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TJF will be compiling and submitting some questions for written answer which we'll make available on the website (once we in turn get the answers) that came from fans ahead of the AGM. Some were asked, but time obviously didn't allow for everything. However, some personal reflections from my own notes In terms of the official business: (a) all directors re-appointed (b) auditors re-appointed (c) Tranche 2 special resolution passed by the necessary majority There was a presentation delivered by the Club Board: Finances Richard Beastall (Chair) delivered the finance report, which forecasts the current season will deliver the targeted losses. There is some ringfenced spending on stadium repairs which is separate and will come out of the Tranche 2 funds. Some preparatory work has been done by the Club Board on next season's budget, and would see the playing budget revert to 2023-24 levels. This is early stage and still needs stress tested. The biggest uncertainty remains footballing performance, as prize-money differences for league position in the top 5 vary by about £90-100k per position, and that can be the difference between (frankly) making a profit and losing a six-figure sum. Tranche 2 should mean, according to the forecasts, that if we run break-even budgets and deliver them from next year onwards, there shouldn't be cashflow problems, though with some stadium repairs being brought forward into this season, the cash low-point looks to be somewhat lower than is optimal. One to monitor. A lot of the Q&A focused on the reality of getting to break-even, with some discussion about where lessons can be learned from other Clubs (both on cost control and revenue generation). There's an acknowledgment that hospitality and commercial growth aren't (yet) happening on the desired scale, but there's specific opportunities for up-side next season on the front-of-shirt sponsor (which is up for renewal). The Board was pressed on whether they would consider a Zero Based Budgeting exercise to try to identify where costs can be better controlled. They expressed an openness to this, provided that relevant expertise and capacity to do so can be secured from the wider support. There was some discussion about the impact of the recent employers' National Insurance increases, which puts about £60kpa on the wage costs for the Club. The impact of this is different for football clubs than for other SMEs as they typically have a lot of match-day only staff who are below the thresholds. Football The finance report covered off some football matters, including Harry Milne's sale (actual numbers don't get reported because of contractual non-disclosure provisions between the Clubs and player). Questions were raised about the football committee and summer recruitment strategy. I think it's fair to say that the Club Board fronted-up that it was, in hindsight, a bit of an exaggeration to call it a "football committee" in the first place. It was a label used to describe the fact that the Club Board would provide support to the football manager with contract negotiations and the practicalities of recruitment, whilst Kris Doolan would, with help from his assistant and various other football contacts, identify and select the desired recruits. The directors mainly involved in that side were Richard Beastall, Donald McClymont and Elliot Gilmour. The Board has readily accepted that this approach hasn't worked as intended, and has led to some sub-optimal recruitment decisions, and won't be sticking with it. The Sporting Directors' role is a key part of those future plans, to support the manager on both the recruitment side and better integrating the Academy pathway. The budget allocation for which is still a matter of live discussion (as it will influence what kind of candidate the Club can attract). I was personally quite impressed with the willingness of Kris Doolan (who was at the AGM) to take ownership of his recruitment decisions. He (frankly) didn't have to be there, but he fronted-up, was articulate and appreciated the constraints within which a sustainable football club has to operate. Whatever folk think of his objective performance this season as a manager, it's clear he's learned and is still learning a lot about that side of the game, and he's a genuine ambassador for our Club. Governance Elliot Gilmour spoke a bit to how the Club proposed to bring its Corporate Governance Manual to life, and developing meaningful KPIs for different parts of the business. He reflected on some supporter engagement work that had helped to shape a 5-year strategy. It was emphasised that a big part of making this work depended on getting supporters involved in the Strategic Working Groups, to build capacity and expertise around the Club leadership team. There was a particularly excellent contribution from the floor by Tim Burrows, who has recently been recruited to support the Finance Working Group. Some of you may remember he was one of those asking awkward (but pertinent) questions at the Tranche 2 open meeting. Speaking personally, I think this demonstrates that the Club's door is open to challenge, and keen to work with people beyond the immediate circle. Women's Team Caroline Mackie gave a summary around the women's team's progress, and it wasn't really discussed further in the Q&A. In short, as we all know, they had an absolute barnstormer of a season last year, attendances rose by about 50% and several new commercial partnerships were secured (which is why, a modest subsidy from the Club aside, they pretty much washed their faces financially last year). Academy Elliot Gilmour gave an overview of the Academy. There continues to be competitive success in competitions (including the U16s CAS Cup and U18s Foyle Cup). Additionally, both Ceiran Loney and Haydon Borland's sales have been a huge boost to the Academy budget, making it completely self-funding. This releases a contingency that the Club might otherwise have had to draw-on. There is a real push in the Academy to make better use of technology to monitor player development, including the use of a player development app (we are apparently the first academy in Scotland to deploy it). There's also some work with a new AI analysis tool called Eyeball, to build in data analysis for the U13-18 pathway. Commercial Alistair Gray gave the overview of the commercial side of the business. It was acknowledged that there had been a sluggish start to the year on both commercial and hospitality revenue streams, but that they were now recovering (particularly around occupancy rates in hospitality). Part of the challenge has been discontinuity in staffing arrangements to support those parts of the business, which recent and new recruitment should begin to address ahead of next season. There's a bit of a call to arms on supporter involvement here, as the more voluntary support in terms of the office that can be provided, the better targeted we can be with paid staff towards revenue-generating activities. Alistair has been leading on the Club's university and colleges engagement programme and aspects of those partnerships could deliver some commercial up-side in the longer term (as well has helping with fan acquisition). Stadium Allan McGraw gave an overview of some of the work that needs to be done on the stadium in the next couple of years, part of which will be funded out of the Tranche 2 funds, and some work is expected before the end of this season. There wasn't much discussion about stadium issues otherwise. Other There were some very valid questions about quality of customer service at the Club (unanswered phones and emails) which they are working on (it's a capacity issue). Some fans raised concerns about the Morton fans in hospitality causing aggro. The Club acknowledged this isn't the first time this has happened and are reflecting on the best way to deal with this without turning away paying customers.

