Winter of '63

Can't help thinking the Greaves deal was a missed opportunity let down by poorly designed gear. Our club colours are bold and distinctive and it should not have been difficult to produce some imaginative designs - even a simple red & yellow motif or club badge on a pair of black joggers would do. Instead there was training gear in various combinations of white, black, red and grey - not very Partick Thistle. I was in Greaves shop in Sauchiehall St at the weekend. Clearly they have pretty much given up on the idea - there was some reduced stock but only for young kids and XXXL.

After half a century of watching Thistle, I still have most of my own hair and teeth - it must be what keeps me looking forever youthful

A very frustrating day...although I quite enjoyed getting angrier with the endless time Dunfermline took for throw-ins and substitutions and their serial fouling. I thought we got bullied in the first half but deserved a draw with a spirited second half although it was more determination than good football and Dunfermline were particularly inept on the break. Dopey defending to allow Dargo a clear run through and a definite red card. Sometimes you don't really notice that a team is one man down...but not when one of the 10 is Hugh Murray. How often is he caught in possession? Not convinced about Balatoni, O'Donnell looked a bit edgy but was due a quiet game, Forbes use of the ball was excellent(apart from the penalty though that was a good save) and Bannigan did well. We missed Lawless...and Paton & Welsh. That was 50 years to the day since my first game at Firhill...during that time, I would struggle to recall more than 5 occasions that we have got the better of teams of equal status in the Scottish Cup ...we really have an awful Cup record.

I was never entirely convinced about John Lambie though I appreciate that for anyone under the age of 40, he was the only manager of a Thistle team which was wasn't pretty rubbish. However, David McParland is head and shoulders above him as a true Thistle Legend. When Firhill is being refurbished for the Champions League, it should be named the McParland Arena.

That was the sort of victory that wins Leagues. We weren't brilliant but were good enough to win. Great free-kick from Forbes and perfect header from Sinclair. Brannigan's shot was a thing of beauty...our Goal of the Season Competition already has some very impressive contenders. We defended very well as a unit with Erskine and Lawless putting in a shift confining a decent Livingston side to long range efforts which Smith dealt with competently. Surface was a bit slippery - our players seemed to have more difficulty in keeping their feet.

It was a stupidly taken quick free-kick but in fairness, the Ayr player was about 3 yards from the ball when he intercepted...I can still remember that feeling of numbness when there was no whistle and I knew he was going to run on and score.

Old Firm Reserves in the League? Reminds me of the famous cry of anguish from the Glasgow Empire when Mike Winters of the "Comedy" Duo was joined on stage by his brother...Aw' no - there's two of them!

I shouted "Keeper" twice while that free kick was in the air...I really thought Fox could easily have cut out the cross. The ball was at knee height three yards from the goal line when Muirhead was forced into a desperate attempt to clear. Should the goalkeeper's jersey not be a more contrasting colour ? That might explain why not everyone including the ref picked up that Fox was lying injured in the second half - that could have cost a goal...though Dunfermline sportingly shot past the post.

We absolutely blew them away. Wonderful defence-shredding play for O'Donnell's goal and the thunderous shot from Forbes were the highlights. Forbes controlled the game...Erskine was winning back the ball, beating defenders and making incisive passes...Paton stopped them playing and started attacks...O'Donnell was a constant threat. Dunfermline were made to look pedestrian...at times it really did look as if we could score when we wanted. Most exciting Thistle side I've seen since the Class of 70/71...please let it last!

I have retrieved my scrapbook of newspaper cuttings for Season 71/72 and my copy of the Jags Mag from the attic. I can confirm that the second goal was a header by Denis McQuade who also scored the eighth with an overhead kick. As a fashion note for Willjag, although the photos are Black & White , it looks like the usual red shorts with a black stripe at the side. Pictures are a bit grainy but Firhill looks well filled - could well have been 9000. It was a fantastic game...Motherwell were still level after an hour...and 5-2 down after 67 minutes! Some interesting quotes - Tom Forsyth of Motherwell( later of Rangers & Scotland) - "Coulston & Bone destroyed us and the rest poured through the gaps" Frank Coulston on his partnership with Jimmy Bone - " It's almost like telepathy" The Reporter rated it the Entertainment Act of the Year. Glory Days!

That was probably the biggest mis-match I've ever seen - it really should have been stopped to save Airdrie unnecessary punishment. They were hopelessly out of their depth and fortunate to get away with 7-0. This is the best Thistle side I've watched since the 1970's.

