The Thistle Archive

Media report

The traditional Ne'erday fixture list is past its sell-by date according to Partick Thistle. Cash-strapped Thistle last night branded Festive football a financial disaster after less than 800 fans paid to see them on Wednesday. The Jags 3-1 win over Clydebank was watched by a Firhill crowd of just 1975 - with over 1200 of them season-ticket holders and the money already in.

Thistle vice-chairman Brown McMaster said: “The crowd on Wednesday was a financial disaster for us. Football has to have a long hard think and revenue has got to equal the expenditure. This was a crucial game for us as we are going for promotion and can be compared with a game against Clydebank in March 1990, when there was nothing at stake for both clubs and over 3000 attended. Because it was New Year 's day our expenses were up - it was extra for policing, for example. And we had the expense of the undersoil heating. We have got to think about the changed behaviour in society. People who have been out to the early hours of the morning celebrating do not want to drive their cars and do not come along to the game. I spoke to some at the game who told me there was no public transport and one of our directors saw people walking in from outlying districts. I know the big problem is deciding when we could shut down. But we SHOULD consider the situation. But the problems go deep. There are too many clubs in the First Division paying Premier League wages. The books do not square.”

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