Partick Thistle supporter groups 'aligned' on fan ownership model
It comes 24 hours after a mass boardroom resignation
Partick Thistle appear to be heading towards a consensus on a fan-ownership model 24 hours after a mass boardroom resignation.
Two supporters' groups reached an agreement to progress the club's transition to supporter control, which was the wish of late majority shareholder and lottery winner Colin Weir.
Both the Jags Foundation and PTFC Trust subsequently had representatives installed on to the cinch Championship club's board. The appointments came after seven directors, including former player Alan Rough and chair Jacqui Low, quit on Wednesday.
The 900-strong Jags Foundation had been unhappy with the process the club board chose to move to fan ownership via the PTFC Trust, whose accountability and democracy had been called into question.
Protests and boycotts had forced the directors to resign "for the good of the club", although they blamed a "false narrative" on fan ownership for the negativity towards them.
However, progress has been made in beginning to unite different factions.
The PTFC Trust and Jags Foundation issued a joint statement after a "hugely positive and fruitful discussion from which both groups are aligned on delivering the very best fan ownership future for Partick Thistle FC".
A new commitment to work together was agreed which will see other groups brought into discussions, with recommendations on improving the fan ownership model to be taken forward before the end of the year.
Neil Drain of the Trust said: "Securing the shares has always been the starting point for PTFC Trust. We are determined to accelerate the delivery of a democratic voice for all fans in the club they love.
"We thank TJF for their valued input on Monday and are greatly optimistic that this will be a long and fruitful working relationship."
Jags Foundation chair Sandy Fyfe added: "Our fan ownership journey has been a rocky road to this point. But we saw a clear and positive change of outlook earlier this week.
"There was alignment of purpose in the room, and a real spirit of compromise on all sides. There is a willingness to work together and a commitment to do right, both by each other's group and by the club we all love.
"The conversations and agreed actions have convinced us that a meritorious version of fan ownership can be delivered by working together. We thank the trustees for their openness and co-operation."
Thistle welcomed the development and later announced that Richard Beastall and Fergus Maclennan of the PTFC Trust and Caroline Mackie, nominated by the Jags Foundation, would join Duncan Smillie on the club board.
Chief executive Gerry Britton said: "We are very grateful to each for their commitment to work with all supporter groups to drive rapid progress for the good of the club and anticipate another announcement early next week as we further bolster the board."