Never Miss A Jagscast

A brand new Jagscast is available, recorded in Jaconelli's before our home game against Hamilton. The Jagscasters discuss adopting a Thistle player, underrated players, the latest news from Firhill and induct Fred Pentland into the JLHoF.

Also:
This is a wee guide for anyone who wants to subscribe to the Jagscast instead of hunting around and clicking download links. This is a feature new for this season, because we’ve decided to spend a wee bit of money on a proper hosting service for the podcast.

First, you’ll need some kind of podcatching software: I am going to assume you will be using iTunes because this is the most popular music library manager, it’s available free of charge, and despite some drawbacks, it’s easy to use. If you would like to suggest another podcatcher, please tell us about it in the comments.

Once you have iTunes up and running, all you will need is the URL for our feed, which is http://jagscast.jellycast.com/podcast/feed/2

Simply click on Advanced on the top bar of the iTunes window and choose ‘Subscribe to Podcast’. You will then be prompted to enter the URL into a window that will pop up. Click ok, and you will be subscribed, so that every time there is a new Jagscast, you can be sure of downloading it.

First Jagscast of the season

And we get gubbed by Berwick Rangers.

VBL does get to meet Chris Erskine, however. And we hear Bill Shankley inducted into the JLHOF, the panel's thoughts on summer football, the voices of genuine Thistle fans in pre-season optimism shocker and something about a bouncy castle.

And coming soon: the Jagscast available through iTunes! Never miss an episode!

many thanks to Tommy Taylor for the photo of Chris Erskine getting his Jagscast POTY Award for last season

Stephen Craigan: World Class Football Brain, SFL-class Football Body

VBL and Donald Marc Corcoran Balatoni (for Six Months) Donald were at the Stephen Craigan Testimonial Match at the other 'fir' place on Wednesday. Click on the link below to hear their thoughts and the thoughts of fans of both the Norn Iron's star's clubs.



Interestingly, VBL used to put Craigan up front in FIFA 2003. Some JagsCaster trivia for you there.

Jagscast at the Craigan Testimonial by Jagscast

Pee Tee is Dead, Long Live Jaggie McB

Manly J. Panda was in the Aitken Suite today for the announcement of the Jags new sponsor. MacB, the sugar-free water company, will be the name on front of our shirts next season: shirts that will be worn by David Rowson, Alan Archibald and Stuart Bannigan, but probably not Chris Erskine, Conrad Balatoni or Marc Twaddle. Also the terrifying monster called Pee Tee has been humanely put to sleep. He will be replaced by a terrifying monster called Jaggie MacB.

First things first though. The picture (above) doing the rounds at the moment of the putative new Thistle home shirt is unlikely to be an accurate representation of the real thing. Manly J. cornered “first division long-throw specialist” Ian Maxwell to ask about it, and he denied that the design of the new shirt was known, even to him. “Greaves are dealing with it” is all he would say, and The Panda will do all he can to make sure he’s in attendance when the strip is unveiled.

MacB’s representative at the launch (and CEO of their parent company), Kenny Webster seemed absolutely delighted to be there: if nothing else, Thistle have found an enthusiastic sponsor. Much was made of the plans for Thistle to become the hub for a whole host of community projects, even if the Chairman didn’t have all the details to hand. Look out for extra publicity on the “Free for Under 16s” campaign as it neatly meshes with MacB’s target market.

Finally, Manly J. managed to sneak a word with Jaggie Mac on the subject of personnel. He was more than happy to talk about Stuart Bannigan, but declined to mention The Bridge of Big Bird, adding credence to the rumours that the Modern Day McQuade is off to the SPL. Strange, when he was confident that he could build his team around the Maryhill Messi when we spoke to him last.

He spoke of the benefits that Thistle would reap from Bannigan going on loan to Ayr, and also mentioned that Hearts would receive similar benefits from Conrad Balatoni’s stay at Firhill. Is this a sign that he doesn’t expect the Hunched-Shoulder Shuffler to return next season? If so, we should expect a transfer fee for Erskine, although that will be little comfort to the infatuated Daddy Panda.

Jackie also let slip that he was looking forward to working with a left back who was going to be playing first-team football for the first time, quashing rumours that Marc Twaddle would be making a comeback to his second-favourite Glasgow-based team. The Twadfather will have to wait, and we’ll probably pick him up when his legs have gone. (Although – trivia time – did you know that our very own Vincent Black Lightning once played against Twaddle and completely marked him out the game? True story.)