I'm also approaching 50 years watching Thistle at Firhill - don't feel that old though! First game was 1 December 1962 - 3-0 win against Airdrieonians - we were at the top of the League then - I'm hoping that we are top again (albeit in a Division below) on my 50th Anniversary.

On Cruise Control for the first half but a bit edgy in the second - in fairness, Cowdenbeath stepped up several gears and closed us down pretty well. ODonnell & Muirhead were excellent particularly in the first half and I was impressed by Bannigan -a great ball to put Sinclair through for the second goal. I remain unconvinced about Elliot and although Lawless & Erskine showed some great touches they weren't as involved as I would have liked. I suspect that Hugh Murray is regarded as a vital part of the team structure but to my untrained eye, he should contribute a little more. Still it was another entertaining game and another win.

Started slowly and it took a good double save from Fox to keep the scores level. We got better as the game went on and with the help of some soft goals ran out comfortable winners even without Doolan and Archibald. Lawless and Welsh both came on to good games and Paton must be the most improved player. Once again, we looked a much better side than the opposition...and without playing to top form...very encouraging.

Dumbarton - who were a better footballing side than I had expected - did get through our defence a few times. It took a fantastic save from Fox to preserve our lead. But some of our football was superb - quick incisive passing, good movement and real pace. If only Chris Erskine had buried that chance, there might have been a contender for the best goal ever seen at Firhill. I like watching Erskine although he had a day when things weren't quite comimg off for him...and Lawless in particular and Walsh were subdued. Bannigan looked better in midfield, Doolan was quietly effective and O'Donnell was excellent. I always thought Paul Paton was a committed but limited player as a right back ...but today he was outstanding...the raking crossfield passes to put Bannigan and O'Donnell through were magnificent. Maybe the test will come when the pitches get heavier and the wind is howling ...and if we lose players through injury or suspension - I'm unconvinced by Elliot as back-up - but there are real signs that this might just be the best Thistle side for some considerable time. An entertaining day.

Some of the posts on this thread might suggest that Ronnie Glavin was a clogger and a failed striker. Well he is my all-time favourite Thistle player - just ahead of Alan Rough and Alan Hansen and a class above more recent favourites like Chic Charnley, Scott Paterson and Gary Harkins. He started as a centre forward and actually displaced Jimmy Bone for a time in the promotion winning season. He was then converted into a brilliant mid-fielder...a grafter, who could make passes and surging runs through defences...and he had a thunderous shot. He was probably the best player in the League Cup winning team and carried the side for the next two seasons - top scorer from midfield. I was gutted when he was transferred to Celtic - he scored 48 goals in 149 appearances for them, picked up a League Winners medal and a single Scottish cap. He moved on after a well publicised court case following a fire at his shop and ended up with Barnsley scoring over 70 goals for them and being voted their all time Cult Hero. My recollection of the challenge with Jimmy Johnstone was that it was hard rather than malicious. I think they both got injured - if you watch the film of our fourth goal, Ronnie is off the pitch getting treatment and hobbles back on as the rest of the Thistle players are celebrating. We only needed 10 men to gub them!

I thought I was in a parallel universe for a time today...sunshine, a good playing surface, the Jackie Husband Stand well filled, Thistle 2 up within 7 minutes...and that was after You're-Not Rangers-Anymore has provided even more comedy value. We only made 3 clear chances and scored them all...Falkirk had at least as many good chances...but it still seemed like a comfortable enough victory.

I heard Traynor's arrogant and ignorant dismissal...I'm not sure if he is a bully, a wind-up merchant or someone who just doesn't get it...probably all three. I also think that it is worthwhile repeating that, as far as I know, there is a contractual Agreement for the SPL payment to the SFL Clubs - they can't just choose not to pay this

