The league season begins in earnest next weekend, and we’ll be hoping for a clean sheet at Firhill when we take on Morton.
Where better to take inspiration than from the man who shut-out the opposition for Thistle on 191 occasions.
We’ve had plenty of Thistle Pins📌 marking the achievements of no nonsense defenders, creative midfielders and clinical front-men.
But the first goalkeeper pin was always going to be Cup-winner, Hall-of-Famer and long-time Club servant Alan Rough.
From Sighthill to Firhill
Alan Roderick Rough began his career at Thistle in 1969, signing from Sighthill Amateurs at the age of 17.
He joined initially as an understudy to experienced keepers Billy Ritchie and Ian Dick, in what would prove to be an ill-fated season for the Jags. Rough made his debut in Scott Symon’s last game in charge, in April 1970, a match against Morton, no less.
Where Roughie really made his mark, however, was under new manager Davie McParland. In the 1970-71 season, the young stopper racked up the clean sheets (17 in the league campaign).
This provided the solid base for Thistle to build from the back and secure emphatic promotion back to the top flight. Rough quickly became the established Number 1 at the Club, and would go on to represent Thistle on an astonishing 631 occasions over a 12-year period.
Cup glory and international stardom
Even better was to come after that full debut season, as McParland’s Thistle lifted the League Cup in October 1971. Rough, obviously, found himself between the sticks that famous day, and even kept the troublesome Dalglish to just the solitary consolation goal as Thistle ran out 4-1 winners.
His reputation as a top class goalkeeper quickly gained Alan attention from the international team managers Willie Ormond, Ally McLeod and Jock Stein.
He earned his first cap (and international clean sheet) against Switzerland in a 1-0 victory in April 1976, and would represent Scotland a further 50 times while a Thistle player (another Club record).
This included playing at two World Cups in Argentina 1978 and Spain 1982.
Beyond Firhill
Roughie’s time at Thistle ended after the 1981-82 league campaign, as he signed for Hibernian, where he would go on to make a further 175 appearances between the sticks. The tail-end of his playing career took on something of a nomadic flavour, with short spells at Orlando Lions, Celtic, Hamilton Accies and Ayr United.
Alan had a spell in management with Glenafton Athletic in the junior leagues, helping them to lift a famous treble in 1992-93. They won the Ayrshire First Division and the Ayrshire Cup, and capped it all off by winning the Scottish Junior Cup at Firhill.
Rough would later move into a successful career in radio, and remains a familiar face at Firhill.
Acknowledgements
How to buy the Roughie Pin 📌
The Roughie Pin will go on sale on TJF’s members-only shop at 7pm on Thursday 25th July (tomorrow).
Each new Thistle Pin costs £10 including UK P&P and purchases are strictly limited to one per member.
There is a limited supply, so set your alarm clocks and don’t miss out.
The updated access information for the shop is in the most recent members email. Get in touch if you cannot find it.
If you aren’t a member yet, you can join today.