Tuesday 28th May, 2024 at 10:29am
The funeral of Gerry Collins will take place at St Mary’s, 89 Abercrombie Street, Glasgow G40 2DQ on Wednesday 5th June from 12noon then on to Daldowie Crematorium at 1.45pm. He will be received into St Mary’s on Tuesday 4th June at 6pm.
This information is shared with Thistle supporters with the family’s blessing.
On behalf of the club, current assistant manager Paul McDonald said: “First and foremost, the thoughts of all at Partick Thistle FC continue to be with Gerry’s family and loved ones at this time.
“Gerry Collins was my first captain at my first professional club, Hamilton Accies, he was a wholehearted leader as a player as well as a fun character and gentleman off the pitch.
“The corridors and various rooms at Firhill are littered with pictures of Gerry alongside John and successful teams of the 1990s and 2000s, a constant reminder of the good times he delivered for Thistle fans. That’s a tremendous legacy.
“I’m extremely proud to be assistant manager of Partick Thistle and part of that is the honour to follow in the footsteps of so many in the club’s history. Gerry is right up there as a modern-day Thistle hero and he’ll never be forgotten.”
Following Gerry’s tragic passing last week, a number of other former Thistle players have offered their own personal tributes to a Firhill dugout icon.
David Irons
I first came across Gerry when I signed for Ayr United back in 1984.
We played together in midfield and he quickly became my minder and a teammate who encouraged me to make the most of what I had to offer.
Gerry was a leader and a winner and I learned so much from him during my two seasons we played together.
We both moved on but kept in touch as he was always asking me how I was doing.
Summer ‘91 we were both down at Largs doing our coaching badges and he kept saying do you want to come to Thistle and he was insisting that it would be a great opportunity for me.
Two months later the gaffer Mr Lambie phoned me and said they had agreed a fee with Dunfermline and do you want to come.
I knew Gerry was the reason Thistle wanted me and the rest is history.
A wonderful man, a football man but more importantly a friend.
Condolences to his family and a great loss.
Rest in Peace Gerry.
Andy Murdoch
Big Gerry was one of the centre halves when I first arrived at Thistle on loan in 1989.
He was a great leader on the pitch and had a brilliant attitude; hard as nails! Tommy Burns was his best pal and many a story was shared from Tommy and Gerry about each other. I loved that connection.
When Gerry finished playing he was John Lambie’s assistant and often the calming influence when the great man would go off on one of his rants! Gerry would always look for allies in the dressing room. Double agents! Albert Craig was his best recruit … !
I will always remember his no-nonsense style on the park, however a massive prankster off it who made up for his technical knowledge with passion and a will to win like no other!
The winning manager of the Tennent’s Sixes too! He employed the services of another pal, Tony Roper (Jamesy Cotter from Rab C Nesbitt) during the tournament to keep us all entertained in the dressing room between games! A master stroke.
Rest in peace big fella. Time to reunite with Tam Burns. A fearsome double act!
Danny Lennon
Gerry Collins was a man of value and strong character who made a significant impact at Partick Thistle FC.
His partnership with John Lambie was instrumental in the club’s success, which left us with some wonderful memories, whilst navigating through challenging times.
Gerry’s old school approach and honest, respectful demeanour made him a beloved figure among players and staff.
His iconic bugle call to signify running drills showcased his commitment to keeping players disciplined and motivated.
Gerry’s lasting contribution to Partick Thistle will always be remembered, and he will be dearly missed.
God rest Gerry.
David Elliott
Gerry recommended me to John Lambie in 1990 after his good friend Tommy Burns suggested I’d fit in well at Thistle.
Gerry was a no-nonsense coach much like the way he was as a player. He was honest and straight talking and where he lacked in a tactical knowledge, he more than made up for it with his enthusiasm and his enjoyment of the game.
My standout memory of Gerry is when we went for a recovery day to Swallow Hotel in Govan. And him diving in the shallow end of the pool, before getting out the water with blood pouring down his forehead!
Gerry really did have an excellent man management style though and ensured the players he coached were competitive both at training and in matches.
A sad loss to Partick Thistle.
Gregg Watson
I first met Gerry in 1993 when I signed for Thistle and he was assistant manager and I have many memories of him.
I always remember him just prior to any of our running sessions with his woollen hat on with stopwatch in hand and cones under his arm where he would tease us with some of his patter about what was to follow for us.
I was also sent a clip during the week which made me laugh and was a memorable moment. It was of the bizarre incident where Gerry was banned from the touchline for a game at Firhill versus Kilmarnock in 1994 and he decided to watch the game from the Jackie Husband Stand which was still under construction.
As such he donned a yellow hard hat with his suit jacket and tie and took up his position. I wonder if he thought the referee would mistake him for the site gaffer!
However, once he started to shout instructions and encouragement to the players the referee soon clicked. Good communication allowed him to remain there though, as long as he stopped barking orders at the players I believe!
I also got a wee insight into his musical taste when he gave us a wee bit of Elton John on the car journey to Blackpool for a club trip.
I’ve bumped into Gerry a few times since then and he always had time for you which is a great quality to have.
I’m saddened to hear of his passing but he’s not forgotten.
Rest in peace Gerry Collins.
Martin Hardie
Upon signing for Thistle my first point of contact was actually speaking to Gerry about using the club for training facilities as I was proposed to sign for Berwick. Three or four days later he’s telling me I’ve to phone Mr Lambie which I did and then next thing you know I’m signing for Partick Thistle FC.
For this I have the utmost respect for Gerry and obviously The Gaffer John Lambie for taking a gamble on a “Golden Nugget” as Big Gerry used to call it. This provided me the opportunity to play with better players at a great club with fantastic fans.
We went on quite the journey winning back-to-back leagues and eventually keeping the club in the Premier league.
Both The Gaffer and Gerry played a massive part in bringing the good times back to Thistle and allowed us the freedom on the park but also off the park on pre-season trips.
Big Gerry was a tremendous character, full of banter and would always be the first to congratulate you “sarcastically” if you had done well.
I’d often meet Gerry years later at games with his close pal Tony Roper and he was always the same. A man who loves his football and family.
He will be sorely missed by all.
RIP Gerry.
