The Thistle Archive

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Everton vs. Partick Thistle match programme, 26 April 1890

Produced by Everton for the challenge match at Anfield, this is the earliest-known Partick Thistle match programme, published in the club's 15th season of existence (click the picture to see the double-sided spread). By the late 1880s, a number of the bigger English clubs were producing regular match programmes, albeit in a very basic form. Usually these consisted of a single sheet and would typically bear the names and positions of the players with adverts and perhaps a fixture list. For many fans in the Victorian era it was a way of keeping score, and you'll note the human intervention on the player changes! Everton had been producing a programme since 1886.

This was Thistle's third match versus Everton, having won 3-0 at Anfield on New Years Day 1886 and drawn 1-1 at the same ground exactly one year later. This latest 1890 encounter attracted 9,000 - Thistle's record crowd - and the Evertonians would have their revenge as the Glasgow Herald reported: “The Partick Thistle journeyed to Liverpool where they met the famous Everton, who defeated them after by no means a one-sided game by six goals to two.”

Reproduced with the kind permission of The Everton Collection Trust and Liverpool Central Library & Archive.

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The Football Association 150th Anniversary Map, 2013

Produced in October 2013, this canvas (24 x 36 inches in size) was rolled into a cardboard shippable tube and made available for sale to the general public. Alex Horne, General Secretary of The Football Association, said at the time: “Over the last 150 years, millions of football fans will have made journeys to and from matches using the London Underground. Creating this special version of such an iconic map is a fitting way for The FA and London Underground to mark its shared 150th anniversaries.”

Two Partick Thistle legends are featured; Great Portland Street (Circle Line) becomes BILL SHANKLY (Managers Line) and Wimbledon Park (District Line) becomes ALAN HANSEN (Central Defenders Line). Our boys are keeping some high class company!

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Partick Thistle vs. Rangers cup final match ticket, 12 April 1930

In 1930, Thistle reached their second Scottish Cup final and, once again, Rangers were the opponents. 107,475 (the highest-ever attendance for a Partick Thistle match) saw an exciting game, slightly spoiled by the wind. John Simpson and Denis O'Hare were out injured but “Thistle played with great confidence” according to the Herald and showed excellent teamwork throughout. A Davie Ness header hit the bar near half-time. There were lots of goalmouth incidents, and no pointer how the replay would go.

This fascinating match ticket was submitted to McTear's Auctioneers in October 2023. Attendees were left in the dark as to the kick-off time but, not to worry, Thistle and Rangers fans could marvel at Queen's Park's crest being displayed so prominently. The ticket was estimated to go for £200 to £400, but sold for a hefty £800 in the end.

See also our match hub →

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“Blythswood Estate, Main Lodge” by Jackie Husband, 1985

Another of the great many Jackie Husband pieces on display at Renfrew Golf Club, which is situated on the Blythswood Estate. The borrowed name 'Blythswood' memorialised the lands on which much of western Glasgow was built. See below for more on this artist.

See also our profile page for Jackie Husband →

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“Blythswood Estate, Gasworks Cottage” by Jackie Husband, 1985

Away from the football, most of Jackie Husband's professional career was spent as a draughtsman, initially at Shieldhall Alexander Stephens near his Renfrew home. He was a keen golfer, and was a member of his hometown club. Wonderfully, his technical drawing skills were put to good use there. A great number of drawings that he made between 1985 and 1992 were put on public display in one of the hallways and it's really very impressive. Thistle fan Andy Earlie, who plays golf at the club, snapped a couple of them in June 2022, as shown. Quite clearly, Jackie's artistry was not confined to matters on the pitch!

See also our profile page for Jackie Husband →

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Letter to John Blair, 7 June 1921

John Blair's grandson, Doug Blair, kept possession of this fascinating letter which was sent by the manager/secretary, George Easton, around 7 weeks on from the momentous day of 16th April 1921, when John Blair's goal won the Scottish Cup for Partick Thistle. It gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the day-to-day running of club affairs. In the official history book, the esteemed club historian Robert Reid revealed what the bonus figure was likely to be:

£50,000 did you say? Wrong! Divide by 2,000, you'll be nearer the mark! Be that as it may, surely he should have had a knighthood, or freedom of the city, or a statue in his honour in George Square. That's the least he should have received. After all, he had earned it. He had won the Scottish Cup for Partick Thistle! David had slain Goliath. The unpredictables were the toast of Maryhill - and beyond.

