Partick Thistle Football Club

As part of Partick Thistle’s ongoing commitment to build ties with the local community, schools and youth organisations we are delighted and excited to announce a partnership between Partick Thistle Football Club and the Boys’ Brigade.

It’s fitting that two such proud institutions have formed a partnership. It was not a million miles from Firhill, North Woodside Mission Halls to be precise, that the first ever meeting of the Boys’ Brigade took place on October 4th 1883. The 1^st Glasgow Company was formed that day and 127 years on The Boys’ Brigade is now a world wide organisation with a membership that runs to tens of thousands.

The partnership between the two organisations will allow boys and officers from Boys’ Brigade companies free access to Firhill on match days.

The number of Boys’ Brigade members that will be at Firhill on Saturday for our match with Dunfermline Athletic doesn’t quite stretch into the tens of thousands but we are delighted to say that no fewer than 16 companies, including two from Dunfermline, will be in attendance on Saturday and the crowd will be entertained at half-time by the Pipe Band of the 1^st Bearsden Company.

Nor does the partnership end with attendance at Thistle home games. Amongst other events and initiatives, the winners of the West of Scotland Battalion Football tournament will be put through their paces in a special coaching session conducted by the Thistle coaching staff.

Said Boys’ Brigade Development Officer, Niall Rolland;

“The Boys' Brigade is delighted to be launching a partnership with Partick Thistle, particularly as the organisation began only a stone’s throw away from Firhill. The club’s ‘Under 16s go free’ policy as well as other youth initiatives clearly match our aim to engage with kids from the local community.  Each week 4000 youngsters in Glasgow and 20000 across Scotland from 5 to 18 attend BB. 

We hope that as many BB members and leaders come to Firhill not only for the launch on Saturday, but also for the remaining home games this season and beyond.  It is ideal day out for both Junior and Company Sections.  Also we hope that the focus on the BB reminds the Thistle support of our commitment to offering a range of activities for young people in Scotland. 

We are very grateful for the support from the Partick Thistle and look forward to continuing our joint work well in to the future.”

Our photographs on this page show some of the current members of that pioneering 1^st Glasgow Company.

In two they are flanked on the left by Thistle’s Chief Scout Bobby Dinnie and on the right by Club Director Jim Alexander.

Said Jim Alexander;

“Myself and Bobby were both members of the 87^th Glasgow company. Myself 32 years ago, and Bobby 64 years ago. So if you like we had three generations of the BB at Firhill for the photo shoot. Obviously as a former BB boy myself, I’m absolutely thrilled that the Club have entered into a partnership with the BB and we looking forward to welcoming members of the Boys’ Brigade at our home games.”

Commented Bobby Dinnie;

“I loved my time in the Boys’ Brigade and it was great to see the current generation of members, and hopefully Thistle fans as well, at Firhill.”