Partick Thistle
JAGS stars past and present will be reunited this weekend as the club celebrates a century of thrills and disappointments at one of Scotland's best-loved stadiums.
Former players, including Partick Thistle legend Chic Charnley, have been invited to attend a reception at the City Chambers tomorrow to celebrate the 100th birthday of Firhill.
A host of events have also been organised to say thank you to the supporters who have stayed loyal to the club in an age where hard cash and fast results hold currency.
The date closely coincides with Thistle's first ever match at the Maryhill ground on September 18, 1909, against Dumbarton Harp when the club triumphed 3-1.
A special souvenir brochure has been produced to mark the occasion with heartfelt contributions from die-hard fans of Glasgow's third football team.
Family events will also take place at the stadium, including a school football competition, before the team take on Dunfermline Athletic at 3pm.
The centenary year has also been marked by a exhibition at the Hampden Museum, which includes a specially commissioned short film and memorabilia put together by club vice-chairman, historian and life-long fan Robert Reid.
Among the items he is most proud of in the collection is the original ball from the Dumbarton Harp match.
Robert said: "Thistle have entertained, delighted and horrified fans at Firhill for 100 years.
"We are now down to the hardcore support of 2000 to 3000 fans.
"Part of the reason why there are so few Thistle fans is because it is a difficult team to support.
"You have to be very strong and have a lot of patience, particularly with the two soft options right on your doorstep.
"Supporters are usually taken to Firhill by the fathers or grandfathers but they take such a ribbing at school that a lot of them don't see it through.
"Fans want fast results today and television is murdering Scottish football.
"However, there is more to a football team that winning trophies.
"Partick Thistle has been a rich part of the fabric of Scottish football for more than 130 years."
The club was formed in 1876 and in the early years played in several sites in Partick - hence the name - before moving to Firhill in 1909.
However the move to Maryhill didn't go down too well with fans, who were used to supporting their local team.
Robert, a retired school teacher from Glasgow's South Side, said: "They needed somewhere to play after they left their old Meadowside ground two years previously as they were using Ibrox for their home games.
"Perhaps fittingly, the very first goal at Firhill was scored by one of Harp's players."
Roller coaster ride of highs and lows
JAGS fan Stewart Paterson on the highs and lows of following Thistle...
HOPE and belief are what emanate from the Firhill faithful at 3pm every Saturday.
Whether it's Rangers or Raith Rovers, Jags fans think we can beat them. And why not?
Come 4.45pm the faces leaving the stadium often tell a different story, but ups and downs are what supporting Partick Thistle is all about.
Relegation, promotion, or double relegation followed soon after by double promotion back to the top flight - it takes a special team to pull that one off.
My Red and Yellow tinted memory recalls top five finishes along with the odd Old Firm victory.
My often foolhardy optimism tells me the Jags will be back in the top flight next season, because, as the old song, says: "There's not a team like the Firhill Jags".
FIRHILL FACTS
# The side's biggest victory is a 1931, 16-0 Scottish Cup tie win over Royal Albert.
# The club lifted its first trophy in 1921, after a 1-0 win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final.
# Jags beat Celtic 4-1 in the 1971 League Cup Final.
# Other titles: First Division winners in 1975/76 and 2001/ 02. Second Division champs 1896/97, 1899/00, 1970/71 and 2000/01.
# Alan Rough has the most caps (51).
# The biggest transfer fee is £200,000 paid by Watford for Mo Johnston in 1982.
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