[HibeeJibee]

Apologies if this is already being covered elsewhere... but the front-page article on the sport pull-out of the "Scotland on Sunday" says Glasgow Warriors are quitting Firhill - if possible for start of 2012-13 season. They're moving into Scotstoun, recently upgraded for Glasgow 2014, as part of co-operation between SRU and the Council. The ground will be upgraded with better floodlighting, USH, and footing for temporary stands/terraces behind the front and back bends. The IRB 7s Series will also move-over from Murrayfield.

How much do Partick make from the Warriors? What'll be the impact of losing this revenue?

[vikingTON]

They'll have to get a lower-budget alternative to Ian McCall whining about how little money they have "compared to big-spending sides like Morton".

[P45]

McCall is now on Clyde 1 so he's probably ok for money.

Namara's wage bill will probably be cut. Threads on another Thistle forum have the club days away from certain administration so the Warriors leaving might not make any difference.

[Katboy]

Without doubt this will be a severe loss for Thistle. As I understand it, this income was about the only thing that was keeping Thistle full time. Without it (or without finding another source) they might well have to got part time next season.

On the positive side, at least the pitch might look better!

[A-Mac]

Katboy, on 04 September 2011 - 10:30, said:

Without doubt this will be a severe loss for Thistle. As I understand it, this income was about the only thing that was keeping Thistle full time. Without it (or without finding another source) they might well have to got part time next season.

On the positive side, at least the pitch might look better!

How much were they getting from the Warriors?

If it was keeping them full time, you would think a fair whack.

[cheesy]

You have to try and look at the positives here for Partick. At least the pitch may be able to remain in a respectable condition now.

Looking at the revenue side of things though, it will certainly be a major loss for Partick.

[jagfox]

I read the rent was in the region of 100k. We should sell firhell and go join the Warriors.

[bAzTNM]

Scotstoun Stadium is looking pretty good now. Tailor made for top events.

[Smurph]

Scotstoun.

Admittedly I don't know an awful lot about the deal with Warriors, but it's going to be a big loss for us.

[Pie Of The Month]

It was only about 6 months ago that someone in charge of the Warriors was saying it was impossible for them to move to Scotstoun as even after redevelopment the pitch would be too small. I'd imagine this will always be the case with a running track around the pitch.

The fact the article claims they could move in as early as the 2012/13 season when there's a deal between Warriors and Thistle that they'll play at Firhill until the end of the 2013/14 season makes me rather sceptical about this.

Edit: We did get £100k plus bar takings I believe which was obviously a decent wedge of cash considering you can buy a drink at the rugby.I think the SRU also employ the groundstaff for the pitch although can't be sure on that.

This post has been edited by Pie Of The Month: 04 September 2011 - 11:35

[Nizzy]

Perhaps the Warriors know something we don't. Instead of using the space devoted to Thistle to print the latest vacuous player quote, I hope Chris Jack at the ET/Herald will pursue the club for a response on this issue.

[Hawk89]

Gonna be a big hit for Partick, although makes me feel slightly more confident about Ayr staying up. Early days yet and I know we're playing like "Barcelona" but its a long winter.

It would be a shame to see Partick go out the game though, one of my favourite away days. Selling Firhill and moving over to Scotstoun might be a good idea actually.
I watch the West Coast Trojans play there from time to time and its a pretty nice looking stadium with fantastic looking facilities all around. Pretty easy to get to as well, through the Clyde tunnel, up to the traffic lights and turn left, bingo your there.

[Nizzy]

Hawk89, on 04 September 2011 - 12:06, said:

Gonna be a big hit for Partick, although makes me feel slightly more confident about Ayr staying up.

I assume from that you think the uncertainty is going to creep into the minds of the playing squad?

[Hawk89]

Nizzy, on 04 September 2011 - 12:13, said:

I assume from that you think the uncertainty is going to creep into the minds of the playing squad?

Yeah that's the angle I'm taking on it. Never good for confidence when there is a negative financial story kicking about regarding their club. Could be a catalyst to kick them on but more often than not its a negative effect.

[yoda]

Hawk89, on 04 September 2011 - 12:27, said:

Yeah that's the angle I'm taking on it. Never good for confidence when there is a negative financial story kicking about regarding their club. Could be a catalyst to kick them on but more often than not its a negative effect.

I think we all enjoyed Dundee's confidence crisis last season during the financial difficulties surrounding the club.

[Nizzy]

yoda, on 04 September 2011 - 12:30, said:

I think we all enjoyed Dundee's confidence crisis last season during the financial difficulties surrounding the club.

