Written by Ian Broadfoot
Even as Clach was celebrating its centenary in 1986 the financial vultures were circling. In March 1986 a decision by Inverness District Licensing Board threatened the Clach social club and thus the financial stability of the football club. The board refused a request to renew late-night drinks licences but the social club wanted to continue with licences from 11 pm to 1 am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – and also to 1145 pm on a Saturday. The police objected to the extensions because of three disturbances in the vicinity of the club over the preceding three months. Clach were still in the process of paying of a 1982 tax bill of £60,000 and this was due to be cleared by 1987. Company accountant James Pringle doubted if the removal of the licences would be fatal as the cost of entertainment resulted in little profit.
Rod Clyne’s fine centenary history ‘The Lilywhites’ came out in April 1986 but almost immediately there was a further crisis. Manager Charlie Kennedy was to be relieved of his post in late April after only six months in charge but the move failed due to supporters and players expressing their confidence in the manager. Despite this support Kennedy stood down as manager on 29 April but he remained as a signed player. 24 hours later Dave Christie was appointed to the vacant manager’s post. This all coincided with the latter period of 1985/86 and the league campaign finished on 16 May with Clach in 13th spot on 31 points. The best achievement of 1985/86 was reaching the semi final of the North Cup but this was lost 3-0 to Lossiemouth.
Within weeks new manager Dave Christie was pictured at the wheel of a tractor ripping up and replacing the pitch at Grant Street Park. Christie took the club through most of the 1986/87 league programme but could only manage 22 points out of 34 matches and 16th place - Fort William had by now joined the league and pushed the membership up to 18 clubs. The season finished in disarray with Christie’s reign as manager ending in March 1987 and the position remaining in doubt until early 1987/88. On 4 April 1987 John Beaton took over as manager assisted by former Clach manager Brian Mackay but the duo only lasted seven days before they left. There was no explanation at the time but it emerged later that the new management team wanted Terry Curtis to be secretary and the board disagreed. This all coincided with more financial problems surrounding the social club and it also emerged that the club had played that season with a number of unregistered players. At the latter end of 1986/87 many trialists were fielded because of registration problems.
There was reason for optimism when Inverness publican and hotelier Willie MacLennan took over as chairman on 1 May 1987. He invited Beaton and Mackay to return – with the appointment of Curtis as secretary as part of the deal – but they refused. In the event former coach Stuart Morrison took on the manager’s role - he lasted until November 1987 when he was replaced by Jim Oliver who became player/manager.
Willie MacLennan came up with a controversial plan to raise money towards the club’s debt by selling off part of the ground for housing. A new company Livick was set up to handle the sale on behalf of the club but no sale took place at that time. On 21 January 1988 a stormy members’ meeting took place as a debt of £146,000 was revealed. A new share issue was launched in an effort to keep the club afloat and on 10 April Rangers brought a strong team north to play a fund-raising match. Clach finished 1987/88 in 14th place on 29 points – a minor improvement on the previous season. The best effort in cup competitions was reaching the semi final of the North Cup but hopes of reaching the final were ended with a 7-0 drubbing by Inverness Thistle.