Tuesday 26th November, 2019 at 8:00am
Scottish First Division
21st April 1990
Partick Thistle 1 Alloa 0
The 1980s are sometimes referred to as the wilderness years by followers of Thistle, and justifiably so, because we trundled along and never looked remotely like promotion contenders. Strangely, always finished 8th, and once even managed to slide down to 11th. That was in 1984/85. Two seasons after the featured match, we finally returned to the top flight. It had been a long, protracted struggle.
We certainly merited a win, but it was a long time coming, with Calum Campbell’s winner not arriving until the 83rd minute. Maybe that’s the right time to score!
The line-up makes interesting reading:- Cammy Duncan, Bobby Law, Bobby Smith, Rod Wylie, Gordon Rae, Brian Wright, John Mitchell, Isaac English, Calum Campbell, John Flood, Chic Charnley.
In gaol for Alloa was Ronnie Lowrie, who played just one first team game for Thistle, against Hamilton Accies on 2nd November 1991.
There’s an interesting little feature in the programme, advising that the remaining Thistle reserve matches for the season would take place at Firhill rather than the artificial pitch at Springburn Park. I am sure the players concerned would welcome that piece of news. Still on the subject of the reserves, keen programme collectors were advised that programmes were issued for the recent reserve fixtures versus Airdrie and Celtic played at Springburn Park. I have always been interested in collecting programmes, evidence of this fact being before as I write this article. The shelves around me are absolutely groaning under the weight!
Incidentally, in the featured match one Thistle player was yellow-carded by referee McVicar from Carluke. Guess who! He was a wonderful entertainer with a magical left foot, who could land a pass on a sixpence. Yes, the incomparable Chic Charnley.
P.S. With regard to the picture on the front of the programme, Gordon Rae’s shot mustn’t have been good enough as we lost that match 2-0.
Robert R.
