The Challenge Cup: A Celebration

First published October 2004

Perth sunset
Celebrating the cup final win under a glorious sunset!

There are a handful of memorable days that really stand out in the history of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. One of the best of these is October 26th 2003, the day we won our first senior cup competition and, as my cousin, Kerr Campbell put it, it was indeed "much better than winning the Inverness Cup"!

I can't remember when there was last such an air of pessimism before a game: the occupants of my bus weren't exactly optimistic about our chances. I think the memories of our previous cup final appearance, againt Alloa, were playing on a lot of minds. However, this time there was a happy outcome and if there was a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, then they were tears of joy. This was one of the few times in my life when I've actually been so happy I could cry. We'd waited for this moment for so long, but finally it was our turn to win the cup!

The hero of the game for me was definitely Steve Hislop, who came off the bench in the second half and changed the game, creating the first goal for David Bingham and scoring the second decisive goal which killed off any chance of an Airdrie comeback. Whereas County had taken a Hissy fit in a previous round of the competition, it was now Airdrie's turn to experience Steve's scoring prowess, which saw him crowned as leading scorer of this year's competition.

This was one story that had a happy ending, and the day will surely be remembered for a long time to come!

WELL DONE THE CALEY JAGS!

Steve lifts the cup!