Thanks a Lotto
Jackpot winners help Jags clear debt
PARTICK THISTLE yesterday revealed the ongoing generosity of two lottery winners was key to the club finally declaring itself debt-free. Colin and Christine Weir, who scooped £161million on the EuroMillions draw in 2011, agreed to buy a 30-per-cent stake in the club only to donate two-thirds of those shares to a newly established fans’ group. Businessman and current board member Billy Allan also snapped up a three-per-cent stake to help ensure the Maryhill club came out of the red. The Weirs, from Largs in Ayrshire, previously invested £750,000 in Thistle two years ago to help
establish a youth academy. They will retain a five-per-cent stake, each having handed 19.28 per cent to the Partick Thistle Football Club Trust — a body that will ensure fans have more of a say in how the club is run. Partick Thistle chairman David Beattie said: ‘First and foremost, I would like to thank each of our new investors on behalf of the club and all of its supporters. ‘Their investment has allowed us to secure the financial stability we promised fans at the start of the season. ‘At the time of the debt announcement, I spoke about how the new investors were “Thistle people” and I really can’t think of three individuals to whom this tag could be more appropriate. ‘As genuine Partick Thistle fans, they have allowed us to start a new chapter in the history of the club, which I hope will allow us to move on and establish ourselves fully as a Premiership staple for many seasons to come.’ Thistle haven’t confirmed exactly what their bank debt was, but in 2008 it stood at £1.5m. Lottery winner Mr Weir added: ‘I have been a Jags fan since I was a boy and have spent many hours at Firhill, some of them more enjoyable than others. ‘Christine and I are delighted to be part of the collective effort to help the club achieve financial security, no mean feat for any club in Scotland today. ‘We also support the establishment of the Trust to give fans a greater say in their club and were pleased to be in a position to gift shares to it to get it off the ground.’ Allan has been on the Jags board since 2009 but, until now, has not been a shareholder. Commenting on his investment, Allan said: ‘With the chance for the club to become debt free if new investment was secured, I was happy to step up and do that. ‘As a result of all the new investment, the club is in the strongest financial position it has been in for many years and that’s great news for all concerned.’