partickthedog

I did mention this one above. But your description is so much more eloquent!

Different style of goal. Would never win goal of the season but perhaps a place in a top ten showcasing every aspect of the art of goalscoring. Conrad Balatoni's header against Dunfermline (at 1-1 remember) crashing into the net right in front of the New Shed was truly inspirational. If one has to be chosen has to be by Chris Erskine, but which one? Best single shot strike v Airdrie, wonderful run and lob v Falkirk or finshing off Paton's crunching tackle and pinpoint crossfield pass v Raith? Then again, team goal Stephen O'Donnell with the incredibly cheeky dink has to be in the mix as well!

Another one lacking only Elgin & New St Mirren Park. Two of my hits are slightly dodgy. Pre-season friendly at Montrose and under-21 game at the old Firs Park (East Stirling). The rest are all competitive first team fixtures. Can also add Deveronvale as well as the now defunct (at least at the top level) Clydebank and Gretna.Have been to both incarnations of Airdrie, but not yet to Rangers Newco. Old grounds include Boghead and the former Bayview.

If you played for Inverurie Locos, then your equivalent of Hampden would be Central Station Park.

or Elliot Bunney the flying machine.

Anoter one from the dark days of the Second Division. Graham Connell rocket shot at Firhill against Inverness. If I can go off topic, the other memory from that game was towards the end when we were hanging on desperately at 2-1. Inverness won a throw in with seconds to go down at the corner where the turnstiles for the North Stand now are. Ballboy threw ball to Inverness player. He was so nervous and in so much of a hurry that he dropped the ball and it ran right away down the hill to waste a valuable half minute which was just enough to see us through.

My first phase of following Thistle was 1976-1978. I remember George Mackie being my favourite player, so he must have been good.

A few more from the memory banks. Andy Lyons 3rd goal in 3-0 home win v Ayr in the Save the Jags season. Took off from the near (to the JHS) corner of the halfway line in weaving run during which he beat around 13 players before squeezing the ball past the goalie and embarking on a safely excuted Klinsman dive into a puddle. Late winner by Mark Roberts at Firhill in near end of season 1-0 success against Dundee which destroyed their promotion hopes. Excellent team move in which Marc Twaddle had some involvement before Roberts did some neat footwork and lifted the ball over the goalie. Amazing Darren Brady (yes-him!) lob in early season cup tie at Dens Park (reminiscent of Cairney last season v Falkirk as already mentioned). We won 3-1 with Billy Gibson and Scott Boyd also scoring. Some goals are more memorable for their celebration value than their quality. These two come from our turning of the tide season in the 2nd Division which laid the groundwork for the two forthcoming consecutive promotions. It is difficult to recall how depressed the support was at that time. Our first season in the 2nd Division had stumbled to an inglorious conclusion and we had a horrendous start to the next campaign (5 points from first 10 games). So, although these may not sound like spectacular results, in their context they were huge! A very young Derek Lyle robbing George Rowe and running away to finish and clinch a 2-1 victory in a bottom of the table encounter at Queen of the South. Albert Craig ghosting in for a last second winner at Firhill against Stirling Albion (it was so sweet as it had happened against us so many times!). If there was a category for best double salvo, it would have to be Alan Archibald's stunning volleyed brace at home against Hearts in the Premier League. More of the same today, Archie!

Dumbarton and Cowdenbeath revivals must be pulling Hamilton, Raith and even Falkirk into the relegation zone.

Peter Lindau's third of his hat-trick to clinch promotion against Stirling. Receiving ball with back to goal. Amazing close control and twisting this way and that to create space where before there was none, before planting the ball past the keeper. Scott Chaplain volley at Broadwood. Danny Lennon against Stirling on the second coldest day in history (after the night at Alloa). Danny Lennon against Inverness at the end of a lovely geometric move of angled passes (Swansea style).

Elephant! For some reason seems bigger than a whale, even though it isn't. PS Just thought of Big Jim Slavin.

Singing Section Row M. Sounds good. Must remenber to leave more time to get there than usual as car parking will no doubt fill up much earlier.

What happened to the Spanish fans? Did their plane turn round in mid-air?

Momentum shift next week.

Any chance of Gerry Britton being at the game? Would be great if some of his subjects could meet the King of Spain.

Next seven would be Jamie Redman Nikita Yellowvic Rob Green Scott Brown Matt Bluemfield Stephen Pinkowski Ian Black

The combination of red and yellow would bring us 3 points.

Pot calling the kettle black.

in terms of timing I think that the best fit is Archie's Shaggy's Red N Yellow Army This could work very well if one leader or group belts out ARCHIE'S and another leader or group (possibly in a slightly different location) belts out SHAGGY'S just as the ARCHIE'S is dying away. Then all join together for Red N Yellow etc. ARCHIE'S!!! SHAGGY'S!!! RED N YELLOW ARMY... A contest could develop between the ARCHIE and SHAGGY shouters which would keep the chant loud and long.

No need to park. Just keep driving round the stock car racing circuit.

Brilliant goal away against Morton also worthy of mention ..........and no one could point like Rowser!

Looks like a case of Shag instead of Shug.

Twice ran past the forwards to good effect in scoring against Alloa and winning equalising penalty against Gretna. Also scored a late winner in midweek away match at Raith Rovers with shot that mysteriously changed direction in mid-flight and totally flummoxed the goalkeeper.Aforementioned winner against Deveronvale was a cracker. Isolated highlights in an otherwise mundane Thistle career!

Would John Collins be interested in a return to full-time management or at least being at the apex of a coaching team? Not saying good or bad, but surely the way Thistle prepare and play is very much an embodiment of his football philosophy?

Being surrounded by Erskine haters in the JHS who constantly berated him when he and the rest of the team were playing so well in the early part of the season was one of my main reasons for trying the North Stand. That move turned out really well for me, but looking back I still find it impossible to understand the aggressive negativity with which some "supporters" come to the game.