 May 2017 |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref> After [[Richie Foran|Foran]] was sacked from his position, former manager [[John Robertson (footballer, born 1964)|John Robertson]] was appointed as his successor on 14 June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40266234 |title=John Robertson returns as Inverness Caley Thistle manager |date=14 June 2017 |website=bbc.co.uk/sport |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref>

Inverness reached the [[2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup|2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup Final]], after a 3–2 win over Northern Irish invitee side [[Crusaders F.C.|Crusaders]] at home, meaning the club's would make their fourth cup final appearance, and [[John Robertson (footballer, born 1964)|John Robertson]]'s second challenge cup final at the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/caley-thistle-hold-on-to-reach-final/|title=Caley Thistle hold on to reach final – SPFL|website=spfl.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43078354|title=Inverness CT 3–2 Crusaders|date=18 February 2018|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Inverness went on to lift the cup on 24 March 2018, with [[Carl Tremarco]] scoring the only goal of the game seconds before the game was due to go into added time. Robertson became the first manager in the cup's history to lift the trophy twice with the same club.

This cup win kick-started an unbeaten run of 13 games as Inverness went from lingering around the lower echelons of the table to mid-table. However, despite a late push, an injury-time equaliser in the final home game of the season against [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline]] meant the club narrowly missed out on the promotion play-offs by just two points, finishing in 5th place despite winning 3–0 away to [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Greenock Morton]] on the final day, which would've confirmed a play-off slot had Dunfermlne either drawn or lost to [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]].

In August 2018, the club was saddened to learn of the death of ex-player Alan Hercher at 52 years of age. He was the club's first captain, goalscorer and hat-trick scorer – in their first league game against [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]]. In tribute, a minute's silence was held at Inverness' first home game of the [[2018–19 Scottish Championship]] season against [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]] which ended in a 0–0 draw.

In the new year, Inverness were doing better than they had the previous season, sitting in the play-off spots despite drawing nearly every game. The club beat rivals [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]] to progress into the quarter-finals of the [[2018–19 Scottish Cup|Scottish Cup]], and reached the semi-final after a last gasp winner from [[Aaron Doran]] against [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]]. This was the 4th semi-final appearance for the club, after appearances in [[2002–03 Scottish Cup|2002–03]], [[2003–04 Scottish Cup|2003–04]] and [[2014–15 Scottish Cup|2014–15]]. They played [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] in the semi-final, but were defeated 3–0.

By the end of the season, Inverness had secured a play-off spot, after leapfrogging [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]] into 3rd place. In the quarter-finals, Inverness defeated [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr]], winning 3–1 in the first leg, and drawing 1–1 in the second, securing a comfortable 4–2 aggregate win. But they lost to [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] in the semi-finals. In the first leg, at home, they lost 1–0 while down to 10 men after [[Liam Polworth]] was handed a straight red for an apparent high foot on [[Mark Connolly]] while making a clearance. In the away leg at [[Tannadice Park|Tannadice]], Dundee United were awarded and scored a controversial penalty just before half time. The penalty was conceded by a [[Brad McKay]] handball, after it deflected off his heel. There was more controversy just after half time, when the referee did not see a handball, and [[John Robertson (footballer, born 1964)|John Robertson]] was sent to the stands for flicking a water-bottle in aggravation near the [[Assistant referee (association football)|4th official]]. Inverness lost 3–0, making 4–0 on aggregate. After the match, Robertson stated in an interview with the [[BBC Sport|BBC]] on what punishments he would receive from the [[Scottish Football Association|SFA]] for his actions:<blockquote>"I don't care. They [the SFA] can ban me for as long as they want. I'm going to start speaking out now because I've had enough of it."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48318342|title=Dundee Utd 3–0 Inverness CT: Officials a disgrace – John Robertson|date=2019-05-17|access-date=2019-05-19|language=en-GB}}</ref></blockquote>

July 2019 saw the beginning of the 25th anniversary celebrations: a new 3rd kit was announced as well as a special{{clarify|date=August 2024}} friendly game{{Fix|text=against whom?}}. The [[Scottish League Cup|League Cup]] campaign was poor: an 11–10 loss on penalties to [[Peterhead F.C.|Peterhead]] was followed by wins over [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] and [[Cove Rangers F.C.|Cove Rangers]], but for the third year on the trot the club failed to progress to the next round. The league, like the League Cup, started off disappointingly, with to a 4–1 defeat by Dundee United at Tannadice Park. However, the following weekend they won 2–1 at home against [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]]. The game came one year after the death of the club's first captain, Alan Hercher, who scored a hat-trick against the same opposition in the first (home) game of the club's existence, almost 25 years before. This game saw the debut of the anniversary kit.

By the end of February, the club was close to securing a second-place finish, and potentially even winning title ahead of Dundee United, who were dropping crucial points. However, for the first time since the Second World War, the league was postponed: due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]] with the SPFL shut down all football in Scotland from the Premiership to local leagues. It was decided to finish the season as it stood, and to do away with the play-offs. This was met with controversy, as Inverness, [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick]] and [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] planned on voting against this decision; however, Dundee changed their vote at the last minute, leading to the league standings being finalised. Had Dundee also voted no, the SPFL proposition would have failed and the playoffs would have taken place. Following this outcome, a league reconstruction proposal was made, which would have seen Inverness go up with Dundee United to form a 14 team [[Scottish Premiership]], resulting in Partick being spared relegation into League One. However, as of 22 July 2020, the talks collapsed, with Hearts and Partick taking the matter to court and subsequently to an SFA tribunal.

In the 2020–21 season, Inverness finished in 5th place, narrowly missing out on the promotion play-offs despite spending the early part of the season in the relegation zone. On 30 April 2021, it was announced that the previous season's Challenge Cup Final would not take place and instead the cup would be shared between Inverness and fellow finalists Raith Rovers.

In May 2021, John Robertson took up the role of the club's Sporting Director. The following month, [[Billy Dodds]] was appointed as manager.

In the 2021–22 season, Inverness finished in fourth place, despite going through an 11-game winless spell between December and early March, and ultimately made it to the Premiership play-off final, but they were beaten 6–2 on aggregate by [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]].

At the start of the 2022–23 season, Inverness brought in five new signings and a season-long loan. [[Daniel MacKay]] was loaned back to his boyhood club from Hibernian. The other signings were [[Max Ram]], [[Steven Boyd]], [[Zak Delaney]], [[Nathan Shaw]] and the return of [[George Oakley (footballer)|George Oakley]].

In July 2022, Inverness made it out of the League Cup group stages for the first time since 2016, before being beaten 4–0 in the following round by [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]].

The club finished sixth in the Championship that season despite a eight game winless streak from October until the end of 2022.

=== Second Scottish Cup final ===
In April 2023, Inverness clinched a place in the Scottish Cup final for the second time in eight years, beating [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] 3–0. [[Billy Mckay]] scored a brace and [[Daniel MacKay]] netted the other. It was the first Inverness match that involved the use of [[Video assistant referee|VAR]], which gave Inverness their opening goal from a penalty, after a Falkirk handball.<ref>{{cite news |agency=PA Media |date=29 April 2023 |title=Billy Mckay double downs Falkirk to send Inverness into Scottish Cup final |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/29/falkirk-inverness-scottish-cup-semi-final-match-report |access-date=2 May 2023 |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> In the final, Inverness played a treble-chasing [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]. Despite Daniel MacKay scoring in the 85th minute, Inverness lost to Celtic by 3 goals to 1.

===Relegation to League One===
Inverness began the [[2023–24 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2023-24 season]] in terrible form, losing eight of their opening ten games of the season in all competitions, resulting in manager [[Billy Dodds]] being sacked.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-17 |title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Billy Dodds and Barry Wilson sacked as club search for new head coach |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66834718 |access-date=2024-05-29 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Dodds was replaced with former Everton coach and Forest Green Rovers manager [[Duncan Ferguson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-26 |title=Duncan Ferguson appointed Manager of ICTFC |url=https://ictfc.com/duncan-ferguson-appointed-manager-of-ictfc/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=ICTFC |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Following Ferguson's arrival results did pick up slightly, but despite a January squad overhaul the club continued fighting relegation. Inverness finished the season in 9th place in the Scottish Championship, entering the relegation play offs. After beating Montrose 1–0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, Inverness lost 5–3 on aggregate to Hamilton Academical in the final, meaning Inverness were relegated to Scottish League One, the first time the club has played in the third tier since 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamilton Academical win promotion and relegate Inverness CT |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cq5nnjx5wrzt |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><br>
Following relegation, the club announced it was remaining full time, in addition to a highly controversial move of training facilities 135-miles south to [[Kelty Hearts F.C.|Kelty Hearts]]' [[Kelty Hearts F.C.#Ground|New Central Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Inverness CT to train at Kelty in Fife - 135 miles from stadium |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c98871rwjwwo |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, the move to Kelty was reversed following the resignation of Chairman Ross Morrison, with the club continuing to train at Fort George. On 13 August 2024, with the club on the brink of administration, they were saved by local businessman and former chairman [[Alan Savage (football chairman)|Alan Savage]], who subsequently relieved Scot Gardiner as CEO, cancelled a controversial takeover proposal by Seventy7 Ventures, and cleared over £1 Million worth of debts owed by the club to various sources, including shirt manufacturers [[Puma (brand)|Puma]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Paul |date=2024-08-13 |title=Alan Savage in shock Caley Thistle return, as Ketan Makwana talks 'suspended' and CEO Scot Gardiner exits |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/6556496/report-gardiner-exiting-caley-thistle-with-new-investors-vying-for-control1/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Press and Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title=Inverness CT directors convert or write off loans to aid push for new investment |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clyw88kx84xo |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Kit history ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
List of manufacturers and sponsors<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Inverness_Caledonian_Thistle/Inverness_Caledonian_Thistle.htm|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Historical Football Kits|website=www.historicalkits.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-09}}</ref>
!Season
!Manufacturer
!Shirt Sponsor
|-
|1994–1995
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|England}} Matchwinner
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Scottish Citylink]]
|-
|1996
|{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Xerox]]
|-
|1996–1998
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|France}} [[Le Coq Sportif]]
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Citylink]]
|-
|1998–1999
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[ScotRail (National Express)|ScotRail]]
|-
|1999–2001
| rowspan="7" |{{Flagicon|Italy}} [[Erreà]]
|-
|2001–2003
|{{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]]
|-
|2003–2004
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} Inverness Medical
|-
|2004–2007
|{{Flagicon|USA}} [[OneTouch Ultra|OneTouch]]
|-
|2007–2010
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Flybe (1979–2020)|Flybe]]
|-
|2010–2014
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Orion Group (recruitment company)|Orion Group]]
|-
|2014–2015
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]]
|-
|2015–2016
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|England}} [[Carbrini Sportswear|Carbrini]]
|-
|2016–2017
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[McEwan Fraser Legal]]
|-
|2017–2020
|{{Flagicon|Italy}} [[Erreà]]
|-
|2020–present
|{{Flagicon|GER}} [[Puma (brand)|Puma]]
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Intelligent Land Investments|ILI Group]]
|}
In 2017 Inverness cut ties with Carbrini due to delays in manufacturing of replica kits, which angered many fans who had ordered their kits which took months to arrive at their homes. The kits were only available at [[JD Sports]] Stores, and did not become available to buy until a month into the [[2016–17 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2016–17]] season. Inverness partnered up with longtime supplier Errea in May 2017 in time for the [[2017–18 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2017–18]] season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1894-ictfc-forge-new-relationship-with-errea|title=ICTFC Forge New Relationship with Old Friends at Errea – Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC|website=ictfc.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110175017/http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1894-ictfc-forge-new-relationship-with-errea|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2019 a 3rd Kit, which was given a limited release of less than 300, was launched. The kit featured 4 vertical stripes of red, black, white and blue, a silver crest, and the names of all the players who were with the team in the [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]] season, as well as featuring the anniversary logo used to promote the occasion and a one-off 25th anniversary sponsor.

