ALL CHANGE FOR GLASGOW WARRIORS
Posted: 29/Nov/05
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Glasgow Warriors will be moving home for the remainder of the season to Firhill, the ground of Partick Thistle FC.

The move sees the Warriors remain in the West end of the city but with the added bonus of easier access from the motorway, two underground stations (Kelvinbridge and St George’s Cross) within easy walking distance as well as better (all undercover) seating, catering and bar facilities for supporters.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Gordon McKie said: ”Professional sport needs a professional stadium. The move to Firhill is part of our wider review of infrastructure and we feel that it is in the best interests of Glasgow Warriors to offer them the best facilities we can, ones which unfortunately Hillhead Sports Club cannot offer. I believe this move will be better for our players, our fans, our sponsors, the media and better on the whole for rugby in Glasgow.”

Warriors head coach Hugh Campbell said: “From the players’ and coaches’ perspective, the ground is excellent. Not only the playing surface and pitch area but also the surrounding amenities like changing rooms and floodlighting. There’s also the added bonus of under-soil heating so we won’t have the same worry about postponing matches due to the cold weather.”

Warriors club captain Jon Petrie added: “We’ve played there before a few years back and really enjoyed it. It’s quite an enclosed stadium and the crowd are really close to the pitch so I’m sure the boys will still appreciate the same atmosphere and vocal support as we did at Hughenden.”

Brown McMaster, Chairman of Partick Thistle FC, said: “We are delighted to welcome Glasgow Warriors to Firhill for what we hope will be a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

The Warriors move to Firhill follows on from other successful rugby matches recently held at football grounds: Scotland U21 have in the past season played at Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle football grounds while Scotland took on Japan in last season’s historic 100-8 Autumn Test victory at McDiarmid Park, Perth (home of St Johnstone FC) and The Barbarians in the historic 38-7 win at Pitoddrie in Aberdeen.

The deal sees Warriors remain at Firhill for their eight remaining home games with the agreement to be reviewed at the end of the season.

Warriors season ticket holders and supporters who have bought tickets for this weekend’s game against Edinburgh Gunners can rest assured that their tickets are still valid for the match at the new venue. Further information for home and visiting supporters will be available shortly on our website www.glasgowwarriors.org

This article was posted on 29-Nov-2005, 16:05 by Hugh Barrow.