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| Promotions (and relegations) |
| LEAGUE |
| Promotions (11): 1897; 1900; 1902; 1971; 1976; 1992; 2001; 2002; 2006; 2013; 2021 |
| Relegations (11): 1899; 1901; 1970; 1975; 1982; 1996; 1998; 2004; 2005; 2018; 2020 |
| promotions/relegations to/from the top-flight are emboldened |
 1897 - PROMOTED
First title sealed. Although no “election zone” was pre-determined, this really made it a formality that Thistle would at least make it onto the ballot paper. Promotion comfirmed via election at the League AGM on 1st June, 1897.  Committee |
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 1899 - RELEGATED
This defeat left Thistle 7 points behind St Bernard's with 3 to play, and a place in the bottom two was assured, meaning that Thistle would, almost certainly, be up for re-election for the third season in a row. Relegation confirmed via election at the League AGM on 30th May, 1899. Committee |
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1900 - PROMOTED
An all-important Top 2 finish would be confirmed a whole month later as Motherwell lost 4-2 to Accies at Douglas Park, leaving them 9 behind with 4 to play. By virtue of having finished in the Top Two, Thistle were cordially invited to apply for election to the First Division. A dramatic round of voting on 16th May, 1900, left Thistle and Clyde tied for the vital placing, which resulted in Thistle becoming the only side in the SFL ever to have been promoted by the drawing of lots. Committee |
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1901 - RELEGATED
Bottom two place confirmed, meaning Thistle would almost certainly be in the re-election ballot. Relegation confirmed via election at the League AGM on 30th May, 1901. Committee |
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1902 - PROMOTED
Top two place confirmed on the last day of the season, meaning Thistle would almost certainly be in the re-election ballot. Thistle succesfully lobbied for an increase from 10 to 12 clubs in the top-flight, and therefore the election of the Top 2 (Port Glasgow Athletic and Partick Thistle) was ratified without opposition at the League's AGM on 19th May, 1902. Committee |
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1970 - RELEGATED
It was pretty much all over beforehand, but the first relegation in 69 years was mathematically confirmed on this night. Mixed emotions for debutants Rough (18) & McQuade (19) as a first half lead was turned over, before Charlie Smith saw red. Out with the old, in with the new. Scot Symon / Davie McParland |
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1971 - PROMOTED
8,851 saw promotion clinched with 4 games to spare. An early Rae header was cleared off the line then Coulston hit the post. Thistle found 3rd top Arbroath's defence stubborn but Coulston scored after a brilliant passing move (35). The visitors never gave up and they spoiled the party (85) when Rough fumbled a shot. Davie McParland |
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1975 - RELEGATED
Thistle gave their all as luck deserted them but St Johnstone (who made the cut) had loads of it. Thistle hit the woodwork 3 times and had 4 efforts cleared off the line. They were streets ahead of St Johnstone but couldn't find the net. Failure to finish in the Top 10 was confirmed, and life in the new 2nd tier beckoned. Bertie Auld |
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1976 - PROMOTED
Cultured play was never likely on the rock-hard surface as the players struggled to keep their feet. Both keepers had fine saves - mainly from long distance - but Rough had a magnificent save when going the wrong way he managed to keep out a header. Promotion guaranteed in January! Bertie Auld |
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1982 - RELEGATED
Behind (7), Park (Thistle's best player) equalised (29). It could have been 4 or 5 in the 2nd half but only 1 was scored (72, with MacKinnon trying to play off-side). Unknown at the time, 10 years in the lower reaches began. Relegated. 35 goals in 36 matches. It wouldn't have mattered as Dundee won anyway. Peter Cormack |
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1992 - PROMOTED
9,959 saw a jittery performance. Thistle had most of the pressure but finishing was poor. A challenge by Duffy in the last few mins had Forfar (already relegated) howling for a pen. Sharp intake of breath, but all was well. After 10 seasons, promotion by goal difference of 2 over Hamilton, a point behind Dundee. John Lambie |
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1996 - RELEGATED
