Partick Thistle - The Early Years
Introduction
Important note – During the period that this publication deals with, a team existed in the south of Glasgow called Glasgow Thistle, or commonly Thistle. There also existed a club called Partick FC, or Partick. For ease of writing “Thistle” will refer to Partick Thistle, while “Partick” will refer to Partick FC and never Partick Thistle.
It is generally accepted that the early years of a child’s life form the psyche which will remain with the child for the rest of it’s life. This being the case it is also true that the years following the formation of many of our football clubs affects and moulds the future of these clubs. Both Rangers and Celtic continued to show signs of their early years throughout their hundred-year-plus lives, as have Partick Thistle since the birth of the club all those years ago.
In the very early years the club was a focus of local identity and pride, as witnessed by the enthusiastic support given the new team by the proud inhabitants of the village of Partick. Although the new club grew in size and reputation among the football world, with the ability to play the top teams, and beat them, came a feeling that “our club was better than credit was given for”. And who is to say that this feeling was wrong. However, if the followers of the Thistle were convinced of the stature of their club, then often those entrusted with the upholding of status – the players, sometimes were not. It must have been annoying then as it is now, to see a team built up only to be forced to start again as those with superior financial clout tempted the players to pastures greener.
This project is very much a labour of love which will be continued, and perhaps even, finished when time allows. Your comments, input and any information which these pages may not carry are welcome. Particularly useful would be contemporary match reports from an “away” perspective, especially of tour matches in England or Ireland. Please e-mail with your thoughts.
These pages are dedicated to my father, Alan, who gave me respect for the past, and a love of Partick Thistle. He’s to blame.
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Categories
- Miscellaneous (16)
- Other clubs (15)
- Players (26)
- Thistle – early years (48)
- Thistle – general (5)
Football history links
- Ayr United archive
- Bill Shankly
- Falkirk Historian
- Gallant Pioneers – Early history of Rangers
- Glasgow Herald archive at Google
- Hibernian
- Hibernian Historical Trust
- London Hearts
- Partick Thistle history archive by StuTheJag
- Rangers History
- Scottish Football Historical Archive
- Scottish Football Museum
- Scottish Sports History
- ScottishLeague.net and forum
hi,my mum has always said that her father,jim wilkie from tayport once played for partick thistle.any info,??.much appreciated.
Hi Jim
I have no records of a Jim Wilkie playing for the club. However, you might contact Stuart Deans – stuthejag at hotmail.com – he has better reserve team records than I do.
Niall
Hi Niall, I know you have not reached this far on your excellent resource but can you give me any information on the Scottish Cup tie between Kirkcaldy Utd and the Jags on the 11th Feb 1905 when Thistle won 1-0
Also anything on the two Scottish Cup ties in Feb 1908 between the Jags and Raith Rovers 1-1 and 2-1
Many thanks and best wishes
Hi Russell
1904-05 season is now on the site. The game against Kirkcaldy United was a big occassion in the town.
Niall
Hi, I have researched some of my family tree and found a strong connection with Partick Thistle. My great grandfather was a Glasgow architect who was a part of the club and also had a role in the designing of Firhill at the time. I am unsure if he was chairman or just a boardmember. Do you have any information on William Harley Reid and his connections with the club around the 1900’s or there abouts. Many thanks in advance.
Kind regards
Drew Reid
Hi Drew
There was a William Reid on the club committee in 1902. I also have a reference to him in 1902-03, just a few months after he was elected: “Mr W.Reid resigned from committee due to pressure of work. Reid had been responsible for the design of Meadowside when it opened in 1897.”
Note that it was Meadowside rather than Firhill that he worked on.
However, he was still on the committee (and then on the first board of directors when the club became a limited company) the following season. That’s the last reference I have for him.
If you have any other information about him I’d be delighted to hear about it.
The Reid family (perhaps not your branch?) were involved at Partick Thistle (and were publicans) for a long period. Tom Reid was Chairman when he died in 1914 and I think there was a Reid on the board until the 1990s.