Monday 3rd March, 2025 at 3:00pm
Partick Thistle Football Club would like to whole-heartedly apologise to friends and family of the late Alex Frew for an article that was published in the club’s Match Programme on Friday.
Both the tone and content of the article to mark Alex’s passing were inappropriate and the writer and the editor have also offered unreserved apologies.
Steps have been taken to support those involved in the production of future programmes to ensure that there is no repeat.
David Stuart who wrote the obituary said: “I knew ‘Fritz’ for many years and wrote what I had experienced with him from a personal point of view as opposed to a club point of view. I apologise to anyone who was upset by it.”
Editor Tom Hosie said: “I absolutely should have realised that the tone and content of the obituary was unsuitable for publication. For whatever reason it simply didn’t occur to me. I took my eye off the ball and made an error of judgement for which I apologise.”
“I have been a volunteer at Partick Thistle in a variety of roles for 38 years. I have loved being so closely associated with our football club for such a long time and I am proud of the 500+ programmes that I have produced.”
“I would like to think the 516 issues that bare my name as editor prior to Friday’s were produced with integrity and were a positive reflection of Partick Thistle Football Club. I would hope to be judged on that body of work over decades rather than on one piece of poor judgement made under a period of personal stress.”
Craig Stewart, Head of Media and Communications at the club, added: “We recognise that there was a lot of anger and disappointment expressed over the weekend. A review of how the article came to be published has been carried out with the club also taking into account a number of external factors.”
“We remain very grateful for all the volunteers who contribute to our Matchday Programme and are committed to supporting them in delivering the highest possible standard of content.”
This apology will also be printed in the match programme for the Ayr United game on March 15.
