One of our own
Partick Thistle supporters line the street outside ground to pay tribute to EuroMillions winner who secured the club’s future
SCORES of Partick Thistle fans gathered outside Firhill Stadium yesterday to pay their final respects to club super-fan and bumper EuroMillions winner Colin Weir.
He died on December 27, reportedly from kidney failure and sepsis, weeks after acquiring a majority shareholding in the club with the intention of giving it to fans.
His funeral cortege arrived outside the ground at 11.45am as supporters, players, ex-players and club officials braved a bitterly cold wind.
The main doors of the stadium had a banner with a photo of the former STV camerman which said: “Colin Weir, one of our own.”
A wreath in the club colours of red and yellow adorned the steps.
Colin and then wife Chris, from Largs in Ayrshire, claimed the £161million EuroMillions jackpot in July 2011. It was the UK’s highest lottery payout until last October.
They donated £1million to the Yes campaign ahead of the 2014 independence referendum and continued donating to the SNP afterwards.
Dad-of-two Colin, 72, invested part of his winnings in his favourite football club, leading to the youth set-up being renamed as the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and a section of the stadium called the Colin Weir Stand.
He secured a majority shareholding in the club in November and promised to give the 55 per cent shareholding directly to a fans group by March this year.
The club dedicated a recent win to him following his death, with players wearing black armbands and fans holding a minute’s applause.
A statement on the club website said: “A Scottish patriot, philanthropist and Jags man to the end. Rest In Peace. Sadly missed.”
Former players including ex-Scotland goalkeeper Alan Rough and David Rowson, as well as ex-manager Alan Archibald, joined the present squad lining the main stand side of Firhill Road.
Spontaneous applause broke out as the procession stopped outside the ground for Colin, who divorced Chris after 38 years of marriage last year.
After leaving Firhill, the cortege continued to the funeral service a few miles away in Partick Burgh Hall, followed by a private cremation.
Thistle manager Ian McCall attended the funeral with the playing squad and club figures including chief executive Gerry Britton.
Former chairwoman of the club Jacqui Low, who gave the main address, emerged to thank supporters for paying their respects.
Lifelong fan Jim Shearer, 76, said: “I never met Colin but all I heard were good things.
“It is a sad loss. Every fan appreciates what he did for the club.”
Season ticket holder Alex Napier, 61, said: “He has left the club in a much more solid state. You could say he is the club saviour. His legacy will live on through the youth development.”
Trevor Hardcastle, 59, said: “He is the saviour of the club. He saved our great club and I don’t think Thistle would be here if it was not for him.”
Caroline Donnachie, 43, called Colin “a true great, a gentleman and very approachable”. She added: “That’s why the supporters are at the ground – to say a huge thanks.”
Mary Wilson, 54, said: “Colin’s legacy will live on in the youth foundation.
“I’m involved in the ladies team committee and he has done so much on that side of things too.”