TJF Elections 2023 - Candidates Page
Update 25th May 2023
Six TJF members have submitted their candidacy for the three director positions in the 2023 Election. You can read candidate statements below.
E-ballots will be issued to members through the ChoiceVoting platform (by email) on or before Thursday 1st June, and must be completed no later than 10pm on Wednesday 14th June.
Jack Carson
Member #544
I’m Jack, you might remember my grandfather George and his partner Rosie who once upon a time ran the 800 Club and the Junior Jags. I am a lifelong Thistle fan and have recently found myself playing a more active role with regards to the Club particularly around fan ownership.
I was appointed to the working group, which was active from December-February. It was here I worked with TJF directors Sandy Fyfe and Andrew Holloway whom I felt I were pulling in the very same direction. I feel it would be a natural step for myself to run for election to the TJF board.
As a TJF board member I would aim to provide robust representation to the younger members of our support particularly with regards to match day experience.
I would ensure any message from this section of the support is heard and communicated in the correct manner and use the position within TJF to pursue the interests of our young fans and constantly improve the match day experience, which I’m sure we can all agree has improved tenfold thanks to the dedication of the young people leading the noisy section of our support.
The potential of our club is huge as long as we are all pulling in the same direction. I firmly believe in a Thistle for the fans by the fans. Let’s deliver.
Jack Currie
Member #985
Stuart Goldie
Member #150
It’s been a privilege to serve on the board the past year. I’d like to thank all who have supported the Foundation and myself during this time.
Last year has been a rollercoaster with loads of hard work, high stress levels with a fair share of disappointment flung in. But outweighing all of that are the positives that have come through. The governance model is close, the membership growth incredible, and the engagement and feedback either at games, on-line or at one of our fantastic social gatherings has been humbling. There is though, loads more to do.
Bringing the Thistle Pins to the support has brought me a lot of pride, from the fans’ reactions and more importantly the warmth from ex-players and their families. They’ve brought Thistle’s history to the present, whilst raising much needed funds.
I was delighted to help drive the Disabled Supporters Association re-launch, working with another fantastic group of fans, whilst seeing matchday experience from a new perspective, this initiative should bring some great improvements.
If re-elected I’ll to continue to engage, help grow membership and ensure the The Jags Foundation is the viable model for fan ownership, whilst also raising funds for the club.
Thistle is a club that is a huge part of my family. I am passionate about us working together with the fans, the Trust and The Foundation to deliver what we believe fan ownership to be. To allow the club to be here for future generations.
I attend both men’s & women’s games with my family, my daughter is a ball attendant at the home games. I’m keen to drive the message that football is for everyone and love being part of the Her Game Too initiative recently launched at Firhill.
We are a diverse set of fans and I would love to see that diversity translate to the TJF board.
The fans are the ones who truly want what is best for the club. I want to be part of the board to bring those ideas to life.
Lynsey Kane
Member #746
Derek McLeish
Member #289
From a personal perspective, I’m in my early 60s and have just recently retired from full time employment. Because of this I now have the time, desire and commitment to turn my attention to getting further involved with supporting and assisting this great football Club.
From a business perspective, I’ve had a lifelong career working in regulatory financial services, having held senior Regional leadership roles across several leading UK financial Institutions as well as a 5 year spell running my own Consultancy Company. I’ve worked at Executive levels and have a wide range of experience in sales, productivity, marketing and budgeting as well as operating within a regulatory and compliant legal framework. I’ve also acquired good communication and interpersonal skills from my experience across all these roles.
From a footballing context I’ve been a Jags fan since I was 16, vividly remembering my first game at Firhill and I’m a current season ticket holder and early TJF member. I’ve always had a passionate interest and belief in the well being and future of the Club so in this respect I hope to offer a great deal of business acumen and experience to support the TJF Board.
I have been a Jags fan for 60 years. I lived at 499 Maryhill Road from birth until I was 12. My mum’s family came from Maryhill and Milton and my dad’s family Kelvinhaugh.
I was a regular on the Whiteinch Supporters Bus back in the 1970’s and I am lucky enough to have attended the famous day at Hampden beating Celtic 4-1.
I now attend as a ST holder in the JHS with my 11 year old grandson.
Professionally I work as a director in an international accountancy firm within the Business Restructuring department in Glasgow. I have been involved in a few football restructuring cases so I have experience on football.
I live in Stewarton in Ayrshire with my wife Alison. There’s a few Jags fans in my locality (Killie, Irvine, Prestwick and Stewarton). I have 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren (no 7 due in July). Only one grandson!
Away from football I enjoy travelling and walking also a bit of a foodie.
Finally I think I have the skill sets to make a valuable contribution to TJF.
Mon the Jags
John McNeill
Member #56