In May 2020, it was revealed that the club's contract with [[Erreà]] had run out as well as potentially the sponsorship by [[McEwan Fraser Legal]]. In the club's fan podcast, The Wyness Shuffle, it was revealed by club chairman Ross Morrison that Inverness had signed a deal with German sports manufacturers [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] and further details would be disclosed by the club at a later date.

== Rivalries ==

=== Aberdeen ===
A big derby fixture is the [[North derby]] between Inverness and Aberdeen, which is still regarded as a derby even though the clubs are over 100 miles apart. The rivalry started when Inverness were ground sharing with Aberdeen at [[Pittodrie Stadium]] in 2004 when Inverness first gained promotion to the top flight, and their ground was being improved to the standards required to be a [[Scottish Premier League|SPL]] team. When Inverness were scheduled to play their home game against Aberdeen, it took place at Pittodrie where Aberdeen had to use the away dressing room and play in their away kit, causing a stir amongst the Aberdeen team and staff.

By far the biggest game between the two was the [[2014 Scottish League Cup Final]] at [[Celtic Park]], where Inverness held Aberdeen to a 0–0 draw, but ultimately lost 4–2 on penalties.

Aberdeen are the dominant team in the derby with 24 wins to 10.

Inverness has been considered as somewhat of a breeding ground for future Aberdeen players, as players such as [[Adam Rooney]], [[Jonny Hayes]], [[Miles Storey]], [[Graeme Shinnie]], [[Greg Tansey]] and [[Ryan Christie]] have all ended up at Aberdeen after their time in Inverness.

=== Clachnacuddin ===
Inverness also has a long-lasting rivalry with [[Clachnacuddin F.C.|Clachnacuddin]], which goes back to before [[Caledonian F.C.|Caledonian]] and [[Inverness Thistle F.C.|Inverness Thistle]] merged. All three teams were founding members of the [[Highland Football League|Highland League]], and all their grounds were close together in Inverness. This led to the City Derby. Though this rivalry is on a lesser scale than it was before the election of Inverness to the SFL, it still exists through pre-season friendlies. Inverness has 17 wins in this fixture, and Clach only two.

=== Ross County ===
Inverness have had a long-standing rivalry with local club [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]], who are situated a few miles north of Inverness in [[Dingwall]]. The rivalry began when both teams were elected to the SFL in the [[1994–95 Scottish Football League|1994–95 Season]]. They contest the [[Highland derby]]. Inverness are the dominant team within the derby with 27 wins to County's 17.

== Stadium ==
[[Highland (council area)|The Highland Council]] contributed £900,000 towards the development of [[Caledonian Stadium]]. The stadium is situated beside the [[Moray Firth]], in the shadow of the [[Kessock Bridge]]. Its construction was promised in their election to the Scottish Football League. The former ground of Caledonian, [[Telford Street Park|Telford Street]], was used until the new stadium was complete. The stadium has 4 stands – The North Stand, The Jock McDonald Main Stand, The South Stand, and the small West Stand. Away supporters are housed in the South Stand, which can hold around 2200 supporters, as well as being given the West Stand and uncovered section of the Main Stand if demand is exceeded, however, if demand is not met, away supporters may be given the uncovered section in the Main Stand. The North and South stands were constructed in 2005 in order to meet SPL requirements. The West Stand was constructed in 2007, holding around 400. It was intended to be used as a singing section, however, the stand remained unused on most match days until early 2022, when a new group called Section 94 made use of it as a singing section.

In 2019, the stadium was gifted back to the club, and its original name of '''Caledonian Stadium''' returned.

=== Attendance ===
[[File:Caledonian stadium.jpg|thumb|right|Tulloch Caledonian Stadium]]
The club's highest 'home' (league) attendance actually occurred while they were groundsharing with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] at [[Pittodrie Stadium|Pittodrie]]. With Inverness fans in the traditional home end, and Aberdeen fans filling the away end, a record attendance of 9,530 was set on 16 October 2004. This record may stand for some time, as the crowd that day was bigger than the current capacity of [[Caledonian Stadium]].

The club's highest cup attendance was also recorded in a venue other than their home ground. A crowd of 11,296 watched Inverness play [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] on 9 March 1996 at [[Tannadice Park|Tannadice]] in [[Dundee]]. The game had been switched to [[Dundee]] as the club's home ground ([[Telford Street Park]] at that time) was deemed unsuitable for the [[Scottish Cup]] quarter-final tie.

The highest attendance recorded at the [[Caledonian Stadium]] is 7,753 set on 20 January 2008 against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].

In February 2021, the attendance record was beaten, albeit unofficially, by a joint effort between Inverness and [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] as a thanks for Inverness helping Hearts when they fell into administration in 2013. This generated revenue of over £10,000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-12|title=Virtual Ticket Sales go over 9,000|url=https://ictfc.com/virtual-ticket-sales-go-over-9000|access-date=2021-02-20|website=ICTFC|language=en-GB}}</ref> Following this the club introduced a limited run of [[Matchday programme]]s for the game.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-19|title=Programme for Hearts match|url=https://ictfc.com/programme-for-hearts-match|access-date=2021-02-20|website=ICTFC|language=en-GB}}</ref> The club stated they were going to use the revenue from the ticket and programme sales to buy a new cover for the pitch after the club's start in 2021 was plagued by postponements due to rain and heavy snow. Towards the end of the match, which ended 1–1, it was announced that 11,356 tickets had been sold. At the time, matches were being played behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

==Players==

===Current squad===
{{updated|29 August 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ictfc.com/team/inverness-caledonian-thistle |title=Team|website=Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC |access-date=1 July 2020 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=SPA|name=Musa Dibaga|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=SCO|name=[[Wallace Duffy]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=SCO|name=[[Flynn Duffy]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=SCO|name=[[Jake Davidson]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|name=[[Remi Savage]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=NIR|name=[[Danny Devine (footballer, born 1992)|Danny Devine]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=SCO|name=[[Charlie Gilmour (footballer, born 1999)|Charlie Gilmour]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=SCO|name=[[Adam Mackinnon]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=NIR|name=[[Billy Mckay]]|pos=FW|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=SCO|name=[[Adam Brooks (footballer)|Adam Brooks]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|name=[[Luis Longstaff]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=SCO|name=[[Matthew Strachan (footballer)|Matthew Strachan]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=SCO|name=Calum MacLeod|pos=MF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=SCO|name=[[Calum MacKay (footballer)|Calum MacKay]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=SCO|name=[[Lewis Nicolson]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=SCO|name=[[Robbie Thompson (Scottish footballer)|Robbie Thompson]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=SCO|name=[[Shae Keogh]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=SCO|name=[[Jack Newman (footballer)|Jack Newman]]|pos=GK|other=on loan from [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=SCO|name=[[Keith Bray]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=SCO|name=[[Ethan Cairns]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=SCO|name=Cameron Ferguson|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=SCO|name=Szymon Rebilas|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=SCO|name=[[Paul Allan]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=James Nolan|other=on loan from [[Manchester United F.C.|Man United]]}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Connall Ewan|other=on loan from [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]]}}
{{Fs player|no=40|nat=SCO|name=Ben Corner|pos=FW}}
{{Fs end}}

===On loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Sam Nixon|pos=DF|other=on loan at [[Forres Mechanics F.C.|Forres Mechanics]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Jack Walker|pos=DF|other=on loan at [[Nairn County F.C.|Nairn County]]}}
{{Fs end}}

=== Notable players ===
{{Further|List of Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. players}}

== Personnel ==

=== Club staff ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Name
|-
| Head coach || [[Duncan Ferguson]]
|-
| Assistant head coach || [[Gary Bollan]]
|-
| Coach || Scott Kellacher
|-
| Goalkeeping coach || [[Stuart Garden]]
|-
| Head of youth development || [[Charlie Christie]]
|-
| Video analyst || Fraser Gorman
|-
| Sports therapist || Natalie Bodiam
|-
| Groundsman || Dale Stephen
|-
| Kitman || Jack Davis
|}

=== Board of directors ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Name
|-
| Club organisational head || [[ Alan Savage (football chairman)|Alan Savage]]
|-
|Interim CEO
|[[Charlie Christie]]
|-
| Interim Chairman || Panos Thomas
|-
| Vice-chairman || Scott Young
|-
| Director || [[Graeme Bennett]]
|-
| Director || Gordon Fyfe
|-
| Director || Allan Munro
|-
| Honorary club president || Roddy Ross
|}

== Notable players ==

Players who have played at international level whilst contracted to Inverness CT and years contracted to club:

(Players in '''Bold''' are currently contracted to the club)

=== Senior caps ===

*{{Flagicon|Canada}} [[Richard Hastings]] ([[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]]) 1994–2001; 2004–2009
*{{Flagicon|Canada}} [[Davide Xausa]] ([[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]]) 1999–2001
*{{Flagicon|Estonia}} [[Henri Anier]] ([[Estonia national football team|Estonia]]) 2017
*{{Flagicon|Guinea}} [[Lonsana Doumbouya]] ([[Guinea national football team|Guinea]]) 2016–2017
*{{Flagicon|Latvia}} [[Pāvels Mihadjuks]] ([[Latvia national football team|Latvia]]) 2009
*{{Flagicon|Northern Ireland}} '''[[Billy Mckay]]''' ([[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]]) 2011–2015; 2017; 2021–
*{{Flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Jonathan Tuffey]] ([[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]]) 2010–2012
*{{Flagicon|Romania}} [[Marius Niculae]] ([[Romania national football team|Romania]]) 2007–2008
*{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Andrew Shinnie]] ([[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]) 2011–2013
*{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Owain Fôn Williams]] ([[Wales national football team|Wales]]) 2015–2019
*{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Owain Tudur Jones]] ([[Wales national football team|Wales]]) 2011–2013

=== Youth caps ===

* {{Flagicon|CAN}} [[Calum Ferguson]] (Canada U-18 & Canada U-20) 2013–2016
* {{Flagicon|DEN}} [[Bajram Fetai]] ([[Denmark national under-21 football team|Denmark U-20]]) 2005
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} [[Aaron Doran]] ([[Republic of Ireland U-21]]) 2011–2024
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} [[Adam Evans]] ([[Republic of Ireland under-19 national football team|Republic of Ireland U-19]]) 2013–2014
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} [[Jake Mulraney]] ([[Republic of Ireland U-21]]) 2016–2018
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} [[Conor Pepper]] ([[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|Republic of Ireland U-19]]) 2012–2014
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} [[Adam Rooney]] ([[Republic of Ireland U-21]]) 2008–2011
* {{Flagicon|ISR}} [[Gil Blumstein]] ([[Israel national under-21 football team|Israel U-21]]) 2010–2011
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Ian Black (footballer, born 1985)|Ian Black]] ([[Scotland national football B team|Scotland B]]) 2004–2009
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Mark Brown (footballer, born 1981)|Mark Brown]] ([[Scotland B]]) 2002–2007
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Ryan Christie]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2013–2015
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Craig Dargo]] ([[Scotland B]]) 2005–2007
*{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Robbie Deas]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2020–2023
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Jamie Duff]] ([[Scotland Under-21 national football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2008–2010
*{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Cameron Harper (footballer)|Cameron Harper]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2017–2024
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Kai Kennedy]] ([[Scotland national under-19 football team|Scotland U-19]]) 2020–2021
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Alex MacDonald (footballer, born 1990)|Alex MacDonald]] ([[Scotland Under-21 national football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2011
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Daniel MacKay]] ([[Scotland national under-19 football team|Scotland U-19]] & [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2017–2021; 2022–2023
*{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Roddy MacGregor]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2018–2024
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Rory McAllister (footballer)|Rory McAllister]] ([[Scotland national under-20 football team|Scotland U-20]] & [[Scotland Under-21 national football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2005–2009
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Jamie McCart]] ([[Scotland Under-21 national football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2017; 2018–2020
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Tom Parratt]] ([[Scotland national under-19 football team|Scotland U-19]]) 2005–2006
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Liam Polworth]] ([[Scotland national under-17 football team|Scotland U-17]] & [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2011–2019
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Bryan Prunty]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2004–2005
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Nick Ross (footballer, born 1991)|Nick Ross]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2009–2015
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Graeme Shinnie]] ([[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U-21]]) 2009–2015
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Iain Vigurs]] ([[Scotland national under-19 football team|Scotland U-19]]) 2006–2009; 2015–2018
* {{Flagicon|WAL}} [[Sam Pearson (footballer)|Sam Pearson]] ([[Wales national under-21 football team|Wales U-21]]) 2022

== Managers ==
List of permanent Inverness Caledonian Thistle managers:
{{updated|31 August 2024}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!From
!Until
!Played
!Won
!Drawn
!Lost
!Win %
!Honours / Notes
|-
|{{Flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Sergei Baltacha (footballer, born 1958)|Sergei Baltacha]]
|1994
|1995
|40
|13
|10
|17
|32.50
|Player/Manager of [[Caledonian F.C.]] prior to merger.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Steve Paterson]]
|1995
|2002
|329
|147
|92
|90
|44.68
|Longest serving manager of Inverness CT.
[[1996–97 Scottish Third Division]] winner.