I think he is then out of contract, so that will be the last we see. Good move for the big man as he will get regular game time. Aero has been a great servant to the club over 2 spells and I wish him well in whatever comes next

Hi admin, as someone who has a terminal illness, I fully appreciate your decision. Football is fun but it truly ain't the most important thing in life. I would like to add my voice to the chorus of thanks for all the time and effort spent on our behalf. Speaking selfishly, you have given me many hours of fun and 'introduced' me to some lovely friends I am never likely to meet in person. So MANY thanks again - it has been greatly appreciated.m.

Over 77% of Kris Doolan's tenure (57/74 league matches) has been spent in a play-off position. Thanks to an excellent start, his ppg remains 2nd highest of all-time. Tough gig, still today none of us are over Dingwall, least of all KD. Thanks, fare well and head high Kris!

The time we now live in it is easier than ever to communicate with each other. Imo the problem is the people who don't accept that others have the right to have a different opinion from them. On this forum we are all Partick Thistle fans and at the end of the day we all want the same thing, Thistle playing at the highest level possible and also doing well off the park. We may have different views on how to achieve these goals, but that doesn't make one person's post more valid or relevant than another person's post. Although this forum is the only online presence i have, imo most internet sites have the same problem. The sooner people decide it's best to just agree to disagree the internet could be a better place for all. This forum has been spoiled for the many by a few. Feel free to disagree. Thanks again @admin you done a great job.

I'm sorry to hear about all this and I appreciate that it's a really thankless task at times. However, it needn't be totally thankless! I wonder if there's an organisation or fund close to your heart that we could collectively donate to, as a token of gratitude and a chance to make a wee bit more good out of this? If so, please name it and I'm sure folk here would be glad to send a wee something and perhaps drop a note in this thread to indicate they've done so.