The big threat to the SFL Clubs seems to be that they would lose the annual payment they receive from the SPL. Is this payment not part of a formal Agreement? Unless it is a kind-hearted gift from those caring, sharing guys in the SPL, they can not then simply decide not to pay - they would be in breach of contract and the SFL Clubs could sue. I am repeating what I and many others have already said on here - the Newco to Division 1 is to benefit the SPL Clubs, probably even more than Rangers. Why should we vote to strengthen Clubs like Motherwell, Kilmarnock, and St Johnstone? Does that not make it more difficult for Thistle to compete with them? Are they really going to invite Stenhousemuir and the likes to form SPL2? For a variety of reasons, but mainly because I couldn't stomach the poisonous atmosphere, I haven't been to a game against Rangers since 1982 (Thistle 2 Rangers 0, Tony Higgins, who was a donkey, scored both, the crowd was 6,513). If Thistle assist in reviving Zombie Rangers, my continued boycott won't affect the CIub finances but I suspect that like a lot of other Thistle fans my interest in Scottish Football will dwindle and it will be a slow lingering death of the Club. Having said that, if it was the last game of the season at Firhill and Thistle had to win to get promoted and defeat would consign Zombie Rangers to relegation to SFL 2, I just might have to go to see that. This has been the most exciting Close Season ever. It has been good to see the return of some of the Legends from predecessors of this forum - Double Ugly, David Stevenson, Alan Herron..and Are You Red Monkey in Disguise. There might be a lesson for the Thistle Board - there is a lot of untapped enthusiasm and passion for our Club out there.

Well spotted GG - I have only a hazy memory of some of the names but a lot of the guys in these photos were the first I ever saw playing for Thistle back when I was a nipper.Neil Duffy is in the front row of the First Photograph.

Being a Glasgow Club is precisely the reason the Board should be taking a stance - our major selling point should be that we are different from the Old Firm. I fear we may now have the worst possible scenario - we are left isolated as the rest of Scottish Football rides a popular wave of enthusiasm for standing up to the Bully Boys while Thistle are seen as the lapdogs who wanted to help Rangers and the hopelessly discredited SPL. It's not a club I would want to support.

I can't help feeling that by our silence we may have already lost a once in a lifetime chance to revive our Club. We all know that the sole purpose of a yes to Newco vote is to protect the SPL Clubs financial position by getting the undead Rangers back playing their business partners as soon as possible - the Battle of the Bigots is Box Office. If Rangers and the repulsive Old Firm Circus no longer existed, Scotland might just be a better place The SPL Clubs shafted us - that's why we have been playing meaningless First Division (and Second Division) games for several seasons. They clearly have no concept of doing the right thing and are entirely money-driven. Scottish Football Fans are almost universally appalled by this. If our Club had come out and said that - and I would like to think that it's what most Thistle believe - we would at least have got noticed...youngsters might even be inspired to take an interest in the Good Guys. It's also a very strong negotiating position. Most of the other proposals are entirely reasonable and should be implemented regardless - Newco should be of no relevance to this.

Pirlo

Two points to expand on in the general consensus: Firstly, if Zombie Rangers are to rise from the undead to life in the First Division, they should bring with them the penalties that would have been imposed for dual contracts and non-payment of sums due to other clubs. A transfer embargo and points deduction would be just and appropriate. They might be relegated...shame. Alternatively, if they are to be cleansed and return as a genuine New Club, this should be in the Third Division preferably after a year suspension or however long it takes to resolve the legal issues surrounding old Rangers. Secondly, I suspect that the proposals to allow them into the First Division are really to help the remaining SPL Clubs...that's the Clubs who have failed for years to make any meaningful changes to the League structure...and the Clubs who made up rules to force Thistle to comply with Stadia Criteria and then vote us out. Motherwell went into Administration, signed two of our best players, avoided relegation because of Stadia Criteria then voted to relegate us the following season. We have spend years in the wilderness and they are in the Champions League...Why should we help them out? This might be the only opportunity the Club ever has to redress the balance - I hope that our Board are brave enough to do the right thing...even if we are the only Club voting against a carve-up. And as an afterthought...Peter Lawell of Celtic is usually keen to let us know his opinions but has been very quiet recently...maybe he is dumbstruck at the loss of his business partners

I don't think the SPL Chairmen - with the possible exception of Rob Petrie of Hibs - will give sporting integrity much weight in making their decision about the Newco vote. Polls are showing 95%+ of fans are against Zombie Rangers being voted in to the SPL - the Chairmen can see that voting yes is going to antagonise their own customer base and they will fear this will be an even worse business scenario.David Beattie has recognised that this is a once in a generation to make radical changes to Scottish Football. I would be apalled if our Club was party even in a small way to facilitate the return of the tedious Old Firm monopoly and the repugnant circus(to paraphrase Stuart Cosgrave) which goes with it. Rangers have been shown to be an even more a despicable Institution than I had imagined and I don't think that much of the Murdoch Empire either so I wouldn't really want their money. Mr Beattie should read the signs and do the right thing.