Stuart McCaffrey

Stuart arrived at the club on-loan from Aberdeen in September 2000 and was eventually transferred to the club at the beginning of December that year. A very influential and highly rated centre back who has gone on to play a major part in Caley Thistle’s success over the seasons he has been at the club. He immediately struck up a phenomenal centre-back partnership with Bobby Mann which was always one of the best in the First Division.

Season 2001/02 : In his first season with the club he was voted the Supporters’ Club Player of the Year and also the Supporters’ Player of the Year.

Season 2002/03 : In this season he again won the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.

Season 2003/04 : Once again Stuart proved how valuable he was to the club and the supporters by winning an award for the third season in a row. This time he jointly shared the Matchday Programme Player of the Year Award. He was also a major influence in ICT winning the Bell’s Cup during this season along with getting to the Scottish Cup semi-final and winning the First Division Championship. He scored his first Scottish Cup goal for the club in the 6-1 rout of Hamilton Accies in the Fourth Round on 22nd February 2003.

Season 2004/05 : An unfortunate sending-off against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in October was to prove costly for Stuart as he lost his place in the side to Darren Dods and struggled to get back into the team. He then suffered a bad back injury which kept him out of the side until the end of the season. Up until the sending off, which was harsh to say the least, he had been playing well and had won a number of Man of the Match Awards and his last minute goal at Pittodrie against Motherwell at the beginning of October was his first in the Premier League for the club. Stuart made his 150th app. for the club in the home match v. Celtic at Pittodrie on 21st August.

Season 2005/06 : Stuart missed the start of the 2005-06 campaign with a back injury but came back to full fitness playing in the Reserve League. He then made two appearances for the the first team, one in the league against Hearts coming in for the suspended Darren Dods and then in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup 3rd Rd. draw against Ayr United. He played a further six games in the starting line-up and one from the subs. Bench during the remainder of the season. He has found it very difficult to get back into the side on a regular basis due to the Dods/Munro partnership but when he does get in always gives 100%