Monday 20th November, 2023 at 11:00am
Everyone at Partick Thistle Football Club was devastated to learn of the passing of the club’s hugely popular bar manager-supervisor Janice Davidson at the weekend.
First and foremost, the thoughts, condolences, and love of all connected to Thistle are with Janice’s family and close friends at this unimaginably difficult time. Janice was devoted to her family and we all share their pain.
At the same time, we know the loss of Janice will be keenly felt by hundreds, more likely thousands, of Jags fans and Firhill visitors who will have crossed paths with her since she joined the club back in early 2016.
Following Janice’s passing on Saturday at the age of just 42, scores of social media tributes have already been posted, by family, close friends and colleagues here at Thistle who adored Janice in equal measure.
One constant theme throughout all the tributes has been the warmth of Janice’s personality, her skills and kindness as a people person and the close connection she had with all those around her, any day with her always starting with a smile and welcome hug. Often you would hear Janice before you saw her, there was nothing quiet about her!
Those attributes were always on display at Firhill, whether in matchday hospitality where she was a driving force, serving fans in the Aitken Suite bar, during weekdays when assisting the playing squad and management team after training, or across the many events held at the stadium throughout the year.
Whether a wedding, a funeral, a landmark birthday or another function, Janice’s approach was consistently warm and welcoming, fun and friendly, easing not only the experience of guests but also energising the colleagues she worked with.
That warmth and popularity was always there but shouldn’t detract from how capable and skilled Janice was for the job she was there to do, which everyone who worked with her highly respected her for.
On social media Janice proclaimed “I love my job” and in equal turn she was loved by so many for the job she did. Indeed, at a recent home game, as Janice invited hospitality attendees to leave upon the close of day, she was serenaded by a table of guests, such was the good time she had helped deliver for them.
Janice was at her usual best at our most recent home fixture against Morton only nine days ago, which turned out to be her last – matchdays quite simply won’t be the same without her. Everyone who was proud to call Janice a colleague and friend is devastated by her passing.
With the blessing of Janice’s family, who were her world, the club plans to make our home fixture against Airdrieonians on Saturday 2 December a celebration of her life, with details to follow in due course.
In the meantime, the club are continuing to do everything possible to support Janice’s family and Thistle staff and our thoughts remain with those closest to her in the difficult days ahead.
Rest in peace, Janice, once a Jag, always a Jag.
