Inverness and Raith Rovers to SHARE cup win in Tunnock's Caramel Wafer tournament
The final of the lower leagues’ cup competition – which also includes entrants from other British leagues as well as Colts sides – was one of many matches cancelled at the end of last season during the coronavirus closedown for football.
This season’s packed schedule, allied to significant changes to the clubs’ squads, has contributed to the SPFL decision to award both joint custody of the silverware. There was no competition contested this season with fixture space unable to be allocated among the truncated football calendar which kicked off in October with reduced matches in the leagues.
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Hide AdThe match had been scheduled for March 28 and was also subject of several headlines with James Keatings' controversial sending off against Rangers in the semi-final rescinded – at the second tribunal hearing - restoring the Inverness striker’s eligibility for the final against the Rovers side he will now join this summer.
Raith will also take part in the SPFL Championship play-off for a place in the Premiership next season and SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said staging the game “just wasn’t feasible'.
ICT CEO Scot Gardiner said: “The Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup of Season 2019/20 was certainly a rollercoaster of a competition.
“Since the semi-final was played, there has been such a long time and while we were originally happy to try and play the final subject to fans being allowed in, both squads have changed so dramatically that we no longer believe, it would be fair to either set of players who fought so hard to reach the 2019/20 final.
“We only have around five players left from that semi-final squad and could even have the prospect of one of our players from that match being set to play against us. Subsequently, playing the rescheduled match from two seasons ago would mean that, unfortunately, cup sporting integrity would be long gone and we feel that the best solution is to award both squads winners’ medals. For some of the players, they may not get the chance again to receive such a medal and we feel this is the fairest solution in unprecedented circumstances.”
Rovers Chairman John Sim commented: “On behalf of everyone associated with Raith Rovers I am delighted. Whilst we are obviously disappointed that our fans and management team have missed out on the excitement of a final and the opportunity to win the cup outright, we understand that the moment has passed and that we should all now look forward.”
BBC Alba were scheduled to show the game but will return as broadcast partners next season when the competition will be known as the SPFL Trust trophy. Iseabail Mactaggart said: “MG ALBA have very much enjoyed our association with the Challenge Cup since BBC ALBA first became the broadcaster of that competition in 2008. We congratulate all at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Raith Rovers for being joint winners. We all missed the competition this season and we look forward to covering the SPFL Trust Trophy for Season 2021/22 later this year.”
Sir Boyd Tunnock added: “We have enjoyed our association with this unique competition and wish all the teams involved in next year’s competition the very best of luck.”