Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust launch formal protest against Glasgow football team Rossvale rebranding themselves as Caledonian Thistle
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The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust have confirmed they have written to Rossvale Football Club asking them not to change their name to Caledonian Thistle.
ICT Supporters Trust confirmed they have sent a letter to Rossvale asking them not to copy their name.
It was confirmed last week, Rossvale's first team, who play in the West of Scotland First Division want to rebrand themselves as Caledonian Thistle after splitting with Rossvale Academy who have the rights to the name and badge.
The Rossvale first team announced their intention to rebrand themselves as Caledonian Thistle in honour of the Caledonian Railway Locomotive Works which was based near the Springburn area of Glasgow where they play at Petershill.
They are awaiting approval from the SFA with a decision expected to be made this week.
However, ICT Supporters Trust spokesman John West says the trust have accused them of copying their name and have written a formal letter to Rossvale asking them not to use it.
The letter from the ICT Supporters Trust says: "I write on behalf of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust in relation to your proposed name change to Caledonian Thistle.
"In our case, our name was sponsored by an amalgamation of two existing Highland League clubs, plus the support of Inverness Council. The name has been instrumental in bringing together these elements of our community and the rather iconic name as assisted in promoting our club.
"As you will know, our development from a position not dissimilar to your own has been rapid and successful and we are naturally jealous of our name.
"It was therefore with great disappointment that we learnt of your proposal, without the courtesy of discussing this change with ourselves.
"It is appreciated that we have no rights over either of these words, but the association, in football terms, leads us to feel that this development is in contrary to our interests and we wish to register a formal protest and ask you to reconsider this matter.
"Had you proposed to rename as Rangers or Celtic, I suspect that the proposal would have remained as a proposal. The principle however is the same, hence our formal objection.
"We are all Scottish football fans wishing to promote our sport. We would therefore wish you every success in your future progress but would ask you to give due consideration to our objection and to amend your proposed name change.
"It is appreciated that you have some association with the word Caledonian, but suggest there may be alternative name incorporating Caledonian without emulating our name.
"In the event that you wish to discuss this matter, we will be very happy to hear from you and to discuss this matter as fellow Scottish football supporters."
In an interview last week, McInally says no malice was meant towards Inverness Caledonian Thistle over their name change.
But he says the team feels that Caledonian Thistle is the right name to honour the area that they play in.
He says no ill-intent is meant towards Inverness Caledonian Thistle and says if they are denied permission to use the name, they will think of something else.
McInally said: "The name took us quite a while to decide, but playing in Petershill for so long, we wanted to integrate ourselves into the community," he said.
"We want something that blends us in to the community and the history of rail works that has been there for decades.
"We came up with a few different names, but we thought Caledonian Thistle Football Club would be an excellent name.
"There were some discussions over it. I spoke to the league secretary yesterday and he didn't think it wouldn't cause that much of an issue.
"We are awaiting for the SFA to decide, but this is what we have proposed what we want to do. It is all above board.
"I understand there is an issue in Inverness with the club and supporters about our name change.
"In no way was there any malice meant.
"We play nine leagues apart, Inverness is in the Highlands, we are in the west of Scotland, we are never going to meet each other at any point.
"We don't want to steal somebody's name or idea.
"If it is decided there is too much of a conflict, then we will think of something different.
"But the distance between the clubs not only in miles but in league set up is totally different.
"My apologies to anyone in Inverness who is offended, anyone who thinks its malicious, it is not the case.
"Our request for the name change has been passed to the SFA.
"We are expecting something by Tuesday or Wednesday.
"If they say no, then we will look at something else. But we think it is an excellent name. It is different colours, different badge and a new era for a club."
Inverness Caledonian Thistle confirmed they have contacted the SFA regarding the matter.
