[citation needed] At the end of the 2009–10 SJFA North Division One season, second placed Inverness City were denied promotion after failing to secure a suitable home ground.

It was Derek Allan who would fill the managerial position again, with assistance initially from former Banchory St Ternan manager Steve Scott and latterly Ian Esslemont.

Due to work commitments Allan was to step down again in early 2013 but that did not deter Esslemont and the team as, despite a 7th place Superleague finish, they achieved yet more silverware success as they clinched the Domino's Pizza North Regional Cup with a 3–1 win over Maud at Ian Mair Park.

Max Alexander, Sean Croll, Ross Forsyth, Keith Horne, Michael Smith and Ryan Stewart left for Banks o' Dee, and Callum Murray joined Hermes.

Danny Anderson, Tim Capstick, Kevin Davidson, Shaun Goate, Justin Knowles, Michael Mathieson, Grant Moorhouse, the Hive's first ever Lithuanian Valentinas Sulkevicius, and Graeme Wilson came in to replace those who departed, and despite two opening Superleague defeats the team were soon top of the table.