Arete

Biggest problem in UK is lab capacity. It is improving but we are not in the same league as Scandanavian countries or Germany. Otherwise we could test on demand. We closed too many labs under cost-cutting ( in hindsight, big error) and now trying to catch up. To keep this as a football discussion, I fear we'll see disruption regularly in Scottish senior football this season

I can't agree. Even if the action fails then at least the club has done what it can and should do to right a wrong. It cannot go down without a fight. For me, Thistle is an emotional thing. For others it is a job and livelihood. It is a complete injustice for a club/business having to swallow something so patently wrong simply because it didn't have the money to contest it. If it makes some of the clubs that buried their heads in the sand, when a fellow member needed support, uncomfortable, then that is a bonus. Well done, whoever you are. Give in the knowledge that your money is not wasted but will make the club stronger and its fans even more behind it whatever the outcome.

Yes, I do understand we have a good number of supporters above 60 years. Includes me. I simply make the point (not necessarily a football one either) that those of us more vulnerable should consider if we could give up a little to allow those less vulnerable to get closer to a normal life again. If Thistle came up with a scheme that allowed them to play and earn income but meant I shouldn't go then I would tolerate it as is for the benefit of the club and all supporters. But you hit the nail on the head - would risk legal action because someone would object. However, the SPFL could probably advise more vulnerable supporters not to go. My main point, though, was that if we are to get back to playing football in Scotland any time soon then we're going to have to think differently. As things stand, I can't see how Leagues 1 & 2 could take place next season.

Bit simplistic but I do agree that there needs to be a greater understanding of risk. If you restricted attendance to those under 60 then the risks would be significantly reduced. Problem is we are risk averse in this country. Every politician and business (includes SPFL) worry that they'll get slaughtered if things get worse. We need to start to factor in the social and economic consequences on health of business (including Scottish football) not happening and realise that we need to think more imaginatively in managing the virus in the new normal.

Not sure I believe that. The payment is made to those who can't work from home. A footballer clearly can't work from home ( unless he has 21 mates and a very large garden). He can maintain his fitness in the same way another person might use the time to maintain or even catch up on their learning of a job.

I always think about £10 net per person attending. So 2500 crowd pulls in £25,000. Probably an underestimation and I see Gerry Britton is talking about a £150,000 hit. I think we could absorb that and if was the difference between the club surviving or not then we would get enough people to donate. If games are played, for example, in June then we are only delaying income received. Biggest worry is if we don't re-start games till after the summer or even know when things will re-commence. We'll struggle to continue paying player contracts and other outlays by late summer without serious donating. By that time there will be other clubs that will have fallen.

Yes, this is correct. So it isn't about limiting spread of virus apparently. But about easing the workload of public services. But public services in England are equally and in some cases already more stretched than in Scotland. Hence, can't really see need for different approach between governments. It is a mute point anyway as public events going same way in England by the looks of it. But, to keep to the football element of it all, if we're going to stop games just now then I'd favour the Championship closing till probably the end of April and we've had the first peak of cases then finish the season nearer the end of June

I think it is a reasonable response from the club given where it finds itself. I'm not really sure on the Scottish Government's thinking on banning public events from Monday. The situation in Scotland will see more cases but it is not the same yet as, say, Italy or Spain where the justification is greater just now. I can't see the justification in going earlier than the rest of the UK.

Womens football has come on alot in recent years. I was at some of the Olympic games at Hampden in 2012 and its come on leaps since then. If Thistle are serious about being a sustainable football club then it needs to maintain its interest in its women's team. It's more about the future than the present situation.

I'll take Hibs, Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts. Given I've selected bye bye Rangers then the answer to your bonus question is inevitably 'no'.

Think if I was the new kit supplier/ manufacturer, etc. then I'd be quietly pleased someone got supporters talking about it. Any news is good news. Still got the big launch to come with photo opportunities and more publicity. Going to be hard enough selling Thistle gear at this time as it is.

Livingston Celtic Hibs St Mirren Ayr Aberdeen Rangers Hearts 19 goals Good stuff and thanks

I've liked the look of Graham. He's got an in about them style and should get goals at this level. But also if his teammates keep with him then they'll get scraps from his disrupting.

Really sad. He has done much for Thistle which we should be grateful for. But, importantly, I remember stories about the Weirs generosity even before his Thistle involvement which reflect what a decent human being he must have been. Thoughts are with his family.

Some non-entity of a politician mentions a Scottish football team in a tweet and this is news? What a load of crap the ET has become. Filling up pages with dross. Better spending spare time on wearethistle.

Hi HHHHHHAHHAHHAAAH Bonus 42 Lots of Hs but not in the one game I'd give up my winnings to see it. Cheers

I don't get the chance to come on alot but I've always looked to dip in when I can and it's a great source of information. Recently, seems to be for those who can spend hours expressing their views. Fine, but for the casual observer and someone who posts when he can then it becomes less relevant. That, and the lack of football discussion, probably accounts for the decreasing numbers of folk.

Pounded indeed. 2-0 in less than 20 mins.

I'd be quite happy if this thread was closed. Not because of worries about the debate as differences of opinion are good (otherwise why hold elections). But frankly the thread is boring, of little relevance and despite visiting from time to time on what could be one of the most important Jag issues for years I always leave none the wiser or even entertained. Maybe a closure would let someone open up a thread in the future that has something we can debate once more is known. In the meantime, I'll pay more attention to the election as the spectacle of drying paint will probably be far more interesting and at least I know there'll be an end point.

AAHHAHHHAHHAHAAA 4 to go to penalties. Cheers

hhhahhhahahhaaha Elgin City

I like the way this guy sets out our accounts. Indeed, it shows we've been mostly wise over the years in our approach to keeping in the black. I'd like to see that continue whoever owns PTFC in the future. But is impossible to judge current bidders on what been put in the public domain so far. In the meantime the current Board need to follow the pattern of recent years if they wish to make us attractive to prospective buyers - if that's their game plan.

Not sure I would give it four 'very' unlikelies but otherwise this is spot on.

The irony here is that the song in question is a rejection of sectarianism and a stance on separating ourselves from all that is wrong in a divisive West of Scotland. One of the reasons I started bringing my kids to Firhill was to get away from such bile. I'd be interested in understanding what the reporter on matches was putting in his/her report on the offence being taken. If it is the use of the Q or P words then he/she must have been apoplectic when they saw the Polish banner at Ibrox. If it is the use of the F word then we're as well emptying stadiums. If they dealt with the crux of the sectarian problem in Scottish football then side issues like songs at Firhill would no longer have a reason to exist.