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{{Short description|Association football club in Scotland}}
{{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 = ]
| 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 = vacant
| owner =
| owntitle =
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = ]
| 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 ] club based in ], Scotland. The team currently competes in ], the third tier of the ], and hosts home games at ].

Inverness Caledonian Thistle won the ] in ], were runners-up in ] and were also runners-up in the ] in ]. They have also won the ] three times and the ] twice. Its highest ] position is 3rd in ].

== History ==
{{See also|List of Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. seasons}}

=== Formation and early years ===
Before 1994, there were three football clubs in Inverness competing in the ]: ], ], and ].<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> ], which competed in the Highland League in the late 19th Century, merged with ] 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" />

'''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 ] along with fellow Highland team, ].<ref name=":1" />

Caledonian Thistle started ] with a game against ] on 13 August 1994, which ended in a 5–2 win at ], 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 ], 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 ] as Third Division champions, earning promotion to the ]. The club spent two seasons in the ]. After a closely fought campaign, they finished runners-up to ] in ], securing promotion to the ].

=== First Division (1999–2004) ===
The club first came to national prominence after their ] victories over ] in 2000 and 2003: winning 3–1 at ],<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 "]" in '']'' 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=]}}</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 ]<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 ].<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 "]". 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 ] goal, ] equalised before ] 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 ], ] and ].

] could be regarded as the club's most successful up to that point. In November 2003, they defeated ] 2–0 with goals from ] and ] to win the ], and also reached the ] semi-final, losing a replay 3–2 to ] after a 1–1 draw at ]. However, the greatest achievement was on the final day of the season, when Inverness defeated ] 3–1, with goals from ], ] and ] and, as a result, pipped ] to the First Division title. This made the club eligible for promotion to the ] (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 ] the previous season) or to groundshare with ], over 100 miles (160&nbsp;km) away. After consulting with supporters, the Board decided the 'sacrifice' of one season in ] 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=], ]|part1_percentage1=27.86|part1_percentage2=72.14|total=1,479|invalid=}}
In late January 2001, following Inverness' ] match against ], 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 ] 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 ] in ], and were promoted to the ]. With the name now free to use, in 2006 now defunct local amateur side ] were born, and competed in the lower echelons of the Scottish Football Tier System, playing in the ] and later the ], before folding in 2019 due to lack of a home ground.

=== Scottish Premier League (2004–2009) ===
] in May 2008 at the Caledonian Stadium.]]

A change in SPL rules during the ] reduced the stadium seating requirement to 6,000 seats for SPL membership. The ] 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 ] 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 ] 2–0 in their first SPL game in their own ground on 29 January 2005, thanks to goals from ] and then player-manager ].<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 ] ].<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 ] and played at ], before leaving for ]. 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 ] 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 ],<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 ], the team incurred a number of bad results and struggled near the bottom of the SPL. Eventually, manager ] was sacked after a run of seven consecutive defeats, ending with a 1–0 loss to ].<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 ], 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) ===

] 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 ] 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 ]. 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 ], 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 ] ] title in their first year back in the division since ], Inverness competed in the top tier of Scottish football from 2010 to 2017. In ], the club reached their first major final – the ] – ] to ]. They then beat ] in the ] of the ] in ]. 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 ], 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 ] at ] on 18 December.<ref>Winton, Richard (19 December 2010) "Equal opportunity goes unseized". Glasgow. ''Sunday Herald''.</ref> This extraordinary sequence ended in defeat at ] on 2 January 2011 when the ] 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 ], a 3–0 win over ] on 8 December 2012 saw them rise to second place in the SPL (behind ]), 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 ] rivals ]<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 ] 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 ] season would see Inverness CT record, their then, highest ever finishing league position.

Ultimately, Inverness CT finished in 4th place, narrowly missing ] 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 (]) of the revamped ] ] with a 3–0 win over ]. 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 ].

