PICTURES: Kids beat first-team in Inverness Caley Thistle's Biggest Game 2023
A "FANTASTIC" day of sporting fun saw the area's children come out on top against Inverness's best footballing talent.
Almost 100 children and the Inverness Caley Thistle first-term hit the turf of the Caledonian Stadium on Friday to compete against each other in the Biggest Game 2023.
This saw the youngsters face off against the first team across two games of 15 minutes each way – with six size-three footballs in play simultaneously to ensure everyone was able to get involved.
Naturally the number of balls in play led to a flurry of goalmouth action – and the children ultimately came out on top, winning by 21 goals to 17.
The club's sporting director John Robertson explained that the match was held as part of a promotion last December where anyone who bought a new club kit that month could register a child to take part in yesterday's match.
It wasn't the first time the club has held the fun day of action, but it was the first since the Covid pandemic.
And Mr Robertson was delighted to see the event return. He said: "It was fantastic to see lots of smiling faces. There was lots of enthusiastic playing from both sides".
As well as the match the youngsters got to experience what it feels like to play a proper match at the ground. They walked onto the hallowed turf through the tunnel the players use on match days, held the traditional player handshake and, of course, got to enjoy a game of football on the pitch itself.
Even the club mascot Lionel Nessie was on hand to entertain the youngsters, and Mr Robertson said he was "possibly the most popular character on the day".
He also praised the "fantastic" children and parents for making the day such a success.
