We are delighted to announce today that the fourth Thistle Pin is the McQuade Pin!
The Mad Monk
Denis McQuade, known as the Mad Monk (because he briefly contemplated entering the priesthood) spent 8 years as a player at Thistle. Denis played for the Jags more than 300 times, scoring 76 goals in competitive games. He was part of two league-winning sides, including in Thistle’s centenary season in 1975-76.
McQuade’s style of play on the Thistle left flank fully embraced the spirit of Thistle as great unpredictables. As the man himself once put it:
“I operated on the basis that if I didn’t know what I was going to do with the ball, the opposition would have had no bloody idea.”
Denis is probably best known for scoring the third goal in Thistle’s famous 4-1 victory over Celtic in the 1971 League Cup final. However, other notable feats include two Thistle hat-tricks: one against Dundee United shortly after that League Cup final and another against Hearts in 1974.
Success with the Jags saw McQuade become part of the Scotland squad, most notably including an overseas trip to Brazil. Infuriatingly, however, The Madness never collected the international cap Thistle fans all know he deserved.
We’re extremely grateful to Denis for helping us pick his preferred photo for the Pin design, and hope our members enjoy this unique piece of Thistle memorabilia.
How can I get a McQuade Pin?
The McQuade Pin costs £10 (including P&P) with proceeds going to The Jags Foundation.
Members will receive an email on Tuesday 15th November at 7pm. It will contain a unique link to reserve and pay for a McQuade Pin.
If, for whatever reason, you don’t receive this email as and when expected, please get in touch with us at membership@thejagsfoundation.co.uk.
Other Thistle Pins
For information about McParland, Doolan and Husband Pins, see the Thistle Pins page on our website, or get in touch by email.