Anyway, Manly J. Panda finished off his morning’s work with a wee milkshake in Jaconelli’s with his pals from Scheidt’s Footballing Miscellany who organised his press pass. He recommends the “Pure” flavour of MacBs, in case you were wondering.

The JagsCast Interview: Jaggie McNamara

The two main things that stuck me on meeting Jackie McNamara pitchside at Firhill this afternoon were adequately summed up by the man himself: “I’m quite an ambitious wee guy.” Certainly, he is shorter than I had expected, despite having seen him on football pitches for the last twenty years. Mainly though, it was his confidence and, yes, ambition that impressed me: he wasn’t a smiley, chatty character and without being arrogant or making me feel like I was wasting his time, the impression that he was trying to give was that of a man who is going places.

At first he seemed to want to give some stock answers, but became emboldened as the chat went on, praising Chris Erskine and talking up some of the emerging young players at the club. He, I think, ended up enjoying the experience of discussing footballing matters with a fan, and took the inane questions on the sartorial requirements on football managers in the spirit they were intended.

Overall, I left very much more impressed than I expected to be by our caretaker manager, and I hope that he has the opportunity to put his plans into practice. His ambition and his vision will surely be good for the club and what he lacks in height, he makes up for in stature.

Yours in jaggery
Manly J. Panda

Jaggie Mac talks to the Panda

Jaggie Mac - A Footballing Philosophy by thejagscast

Manly J Panda brings an exclusive interview with interim manager Jackie McNamara. They discuss footballing philosophy, managerial attire and the long term prospects at Thistle.

John Lambie Hall of Fame - Martin Allen

Name: Martin Allen
Born: 18th August 1965, Reading

The third inductee to the John Lambie Hall of Fame is Notts County Manager Martin Allen, nominated by Mackie. The more we looked into him, the more convinced we were that he's absolutely bonkers.

Clubs Managed

Barnet, Brentford, Milton Keynes Dons, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town, Notts County

Why is he in the John Lambie Hall of Fame?

He is one of the modern game’s great eccentrics. I think you just need to read some of his quotes to be honest!

On Diet: “I banned pasta because it didn’t do them any good before so they might as well start eating. On the way back from Burton the other day we had crates of lager on the bus and everyone was happy.”

On Harry Rednapp: "I knocked on Harry Redknapp's door, just to say hello," he recalls. "In there were Jim Smith, Kevin Bond, Dennis Rofe and Dave Pleat, all sat watching a game on the TV. One of them said, 'So, have you been diving in the Solent this morning, Martin?' And they all laughed. Once the laughter had stopped, I looked every one of them in the eye, and said, 'Yeah, I swam in the Solent, and now, this afternoon, we are going to beat you'. I never laughed, I never smiled. I just left and slammed the door.”

On Sven: "I was lucky enough to attend the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year," recalls the Bees' manager. "I won the award for London Sports Personality." He pauses before adding with a satisfied smile: "I beat Jose Mourinho. Anyway, during the evening I asked Mr Eriksson if he'd like to pop down to Brentford one morning, watch us train and have a chat. "Well, he didn't even know who Brentford were. 'Who's Brentford; where are you? What division are you in?' he asked me. I replied, 'Thank you very much; goodbye', and walked away.

It was at that point I wondered what it would be like to go into a 50-50 tackle with him. If I was earning £5 million a year, I’d make sure I knew who Brentford were.”

On arriving in Nottingham:

“Good morning,

Special thank yous this morning to the people who have helped me since I got here last week.

“On Saturday, the Groundsman at late notice done a job for me. Top man!

“On Monday, Hannah the Analyst stayed here until 7.30 in the office to show me the set plays of Tranmere Rovers for my training session yesterday morning because I was busy the whole day Monday. She is a top girl!

“Kate stayed here going through all my paperwork and organising me until 8.45 on Monday night. Kate is the girl who works in the office. She took my white shirt home and ironed it and brought it back in to work for me to wear last night. She’s top girl!

“The bus drivers are cool and calm and drive the bus smoothly and calmly. They are top lads!”

“I am trying to find somewhere to kip. I don’t like these posh hotels. I don’t want nothing flash. If you know anyone, it’s for me and my dog Monty who is a very good boy. I need somewhere, preferably on the south side of Nottingham to kip, have a bit of food maybe and kind of be a dosser who will keep himself to himself, who works long hours. Very polite and well mannered, friendly, funny, kind, caring, occasionally mad. If anyone can help, please contact the club.

“Thank you once again, after what has for sure been a very, very tough week.

“Martin.”

Welcome aboard, Martin. I’m sure the great man would bloody love to share a bottle of whisky with you.