Petition launched by Inverness Caley Thistle fans in protest at move signed by more than 700
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More than 700 people have signed a petition urging Inverness Caledonian Thistle to reverse its decision to move the club’s training base to Fife.
The club announced yesterday it had entered into a partnership with Kelty Hearts which would see Inverness hire Kelty’s New Central Park for training.
The move has prompted anger among fans who have launched a petition calling for the board of Inverness Caledonian Thistle to immediately reconsider.
The ICT Supporters’ Trust - the major supporters’ group - has also described the decision to relocate the training base 140 miles away bizarre and accused the club leadership of “ripping the soul out of the club”.
Angry Inverness Caley Thistle fans launch petition
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Inverness Caley Thistle Supporters Trust attacks decision to relocate first team training to Fife
The petition states: “Living in or near the city helps create a sense of community which leads to ICT tops being worn around the city, the opportunity to interact and show how much the club means to Caley fans and helps support the Inverness economy.
“ICT fans, and those who live in Inverness, who are opposed to such a disastrous decision are encouraged to sign to share frustrations with the board, and to encourage them to reconsider immediately.”
Many of those signing the petition also added comments including Lawrence Belleni who said: “If Inverness Caley give up on the Highlands and the community then why should any of us Highlanders support them anymore?”
“Disgraceful decision. Would rather support 11 young Highlanders than 11 brilliant central belt players.”
Rachel Urquhart posted: “It is just utterly ridiculous the Idea that the Board has come up. All they have succeeded in is tearing Inverness Caley Thistle apart & losing their Fan base that they had.”
Niall MacLeod said: “I don't want the club I've followed for over 40 years to rip itself out of the local community.”
Colin Craig stated: “As a shareholder and season ticket holder I would expect a degree of consultation on such a radical change in operations. The football club has to be connected to its community and for far too long this has not been the case.”
In announcing the decision, Caley Thistle highlighted the difficulty in convincing players to move to the Highlands as a main reason for the move, which will allow players to remain closer to their families in the central belt while playing for Inverness.
The board of directors also insisted its commitment to developing young players in the Highland capital remained unchanged, stressing that “Inverness will always be our home”.
