Sunday 30th July, 2023 at 4:34pm
It was with real sadness that all at Partick Thistle heard of the passing of Benny Rooney, our former player and manager.
Before we go any further, and we will repeat the sentiment towards the end of this tribute, the thoughts of everyone connected to the club are with the family and close friends of Benny at this saddest of times.
A defender who started his career at Celtic, Rooney’s first team breakthrough came via a short spell at Dundee United before he made his name as a player down the A90 at St Johnstone, amassing more than 200 appearances across seven seasons.
Then Firhill, for the first time, came calling as Rooney signed for David McParland’s top-flight Jags, making his Thistle debut at the age of 30, scoring his first goal in red and yellow in the Scottish Cup and his last of four in the Spring Cup, within 89 club appearances.
As his playing career ended in Thistle’s centenary year, 1976, his managerial journey began with a predominantly successful spell in charge of Greenock Morton, where second-tier promotion and the man management of a certain Andy Ritchie were amongst the highlights.
When Thistle did get their man in 1984 it was reported it wasn’t the first time the club had attempted to lure Benny to Firhill, and he would spend the next two years in the Firhill hotseat as the Jags strove to reverse 1982’s relegation.
Unfortunately, Thistle would teeter at the wrong end of the table for much of Benny’s time as Jags boss, the goals of Gordon Smith, John Donnelly and Alan Logan sparing us from a worse fate.
A seven-game winless run in the spring of 1986 would see Rooney dismissed before the season was out, replaced by Bertie Auld who returned for his second spell in the Firhill dugout.
However, whether as a player or manager Benny’s service and commitment to Partick Thistle is indisputable and as well as being recognised as a fine footballer and knowledgeable coach, he was also a great leader, a class act, a wonderful man.
Post-Firhill, Benny also managed at Albion Rovers and enjoyed coaching roles with Celtic. Latterly, he took great pride in his great-nephew Shaun scoring winning goals in two domestic cup finals for St Johnstone.
Which brings us to conclude by stating that evidently Benny Rooney was a great football man but equally he was every bit as much a great family man, and it is his family whose pain we feel keenly today.
To Benny, we thank you for all you did to serve Partick Thistle Football Club as player and manager and your part in our history will live forever.
Once a Jag, always a Jag – rest in peace, Benny.
