Tom Hosie

The pitch remains pretty much exactly where it was but the giant stand has been replaced by a shallow stand with 3 rows which runs the length of the pitch. And that's about that. The view is far from great but about a million times better than if you were watching from behind the goal as Falkirk and Dunfermline fans have had to do. The Meadowbank Sports Hub itself is fantastic. It's as if football wasn't really wanted there.

The Thistle Women's team are having another positive season. Wins in three of our last four unbeaten league games have taken us to 5th in the league. The Christmas Auction is about to close tomorrow and NOW is the time to bid on some fantastic items. You can get some fantastic, and is some cases unique, christmas presents as well as supporting development of Partick Thistle Women's FC. https://www.32auctions.com/ptwfc2

Here's the current league table for those interested. It's probably best not to read too much into it until everyone has played the top three (we've played Rangers and Celtic) but a top half finish isn't out of the question. Remarkable progress. Six years ago today we won our first league title well down the league system. Away to Hibs next.

Glad you enjoyed the day. I'd best not provide detail why our assistant manager was sent off but it was for laughable reasons. Yes, got a break at the penalty. The rebound wouldn't have counted though had it gone in as it came back to the taker without another player touching the ball. Deserved win over the 90 minutes. Near perfect football weekend. Men's team win and stay top. Women's team win and go into the top half of the league.

The Hibs Women's team are playing at the new, and quite dreadful looking, Meadowbank Stadium this season so that will get me back to 41 out of the 42 SPFL grounds when we head through there leaving just Bonnyrigg to get back to the full set.

The game was played at Cove Rangers.

Unfortunately a spot of Man Flu kept me away from Aberdeen yesterday so can't comment on the performance although I'm told we had the bulk of the game and should have won. At any rate, it's a first point of the season after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2. Next up is Spartans at Petershill Park this coming Sunday. Unfortunately I'll miss that too as I'm on holiday though will take advantage of the live stream that is available for all our home fixtures. Aberdeen v Partick Thistle - Match Highlights - 21st August 2022 - YouTube

I did see that just after I posted. Thanks, helpful/interesting/disconcerting.

Once the transfer of the majority shareholding goes through to the PTFC Trust then the Club Board can't sell the club to anyone? Any prospective bidder would have to deal with the PTFC Trust and they would need to demonstrate that were acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries in whatever decision they took? When the Beattie led group returned to the Club they could sell their shareholding to anyone they wanted without any constraint. And they did, they sold to Colin Weir.

Just to echo what jagfox has posted, I don't doubt for one second that the motivation of those trustees that I'm aware of is anything other than the betterment of Partick Thistle (and have no reason to think otherwise of the others). Indeed one has done fantastic work with the Charitable Trust (an organisation very, very close to my heart) and is precisely the kind of person I'd wish to see involved in any fans' organisation. That said, already with an issue of credibility, they've had, to say the least; a bad first 24 hours, and that's before the tweets of the then Chair were shared. If he has stood down as seems likely that's absolutely the right action. For what is worth, my very own personal view, is that they should have immediately addrressed the issue of their lack of credibility and reached out to TJF and The Jags Trust and opened channels and discussions on how all three fans' bodies can try and work together to try and make this something more substantial than it currently is. Not that anyone on here will disagree, this isn't fan ownership. It needn't, shouldn't and won't I hope, be the end of the journey though.

It's always disappointing to lose and it was no different today but there was much to be proud about following today's 2-0 lost to Celtic. There was never the remotest chance of Celtic repeating their 9-0 opening day win over Hibs. They deserved their win, but they were made to fight for it. An unfortunate own goal and a penalty proved to be our undoing. Our performance showed not just that this is a talented group of players but a really fit one too. The step in training from two to three nights a week is clearly having an impact. Ultimately though defeat means no points from our first two games. It's the same for Aberdeen (who lost 8-0 to Rangers today) who we visit next Sunday. It was great to welcome a record crowd to Petershill Park and the figure doesn't include the dogs at the dog friendly Petershill Park! Petershill Park is a great home for us. It's a friendly, welcoming and above all else, affordable experience. It's ideal for families. And the football is damn good too.

