1909 – Immigration to Maryhill
Partick Thistle had started what was to be a defining year with a 0-6 loss to Rangers. Ironically the match was a home game played, of all places, at Ibrox! The Jags were refugees whose “home“ matches were being played at the Govan ground. After that fateful day they completed the season playing all their matches away. Unsurprisingly they finished 18th in the First Division. Something had to change.
On the park significant signings were made, in June Alec Raisbeck, a Scotland International with two English League winners medals, arrived from Liverpool in somewhat of a coup. Further raids down south were made, with Parry (Liverpool), Callaghan (Man City) and Graham (Everton) all joining the Dark Blue and White. Different days indeed, players from these illustrious clubs today would cost millions.
In an ideal world, The Board of the homeless Partick Thistle would have found accommodation within the Burgh of Partick. However, the search for suitable land there proved fruitless. It was therefore to the north they had to migrate and the neighbouring Burgh of Maryhill. How would the incomers be received by the hardened locals? After all football was very much a community pastime, unlike today where fans of the game travel across continents to follow their team. They needn’t have worried as the people took them to their hearts.
Firhill was to be their new home, nestling adjacent to a timber basin on the banks of the Nolly. On 18th September 1909, the first match was played on what is a personal “field of dreams” against Dumbarton Harp. A crowd of 5,000 graced the occasion and Thistle won 3-1. “Fortress Firhill” was born. I wonder whether my Great Grandfather, who lived on Springbank Street was there that day.
The teams form improved following the establishment of their tenancy in Maryhill and while being unspectacular, the people of Maryhill continued to turn out in healthy numbers to watch them. A crowd of 6,000 watched as the Jags hosted their first league fixture at their new home, the next home match versus Falkirk drew 9,000 and around 25,000 packed in to see them take on Rangers in a 0-0 draw. Progress was being made in all departments.
Thistle, as they were known to Maryhill citizens - we still get shirty today when outsiders and the uninformed refer to us merely as Partick, despite this progress finished rock bottom, 18th in a league of 18. It’s interesting to note that of the 18 teams which contested the First Division Championship that year, only two have been lost to the professional game in Scotland. Third Lanark and Port Glasgow Athletic are no longer with us.
Money was tight in those days, some things don’t change, but Firhill had been invested in, to the tune of £3,000, although the ground was rented. Thistle were here and here to stay!