From events of the last couple of months, there appear to have been a couple of positive developments. First the name on ebay was sold to a couple of guys who at least appear to be genuinely interested in reviving the name. Regardless of what we feel about the guy from Dundee's motives for selling the name, it has been sold. Aparently two guys from England purchased the name with a view to looking at attempting to restablish a club and have already made contact with the SFA to look at what would be required.
Secondly todays Evening Times has a small feature which suggests they are looking to incorporate The name Third Lanark Athletic Club as a trademark for merchandise. With a possibility to producing Thirds strips, ties, scarfs etc. The possibilty of regular Thirds merchandise on sale sounds fantastic.
Its all very very early days but there is definite promising sounds.
Is this not just someone else trying to cash-in on the memory of Thirds?
Maybe that's ok if it brings some nice merchandise etc. onto the market and keeps hopes of a revival alive.
I enjoy reading newspaper articles and books about Thirds but does anyone share my concern that these people buying names are trying to give the impression they own the club and are somehow representing it?
From what I gathered they are attempting to revive Thirds. It would also mean that more merchandise is available mainstream which I think is a good thing.
Really the only way I can find to get Thirds merchandise is on ebay and a lot of the sellars charge a fortune, because they know they can or your nearly always outbid by someone else.The amount of times I have tired to bid at a price I could afford then outbid by someone who has obviously a lot more money. Therefore I would welcome an easier, fairer and more cost effective attempt to buy Thirds merchandise particularly if money was going to support a revival of a new Thirds team. Would love to have say a Thirds sacrf hanging next to my jags one, or a HiHi mug or beer tankard. Any selling of Thirds merchandise would also help spark more interest of a Thirds revival.
Hi Partick Thistle lad, Interesting if there's people interested in reviving the club. Heres my take on a possible strategy to resurrect Third Lanark. In my view, in the fulness of time, there may well be a pyramid system in Scottish football with a Conference type league being fed by teams from the East of Scotland league, South of Scotland league, Highland league and the two junior super leagues. Thirds need to be in a position to take advantage of this if and when it comes around. Teams that went defunct in the past, e.g. the Edinburgh teams St Bernards and Leith Athletic, reformulated themselves as amateur/juvenile clubs operating several age group teams while playing in the Edinburgh and Lothians amateur or juvenile leagues, hence providing a sporting and social service to the local communities. I propose Thirds do this, but with the proviso of having a first team playing in the Juniors initially ( e.g. Central League 2nd division since there is no senior league in the West equivalent to the East of Scotland league ), allowing a route for Thirds to secure, on merit, possible future SFL football. Imagine Cathkin with an initial 1000 seater stand, new pitch ( all weather a la Accies to make cash ? ), basic floodlights with 3 or 4 age group teams feeding the first eleven, integrating with the local community through school partyies/community groups etc., and becoming a true community based club for the health and well being of the Southside of Glasgow. The problem, of course, is lack of money and, if you dont mind me saying so, a lack of cedibility with respect to approaching funding bodies or possible goverment agencies. So, would it be possible to set up a 'Thirds for Life' group ( a la Dundee's Dee for Life ) with everyone putting in donations to form a sort of fighting fund, maybe administered by Bert?, so that we could approach funding bodies, enterprise bodies, the City council, any other interested parties etc. hopefully with a worked out buisness plan including solid costings for the setting up of an infrastructure for the club, and a plan of action, in order for us to present these kind of proposals and see what could be done with them in the fullness of time. I'm not saying that a fighting fund could raise as much cash as the Dundee supporters did, but the symbolic effect of such a fund would be huge given that there has always been an intrerest in the Third Lanark and that it has never really left the conciousnass of Scottish football. Could a meeting be arranged therefore, with interested parties or/anyone who thinks there is the germ of a good idea here? I'm not a businessman and I haven't got lots of cash but, I would be willing to put in some of my meagre resources and write, cajole, visit anyone who could help. However, if I'm being naive/idealistic or this idea has been suggested before, then forgive me; I'm only trying to think rationally what sensible steps could be taken to facilitate a revival of the club. I look forward to your views and opinions.
