Inverness Caledonian Thistle Sets New Attendance Record

Inverness Caledonian Thistle (ICT) has set a new attendance record from behind closed doors after shifting more than 7,820 ‘virtual’ tickets for its upcoming game against Hearts.

The match, scheduled to kick off on February 26, surpasses the club’s record of 7,753, which was set against Rangers in 2008 at the 7,822-capacity Caledonian Stadium.

ICT is said to be ‘astonished and full of gratitude to the fans of all clubs who have bought tickets so far with Hearts showing the most support.

This game with Hearts would have been one of ICT’s biggest games with an expected full capacity attendance and Scot Gardiner, chief executive of ICT is reported to be ‘blown away’ with the success of ticket sales to date. Apparently a lot of Hearts supporters clubs had indicated that they were going to come because back in 2013 when Hearts had real financial issues, ICT had donated £5 a ticket and that money had gone to the ‘fans’ fighting fund’, in their attempt at trying to buy the club.

When it became apparent that the fans wouldn’t be able to attend the game, the two supporters’ clubs held discussions and the Hearts supporters asked if there was anything they could do to help. The idea of ‘virtual’ tickets was discussed and agreed upon as this had proven to be an extremely successful strategy in the recent game between Marine and Tottenham Hotspur in a third round FA Cup match.

Fans can either purchase a £5 virtual ticket or pay £10 for a souvenir match ticket and thank you letter, signed by Inverness manager and Hearts legend John Robertson.

The tickets went on sale on Saturday, 6 February, and the response has been amazing with over 4,700 snapped up within 24 hours, including 1,000 in a 90-minute period.