A MEMBER of Alloa’s 1999 Challenge Cup winning squad has said he will remember that game for the rest of his life.

The squad are set to return to the Recs this Saturday to mark 25 years since Alloa lifted the Challenge Cup.

Alloa won the cup after a truly end-to-end final against Inverness, which saw the final decided on penalties after finishing 4-4.

Derek Clark played in midfield on that day on November 21, 1999, and has looked back on the most memorable game he played in.

He said: “On the morning of the final, the players met at the Recs to get the team bus to the hotel for the usual pre match meal.

“Strangely, a wasp was buzzing all around us and straight away we had a laugh and joked that it was definitely an omen, a good one at that.

“There was definitely a feeling and realisation that this was not a normal Saturday match day.

“The players were relaxed but focused, some liked to stay quiet where others liked to be more vocal and chatty but there was a definite tension in the air, a mixture of nerves and excitement.”

Alloa took an early lead against Inverness, Gary Clark scoring from 12 yards after Caley Thistle failed to clear their lines from a corner kick.

The Wasps were on top during the first half hour, but Inverness struck back after Alloa keeper Mark Cairns deflected the ball into the path of striker Barry Wilson.

Alloa restored their lead just three minutes later as Mark Wilson ran down the right wing and shot past Inverness keeper Les Fridge to put the Wasps 2-1 up before half time.

Caley Thistle were awarded a penalty after Clark was deemed to have pulled down an Inverness player in the box.

Clark continued: “What can you say? Goals, bookings, extra time, penalties, this game had it all!

“In my opinion, the penalty I conceded after half-time should never had been given, I felt I definitely clipped the ball away from Barry Wilson before he went down in the box.

“That’s not how the referee saw it so that was that. Funnily enough, with the way the game was going and the confidence of the team on that day, I knew there would be more twists to the tale so I wasn’t overly concerned about the penalty.”

Inverness would score their penalty to draw level once again, but Alloa took the lead for a third time just one minute later through Martin Cameron.

Caley Thistle were awarded a second penalty which they converted to level again, which took the final to extra time.

Cameron put Alloa up again with his second of the day, which looked set for the Wasps to win the cup, until Inverness scored their fourth as Sheerin finished his hat trick.

Into penalties, Sheerin missed his to give Alloa the advantage, but when David Beaton missed his, it was level again.

Alloa keeper Mark Cairns stepped up to take the decisive penalty, earning fury from manager Terry Christie, but the stopper converted his spot kick and then saved the next one from Mike Teasdale to win the final for Alloa.

Clark added: “After Cairnsy saved that penalty to win the shootout, it was sheer joy, the players all made a dash straight towards our fans.

“Mark ran and took his jersey off and threw it into the crowd, coincidentally it was my cousin who caught it and made sure the next week we got it back to him and he gave me cousin another strip in exchange.

“What an experience and feeling getting presented with the cup and seeing the delight on the fans old and young.

“They came in bus loads to attend along with everyone associated with the club, they will remember that day for the rest of their lives.

“Looking back at this great squad of players we had back then, one thing is for sure – each player will certainly remember the Bell’s Challenge Cup final in November 1999.”