On 11 November 2013, Hibernian reached a compensation deal with Inverness for Terry Butcher to move to the club, alongside assistant manager ].<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=]|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

After an extensive recruitment process, on 4 December 2013, ] 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, ] 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 ] 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 ] faced each other in the ] 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 ] 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 ] 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 ].<ref name="Europe"/>

=== Scottish Cup victory and European qualification (2014–2015) ===
Inverness CT capped an extraordinary ] by winning the ] against ] at ].<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 ] 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 ] win was the club's first major national trophy and the first won by any club from the ].<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 ] in the Second qualifying round. The club were drawn against Romanian outfit ]. 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 ] 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) ===
]
The team failed to carry the form from the previous season due to the loss of key players such as ], ] and ]. Furthermore, an approach from ] to bring ] to the ''Tangerines'' in October was rejected by Inverness, leaving Hughes frustrated. <br />
The club's defence of the Scottish Cup began by beating ] after a replay. In the following round, a ] goal set-up a tie against ]. 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 ] 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 ], 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 ] lead to a 2–1 win over ].

Inverness CT were relegated to the ] on the final day of the 2016–17 season, despite recording a 3–2 victory over ].<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 ] was sacked from his position, former manager ] 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=] |access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref>

Inverness reached the ], after a 3–2 win over Northern Irish invitee side ] at home, meaning the club's would make their fourth cup final appearance, and ]'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 ] 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 ] meant ICT narrowly missed out on the promotion play-offs by just two points, finishing in 5th place despite winning 3–0 away to ] on the final day, which would've confirmed a play-off slot had Dunfermlne either drawn or lost to ].

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 ]. In tribute, a minute's silence was held at Inverness' first home game of the ] season against ] which ended in a 0–0 draw.

Come 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 ] to progress into the quarter-finals of the ] before making the semi-final after a last gasp winner from ] against ]. This was the 4th semi-final appearance for the club, after appearances in ], ] and ]. They played ], but were unable to proceed to the final, as they were defeated 3–0.

By the end of the season, Inverness had secured a play-off spot, after leapfrogging ] into 3rd place. In the quarter-finals, Inverness defeated ], winning 3–1 in the first leg, and drawing 1–1 in the second, securing a comfortable 4–2 aggregate win. However, the joy was short-lived after facing ] in the semi-finals. In the first leg, at home, they fell to an unfortunate 1–0 loss while down to 10 men after ] was handed a straight red for an apparent high foot on ] while making a clearance. Inverness went to ] with heads held high hoping to overturn the 1–0 deficit, but hope began to fade after ] were awarded and scored a controversial penalty just before half time. The penalty was conceded by a ] handball, after it deflected off his heel. Again, controversy followed just after half time, when a handball wasn't seen by the referee which resulted in ] being sent to the stands for flicking a water-bottle in aggravation near the ]. Inverness went on to lose 3–0, 4–0 on aggregate. After the match, Robertson stated in an interview with the ] on what punishments he'd receive from the ] for his actions;<blockquote>"I don't care. They 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><br />

July 2019 saw the beginning of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations: a new 3rd Kit was announced as well as a special friendly game. The ] campaign was poor; an 11–10 loss on penalties to ] was followed up by wins over ] and ] but for the 3rd 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 ] at ]. However, the following weekend they won 2–1 at home against ]. 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 prior. 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, in a situation that had not been seen since the Second World War, the league was postponed due to the ] with the SPFL choosing to shut down all football in Scotland from the Premiership to local leagues. A decision was made to finish the season as it stood and to do away with the play-offs. This was met with controversy, as Inverness, ] and ] planned on voting no, 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 ] to form a 14 team ], 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 the previous season's Challenge Cup would not take place and instead would be shared between Inverness and fellow finalists Raith Rovers.

In May 2021, John Robertson took up the role of Sporting Director. The following month, ] was appointed as manager.

In the 2021–22 season, Inverness finished in 4th place, despite going through an 11-game winless spell, and ultimately made it to the Premiership Play-Off final, where they were beaten 6–2 on aggregate by ].

At the start of the 2022–23 season, Inverness brought in five new signings and a season-long loan. ] was loaned back to his boyhood club from Hibs. The other signings were ], ], ], ] and the return of ].

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 ].

=== Second Scottish Cup final ===
In April 2023, Inverness clinched a place in the Scottish Cup final for the second time in eight years, beating ] 3–0. ] scored a brace and ] netted the other. It was the first Inverness match that involved the use of ], 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 ]. Despite Daniel MacKay scoring in the 85th minute, Inverness lost to Celtic by 3 goals to 1.

===Relegation to League One===
Inverness began the ] season in terrible form, losing five of their opening six games of the season, resulting in manager ] 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 ].<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 ]' ].<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.

