Jacqui Low has confirmed everyone at Partick Thistle will be paid in full during football’s shutdown.
The wait for action on the park is continuing as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to cause devastation globally. Way over 500,000 cases have been diagnosed around the world and that figure will only rise rapidly.
The outbreak is causing havoc. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
It means that we likely won’t see football until the later summer months. Many football clubs are in danger if this is the case as matchday revenue makes up a large portion of revenue for Scottish teams.
Partick Thistle fans have stepped up to the plate for their team, raising tens of thousands in order to keep the club ticking over in the absence of games. And there’s further good news courtesy of Chairwoman Low, who says that the staff at Firhill will be no worse off until the end of May at least.
“Due to careful management by successive Boards, our finances are in better shape than many others,” a statement from Low reads. “But we cannot be complacent as no one knows when football will resume.
Uncertain times. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“The financial assistance offered to the Club by our fans totals just short of £35k raised in a week. That is incredible and has allowed us to consider doing things we might not otherwise have been able to. We cannot thank fans enough for their support, financial or otherwise. We are indeed Partick Thistle Family Club.
“While football’s governing bodies continue to wrestle with issues from concluding this season to deciding when next season might start, we have had to focus on creating our own certainty to fulfil our obligations to everyone at the Club.
“We do not want anyone to worry about their jobs or income against the current backdrop of uncertainty. Therefore, the Board has decided that from now until the end of May (the end of the season as was), no member of staff across the Club will be left worse off by the current situation.
A Firhill boost. (Photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“We will look to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, if that is available to us, for certain groups within the Club but we will make up any difference to reflect their usual rate of pay.If it is not, we will still honour our commitment to every employee in full. Regardless of their role at Thistle, we have an equal responsibility to each of them at this time.
“Given that information is changing almost daily, our plan is to go forward in phases, continually monitoring what’s happening and making informed decisions as we go forward with the best interests of the Club as our guiding principle.
“In the interim, we will continue to monitor, review and plan what comes next with a view to sharing a further update with employees and fans in May or earlier if necessary. Your support for Partick Thistle has been immense, our only request is that you look after yourselves and those you love. Stay at home, stay safe – we want you all back at Firhill when the day comes that we can play again.