[[1998–99 Scottish Second Division]] runner-up securing promotion.

[[1999–2000 Scottish Challenge Cup]] finalist.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[John Robertson (footballer, born 1964)|John Robertson]]
|2002
|2004
|84
|44
|13
|27
|52.38
|[[2003–04 Scottish First Division]] winner.
[[2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup]] winner.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Craig Brewster]]
|2004
|2006
|50
|17
|18
|15
|34.00
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Charlie Christie]]
|2006
|2007
|67
|24
|18
|15
|35.82
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Craig Brewster]]
|2007
|2009
|64
|22
|7
|35
|34.38
|Second spell.
|-
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Terry Butcher]]
|2009
|2013
|209
|87
|58
|64
|41.63
|[[2009–10 Scottish First Division]] winner.
[[2009–10 Scottish Challenge Cup]] runner-up.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[John Hughes (footballer, born 1964)|John Hughes]]
|2013
|2016
|122
|50
|31
|41
|41.30
|[[2013–14 Scottish League Cup]] runner-up.
[[2014–15 Scottish Cup]] winner.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Ireland}} [[Richie Foran]]
|2016
|2017
|45
|11
|14
|20
|24.44
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[John Robertson (footballer, born 1964)|John Robertson]]
|2017
|2021
|137
|65
|34
|38
|47.45
|Second spell.
[[2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup]] winner.

[[2019–20 Scottish Challenge Cup]] winner (shared with [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]).
|-
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Billy Dodds]]
|2021
|2023
|110
|48
|25
|37
|43.64
|[[2022–23 Scottish Cup]] runner-up.
|-
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Duncan Ferguson]]
|2023
|Present
|46
|15
|16
|15
|32.61
|
|}

=== Managerial history ===
[[Sergei Baltacha (footballer, born 1958)|Sergei Baltacha]] had been manager of [[Caledonian F.C.|Caledonian]] prior to the merger and he carried on as Caledonian Thistle manager after the merger in 1994. He remained in charge for only one season, leaving in 1995 to be closer to his family in [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]. Baltacha was replaced by [[Huntly F.C.|Huntly]] manager [[Steve Paterson]], who to date is the club's longest-serving manager. During his seven and a half years as manager, from the summer of 1995 to December 2002, Paterson succeeded in taking the club to the [[Scottish Football League First Division]]. He also steered ICT to their famous 3–1 Scottish Cup victory against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in 2000. In November 2002, Paterson was strongly linked to the vacant manager's position at [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]]. However, he chose to stay with Inverness for another month, after which he left, along with assistant [[Duncan Shearer]], to become manager of [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]].

The club also had a [[Director of football]], with former player [[Graeme Bennett]] appointed while Steve Paterson was manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ictfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Chairmen|publisher=Inverness Caledonian Thistle website|title=BOARD OF DIRECTORS|date=25 October 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Paterson was replaced by former [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] player [[John Robertson (footballer born 1964)|John Robertson]], whose two-year reign as manager was an exceptionally successful period. Under Robertson, Inverness won the [[2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup]], gained another Scottish Cup victory over [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], this time 1–0 thanks to a goal on the stroke of half time by club record scorer [[Dennis Wyness]] and won the [[2003–04 Scottish First Division|First Division Championship]], taking the club into the SPL. Robertson eventually left to become Hearts manager and was replaced by [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline's]] [[Craig Brewster]] as player-manager. Brewster succeeded in keeping the club in the SPL. He also introduced new training regimes to increase player fitness and was successful in steering the club to good results against a number of established Premier League sides, including Rangers, Celtic, Motherwell, Hearts and Hibs. After a period of just over thirteen months at the club he left to become the new [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] manager after the sacking of [[Gordon Chisholm]].

Former player [[Charlie Christie]] was appointed manager on 27 January 2006, after a successful spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Brewster, during which time Inverness achieved three wins out of three games played, including a record victory for the club in the SPL as they beat [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] 4–1 away from home. He resigned on 19 August 2007 due to the pressures of the job, and because he believed it to be the correct decision for him and his family.<ref name="Charlie Christie Resigns">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/inverness_ct/6954546.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Christie quits as Inverness boss|date=24 August 2009}}</ref> He has now resumed his former role, running the club's Centenary Club lottery. A short time after Christie resigned, Craig Brewster was reappointed. This was a controversial decision by the club, as Brewster had left to manage Dundee United only 18 months previously. He was eventually sacked in January 2009, after a run of seven league defeats.<ref name=sacking>[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/inverness-ct/2009/01/19/inverness-sack-manager-craig-brewster-86908-21053848/ Inverness sack manager Craig Brewster], ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'', 19 January 2009.</ref>

Brewster's successor, the former England international [[Terry Butcher]] was appointed on 27 January 2009, along with [[Maurice Malpas]] as his assistant. Terry Butcher managed in over 200 matches for the club, the 100th taking place on Friday 6 October 2012, in the 3–1 win over [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19852578 | title=Terry Butcher says derby win will boost game in the Highlands | publisher=[[BBC]] | work=[[BBC Sport]]| date=5 October 2012 | access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> in the first SPL [[Highland derby]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19847193 | title=Highlands 'buzzing' ahead of first SPL derby of the season | publisher=[[BBC]] | work=[[BBC Sport]] | date=5 October 2012 | access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> In November 2013, after nearly five years at Inverness, Hibernian reached a compensation deal with the club for Terry Butcher to move to [[Easter Road]] alongside assistant manager Maurice Malpas.<ref name="BBC Online"/>

After an extensive recruitment process, on 4 December 2013, [[John Hughes (footballer born 1964)|John Hughes]] was unveiled as the new manager of the club.<ref name="BBC Sport"/> Hughes left Caledonian Thistle on 20 May 2016, citing frustrations with his player budget and the club's failure to retain players.<ref name="John Hughes leaves Inverness">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-hughes-leaves-inverness-scottish-8016899#Cqx22S1j1uLI7CXB.97|title=John Hughes leaves Inverness|date=20 May 2016}}</ref>

Long-term player [[Richie Foran]] was announced as the new Inverness manager on 30 May 2016, also announcing his player retirement.<ref name="Foran relishes new opportunity">{{cite news|url=http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1769-foran-relishes-new-opportunity|title=Foran relishes new opportunity|date=30 May 2016|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810174804/http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1769-foran-relishes-new-opportunity|archive-date=10 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Foran was in charge of Caley Thistle for just under one-year before being sacked on 29 May 2017.<ref name="Foran resigned">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40086952|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle part with manager Richie Foran|date=29 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> During his time in charge, the club finished in last position in the [[Scottish Premiership]], suffering relegation to the [[Scottish Championship]] on the final day of the season despite a 3–2 win over Motherwell. The club needed a win from [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] over [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical]], to secure play-offs, which unfortunately did not come as Dundee succumbed to a 4–0 defeat.<ref name="2017 relegation"/>

A few weeks after the sacking of Foran, former manager [[John Robertson (footballer, born 1964)|John Robertson]], who brought the club into the Premiership for the first time in their history in 2004, returned to manage the club in a bid to get them back to top flight. Doing this, he became the second former manager to return to managing the club, after Craig Brewster left in 2006 and came back for a second spell in 2007. Robertson's attempt to return to the top flight immediately was halted by [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]] after a late goal stopped any chances of Inverness making the play-offs, and took the season, like the previous year, to the last day, where [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]] were playing [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]], and Inverness were away to [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Greenock Morton]]. To secure a play-off spot, Dunfermline had to lose and Inverness had to win. Inverness did their part with a 3–0 win, but [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]] lost 4–0 after going down to 10 men against ''the Pars''.

The following season did not start out successful, with 9 draws in their first 12 games, which also included failing to defend the Challenge Cup title after being defeated 2–1 by Dunfermline. However results soon picked up and by May, Inverness captured a play-off spot; they also enjoyed a strong cup run with a 6–1 win over Edinburgh City, a 4–0 win over East Kilbride, a 5–4 penalty win over Ross County and a 2–1 win over Dundee United before heading to Hampden where they were beaten 3–0 by Hearts in the semi-final. The play-offs started well, however after beating Ayr United 4–2 on aggregate hopes were shattered with a controversial 4–0 loss to Dundee United in the semi-final.

The 2019–20 season started off, again, with an early [[2019–20 Scottish League Cup|League Cup]] exit. Come March, the club were doing well in the [[Scottish Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]] and league. However, the season was abruptly cut short due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. This meant that the season of every league from the Championship down was to be abandoned with the league tables being recognised as the final positions, however, the play-offs would not take place, resulting in Inverness being set for a 4th consecutive season in the Championship, and Dundee United, being promoted to the [[2020–21 Scottish Premiership|Premiership]]. This was officially confirmed on 9 May 2020, after the [[Scottish Professional Football League|SPFL]] announced there would be no league reconstruction as there was not enough support from Premiership sides. Inverness finished their season on 10 March with a 3–1 home win over [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]]. On 10 May, a strongly worded statement was released by the club, which agreed with multiple other clubs statements of the SPFL bullying clubs during the Season Ending Vote, and that officials were turning a blind eye to all reported cases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Club Update: 10/05/2020|url=https://ictfc.com/club-update|date=2020-05-10|website=ICTFC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref>

In early 2021, John Robertson left on compassionate leave due to a death in his family, and was subsequently replaced by interim manager Neil McCann, who took Inverness out of the relegation playoff zone into the top half and competing for promotion playoffs.

== Mascots ==
In recent years, the club have embraced the trend of adopting an official mascot. These have included:

* ''ICaT'' – a play on the initials 'ICT', ICaT was designed from the winning drawing in a competition amongst Inverness school children.
* ''SuperSub'' – a [[Submarine sandwich]] in a Superhero costume was retired after [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]] cancelled their sponsorship.
* ''Nessie'' – a 'Nessie' costume wearing the club's home kit. This creation has been rebranded as ''Lionel Nessi'', in reference to international footballer [[Lionel Messi]], and debuted at the [[2018 Scottish Challenge Cup Final]].

