While Europe’s football superstars live in mansions and five-star hotels, one Scottish club is taking a very different approach—and it’s winning hearts.
Partick Thistle, a club built on its local roots and community values, is asking fans to open their homes to help welcome new players.
Rather than relying on fancy accommodation or big spending, the fan-owned Scottish Championship side is encouraging supporters to offer up spare rooms to out-of-town signings as part of a wider effort to help players feel part of the Thistle family right from the start.
It’s Not About the Money—It’s About Belonging
You might think a request like this is a sign of financial struggle, but the club is quick to explain that’s not the case.
A spokesperson told the Daily Record that this isn’t about pinching pennies—it’s about integration.
The club believes that players who feel connected to their surroundings will settle in faster, perform better, and stick around longer.
“As a fan-owned club, we’re always keen to involve Thistle supporters where we can, and this is a great example of that,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s actually a fairly common practice across UK clubs, big and small.”
New Faces on the Pitch, Familiar Faces Off It
Partick Thistle has been busy in the transfer market recently, bringing in some solid domestic names.
Sean Kelly, 32, joined in February; goalkeeper Lewis Budinauckas, 23, returned for a year-long contract last month; and defender Dan O’Reilly, 30, signed an extended deal after arriving in January 2023.
Having local families to host these new additions could help ease the transition—especially for players new to Glasgow or Scottish football.
It also means that the fans aren’t just cheering from the stands—they’re becoming part of the team’s everyday life.
Finances Improving but Still Tight
The club isn’t hiding from its financial reality.
While Thistle missed out on promotion to the Scottish Premiership last season, their latest financial report shows some steady progress.
Their turnover rose to just over £3.2 million, up from £2.8 million the previous year.
Pre-tax losses shrank to £131,811—a marked improvement from the year before.
But the road hasn’t been easy. Since being relegated from the Premiership in 2018, Thistle has had to work hard to stay afloat.
That’s where their strong supporter base and community-driven model have truly made the difference.
Volunteers Already Stepping Up
This isn’t the first time Thistle has turned to its community for help.
Just last month, the club put out a call for volunteers to spruce up Firhill Stadium ahead of the new season.
Fans joined forces with the maintenance team to paint walls, tidy up, and make sure the ground looked its best.
The club provided paint, brushes, and equipment—fans provided the elbow grease.
It’s this kind of unity that’s made Partick Thistle more than just a club; it’s a homegrown movement.
A Vision Shaped by Experience
The housing initiative was introduced by Ian Baraclough, the club’s new Sporting Director, who has experience at both club and international level.
He sees it as best practice for team-building and player welfare.
The club has emphasized that all safeguarding checks will be done thoroughly to protect both hosts and players.
They’re serious about creating a welcoming, safe environment on and off the pitch.
Building a Club That Feels Like Home
With Mark Wilson now confirmed as the permanent head coach, and with fans stepping up in more ways than one, Partick Thistle is showing that success isn’t just about silverware—it’s about community, belonging, and making everyone feel like they’re part of something bigger.
And in this corner of Scottish football, that starts right at the front door.