Wednesday 20th April, 2022 at 2:30pm
The Estate of the late Alasdair Gray have gifted Partick Thistle FC the use of a Thistle illustration by the Scottish writer and artist, which is today unveiled as the new crest of the club’s Hall of Fame.
Thistle supporter Andrew Gray, son of Alasdair and representative of his Estate, has liaised with the club in recent months on the use of a Thistle symbol which has only ever been previously seen as an illustration in the 1990 novel McGrotty and Ludmilla.
Today, ahead of the club’s eighth Hall of Fame event this Friday night, Partick Thistle FC is proud to showcase for the first time its unique collaboration with the Estate of Alasdair Gray following approval of creative concepts presented to them.
Partick Thistle CEO Gerry Britton said: “This has been an amazing journey since Andrew, as representative of the Estate of Alasdair Gray, first got in touch with the club last year. Everyone at the club is thrilled to be associated with such an extraordinary talent in Alasdair who we were pleased to learn, like Andrew and his grandfather, very much identified as being a Partick Thistle supporter.
“The result of this collaboration, thanks to the creative work of designer Daniel Muir, is the new Partick Thistle Hall of Fame crest unveiled ahead of Friday’s event for the enjoyment of all. The club’s Hall of Fame is an ever-growing list of individuals who have made significant contributions to the history of Partick Thistle FC and the inclusion of one of Alasdair’s illustrations as its official symbol has added something new and truly special to it.”
Andrew Gray is a prominent member of the Partick Thistle Nomads Supporters Club, whose own Thistle experiences started as a resident of nearby Kersland Street but who now lives in Connecticut, USA, from where he currently enjoys Jags matches via the club’s live stream.
Andrew said: “The estate of Alasdair Gray is very happy to be associated with Partick Thistle Football Club. I know Alasdair would like to see his work being used, being seen and being available. The images Thistle have used come from the book McGrotty and Ludmilla so they have never been available anywhere else apart from in that publication and it seemed the perfect piece of Alasdair’s art which could be adapted successfully for a football audience.
“Daniel (Muir) has done a very good job in using these images and making the Thistle into the new format as the Hall of Fame logo. I think the image is classical, the Thistle stands on its own and works well with the colour of the surroundings. I’ve been very impressed by the way the work has developed.”
Explaining the family’s long-standing association with Thistle, Andrew continued: “Alasdair’s father had always enjoyed football, he was the kind of man who enjoyed going to watch any game that was played locally so when he lived in Kersland Street it was natural for him to go and watch Thistle.
“Alasdair’s interest in football was more related to the big occasion and the atmosphere surrounding it. When attending Thistle games he would sit at the South End of the Jackie Husband Stand high up so if things well not going well on the field we could take in that fantastic view of Glasgow. He did learn to appreciate Alan Archibald’s defensive skills.”
Alan Archibald, as fate would have it, is one of six names who will be added to the Partick Thistle Hall of Fame in an event at Firhill on Friday night, in front of 180 guests and a very special, new crest.
Everyone at Partick Thistle FC would like to thank Andrew and the Estate of Alasdair Gray for this remarkable and generous gift.