== Honours ==

=== League ===
*'''[[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] / [[Scottish Championship|Championship]] (second tier):'''
**'''Winners''' (2): '''[[2003–04 Scottish First Division|2003–04]], [[2009–10 Scottish First Division|2009–10]]'''
**''Runners up (1):'' [[2019–20 Scottish Championship|2019–20]]
*'''[[Scottish Football League Second Division|Scottish Second Division]] (third tier):'''
**''Runners up (1):'' [[1998–99 Scottish Second Division|1998–99]]
*'''[[Scottish Football League Third Division|Scottish Third Division]] (fourth tier):'''
**'''Winners''' (1): '''[[1996–97 Scottish Third Division|1996–97]]'''
*'''[[North Caledonian Football League|North Caledonian League]] (reserve team):'''
**'''Winners''' (2):''' 1994–95, 1997–98'''

=== Cup ===
*'''[[Scottish Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners''' (1): '''[[2014–15 Scottish Cup|2014–15]]'''
**''Runners up (1):'' [[2022–23 Scottish Cup|2022–23]]
*'''[[Scottish League Cup]]:'''
**''Runners up (1):'' [[2013–14 Scottish League Cup|2013–14]]
*'''[[Scottish Challenge Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners''' (3): '''[[2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup|2003–04]]''', '''[[2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup|2017–18]]''', '''[[2019–20 Scottish Challenge Cup|2019–20]]*'''
**''Runners up (2):'' [[1999–2000 Scottish Challenge Cup|1999–00]], [[2009–10 Scottish Challenge Cup|2009–10]]
*'''[[Inverness Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners''' (8):''' 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2023–24'''
*'''[[North of Scotland Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners''' (4):''' 1999–00, 2007–08, [[2009–10 North of Scotland Cup|2009–10]], [[2011–12 North of Scotland Cup|2011–12]]'''
*'''Chic Allan Cup:'''
**'''Winners''' (2):''' 1994–95, 1998–99'''
*'''Football Times Cup:'''
**'''Winners''' (1):''' 1998–99'''
*'''PCT Cup:'''
**'''Winners''' (1):''' 1998–99'''
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Shared with [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]

== Records ==
{{Main|List of Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. records and statistics}}

=== Attendance ===
''All competitions''

'''''At [[Telford Street Park]]'''''
* '''Highest attendance:''' 4,931 v [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]], 23 January 1996.
* '''Lowest attendance:''' 491 v [[Albion Rovers F.C.|Albion Rovers]], 11 April 1995.
'''''At [[Caledonian Stadium]]*'''''
*'''Highest attendance:''' 7,753 v [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], 20 January 2008.
*'''Lowest attendance:''' 300 v [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]], 21 November 2020; and [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]], 12 December 2020.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], where fans were not permitted inside stadia, Inverness and [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] fans virtually sold out the stadium for the match between the two on 26 February 2021, with the final count being 11,356. Though not an official attendance, it is the largest number of tickets sold for a home match involving the club.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55994247|title=Inverness CT: Virtual tickets for Hearts' visit sets new 'attendance' record|date=2021-02-09|access-date=2021-02-09|language=en-GB}}</ref>

'''''At [[Pittodrie Stadium]]'''''
* '''Highest attendance:''' 9,530 v [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]], 16 October 2004.
* '''Lowest attendance:''' 1,125 v [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]], 23 November 2004.

'''''At [[Tannadice Park]]*'''''

* 11,296 v [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], [[1995–96 Scottish Cup|1995–96 Scottish Cup Quarter Final]], 9 March 1996.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>One-off, as Telford Street was deemed unsuitable for a Scottish Cup Quarter Final.

=== Players ===
* '''All-time top scorer:''' [[Billy Mckay]], 102 Goals.
* '''All-time most appearances:''' [[Ross Tokely]], 456 Appearances.
* '''Longest spell at club:''' [[Ross Tokely]], 1996–2012, 17 years.
* '''Highest transfer sum paid:''' [[John Rankin (footballer, born 1983)|John Rankin]] from [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]], £65,000, July 2006.
* '''Highest transfer sum received:''' [[Ryan Christie]] to [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], £500,000, September 2015.
* '''Most goals in a single season:''' [[Iain Stewart (footballer)|Iain Stewart]], 27 Goals, [[1996–97 Scottish Third Division|1996–97]].
* '''Most goals in a match:''' [[Billy Mckay]], 5 goals, v [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]]. 23 July 2013. ''(Friendly).''
* '''Fastest Goal:''' [[Max Anderson (footballer)|Max Anderson]], 19 secs, v [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]], 23 December 2023. ''([[Scottish Championship]]).''
* '''Fastest hat-trick:''' [[Alex Samuel]], 9 mins, v [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]], 27 January 2024. ''([[Scottish Championship]]).''
*'''Youngest Player:''' [[Daniel MacKay]], 16 years, 2 months and 20 days v [[Peterhead F.C.|Peterhead]], 7 October 2017. ''([[Scottish Challenge Cup]])''
*'''Oldest Player:''' [[Jim Calder (footballer)|Jim Calder]], 41 years, 8 months and 29 days, v [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]], 27 April 2002. ''([[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]])''
*'''Youngest Goalscorer:''' [[Daniel MacKay]], 16 years, 2 months and 20 days v [[Peterhead F.C.|Peterhead]], 7 October 2017. ''([[Scottish Challenge Cup]])''
*'''Oldest Goalscorer:''' [[Craig Brewster]], 40 years, 9 months and 9 days, v [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]], 22 September 2007. ''([[Scottish Premier League]])''
*'''Most international caps:''' [[Richard Hastings]] for [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]], 38.

=== Overall ===
* '''Biggest home victory:''' 8–1 v [[Annan Athletic F.C.|Annan Athletic]], 24 January 1998 ''(Scottish Cup)''
* '''Biggest away victory:''' 0–16 v [[Fort William F.C.|Fort William]], 31 July 2018 ''(North of Scotland Cup)''
* '''Biggest home defeat:''' 0–5 v [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]], 9 March 2014 ''(Scottish Cup)''
* '''Biggest away defeat:''' 6–0 v [[Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)|Airdrie]], 22 September 2001 ''(First Division)''; 6–0 v [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], 22 September 2010 ''(League Cup)''; 6–0 v [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], 27 April 2014 ''(Premiership)'' and 6–0 v [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], 11 February 2017 ''(Scottish Cup)'' 6–0 v [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]], 27 July 2024 ''(League Cup)''
*'''Goal milestones:''' The club's 1000th goal was scored on Saturday 9 February 2008 by club captain at the time, [[Grant Munro (footballer)|Grant Munro]] in a 1–1 draw away to [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]].<ref name="goal">{{cite news|url=http://www.ictfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0,,10447~1334423,00.html|publisher=Inverness Caledonian Thistle website|title=SEASON 2007/08|date=25 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901220429/http://www.ictfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0%2C%2C10447~1334423%2C00.html|archive-date=1 September 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*'''Clean sheet record:''' 708 minutes – between 23 September and 25 November 2017.
*'''Longest winning streak (league):''' 11 games – between 16 November 1996 and 15 February 1997.
*'''Longest unbeaten streak (league):''' 25 games – between 17 March 2018 and 1 December 2018.
*'''Longest losing streak (league):''' 8 games – between 29 November 2008 and 24 January 2009.
*'''Longest winless streak (league):''' 14 games – between 29 October 2016 and 18 February 2017.

=== SPL / Premiership ===
* '''Record home victory:''' 6–1 v [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]], 3 May 2008.
* '''Record away victory:''' 0–4 v [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]], 27 October 2007 and [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]], 22 August 2010.
* '''Record home defeat:''' 1–5 v [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]], 18 November 2012.
* '''Record away defeat:''' 6–0 v [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], 27 April 2014.
* '''Most points in a season:''' 65, in [[2014–15 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2014–15]].
* '''Fewest points in a season:''' 34, in [[2016–17 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2016–17]].
* '''Best league placing:''' 3rd, in [[2014–15 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2014–15]].
* '''Worst league placing:''' 12th, in [[2008–09 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2008–09]] and [[2016–17 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2016–17]].
* '''Most goals scored in a season:''' 64, in [[2012–13 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2012–13]].
* '''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 37, in [[2008–09 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2008–09]].
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 71, in [[2016–17 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2016–17]].
* '''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 38, in [[2005–06 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2005–06]].
* '''Best Goal difference:''' +13, in [[2005–06 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2005–06]].
* '''Worst Goal difference:''' -27, in [[2016–17 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2016–17]].

'''Seasons spent in division: 12/31'''

=== First Division / Championship ===

* '''Record home victory:''' 5–0 v [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]], 6 May 2000; [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]], 12 January 2001; [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]], 21 September 2001; [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]], 29 November 2003 and [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Greenock Morton]], 30 August 2019, and 6–1 v [[Cove Rangers F.C.|Cove Rangers]], 2 January 2023.
* '''Record away victory:''' 0–7 v [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]], 24 April 2010.
* '''Record home defeat:''' 1–5 v [[Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)|Airdrieonians]], 15 April 2000 and [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]], 25 February 2003.
* '''Record away defeat:''' 6–0 v [[Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)|Airdrieonians]], 22 September 2001.
* '''Most points in a season:''' 73, in [[2009–10 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2009–10]].
* '''Fewest points in a season:''' 36 in [[2020–21 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2020–21]]*.
* '''Best league placing:''' 1st, in [[2003–04 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2003–04]] and [[2009–10 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2009–10]].
* '''Worst league placing:''' 9th, in [[2023–24 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2023–24]].
* '''Most goals scored in a season:''' 74, in [[2002–03 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2002–03]].
* '''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 36, in [[2020–21 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2020–21]]*.
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 55, in [[1999–2000 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1999–2000]].
* '''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 31, in [[2020–21 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2020–21]]*.
* '''Best Goal difference:''' +40, in [[2009–10 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2009–10]].
* '''Worst Goal difference:''' +1, in [[2023–24 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|2023–24]].

'''Seasons spent in division: 13/31'''

<nowiki>*</nowiki> 2020–21 Season cut to 27 Games due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].

=== Second Division / League One ===

*'''Record home victory:''' 5–1 v [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]], 17 January 1998.
*'''Record away victory:''' 6–1 v [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]], 14 March 1998.
*'''Record home defeat:''' 0–2 v [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]], 21 March 1998.
*'''Record away defeat:''' 3–1 v [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]], 25 February 1998; [[Stranraer F.C.|Stranraer]], 18 April 1998; and [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]], 6 March 1999.
*'''Most points in a season:''' 72, in [[1998–99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1998–99]].
*'''Fewest points in a season:''' 49, in [[1997–98 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1997–98]].
*'''Best league placing:''' 2nd in [[1998–99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1998–99]].
*'''Worst league placing:''' 5th in [[1997–98 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1997–98]].
*'''Most goals scored in a season:''' 80, in [[1998–99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1998–99]].
*'''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 65, in [[1997–98 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1997–98]].
*'''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 51, in [[1997–98 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1997–98]].
*'''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 56, in [[1998–99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1998–99]].
*'''Best goal difference:''' +32, in [[1998–99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1998–99]].
*'''Worst goal difference:''' +14, in [[1997–98 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1997–98]].

'''Seasons spent in division: 3/31'''

=== Third Division ===

* '''Record home victory:''' 6–1 v [[Albion Rovers F.C.|Albion Rovers]], 21 October 1995.
* '''Record away victory:''' 0–5 v [[Alloa Athletic F.C.|Alloa Athletic]], 23 September 1995 and [[East Stirlingshire F.C.|East Stirlingshire]], 7 October 1995
* '''Record home defeat:''' 0–4 v [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queens Park]], 20 August 1994 and [[Montrose F.C.|Montrose]], 14 February 1995
* '''Record away defeat:''' 4–0 v [[Forfar Athletic F.C.|Forfar Athletic]], 3 May 1997.
* '''Most points in a season:''' 76, in [[1996–97 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1996–97]].
* '''Fewest points in a season:''' 45, in [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]].
* '''Best league placing:''' 1st, in [[1996–97 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1996–97]].
* '''Worst league placing:''' 6th, in [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]].
* '''Most goals scored in a season:''' 70, in [[1996–97 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1996–97]].
* '''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 48, in [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]].
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 61, in [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]].
* '''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 37, in [[1996–97 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1996–97]].
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 61, in [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]].
* '''Best goal difference:''' +33, in [[1996–97 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1996–97]].
* '''Worst goal difference:''' -13, in [[1994–95 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season|1994–95]].