See also our profile page for John Blair →

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Partick Thistle Supporters Association Tie-Pin & Cuff-Links Set, 1960s

As with the pin below, lifelong Thistle fan Tam Stevenson acquired this fine tie-pin and cufflinks set through his membership of the Partick Thistle Supporters Association. They were available for 4 seasons from 1962-63 through to 1965-66 and all six of the Glasgow teams had their own versions during this period. According to a well-known collector of everything Thistle (Trevor), these are like hen's teeth!

The set as pictured came to attention via Twitter, when Tam's son, Gary, got married to Liz on hogamanay 2022. As he put it: “Got a 3 o'clock kick off my own today, never thought I'd be getting married at 50. This is the only memorabilia I'm allowed to wear for my big day.” All went well on the big day, but Thistle were a let-down for the honeymoon two days later when they lost to Queen's Park at Larbert. Typical!

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Partick Thistle Supporters Association Pin, 1964

This smashing little artifact was obviously very well made as it's still in great condition 60 years on. It belongs to Thistle fan Tam Stevenson who joined the Partick Thistle Supporters Association when he turned 16 in 1964. Each new member received such a badge. Tam is still a season ticket holder in the Jackie Husband stand with his 3 mates, John, Billy and Garry. They have been going together since the mid 1960s and have seen it all!

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Scotland v Ireland match programme, 1928

On 25th February 1928, the ground-record attendance of 54,723 was set when Firhill, for the one and only time, hosted the national team. Thistle's League match with Cowdenbeath was postponed to accommodate. Future Thistle managerial legend David Meiklejohn played for Scotland but, alas, the home side lost one nil to Ireland on the day, ending hopes of sharing that season's British Championship with Wales. Scotland would regain her pride the following month when the “Wembley Wizards” defeated the English by 5 goals to 1 in London.

In reality, Firhill wasn't really a suitable venue to host such a crowd. A tremendous overspill on both the east and south embankments had spectators almost in touch with the play, and folks were precariously perched on the perimeter walls in order to obtain a view (see match footage ). On exit, great congestions from the terracings in every direction led to some spectators sustaining bruises and other injuries.

This rarely seen match programme was sold by Graham Budd auctioneers in 2004 for £380 plus fees and taxes. Programmes for international matches became regular during the 1920s, and usually featured between 16 and 24 pages.

See our SFA/UEFA International games at Firhill page for a list of all such games at Firhill over the years.

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Partick Thistle Brake Club Banner, 1911

The earliest form of organised supporters groups sprung up in the late 1880s and were known as ‘Brake Clubs’ – so called because of the large horse drawn wagons they travelled in.

These large wagons could hold 25 supporters and brakes would make their way to games in and around Glasgow to cheer on Thistle. Partick Thistle's first-known Brake Club banner was of Willie Paul in 1897, although that's not to say he was the first to be so honoured. The Thistle supporters of 1911 vintage were clearly enamoured with the performances of the club-captain, Alec Raisbeck, who was depicted on at least two brake club banners of the day.

What inspired this adulation? Well, Raisbeck was a superstar. A revered figure in the world of football with two League titles to his credit at Liverpool and 8 times capped for Scotland, as captain more often than not. Thistle were in the doldrums when he arrived at Firhill in the summer of 1909, having just finished rock-bottom of the First Division. By 1910-11, the Jags had rocketed to 4th in the League (above Celtic), and finished just 10 points behind the champions. They went through the entire League campaign unbeaten at Fortress Firhill. Crowds were up as Maryhill took Thistle as one of her own. One of the Brake Clubs raised this new banner in the image of their heroic captain. Alec, an inspirational figure to teammates and fans alike, was seen as one of the main men responsible for the great revival.

See our Alec Raisbeck page for his full colourful story.

