Partick Thistle Football Club

Manager Ian McCall is well known for his calm and focussed manner but today the Gaffer went MAD - by offering his and the club’s support for the comprehensive community initiative the Maryhill Activity Directory. The Maryhill Activity Directory has been in existence for several years now with the first edition being distributed in 2003, and over the years it has grown progressively more popular becoming an indispensable tool for local community members. The most recent edition of the directory was launched today with local MSPs Patricia Ferguson and Bob Doris and Glasgow's Lord Provost and local councillor for Summerston Bob Winter in attendance.

The gaffer was asked to attend as he whole-heartedly supports the development of the club as community based. Talking to community groups and the public Ian gave some idea of what he would like to see in the future:

"This is a community club. When I first came to Partick Thistle there was nothing, no community, no youth infrastructure nothing. We have had to start from scratch. The work that Ami and Kieron have been doing in supporting the community initiative has been great and it is developing all the time. But we are still not doing enough. We are nowhere near where I would like us to be, but we have little resources and there is only so far you can get with few resources and I am sure you all know that too. But we are getting there and the community directory is a great idea for helping us all work for the benefit of the community."

Both Patricia Ferguson and Bob Doris made reference to the club and its important role in the area and the city as a whole. The Lord Provost also thanked the club for supporting today’s launch and its increasing involvement in the community.

The gaffer was not alone at today’s event as he was accompanied by special guest PEE TEE (below) who posed for photographs with some of the children in attendance before the audience was treated to other entertainments including a children's karate display and a community music group.

The directory offers a wide range of information on all that is going on in the local community and provides a link for local community groups to contact each other easily and to be able to work together for the maximum benefit of the community.

The directory also has its own website now at www.maryhillactivitydirectory.org.uk which gives up to date information on local projects and activities all year round.