It was disappointing to start the season with defeat against Hearts yesterday. Especially since we led at the interval with a goal on her debut from Cara Henderson after a good performance in the first 45 minutes. We were undone really in the first 15 minutes of the second half. In no time we were 2-1 down, then missed a penalty to get back level before conceeding a penalty of our own that Hearts scored. You couldn't in all honesty claim that Hearts didn't deserve their win but equally you couldn't say that there was much between the sides. Georgia Timms, who Hearts signed from Lewes in the summer, scored a hat-trick and was excellent. We had five missing (four with suspensions carried forward from last season and one unavailable due to work committments). Three, I think, of that five are back for next Sunday's game against Celtic. You need only look at the scores elsewhere yesterday to see how tough that will be. I don't think Rangers hitting double figures against Glasgow Women was that much of a surprise but Celtic hitting 9 against Hibs was, to me at least. There's clearly is a gap between the 'big three' and the rest but that's not to say that others aren't striving to improve standards too, Hearts signing the aforementioned Timms from a good standard in England is an example of that. The financial muscle that the 'big three' have allows them to do so at a much quicker pace than the rest and in different markets and the gap just seems to get bigger. Is that good for the league? I don't know but don't be kidded into thinking that standards across the board aren't rising. Ours certainly are. Anyway, here's the highlights from yesterday and to answer an earlier question the intent is to still live stream our home games. Hearts v Partick Thistle - Match Highlights - 7th August 2022 - YouTube

If you accept that "the main purpose of the football club" is to win football matches and if you follow the arguement that nothing should be done that deflects from that purpose, you could make a case for doing nothing to resolve the entry issues that occured on Saturday as that doesn't directly impact on on field issues. I wouldn't suggest you should do that though. That would be a bit silly. Much as suggesting that some signage has any impact on "the main purpose of the football club" is a bit silly.

The level of preparation this season, compared to last is like night and day due, in no small measure, to the fact that the season had actually started when we received our elevation to SWPL1 Overall though the level of professionalism in all areas of the club has really stepped up a notch. As it has to if the club is to continue to grow and compete in the top league. The players now train three nights a week and to say they had a tough pre-season is an understatement. The result is a group of players as fit looking as we've ever had. That's no guarantee of success of course with standards constantly rising. I like to think that our own standards are rising at a significant pace to more than meet the demands ahead. Jags fans buying season tickets, paying on the gate or getting involved with various sponsorship opportunities really would make a difference. If anyone is interested in getting involved with sponsorship then ping me a message.

The new SWPL season starts on Sunday. With that in mind I thought it might be of some use to those interested in the team just to provide an update on where we are at as we sit on the cusp of a new season. The following players, and their previous club, have been added to the squad: · Claire Adams – Motherwell · Kaitlyn Canavan – Glasgow Women · Cara Henderson – Glasgow Women · Beth McKay - Hearts · Jordan McLintock - Motherwell · Leah Robinson – Glasgow Women In addition to those players, and as well as retaining the bulk of last season’s squad many of whom had interest from elsewhere, Rosie Slater; who was on loan from Rangers last season is now a fully fledged Partick Thistle player. Efforts at further recruitment are ongoing. Home fixtures will be played at Petershill Park (30 Adamswell Street, Glasgow, G21 4DD). There’s plenty of parking on site and both Barnhill and Springburn train stations are just short walks from ground. Of the two, Barnhill is probably the closest. The following Firstbus services all pass close to the ground 8, 57, 57A 87,88A, 88C, 89, 90 as do McGill’s services 71, 71A and 72. Pie stall is generally open, and the pies are good. Especially the steak pies. We start the new season on Sunday (August 7th) where we ended the last season, away to Hearts at the Oriam ,and our first home game is the following Sunday (August 14th) when we play Celtic. Season tickets are great value at: Adults: £60 Men’s Season Ticket Holders: £40 Under 16s: FREE You can purchase your season ticket via the link below: PTWFC 22/23 Season Ticket | Partick Thistle FC (ptfc.co.uk)

We had our first pre-season friendly this afternoon running out easy 8-0 winners against East Fife. A double each for new signings Kaitlyn Canavan and Cara Henderson. Jordan McLintock, another sumner signing helped herself to a goal as did Taylor Hamill with East Fife also contributing a couple of own goals. There was an obvious gulf in class but the girls, who have upped their training sessions to three evenings a week, looked really fit. Positive afternoon. Tougher tests ahead.

