ChewinGumMacaroonBaaaz

@ northernsoul The intricacies of the property deal and how it might shape our beautiful home are a little worrying, but then I am not overly familiar with the plans in thier entirety. To the best of my knowledge, two public consultations and one press release asides, communication on this important topic has been scarce. Perhaps I have missed something in the matchday programmes or failed to find information on the web sites. Perhaps it is too late to raise concerns now with planning applications now lodged with the full backing of The Jags Trust. But, if they were really proud and 100% happy with the plans there should be pictures and presentations plastered all round the concourse in the J.H. on matchdays and a dedicated page on the website. I have no objection to flats on the city end so long as there is some room for a small stand ( 1000 seats? ) for matchday supporters. I like the Beersbrige Annex flats, reminiscent of "The Chealsea Village" at Stamford Bridge. ... mibbeez aye, mibbeez naw. However, alternatives for the second phase, developement of the main stand could and should be considered. David Beattie says, “Some people would want us to keep the original stand as a historic monument but we have to be realistic. It is 100 years old and large parts of it can’t be used for safety reasons.”*. No one likes to see this splendid building lying empty. One cannot ignore the part it holds in the heritage of our club and the distinctive atmosphere it has in our stadium. It is a monuement, a proud monuement, so why not a working monuement. It may be a little shabby but it's history is something we should aim to cherish and develope not bulldozer and ignore. Surely though, it has a chance of being put to use in its original function as accomodation for viewing sporting events and now, catering to the needs of the modern day spectators. It was full not so long ago for our cup ties with rangers and I understand "The Warriors" filled it for a derby against Edinburgh at the turn of the year. I fear the plans in place (i really don't know what they are) for the main stand may be short sighted, a quick fix solution that may stunt future growth and success of the club however distant that may seem now. We may be averageing 2-3000 crowds at the moment but let's not lose aspirations to attract and be able to accomodate much more. I understand that housing, retail and office space may bring continued steady income into the coffers, but is a gun really being held to our head on this one? Is there no other options or ideas to generate cash from the space. I'm thinking.... Executive boxes at Firhill? Prawn sandwiches brigade? Why the fook not?!?!? maybe keep the posh rugby types happily paying us rent or they might scuttle off to scotstoun full time. Rent them out to local businesses to keep the revenue streams flowing and keep the prominent purpose of "the grun" watchin the big match! Messers. Cowan, Hughes and Prentice were all major contributors to "Save The Jags". That was "stepping up to the plate". Who else is going step in? Has anyone offered? Do You think anyone would be willing to do it full time, buck shee, and better? Cowan's a lawyer, Hughes and Prentice are accountants, Beattie's a baker, Bannerman's a Property developer ( always worth the watching in my opinion, property developers . Nae offence intended to G.B.).... That's their JOBS. You think Thistle can afford to employ high flying executives on six figure salaries to do the "job"? ..... that's mental bud. The last time we were able to properly employ a C.E.O. was Jez Moxey back in the early nineties. He turned profit for the club but in the end we still coudn't afford to keep him. Thistle have no cash therefore it is a good thing that some are willing to invest. Just as the fan pays his money and expects a good team the investors are intitled to some return for their money. Selling the family jewels? I don't think we've lost the lot. Maybe just pawned a few to see us through the forseeable. Like watching yesterdays performance was anything but value for money, the investors investment might go tits up if it's intended purpose is not considered wisely. Just as much as I love the team. I FOOKIN love firhill too. My first game was spent in the home enclosure. 50p into the ground 20p to stand behind the dugouts. Then graduated to section C, centre stand. Then into the shed when I was old enough. I've been a mascot running out with super Mo-Jo from the old tunnel, a ball boy being spat on from high when it was my turn to man the away shed, I've been a sliver service waiter in the Aitken Suite sweatin ma boz off to tidy up quikly to get out in time to catch the first half...... there is not many places in the world where I feel more at home, familiar with, comfortable, welcome and happy. It's changed alot over the years. Still love it..... maybe it's the stink from the baisin? even that's changed.... *sigh* * source : The Herald 19 Mar 2010

I was at the Morton game. I went alone because the usual suspects were either all out on the piss the night before, had to trail round the shops with the missus or are skint and weren't answering their mobiles. The lack of skill, enthusiasm, creativity, confidence, dedication, concentration or co-operative, organised, constructive, team-work one might expect to see from professional* football players was deeply frustrating. I've been following Thistle for 27 years and 17 days and am all too familiar with this state of mind. In my opinion the Board of Directors are doing their best to safe-guard the financial security of the club and I appreciate the difficult task that this must be. That is not to say I agree with all their polices in acheiving that goal nor do I beleive that others might not do better. I am, for example gravely concerned about their plans for our beloved main stand and have doubts about their abilities to generate innovative ideas to commercially grow a successful "community club". However, in