In the summer he literally lost a complete team and had to recruit a new one on a very very limited budget. He has now started to turn that round. He also tries to play decent football. He knows the division and its finances. He’s worth considering.

The delicious irony of your last sentence.

Because it’s the payment system we inherited, it’s cheaper than other services with the facility you describe, and it would be an administrative nightmare (for absolutely no benefit to the Foundation’s fundraising efforts) to migrate to a completely different system. Apart from pretty much every members’ circular email in the last two years saying if you want to cancel or change or ask a question about your membership subscription, just email us. Look mate, if you want to cancel just email us. It’s not a cryptic crossword. Yes, we chose a payments system in November 2021 thinking “gosh lots of people might want to cancel in February 2025 when the team is a bit crap, let’s make it really hard for them”. In the time it took you to cook up this conspiracy theory and post about it, we could have cancelled your membership about 20 times over. No. If you email us asking to cancel we will cancel it and say we’re sorry to lose you, and say you’re welcome to rejoin at any time. If someone indicates, unprompted, a change in financial circumstances as their reason for cancellation, we’ll pause their subscription, alert them to the fact that there’s the Basic or Concessionary rate (if relevant as an alternative) and say we can switch them to that lower rate if they email us back saying that’s what they want to do. If they don’t email us back, or indicate they still want to cancel, their mandate is cancelled with no payments taken from the point they ask to cancel. Then they can cancel their Direct Debit with their bank or cancel the recurring payment with their card provider, without having to contact us. Apart from literally putting it in the template of our circular emails.

Sadly Bobby has passed away at the age of 91. Always thankful for Doolan and Erskine. Rest in peace, Bobby. https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/bobby-dinnie-mbe/

Decent person, legendary player, and I assume all-around great guy, father, and husband. Easy to cheer for. A guy we all want to succeed. A guy who either amazingly remembered meeting me a few times or did the incredibly polite thing and convincingly faked it! I still want him to find something that works this season. Something at least to give us momentum into the playoffs and the feeling that going into next season we aren’t starting from zero.…. But I’m not seeing it. I’ll support the guy as long as he’s in the role. Charge of the Light Brigade kind of sh*t. But at the same time, I’d 100% support the board if they decided to sack him and don’t begrudge anyone saying his time is up. It’s an entirely reasonable opinion based off what we’ve seen.

A friend once told me years ago about a saying in (I think it was) Albania: "He's busy crawling under the table sniffing for farts", to describe people desperately trying to find something to be outraged by.

Are you sure that this is not a Norge Thistle pin? It certainly looks like him. What 2 absolutely fantastic goals! I was there in Inverness, but I had not realised what a long distance from goal the free kick was. What I do remember was the constantly driving rain which did not let up all the way up the A9, right through the game and all the way back for a 1am return. Happy days!

I often have issues with JJ's points and don't agree with a lot he says but personal insults are not necessary.

Doolan was hardly kept longer due to his legendary status. He only managed the club for 25-26 months. In that time we reached a play-off final (lost on pens) and a play-off semi (lost on pens). At that stage virtually no one was suggesting he should be sacked. He started this season poorly, but then results picked up to the point we became the form team in the division. It was only then results took a nose dive, followed by a fairly swift sacking in response whilst still in 4th. Compared to keeping Caldwell after his first abject season, and keeping McCall after his hand in our relegation, I hardly think that Doolan was kept on longer than merited.

The only people with any responsibility for hiring the football manager are the Club Board. It is exactly as simple as under private ownership. They have a completely free hand to pick who they think is the best person for the job. TJF’s Board isn’t involved, just as it wasn’t involved in the decision to relieve the previous management team of its duties. It’s getting a little frustrating seeing fan ownership get blamed for things that have absolutely nothing to do with fan ownership.

Should be able to help with catering too.