Something I posted on social media a little earlier today. On the back of this I received a lovely, and touching, message from his partner while he was at Thistle. I was genuinely shocked to read on my way home from Stenhousemuir yesterday of the passing of former Thistle player Adam Strachan at just 35 years old. I was, still am, clinging to the hope that it wasn't true. That it was a case of some garbled story but that seems more and more unlikely. Adam was an incredibly bright talent, lightening quick and direct, when he burst into the Thistle first team at age 16. He could, should, have had a fantastic football career at a level well above Thistle and way, way above where he subsequently played. Reading about Adam on social media since the news broke I keep reading the phrase "troubled soul" to describe him and Adam certainly didn't have his troubles to seek in life. His time at Thistle coincided with my time as Programme Editor. I'll not pretend that I knew Adam well but we did speak. One to one I found him a nice, self aware, lad. That is the impression of Adam that will be left with me. I forget the exact time line, I think it was when Dick Campbell was our manager, but I recall chatting to Adam on the way to an away game somewhere. He hadn't long come back from a period on trial in Germany and the German club, I forget who, wanted to sign him but the fee we wanted was too high. Adam spoke about how he had enjoyed his time in Germany, how it provided him with an opportunity to breakaway from the environment that was defining his life and shaping his future. I wonder how his career, how his life, might have turned out had that move happened. A sliding doors moment? I'm a firm believer that how we turn out as people is significantly shaped by the environment and circumstances that we are brought up in. I don't really want to make an overtly political point when discussing the passing of a young man, but it does feel pertinent to do so here. Society consistently fails people (do football clubs too?) . Yes, there needs to self responsibility and yes people need to make the most of the opportunities given to them, often through the talents they have, but do our social structures offer enough support? Anyway, RIP Adam. You leave me with memories of just about the quickest player I've ever seen in a Thistle jersey. Your star burned out far too quickly.

Season tickets for the upcoming season are now available. £60 for an adult ticket but just £40 if you are also a season ticket holder for the men's team. Under 16s go free. For those interested we have our first pre-season friendly on Sunday at Petershill Park against East Fife. Kick-off 1.30 and admission by donation.

That's the fixtures for season 2022-2023, the first under the auspices of the SPFL, released for the Women's team. League season starts on Sunday August 7th away to Hearts. First home game is the following Sunday against Celtic. Before then we have 3 pre-season friendlies as per below. All are at Petershill Park and all have 1.30pm kick offs. Entry for these games is via donation: 10/7: East Fife 24/7: Kilmarnock 31/7: Boroughmuir Thistle

The Women's Team have signed two new players this close season so far. The others have been re-signings.

The majority shareholding sitting outside of the Club Boardroom wouldn't be an unique position for Partick Thistle to be in. Indeed that was precisely the position when the David Beattie led group ousted the Jacqui Low board in 2019 and had been for some time. In essence you can maintain control of organisation even if not sitting on its Board if you happen to be the major shareholder.

If that's the point you want to labour, go ahead.

Re the first bit in bold, I think you would be hard pressed to go through this discussion here and find anyone who sees meaningful fan ownership as anything other than as you describe it. Re the second bit in bold. Ceding ownership of the shares doesn't automatically equate to ceding control of those shares or control of the Club. You speak as if the transfer of shares to a democratic fans organisation is inevitable and that 3BC have no control over that, when the reality is the exact reverse. They hold all the cards. They set the agenda. You might find that unpalatable, but it is the reality of the situation. It's why the newly elected Jags Foundation Board face a massive, and immediate, challenge in becoming part of the discussion re the destination of the majority shareholding in Partick Thistle. Right now they aren't part of that conversation. I'm repeating myself but IMO the pace of the transfer of the shareholding, even this far down the line, needs to slow down. If TJF as the soon to be the only truly democratic (do the Jags Trust still hold elections?) credible fans' organisation with room to grow, increase its membership and become increasingly reflective of the support isn't part of the conversation then we need to stop the conversation. If it isn't part of the conversation then it can hold as many elections as it wants and have every single Thistle fan worldwide as a member but it will remain as far away from being the majority shareholder in Partick Thistle as it has ever been. Lets put a moratorium in place with regard to the shareholding transfer. Put together a working party with representatives from all interested parties; fans organisations and shareholders, and try and find a workable solution to this. Otherwise we are missing out on a wonderful opportunity. One that might not come around again.

Years ago maybe. Less so now, thankfully.

I honestly don't know. I think we somehow need to get past the DD issue first and I don't know how you do that. I have to stress at this point, I'm speaking entirely for myself here. What I'd like to see is a clear vision for what happens after the share transfer both short (a kind of first 100 days thing) and long term. And less about the mechanics about how the organisation will govern itself, as important as that is. The problem the old Jags Foundation Board had was that it was appointed and not elected. It didn't have any mandate to present a vision/plan for fan ownership. Maybe it's sole task should have been to get us to the point of having an elected, mandated, Board and then the discussions with 3BC begins re the timescale for the share transfer. Sorry, not articulating myself very well.