briogadh

My first full season of following the Jags. Previously only saw a few games on visits to my Auntie in Maryhill. What a baptism ! Made all the better by being at Hampden on my birthday to see Rangers KO'd in the League Cup .I really did believe that it would always be like that- everything seemed possible.

Feeling really ancient because I reckon I've seen all these back to Alex Wright in 1954 ( Doolan's No. 6000 courtesy of BBC Alba !) Quite a thought- how can I possibly have survived the roller-coaster that is involved in following the Jags and (in my own opinion) remained relatively(!) sane ?

Well they've always taken themselves far.far too seriously, haven't they ? Didn't know that there actually was a sense of humour to be found deep in the recesses of Celtic Park or Ibrox, but there you go, you live and learn ! Some might even say that the two outfits concerned were themselves the joke, viewed in the context of the world -wide game. ? ( and not just in the playing sense.)

If he's half as good as the last McMullan who donned the red and yellow, we'll be on a winner. Jimmy McMullan (by then with Man. City) captained the Wembley Wizards in 1928.

Noticed in the Herald last week a thinly veiled threat from the Revenue that they were very hopeful of overturning the court judgement last year in favour of Rangers ( Sevco or current club?) , presently subject to appeal. In that event we're in for more 'interesting times' !

Well before everybody's time I think. But this team reached the Cup Final that season and took it to a replay, so they must have been a good outfit. The Dental Cup Final also springs to mind, when Alec Hair scored 5 against Rangers, a feat unequalled by any Scottish player, as far as I know. Can anyone confirm ?

The second St Mirren goal summed up our season. Three Thistle players seemed to run across the 18-yard line. All seemed to have chances to shoot at goal. Each opted to pass to someone close to them. The last lost the ball, which is immediately hoofed up the left wing past O'Donnell who had unwisely come forward to join the attack. He then had to chase the St Mirren forward and attempt a risky tackle from behind. Yellow card and any chance of Thistle getting anything from the game is gone! But the greatest disappointment for me was the inept performance of Bannigan. Gone is the exciting forward-thinking midfielder of last season . He had plenty of the ball today, but I cannot remember a single penetrating forward run or pass. He was a sort of poor man's Barry Ferguson - and HE was absurdly overrated !

In 1971 they had Denis McQuade listed as 'full back'.!

Watching last night was frustrating for everyone. Thistle sometimes remind me of some of the Scotland sides fielded by Roxburgh/Brown -plenty of possession and pretty passing where it doesn't matter. The Germans used to say that Scotland were world champions at passing it about in the centre circle.! It has been a fault of many Scottish teams (not just the national side) to sit and watch admiringly their own cleverness. A classic example was Jim Baxter's inexcusable grandstanding in the 3 -2 win at Wembley (1967 )which could have cost us the match.The object of the game is, however, to score goals. The successful teams are those which are able to convert possession into direct threats at the opposition goal - and we are finding it increasingly difficult to do this now that opposing teams have sussed out our style. Unfortunately, I cannot detect that we have a Plan B- although for a brief period when it was too late we had the Aberdeen defence looking anything but solid. This seemed to coincide with Higginbotham moving further forward, and he has the characteristic direct 'English' style which has been the bane of Scottish teams of all kinds all my life - and he is no Bobby Charlton !!

Even with the rose-tinted specs of nostalgia I could not agree ! I saw him play many times. A very good keeper, yes, but better than Rough or Niven or Walker ? I'm afraid not.

Something which I've always meant to check. We all know that Thistle famously led 4-0 at half time in yon 1971 game. However, I'm sure that in 1959 at Celtic Park I saw Jags go four up before half-time. Can anyone confirm this ?

I was sceptical from the start even with the (admittedly) professional brochure. Was the venture (a) researched ( costed © given the necessary admin. support -or and, I hate to say, was it all someone's pipe dream in the warm glow of the promotion success. Wherever the truth lies, it's high time the club came clean about TAG so that we can all judge where we stand. The launch itself must have cost quite a bit - pity if it was all a mirage!