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Hope Robertson's Poem / Christmas Card, 1930s

In his retirement, 19th century Jag Hope Robertson found time to nurture his love of writing poetry, producing a number of works, elegiac in nature, which, more often than not, harked back to his youth and his homeland. One, about the famous clipper Cutty Sark, launched at Dumbarton in 1869, was incorporated into a greeting card sent to family and friends at Christmas. At least one of these cards still survives to this day and the front/back design (as shown) is being made public for the very first time. We're deeply honoured to be sharing it here with you in our Archive Museum! The poem inlay itself was duly included in Rob Sawyer's 'The Hope Robertson Chronicles' published in December, 2022; click on the image to have a read!

The Hope Robertson Chronicles , an 80-page booklet, is now available as ‘print on demand’ via Amazon, priced at just £3.50 plus postage.

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James Cameron's Greenock Charity Cup Winners' Medal, 1893

This splendid medal was won by James Cameron in May 1893. The full back, a Linthouse player, guested for Thistle for three games in the Greenock Charity Cup, culminating in a 7-4 final win over the hosts, Morton, at Cappielow. Amazingly, James's medal turned up at McTear's Auctioneers in late 2020 and sold for around £1,800 including fees! It's certainly a most handsome piece - we're showing the reverse, click to see the front view. McTear's had this to say:

Awarded to J. Cameron of Partick Thistle, the obverse with central shield shaped plaque bearing lion rampant motif in relief, below a pierced football, the reverse with circular plaque inscribed 'Greenock & District Charity Cup Competition 1893 Won by J Cameron', 41mm high, maker A.D., marked 9ct, 10.5g.

See also our profile page for James Cameron →

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The Glasgow Dental Cup, 1928

By 1924 it was recognised that a new dental hospital was required in Glasgow, and with no NHS yet and an estimated cost of £90,000, a huge fund-raising campaign began. One of the fund-raising ideas was for 'The Glasgow Dental Hospital Cup' and between November and December 1928, 6 clubs from the Glasgow FA played in a one-off tournament to help raise funds for the proposed new building. The winners would keep the cup in perpetuity and the players would each receive a 9ct gold medal. The gate money from the games raised a total of £819 for the building fund. Perhaps more could have been raised if the glamour tie of Rangers vs Celtic had taken place, but Thistle spoiled the script. After defeating Third Lanark by one goal to nil, the Jags went on to beat Celtic 3-1 in the Semi Final, and Rangers 2-0 in the final. This was a cup well earned by the club.

The trophy has 12 lines inscribed:

Presented by “Scottish Country Life” for competition amongst the clubs of the Glasgow Football Association in aid of the new building of the Glasgow Dental Hopital. Season 1928-29 won by PARTICK THISTLE.

Legend has it the trophy was buried under the pitch for safekeeping during the war, but it's in great condition in the Firhill boardroom where it rests to this day. See our match hub for a picture of the winning team and a neat wee video about the tournament.

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The Military Medal

The Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land. The award was established in 1916, with retrospective application to 1914, and was awarded to other ranks for “acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire”. As told in The Partick Thistle Returned, at least two of our men received this medal.

Johnny Houston, who played with Thistle in season 1919-20, received the award in 1917. His citation, recorded in the Edinburgh Gazette on 21 November 1917, read: “during an attack on the enemy’s lines all of the officers were put out of action and Sergeant Houston took command of his platoon. He led the attack in face of a murderous fire, advanced 100 yards and succeeded in taking and holding the objective for 36 hours until relief arrived”. He was later awarded a bar to his Military Medal on 13 February 1919, essentially meaning that another of his acts was deemed similarly worthy.

Future-manager Willie Thornton received the Military Medal for coolness under bombardment at the Sferro Hills, Sicily, in the summer of 1943. His citation read: “On the night of 31/7, 586278 Gunner Thornton, accompanied his Battery Commander as signaller to an O.P on Point 22. He maintained constant communication for 18 hours and passed down Fire Orders often under heavy shelling and mortar fire. By his coolness and devotion to duty Gunner Thornton gave great assistance to his Battery Commander in bringing down his fire on the enemy.”.

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The Military Cross

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level (second-level pre-1993) military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces. The MC is granted in recognition of “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land” to all members of the British Armed Forces of any rank. The award was created on 28 December 1914 and, from August 1916, recipients of the Cross were entitled to use the post-nominal letters MC.

