Caledonian F.C.
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Caledonian Football Club (Caledonian F.C.) were a football club from the city of Inverness, Highland, Scotland.
Formed in 1885 by lads from the 'Big Green' area of Inverness, though some sources quote 1886. They were founder members of the Highland Football League in 1893 and wore strips of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. Their home ground was Telford Street Park, located beside the Caledonian Canal, and they were known by the nickname Caley.
One of the Highland League's larger clubs, they won the competition eighteen times- a record they held until they ceased to exist in 1994. Another Inverness side, Clachnacuddin, equalled this record in 2004. Caledonian also qualified for the Scottish Cup many times, knocking-out larger League clubs on a total of 19 occasions.
In 1993, the Scottish Football League decided to expand and restructure. This meant that two vacancies for membership would be available. Caledonian decided to apply for membership, as did city rivals Inverness Thistle. The SFL hinted that a joint application might be more successful and the boards of Caley and Thistle decided to merge. This decision was met with widespread opposition by supporters of both sides but an amalgamation went ahead. The new club, Caledonian Thistle (later Inverness Caledonian Thistle), were granted membership to the Third Division at the beginning of Season 1994-1995.
Great Caley names included Willie Whitton (signed by Spurs and Chelsea), 'Ginger' MacKenzie, Alan Presslie, Billy Urquhart, and Wilson Robertson.
Formed 1885. Defunct 1994 - By amalgamation of Caledonian F.C. and Inverness Thistle F.C. to form: Caledonian Thistle F.C. - shortly afterwards to be renamed: Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Ground: Telford Street Park.
Colours: Royal blue shirts, white shorts, royal blue socks.
