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HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE BACK CALEY THISTLE
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) today backed the
growing campaign to overturn the Scottish Premier League's decision to
deny Inverness Caledonian Thistle entry to the league.
Chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "The Highlands and
Islands Enterprise network has a longstanding involvement with Caley
Thistle with Inverness and Nairn Enterprise having played a pivotal part
in the club's formation in the 1990s.
"The team has earned the right to play in the Premier
League and its treatment at the hands of the SPL can only be described as
shoddy. Any organisation which interprets a majority decision in this way
has to be questioned.
"Although the ground-sharing arrangement with Aberdeen
is not ideal, there has never been any question that it was to be anything
other than temporary and that the club would return to its home base at
the earliest opportunity. A strong, successful top flight team will bring
many benefits and a real feel good factor to Inverness and the Highlands.
"Caley Thistle have proved themselves true ambassadors
for the area and deserve to succeed in their efforts to overturn this
unjust decision."
COUNCIL DISMAY AT SPL
DECISION
Provost William Smith, Chairman of the City
of Inverness and Area Committee of The Highland Council, described
the decision by the Scottish Premier League to deny Inverness Caledonian
Thistle entry into the league as �unjust�.
He said: �This is a black day for Scottish
football and a black day for Inverness. The SPL have let the
Highlands down badly with a decision that is unjust. I am desperately
sorry for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, whose management, players and
supporters have shown the ambition to realise their right to play in the
Premier League as champions of the Scottish First Division. They won the
league on merit and richly deserved the right to play at the highest
level.�
Council Convener Councillor Alison
Magee echoed the provost�s response. She said: �I am desperately
disappointed at the decision of the SPL to deny Inverness Caledonian
Thistle entry to the top league, given the commitment by the club to, in
the first instance ground share with Aberdeen, and then to upgrade their
own stadium. It is so unfair. I can only hope that the club are successful
with the appeal I understand they intend to lodge. We will support the
club in any other action they think may be appropriate.�
02-Jun-04
Inverness urged to
appeal SPL rejection
INVERNESS Caledonian
Thistle were last night considering whether to lodge an appeal against
yesterday's decision to deny them promotion to the Bank of Scotland
Premierleague.
Caley Thistle miss out
Special Broadcasting
Service, Australia
... Caley Thistle needed at least
eight votes in their favour to push ahead with a ground-share plan with
nearest rivals Aberdeen but five clubs opted to vote ...
Caley Thistle lose SPL bid - Soccerway
SPL reject Caley Thistle ground share plan - scottish
tv
Caley Thistle chief feels for position of Partick - The
Scotsman
Glasgow Daily Record - North
Scotland Press and Journal - and
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