Today we hear from Matt Greer of the Draw, Lose or Draw podcast to talk us through all things Partick Thistle.
How would you assess your club's 22/23 season so far?
Like one of those fairground rides that goes straight up and straight down. We started the season well, expecting to be part of a title race. And in late October we were top of the league and scoring plenty. That was before a combination of injuries, loss of confidence and just outright poor performances saw us lose 6 games in a row and fall away. We've picked up again in recent weeks, but it has been an erratic first half or so of the season.
Main Man: Favourite current player and why
Stuart Bannigan. He's been here forever and is about to deservedly enter his testimonial year, after also recently being inducted into the Club's Hall of Fame. He's a consistent performer, has been part of some of my favourite moments watching Thistle, and absolutely loves a yellow card!
What is your earliest memory supporting your club?
A 0-0 draw against Clyde in the season we were relegated to Division Two - probably enough to put most sensible people off for life!
Explain the nickname
"The Jags" comes straight from Thistle, or thanks to Billy Connolly perhaps we're better known as "Partick Thistle Nil"...
Almost Famous – What is your club best known for?
Winning the 1971 League Cup. We were 4-0 up at half time against Celtic, the reigning Scottish Champions only four years after their European success, eventually winning 4-1. That team is still celebrated today, with the entire squad meeting up last year to mark the 50th anniversary. On a less serious note, we seem attract some interest from high-profile figures with David Hasselhoff, Hope Solo and Jeremy Corbyn all recently pictured in Thistle colours.
Greatest Gaffer: Your favourite/most loved boss watching your team
In my time, Alan Archibald. He guided us to the Division One title in 2013 and gave us some great years in the Premiership, including a Top 6 finish in 2017, our highest league finish in four decades. Fans longer in the tooth would point to John Lambie for all he did when the club was at its lowest point. And of course, our League Cup winning manager Davie McParland, who now has a stunning mural outside Firhill.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about your club which other fans may not know?
We are the reigning champions of the Glasgow Dental Hospital Cup (you'll never sing that!), played once in 1928 to raise funds for the Glasgow Dental Hospital & School. My podcast colleague David would have you believe that there is an elephant buried under Firhill.
Who would make your ultimate all-time 5-a-side team?
1. Tomas Cerny - the best goalie I've seen at Firhill. Capable of the spectacular, as well as winding up opposition fans.
2. Stuart Bannigan - the most defensive outfielder in this team, he can sit back, break up play, and feed the forwards.
3. Chris Erskine - a maverick. Possibly the most quintessentially Partick Thistle player with his unorthodox style and ability to thrill and frustrate in equal measure.
4. Steven Lawless - a technically superb footballer who I imagine would thrive at 5-a-sides.
5. Kris Doolan - someone's got to score the goals.
What is your all-time favourite match?
Queen's Park 4-5 Partick Thistle in the Ramsdens Cup in 2012. A bonkers game, where kick-off was delayed to allow more fans into Hampden. Thistle scored twice with minutes to go to turn the tie around and progress.
What should visiting fans make sure they see/do when visiting your club/town?
The Shish Mahal on Park Road. The best curry around. Sets you up perfectly for an afternoon of football.
What makes your club special to YOU?
It sounds cliched, but to have a club where the nonsense is purely football-based (although we get up to enough nonsense ourselves), and the time spent with family and friends before, during and after matches. Oh, and our colours are pretty class too!
You can follow Partick Thistle's progress every week in our SPFL Lower League Round Up - watch the latest edition now!
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