As told in The Partick Thistle Returned, John M. Young, who played with Thistle betweeen 1914 and 1916, received the Military Cross for his bravery at the Somme, setting up the first aid post well forward of the support line and attending to the line of wounded soldiers under fire during the Battle. Months later, another incident meant that he had to have his leg amputated.

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Jimmy McMenemy's Scottish Cup Winners' Medal, 1921

As fate would have it, the 40-year-old Jimmy McMenemy would return to his old Celtic Park stomping ground twice in Partick Thistle's Scottish Cup campaign of 1921 and twice, he led the Jags to victory there. The second of these would earn the 40-year-old a winners medal against his auld enemy as the Thistle defeated the Rangers by one goal to nil. It's an incredible story in the Partick Thistle history books. Bravo Napoleon!

This historic and handsome medal was consigned to McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow by an anonymous seller, and went under the hammer on Friday, November 20th, 2020. The guide price of £2,000 to £4,000 was greatly exceeded on the day, an online bidder being succesful with a bid of £6,300.

The nine carat gold medal stands 45mm high and weighs 14.2g, the obverse inscribed 'Scottish Football Association' in blue enamelled lettering around a pierced oval body, depicting a lion rampant, beneath a thistle motif. The reverse (which can be viewed on Jimmy McMenemy's gallery) is inscribed 'Scottish Cup - Won by Partick Thistle F.C 1920-21' and 'James McMenemy'.

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Cigarette Case, 1927

James Brown Couper (1870–1946) was the Unionist Party (Scotland) MP for Maryhill between 1924 and 1929. He was called upon to officially open Partick Thistle's new 6,000 seat main stand on day one of the 1927-28 season. In recognition of his support on the day, the club gifted him this silver cigarette case. The engravement reads: “Presented to J. B. Couper MP on the occasion of the opening of PARTICK THISTLE FOOTBALL CLUB GRAND STAND on 13th August 1927.” Thistle defeated Queen's Park by two goals to nil, with the attendance estimates averaging 24,500. “A pleasant feature of the gathering was the unusually large number of ladies who graced the reserved portion of the stand by their presence” said the Daily Record.

The case recently surfaced in a little vintage shop in Newton Stewart which was selling it online. Who bought it and how much it sold for is unknown.

See our match gallery for a picture of the presentation party on the day.

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Partick Thistle vs. Dumbarton Harp Match Ball, 1909

Another example of the pride felt by the Thistle board after the move to Maryhill in 1909. Someone from the within the directorate had the foresight to commandeer the match ball which had been used in the first-ever match at Firhill; Partick Thistle 3 Dumbarton Harp 1, the 18th September, 1909. The ball was painted and treated with the club names in gold lettering.

Due to their poor League performances in the homeless season before, Thistle were in the ignominious position of having to qualify for the Scottish Cup proper in 1909-10. 4,000 witnessed a fast and exciting Qualifying Cup tie. Alas, a defensive mix-up let JOHN CARR in to score Firhill's first ever goal - for Dumbarton Harp! It was captain ALEC RAISBECK to the rescue from the penalty spot in 42 mins. The standites reportedly stamped their feet in approval! TOM CALLAGHAN put Thistle ahead with a fine drive (55) and, would you believe it, a second penalty from ALEC RAISBECK put the result beyond doubt. Two Harp players were sent off in a rough last few minutes. It was quite the day!

Whilst our photograph suffers a little from the restraints of 2013 mobile phone technology, and the fact it was snapped through the glass cabinet in the Firhill boardroom, we're as proud as those directors to have it in our virtual museum all the same, and will endeavour to apply an upgrade at some point!

To this day, the ball lies in the Firhill boardroom and still comes out for the occasional exhibition.

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Partick Thistle vs. Dumbarton Harp Commemorative Plaque, 1909

The directors were keen to mark the start of a new era in 1909. After some initial teething problems with the building work, Firhill received a clean bill of health and the ground was ready to be opened for the Scottish Cup Qualifying Cup tie with Dumbarton Harp on 18th September 1909.

