Gerry is hoping 2020 will be a whole lot quieter than last year
The year just past is not one that Gerry Britton would hope to go through again in 2020.
The chief executive of Partick Thistle was presented with many complex challenges, from having to sack manager Gary Caldwell to dealing with a power struggle in the boardroom.
More recently, there was the death of Firhill fan and long-term club benefactor, Colin Weir. Britton was a huge admirer of the man who won £161-million on the National Lottery, both for the way he conducted himself and his generosity.
But knowing that Weir has left the club in safe hands – and with a clear pathway for fan ownership before this season ends – has brought great comfort to Britton and everyone else with the Jags at heart.
Now, it’s about bringing the same stability to the team on the park, and Britton is certain Ian Mccall and his staff – currently involved in a relegation battle – will deliver that in the next four months.
Britton told The Sunday Post: “On the park, we felt we needed to change the manager earlier this season.
“Bringing in Ian Mccall was definitely the right move, and we feel that has already been a positive.
“There is still a good bit to go, but we are heading in the right direction.
“The style of football is getting closer to what we all want at Partick Thistle, and we will try to push even closer to it by bringing in two or three players in the transfer window.
“We’re in a really tough league, and results prove that any side can beat any other on their day.
“It’s clear Dundee United are as good as promoted. But the other nine teams all have different battles and goals to achieve. “We want to get back into the Premiership and we will never stop believing. “Of course, you need to win games of football to achieve that.
“It’s not mission impossible, but we must take one game at a time.
“O f f the park, we are extremely stable and in a very good place.
“That’s all thanks to Colin Weir. Everyone at Partick Thistle is appreciative of the work, effort and kindness he showed.
“We were all down at Colin’s death just over a week ago. We still are.
He was an absolute gentleman, and any dealings I had with him were always straightforward.
“We’ll all miss him. “Fan ownership is on course to take place in the next few months, and it’s fantastic that they will be taking over a debt- free club, without the burden of having a heavy monthly repayment to pay back a loan.
“Colin made sure of that. “We all know there was another interested party in taking over the club. But Colin wanted to make sure he got he club and put the right plan in place.”
Forty- nine- year- old Britton gave up his full- time job as a lawyer five years ago to head up the Partick Thistle Youth Academy. Weir promised to fund it, and knowing that persuaded Britton to return to Firhill on a permanent basis.
After a playing career that began at Celtic, and took in stops all over the country, Britton had already been a Jags player, co- manager with Derek Whyte and then assistant to Ian Mccall in his first spell as gaffer.
Britton then took over the running of the club when Ian Maxwell was appointed chief executive of the SFA two years ago.
“Ian was a huge success at Partick Thistle and that’s why he landed the job at the SFA,” said Britton.
“He left big shoes to fill but you have to get in and get on with it.
“I have to say I’m thoroughly enjoying the role. No two days are the same.
“In that respect, it’s very much like when I worked as a lawyer. You never knew what was going to be waiting for you when you walked in the office at 7.30am.
“Many people told me I was brave to give up the law job because it was more secure than being in the footballing environment.
“But I felt so close to Partick Thistle, having had a relationship with this club, on and off, for more than 20 years. It’s a special place.
“That said, eventually becoming chief executive at Firhill is not something I envisaged.
“But I do the job every day to the best of my ability. I’m in a privileged position and I try to do my bit to deliver what everyone wants.”
Avoiding relegation is the main priority, but those inside the club can’t help but look up the table and dream of sneaking into the end-of-season play-offs.
There’s also a Scottish Cup tie against Celtic, live on TV, to look forward to later this month.
Britton said: “If we were starting with a blank canvas, then Ian Mccall is the very person we would go for as manager. He knows this club inside out, and is a perfect fit.
“I was his assistant a few years ago, so I know how he works. He gets the very best out of the players, and is very good at identifying talent.
“To have Alan A rc h i b a l d alongside him is just brilliant.
“He lost his job here as manager last season and that was far from an easy decision to make. “After Davie Mcparland, he is probably Partick’s most-successful manager, so it was a real coup to get him to return as Ian’s assistant.
“Ian also brought in Neil Scally as part of the coaching staff. Neil was with him for five years at Ayr United and they work well together. “So we feel we are moving towards our goals. But we accept that all things never come easy and you need to be prepared to deal with setbacks.
“How you recover from being taken slightly off course is vital. “We are hoping that 2020 is going to be a very good year for Partick Thistle, in so many ways.”