Only when I put my boots in the car did it hit me that I was leaving Thistle. It was horrible
ONE-CLUB footballers are hard to come by in the modern game. Kris Doolan looked set to become part of that increasingly rare breed as the striker entered his testimonial year with Partick Thistle.
However, his dream of ending his professional career with the club where it all began was cruelly torn apart when he was hauled into Gary Caldwell’s office just days after the season had come to a close — and was told his contract was not going to be extended.
What made matters even worse was the way the club announced his departure. Doolan wasn’t allowed to break the news to his family in person as the Jags had released it on social media before he’d even left the building.
The Firhill outfit later apologised for their handling of the situation but it felt like a slap in the face to a player who had given his heart and soul to the club.
Doolan holds no resentment over his release or the controversial way it was handled but, speaking exclusively to
Sportsmail ahead of his highly anticipated return to Firhill with Ayr United tomorrow, he revealed that what hurt him most was not being given the chance to say a proper farewell to the fans.
‘The day I was released was horrible,’ admitted the 32-year-old. ‘Some players come to clubs and are only there for a year or two and then leave. They’ll bounce around numerous clubs, so never get tied down. But I was there for ten years — that’s a long time to be at a club.
‘To be told you’re no longer wanted was tough to take. The fans at Partick Thistle are outstanding. I never got a proper chance to say goodbye to them.
‘Football is football, I’m old enough to understand that. People move on, but I would have loved to have said goodbye to thousands of people around the club and the fans who I had a big affection for. Even just to have had that one final game where you can say your goodbyes — I never got that.’ With over 400 professional appearances for Thistle, becoming a free agent was a new experience for Doolan. ‘I think it sank in as soon as I left the stadium,’ he said. ‘I didn’t even get time to speak to people and let the family know. It (the news) was already out there. ‘I took my boots and all my stuff with me, put it in the car and it hit me that I was leaving the club. ‘But it happens to players up and down the country, in every league. It’s good to look back and have happy memories.’ As soon as it emerged that the Partick Thistle Hall of Fame legend was being released, his phone began ringing off the hook.
Rival Championship clubs immediately tried to lure the goalscorer to their attacking line-ups, but it was a call from one of his former managers which got him most intrigued.
Ian McCall brought Doolan to Thistle from Auchinleck Talbot ten years ago — and for the striker, it felt like his career had come full circle after the pair were reunited at Somerset Park.
‘Over the summer I had to make sure I found a club where I would get that happy feeling back,’ he said. ‘At this stage of my career, it was about picking the right place to go. I’m delighted I’m back in Ayrshire, playing close to home.
‘It was good that people realise you still have a lot to offer. As difficult as it was to hear I was no longer a Partick Thistle player, I’m delighted to now be at Ayr.
‘Ian was a big pull for me. He contacted me straight away and we’ve always had a very good relationship. He gave me my chance to come up from Junior football, threw me straight into the Championship and I never looked back. It’s poetic that I’m back with him.’
A decade at Firhill brought great success for Doolan, who sits fourth in the all-time top goalscorers of the Scottish Premiership era with 54 goals, behind only Leigh Griffiths, Adam Rooney and Kris Boyd.
He was a key part of the Thistle side who won the First Division in 2013. During the club’s five-year stint in the top flight, he helped fire them to their highest league finish, with a top-six spot in the same season he clinched a century of goals in red and yellow.
‘I have so many great memories from my time at Thistle,’ said Doolan. ‘Winning promotion was an amazing feeling. Making the top six was another highlight.
‘I was breaking goalscoring records every other week. I scored over 100 goals. I’m the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in terms of league goals. When you realise you’re making a dent in history, that’s what keeps you at clubs for a long time.
‘When you’re at a club for so long, you become ingrained to it. It was why I stayed when we got relegated. I turned down chances to leave Thistle throughout my career.
‘A lot of players will bounce around clubs to find one they suit — I found that immediately. The club did well by me and, hopefully, I did well by the club.’
Tomorrow sees Doolan return to Maryhill for the first time since being released.
‘I’m really looking forward to getting back to Firhill,’ he said. ‘But I’m an Ayr United player now and you’ve got to be professional.
‘I’ve not thought about what I’ll do if I score but everybody knows I love hitting the back of the net.’