I have no problems with Owen Coyle though I doubt he could get us to the SPL. He certainly could sort out the shambles we appear to be in at the moment. I was also impressed with his work at Queens Park and also the way he conducted himself after we hammered his side 8-3 in the play-offs a couple of seasons ago. If I recall accurately his first question in the post match interview was something along the lines of "How do you feel about tonight's result". His answer was " before I answer that "I would like to congratulate Partick Thistle on their victory and wish them all the very best for the remainder of the play-offs". Subsequently Lee Bullen of Ayr did the same. Coyle didn't have to say anything like this but he did. He behaved with dignity and courtesy and that should be respected. I would have no problem with him coming to firhill given his football knowledge.

Can anyone explain what exactly is it that makes Neil Lennon so 'divisive'?? It cannot be because he is ex-Celtic (see Caldwell, McLeod, Britton, Whyte, Rooney, Auld and - by association - Collins). Is it because he is Northern Irish? Not that he would get out of bed anyway for the money on offer, however this unsubstantiated allegation of divisiveness doesn't stand up to much scrutiny when undertaking due diligence on someone's suitability to be Partick Thistle's first team manager.

No to Lennon in any capacity. No to McCall in any capacity. This is an opportunity to reset the team and enthuse the support with an inspiring appointment(s).

Total conspiracy theory nonsense. Its unlikely a player deliberately gets themselves sent off as it (a) could lead to a fine (b) a suspension which affects their appearance money (c) can lose them their place in team again losing appearance money and potential win bonuses. Trying to state a player has now done this 3 times to get 3 managers the sack is at best bonkers at worst malicious. Players often lose them their place head due to frustration. It appears a good few on here are too with some of the conspiracy theories going about.

Agree. Can’t believe we’ve got a thread targeting one player when the whole team has lost its way. Doolan looked and sounded lost in his post match interview. There was nothing to suggest he knows what the problem is or how to fix it. That’s a far bigger issue than one player losing his head.

This has to be one of the worst ideas ever and whoever in the board room suggested it needs a serious reality check. A 20% reduction in the playing budget but money for a totally unnecessary position? I know where I’d rather the money was spent. Plus it’ll reduce the field of interested parties in the managers role, as some managers won’t work in that environment.

Fully agree with this. Bannigan would be one of the many I would have out the door in the summer. The sentimentality and loyalty the club shows with some of the players is a big part of the problem. We need a big reset on and off the pitch sadly.

As a player Dools is and always will be a legend for our club and nobody can ever take that away from him. As a manager it looked like he would also become a legend until that last 20 minutes in Dingwall. Sad to say but i think his time is now up as manager.

“You don't do it for the glory but to give the youngsters that first big break” Thank you Bobby Dinnie (1933-2025) R.I.P.

That's why I don't see the point of us wasting any more money on loan signing. Let Doolan limp through to the end of the season with what he's got, and then start fresh next season with an actual structure and plan in place.

Not defending Graham for a moment. Stupid to trip someone up when on a yellow. But unless anyone else saw any more, it seemed like a soft yellow when a minute earlier the referee failed to book the Falkirk player who rugby tackled Mitchell to the ground.

Not all bad...

Strong argument that this is the best half of football we’ve played all season.

Alas Livingston is in the Middle East.

