For us, Thistle Pins is as much about telling the history of Partick Thistle as anything else. When choosing the legends to be depicted in each Pin, we try to strike a balance between the old and the new, so that Thistle fans of all ages have a stake in it.
But this month we’ve decided to do something a bit different. There’s a man who tells the Thistle story better than we ever could. Club historian Robert Reid may not have played in red and yellow on the hallowed turf. But he has been just as important as any player for keeping the Thrills of Firhill alive.
Robert the historian
Robert has made a significant contribution to documenting the history of Partick Thistle. Many of you will have read his book Red & Yellow Forever, or perhaps the Official Club History, to which he was a major contributor.
Robert thrives on regaling football fans, be they Jags or visitors, with tales of the fantastical and the obscure: of the heroes and the villains of bygone eras. Most recently this included a touching tribute to Johnny Mackenzie as part of World Gaelic Week. Robert has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Thistle games, no matter what the decade, who the opposition, or how pleasing or disappointing the final score!
Robert the club servant
His life-long association with Thistle has seen Robert assume many different roles. In addition to being our Club Historian, he has at various points been Club Secretary, Vice President, Honorary President and even a Scout for the Jags.
Some of you will have been given a stadium or board room tour of Firhill on a match-day, with Robert as your guide. A linguist by education (earning an MA in modern languages and Latin from Glasgow University) and a teacher by trade, Robert has always known how to catch and maintain the attention of his audience. He’s proof that a wordsmith can entertain every bit as much as a winger.
Robert the Jag
As a died-in-the-wool fan of our Club, Robert has been with us through the highs and the lows. In our darkest hour, during Save The Jags, he helped us all, in his own characteristically calm but emotional way, to find our voice. Robert understands as well as anyone why we, and Scottish football, need Partick Thistle.
It’s an honour for us to mark Robert Reid, Partick Thistle Hall of Fame member, as the subject of the eighth Thistle Pin.
How do I buy a Reid Pin?
Thistle Pins are available for purchase by TJF members. If you’re not a member, join the Foundation today.
On Thursday 30th March, we will send an email to all members at 7pm. This will include a link to purchase a Reid Pin.
Each Reid Pin costs £10 (including P&P) with proceeds going to The Jags Foundation.
There is a limited number of Reid Pins so don’t dawdle! If you can’t find the email on Thursday evening, get in touch at membership@thejagsfoundation.co.uk.
To find out more information about Thistle Pins, visit our dedicated news page.