The executive, including William Reid, George Easton, Richard Robertson & William Lindsay, commisioned a commemorative plaque for the boardroom. There's almost a sense of relief with this gesture. Partick was now almost 1½ years behind them, and getting fixed up in Maryhill put an end to a very unhappy period of homelessness.

At some point in time, a run of posters was also produced, in the exact same design of the plaque.

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1909-2009 Firhill Centenary Shirt, 2009

Partick Thistle Football Club and Greaves Sports launched the club’s new Puma-designed 09/10 centenary strip on 18th September 2009. This was done 100 years to the day of the Jags’ first ever game at Firhill. Allan Cowan, Partick Thistle chairman noted: “This is a proud day for the club and the centenary strip will only add to the sense of special occasion tomorrow.” It was indeed worn for the first time the very next day, in a 2-0 Firhill League win against Dunfermline Athletic.

From 11am on that Saturday at Firhill there were a number of events, aimed primarily at families, taking place in the car park outside the Jackie Husband Stand. There were photo opportunities with current Thistle players and the 1971 League Cup winning squad. There was street rugby from Glasgow Warriors, and a mini football tournament involving four local primary schools. A coffee stall was run by Macmillan Cancer Relief with all proceeds going to the charity. The first 100 visitors to the Aitken Suite before kick-off were refreshed with a free drink of their choice!

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“Cottage” by Andrew Johnston, 1889

The last of four surviving watercolour paintings by the artist, the only one not to be signed. Andrew would have been 23 or 24 when he created this piece, and had a lot of memorable footballing history behind him already. Read his story here.

Thank you to great grandson Douglas Fyfe for preserving this work, and for submitting this photograph in August, 2022.

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“Lonely row boat” by Andrew Johnston, 1885

The third of four watercolour paintings by the artist, preserved for more than 130 years. Andrew Johnston made his first known appearance for Partick Thistle in January 1885, so this was most likely to have been painted just as his senior footballing "career" was taking off, albeit these were the days of the amateur.

Thank you to great grandson Douglas Fyfe for preserving this work, and for submitting this photograph in August, 2022.

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“Puck's Glen waterfall” by Andrew Johnston, 1884.

Watercolour painting by Partick Thistle forward Andrew Johnston, and signed by the artist himself. Thanks to Douglas Fyfe for the submission. Puck's Glen is a river-formed ravine near Dunoon, with a popular scenic walking trail beside the Eas Mòr stream (Gaelic for "big waterfall"). It's been highlighted as a feature of the Argyll Forest Park (itself within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park), and described it as "one of the most magical forests in Scotland, with a delightful trail along a rocky gorge."

The stream tumbles down a series of waterfalls and rapids, joining the River Eachaig about 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) south of the entrance to the Benmore Botanic Garden. A car park off the A815 road (about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Dunoon on the road to Loch Eck) gives access by a track to the foot of the glen path, as well as forest paths giving an alternative route to the top of the glen.

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“Rothesay” by Andrew Johnston, 1884.

We were very pleased to have received a photograph of one of Andrew Johnston's caps, but we weren't prepared for what came next… it turned out he was a talented artist to boot! All 4 of the paintings seen in this gallery were submitted by his great grandson, Douglas Fyfe.

This water colour was painted by Andrew in 1884, probably before he joined Thistle. It's signed by the artist himself and, although he never gave it a title, all parties concerned are comfortable in calling it as seen.

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Glasgow FA Cap, 1889

This was the third and final Glasgow cap earned by Andrew Johnston. The match was played on the 23rd February 1889 at Powderhall in Edinburgh, the seventh annual meeting of Glasgow vs. Edinburgh, won by the latter, 5 goals to 3. Andrew's second-born son, John, took possession of the cap upon his untimely passing in 1905. Brilliantly, John lived in Thistle Street; this cap is charmed! Sadly, John died of cancer in 1959 and his wife looked after it until she herself passed away in 1983. It then passed to Andrew's great grandson, Douglas Fyfe, who has ensured its survival ever since. Hopefully, whoever gets it next will take as much care of it as those in the last 130+ years have done!

On 24th August, 2022, Douglas was inspired to take and send this photograph when he read our extended biography on Andrew's life. We were very pleased indeed to see it and to hear the back story. So much so we've started this virtual museum!