The move was confirmed by Highland Council on Wednesday night following discussions with Inverness City committee members and officials from Northern Counties Cricket Club, who currently use the venue.

It now means that City will move from their current home at North Kessock to the 800-seater ground in the centre of Inverness.

It is the second boost for the fledgling club in a matter of days following their acceptance into the Scottish Junior Football Association last weekend.

"It's been some week for the club," said co-manager Stevie Graham. "Firstly we get the news that we've been accepted into the juniors and now we have managed to agree the use of the Northern Meeting Park.

"The set-up at the Northern Meeting Park is excellent and it is a real boost for us in that we will be able to offer visiting teams, supporters and officials excellent facilities.

"This has been a fantastic ending to a dream week for the club and we can now go into pre-season in an even more positive frame of mind."

The move also received the backing of Northern Counties Cricket Club, despite concerns the square could be damaged by football being played at the park.

"We are delighted that Inverness City are going to be using the Northern Meeting Park and we will work hard with them to find solutions to the issues we have, not cause more problems," said Counties secretary Hamish Fraser. "We are concerned about the crease, but hopefully we can work together to avoid, or at least minimise the damage that could be done.

Northern Meeting Park Iona Spence

"Given that our seasons also overlap then it might be the case that both teams have to try and reschedule their fixtures to accommodate each other. However, I'm sure we can sort that out."

City are the first amateur side in the Highland Capital's history to join the ranks of the SJFA, having played for the last two seasons in the North Caledonian League.

Formed in 2006 by the management team of Graham and Mike Pollard, Inverness applied to join the junior ranks at the beginning of June and their acceptance following the annual general meeting delighted Pollard.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have been accepted to play in the SJFA league next season," he stated. "It is a fantastic honour for a club as young as ours and another boost for the city of Inverness."

With pre-season training starting next week, City, who will go into the north region's Division Two this coming season, have around a month to prepare themselves for the challenge that lies ahead, but Graham cannot wait for the new campaign to come around.

"We want to do ourselves and the city proud," he said.

"The draw for the first round of the North Regional Cup has already been made and we have been handed a very difficult tie against one of the top Aberdeenshire sides, Buchanhaven Hearts, so it's going to be tough, but it's a game we'll look forward too."

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