2019–20 Partick Thistle F.C. season explained

Club:Partick Thistle
Season:2019–20
Manager:Gary Caldwell
(until 18 September)
Ian McCall
(from 23 September)
Chairman:Jacqui Low
Stadium:Firhill Stadium
League:Scottish Championship
League Result:10th (relegated)
Cup1:Scottish Cup
Cup1 Result:Fourth round
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:Quarter-finals
Cup3:Scottish Challenge Cup
Cup3 Result:Semi-finals
League Topscorer:Kenny Miller (5)
Season Topscorer:Kenny Miller (9)
Highest Attendance:9,542 vs. Celtic, Scottish Cup, 18 January 2020
Lowest Attendance:1,380 vs. Connah's Quay Nomads, Challenge Cup, 12 October 2019
Average Attendance:3,078
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Prevseason:2018–19
Nextseason:2020–21

The 2019–20 season was Partick Thistle's second consecutive season in the Scottish Championship, having been relegated from the Scottish Premiership at the end of the 2017–18 season. Partick Thistle also competed in the League Cup, the Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish Cup and the revived Glasgow Cup. On 15 April, the SPFL voted to end the lower leagues in Scottish football due to the coronavirus pandemic and as a result Partick were relegated to League One after two years in the Championship, which the club decided not to take legal action against.

Season summary

Following a difficult start to the season, Gary Caldwell was sacked as manager on 18 September after eleven months in charge. At the time of Caldwell's departure, the club had recorded two draws and three losses in the first five games of the league campaign and sat ninth of the ten teams in the Scottish Championship.[1] On 23 September, Ayr United manager Ian McCall was announced as Caldwell's successor for a second spell at Partick Thistle, having previously managed the club between 2007 and 2011.[2] Alan Archibald, who had been dismissed as manager in October 2018 after five years in charge,[3] also returned to the club as assistant manager, with former Ayr United midfielder Neil Scally also joining the coaching staff.[2]

McCall's first game in charge was Partick Thistle's quarter-final match against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup on 25 September, which Celtic won 5–0.[4] Three days later the club achieved its first league win of the season with a 3–1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, lifting them from the bottom of the Championship to ninth above Alloa Athletic.[5] It was not until November that the team's first home win of the season was secured after a 2–1 victory over Greenock Morton, by which time the club had fallen back into last place.[6]

In November EuroMillions lottery winner Colin Weir assumed overall control of the club after purchasing a majority of club's shares. Weir, who had won a £161 million jackpot in 2011 and had previously contributed £2 million to Partick Thistle, stated his intentions were to donate the majority stake to a fan group by the end of March 2020 to allow fan ownership of the club.[7] Weir died after a short illness on 27 December,[8] and was replaced by former chairman Jacqui Low in February 2020.[9]

On 13 March 2020 all football in Scotland, including the Scottish Championship, was suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.[10] At the time of suspension Partick Thistle was in last place in the Scottish Championship, two points behind ninth-placed Queen of the South with one game fewer played.[11] A proposal by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) to end the season for all leagues prematurely in mid-April 2020, despite an objection from Dundee F.C., led Partick Thistle to announce a legal effort to overturn the decision.[12] Following Dundee F.C.'s withdrawal of their objection and subsequent support for the SPFL's proposal, the club announced it would not pursue legal action due to the financial cost.[11] With prize money and promotions and relegations decided on positions achieved at the time of suspension in March,[12] Partick Thistle were therefore relegated from the Scottish Championship to League One, the first time the club had fallen to the third tier of Scottish football since 2006.[13]

Competitions

Scottish Championship

See main article: 2019–20 Scottish Championship.

Scottish League Cup

Group stage

See main article: 2019–20 Scottish League Cup.

Knockout round

Scottish Challenge Cup

See main article: 2019–20 Scottish Challenge Cup.

Scottish Cup

See main article: 2019–20 Scottish Cup.

Glasgow Cup

See main article: Glasgow Cup.

Squad statistics

Appearances

|-|colspan="12"|Players who left the club during the 2019–20 season|-|}

Club statistics

League Cup table

Transfers

See main article: List of Scottish football transfers summer 2019 and List of Scottish football transfers winter 2019-20.

