‘I never believed the club would do it’ – Inverness Caley Thistle legends unconvinced by club’s decision to move first team training 135 miles away to Kelty Hearts’ ground in fife
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s decision to move first team training to Fife ahead of next season puts camaraderie in the playing squad at risk, according to multiple club legends.
The Caley Jags announced earlier today that they have entered into a partnership with League One rivals Kelty Hearts to use their stadium in Fife for training – 135 miles away from Inverness.
Supporters have voiced their anger over the decision, with some even starting a petition in a bid to try and get ICT to change their minds.
While some former players can understand where the club is coming from in terms of player recruitment, they also see plenty of risk attached to the decision.
One thing that successful squads at the Caledonian Stadium have always had is a strong team ethic, with players socialising outside of training in the Highland capital.
That, they believe, translates on to the pitch too, but may not be so easy to build if players all head in different directions after sessions throughout the week.
“I was shocked to be honest – I never believed the club would do it,” James Vincent, scorer of the winning goal for Inverness in the 2015 Scottish Cup final, said.
“From a recruitment aspect, I get it, I understand what they’re trying to do in terms of getting players from in and around the central belt, but effectively it’s really poor on some of the players who have already moved up there and live up there with their families.
“It’s almost moving the goalposts on those players. It’s a big ask.
“What we were built on, and what our squad was good at, was that we were friends. We were cohesive and together because we were all in Inverness. You didn’t travel half an hour to the next city, because there wasn’t one, so you created a bond that transferred on to the pitch.
“You’re not going to get that. You’re going to get players in and around the central belt who are just going to travel up for games.
“The club obviously thinks this is the right way to go forward, but the proof will be in the pudding and I’m not 100 per cent sure.
“You will probably find that training finishes, and lads will be shooting off as fast as they can because they’re travelling to here, there and everywhere. There will always be an element of turning up and doing your job, but that social side and connection that builds in your group can be worth 15 or 20 per cent on the pitch.
“In really tough times during games, you need each other. We had that in abundance, and we found ourselves with our backs against the wall but we would run that little bit more and do that bit extra for your mate.
“Some of the best teams in the world talk about how much time the dressing room spends together. It’s a massive thing in football, and I think the dynamic of that will be more difficult with the travel.”
Speaking before the announcement, current Kilmarnock assistant manager and member of the famous “Super Caley go Ballistic” side Paul Sheerin echoed those sentiments on the impact of a strong dressing room culture.
“For me, Inverness was one of the best dressing rooms I was in in terms of togetherness and closeness – albeit the culture was a wee bit different to now, as we would enjoy each other’s company through a wee pint here and there,” he recalled.
“When everyone is local to Inverness, it’s impossible to get away from each other.
“That closeness as a squad is more important now than ever after the disappointment of last season. The players need to stick together.
“That has to be across all levels, the board, management, players and fans. If they can build a culture together, hopefully this time next year they will be enjoying a promotion – if not a league title.”
Some also voiced concern over what the move would mean for the pathway for young players progressing through the club’s academy.
Former Caley Thistle club captain Gary Warren now works at Highland rivals Ross County as their head of professional academy, so his thoughts naturally turned to what the move would mean for the next generation of potential ICT stars.
“My reaction (to the announcement) was probably a little bit mixed to be honest,” he admitted.
“I can understand the reasons for doing it with the catchment area and recruiting players, which now that the club has gone down a league will be even tougher.
“I understand that it is to try and help attract a better pool of players, but on the other hand I feel a little bit for the young players within the club.
“I’m not sure logistically how the pathway will work, but without knowing the ins and outs I would guess the club have a plan. It will be interesting to see how that looks.
“It would be nice to see young boys progress and get opportunities going forward. Being in that role, working in an academy, you want to see the best of Highland footballers getting as many games as possible.
“It’s hard to give any answers, because you don’t really know what their plans are and how it will all pan out. I just hope that the plans will help the young boys, and the guys that live up here.”
Vincent pointed to the example of Ryan Christie, who is on course to represent Scotland at his second major international tournament this summer, as evidence of how important it is that Inverness continue to provide opportunities for youth.
“I don’t think it will be the best for homegrown players,” Vincent added on the potential impact of moving training to Fife.
“Having your academy in the same city as the first team trains is always going to present opportunities for young players, and we’re probably going to see a lack of that now.
“That’s a real shame, because a club like Inverness – and, no disrespect, smaller teams in Scotland – should be trying to work on getting youth through to the first team like we did with Ryan Christie to generate money and stability.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of it, but my first thought was that with the commitment and travel that would be needed, that will be difficult.”
