Doubts over Clachnacuddin's use of Inverness Caledonian Thistle ground

Caley Thistle could be forced to reject a request by Clachnacuddin to stage its next home game at their ground.

Clachnacuddin chairman Alex Chisholm said the temporary change of venue for Fort William’s January 18 visit was now his preferred option after fire tore through part of Grant Street Park on Christmas Eve.

Building assessors will take a first look at the damage on Monday next week, but smoke has destroyed much of the main building’s interior.

Mr Chisholm fears heat damage has also buckled an internal wall. Speaking yesterday, he said: “We have put in a formal request this morning to Caley Thistle. That would give us a four-week breathing space in January to get everything in place.”

But ICT chief executive Scot Gardiner, who has offered Clach help including training gear, said: “We are very open to helping Clach and we’ll keep in touch, but we have some serious issues with our pitch down in one corner.

"If we draw with Alloa in the Scottish Cup, the replay is the following Tuesday. I can’t have us miss a Scottish Cup replay after lending our ground.”

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