'''Seasons spent in division: 3/30'''

=== Europa League ===
* '''Best run:''' [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|Second Qualifying Round]]: [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|2015–16]] (lost 0–1 on aggregate to [[FC Astra Giurgiu|Astra Giurgiu]]).
* '''Worst run:''' [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|Second Qualifying Round]]: [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|2015–16]] (lost 0–1 on aggregate to [[FC Astra Giurgiu|Astra Giurgiu]]).
*'''Biggest Victory:''' N/A
*'''Biggest Defeat:''' 0–1 v [[FC Astra Giurgiu|Astra Giurgiu]], 16 July 2015.

=== Scottish Cup ===
* '''Best run:''' [[2015 Scottish Cup Final|Winners]]: [[2014–15 Scottish Cup|2014–15]] (won 2–1 against [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]).
* '''Worst run:''' First round: [[1994–95 Scottish Cup|1994–95]] (lost 1–2 at home to [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]]).
*'''Record Victory:''' 8–1 v [[Annan Athletic F.C.|Annan Athletic]], [[1997–98 Scottish Cup|1997–98]], 24 January 1998.
*'''Record Defeat:''' 6–0 v [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], [[2016–17 Scottish Cup|2016–17]], 11 February 2017.

=== Scottish League Cup ===
* '''Best run:''' [[2014 Scottish League Cup Final|Final]]: [[2013–14 Scottish League Cup|2013–14]] (lost 2–4 on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] after 0–0 draw [[overtime (sports)|(aet)]], to [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]).
* '''Worst run:''' First round/Group Stage; (8): [[1995–96 Scottish League Cup|1995–96]] (lost 3–5 on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] after 1–1 draw [[overtime (sports)|(aet)]], (1–1 after 90 mins) away to [[Berwick Rangers F.C.|Berwick Rangers]]), [[2003–04 Scottish League Cup|2003–04]] (lost 1–2 at home to [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queen's Park]]), [[2017–18 Scottish League Cup|2017–18]], [[2018–19 Scottish League Cup|2018–19]], [[2019–20 Scottish League Cup|2019–20]], [[2020–21 Scottish League Cup|2020–21]], [[2021–22 Scottish League Cup|2021–22]], [[2023–24 Scottish League Cup|2023–24]].
*'''Record Victory:''' 7–0 v [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]], [[2016–17 Scottish League Cup|2016–17]], 30 July 2016.
*'''Record Defeat:''' 6–0 v [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], [[2010–11 Scottish League Cup|2010–11]], 22 September 2010 and 6–0 v [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]], [[2024–25 Scottish League Cup|2024–25]], 27 July 2024.

=== Scottish Challenge Cup ===
* '''Best run:''' [[Scottish Challenge Cup|Winners]]; (3): [[2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup|2003–04]] (won 2–0 against [[Airdrieonians F.C.|Airdrieonians]]), [[2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup|2017–18]] (won 1–0 against [[Dumbarton F.C.|Dumbarton]]) and [[2019–20 Scottish Challenge Cup|2019–20]] (shared with Raith Rovers).
* '''Worst run:''' First round; (4): [[1995–96 Scottish Challenge Cup|1995–96]] (lost 1–2 away to [[Alloa Athletic F.C.|Alloa Athletic]]), [[1997–98 Scottish Challenge Cup|1997–98]] (lost 0–2 at home to [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]]), [[2002–03 Scottish Challenge Cup|2002–03]] (lost 0–1 away to [[Berwick Rangers F.C.|Berwick Rangers]]) and [[2018–19 Scottish Challenge Cup|2018–19]] (lost 1–2 at home to [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]]).
*'''Record Victory:''' 5–0 v [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]], [[2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup|2003–04]], 2 August 2003.
*'''Record Defeat:''' 3–0 vs [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]], [[2016–17 Scottish Challenge Cup|2016–17]], 2 August 2016. (U20s Squad)

=== Miscellaneous ===

* '''Last SFL goal of the old millennium and First SFL goal of the new millennium:''' [[Barry Wilson (footballer)|Barry Wilson]] against [[Clydebank F.C.|Clydebank]] (27 December 1999) and [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]] (3 January 2000) respectively.
*'''Longest name in professional football in the United Kingdom.'''

== European record ==
{{main|Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. in European football}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Venue
!Wins
!Draw
!Loss
!Goals for
!Goals against
|-
|Home
|0
|0
|1
|0
|1
|-
|Neutral
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|Away
|0
|1
|0
|0
|0
|}

=== Matches ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Season
! Competition
! Round
! Club
! Home
! Away
! Aggregate
|-
| [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|2015–16]]
| [[UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League#Second qualifying round|2Q]]
| {{flagicon|ROM}} [[FC Astra Giurgiu|Astra Giurgiu]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| style="text-align:center;"| '''0–1'''
|-
|}

'''Notes'''
* '''2Q''': Second qualifying round

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://ictfc.com/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20191111174126/https://caleythistleonline.com/ 'CaleyThistleOnline' ~ Independent Fan Site]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/636000.stm BBC report on Scottish Cup defeat of Celtic, 8/2/2000]
* [https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=482 Caley Thistle on Soccerbase] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821090810/http://www.soccerbase.com/teams2.sd?teamid=482 |date=2006-08-21}}
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/inverness_ct/default.stm Inverness CT BBC My Club page]

{{Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.}}
{{Scottish Professional Football League}}
{{Scottish Premier League}}
{{Scottish Football League}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Inverness]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Scotland]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1994]]
[[Category:Scottish Premier League teams]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Inverness Thistle F.C.]]
[[Category:Caledonian F.C.]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League teams]]
[[Category:Scottish Challenge Cup winners]]
[[Category:Scottish Professional Football League teams]]
[[Category:Scottish Cup winners]]

Revision as of 09:36, 1 September 2024

Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Full nameInverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club
Nickname(s)Caley Thistle
Caley Jags
GegründetAugust 1994; 30 years ago (1994-08)
as Caledonian Thistle Football Club
GroundCaledonian Stadium
Capacity7,512 (seated)[1]
ChairmanPanos Thomas
Head coachDuncan Ferguson
LeagueScottish League One
2023–24Scottish Championship, 9th of 10 (relegated via play-offs)
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, commonly known as Caley Thistle, Inverness CT or just Inverness, is a professional football club based in Inverness, Scotland. The team currently competes in Scottish League One, the third tier of the Scottish Professional Football League, and hosts home games at Caledonian Stadium.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle won the Scottish Cup in 2015, were runners-up in 2023 and were also runners-up in the Scottish League Cup in 2014. They have also won the Scottish Challenge Cup three times and the Scottish Football League First Division twice. Its highest Premiership position is 3rd in 2014–15.

History

Formation and early years

Before 1994, there were three football clubs in Inverness competing in the Highland League: Clachnacuddin, Caledonian, and Inverness Thistle.[2] Inverness Union, which competed in the Highland League in the late 19th Century, merged with Inverness Thistle in 1895.

All three clubs had won a number of local titles, and Inverness Thistle narrowly missed out on being elected into the Scottish League in 1973.[2] In 1993 the league agreed to expand by an extra two teams, and improved road links to Inverness now meant that competing in national competitions was more possible.[2]

Caledonian Thistle F.C. was formed in August 1994 from the merger of Caledonian and Inverness Thistle (both formed in 1885), with an objective of taking up one of the two available places in the Scottish League.[3] The merger was opposed by some supporters of both clubs, with Caledonian fans staging a number of protests,[4] but the merger went through and the new club was selected to the Scottish Third Division along with fellow Highland team, Ross County.[3]

Caledonian Thistle started 1994–95 with a game against Arbroath on 13 August 1994, which ended in a 5–2 win at Telford Street Park, the former home ground of Caledonian. Alan Hercher scored Caledonian Thistle's first league goal, and went on to complete a hat-trick. The club eventually finished sixth in the Third Division, and followed this up with a third-place finish in 1995–96. Before the start of the 1996–97 season the club changed its name to Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. Part of the application to join the Scottish League was a commitment to move to a new stadium and, a year later than originally planned, Caley moved to the newly built Caledonian Park in November 1996. With a new name and new stadium, the club finished 1996–97 as Third Division champions, earning promotion to the Second Division. The club spent two seasons in the Second Division. After a closely fought campaign, they finished runners-up to Livingston in Season 1998–99, securing promotion to the First Division.

First Division (1999–2004)

The club first came to national prominence after their Scottish Cup victories over Celtic in 2000 and 2003: winning 3–1 at Celtic Park,[5] resulting in the headline "Super Caley Go Ballistic Celtic Are Atrocious" in The Sun which is now framed in the foyer of Caledonian Stadium,[6] and 1–0.[7] Inverness also knocked other SPL teams out of cup competitions, including Motherwell[8] and Hearts.[9] Over the first ten years of their existence the club had been responsible for a total of 12 'shocks' and as a result had gained themselves a reputation as being "giant killers". On 25 February 2007, Inverness's run of cup victories over Celtic came to an end following two goals in the last two minutes of their fifth round tie at Caledonian Stadium. Having led 1–0 for the majority of the game thanks to a Graham Bayne goal, Steven Pressley equalised before Kenny Miller netted the winner in stoppage time.[10] However, another victory against Celtic occurred on 16 December 2007, this time in the league, when the team came from being 2–0 down to win 3–2, with goals scored by John Rankin, David Proctor and Don Cowie.

Season 2003–2004 could be regarded as the club's most successful up to that point. In November 2003, they defeated Airdrie United 2–0 with goals from Steve Hislop and David Bingham to win the Scottish Challenge Cup, and also reached the Scottish Cup semi-final, losing a replay 3–2 to Dunfermline Athletic after a 1–1 draw at Hampden Park. However, the greatest achievement was on the final day of the season, when Inverness defeated St Johnstone 3–1, with goals from Paul Ritchie, David Bingham and Barry Wilson and, as a result, pipped Clyde to the First Division title. This made the club eligible for promotion to the Scottish Premier League (SPL). However, SPL rules at that time stated that all member clubs must have a stadium with a minimum capacity of 10,000 seats. Caledonian Stadium did not meet this criterion, leaving the club's Board with a dilemma: either to remain in the First Division (like Falkirk the previous season) or to groundshare with Aberdeen, over 100 miles (160 km) away. After consulting with supporters, the Board decided the 'sacrifice' of one season in Aberdeen would be an acceptable compromise to ensure Premier League participation for the club.

2001 Name Change Ballot

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Name Change Ballot
27 January 2001

Votes counted
100%
OutcomeName remains Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 412 27.86%
No 1,067 72.14%
Total votes 1,479 100.00%
Results
I would like our name to change to Inverness City F.C.
27.86%
I wish our name to remain Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
72.14%

In late January 2001, following Inverness' Scottish Cup match against Ayr United, in which Caley Thistle overturned a 0–3 deficit to win 4–3, fans were asked to fill in a voting card on whether the club should change their name to reflect Inverness's recently granted city status. However, the name change was overwhelmingly rejected by the fans in attendance by 412 to 1,067, mostly on the grounds of the amount of success they had under the Inverness Caledonian Thistle name, namely it being just shy of a year since they had beaten Celtic in the Scottish Cup. The name Inverness City was registered by the club, seemingly in case of a change of heart within the voters, however it was soon dropped when Inverness CT won the Scottish First Division in 2004, and were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. With the name now free to use, in 2006 now defunct local amateur side Inverness City were born, and competed in the lower echelons of the Scottish Football Tier System, playing in the North Caledonian Football League and later the North Junior Superleague, before folding in 2019 due to lack of a home ground.

Scottish Premier League (2004–2009)

Inverness playing St Mirren in May 2008 at the Caledonian Stadium.