Excellent post Neil, Theres a lot of great ideas there and plenty of food for thought. Like yourself I have plenty of ideas about how I would love to get this great club back again but am also not a businessman. I think an ideal get together will be the two Thirds events that have been organised. The game on the 19th May and the Thirds talks night at the Bowling Club with Bert will be an ideal opportunity to get a discussion with a lot of Thirds fans about the possibility.
Hi Partick Thistle lad, Again sorry for delay in replying. Going to try to come through on 19th for match at Cathkin and exhibition in Pavilion. However, when is the Thirds talk night with Bert taking place, and where on earth is the Bowling club! Remember, I'm an out of townie! Directions please! Would be great to discuss with yourself and other interested parties people's genuine, practical ideas for the resurrection of the club. Look forward to it.
Hi Neil, Apologies for not replying sooner. The bowling club is under 5 mins from Hampden and Cathkin Park, just off the aikenhead road side of Hampden and is right next to teh Clydesdale bank on Aikenhead Road. I will have tickets for sale on saturday for this night.
Hi Partick Thistle lad, Neil here again from Edinburgh. Have to apologise for the rather belated reply. Been a bit busy generally and not having a computer at home is a bit frustrating when wanting to contact people by cyberspace!. As you probably guessed, I coudn't come through on the Saturday of the Thirds v Queen Park reserves match. Was looking forward to discussing some of my ideas for the return of Thirds as well aaaaaand I missed a seven goal thriller. Just my luck! Congratulations to all who organised it as getting a couple of hundred people there in monsoon conditions while up against the English cup final can be considered a qualified sucess. Anyway, I would still like to come through for the 40th anniversary celebration night ( June 23rd I think ?) and I was wondering if I could still buy a ticket from you. I'll be in Glasgow Monday and Tuesday ( 11 /12 of June I think without looking at a calendar ? ) the week after next and I was hoping, if you're free one of those afternoons or early evenings, I could meet you for a pint and a blether on all things Thirds and, of course, buy a ticket. When would you be free and could you suggest somewhere decent to meet ? Would prefer somewhere central near the stations as I'll have to bus or train it. Hope to here from you soon.
Hi Neil, You cann email me direct on my email address: thirdlanarkcathkin@yahoo.co.uk Wouldn't be a problem meeting you on those days or if its much easier for you I can post the ticket out to you, if you wanted to email me your address.
Hi again Partick Thistle Lad, Ok. Will email you directly with address soonest and you can give me yours sos I can send the fiver. By the way, I hope this 'bit of a do' isn't a suit and tie job. Is it informal or formal? Dont want to turn up in baseball boots and teeshirt only to find assorted Thirds lovers decked out in their Sunday best! Sartorial elegance is not my best point, although I do cut a dapper figure ( a la the present Dr Who in my opinion ) when I'm in aging lothario mode chasing girlies! See your delighted with the appointment of Ian McCall as Jags new manager. I'm sure he'll bring the success the Maryhill Magyars crave. By the way, what is the Jags' traditional strip, red and yellow vertical stripes, or the red and yellow hoops. When I was first going to football in the late sixties, I remember seeing the Jags for the first time at Easter Road in their resplendant red and yellow hoops with black collar and cuffs, black shorts, black numbers on the back and the classic thistle badge. As a young kid, I was mightily impressed by the vivid colours. So I was just wondering what was the original design of the Partick Thistle strip. Just sitting here thinking of a Partick Thisle v Hibernian Scottish cup tie at Firhill circa 1971. One of the early rounds. Firhill was packed with about 20,000-25000 spectators inside the ground, Hibbees bringing a great support through with hopes of winning the tie and the Cup. But alas ( for me! ) we were cuffed 2-0 by the Jags and our Scottish cup dream lay in tatters for another year as it always seems to do! Dont suppose you were there? Anyway, BFN and good luck to the Jags next season. Neil the Hibbee
