During my years of following ICT I have used various types of transport to get me to games. I�ve used trains and aeroplanes, even a motorbike, but, for this match, I WALKED, yes, that�s right, I walked. I was taking part in Highland March 2 which is a little stroll for charity from ICT�s penultimate match of the season (Clyde �away� in this case) to the last match of the season. We started to walk from Broadwood Stadium at 5.20 p.m. eight days prior to this match and put it in an average of 18 miles per day to reach Inverness by 12 noon on match day.
We are joined on our way to the match by about 50 other fans, calling in at the Innes Bar for light refreshments. A piper then walked down the road with us to the stadium where we were met by the club chairman and others for a champagne reception in the media room at Caledonian Stadium. MFR were in tow with us too, reporting live as we walked. We were then given permission to walk around the pitch and take the applause of some 6000 people. A pure magic moment and one I will never ever forget.
The match was also the crowning glory of a fantastic week with ICT coming out 3-1 winners and clinched the 1st division championship by one point from Clyde. To see the players parading the trophy was sheer bliss. I didn�t know then what was to happen later. The joy on the faces of the supporters was brilliant. Everyone was jumping for joy and smiling, brilliant, just brilliant.
The evening was going to be particularly enjoyable as we were attending the ICT Supporters Club function and Player of the Year awards at the Chieften Hotel. At around 8.30 p.m. it was with surprise that the oldest trophy in Scottish football was brought into the room and was passed around for the fans to have pictures taken etc - a truly memorable night indeed. Chatting to the players and the manager in this environment was superb; it was like drinking with close friends.
As the evening progressed we decided to head off to the Innes for the last drinks of the evening and it was there that events of the week and the day caught up with me as I shed a tear of joy. Without doubt, this was the best day of my football supporting life.
