Ross Tokely
Encyclopedia
Ross Tokely is a Scottish
professional football player, who currently plays for Scottish Premier League
side Inverness Caledonian Thistle
. Tokely, who signed for Inverness in 1996 from Highland League
club Huntly
, is the club's longest serving player and holds their appearance record. He also holds the distinction of having played and scored in every division of Scottish league football, from Third Division
to the SPL
since signing for Inverness, and has worn every shirt number from 1 to 11.
side Huntly
in 1996. He made his first appearances in the Inverness side that won the Third Division
championship in 1997. Tokely gradually established himself in the side, usually playing at right back, although he has sometimes played in central defence or as a holding midfielder.
Tokely retained his place in the team as Inverness progressed through the Scottish Football League
s to the First Division
. During this spell in the First Division, Tokely committed an "overzealous tackle" on St. Mirren
youngster Chris Kerr
. Tokely's challenge caused damage to Kerr's cruciate ligament
and forced him out of the game for nearly 18 months. Since this incident, St. Mirren fans have repeatedly barracked Tokely during matches between the sides, although this has also appeared to have motivated Tokely in those matches.
Tokely also had more positive successes during this period, notably a fantastic goal against his boyhood heroes Hearts
in the 2002
Scottish Cup
. Tokely hit a 20 yard shot into the top corner at Tynecastle
as Inverness defeated another SPL club in the Cup, having won 3–1 at Celtic Park
in 2000. Tokely also scored the winning penalty
in a shootout
against Dunfermline Athletic in the following season's League Cup
.
Tokely was part of the squad that won promotion to the SPL
in 2004, by winning the First Division
championship. Tokely reflected in 2010 that the match against St. Johnstone which clinched promotion was the highlight (to date) of his career. As Inverness moved into the SPL, he retained his spot in the side, being awarded the number 2 jersey. After 10 years' service to the club, Tokely was awarded a testimonial match
against Sheffield United
.
Throughout their five year stint in the top league, Tokely was an established player in the side. His longest spell out of the team came in 2007, when he missed a month of first team action after being sent off for an off the ball punch on Motherwell
player Steven McGarry
. As the Highland club unsuccessfully battled against relegation in 2009
, manager
Terry Butcher
joked that he wanted his side to achieve more league points than Tokley's total of disciplinary points. Ironically, Tokely racked up further disciplinary points as he was sent off for a professional foul on the final day of the season, against Falkirk
. Inverness went on to lose the decisive match 1–0 and were consequently relegated, with Tokely's dismissal idenitified as the "turning point" of the match.
Nonetheless, Tokely retained his place in the Inverness side after their drop back down to the First Division
, helping the club gain promotion straight back to the SPL in 2010. He was made captain of the team for his 500th appearance for Inverness, a 1–0 win against Airdrie United
. Tokely agreed a new contract with Inverness in June 2010, despite receiving offers from overseas.
Ross took charge of Youth League side Farr United in May 2011 to achieve his coaching badge,
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football player, who currently plays for Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
. Tokely, who signed for Inverness in 1996 from Highland League
Highland Football League
The Press & Journal Highland Football League is a league of football clubs operating not just in the Scottish Highlands, as the name may suggest, but also in the north-east lowlands...
club Huntly
Huntly F.C.
Huntly F.C. are a senior football club currently playing in the Highland League in Scotland.They were founded in 1928 and play their football at Christie Park, Huntly....
, is the club's longest serving player and holds their appearance record. He also holds the distinction of having played and scored in every division of Scottish league football, from Third Division
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
to the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
since signing for Inverness, and has worn every shirt number from 1 to 11.
Inverness
Tokely was signed by Steve Paterson from Highland LeagueHighland Football League
The Press & Journal Highland Football League is a league of football clubs operating not just in the Scottish Highlands, as the name may suggest, but also in the north-east lowlands...
side Huntly
Huntly F.C.
Huntly F.C. are a senior football club currently playing in the Highland League in Scotland.They were founded in 1928 and play their football at Christie Park, Huntly....
in 1996. He made his first appearances in the Inverness side that won the Third Division
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
championship in 1997. Tokely gradually established himself in the side, usually playing at right back, although he has sometimes played in central defence or as a holding midfielder.
Tokely retained his place in the team as Inverness progressed through the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
s to the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
. During this spell in the First Division, Tokely committed an "overzealous tackle" on St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
youngster Chris Kerr
Chris Kerr (footballer)
Chris Kerr is a Scottish former professional football player. Kerr played in nearly 100 competitive matches for St. Mirren, his local professional club. His career was stunted by a serious knee injury suffered in 1999, when opponent Ross Tokely committed an "overzealous tackle" on Kerr...
. Tokely's challenge caused damage to Kerr's cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
and forced him out of the game for nearly 18 months. Since this incident, St. Mirren fans have repeatedly barracked Tokely during matches between the sides, although this has also appeared to have motivated Tokely in those matches.
Tokely also had more positive successes during this period, notably a fantastic goal against his boyhood heroes Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in the 2002
Scottish Cup 2001-02
The 2001–02 Scottish Cup was the 117th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the Tennent's Scottish Cup...
Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
. Tokely hit a 20 yard shot into the top corner at Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
as Inverness defeated another SPL club in the Cup, having won 3–1 at Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
in 2000. Tokely also scored the winning penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in a shootout
Penalty shootout (football)
A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
against Dunfermline Athletic in the following season's League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
.
Tokely was part of the squad that won promotion to the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
in 2004, by winning the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
championship. Tokely reflected in 2010 that the match against St. Johnstone which clinched promotion was the highlight (to date) of his career. As Inverness moved into the SPL, he retained his spot in the side, being awarded the number 2 jersey. After 10 years' service to the club, Tokely was awarded a testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
.
Throughout their five year stint in the top league, Tokely was an established player in the side. His longest spell out of the team came in 2007, when he missed a month of first team action after being sent off for an off the ball punch on Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
player Steven McGarry
Steven McGarry
Steven McGarry is currently signed by A-League club Perth Glory FC.McGarry, a midfielder who can also play as a striker, previously played for St Mirren and Ross County in Scotland and also had a loan spell at Boston United in England during his time with St Mirren...
. As the Highland club unsuccessfully battled against relegation in 2009
Scottish Premier League 2008-09
The 2008–09 Scottish Premier League season was the eleventh season of the Scottish Premier League and the second season under the sponsorship of the Clydesdale Bank...
, manager
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Terry Butcher
Terry Butcher
Terence Ian "Terry" Butcher is an English football manager and former player. He was a highly successful football player and made his name as an uncompromising defender with Ipswich Town and Rangers in the 1980s. He was also a captain of England and won 77 caps in a ten-year international career...
joked that he wanted his side to achieve more league points than Tokley's total of disciplinary points. Ironically, Tokely racked up further disciplinary points as he was sent off for a professional foul on the final day of the season, against Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
. Inverness went on to lose the decisive match 1–0 and were consequently relegated, with Tokely's dismissal idenitified as the "turning point" of the match.
Nonetheless, Tokely retained his place in the Inverness side after their drop back down to the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
, helping the club gain promotion straight back to the SPL in 2010. He was made captain of the team for his 500th appearance for Inverness, a 1–0 win against Airdrie United
Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
. Tokely agreed a new contract with Inverness in June 2010, despite receiving offers from overseas.
Ross took charge of Youth League side Farr United in May 2011 to achieve his coaching badge,