Post by Livi News on Jun 6, 2015 10:50:28 GMT 1
Celebrations [as] Inverness lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history
“I don’t know why I hate them, I only know I do. If you supported Livi then you would hate them too.”
So went a song (sung to the tune of Living Next Door to Alice) about Inverness Caley Thistle, back when the two clubs jostled through the lower divisions together and they were our number one rivals.
The rivalry might have subsided – they’ve got bigger fish to fry nowadays – but old habits die hard and I still like to see the Highland side lose.
With that in mind, I took a seat in the Falkirk end for Saturday’s cup final and became an adopted Bairn for the day.
Things looked promising after the red card and the Falkirk equaliser; alas it was Caley who emerged victorious thanks to James Vincent’s late winner.
With their Cup triumph coming on top of a third place Premiership finish, even a confirmed Caley hater like me has to give credit where it’s due, albeit grudgingly.
One relegation blip aside, they’ve developed steadily as a club over two decades, perpetually stable both on and off the park.
That’s in marked contrast to the pattern of boom and bust at Almondvale, where the last ten years have seen our fortunes decline.
I’d argue that Caley aren’t a bigger club than Livingston. They have the same problem we do in overcoming tradition to attract people through the gate for starters.
What they are, though, is a tremendous example of what can be achieved on limited resources if things are done properly.
Their model is one the new owners of Livingston, whoever they are, could do worse than try to emulate.
You can follow David on Twitter @davidstoker_lfc.
