Partick Thistle 'disappointed' as Colin Weir withdraws financial backing
The Lottery winner says he was concerned about the club's potential new ownership
Partick Thistle have expressed their regret that lottery winner Colin Weir has withdrawn his financial backing for the Ladbrokes Championship club.
Weir, who won £161million on the EuroMillions along with his wife Christine in 2011, had wiped out the club's debt and was heavily involved in plans for a new training ground.
But Weir has pulled his cash weeks after a boardroom coup, saying he was concerned about Partick's potential new ownership.
A club statement read: "The board of directors at Partick Thistle Football Club was extremely disappointed to hear that Colin Weir was withdrawing his financial support for the club and the academy.
"The impact and contribution to the club from both Colin and Christine Weir, since their first involvement in the Thistle Weir Youth Academy in 2013, has been nothing short of transformational and the board wishes to place on record its sincere thanks for everything that they have done for the club over many years.
"The current board and management of the football club are already working to put plans in place to ensure this does not mean an end to the fantastic work being done in our academy and with our women's team.
"The board of directors acknowledges the feelings of our support at this pivotal stage of our development and will endeavour to update supporters on plans going forward at the earliest opportunity.
"A return to the Premiership for next season remains our collective aim, to achieve this every aspect of the club must remain focused on ensuring we have a successful team on the pitch.''
Weir said on Tuesday that he was withdrawing his financial support for Partick with immediate effect''.
"Current uncertainties about its potential new ownership, combined with no substantive plan for the club's future and the instability caused by recent board changes, mean I feel unable to make any further investment in the club at this time,'' Weir said.
"I have heard nothing from the board/majority shareholders group that gives me confidence to continue with my support.
"I have invested around £2.5m to date, including a sum that allowed the club to become debt-free, with a further £6m set aside for the training ground and to support the running of the Thistle Weir Youth Academy.
"But I can't provide the benefits of significant monies and a facility to an unknown entity or group, who may or may not have the best interests of the club at heart.''
Chien Lee's NewCity Capital group, which has a majority stake in Barnsley and Nice, has been in talks over a deal to assume control of Partick.
Previous chairman David Beattie returned to his role in July after he and other shareholders ousted incumbent Jacqui Low and other directors.
Cuts have been made to the budget, with players reportedly asked to make their own way to Saturday's league opener at Alloa, rather than being provided with a coach.
However, the board denied that manager Gary Caldwell's playing budget had been affected