Partick Thistle fan battle 'not over' after controversial ownership transfer to PTFC Trust
- Published
The PTFC Trust now owns the majority of shares in the Glasgow club - but some fans are unhappy
Partick Thistle fans group The Jags Foundation says "this is not over" after the club transferred the majority of shares to the rival PTFC Trust.
The Three Black Cats, which held the majority shareholding of late lottery winner Colin Weir, passed its stake to the Trust, which now has a 74% holding.
The club say Tuesday's move will bring "long-term stability".
But the foundation now claims "it was crafted for the benefit of the existing club board".
"We believe that the PTFC Trust deal was not fan-initiated," it says in a statement., external "Anyone who tells you this is fan ownership, or that it is time to accept it and move on, is treating the Thistle support with contempt."
The foundation, which was initially involved in negotiations to take on Weir's shares, claims that promises had not been kept to engage with fans, allow all season ticket holders and non-season ticket holders to be involved, and have an open meeting in mid-September prior to any transfer.
"Regardless of what has happened, we now need to build credibility, legitimacy and effective accountability for the ownership arrangement that has been imposed on us," it says. "We have made suggestions about how to unite the Thistle fanbase."
The foundation believes "the current unelected trustees cannot provide this" and has called for "a full slate of trustee elections" to "let the fans decide what type of fan ownership they want and who they want to represent them".
It rejected a trust claim that discontent was from "20 loud voices", pointing to a recent members survey completed by 570 fans.
For its part, the trust says it will now launch a consultation with fans in a bid to improve engagement.
Thistle's club statement said: "Following almost three years of uncertainty, the club welcomes the long-term stability that this shares transfer will bring to Partick Thistle FC and looks forward to working with the PTFC Trust to maximise the success of the club.
"With this off-the-pitch matter now settled, focus turns back to football, starting with this Friday's trip to Falkirk in the SPFL Trust Trophy."
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