the absence of a "white knight" lottery winner, or a descendant of a ******* child of Mary Hill returning from excile in Moscow as an uber rich oligarch offering to donate a bob or two, I wish Mr. Cowan and his board nothing but the best of goodwill and applaud them in, at the very least, stepping up to the plate in these trying times. Mr McCall is no fool. And we've had much worse... Benny Rooney? Derek effin Johnston!?!?! He has in the past produced some good teams for our club and others. Nevertheless, I am still to be convinced he found his "home" at Firhill and has much work to do to meet the standards proven possible on a shoe string budget by Mr Lambie, let alone exceed them. Much is being said on other forums on this site about the decline in performance since The King of Spain's departure. As an apprentice of the Lambie method of management, of which much emphasis was put on team-spirit and "enjoying comin to their work", I wonder if in Gerry's absence Ian is able to create the happy, boisterous but hard working atmosphere in which Lambie's teams thrived. I once met Mr. McCall in a Byres Road pub. I was pished and so was he. I think it was around the time he was the Airdrie ( spit! )or Falkirk ( boak! ) boss. The conversation went something like.... Me: Awright? Ian: Awright? Me: Your doing well with Your team Ian: Aye Me: What the f**k you doing wi' that shower o' sh**e? Not fancy a gig at the jolly ol' jags? Ian: (laughs) thistle? Me: aye, why no'? Y'played for us and You live local. Ian: na, nae chance. Thistle going one way. I'm going the other. Me: Fairy Nuff pal, see you in the cup final. Ian: (laughs) ...And fair play to him, since that conversation i think he made the cup final with Dundee united and we sank like a Guinness jobbie to the second division. Regardless, he's the gaffer now so, c'mon tae f**k ya wee chubster I'm rootin for you all the way to another cup final! Getintaerum! The only way to get atmosphere back to Firhill is to erect a big fence three qurters of the way along the Jackie Husband and get the away fans out from behind the goal and up close and personal for a right good sing song and banter battle. Re-open the main stand for families and those offended by strong language. I just don't buy this "police say no can do", health and safety arguement. I was in the main stand at Cappielow today within pie throwing distance of the Morton support and walking on fire friendly wooden beams. Get it sorted Mr Cowan or one might suspect closure of the main stand is just to get us used to it not being there. Picking on players is all good. Builds character and makes them play better. " OHHHH BOBBY BOBBY! Bobby Bobby Bobby Bobby Bobby LAW!" As for singing, a quarter bottle of Glen's, add one bottle of strike cola and it should be a problem no more. But even without the bevvy, show a bit of back-bone, lead and others will follow. Belt it out son, GAUN YERSEL! As for numbers, build it and they shall come. It is a shame to see a fall in supporters busses and I figure that is in part due to similar destruction of character and sanitization of atmosphere in other clubs grounds as has happened to Firhill. But for the past thirty years the turnout of jags support has been much the same. I have no doubt if we were to play a title decider against Raith Rovers on the last day of the season there would be an all ticket sell out at Firhill. And if we were to win promotion at the Dundee away Game the week before we'd need more than the stand behind the goal to accomodate us all. The "Fill Firhill" campaign at the end of last season was a sham. If they had set the prices at a fiver, then maybe a few extra troops might have made the effort. Jags fans are too savvy not to recognise a sentimental tug on the loyalty strings as nothing but a cheap shot at raising revenue for f**k all in return. Most of the people I know are sad old firm fans. I've had them tag along to watch the jags on many occaisions and suffered their patronizing remarks at the quality of football on show and derisory comments about atmosphere or attendance. B*ll**ks to 'em! For they will never know the joy of getting one over on either half of their heinous tribe.... "Who put the ball in the celtic net? Geordie, Geordie! Who put the ball in the celtic net? Geordie, Geordie Shaw!!!"... Tuesday 4th May 1993 : Thistle 3 rangers 0... wouldn't swap it for the world mate. Why...? Because I do care. I Fookin love Thistle. I might, maybe even more often than not, despair that our centre forward has a the shooting accuracy of a one armed, fingerless, cross-eyed sniper, lament that our centre half has a heid like a ten boab bit and cannae clear his bar tab never mind his lines and disgust that our management be bereft of tactical or technical knowledge, but I fookin love my team. Can't help it. It's in me and will never leave me. I probably won't be at every game this season, I simply can't afford every game home and away like I used to. I'll count myself lucky if I make it along to more than half, even if the results do depress me. Why...? Because for me, yes the football is important. I love to watch good football. I love to watch footage of Best, Pele, Maradonna, Croyff, Charnley et al.... But supporting a club is about more than football. It's about passion, where you're from, who you are, what you chose or what chose you. It's about taking pride in that and having self respect and ambiton and beleif and dedication and an interest in the heritage, provenance and history and hope for the future. Above all it's other charms Partick Thistle has the potential to do great things, professionally or not. If you can't see that and get excited at the prospect then beat it! Go and follow the "East Kilbride Chanty Rastlers" and good luck with that ya soul-less b*s*a*d! ONE TEAM IN GLASGOW! ... How could I ever even imagine about supporting anyone else? * maybe they do only get a quarter of the wages Dundee's player receive. But they're still getting paid!!!