Recent History
At the start of season 2003–2004 the league was due to consist of 11 clubs when Inverness City were elected to replace Alness United who had applied to join the Scottish Junior Football Association's North Region. However Alness' application was unsuccessful and they returned to the NCFL. The league returned to 10 clubs when Inverness City withdrew at the last minute owing to their failure to secure a viable ground at which to play their home fixtures.
The start of the 2005–06 season saw the withdrawal from the league of Tain St. Duthus due to financial problems, reducing the league to only 9 teams. It was hoped that this would be a mere season's abeyance, but they did not re-enter the following season, and have now gone out of existence entirely. They are succeeded by Tain Thistle, who joined the league in 2008–2009.
Inverness City finally joined in 2006–07 season having found a home ground at North Kessock. However, the league was left with the uneven number of 9 clubs as Bonar Bridge withdrew from the competition. The league title was won by Golspie Sutherland.
In 2007–08, Bonar Bridge returned from a year's abeyance, and were joined by Muir of Ord Rovers in an eleven-team league.
The 2008–09 season started with ten teams due to the withdrawal of Dornoch and Inverness City joining the Junior leagues. The league was also joined by newcomers, Tain Thistle.
Fort William entered a reserve side in the league for season 2009–10, the first reserves to compete since 1999. Bunillidh Thistle withdrew, and Alness United took a year out, but Dingwall Thistle joined to complete a ten-team league.
Season 2010–11 saw Alness United return after a one year absence while Tain Thistle dropped out.
Clachnacuddin enter a reserve side for season 2011–12, whilst Fort William Reserves have dropped out due to problems with pitch availability. Before the season started, both Invergordon and Bonar Bridge withdrew, leaving just eight teams in the league.
Read more about this topic: North Caledonian Football League
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