Invergordon secure back-to-back North Caledonian League titles with six-goal rout of Thurso
Invergordon completed their defence of the North Caledonian League championship this afternoon with a six-goal rout against Thurso at the Recreation Grounds.
The defending champions needed just a point to secure the 2024-25 title to put it beyond the reach of second placed Halkirk United.
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The Easter Ross side are the first club to retain the championship since Halkirk’s back-to-back achievement in 2012.
The win ensures there will be a place in next season’s Scottish Cup preliminary round for Gary Campbell’s men, who have now won four league titles in the last nine years.
Invergordon made no mistake against a struggling Thurso, who scored three goals in each half to win the match comfortably.
Calum Brown, the top scorer in the North Caledonian League with 18 goals in 19 appearances, got the hosts off the mark on 17 minutes before Ben Bruce netted twice to make it 3-0.
Bruce notched his hat-trick in the second half, before Cameron Mackintosh and Callum Murray added to the tally.
Speaking after today’s game, Invergordon coach Shaun Kerr praised his side’s winning attitude throughout the campaign.
“It feels brilliant,” he said. “It’s what you set out to do at the start of the season. The boys have been fantastic.
“I think we’ve lost just one league game all season, so its great to finally get it over the line.”
Invergordon’s squad has been boosted by the addition of Calum Brown and Copeland Thain on loan from Ross County’s under-18 set up this season, along with former Highland League winners Ally MacDonald and Dale Gillespie from Brora Rangers.
Kerr added: “The young boys have been fantastic. Calum has scored a lot of goals and Copeland coming into the team, he has also been brilliant.
“Adding experience like Dale and Ally has been a calming influence on the team. Between that youth and experience its been the perfect match for us this year.”
Invergordon, although champions, will not be eligible to compete in a Highland League promotion playoff this season, however, the club are already exploring options ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, with plans lodged for ground improvements that could help them attain a Scottish FA club license.
Kerr says that promotion is now the club’s aim.
He added: “Promotion is certainly where we want to go. It’s our aim to try to get into the Highland League, and hopefully we can get there as soon as possible.”
In other action today, St Duthus beat Inverness Athletic 2-0 at North Kessock to keep hopes of a top half finish alive for the Tain side. Goals from Finn As-Chainey and Louis Macpherson made certain of the win and a clean sheet.
At Claggan Park, Fort William overcame Clachnacuddin’s reserve side by 2 goals to 1 to claim three points, and lift the Simon Shields Memorial Trophy.