Cannot go (even though I have a ST) on Sundays or Mondays due to other commitments. The demands of TV make it likely that after 40 + years I'll probably not have a ST next season - assuming we're still in the top league of course !

I would imagine that Robert Reid has probably surpassed this record by some distance! If I recall correctly only the wedding of his daughter interrupted an extraordinary number of consecutive attendances at Jags matches./

I'd like to add another 'worst moment' for those of a certain age. Partick Thistle 2 Hibernian 10. Can never forget! I believe that in modern times no club in the top league has ever before or since lost ten goals at home !

That's the man! Thanks .Don't think it was the Monte Carlo. Can't think of a Thistle link, unless a director invited him as a guest. ( Come to think of it we had a director by name of Cowan in the very recent past!)

A class player in a very poor side. Have vivid memories of him almost single-handedly snatching a draw in a Scottish Cup tie against Celtic at Firhill in, I think, 1968. Final score 3 - 3 Sadly the Jags seemed to lie down and roll over in the replay, which finished 8 - 1 ! Seem to recall the then club captain threatening to walk out on the club, so incensed was he at the lack of spirit and fight by his team mates During half time at the first match a rally car was driven around the track, piloted by drivers who had recently won an international event. For the life of me I cannot remember who they were or what was the event. Are there any old-timers out there who can jog my memory ?

Mine were from the Hebrides, but met in a house in Cromwell Street and married in Gardner Street. Have the vaguest of memories of being taken to Firhill in 1939, but the family moved back to the Highlands, so apart from occasional visits to an aunt in Shakespeare Street it was 1953 before I had the opportunity to visit Firhill regularly.. First season ticket 1969, renewed every year since.. ( Incidentally, the demands of TV mean that like others I will have to miss quite a number of games this season. Football should be on a Saturday at 3pm, the hallowed hour!)

In over 60 years of supporting the Jags, Hansen was without doubt the most accomplished player I ever saw in the red'n yellow. Went on to captain one of the greatest-ever Liverpool teams. Knowing his educational background it came as no surprise to me that he made such a successful career as a TV pundit, because having played at the highest level he knew the game inside out. Much of the criticism aimed at him from this side of the border stems from the fact that we have had no one here on either BBC or STV worthy to lace his boots! The veiled (or open!) attacks that he is 'anglified' are totally wide of the mark.

First away match for 4 years ! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Our possession was tremendous - although sometimes players pass the ball just for the sake of passing it without making any attempt to really open up the defence for shooting opportunities. So frustrating! Baird does well enough but at this level we need a player with more instinct to strike at goal. Was glad to see him subbed after his appalling miss early in the second half although I applauded him as he left the scene. This is the best Jags team I have seen for 40years - let's enjoy. .... and I'll not wait 4 years for my next visit to an away fixture !!

Yes, Forrest was out of his class and had a real stinker. But what I remember was the performance of a youthful Bobby Charlton (fist England cap?)who lit up the game with a fantastic goal.

A 'seasoned striker ' yes. Not convinced by the 'big target man' idea -that's not the way this team plays. This late in the transfer window such a player will be hard to find , unless among recent signings he is already on the books?

Must confess that, sitting in the JH Stand I have been blissfully unaware of it both last season and this. Is it only audible in the stand behind the goal.? Don't like the idea which seems imported from US sporting events and is surely alien to us Maybe I need another hearing test?

Just struck me - Conrad of course qualifies for Hungary as well as England.

There are more than a few "Scotland" players with less right to claim a place than Conrad ! Some had never set foot in the place when they pulled on the Scotland shirt. . Conrad is arguably more Scottish than Stewart McCall or several others who qualified through a grandparent. Just look at the way Ireland has succeeded in recruiting players from unlikely places. It used to be said that Jack Charlton would give a place to any player who could whistle 'Danny Boy' !