Inverness set to host 50th anniversary of the Clachnacuddin Highland League winning team from 1974/75 season
The Clachnacuddin team that won the double of the Highland League title and the Scottish Qualifying Cup 50 years ago are getting back together soon to mark their achievements.
The reunion of the victorious Lilywhites team from the 1974/75 season will take place on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 at the club’s stadium at Grant Street Park.
Some of the players will take part in a question and answer session from 7pm on Friday, April 11 and the following day they will be joined by other players and club representatives when Clachnacuddin host Formartine United in their final home league game of the season.
The reunion is being organised by former player and manager Peter Corbett, who was a key member of that double winning side.
Clach Football Trust are organising the question and answer session on Friday night and hosting a reception at the game on Saturday afternoon.
Returning for the occasion is skipper, Robbie Giles, who now lives near Perth in Western Australia. Giles also played for and managed Ross County in a distinguished playing and management career.
Hoping to attend is manager Sandy Wallace as well as goalkeepers, Billy MacDonald and Clive Windsor and outfield players, Alastair Kennedy, Donald Stuart, Donnie MacLennan, Alan MacLaren, Alan Stevenson, Mike Paul, Andy Kerr and Brian Black.
Striker Ray Mackintosh, who lives in New Zealand, is not able to make it, having returned recently for the celebration of Caley’s 40th anniversary of their Invincible Season when they won the title undefeated.
Those who have passed away include club chairman, George B. Rodgers, trainer Billy Robertson, and players Jocky Clark, John Allison, Calum Nicolson, Calum Grant and Charlie Kennedy.
Looking forward to the event, Corbett said: "Winning the title in 1974-75 was a great achievement as there were so many good sides around at the time.
“I remember we beat Thistle 2-1 in a crucial end of season game to clinch the title, one point ahead of Keith.
“It ended a 27-year wait for a title and we also crowned a great season by lifting the Qualifying Cup with a two-legged 3-2 win over Thistle and enjoying a great Scottish Cup run.
“It brought the good times back to Grant Street. We had a wonderful manager in Sandy Wallace, who had joined us from Ross County where he looked after their second XI.
“He was a great motivator and would appear in games around the terracing bawling instructions at the team. He brought the best out in a great bunch of players.
"We talk a lot about the good old times at the Inverness Football Memories Meetings and our Clach reunion will bring back a lot of happy memories for our team of 1974-75 as well as Clach supporters."
Clach chairman Chris Stewart said: “Clach have a proud history, winning 18 Highland League titles and being the only side to have competed in every season that the league title has been played for.
“In 1974-75, we produced one of our best sides with an entertaining style of play that won us the league and the coveted Qualifying Cup and saw the club embark on a great Scottish Cup run. What a great highlight for our club and richly deserving of recognition 50 years on. We hope our supporters will turn out in strength to meet these legends and share some special memories.”