== 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}} ]
|-
|1996
|{{Flagicon|USA}} ]
|-
|1996–1998
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|France}} ]
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} ]
|-
|1998–1999
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|-
|1999–2001
| rowspan="7" |{{Flagicon|Italy}} ]
|-
|2001–2003
|{{Flagicon|Japan}} ]
|-
|2003–2004
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} Inverness Medical
|-
|2004–2007
|{{Flagicon|USA}} ]
|-
|2007–2010
|{{Flagicon|England}} ]
|-
|2010–2014
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|-
|2014–2015
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|USA}} ]
|-
|2015–2016
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|England}} ]
|-
|2016–2017
| rowspan="2" |{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|-
|2017–2020
|{{Flagicon|Italy}} ]
|-
|2020–present
|{{Flagicon|GER}} ]
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} ]
|}
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 ] Stores, and did not become available to buy until a month into the ] season. Inverness partnered up with longtime supplier Errea in May 2017 in time for the ] 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 ] 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 ] had run out as well as potentially the sponsorship by ]. 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 ] and further details would be disclosed by the club at a later date.

== Rivalries ==

=== Aberdeen ===
A big derby fixture is the ] 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 ] in 2004 when Inverness first gained promotion to the top flight, and their ground was being improved to the standards required to be a ] 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 ] at ], 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 ], ], ], ], ] and ] have all ended up at Aberdeen after their time in Inverness.

=== Clachnacuddin ===
Inverness also has a long-lasting rivalry with ], which goes back to before ] and ] merged. All three teams were founding members of the ], 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 ], who are situated a few miles north of Inverness in ]. The rivalry began when both teams were elected to the SFL in the ]. They contest the ]. Inverness are the dominant team within the derby with 27 wins to County's 17.

== Stadium ==
] contributed £900,000 towards the development of ], now known for sponsorship reasons as the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. The stadium is situated beside the ], in the shadow of the ]. Its construction was promised in their election to the Scottish Football League. The former ground of Caledonian, ], 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 the '''Caledonian Stadium''' returned.

=== Attendance ===
]
The club's highest 'home' (league) attendance actually occurred while they were groundsharing with ] at ]. 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 ].

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 ] on 9 March 1996 at ] in ]. The game had been switched to ] as the club's home ground (] at that time) was deemed unsuitable for the ] quarter-final tie.

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

In February 2021, the attendance record was beaten, albeit unofficially, by a joint effort between Inverness and ] 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 ]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|1 July 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=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=GK|other=on loan from ]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Szymon Rebilias|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NIR|name=]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Sam Nixon|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|name=Remi Savage|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Jack Walker|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Keith Bray|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Shae Keogh|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|name=]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Calum MacLeod|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Robbie Thompson|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Ethan Cairns|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Ben Corner|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|name=Cameron Ferguson|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NIR|name=]|pos=FW|other=]}}
{{Fs end}}
<!--===On loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs end}}-->

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

== Personnel ==

=== Club staff ===

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

=== Board of directors ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Name
|-
| Chairman || Vacant
|-
| Chief executive officer || Vacant
|-
| Director || ]
|-
| Director || David Cameron
|-
| Director || Gordon Fyfe
|-
| Director || Allan Munro
|-
| Director || Panos Thomas
|-
| Director || Scott Young
|-
| 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}} ] (]) 1994–2001; 2004–2009
*{{Flagicon|Canada}} ] (]) 1999–2001
*{{Flagicon|Estonia}} ] (]) 2017
*{{Flagicon|Guinea}} ] (]) 2016–2017
*{{Flagicon|Latvia}} ] (]) 2009
*{{Flagicon|Northern Ireland}} ''']''' (]) 2011–2015; 2017; 2021–
*{{Flagicon|Northern Ireland}} ] (]) 2010–2012
*{{Flagicon|Romania}} ] (]) 2007–2008
*{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] (]) 2011–2013
*{{Flagicon|Wales}} ] (]) 2015–2019
*{{Flagicon|Wales}} ] (]) 2011–2013