A change in SPL rules during the 2004–05 season reduced the stadium seating requirement to 6,000 seats for SPL membership. The Caledonian Stadium was rendered a valid SPL venue after a rapid ground expansion, with two new stands added. The stadium was renamed as the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in honour of the local building firm that completed the work in only 47 working days. The chairman of Tulloch, David Sutherland, was also chairman of the club at the time and remains a major shareholder.[11] The club returned to playing in Inverness, defeating Dunfermline 2–0 in their first SPL game in their own ground on 29 January 2005, thanks to goals from Barry Wilson and then player-manager Craig Brewster.[12]

A significant event in the club's history was the signing of Romanian international Marius Niculae.[13] Niculae was involved in the club's 2007–08 campaign and played at UEFA Euro 2008, before leaving for Dinamo București. He later became involved in a dispute with the club over a share of the transfer fee that was not paid to him when he left. As a result, Inverness were ordered by FIFA to pay £133,000 to the player.[14] The club appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,[15] and in November 2011, the club won their appeal.[16]

During season 2008–09 season, the team incurred a number of bad results and struggled near the bottom of the SPL. Eventually, manager Craig Brewster was sacked after a run of seven consecutive defeats, ending with a 1–0 loss to Hamilton Academical.[17] This was the first time the club had sacked a manager, and the fans had previously voiced concern about Brewster's ability.[18] Brewster was replaced by former England international Terry Butcher, who was unable to prevent the club's relegation, despite an initial improvement in results. Inverness Caledonian Thistle's tenure in the SPL eventually ended in May 2009 after suffering a 1–0 home defeat to Falkirk.[19] Their final total of 37 points remains the highest ever for a team finishing bottom of the SPL.

Return to the First Division (2009–2010)

The team celebrating winning the First Division title in May 2010 at the Caledonian Stadium.

After a slow start to their first season back in the First Division, which looked set to be won at a canter by runaway leaders Dundee who were 15 points ahead in January, Inverness put together a run of form which saw them go on a 21-match unbeaten run. On 21 April 2010, Inverness secured promotion back to the SPL with two games to spare after Dundee lost to Raith Rovers. Inverness became the first team in ten years to secure an immediate return to the SPL. The team went on to celebrate their promotion with a 7–0 win at Ayr United, their biggest ever away win. On the final day of the season, Inverness beat Dundee 1–0.

Return to the SPL/Premiership (2010–2017)

Having won the 2009–10 First Division title in their first year back in the division since 2003–04, Inverness competed in the top tier of Scottish football from 2010 to 2017. In 2013–14, the club reached their first major final – the Scottish League Cuplosing on penalties to Aberdeen. They then beat Falkirk in the final of the Scottish Cup in 2015. That same season, Inverness secured entry to European competition for the first time, with a best-ever third-place finish in the Premiership.[20]

As part of the push for promotion in the 2009–10 season, Inverness went on an unbeaten away run in the league that continued through the entire 2010 calendar year, culminating in a 1–1 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle on 18 December.[21] This extraordinary sequence ended in defeat at St Johnstone on 2 January 2011 when the Perth side won by a single goal. At the split, Inverness narrowly missed out on a top six spot, eventually finishing in a club record-equalling 7th place. However, two years later, they would finish even higher.

During the 2012–13 season, a 3–0 win over Hibernian on 8 December 2012 saw them rise to second place in the SPL (behind Celtic), their then, highest ever league position.

Continued good form over the course of the season consolidated the club's position in the top-half of the table. Victory over Highland derby rivals Ross County[22] on 16 March elevated Inverness CT onto an almost unassailable points-total in their quest for a maiden 'top-6' finish. This achievement was confirmed the following day as the club benefited from a favourable result in the Sunday SPL fixture.[23] This guarantee of a 'top-6' place ensured that the 2012–13 Scottish Premier League season would see Inverness CT record, their then, highest ever finishing league position.

Ultimately, Inverness CT finished in 4th place, narrowly missing Europa League qualification on the final day of the season, succumbing to a 1–0 defeat from local rivals Ross County.[24]

Inverness CT began the inaugural season (2013–14 Scottish Premiership) of the revamped SPFL Scottish Premiership with a 3–0 win over St Mirren. This result saw the club take pole-position in the league table. They remained top of the league until the 9th game of the season when they dropped to 2nd place following a loss at St Johnstone.

On 11 November 2013, Hibernian reached a compensation deal with Inverness for Terry Butcher to move to the club, alongside assistant manager Maurice Malpas.[25]

After an extensive recruitment process, on 4 December 2013, John Hughes was unveiled as the new manager of the club.[26] In January 2014, Russell Latapy was appointed as Hughes' assistant manager.[27]

In February 2014, Inverness defeated Hearts in the Scottish League Cup semi-final. Inverness struck first with Greg Tansey firing the Highland side into the lead. Jamie Hamill then scored 2 goals in 2 minutes and gave Hearts hope of reaching their second League Cup Final in two years. Just when Inverness were on the brink of defeat, Nick Ross equalised in the 94th minute and sent the game to extra time. After no goals being scored in extra time, Inverness clinched the win on penalties.

On 25 February, Inverness beat Ross County in Dingwall in the Highland Derby. The 3–0 win was the first time they had won a Highland Derby in Dingwall in the League since March 2003. They also won the next derby 2–1 on 4 April. The game was also played in Dingwall.

On 16 March, Inverness and Aberdeen faced each other in the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final at Celtic Park in Glasgow. After tense 120 minutes the two teams lined up for a penalty shoot-out. Inverness missed their first 2 penalties with Billy Mckay's penalty saved and Greg Tansey firing over the bar. Despite Nick Ross and Aaron Doran scoring their penalties Aberdeen won 4–2.

Inverness finished the season with a 2–0 win over St Johnstone thanks to second half goals from Ryan Christie and Greg Tansey.

Between May and September 2014, Inverness kept a series of consecutive clean sheets, enabling them to achieve a club record of 616 minutes without conceding a goal.[28]

Further success followed that season, with a 1–0 victory away to Dundee confirming a record third-place league finish for the club. This also guaranteed Inverness qualifying for European football for the first time – they competed in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League.[20]

Scottish Cup victory and European qualification (2014–2015)

Inverness CT capped an extraordinary 2014–15 season by winning the Scottish Cup Final against Falkirk at Hampden Park.[29] This result came after they had defeated Celtic in a tense semi-final.[30]
The Scottish Cup win was the club's first major national trophy and the first won by any club from the Highlands.[31] Furthermore, it entitled Inverness CT to enter the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League in the Second qualifying round. The club were drawn against Romanian outfit FC Astra Giurgiu. An estimated 500 fans followed the team to Romania, watching the team grind out a 0–0 draw. However this was not enough to set up a tie against West Ham United in the next round, as the Romanians had narrowly beaten the Highlanders 1–0 in the first leg in Inverness.[32]

Relegation and the Scottish Championship (2017–2024)

League performance since 1994

The team failed to carry the form from the previous season due to the loss of key players such as Marley Watkins, Graeme Shinnie and Edward Ofere. Furthermore, an approach from Dundee United to bring John Hughes to the Tangerines in October was rejected by Inverness, leaving Hughes frustrated.
The club's defence of the Scottish Cup began by beating Stirling Albion after a replay. In the following round, a Jordan Roberts goal set-up a tie against Hibernian. Inverness lost a replay to the Edinburgh club, who eventually went on to win the competition. Hughes left at the end of the season after mutually terminating his contract, citing a collapse in relations with the board.[33]

Club captain Richie Foran was appointed as his successor, despite having no previous managerial experience. The club started the season scoring fifteen goals in four League Cup group games. They also recorded a 2–2 draw in the league against Celtic, the only club to take a point off the Glaswegians for close to a year. However, this good form dropped off, and Inverness did not win a league game from October until February – when a last-minute overhead kick from Billy Mckay lead to a 2–1 win over Rangers.

Inverness were relegated to the Scottish Championship on the final day of the 2016–17 season, despite recording a 3–2 victory over Motherwell.[34] After Foran was sacked from his position, former manager John Robertson was appointed as his successor on 14 June 2017.[35]

Inverness reached the 2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, after a 3–2 win over Northern Irish invitee side Crusaders at home, meaning the club's would make their fourth cup final appearance, and John Robertson's second challenge cup final at the club.[36][37] Inverness went on to lift the cup on 24 March 2018, with Carl Tremarco scoring the only goal of the game seconds before the game was due to go into added time. Robertson became the first manager in the cup's history to lift the trophy twice with the same club.

This cup win kick-started an unbeaten run of 13 games as Inverness went from lingering around the lower echelons of the table to mid-table. However, despite a late push, an injury-time equaliser in the final home game of the season against Dunfermline meant the club narrowly missed out on the promotion play-offs by just two points, finishing in 5th place despite winning 3–0 away to Greenock Morton on the final day, which would've confirmed a play-off slot had Dunfermlne either drawn or lost to Dumbarton.

In August 2018, the club was saddened to learn of the death of ex-player Alan Hercher at 52 years of age. He was the club's first captain, goalscorer and hat-trick scorer – in their first league game against Arbroath. In tribute, a minute's silence was held at Inverness' first home game of the 2018–19 Scottish Championship season against Ayr United which ended in a 0–0 draw.

In the new year, Inverness were doing better than they had the previous season, sitting in the play-off spots despite drawing nearly every game. The club beat rivals Ross County to progress into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, and reached the semi-final after a last gasp winner from Aaron Doran against Dundee United. This was the 4th semi-final appearance for the club, after appearances in 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2014–15. They played Heart of Midlothian in the semi-final, but were defeated 3–0.

By the end of the season, Inverness had secured a play-off spot, after leapfrogging Ayr United into 3rd place. In the quarter-finals, Inverness defeated Ayr, winning 3–1 in the first leg, and drawing 1–1 in the second, securing a comfortable 4–2 aggregate win. But they lost to Dundee United in the semi-finals. In the first leg, at home, they lost 1–0 while down to 10 men after Liam Polworth was handed a straight red for an apparent high foot on Mark Connolly while making a clearance. In the away leg at Tannadice, Dundee United were awarded and scored a controversial penalty just before half time. The penalty was conceded by a Brad McKay handball, after it deflected off his heel. There was more controversy just after half time, when the referee did not see a handball, and John Robertson was sent to the stands for flicking a water-bottle in aggravation near the 4th official. Inverness lost 3–0, making 4–0 on aggregate. After the match, Robertson stated in an interview with the BBC on what punishments he would receive from the SFA for his actions:

"I don't care. They [the SFA] can ban me for as long as they want. I'm going to start speaking out now because I've had enough of it."[38]

July 2019 saw the beginning of the 25th anniversary celebrations: a new 3rd kit was announced as well as a special[clarification needed] friendly game[against whom?]. The League Cup campaign was poor: an 11–10 loss on penalties to Peterhead was followed by wins over Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers, but for the third year on the trot the club failed to progress to the next round. The league, like the League Cup, started off disappointingly, with to a 4–1 defeat by Dundee United at Tannadice Park. However, the following weekend they won 2–1 at home against Arbroath. The game came one year after the death of the club's first captain, Alan Hercher, who scored a hat-trick against the same opposition in the first (home) game of the club's existence, almost 25 years before. This game saw the debut of the anniversary kit.

By the end of February, the club was close to securing a second-place finish, and potentially even winning title ahead of Dundee United, who were dropping crucial points. However, for the first time since the Second World War, the league was postponed: due to the coronavirus pandemic with the SPFL shut down all football in Scotland from the Premiership to local leagues. It was decided to finish the season as it stood, and to do away with the play-offs. This was met with controversy, as Inverness, Partick and Dundee planned on voting against this decision; however, Dundee changed their vote at the last minute, leading to the league standings being finalised. Had Dundee also voted no, the SPFL proposition would have failed and the playoffs would have taken place. Following this outcome, a league reconstruction proposal was made, which would have seen Inverness go up with Dundee United to form a 14 team Scottish Premiership, resulting in Partick being spared relegation into League One. However, as of 22 July 2020, the talks collapsed, with Hearts and Partick taking the matter to court and subsequently to an SFA tribunal.

