Friday 3rd March, 2023 at 3:00pm
With another busy day in the Alan Rough Lounge planned, it’s again set to be a brilliant afternoon of entertainment at Firhill ahead of our cinch Championship fixture with Raith Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Among our guests this weekend, will be three matchday sponsors.
Match Sponsor:
Tomorrow’s match is sponsored in memory of Robert Boyd. Match sponsorship has been organized by his son Robbie, who’s joined at the table by his mum, and Roberts’ closest friends.
As a boy Robert would attend Firhill regularly with his dad and uncles where they would stand on the North terrace, and every week Robert would ask his dad if he could move over into the vocal shed end, and every week Roberts dad would come up with a fresh excuse as to why he wouldn’t be allowed.
It wouldn’t be a Thistle story without the 71 League Cup win where 13-year-old Robert was at Hampden that day as he watched his hero Jimmy Bone score our 4th goal inside 38 minutes. As Thistle went on to beat Celtic 4-1 and win the trophy
Robert’s dad would pass just 2 years after the final, and it’s something that Robert later admitted, he couldn’t make that walk along Firhill Road without his dad with him.
During the COVID pandemic Robert’s love for Thistle would re-emerge once more, a Christmas present of a brick in the North Stand, followed by assisting Robbie with 2 college assignments. Robbie had the honour of interviewing his dad’s hero Jimmy Bone, and even asking Jimmy some questions from his dad. Secondly, a video documenting Robert’s experience at Hampden on that special day to recount and tell many wonderful memories.
Unfortunately due to Robert’s health, hospitality would be the only way that he could attend games, as Robert and Robbie would attend flag day against Queen Of The South.
The theme of 71 that would make Robert’s lifetime connection with thistle come full circle. In a very poignant way, father and son attended the premiere screening of the ‘71 “what a sensation documentary.”
But the 23rd of October is forever synonymous with this football club & a day ingrained as the jewel in the crown of a father and sons relationship. Sadly this would be the last game that Robert was to attend before his health deteriorated. Robert arrived at his table to find a replica 1971 Jimmy Bone jersey awaiting him just as that young boy had longed for every Christmas. With his hero a few tables away after the match, the excited kid in Robert came racing to the surface again, as he found himself casually
conversing with the man who made him fall in love with football
You’re never too old to meet your heroes.
Match Ball Sponsor:
The Southside Scrannerz are our match ball sponsors for tomorrow’s game.
With it set to be another fantastic day in hospitality, we hope everyone from The Southside Scrannerz enjoys their day at Firhill.
Thank you for your support of tomorrow’s game.
Captain Sponsor:
Craig Halliday and David Henderson have made their matchday a little extra special by taking our Captain Sponsorship. They’ll be presented with the signed Captain’s jersey and Captain’s armband at full time.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Club, Craig & David!
