WEIR’S WAY
Lottery winner back to battle billionaire for Thistle control
EUROMILLIONS winner Colin Weir last night dramatically mounted a bid to buy control of Partick Thistle — and then give the club back to the fans.
In June, Sportsmail exclusively revealed that an international consortium led by Chinese-American billionaire Chien Lee was in talks to purchase a controlling 55-per-cent stake in the Firhill outfit.
However, supporters fearful of the proposed takeover launched a campaign called Thistle For Ever (TFE) aimed at securing a majority shareholding in the Championship side.
Now they have received a major boost by securing Weir’s backing to fully fund their bid.
‘Colin Weir is a long-time Thistle fan, who wants nothing but the best for the club,’ said TFE’s Paul Goodwin.
‘His incredibly generous support allows us to put this offer on the table now while continuing to raise funds from fans for the longer term.
‘We have a meeting with him later this week, at his invitation, and we will thank him for
supporting our ambitions for this club.’ Weir previously bankrolled Thistle but withdrew his funding — including £6million for a new training ground — amid uncertainty over the proposed takeover by Lee, who owns Barnsley, and the ousting of his friend Jacqui Low as chairman. The stunning development comes in the week Ian McCall returned from Ayr United for a second spell as Thistle boss, aided by ex-Partick manager Alan Archibald and former Ayr coach Neil Scally. Announcing the community ownership proposals, Goodwin said Weir — who scooped £161m with ex-wife Christine in 2011 — is offering his financial support ‘without conditions’. The lottery winner will play no part in the running of the club if the community takeover goes ahead but he will resume his funding of the Thistle Weir Youth Academy. ‘Change is in the air at Firhill, on and off the park, and this opportunity for Partick Thistle to become community owned will secure a sustainable and certain future for the club,’ said Goodwin, who is also a director of the Scottish Football Supporters Association. ‘With our fully funded offer, we have ensured that the current board has an option that is in the best interests of the club and one that ensures the future of Partick Thistle here at Firhill for decades to come. ‘It must be considered as a viable alternative to handing over control of our club to people with no affinity and no understanding of Partick Thistle. ‘The majority shareholder group does not have to wait to secure a sale of their shares. ‘TFE, with this substantial financial support, can allow existing shareholders to get a return for their investment now. ‘They will also achieve their aim of selling to a group who have the best interests of Thistle at heart. ‘It will be run as a sustainable football club, debt free and in the hands of those who cherish it more than anyone else — the supporters.’ Thistle last night took receipt of TFE’s proposals and the matter is set to be discussed at a board meeting ahead of tonight’s Betfred Cup quarter-final at Celtic Park. Meanwhile, in the wake of the Weir development, the Supporters Trustees of the PTFC Trust last night issued a statement urging shareholders not to sell to the international consortium, citing ‘a troubling lack of detail’ available about the proposed takeover. A lengthy statement concluded: ‘It is simply impossible to arrive at the conclusion that this deal is in the best interests of PTFC without taking a huge leap of faith. We would urge all shareholders to seriously consider if the proposed transfer of shares is really in the best interests of the long term stability of Partick Thistle Football Club.’ On Monday at McCall’s unveiling, Jags chairman David Beattie admitted he wished Weir would get back involved with the Maryhill club. Urging the fans to trust the board in the ongoing takeover talks with Lee, which could be concluded in four weeks, Beattie vowed: ‘We have one thing on our agenda — doing what is best for Partick Thistle. ‘We are not going to do anything to the detriment of the club. ‘If the best thing for the club is the consortium — which I believe it is just now — then fantastic. If it’s not the consortium, then we will find another route.’