Partick Thistle FC asks fans to offer spare room to future footie stars
The fan-owned club has made the appeal to anyone with a spare room in a bid to help out-of-town signings find accommodation.
Partick Thistle supporters could get to know new players better than they expected... after being asked to provide digs for future stars.
The fan-owned club has made the appeal to anyone with a spare room in a bid to help out-of-town signings find accommodation.
The Jags insist the move is not due to financial challenges but instead to promote their players integration into the community of supporters.
It comes after the Firhill club made several domestic signings this year including Sean Kelly, 32, who joined the Jags in February on a deal until the end of the season and keeper Lewis Budinauckas, 23, who returned to the club last month on a one-year contract.
Irish-born defend-er Dan O’Reilly, 30, also signed for the Scottish Championship side in January last year on an 18-month contract with a one- year contract extension in October.
A spokesman said: “As a fan-owned club, we’re always keen to involve Thistle supporters where we can and this is a great example of that.
“Embedding new players and potential new recruits in the community that surrounds our club helps them to settle more quickly and also provides valuable support in lots of ways when moving to a new city.
“It is common practice at clubs of all sizes across the UK. It’s not a reflection of financial constraints, but rather part of our broader approach to community integration.”
The Maryhill club has faced financial challenges in previous seasons, particularly since their relegation from the Scottish Premiership at the end of the 2017-2018 season.
The latest accounts show the club’s turnover was £3,203,875 in the year ending May 31, 2024, compared to £2,817,844 the previous year.
The financial year ending May 2024, saw a pre-tax loss of £131,811, an improvement of £224,023 on the prior accounting period.
In June, the club also appealed to fans who would like to ask people to volunteer services and help the club get Firhill ready for the new season.
A statement on their website said: “In recent years supporters and members of the local community have joined forces with the club’s Maintenance Team to have our home spruced up through fresh paint and other odd jobs. Paint brushes, paint as well as other equipment and materials will be supplied.”
In May it was confirmed that Mark Wilson would become permanent head coach.