In

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFee
15 May 2019MFShea GordonMotherwellFree[14]
15 May 2019DFRyan WilliamsonDunfermline AthleticFree[15]
14 June 2019MFLewis MansellBlackburn RoversFree[16]
21 June 2019DFThomas RobsonFalkirkFree[17]
26 June 2019FWKenny MillerDundeeFree[18]
1 July 2019GKScott FoxRoss CountyFree[19]
13 July 2019FWAlex JonesBradford CityFree[20]
24 July 2019FW Mitch AustinSydney FCFree[21]
26 August 2019DFBen HallBrighton & Hove AlbionFree[22]
27 August 2019FW Dario ZanattaHeart of MidlothianFree[23]
13 January 2020MFDarian MacKinnonHamilton AcademicalFree[24]
15 January 2020FWZak RuddenRangersUndisclosed[25]
23 January 2020FWBrian GrahamRoss CountyFree[26]
27 January 2020DFDarren BrownlieQueen of the SouthUndisclosed[27]
27 January 2020FWBlair LyonsMontroseUndisclosed[28]

Out

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFee
8 May 2019FW Scott McDonaldWestern UnitedFree[29]
9 May 2019DF Niall KeownRetiredFree[30]
14 May 2019DFChristie ElliottCarlisle UnitedFree[31]
27 May 2019FW Souleymane CoulibalyÉtoile Sportive du SahelFree[32]
4 June 2019MFBlair SpittalRoss CountyFree[33]
10 June 2019FWAlly RoyAirdrieoniansFree[34]
20 June 2019GKCammy BellFalkirkFree[35]
24 June 2019FWKris DoolanAyr UnitedFree[36]
5 July 2019MFAidan FitzpatrickNorwich City£350,000[37]
6 July 2019GK Aaron LennoxMontroseFree[38]
12 July 2019MFAndrew McCarthyQueen of the SouthFree[39]
3 August 2019FWMiles StoreyInverness CTFree[40]
8 January 2020DFBen HallFalkirkFree[41]
16 February 2020MFCallum WilsonDumbartonFree[42]
23 January 2020FWKenny MillerRetiredFree[43]
29 January 2020MFCraig SlaterQueen's ParkFree[44]
29 January 2020DF Sean McGintyGreenock MortonFree[45]
7 February 2020MFGary HarkinsStenhousemuirFree[46]

Loans in

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFee
10 July 2019MFCammy PalmerRangersLoan[47]
18 July 2019MF Raffaele De VitaLivingstonLoan[48]
2 September 2019MFReece ColeBrentfordLoan[49]
2 September 2019DF Osman KakayQueens Park RangersLoan[50]
20 January 2020MFJamie BarjonasRangersLoan[51]
21 January 2020DF Lee O'ConnorCelticLoan[52]
31 January 2020DFLewis MayoRangersLoan[53]