=== Youth caps ===

* {{Flagicon|CAN}} ] (Canada U-18 & Canada U-20) 2013–2016
* {{Flagicon|DEN}} ] (]) 2005
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} ''']''' (]) 2011–
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} ] (]) 2013–2014
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} ] (]) 2016–2018
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} ] (]) 2012–2014
* {{Flagicon|IRE}} ] (]) 2008–2011
* {{Flagicon|ISR}} ] (]) 2010–2011
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2004–2009
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2002–2007
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2013–2015
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2005–2007
*{{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2020–2023
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2008–2010
*{{Flagicon|SCO}} ''']''' (]) 2017–
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2020–2021
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2011
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (] & ]) 2017–2021; 2022–2023
*{{Flagicon|SCO}} ''']''' (]) 2018–
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (] & ]) 2005–2009
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2017; 2018–2020
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2005–2006
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (] & ]) 2011–2019
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2004–2005
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2009–2015
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2009–2015
* {{Flagicon|SCO}} ] (]) 2006–2009; 2015–2018
* {{Flagicon|WAL}} ] (]) 2022

== Managers ==
List of permanent Inverness CT managers:
{{updated|18 September 2023}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!From
!Until
!Played
!Won
!Drawn
!Lost
!Win %
!Honours / Notes
|-
|{{Flagicon|Ukraine}} ]
|1994
|1995
|40
|13
|10
|17
|32.50
|Player/Manager of ] prior to merger.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|1995
|2002
|329
|147
|92
|90
|44.68
|Longest serving manager of Inverness CT.
] winner.

] runner-up securing promotion.

] finalist.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|2002
|2004
|84
|44
|13
|27
|52.38
|] winner.
] winner.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|2004
|2006
|50
|17
|18
|15
|34.00
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|2006
|2007
|67
|24
|18
|15
|35.82
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|2007
|2009
|64
|22
|7
|35
|34.38
|Second spell.
|-
|{{Flagicon|England}} ]
|2009
|2013
|209
|87
|58
|64
|41.63
|] winner.
] runner-up.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|2013
|2016
|122
|50
|31
|41
|41.30
|] runner-up.
] winner.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Ireland}} ]
|2016
|2017
|45
|11
|14
|20
|24.44
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} ]
|2017
|2021
|137
|65
|34
|38
|47.45
|Second spell.
] winner.

] winner (shared with ]).
|-
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} ]
|2021
|2023
|110
|48
|25
|37
|43.64
|] runner-up.
|-
|{{Flagicon|SCO}} ]
|2023
|Present
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

=== Managerial history ===
] had been manager of ] 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 ]. Baltacha was replaced by ] manager ], 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 ]. He also steered ICT to their famous 3–1 Scottish Cup victory against ] in 2000. In November 2002, Paterson was strongly linked to the vacant manager's position at ]. However, he chose to stay with Inverness for another month, after which he left, along with assistant ], to become manager of ].

The club also had a ], with former player ] 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 ] player ], whose two-year reign as manager was an exceptionally successful period. Under Robertson, Inverness won the ], gained another Scottish Cup victory over ], this time 1–0 thanks to a goal on the stroke of half time by club record scorer ] and won the ], taking the club into the SPL. Robertson eventually left to become Hearts manager and was replaced by ] ] 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 ] manager after the sacking of ].

Former player ] 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 ] 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>, '']'', 19 January 2009.</ref>

Brewster's successor, the former England international ] was appointed on 27 January 2009, along with ] 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 ]<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=] | work=]| date=5 October 2012 | access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> in the first SPL ].<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=] | work=] | 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 ] alongside assistant manager Maurice Malpas.<ref name="BBC Online"/>

After an extensive recruitment process, on 4 December 2013, ] 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 ] 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 ], suffering relegation to the ] on the final day of the season despite a 3–2 win over Motherwell. The club needed a win from ] over ], 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 ], 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 ] 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 ] were playing ], and Inverness were away to ]. 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 ] 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 ] exit. Come March, the club were doing well in the ] and league. However, the season was abruptly cut short due to the ]. 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 ]. This was officially confirmed on 9 May 2020, after the ] 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 ]. 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 ] in a Superhero costume was retired after ] 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 ], and debuted at the ].