McWilliams went close early on but Walker's fine saves kept it 0-0 at h-t. United pressure continued but Cameron's pen (72) put Thistle ahead. Thistle were denied a stonewall pen, then 40 secs from the end then United scored with a header when Watson dithered. A tap-in by O Coyle finally relegated Thistle (115). Murdo MacLeod |
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1998 - RELEGATED
A win would have saved Thistle and relegated Ayr. MacDonald mishit a free-kick straight to an Ayr player who ran on and scored (22). Evans equalised with a header just on h-t but 2 fine goals (56 and 90) saw Ayr safe and Thistle relegated, 2 points from safety. McVeigh was sacked 15 May. Could things get any worse? John McVeigh |
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2001 - PROMOTED
Promotion guaranteed. Lindau scored with a poacher's strike at a corner (4) for a h-t lead. A 20-yard run and shot (61) and a shot on the turn (79) completed his hat-trick. Thistle dominated the match and the final whistle triggered the celebrations. Albion (who had a man sent off at 2-0) were relegated. John Lambie |
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2002 - PROMOTED
Champions! McCulloch headed the opener from a Burns corner (22). After the break Cameron hit the bar then, set up by McLean, Fleming scored from close in, breaking his leg in the process (51). St Mirren never looked like spoiling the party and Thistle saw the game out to take the title, and the single promotion place on offer. Deflated and beaten, nearest challengers Airdrionians went out of business a month later. John Lambie |
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2004 - RELEGATED
A poor game. Both teams knocked the ball about aimlessly for long spells. 4 motionless defenders watched as the Dundee scorer waltzed past them to score the only goal (71). Defeat confirmed Thistle would finish bottom. [They were not officially relegated until 8 July when it was confirmed ICT could be promoted.] Gerry Collins / Derek Whyte & Gerry Britton |
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2005 - RELEGATED
Oné missed 2 early chances. Clyde hit the bar from 25 yards then again from 6 yards but against the run of play the Clyde keeper fumbled a 25-yarder from McConalogue (43) but he had some magnificent saves in the 2nd half. The win wasn't enough but they went down fighting. Consecutive relegations confirmed. Derek Whyte & Gerry Britton / John Lambie / Dick Campbell |
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2006 - PROMOTED
Peterhead went 1-up (5) but Roberts scored (swivel and shot, 8). Peterhead hit woodwork twice and missed a sitter before a 25-yard free-kick from Gibson (B) (90+) took the tie to goalless ET. Ritchie netted the final pen. A win v Peterhead at last and promotion the hard way. Dick Campbell |
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2013 - PROMOTED
Champions! Thistle had most of the game and were comfortable. Forbes hit the post with a free-kick (35). A bullet header by Dowie from a corner (50) sent the crowd wild. Falkirk hit the face of the bar then a marvellous run from half-way and shot by Erskine sealed it (78). Cue the conga! Jackie McNamara / Alan Archibald |
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2018 - RELEGATED
Thistle's “passing game” was devoid of penetration and guile. A sweeping shot (46) signalled 2 banks of 5 to form and yet more time-wasting. Livingston absorbed everything thrown at them. Thistle didn't trouble the keeper and Sammon's penalty was saved (90). Relegation confirmed. Worse than dreadful. Alan Archibald |
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2020 - RELEGATED
As it transpired, a win here would have saved Thistle from relegation, although no-one knew that at the time. Bannigan's pen was saved (19) and Rudden hit the bar just on h-t as Thistle dominated possession and chances. Time-wasting Pars scored with their only shot on target (poor marking at a corner, 72) but Graham's header (90+4) was the least Thistle deserved. Thistle were now 2 points behind Queen of the South with a game in hand, but the pandemic stopped play on Friday the 13th, with 9 games still to play. The other clubs voted to call the season on a points-per-game basis, a move which forced Thistle down into the third tier. Relegation was confirmed by vote on the 15th April, 2020. Gary Caldwell / Gerry Britton, Scott Allison & Kenny Miller / Ian McCall |
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2021 - PROMOTED
Champions! After 13 games in 40 days, Falkirk were taken apart by Rudden's glancing header (30), a Tiffoney strike (32), Graham's glorious 20-yarder (41), a move that began deep in the left-back position finished off by Graham 5 passes/15 seconds later (59) and Cardle tapping in Penrice's smothered shot at the post (72). Ian McCall |