Loans out

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gary Caldwell sacked as Partick Thistle boss. BBC Sport. 18 September 2019. 26 September 2019.
  2. Web site: Ian McCall appointed manager after Ayr United exit. BBC Sport. 23 September 2019. 26 September 2019.
  3. Web site: Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald sacked following Ross County defeat. The Press and Journal. Danny. Law. 2051-1051. 6 October 2018. 21 June 2021.
  4. Web site: Ian McCall won't be judging Partick Thistle player on Celtic thumping. Glasgow Evening Times. Graeme. McGarry. 25 September 2019. 22 June 2021.
  5. Web site: Inverness CT 1-3 Partick Thistle. BBC Sport. 28 September 2019. 22 June 2021.
  6. Web site: Partick Thistle 2-1 Greenock Morton: Hosts record first home win of season. BBC Sport. Kenny. Crawford. 9 November 2019. 23 June 2021.
  7. Web site: Partick Thistle: EuroMillions winner Colin Weir to gift control to fans. BBC Sport. 21 November 2019. 21 June 2020.
  8. Web site: Partick Thistle aim to 'build on Colin Weir legacy' after EuroMillions winner's death. BBC Sport. 28 December 2019. 21 June 2021.
  9. Web site: Partick Thistle: Jacqui Low returns as chairman. BBC Sport. 28 February 2020. 7 May 2020.
  10. Web site: Coronavirus: Scottish football suspended indefinitely. STV News. Andy. Coyle. 13 March 2020. 24 June 2021.
  11. Web site: Partick Thistle decide not to take legal action after SPFL plan relegates them. BBC Sport. 16 April 2020. 7 May 2020.
  12. Web site: Partick Thistle issue legal challenge to SPFL over plan to end Scottish season. The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Ewan. Murray. 0261-3077. 14 April 2020. 26 June 2021.
  13. Web site: Partick Thistle accepts cruel relegation despite match-in-hand. NBC Sports. NBC Universal. Nicholas. Mendola. 16 April 2020. 27 June 2021.
  14. Web site: Shea Gordon extends Thistle stay . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 15 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  15. Web site: Ryan Williamson is a Jag . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 15 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  16. Web site: Partick Thistle sign Rovers youngster Lewis Mansell . lancashiretelegraph.co.uk . Lancashire Telegraph . 14 June 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  17. Web site: Tommy Robson is a Jag . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 21 June 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  18. Web site: Partick Thistle: Kenny Miller reunited with Gary Caldwell at Firhill . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 26 June 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  19. Web site: Scott Fox: Goalkeeper returns to Partick Thistle after Ross County exit . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 1 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  20. Web site: Partick Thistle sign Alex Jones after striker's Bradford exit . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 13 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  21. Web site: SIGNING NEWS: Mitch Austin signs one-year deal . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 24 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  22. Web site: SIGNING NEWS: Ben Hall signs for Thistle . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 26 August 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  23. Web site: Hearts forward Dario Zanatta signs two-year deal with Partick Thistle . edinburghnews.scotsman.com . Edinburgh Evening News . 27 August 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  24. Web site: Hamilton: Darian MacKinnon joins Partick Thistle as Brian Easton signs new deal . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 13 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  25. Web site: Zak Rudden: Rangers striker signs for Partick Thistle . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 15 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  26. Web site: Kenny Miller: Partick Thistle replace striker with Ross County's Brian Graham . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 23 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  27. Web site: Brownlie Joins Thistle . qosfc.com . QOS FC . 27 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  28. Web site: Signing News: Blair Lyons joins the club . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 27 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  29. Web site: Scott McDonald returns to Australia with Western United after Partick Thistle exit . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 8 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  30. Web site: Playing squad update . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 9 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  31. Web site: Christie Elliott: Carlisle United sign Partick Thistle defender . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 14 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  32. Web site: Etoile sign 2011 U-17 World Cup Golden Shoe winner Souleymane Coulibaly . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 27 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  33. Web site: Ross County: Blair Spittal out to 'rebuild reputation' after Partick Thistle exit . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 4 June 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  34. Web site: Striker Ally joins the Diamonds . airdriefc.com . Airdrieonians FC . 9 May 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  35. Web site: Goalkeeper Cammy Bell joins Falkirk . falkirkherald.co.uk . Falkirk Herlad . 20 June 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  36. Web site: Kris Doolan: Ayr United sign striker following release by Partick Thistle . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 24 June 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  37. Web site: Aidan Fitzpatrick: Partick Thistle midfielder joins Norwich . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 5 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  38. Web site: Gable endies sign stopper Lennox . montrosefc.co.uk . Montrose FC . 6 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  39. Web site: Andy McCarthy Signs Up . qosfc.com . QOS FC . 12 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  40. Web site: Storey returns to Inverness Caledonian Thistle . inverness-courier.co.uk . Inverness Courier . 3 August 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  41. Web site: BAIRNS SIGN BEN HALL . ptfc.co.uk . Falkirk FC . 8 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  42. Web site: SIGNING NEWS: WILSON JOINS. Galloway. Andy. 16 January 2020. Dumbarton Football Club. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200810052808/https://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=4266 . 10 August 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  43. Web site: Kenny Miller: Partick Thistle replace striker with Ross County's Brian Graham . bbc.co.uk . BBC Sport . 23 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  44. Web site: Craig Slater joins the Spiders . queensparkfc.co.uk . Queen's Park FC . 29 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  45. Web site: Greenock Morton sign Sean McGinty from Partick Thistle . glasgowtimes.co.uk . Glasgow Times . 29 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  46. Web site: Warriors snap up Harkins . spfl.co.uk . SPFL . 7 February 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  47. Web site: LOAN NEWS: Cammy Palmer joins on loan . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 10 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  48. Web site: De Vita handed new Livingston contract before joining Partick Thistle on loan . fourfourtwo.com . FourFourTwo . 18 July 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  49. Web site: Reece Cole joins Partick Thistle on loan . brentfordfc.com . Brentford FC . 2 September 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  50. Web site: Osman Kakay completes loan switch to Partick Thistle . qpr.co.uk . QPR FC . 2 September 2019 . 7 March 2023.
  51. Web site: Loan News: Jamie Barjonas joins on loan . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 20 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  52. Web site: Loan News: Lee O’Connor joins on loan . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 21 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  53. Web site: Loan News: Lewis Mayo joins on loan . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 31 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.
  54. Web site: Signing News: Blair Lyons joins the club . ptfc.co.uk . Partick Thistle FC . 27 January 2020 . 7 March 2023.