In the 2020–21 season, Inverness finished in 5th place, narrowly missing out on the promotion play-offs despite spending the early part of the season in the relegation zone. On 30 April 2021, it was announced that the previous season's Challenge Cup Final would not take place and instead the cup would be shared between Inverness and fellow finalists Raith Rovers.

In May 2021, John Robertson took up the role of the club's Sporting Director. The following month, Billy Dodds was appointed as manager.

In the 2021–22 season, Inverness finished in fourth place, despite going through an 11-game winless spell between December and early March, and ultimately made it to the Premiership play-off final, but they were beaten 6–2 on aggregate by St Johnstone.

At the start of the 2022–23 season, Inverness brought in five new signings and a season-long loan. Daniel MacKay was loaned back to his boyhood club from Hibernian. The other signings were Max Ram, Steven Boyd, Zak Delaney, Nathan Shaw and the return of George Oakley.

In July 2022, Inverness made it out of the League Cup group stages for the first time since 2016, before being beaten 4–0 in the following round by Motherwell.

The club finished sixth in the Championship that season despite a eight game winless streak from October until the end of 2022.

Second Scottish Cup final

In April 2023, Inverness clinched a place in the Scottish Cup final for the second time in eight years, beating Falkirk 3–0. Billy Mckay scored a brace and Daniel MacKay netted the other. It was the first Inverness match that involved the use of VAR, which gave Inverness their opening goal from a penalty, after a Falkirk handball.[39] In the final, Inverness played a treble-chasing Celtic. Despite Daniel MacKay scoring in the 85th minute, Inverness lost to Celtic by 3 goals to 1.

Relegation to League One

Inverness began the 2023-24 season in terrible form, losing eight of their opening ten games of the season in all competitions, resulting in manager Billy Dodds being sacked.[40] Dodds was replaced with former Everton coach and Forest Green Rovers manager Duncan Ferguson.[41]

Following Ferguson's arrival results did pick up slightly, but despite a January squad overhaul the club continued fighting relegation. Inverness finished the season in 9th place in the Scottish Championship, entering the relegation play offs. After beating Montrose 1–0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, Inverness lost 5–3 on aggregate to Hamilton Academical in the final, meaning Inverness were relegated to Scottish League One, the first time the club has played in the third tier since 1999.[42]
Following relegation, the club announced it was remaining full time, in addition to a highly controversial move of training facilities 135-miles south to Kelty Hearts' New Central Park.[43] However, the move to Kelty was reversed following the resignation of Chairman Ross Morrison, with the club continuing to train at Fort George. On 13 August 2024, with the club on the brink of administration, they were saved by local businessman and former chairman Alan Savage, who subsequently relieved Scot Gardiner as CEO, cancelled a controversial takeover proposal by Seventy7 Ventures, and cleared over £1 Million worth of debts owed by the club to various sources, including shirt manufacturers Puma.[44][45]

Kit history

List of manufacturers and sponsors[46]
Season Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor
1994–1995 England Matchwinner Scotland Scottish Citylink
1996 Vereinigte Staaten Xerox
1996–1998 Frankreich Le Coq Sportif Scotland Scottish Citylink
1998–1999 Scotland ScotRail
1999–2001 Italien Erreà
2001–2003 Japan Sharp
2003–2004 Scotland Inverness Medical
2004–2007 Vereinigte Staaten OneTouch
2007–2010 England Flybe
2010–2014 Scotland Orion Group
2014–2015 Vereinigte Staaten Subway
2015–2016 England Carbrini
2016–2017 Scotland McEwan Fraser Legal
2017–2020 Italien Erreà
2020–present Deutschland Puma Scotland ILI Group

In 2017 Inverness cut ties with Carbrini due to delays in manufacturing of replica kits, which angered many fans who had ordered their kits which took months to arrive at their homes. The kits were only available at JD Sports Stores, and did not become available to buy until a month into the 2016–17 season. Inverness partnered up with longtime supplier Errea in May 2017 in time for the 2017–18 season.[47]

In August 2019 a 3rd Kit, which was given a limited release of less than 300, was launched. The kit featured 4 vertical stripes of red, black, white and blue, a silver crest, and the names of all the players who were with the team in the 1994–95 season, as well as featuring the anniversary logo used to promote the occasion and a one-off 25th anniversary sponsor.

In May 2020, it was revealed that the club's contract with Erreà had run out as well as potentially the sponsorship by McEwan Fraser Legal. In the club's fan podcast, The Wyness Shuffle, it was revealed by club chairman Ross Morrison that Inverness had signed a deal with German sports manufacturers Puma and further details would be disclosed by the club at a later date.

Rivalries

Aberdeen

A big derby fixture is the North derby between Inverness and Aberdeen, which is still regarded as a derby even though the clubs are over 100 miles apart. The rivalry started when Inverness were ground sharing with Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium in 2004 when Inverness first gained promotion to the top flight, and their ground was being improved to the standards required to be a SPL team. When Inverness were scheduled to play their home game against Aberdeen, it took place at Pittodrie where Aberdeen had to use the away dressing room and play in their away kit, causing a stir amongst the Aberdeen team and staff.

By far the biggest game between the two was the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final at Celtic Park, where Inverness held Aberdeen to a 0–0 draw, but ultimately lost 4–2 on penalties.

Aberdeen are the dominant team in the derby with 24 wins to 10.

Inverness has been considered as somewhat of a breeding ground for future Aberdeen players, as players such as Adam Rooney, Jonny Hayes, Miles Storey, Graeme Shinnie, Greg Tansey and Ryan Christie have all ended up at Aberdeen after their time in Inverness.

Clachnacuddin

Inverness also has a long-lasting rivalry with Clachnacuddin, which goes back to before Caledonian and Inverness Thistle merged. All three teams were founding members of the Highland League, and all their grounds were close together in Inverness. This led to the City Derby. Though this rivalry is on a lesser scale than it was before the election of Inverness to the SFL, it still exists through pre-season friendlies. Inverness has 17 wins in this fixture, and Clach only two.

Ross County

Inverness have had a long-standing rivalry with local club Ross County, who are situated a few miles north of Inverness in Dingwall. The rivalry began when both teams were elected to the SFL in the 1994–95 Season. They contest the Highland derby. Inverness are the dominant team within the derby with 27 wins to County's 17.

Stadium

The Highland Council contributed £900,000 towards the development of Caledonian Stadium. The stadium is situated beside the Moray Firth, in the shadow of the Kessock Bridge. Its construction was promised in their election to the Scottish Football League. The former ground of Caledonian, Telford Street, was used until the new stadium was complete. The stadium has 4 stands – The North Stand, The Jock McDonald Main Stand, The South Stand, and the small West Stand. Away supporters are housed in the South Stand, which can hold around 2200 supporters, as well as being given the West Stand and uncovered section of the Main Stand if demand is exceeded, however, if demand is not met, away supporters may be given the uncovered section in the Main Stand. The North and South stands were constructed in 2005 in order to meet SPL requirements. The West Stand was constructed in 2007, holding around 400. It was intended to be used as a singing section, however, the stand remained unused on most match days until early 2022, when a new group called Section 94 made use of it as a singing section.

In 2019, the stadium was gifted back to the club, and its original name of Caledonian Stadium returned.

Attendance

Tulloch Caledonian Stadium

The club's highest 'home' (league) attendance actually occurred while they were groundsharing with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. With Inverness fans in the traditional home end, and Aberdeen fans filling the away end, a record attendance of 9,530 was set on 16 October 2004. This record may stand for some time, as the crowd that day was bigger than the current capacity of Caledonian Stadium.

The club's highest cup attendance was also recorded in a venue other than their home ground. A crowd of 11,296 watched Inverness play Rangers on 9 March 1996 at Tannadice in Dundee. The game had been switched to Dundee as the club's home ground (Telford Street Park at that time) was deemed unsuitable for the Scottish Cup quarter-final tie.

The highest attendance recorded at the Caledonian Stadium is 7,753 set on 20 January 2008 against Rangers.

In February 2021, the attendance record was beaten, albeit unofficially, by a joint effort between Inverness and Heart of Midlothian as a thanks for Inverness helping Hearts when they fell into administration in 2013. This generated revenue of over £10,000.[48] Following this the club introduced a limited run of Matchday programmes for the game.[49] The club stated they were going to use the revenue from the ticket and programme sales to buy a new cover for the pitch after the club's start in 2021 was plagued by postponements due to rain and heavy snow. Towards the end of the match, which ended 1–1, it was announced that 11,356 tickets had been sold. At the time, matches were being played behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Players

Current squad

As of 29 August 2024[50]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Spanien ESP Musa Dibaga
2 DF Scotland SCO Wallace Duffy
3 DF Scotland SCO Flynn Duffy
4 DF Scotland SCO Jake Davidson
5 DF England ENG Remi Savage
6 DF Northern Ireland NIR Danny Devine
7 MF Scotland SCO Charlie Gilmour
8 MF Scotland SCO Adam Mackinnon
9 FW Northern Ireland NIR Billy Mckay (captain)
10 FW Scotland SCO Adam Brooks
11 MF England ENG Luis Longstaff
12 DF Scotland SCO Matthew Strachan
14 MF Scotland SCO Calum MacLeod
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Scotland SCO Calum MacKay
17 DF Scotland SCO Lewis Nicolson
18 MF Scotland SCO Robbie Thompson
19 MF Scotland SCO Shae Keogh
21 GK Scotland SCO Jack Newman (on loan from Dundee United)
22 MF Scotland SCO Keith Bray
23 FW Scotland SCO Ethan Cairns
24 FW Scotland SCO Cameron Ferguson
25 GK Scotland SCO Szymon Rebilas
26 MF Scotland SCO Paul Allan
27 DF England ENG James Nolan (on loan from Man United)
32 DF Scotland SCO Connall Ewan (on loan from Ross County)
40 FW Scotland SCO Ben Corner

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Scotland SCO Sam Nixon (on loan at Forres Mechanics)
DF Scotland SCO Jack Walker (on loan at Nairn County)

Notable players

Personnel

Club staff

Position Name
Head coach Duncan Ferguson
Assistant head coach Gary Bollan
Coach Scott Kellacher
Goalkeeping coach Stuart Garden
Head of youth development Charlie Christie
Video analyst Fraser Gorman
Sports therapist Natalie Bodiam
Groundsman Dale Stephen
Kitman Jack Davis

Board of directors

Position Name
Club organisational head Alan Savage
Interim CEO Charlie Christie
Interim Chairman Panos Thomas
Vice-chairman Scott Young
Director Graeme Bennett
Director Gordon Fyfe
Director Allan Munro
Honorary club president Roddy Ross

Notable players

Players who have played at international level whilst contracted to Inverness CT and years contracted to club:

(Players in Bold are currently contracted to the club)

Senior caps

Youth caps

Managers

List of permanent Inverness Caledonian Thistle managers:

As of 31 August 2024
Name From Until Played Won Drawn Lost Win % Honours / Notes
Ukraine Sergei Baltacha 1994 1995 40 13 10 17 32.50 Player/Manager of Caledonian F.C. prior to merger.
Scotland Steve Paterson 1995 2002 329 147 92 90 44.68 Longest serving manager of Inverness CT.

1996–97 Scottish Third Division winner.

1998–99 Scottish Second Division runner-up securing promotion.

1999–2000 Scottish Challenge Cup finalist.

Scotland John Robertson 2002 2004 84 44 13 27 52.38 2003–04 Scottish First Division winner.

2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup winner.

Scotland Craig Brewster 2004 2006 50 17 18 15 34.00
Scotland Charlie Christie 2006 2007 67 24 18 15 35.82
Scotland Craig Brewster 2007 2009 64 22 7 35 34.38 Second spell.
England Terry Butcher 2009 2013 209 87 58 64 41.63 2009–10 Scottish First Division winner.

