Our 27th Thistle Pin is here and this one’s for a player Thistle fans young and old have taken straight to heart.
It’s Ben Stanway. And he’s one of our own.
Academy Graduate
Ben’s association with Thistle began in the Thistle Weir Youth Academy. He stepped into the first team squad as a teenager, and made his debut at the age of just 16 (in a Challenge Cup victory over Stranraer). He signed his modern apprentice contract in January 2022, then being given the squad number 30.
A year or so later, he would spend a six month loan spell at Airdrie, before returning to Firhill to feature in new manager Kris Doolan’s first team squad. Ben netted his first Thistle goal (against Queen of the South) early in the 2023-24 season, and would go on to play more regularly for the first team. Since then, he’s gone from strength to strength, making himself an indispensable part of Mark Wilson’s starting XI.
First team regular
Now wearing squad number 26, it’s hard to believe Ben is still only 21 years old.
This season alone he’s delivered 9 goals, 3 assists, and picked up 7 Man of the Match awards, more than anyone else in the squad. He’s also been named Player of the Month twice, in August and December, underlining just how influential he’s become. Last weekend, he notched-up his 100th competitive appearance for Thistle. No mean feat with a long career still ahead of him.
And when the Lambie starts bouncing to that Wagon Wheel-inspired “Hey… Ben Stanway” chant, you know exactly why he’s earned his place in this collection and in the hearts of the red and yellow army.
A family connection
There’s something else special about Ben’s Thistle journey too. His younger brother Harry is already coming through the Thistle Youth Academy too, making his own mark. The Stanway thread runs right through our pathway. A proper Firhill family affair.
TJF's Academy Pledge
TJF’s commitment to the Youth Academy is now well established. Thanks to our 1800+ members contributing their subs every month, more than ÂŁ54k has gone to support the development pathway at Thistle, including ÂŁ18k so far this season.
We want to see more players like Ben make their breakthrough into professional football in red and yellow, entertaining the Firhill crowds in the process.
Our collective fan fundraising is what makes this, and our other financial commitments to the Club and Women’s team, possible. As a mark of thanks to our members, each attendee at today’s Hospitality Takeover will receive the Stanway Pin as part of their admission to the game against Arbroath.
A new TJF recruit
We were delighted when Ben recently decided to join The Jags Foundation, making his own pledge to the future of Partick Thistle and joining the rank and file of fan owners at our Club. Speaking about joining and about receiving his own Thistle Pin, Ben said:
“The support I get from the fans and from TJF has been incredible. Coming through the academy, you always hope you’ll make people proud and hearing the fans chanting my song every week means a lot. Getting my own Pin is class, it’s something I’ll always keep and something my family will be really proud of too.”
So yes, it feels only right that Ben becomes the latest face in our growing line of Jags favourites immortalised in Thistle Pin form.
This is a limited edition release, available exclusively to TJF members. Once they’re gone, they’re gone and this is one you’ll want in your set!
How can I buy a Stanway Pin?
The Stanway Pin will go on general sale to members on Sunday 1st March from 5pm on TJF’s online shop.
If you’re not a member of TJF, you can join online today. There are affordable rates for all circumstances, beginning from ÂŁ1 per month.