== Honours ==

=== League ===
*'''] / ] (second tier):'''
**'''Winners''' (2): '''], ]'''
**''Runners up (1):'' ]
*'''] (third tier):'''
**''Runners up (1):'' ]
*'''] (fourth tier):'''
**'''Winners''' (1): ''']'''
*'''] (reserve team):'''
**'''Winners''' (2):''' 1994–95, 1997–98'''

=== Cup ===
*''']:'''
**'''Winners''' (1): ''']'''
**''Runners up (1):'' ]
*''']:'''
**''Runners up (1):'' ]
*''']:'''
**'''Winners''' (3): ''']''', ''']''', ''']*'''
**''Runners up (2):'' ], ]
*''']:'''
**'''Winners''' (8):''' 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2023–24'''
*''']:'''
**'''Winners''' (4):''' 1999–00, 2007–08, ], ]'''
*'''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 ]

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

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

'''''At ]'''''
* '''Highest attendance:''' 4,931 v ], 23 January 1996.
* '''Lowest attendance:''' 491 v ], 11 April 1995.
'''''At ]*'''''
*'''Highest attendance:''' 7,753 v ], 20 January 2008.
*'''Lowest attendance:''' 300 v ], 21 November 2020; and ], 12 December 2020.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>During the ], where fans were not permitted inside stadia, Inverness and ] 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 ]'''''
* '''Highest attendance:''' 9,530 v ], 16 October 2004.
* '''Lowest attendance:''' 1,125 v ], 23 November 2004.

'''''At ]*'''''

* 11,296 v ], ], 9 March 1996.

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

=== Players ===
* '''All-time top scorer:''' ], 102 Goals.
* '''All-time most appearances:''' ], 456 Appearances.
* '''Longest spell at club:''' ], 1996–2012, 17 years.
* '''Highest transfer sum paid:''' ] from ], £65,000, July 2006.
* '''Highest transfer sum received:''' ] to ], £500,000, September 2015.
* '''Most goals in a single season:''' ], 27 Goals, ].
* '''Most goals in a match:''' ], 5 goals, v ]. 23 July 2013. ''(Friendly).''
* '''Fastest Goal:''' ], 19 secs, v ], 23 December 2023. ''(]).''
* '''Fastest hat-trick:''' ], 9 mins, v ], 27 January 2024. ''(]).''
*'''Youngest Player:''' ], 16 years, 2 months and 20 days v ], 7 October 2017. ''(])''
*'''Oldest Player:''' ], 41 years, 8 months and 29 days, v ], 27 April 2002. ''(])''
*'''Youngest Goalscorer:''' ], 16 years, 2 months and 20 days v ], 7 October 2017. ''(])''
*'''Oldest Goalscorer:''' ], 40 years, 9 months and 9 days, v ], 22 September 2007. ''(])''
*'''Most international caps:''' ] for ], 38.

=== Overall ===
* '''Biggest home victory:''' 8–1 v ], 24 January 1998 ''(Scottish Cup)''
* '''Biggest away victory:''' 0–16 v ], 31 July 2018 ''(North of Scotland Cup)''
* '''Biggest home defeat:''' 0–5 v ], 9 March 2014 ''(Scottish Cup)''
* '''Biggest away defeat:''' 6–0 v ], 22 September 2001 ''(First Division)''; 6–0 v ], 22 September 2010 ''(League Cup)''; 6–0 v ], 27 April 2014 ''(Premiership)'' and 6–0 v ], 11 February 2017 ''(Scottish Cup)''
*'''Goal milestones:''' The club's 1000th goal was scored on Saturday 9 February 2008 by club captain at the time, ] in a 1–1 draw away to ].<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 ], 3 May 2008.
* '''Record away victory:''' 0–4 v ], 27 October 2007 and ], 22 August 2010.
* '''Record home defeat:''' 1–5 v ], 18 November 2012.
* '''Record away defeat:''' 6–0 v ], 27 April 2014.
* '''Most points in a season:''' 65, in ].
* '''Fewest points in a season:''' 34, in ].
* '''Best league placing:''' 3rd, in ].
* '''Worst league placing:''' 12th, in ] and ].
* '''Most goals scored in a season:''' 64, in ].
* '''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 37, in ].
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 71, in ].
* '''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 38, in ].
* '''Best Goal difference:''' +13, in ].
* '''Worst Goal difference:''' -27, in ].

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

=== First Division / Championship ===

* '''Record home victory:''' 5–0 v ], 6 May 2000; ], 12 January 2001; ], 21 September 2001; ], 29 November 2003 and ], 30 August 2019, and 6–1 v ], 2 January 2023.
* '''Record away victory:''' 0–7 v ], 24 April 2010.
* '''Record home defeat:''' 1–5 v ], 15 April 2000 and ], 25 February 2003.
* '''Record away defeat:''' 6–0 v ], 22 September 2001.
* '''Most points in a season:''' 73, in ].
* '''Fewest points in a season:''' 36 in ]*.
* '''Best league placing:''' 1st, in ] and ].
* '''Worst league placing:''' 9th, in ].
* '''Most goals scored in a season:''' 74, in ].
* '''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 36, in ]*.
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 55, in ].
* '''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 31, in ]*.
* '''Best Goal difference:''' +40, in ].
* '''Worst Goal difference:''' +1, in ].

