Wednesday 4th May, 2016 at 11:00am
Wednesday 4th May 2016 at 11:00
Alan Archibald and Scott Paterson have both agreed an extended contract that will keep them at Partick Thistle until at least 2019. The move will tie the two in to a long term deal for the first time since they took over in 2013. Managing director, Ian Maxwell, has also committed to a contract that will see him stay at the club long term.
Chairman, David Beattie, who appointed Archibald, Paterson and Maxwell when the side were still in the First Division, was delighted to see all three agree to a long term deal, saying:
Alan and Scott have done an incredible job since taking over midway through our promotion season. Every season since, we have challenged them to drive the team forward and achieve more in the league with what other teams would regard as restricted resources – and every season they have achieved what we have asked of them. Undoubtedly there have been bumps in the road, but both Alan and Scott have taken everything in their stride and risen to the challenges very effectively.
“No one should be in any doubt that Partick Thistle means business. Following three and half years of constant progress, growth and development, we are now in a stable position to build something really special here over the next three seasons. That means that not only do Alan and Scott have the Board’s full backing but we will also give them all the resource we can to ensure we go one step better next season and grab a top six spot with both hands.”
Ian Maxwell, who runs the club on a day-to-day basis and has a key role in the player recruitment process, has also committed to the club for a minimum of three years. Something that is just as important to long term success, according to the Chairman.
“Football is a team game both on and off the pitch. Archie and Scott couldn’t do what they do without the support of Ian. He has done a tremendous job over his time here and was central to us being able to go debt free early in the season. With that experience, it is crucial to us that we keep him to ensure that we maintain our financial stability going forward. A business/football mix is rare in MDs running football clubs but we have that in Ian and it is certainly working in the club’s favour.”
Beattie sees the announcement not only as a clear sign of the progress the side has made since returning to Scotland’s top flight, but also as a show of intent and ambition from all involved at the club for next season.
“This club is in the strongest position it has been in for as long as I can remember, on and off the pitch. It is imperative that we continue to build on this. That’s why we believe Alan Archibald is the man to take us forward in the league, backed up by a strong club structure run by Ian Maxwell. The Board’s job is to secure the funds to give them the best chance of success.
All I ask of Thistle fans everywhere is that you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us as we continue to build this club to be everything that we all know it is capable of being.
