Having navigated storm Amy from north of Inverness to Glasgow, I was able to go to Firhill to watch Partick Thistle. Partick Thistle have always been a team I have had a soft spot for because as a small child learning to read, I thought they were called Patrick Thistle, Patrick being my name. I eventually realised my mistake, but they have been my Scottish team for 70 years.
After the last two wet games I thought I was in for another. However, the grey clouds parted in places, and the rain stopped. The wind, however, was blowing hard, forecast for 50 mph during the game. The wind made it feel much colder than the forecast 12 degrees.
The ground is in a housing area which are mainly high rise, some of which are for students. Parking seems to be ad hoc around the ground and unlike many stadiums right outside.
It was a lovely flat green grass pitch surrounded at one end by an area that is currently not developed, with no access, opposite which is a covered seated stand where home supporters sit and it also houses the Partick Ultras, a group of about 150 who with a megaphone and a drum kept up a constant support. Along one side is a large covered seated stand where home and away fans are segregated. Opposite this is ‘The Colin Weir Stand’ that is only in use if there is a very large attendance. Part of this is also some hospitality boxes.
Partick Thistle are a fan owned community football club in Glasgow. They are non sectarian, unlike their mega rivals Celtic and Rangers who have dominated Scottish football. Originally started in 1876 in Partick, they moved to Firhill in 1908, where they play today.
Their biggest early success was beating Rangers in the 1921 Scottish Cup Final, and just over 50 years later in 1972, they beat Celtic in the League Cup Final. They have never won the Scottish Premier League and have been a bit of a YoYo club up and down divisions. perhaps their biggest win was in 1998 when, despite being declared bankrupt, they were saved from extinction by their loyal fans.
Arbroath were formed two years after Partick in 1878, initially playing in local and regional leagues. They joined the Scottish Football League in 1921 and have been up and down the leagues on many occasions currently enjoying the higher level of the Championship.
Partick Thistle FC 1 Arbroath 1
Saturday 4th October 2025, Scottish Championship, kick off 15.00 pm
Partick Thistle, 80 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7 AL
The Jags v The Smokies/The red Litchies, 2nd v 4th, attendance 3128.
Partick, red and yellow vertical stripes with black arms, black shorts, goalkeeper all green.
Arbroath, white shirts, claret shorts with white trim, goalkeeper all grey.
Partick started the match attacking the ‘Ultras’ end with the wind behind them and dominated from the start and they opened the score with 5 minutes gone when Aidan Fitzpatrick made a mazy run from left to right across Arbroath’s penalty area to find Chalmers who curled the ball inside the far post to the right of the keepers hand. The home team kept up the pressure with some tricky play and crosses by Chalmers but were unable to increase their lead.
After 30 minutes, Aidan MacAdams, Arbroath’s keeper, needed a long period of treatment to stem a bleeding nose. Partick continued to press until the last 10 minutes of the half when the away team looked more dangerous.
The second half seemed windier than the first and Arbroath took advantage with more attacking intent and a cross from the right was not dealt with by the Jags defence and the ball was spilled by the goalkeeper, Josh Clarke, into the path of Finlay Marshall who steered it into the net for the equaliser.
Thistle made various substitutions, and they came back at Arbroath, although both teams had chances. Chalmers who had scored for Partick in the first half failed to connect cleanly with a cross at the far post and hit his shot just wide.
The draw was a fair result with the conditions having played a part in some poor control and overhit passes. Having travelled in the poor weather Arbroath must have been the happier team.
I have now watched football in Scotland at four levels, and I have seen good skill levels and commitment, and it leaves me to wonder why the national team does so poorly. one aspect that has struck me is that I have not seen an old fashioned centre forward?
No chips but the iconic Scotch pie, which was hot, the edge was crusty, the rest of the pastry was doughy, and the filling was tasty but not as spicy as some I’ve tried. It was very enjoyable.
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