Caledonian
Formed 1885
Merged with Inverness Thistle in 1994 to form Caledonian Thistle
Kit History
1885-1886 d
1889-1896 d
1896-1897 d
1897 d
1907-1911 d
1911-1912 c
1913-1914 d
1920-1926 d
1935-1936 j
1936-1939 d
1948-1952 d
1952-1957
1957-1958 m
1959-1960 d
1960-1962 d
1962-1966 d
1966-1967 c d
1968-1969 c
1970-1972 c
1974-1976 d
1976-1977 c l
1977-1978 d
Aug-Dec 1978 d
Dec 1978-1979 c d
1980-1981 d
1981-1982 c
1982-1983 d
1983-1984 l
1984-1986 c d
1986-1987 d
1987-1989 c m
1989-1990 h m
1990-Jan 91 c k
Feb-May 1991 l
1991-1992 l
1992-1993 c i k
1993-1994 l
Background
Caledonian were founded in 1885, the same year as their arch rivals Inverness Thistle and a year before Clachnacuddin, playing their home games at Telford Street Park. These three sides became founder members of the Highland League in 1893, a competition that Caley won a record 18 times. (This record has now been equalled by Clachnacuddin who still play in the Highland League.)
The club appeared regularly in the Scottish Cup, knocking out Scottish Football League opponents on no fewer than 19 occasions. In 1984, Caley beat Stirling Albion in a Third Round Scottish
Cup replay to earn a home tie with Rangers and although they lost that match by 0-6, further 
Scottish Cup exploits over the next decade kept them in the national spotlight. The
Scottish League remained 
a closed shop until the decision to restructure
the competition for the 1994-95 season, created two additional places.
At the urging of the Nairn & Inverness Enterprise Company, a proposal for a joint submission was developed. Clachnacuddin dropped out and after acrimonious wrangling Caledonian and Thistle submitted a joint application to the Scottish League in January 1994. The Inverness clubs topped the poll with fellow Highland League side Ross County in second place.
The last ever derby between the two sides was
played May 11th 1994 (Caley won 1-0) and three days later both clubs
played their final matches as separate clubs. During the close season
the arguments and threats of legal action continued and the future of
the merged club was in considerable doubt but somehow compromise solutions
were found, including a new name – “Caledonian Thistle”.
Click here to go to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Click here to go to Inverness Thistle.
Sources
- (a) Caley Thistle Online - an excellent photographic record of the club's kits. My thanks to Alison McInnes for drawing it to my attention.
- (b) SNSPix
- (c) Caley Nostalgia
- (d) Alick Milne
- (e) Inverness Thistle FC
- (f) Ralph Pomeroy
- (g) ICT Official Site
- (h) Robert Coghill
- (i) Dave McKay
- (j) Willie McKay
- (k) Old Football Shirts
- (l) Ralph Pomeroy
- (m) Ian McConnel
Photograph courtesy of Caley Nostalgia.