Church group may save Clach

Inverness bible fellowship wants to use part of social club

By Mel Fairhurst, Press and Journal

Bosses at a historic Inverness football club are praying that plans to use part of its social club as a church will help pull them out of debt.

An 11th-hour bid by Inverness Bible Fellowship could save 125-year-old Clachnacuddin Football Club, which has been in administration for more than a year.

The administrators' company voluntary arrangements were due to expire on Monday but extra time has been allowed until April 30, due to the Christian group's interest.

The Highland League club's main creditors are the Inverness Common Good Fund, Royal Bank of Scotland and Carlsberg.

Administrators Johnston Carmichael were appointed in November 2009 after club debts rose to more than £250,000. It was hoped Highland Bangladeshi Association would step in to answer the prayer of Lilywhite supporters but their £190,000 deal fell through last September.

Inverness Bible Fellowship, led by pastor Leo Rose, has now made an offer to use part of the social club, and is awaiting planning permission from Highland Council for change of use from an unused bar to a non-residential house of worship.

Mr Rose said: "Inverness Bible Fellowship is a small Christian church and registered charity which began meeting in the South Kessock area in 2004. Having our own premises will enable us to continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to minister to the residents of this area.

"We are delighted at the opportunity to purchase a part of the Clach Football Social Club. We are eagerly awaiting the Highland Council's decision regarding our planning application for use change."

Club chairman Brian Urquhart said: "We get on very well with the people we have dealt with and I am confident we will be good neighbours and that we will complement one another.

"The players just want to go out there and play and win games. This club is an institution and is supported by hundreds of people worldwide.

"Everyone will just be relieved with the news and we just hope everything goes ahead as planned."