TJF statement on the matter below: On Sunday 1st December a formal complaint was made to both the Club Board and TJF’s Board about an historic social media “retweet” from February 2024 made by Stuart Callison, relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The complaint demanded Stuart’s immediate removal from both boards, alleging racism and antisemitism. The retweet in question was made by Stuart in a purely personal capacity. It is not the role of TJF to censure or censor the free expression of individuals, even our directors, on matters of conscience or to adjudicate on the validity of competing political claims, particularly in the absence of evidence of discriminatory intent. As the Club Board has already indicated in its full statement to the JT, it took appropriate legal and professional advice on the matter, and conducted an internal investigation, which found no breach of directors duties. Separately, TJF investigated whether the retweet contravened its own Social Media Policy. No breach was found on the basis of representations made. TJF’s board unanimously stands by the conclusion of its investigation that there was no racist or discriminatory intent behind Stuart’s social media content and that no directors’ duties were breached. Had we concluded otherwise, we would have asked him to resign. We would note that, in email exchanges with Stuart asking for comment on the story, the journalist at the Jewish Telegraph himself stated that the content in question “is not antisemitic”. An offer to engage in independent mediation with the complainant was made by both the Club and TJF, but this was declined. We do recognise that social media is often a highly imperfect platform on which to debate these complex and emotionally charged political issues, especially for those assuming leadership roles at Partick Thistle. At TJF’s December 2024 board meeting, all were reminded of the need for circumspection if commenting publicly on sensitive political issues, so as to minimise the risk of misinterpretation or offence, or of misattribution of an individual’s views as being those held by either TJF or the Club. We want to ensure that Firhill is a place where all fans, regardless of background, feel welcome, and where everyone focuses on what we have in common as Jags fans, rather than on political disagreements. There will be no further comment from TJF on this matter.

Fortunately, so do we.

@jagfox👀

So, BBG will be in charge again for Friday's match vs Livingston, with a clear message from the Board: "Get interim!"

We are looking to employ more in the commercial side to get our revenue increased. Imo the best way to increase the revenue is to put a successful team on the park. If we manage that crowds increase, media coverage increases and any firm connected with the club gets more exposure. I think the board should concentrate on getting the management team sorted first, whether it's a DOF and coach or a manager the board should take time and make sure they get the right person/persons in and then deal with the commercial side.

As far as I can see, there is only one example in living memory at Partick Thistle where someone was put forward for appointment or re-appointment as a director of the football club, only to be rejected by the shareholders. That director was you. In January 2011. AGMs are not, as you are suggesting, particularly special here. It is open to a majority shareholder to remove directors at any time, in response to new developments.

He would be a candidate certainly with some risk. Only managed at lower leagues; overall win % at Edinburgh City actually not great; also been relegated with Edinburgh. Seems to have a variety of other 'business interests' as well, and has been declared bankrupt previously. People also seem to be keen on Rhys McCabe, who has Airdrie bottom of the league with only 14 points, suggesting something must be badly wrong all season. I'd argue both these candidates are actually higher risk than keeping Doolan would have been, looking at Doolan's record over 2 seasons in the Championship.

And as captain and a leader on the pitch why didn’t he challenge this

Actually, I think our manager's position will be the next stage of the life of Brian, currently suspended because he's a very naughty boy.

Neil McCann for me

He was seen in Jaconellis 🤪

Just no

Archie still deserves a lot of credit for getting us promotion and managing to keep us in the top tier for a few seasons. ETA it’s Archie, Dools & Erskine I think about when considering the last 10-15 years at the Club

You have lost the plot mate. Take a breather away from a screen and have a walk outside to clear your head.

Bannigan has been our most consistent player over recent months. A subjective opinion but one widely held. That just highlights the problem. When he was at his best Stuart was rarely MotM. More often than not second or third best player, less noticeably helping others win that accolade. Recently he's just been a regular MotM as nobody else has stood out. For all his decent play nobody else has really benefitted from it.

Brian Graham as manager isn’t the answer, even on a temporary basis. Neither is a sporting director.

That's why I keep saying be careful what you wish for. I hope the board would see sense to look elsewhere when Dools eventually goes.

And your 1st sentence just proves my point. That’s the kind of reaction when an ex Rangers or Celtic player is even mentioned as coming to Firhill. It’s not healthy.

I’ve never understood this concept in football management that you’re not inexperienced after 2 years (4?transfer windows). In just about every other job that still counts as inexperienced (certainly I was hugely inexperienced in my profession after 5 years never mind 2. Even a player isn’t considered particularly experienced after their first couple of seasons).