Thistle introduce Kingsley

Partick Thistle have been sponsored by a Californian investment firm - thanks to a Jags-supporting artist.

Kingsford Capital Management has agreed a six-figure sponsorship deal with the Scottish Premiership side after art-loving co-founder Mike Wilkins became a long-distance fan following a conversation with Glasgow-based artist David Shrigley.

The pair met at a dinner in San Francisco several years ago and Wilkins' interest has since mushroomed to the extent that his company will be Thistle's main sponsors for the next two seasons.

Wilkins, who owns shares in NBA champions Golden State Warriors said: "I had been looking for an opportunity to get involved with something like this in the UK for a while but hadn't been able to find the right match.

"When I got talking to David Shrigley about Partick Thistle it seemed like it could be the perfect fit. The next step for me was to speak directly to the club.

"I must say that every conversation I had with the club, from start to finish, went really well and certainly built the impression that this was an organisation I very much wanted to be involved with.

"The perspective of the board, relating to business, sport and community, is really encouraging and I look forward to my interactions with the club and its fans.

"I hope that this relationship will become more than just your average sponsorship deal. As a commissioner of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC, I understand the power of art to communicate a shared spirit.

"It is very much like sport in that regard and, with David's help and genius, I hope we can bring something unique and new to an already fantastic club.''

Turner Prize-nominated Shrigley, who was born in Cheshire but attended Glasgow School of Art, told our own Gordon Duncan all about his creation.

Thistle managing director Ian Maxwell said: "Getting a sponsor like this on board, an American financial services firm, is a real coup for us.''

Maxwell also said the club hope to have four new signings in by the time the team returns for pre-season training next week: