PARTICK THISTLE have asked season ticket holders in the Jackie Husband Stand to vacate their seats for the visit of Celtic, and potentially Rangers, next season.
The move could see the Jags bank more than £250,000 in ticket sales and extra income as the Firhill board explore every avenue to increase the funds available to manager Alan Archibald.
The Jags are now preparing for their third straight campaign in the Premiership and boss Archibald has already agreed deals with Callum Booth and Christie Elliott as he continues to build his squad for the new season.
Celtic are scheduled to make two trips to Firhill next term and there could be another bumper crowd if Rangers can emerge through the play-offs and clinch their return to the top flight this month.
The Jackie Husband Stand was less than half full for the last visit of Celtic in February as Ronny Deila's side earned a 3-0 win, and just 62% of Thistle season ticket holders attended the match.
Thistle have today written to the supporters who will be affected by the plans, with chairman David Beattie saying it is 'not a decision we have taken lightly' and that the club 'understand the emotional attachment that many supporters have to their seat'.
Average home crowds at Firhill this season are down around 600 and that could have an impact on the business boss Archibald is able to do in the transfer market this summer.
The plan to move fans from their seats in the JHS is not a permanent arrangement but it is one the club feel they have to explore at present given the potential financial boost.
Beattie said: "The biggest variable in any football club's income is attendances. It has been well documented that, this season, attendances have been down across Scottish football and as a club we are no different. Average home attendances at Firhill are down by 600 per game.
"The biggest variable in any football club's expenditure is the playing budget - which means any substantial drop in income will have a substantial impact on this area.
"With the above in mind it is the task of the Board to ensure that we are exploring every commercial opportunity including hospitality, commercial deals and match day experience and all are areas we continue to work hard at developing as we look to increase our home support.
"However, we see this as more of a long term strategy and believe we must look elsewhere for an immediate fix.
"We are all aware that away support attendances vary depending on the fortunes of the opposition. The only club to have sold out their allocations on every visit to Firhill is Celtic and we would be foolish not to look at this as a potential area for growth.
"The stadium layout, together with health and safety concerns, mean that our only available option is to increase the allocation within the Jackie Husband Stand.
"The unfortunate consequence of this is that we are now asking our Jackie Husband Stand season ticket holders to relocate to either the Main or North Stands for games against Celtic and, if applicable, Rangers next season."
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