General Manager update: 17 April 2026

Friday 17th April, 2026 at 6:56pm

It’s now just over six months since I was asked to step in as Acting General Manager, and it’s fair to say it’s been a really busy period for everyone at the club.

First and foremost, what’s happening on the pitch has been fantastic to see. Saturday’s win against Dunfermline Athletic secured a top-two finish in the Scottish Championship, our highest at this level since 2012/13, and with three games still to go, there’s plenty left to play for.

The effort from Mark, Alex, and the squad has been outstanding, and I know supporters have enjoyed watching this team as much as I have.

Off the pitch, there’s been a lot going on as well.

The John Lambie Stand has been bouncing all season, and the Singing Section has made a real difference to the atmosphere at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill in recent years. It’s helped create a proper backing for the team, and the unbeaten home league record says a lot about that.

We do recognise, though, that with the current ticketing setup, where 10% of seats must remain unsold due to unallocated seating, the stand can sometimes look less full than it actually is. As attendances continue to grow, that’s something we’ll take a closer look at.

Commercial activities

This will be our final season working with O’Neills and Greaves Sports, and I want to place on record our thanks for everything they’ve delivered over the past six years. They’ve played a big part in some memorable kits and key moments for the club.

We’ll soon be starting our journey with a new technical partner, with future kits already well underway. Earlier this week, senior leadership and our commercial department visited our new technical partner to start the relationship on the strongest possible footing and to start the design process for our 2027/28 kits.

You may find it interesting to know that this process ideally needs to be concluded by the end of July, so our kits for the season after next are secured before we’ve kicked a ball in the league in 2026/27.

Alongside that, we’ll be welcoming a new retail partner this summer to replace Greaves. This is a really important step forward for us commercially. As well as an improved online offering and expanded product range, we’re planning to significantly expand the club shop at Firhill, at least doubling its current size. And, for the first time in a number of years, it will be open regularly through the week as well as on matchdays.

That’s something supporters have asked for, and it should also help us grow an important revenue stream. We’re hopeful this will also allow us to bring back stadium tours later in the 2026/27 season.

Both of our new partners will be announced shortly.

As part of that next phase, we also want to strengthen how supporters are involved in the club. For our 2027/28 Third Kit, we will invite supporters through a focus group process to contribute to the design process. This is a meaningful way for supporters to help shape what we do, giving you a direct voice in something that represents the club on and off the pitch.

150th anniversary

On the 150th anniversary, we had hoped to host a celebratory match against visiting opposition from Germany in early July.

Unfortunately, due to pitch works, we couldn’t confirm that fixture in time. It’s disappointing, but we’ll keep that relationship in place and look to make something happen in the future. It’s still very much our intention to mark the milestone with a game.

Recent events like the 150th anniversary lunch and the Player of the Year awards have been a real success. They’ve been great nights for everyone involved and, importantly, they also help bring in revenue as we continue working towards long-term sustainability.

Operational changes

Behind the scenes, it has also been a period of change in terms of staffing.

In media, Craig Stewart departed the club earlier this year. That leaves us currently operating with one full-time member of staff, Christopher Dobie, supported by a small group of committed volunteers.

While this has reduced our paid capacity to its lowest level in over a decade, the effort from those involved has ensured we’ve continued to deliver a strong output. That said, it does place pressure on a small team, and sustainably rebuilding that area is something we are committed to doing in the summer.

Within the commercial department, we’ve also had some disruption. Megan Paterson left the club after a short period to take up an opportunity abroad. In her time here, she made a significant impact, helping reset our commercial inventory, identify new assets, and improve how we present proposals to partners.

In the short term, we’ve taken a collective approach internally – and with the Board – to support Eve Wilson, who is leading the department on an interim basis, and we have moved fast to secure additional full-time support to fill Megan’s role through an important period.

More broadly, we are taking this opportunity to review how a number of roles operate across the club. With Gus Watson set to depart at the end of the season, we’re looking at how we reshape that position into something that has a wider remit across key areas of the club. The aim is to simplify processes, reduce unnecessary administration, and ultimately make the club easier to engage with from a supporter perspective.

I also want to recognise the work of our facilities and grounds team. Maintaining Firhill to the standard required across a full season is a significant task, and the consistency they’ve delivered often goes unnoticed but is hugely important.

Streaming service

For supporters watching from abroad, the match streaming service hasn’t been where it needs to be this season, and we recognise the frustration that has caused.

The current system is largely built on equipment that was first put in place in 2021, with only minimal upgrades since then. As a result, many elements are now reaching the end of their effective lifespan, particularly around camera equipment, and the overall reliability of the setup on matchdays.

This season, we’ve also adapted how the system is used by doubling up the main camera feed to support the football department’s analysis work. While that has benefits from a performance perspective, it has changed the viewing experience slightly, including a more zoomed-out angle than in previous seasons.

At the end of the season, we will carry out a full review of the streaming service. Not just the equipment, but the overall delivery model. That will include looking at investment in new hardware, improving reliability and backup options, and assessing how we can provide a more consistent and higher-quality experience for supporters.

There are also ongoing discussions at league level around a more centralised streaming solution in future seasons. While that is still some way off, it is something we are monitoring closely.

In the meantime, improving the service we provide is a priority, and it’s an area we know we need to get right.

KDM Evolution Trophy final aftermath

We also recently hosted the KDM Evolution Trophy Final at Firhill. From an operational point of view, it was a success and gave staff valuable experience in managing a large-scale event.

The vandalism in the John Lambie Stand was completely unacceptable, and the damage caused by both sets of supporters was disappointing to see. The relevant parties will cover the costs of repairs, and we’re working through that process now. We are also awaiting further news on the police’s investigations into the racist graffiti found.

Moving forward

As a supporter-owned club, it’s important to say that all of this progress isn’t happening in isolation. The backing all Thistle fans continue to give, through your support, your attendance, and your pledges through The Jags Foundation, provides the support that allows us to plan, invest, and move forward sustainably but with ambition.

As we look ahead to the off-season, we remain committed to consulting with supporters on arrangements for matches against teams that would bring a higher level of travelling support, as previously promised. And if there are any fixtures with limited ticket allocations, we’ll communicate clearly and early on how they will be handled. We’ve taken lessons from recent experience and will act on them.

As always, we are determined to ensure your voice is heard. I have regular meetings with representatives from The Jags Foundation, and feedback and questions are always welcome.

Here’s to a positive end to the 2025/26 season.

Graham McRoberts