It is hard to imagine the wealthy ‘galacticos’ of Europe’s top sides ever slumming it in the spare room of one of their supporters.
But community-minded Partick Thistle has urged its fans to throw open the doors of their homes to provide digs for its future stars.
The club, which is owned by its supporters, has asked for help in providing any out-of-town signings with a roof over their head.
The Scottish Championship side, which missed out on a lucrative promotion to the Scottish Premiership at the end of last season, has insisted the move is not due to financial pressures but to promote better player integration.
A spokesman told the Daily Record: ‘As a fan-owned club, we’re always keen to involve Thistle supporters where we can and this is a great example of that.
‘Embedding new players and potential new recruits in the community that surrounds our club helps them to settle more quickly and also provides valuable support in lots of ways when moving to a new city.
‘It is common practice at clubs of all sizes across the UK. It’s not a reflection of financial constraints, but rather part of our broader approach to community integration.’
It comes after the Firhill club made several domestic signings this year including Sean Kelly, 32, who joined the Jags in February on a deal until the end of the season and keeper Lewis Budinauckas, 23, who returned to the club last month on a one-year contract.
The club has said its plans would help promote better player integration
Irish-born defender Dan O’Reilly, 30, also signed for the Scottish Championship side in January last year on an 18-month contract with a one-year contract extension in October.
Thistle have faced financial challenges in previous seasons, particularly since their relegation from the Scottish Premiership at the end of the 2017-2018 season.
The latest accounts show the club’s turnover was £3,203,875 in the year ending May 31, 2024, compared to £2,817,844 the previous year.
The financial year ending May 2024, saw a pre-tax loss of £131,811, an improvement of £224,023 on the prior accounting period.
Last month, the club appealed for volunteers to help get the club ready for the new season.
A statement on their website said: ‘In recent years supporters and members of the local community have joined forces with the club’s Maintenance Team to have our home spruced up through fresh paint and other odd jobs.
Paint brushes, paint as well as other equipment and materials will be supplied.’
In May it was confirmed that Mark Wilson would become permanent head coach.
The Partick Thistle spokesman added: ‘This initiative has been introduced by our recently appointed Sporting Director Ian Baraclough who has worked at both club and international football in recent seasons.
He views it as best practice especially with the safeguarding checks that the club would undertake.’