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

<nowiki>*</nowiki> 2020–21 Season cut to 27 Games due to ].

=== Second Division / League One ===

*'''Record home victory:''' 5–1 v ], 17 January 1998.
*'''Record away victory:''' 6–1 v ], 14 March 1998.
*'''Record home defeat:''' 0–2 v ], 21 March 1998.
*'''Record away defeat:''' 3–1 v ], 25 February 1998; ], 18 April 1998; and ], 6 March 1999.
*'''Most points in a season:''' 72, in ].
*'''Fewest points in a season:''' 49, in ].
*'''Best league placing:''' 2nd in ].
*'''Worst league placing:''' 5th in ].
*'''Most goals scored in a season:''' 80, in ].
*'''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 65, in ].
*'''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 51, in ].
*'''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 56, in ].
*'''Best goal difference:''' +32, in ].
*'''Worst goal difference:''' +14, in ].

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

=== Third Division ===

* '''Record home victory:''' 6–1 v ], 21 October 1995.
* '''Record away victory:''' 0–5 v ], 23 September 1995 and ], 7 October 1995
* '''Record home defeat:''' 0–4 v ], 20 August 1994 and ], 14 February 1995
* '''Record away defeat:''' 4–0 v ], 3 May 1997.
* '''Most points in a season:''' 76, in ].
* '''Fewest points in a season:''' 45, in ].
* '''Best league placing:''' 1st, in ].
* '''Worst league placing:''' 6th, in ].
* '''Most goals scored in a season:''' 70, in ].
* '''Fewest goals scored in a season:''' 48, in ].
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 61, in ].
* '''Fewest goals conceded in a season:''' 37, in ].
* '''Most goals conceded in a season:''' 61, in ].
* '''Best goal difference:''' +33, in ].
* '''Worst goal difference:''' -13, in ].

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

=== Europa League ===
* '''Best run:''' ]: ] (lost 0–1 on aggregate to ]).
* '''Worst run:''' ]: ] (lost 0–1 on aggregate to ]).
*'''Biggest Victory:''' N/A
*'''Biggest Defeat:''' 0–1 v ], 16 July 2015.

=== Scottish Cup ===
* '''Best run:''' ]: ] (won 2–1 against ]).
* '''Worst run:''' First round: ] (lost 1–2 at home to ]).
*'''Record Victory:''' 8–1 v ], ], 24 January 1998.
*'''Record Defeat:''' 6–0 v ], ], 11 February 2017.

=== Scottish League Cup ===
* '''Best run:''' ]: ] (lost 2–4 on ] after 0–0 draw ], to ]).
* '''Worst run:''' First round/Group Stage; (8): ] (lost 3–5 on ] after 1–1 draw ], (1–1 after 90 mins) away to ]), ] (lost 1–2 at home to ]), ], ], ], ], ], ].
*'''Record Victory:''' 7–0 v ], ], 30 July 2016.
*'''Record Defeat:''' 6–0 v ], ], 22 September 2010.

=== Scottish Challenge Cup ===
* '''Best run:''' ]; (3): ] (won 2–0 against ]), ] (won 1–0 against ]) and ] (shared with Raith Rovers).
* '''Worst run:''' First round; (4): ] (lost 1–2 away to ]), ] (lost 0–2 at home to ]), ] (lost 0–1 away to ]) and ] (lost 1–2 at home to ]).
*'''Record Victory:''' 5–0 v ], ], 2 August 2003.
*'''Record Defeat:''' 3–0 vs ], ], 2 August 2016. (U20s Squad)

=== Miscellaneous ===

* '''Last SFL goal of the old millennium and First SFL goal of the new millennium:''' ] against ] (27 December 1999) and ] (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
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
| {{flagicon|ROM}} ]
| 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/}}
*
*
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821090810/http://www.soccerbase.com/teams2.sd?teamid=482 |date=2006-08-21}}
*

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

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Revision as of 23:11, 15 July 2024

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