2009–10 Scottish Challenge Cup runner-up.

Scotland John Hughes 2013 2016 122 50 31 41 41.30 2013–14 Scottish League Cup runner-up.

2014–15 Scottish Cup winner.

Republic of Ireland Richie Foran 2016 2017 45 11 14 20 24.44
Scotland John Robertson 2017 2021 137 65 34 38 47.45 Second spell.

2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup winner.

2019–20 Scottish Challenge Cup winner (shared with Raith Rovers).

Scotland Billy Dodds 2021 2023 110 48 25 37 43.64 2022–23 Scottish Cup runner-up.
Scotland Duncan Ferguson 2023 Present 46 15 16 15 32.61

Managerial history

Sergei Baltacha had been manager of Caledonian prior to the merger and he carried on as Caledonian Thistle manager after the merger in 1994. He remained in charge for only one season, leaving in 1995 to be closer to his family in Perth. Baltacha was replaced by Huntly manager Steve Paterson, who to date is the club's longest-serving manager. During his seven and a half years as manager, from the summer of 1995 to December 2002, Paterson succeeded in taking the club to the Scottish Football League First Division. He also steered ICT to their famous 3–1 Scottish Cup victory against Celtic in 2000. In November 2002, Paterson was strongly linked to the vacant manager's position at Dundee United. However, he chose to stay with Inverness for another month, after which he left, along with assistant Duncan Shearer, to become manager of Aberdeen.

The club also had a Director of football, with former player Graeme Bennett appointed while Steve Paterson was manager.[51] Paterson was replaced by former Hearts player John Robertson, whose two-year reign as manager was an exceptionally successful period. Under Robertson, Inverness won the 2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup, gained another Scottish Cup victory over Celtic, this time 1–0 thanks to a goal on the stroke of half time by club record scorer Dennis Wyness and won the First Division Championship, taking the club into the SPL. Robertson eventually left to become Hearts manager and was replaced by Dunfermline's Craig Brewster as player-manager. Brewster succeeded in keeping the club in the SPL. He also introduced new training regimes to increase player fitness and was successful in steering the club to good results against a number of established Premier League sides, including Rangers, Celtic, Motherwell, Hearts and Hibs. After a period of just over thirteen months at the club he left to become the new Dundee United manager after the sacking of Gordon Chisholm.

Former player Charlie Christie was appointed manager on 27 January 2006, after a successful spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Brewster, during which time Inverness achieved three wins out of three games played, including a record victory for the club in the SPL as they beat Falkirk 4–1 away from home. He resigned on 19 August 2007 due to the pressures of the job, and because he believed it to be the correct decision for him and his family.[52] He has now resumed his former role, running the club's Centenary Club lottery. A short time after Christie resigned, Craig Brewster was reappointed. This was a controversial decision by the club, as Brewster had left to manage Dundee United only 18 months previously. He was eventually sacked in January 2009, after a run of seven league defeats.[53]

Brewster's successor, the former England international Terry Butcher was appointed on 27 January 2009, along with Maurice Malpas as his assistant. Terry Butcher managed in over 200 matches for the club, the 100th taking place on Friday 6 October 2012, in the 3–1 win over Ross County[54] in the first SPL Highland derby.[55] In November 2013, after nearly five years at Inverness, Hibernian reached a compensation deal with the club for Terry Butcher to move to Easter Road alongside assistant manager Maurice Malpas.[25]

After an extensive recruitment process, on 4 December 2013, John Hughes was unveiled as the new manager of the club.[26] Hughes left Caledonian Thistle on 20 May 2016, citing frustrations with his player budget and the club's failure to retain players.[56]

Long-term player Richie Foran was announced as the new Inverness manager on 30 May 2016, also announcing his player retirement.[57] Foran was in charge of Caley Thistle for just under one-year before being sacked on 29 May 2017.[58] During his time in charge, the club finished in last position in the Scottish Premiership, suffering relegation to the Scottish Championship on the final day of the season despite a 3–2 win over Motherwell. The club needed a win from Dundee over Hamilton Academical, to secure play-offs, which unfortunately did not come as Dundee succumbed to a 4–0 defeat.[34]

A few weeks after the sacking of Foran, former manager John Robertson, who brought the club into the Premiership for the first time in their history in 2004, returned to manage the club in a bid to get them back to top flight. Doing this, he became the second former manager to return to managing the club, after Craig Brewster left in 2006 and came back for a second spell in 2007. Robertson's attempt to return to the top flight immediately was halted by Dunfermline Athletic after a late goal stopped any chances of Inverness making the play-offs, and took the season, like the previous year, to the last day, where Dumbarton were playing Dunfermline Athletic, and Inverness were away to Greenock Morton. To secure a play-off spot, Dunfermline had to lose and Inverness had to win. Inverness did their part with a 3–0 win, but Dumbarton lost 4–0 after going down to 10 men against the Pars.

The following season did not start out successful, with 9 draws in their first 12 games, which also included failing to defend the Challenge Cup title after being defeated 2–1 by Dunfermline. However results soon picked up and by May, Inverness captured a play-off spot; they also enjoyed a strong cup run with a 6–1 win over Edinburgh City, a 4–0 win over East Kilbride, a 5–4 penalty win over Ross County and a 2–1 win over Dundee United before heading to Hampden where they were beaten 3–0 by Hearts in the semi-final. The play-offs started well, however after beating Ayr United 4–2 on aggregate hopes were shattered with a controversial 4–0 loss to Dundee United in the semi-final.

The 2019–20 season started off, again, with an early League Cup exit. Come March, the club were doing well in the Challenge Cup and league. However, the season was abruptly cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant that the season of every league from the Championship down was to be abandoned with the league tables being recognised as the final positions, however, the play-offs would not take place, resulting in Inverness being set for a 4th consecutive season in the Championship, and Dundee United, being promoted to the Premiership. This was officially confirmed on 9 May 2020, after the SPFL announced there would be no league reconstruction as there was not enough support from Premiership sides. Inverness finished their season on 10 March with a 3–1 home win over Queen of the South. On 10 May, a strongly worded statement was released by the club, which agreed with multiple other clubs statements of the SPFL bullying clubs during the Season Ending Vote, and that officials were turning a blind eye to all reported cases.[59]

In early 2021, John Robertson left on compassionate leave due to a death in his family, and was subsequently replaced by interim manager Neil McCann, who took Inverness out of the relegation playoff zone into the top half and competing for promotion playoffs.

Mascots

In recent years, the club have embraced the trend of adopting an official mascot. These have included:

  • ICaT – a play on the initials 'ICT', ICaT was designed from the winning drawing in a competition amongst Inverness school children.
  • SuperSub – a Submarine sandwich in a Superhero costume was retired after Subway cancelled their sponsorship.
  • Nessie – a 'Nessie' costume wearing the club's home kit. This creation has been rebranded as Lionel Nessi, in reference to international footballer Lionel Messi, and debuted at the 2018 Scottish Challenge Cup Final.

Honours

League

Cup

*Shared with Raith Rovers

Records

Attendance

All competitions

At Telford Street Park

At Caledonian Stadium*

  • Highest attendance: 7,753 v Rangers, 20 January 2008.
  • Lowest attendance: 300 v Raith Rovers, 21 November 2020; and Dundee, 12 December 2020.

*During the COVID-19 pandemic, where fans were not permitted inside stadia, Inverness and Hearts fans virtually sold out the stadium for the match between the two on 26 February 2021, with the final count being 11,356. Though not an official attendance, it is the largest number of tickets sold for a home match involving the club.[60]

At Pittodrie Stadium

  • Highest attendance: 9,530 v Aberdeen, 16 October 2004.
  • Lowest attendance: 1,125 v Dundee United, 23 November 2004.

At Tannadice Park*

*One-off, as Telford Street was deemed unsuitable for a Scottish Cup Quarter Final.

Players

Overall

  • Biggest home victory: 8–1 v Annan Athletic, 24 January 1998 (Scottish Cup)
  • Biggest away victory: 0–16 v Fort William, 31 July 2018 (North of Scotland Cup)
  • Biggest home defeat: 0–5 v Dundee United, 9 March 2014 (Scottish Cup)
  • Biggest away defeat: 6–0 v Airdrie, 22 September 2001 (First Division); 6–0 v Celtic, 22 September 2010 (League Cup); 6–0 v Celtic, 27 April 2014 (Premiership) and 6–0 v Celtic, 11 February 2017 (Scottish Cup) 6–0 v Dundee, 27 July 2024 (League Cup)
  • Goal milestones: The club's 1000th goal was scored on Saturday 9 February 2008 by club captain at the time, Grant Munro in a 1–1 draw away to St Mirren.[61]
  • Clean sheet record: 708 minutes – between 23 September and 25 November 2017.
  • Longest winning streak (league): 11 games – between 16 November 1996 and 15 February 1997.
  • Longest unbeaten streak (league): 25 games – between 17 March 2018 and 1 December 2018.
  • Longest losing streak (league): 8 games – between 29 November 2008 and 24 January 2009.
  • Longest winless streak (league): 14 games – between 29 October 2016 and 18 February 2017.

SPL / Premiership

  • Record home victory: 6–1 v Gretna, 3 May 2008.
  • Record away victory: 0–4 v Gretna, 27 October 2007 and Dundee United, 22 August 2010.
  • Record home defeat: 1–5 v Motherwell, 18 November 2012.
  • Record away defeat: 6–0 v Celtic, 27 April 2014.
  • Most points in a season: 65, in 2014–15.
  • Fewest points in a season: 34, in 2016–17.
  • Best league placing: 3rd, in 2014–15.
  • Worst league placing: 12th, in 2008–09 and 2016–17.
  • Most goals scored in a season: 64, in 2012–13.
  • Fewest goals scored in a season: 37, in 2008–09.
  • Most goals conceded in a season: 71, in 2016–17.
  • Fewest goals conceded in a season: 38, in 2005–06.
  • Best Goal difference: +13, in 2005–06.
  • Worst Goal difference: -27, in 2016–17.

Seasons spent in division: 12/31

First Division / Championship

Seasons spent in division: 13/31

* 2020–21 Season cut to 27 Games due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Second Division / League One

Seasons spent in division: 3/31

Third Division

Seasons spent in division: 3/30

Europa League

Scottish Cup

Scottish League Cup

Scottish Challenge Cup

Miscellaneous

  • Last SFL goal of the old millennium and First SFL goal of the new millennium: Barry Wilson against Clydebank (27 December 1999) and Livingston (3 January 2000) respectively.
  • Longest name in professional football in the United Kingdom.

European record

Venue Wins Draw Loss Goals for Goals against
Startseite 0 0 1 0 1
Neutral 0 0 0 0 0
Away 0 1 0 0 0

Matches

Season Competition Round Club Startseite Away Aggregate
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 2Q Rumänien Astra Giurgiu 0–1 0–0 0–1

Notes

  • 2Q: Second qualifying round

References

  1. ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "History – The Formation". ICTFC. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b "10 things about Inverness CT | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  4. ^ Murray, Ewan (29 May 2015). "Inverness Caledonian Thistle writing more history in Scottish Cup final". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Caley's minnows slay Celtic". BBC Sport website. 8 February 2000.
  6. ^ Grant, Michael (2 October 2002). "A Second Chance to Go Ballistic". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008.
  7. ^ "Super Caley do it again". BBC Sport website. 23 March 2003.
  8. ^ "Motherwell 0–1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport website. 6 March 2004.
  9. ^ "Super Caley shock Hearts". BBC Sport website. 26 January 2002.
  10. ^ Lindsay, Clive (25 February 2007). "Inverness CT 1–2 Celtic". BBC Sport website.
  11. ^ "David Sutherland Biography". University of the Highlands and Islands website 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013.
  12. ^ "Inverness CT 2–0 Dunfermline". BBC Sport website. 29 January 2005.
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