Three potential buyers interested in Inverness Caley Thistle

Administration in Scottish football is relatively rare but common enough to strike fear into the hearts of directors and fans alike. Since the year 2000, there have been a total of fourteen insolvency events involving Scottish clubs from across the league system.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle might take some comfort from the fact that of those, nine have come out the other side bruised, but intact. Each case is different of course, but the emotion is the same.

Having covered a number of these over the years, I’ve watched fans in tears, staff in shock and institutions teeter on the brink of extinction. What is always striking is how quickly the narrative changes from winning games to survival.

There’s nothing more sobering than watching a team of administrators walk into a football stadium with their briefcases swinging by their sides and a community holding its breath, wondering if they might become the next Gretna or Clydebank.

As the administrators get on with the work of figuring out just how bad the finances are, fans cling desperately to new reports of fresh investment. The first week can usually be critical and the list of those who lose their jobs in the first few days can give an indication of just how precarious the position is.

History shows administration doesn’t have to mean the end and often it can focus the minds of those looking to invest. As the fans of Inverness Caledonian Thistle watch on with worry, they can take some consolation from the fact that many other supporters from across Scotland have felt their pain.