I've been digging through the archives and it appears the deal with the Warriors was being used as some kind of guarantee with the bank: "The agreement with the SRU for the Glasgow Warriors allows us to show the bank that we have another guaranteed income for the next five years. We would be happy to do a permanent deal with them." Allan Cowan, 2009.

I see Tonsilitis is kicking about. Perhaps he could explain, to the layman, how the bank would react if that guarantee was to tunr to sh*t.

[Jeek]

P45, on 04 September 2011 - 10:30, said:

McCall is now on Clyde 1 so he's probably ok for money.

Namara's wage bill will probably be cut. Threads on another Thistle forum have the club days away from certain administration so the Warriors leaving might not make any difference.

is this the case that things are getting that bad?

[Hawk89]

yoda, on 04 September 2011 - 12:30, said:

I think we all enjoyed Dundee's confidence crisis last season during the financial difficulties surrounding the club.

ahh selective quoting.....I did also say it could spur them on, but more often than not it can be a very negative effect.

[MTJ]

Its because a recent club EGM where several bad decisions were made mean that a couple of people investing a lot of money and good business sense into the club could leave and call in their money which we obviously cannot afford to pay back, and those who previously ran the club into the ground will be back in the box seat. This would obviously be a huge blow too, I could care less about the pitch being better if it hits us that hard in the pocket, which it would.

This post has been edited by MTJ: 04 September 2011 - 13:15

[Skyline Drifter]

Nizzy, on 04 September 2011 - 12:36, said:

I've been digging through the archives and it appears the deal with the Warriors was being used as some kind of guarantee with the bank: "The agreement with the SRU for the Glasgow Warriors allows us to show the bank that we have another guaranteed income for the next five years. We would be happy to do a permanent deal with them." Allan Cowan, 2009.

I see Tonsilitis is kicking about. Perhaps he could explain, to the layman, how the bank would react if that guarantee was to tunr to sh*t.

Well of course unless the Warriors are going bankrupt here, if it WAS a guarantee (rather than just an intention to share facilities for a period) then it's still guaranteed for the same period. If Warriors contracted to use Firhill for five years in 2009 then they are still contracted to do so and unless there's an escape clause (in which case surely the bank were aware at the time?) then they'll still have to pay even if they move elsewhere. What it means is that after 2014 Thistle will not have the income and will have to budget accordingly.

If the Warriors want to move they'll be hoping that Thistle will agree a compromise lease buy out for less cash, though unless Thistle have someone else in mind to use the pitch with them I can't see any incentive for them to do so.

[Nightmare]

Hawk89, on 04 September 2011 - 12:27, said:

Yeah that's the angle I'm taking on it. Never good for confidence when there is a negative financial story kicking about regarding their club. Could be a catalyst to kick them on but more often than not its a negative effect.

There's a negative financial story kicking about for us pretty much every season anyway, and I don't think it's ever had an impact on performances on the pitch.

[Nizzy]

Skyline Drifter, on 04 September 2011 - 15:18, said:

Well of course unless the Warriors are going bankrupt here, if it WAS a guarantee (rather than just an intention to share facilities for a period) then it's still guaranteed for the same period. If Warriors contracted to use Firhill for five years in 2009 then they are still contracted to do so and unless there's an escape clause (in which case surely the bank were aware at the time?) then they'll still have to pay even if they move elsewhere. What it means is that after 2014 Thistle will not have the income and will have to budget accordingly.

If the Warriors want to move they'll be hoping that Thistle will agree a compromise lease buy out for less cash, though unless Thistle have someone else in mind to use the pitch with them I can't see any incentive for them to do so.

If Thistle were to enter administration prior to 2014, I assume the rent would be payable to the administrator?

This post has been edited by Nizzy: 04 September 2011 - 15:34

[Skyline Drifter]

Nizzy, on 04 September 2011 - 15:32, said:

If Thistle were to enter administration prior to 2014, I assume the rent would be payable to the administrator?

I wouldn't "assume" anything. But unless the ground was actually sold off (with a sitting tenant) as part of the administration process that would seem the most likely outcome.

It's perfectly possible that the original contract has a break clause in the event of the club's administration though.

[Lambie's Pigeon Feed]

We've been running the risk of 'going out of business next week' and 'definitely having to go part time next season' since the internet gave us football forums. I've stopped paying attention to it really.

I just hope we don't move to Scotstoun. Running track round the pitch, shite for pubs (can you really see McStabbs becoming a Jags haven?), much further from West End/Town and whilst there is a train station in Scotstoun it's got a pretty ropey service compared to the Subway.

[MTJ]

I think people are right to be concerned this time. Theres a reasonable chance Billy Allan and Europa pull out and then you've got the rugby money, the hit on us financially from even one of those leaving would give us major problems.