Thistle's plea to SPFL clubs: 'Choose to do no harm'

Partick Thistle have issued a plea to SPFL clubs asking that they “choose to do no harm” and avoid the “serious consequences” of a failed reconstruction bid.

In a statement released on Saturday chairman Jaqui Low said the club will unfairly suffer under current plans to relegate them to League One and have urged “solidarity”.

The Jags were sitting bottom of the Championship when the league was suspended but they were only two points behind second bottom and had a game in hand.

If current reconstruction proposals are successful it would mean Thistle, and other relegated sides including Hearts, would be saved under a new 14-10-10-10 system.

Clubs will vote for or against the proposals on Monday and Low has warned of “irreparable damage” and “ongoing division for many years” if the bid fails.

She said: “If there is no change to the current set up, Partick Thistle will be the Scottish club hardest hit in professional football as the new season starts.

“Despite being relegated in an arbitrary fashion we stand ready, willing and able to play, including behind closed doors. But today, we still don’t know when or even if we will play football next season.

“Does anyone in Scottish football believe we deserve to be punished with a double whammy like this? Which club would find it acceptable if they were in our shoes? Not one of them.

“Clubs need to think carefully about what their indicative vote to the SPFL will be on Monday and what will inform that decision. Everyone needs to reflect on their motives and thoughts behind their next step.

“Let’s be blunt in our plea to fellow clubs so that there’s no misunderstanding. Use this opportunity to do something positive for our game – right the wrongs done to us and a number of other clubs.

“We all want to protect our own club; Thistle is no different. But there’s a difference between that and self-interest, which seeks to protect a perceived advantage created by an unforeseen crisis.

“Don’t use your vote to settle old scores. Don’t reinforce rivalries between clubs just to keep fans happy. Don’t turn a blind eye because it doesn’t impact on you – this time.

“If this vote collapses because people cannot set aside self-interest and ego, our game potentially faces irreparable damage and ongoing division for many years to come.

“For Thistle, if proposed reconstruction fails, the consequences of the actions visited on us by fellow clubs will be long term and serious. We will prevail because “that which does not kill us makes us stronger” but not before we suffer more pain and financial harm than is necessary or fair.

“We believe it is time for clubs to show solidarity with us as we arbitrarily and disproportionately bear the brunt of the damage being done to our game due to circumstances that are no-one’s fault.

“Our plea is simple: choose to do no harm.”