Directors Programme Notes: Sandy Fyfe – 31st October 2026

Tuesday 27th October, 2026 at 3:32pm

Good afternoon and welcome to the WrightKerr Stadium at Firhill for today’s top-of-the-table clash.

A warm welcome also to everyone who has travelled through from Stenhousemuir and to all those joining us for what promises to be the game of the day in Scotland!

As this is my first opportunity to contribute to the matchday programme as Finance Director, I wanted to use this column to introduce myself, explain why I became involved with the club, and share some thoughts on the work that has been taking place behind the scenes since the summer.

I write these notes on a day where my business has proudly invested in being match sponsor. Those with long memories may recall that during a previous sponsorship visit our selection of Ziggy Gordon as Man of the Match generated what might politely be described as a lively debate amongst the support. I can only assure you that lessons have been learned and today’s judging panel approaches its duties with appropriate care!

We are all I am sure often asked why we support this club. More recently, since taking on this role, I have found myself being asked a slightly different question: why does it matter so much to you?

The answer will be different for every supporter inside the stadium. For some it will be family history, for others a player, a match or a particular moment in time. For me, the answer is deeply personal.

Many years ago, when my daughter was a very young season ticket holder, I experienced first-hand the warmth, kindness and support that exists within the Thistle community. Through supporters on ptfc.netand the wider Partick Thistle community, support was received at a time it was needed most, my daughter even getting a card from John Lambie delivered to Yorkhill Hospital. She went from strength to strength and remains a proud Jags fan to this day.

Perhaps that explains why this club means so much to so many of us. Over time, Partick Thistle becomes more than ninety minutes on a Saturday. It becomes part of who we are, doesn’t it?

For me, that connection forged many years ago has never left me. Today, I find myself in the privileged position of having technical skills which allow me to give something back.

The first few months as a Board member have been busy. During that period we have finalised the 2026 statutory accounts, introduced a new budgeting model, and established an enhanced management accounts reporting pack. I appreciate none of this is the exciting side of football!

One particular objective is to bring the budgeting process to earlier in the year. With our new model we ought to be able to easily forecast different scenarios for different leagues for example. I have committed to the trustees to do this in February/March.

My focus has therefore been on building upon existing foundations inherited and introducing an approach that reflects my own professional preferences.

Alongside the financial work, I have spent a considerable amount of time reaching out across the wider Partick Thistle community.

One of the club’s greatest strengths is the extraordinary range of skills, experience and expertise that exists amongst its supporters and stakeholders. Over recent months many people have generously given up their time to review areas such as costs, commercial operations, governance and wider club activities.

The willingness of people to take a call for help from me has been genuinely humbling. To everyone who has helped, thank you. You all know who you are! Much of that contribution will never be visible to supporters, but it is helping us build a stronger organisation.

We have welcomed new Board members (Iain and John) in recent months and they are already making a positive contribution and have further strengthened the business skills on the Board.

Throughout my career I have served on a variety of boards and spent many years as part of a professional partnership. One lesson I have learned is that effective organisations are rarely built on unquestioning agreement.

The strongest boards are made up of people who are prepared to challenge one another respectfully, test assumptions, consider different viewpoints and ask difficult questions. Equally important is the willingness to accept challenge in the right spirit.

This Board now appears to understand that instinctively. Robust discussions may take place around the table, and we are building a culture of constructive challenge. Ultimately, however, everyone is working well together towards the same objective: doing what is best for Partick Thistle. That gives me confidence and makes me genuinely excited about working alongside my fellow directors.

Given this is my first programme note, I have deliberately focused more on people than numbers.

However, one of my ambitions over the coming months is to help demystify the financial realities of running a fan-owned football club. While there will always be matters that must remain confidential, I believe supporters deserve a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing their club.

When the 2026 accounts are published, I intend to provide a supporter-friendly commentary alongside them. I have already developed a framework for doing so, with the aim of explaining the club’s performance in plain English and providing useful context around the figures.

Finally, my fellow Board members have kindly agreed not to insist on my attendance in the Boardroom every week. As a result, you’ll usually find my wife and I in the Lambie Stand at home matches and often at away grounds too.

Please feel free to come and say hello, share a view, ask a question or, indeed, berate me about a Man of the Match decision if history happens to repeat itself. Equally, if there is something you would like to discuss, you are welcome to contact me directly at .

Thank you again for the welcome I have received since taking up this role. It is a sincere privilege to be one of your current custodians.

As always, thank you for your outstanding support. Enjoy the match, get right behind Mark, Alex and the team, and hopefully we can all leave Firhill celebrating a valuable three points.

Sandy Fyfe