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Kick Off: 3pm
Prices: Adult - £16 Concessions - £8
The new season is almost upon us at long last, and I for one couldn’t have lasted any longer without some competitive football to watch. Throughout Scotland there has been a well noted lack of big named signings, but luckily, we have still managed to bring in a few new faces to help to boost our squad.
We have brought in a host of new signings including ex-Aberdeen fullback Jamie McAllister, former Dundee United hit-man Derek Lilley, Celtic star Jon Paul McGovern, as well as Jamaican international Theodore Whitmore.
New Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo has had a indifferent start to his Livingston career. Pre-season started of reasonably badly with defeats to Gretna and Caley Thistle and draws to Clyde and Ross County. Maximo has always said that he believe that pre-season is just to sharpen the players fitness and give them match practise, but all the same, winning in these friendly match would have helped to boost the players’ confidence.
Patick Thistle have a few injury worries for the game with Kenny Arthur and Kenny Milne both being doubtful for the game. New Thistle manager Gerry Collins prefers to use the 4-4-2 formation and this it what will likely be played by Partick. James Grady and Andy Thomson are likely to be Thistle’s pairing up-front with James Grady in particular, on-form.
Livi have Alan Main and(!) Scott McLaughlan both suspended for the first league encounter of the season after being sent of in pre-season friendlies. Stuart Lovell has missed a chunk of pre-season due to ligament damage and may struggle to make this game.
Livingston definitely have the attacking abilities to score plenty of goals but will a defensive blunder spoil the hard work done by the attackers? Partick, tipped by many to go down next season will be out to prove that they can hack it with the big boys, and will be looking to start their league campaign well. It will be a hard fought game but...:
Prediction : Partick Thistle 1-3 Livingston
Some useful info on Partick Thistle
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New Partick manager Gerry Collins has said that he will lead Thistle into a top six place. It will be a major achievement if he pulls it off, but I think the Jags are the favourites for the drop this season due to the fact that the have lost their manager, John Lambie and have lost so many of their influential players.
Player ins and outs?
Partick have had 17 players leave the club through the Bosman ruling. Notably out of the 17 is ex-Lion Alex Burns who has joined Motherwell, and Scott Paterson who joined Dundee United. The Jags have signed 12 players up to now, mainly from lower division clubs.
Any Livi connections?
Yes, "Gerreee, Gerreee"” Britton signed for Partick after being released by Livingston a couple of seasons ago. The big man found it hard to get into the Thistle side after joining from Livi, but when he got his chance, he showed John Lambie just what he was made of and has became a “fans favourite” with the home support.
How have past games gone?
The last two matches between the clubs have ended with Livingston deservedly winning the games 3-1.
So what is Partick’s Stadium like?
Partick are currently redeveloping their ground. They have an excellent stand situated to the left of the away support called the Jackie Husband stand, and have recently completed the construction of a new north stand. Plans have now been drawn up for a new south stand.
Atmosphere?
The atmosphere in Firhill can become quite heated; the supporters are passionate about their club and show it in every way possible.
And the fans? Friendly?
Yes, very. The supporters have always been friendly towards the Livingston faithful, and long may it continue.
Getting there - by car
If you are driving to Partick’s ground, it is roughly 31 miles from Livingston and should take you about 45 minutes to get there.
1: Start out going West on ALMONDVALE STADIUM ROAD by turning right. 0.2 miles ( 0.3 km)
2: Turn SHARP RIGHT onto ALDERSTONE ROAD. 0.3 miles ( 0.4 km)
3: Enter next roundabout and take 1st exit onto KIRKTON ROAD. 0.3 miles ( 0.5 km)
4: Enter next roundabout and take 2nd exit onto KIRKTON NORTH. 0.8 miles ( 1.3 km)
5: Enter next roundabout and take 1st exit onto A705. 0.6 miles ( 0.9 km)
6: Enter next roundabout and take 2nd exit onto STARLAW ROAD. Pass through 1 roundabout. 1.4 miles ( 2.3 km)
7: Enter next roundabout and take 1st exit onto M8. 13.7 miles ( 22.1 km)
8: M8 becomes A8. 0.6 miles ( 0.9 km)
9: A8 becomes GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH ROAD. 5.3 miles ( 8.6 km)
10: Stay straight to go onto M8. 7.0 miles ( 11.3 km)
11: Take the exit, exit number 16, on the left towards A81/ABERFOYLE/GEORGE SQUARE. 0.1 miles ( 0.2 km)
12: Go STRAIGHT. 0.1 miles ( 0.2 km)
13: Stay straight to go onto A804. 0.3 miles ( 0.5 km)
14: Turn RIGHT onto GARSCUBE ROAD. 0.7 miles ( 1.2 km)
15: Turn RIGHT onto FIRHILL ROAD. 0.2 miles ( 0.3 km)
Total Estimated Time: Total Distance:
43 minutes 31.7 miles ( 51.0km)
Getting there - by bus/train/underground
If you are thinking about travelling to Partick’s ground, your best bet is a Livingston supporter’s bus. A normal service bus would take approximately 3 hours to get to Maryhill and would require a few bus changes. The train/underground takes over 2 ½ hours to arrive in Maryhill.
Official Supporters Bus leaves at 1pm from the Stadium -
Livi Lions supporters bus pick-up points
LLSC bus to Firhill on 9th August,
Will depart the following venues and times.
Dovehill (Uphall) 12.15pm
Cawburn (Pumpherston) 12.25pm
Tap Shop (Mid Calder) 12.30pm
Local (Deadridge) 12.40pm
The venue formerly known as Kittys&Corks (Ladywell) 12.50pm
Pentland Inn (Carmondean) 1.00pm.
Fares are the same as last year at £5 adult member and £3 child and concession members.
Non members are welcome at £6 & £4 respectively
You can book seats on this bus by calling Deasel on 01506431607, or on my mobile on 07940 481284.
Also by Email to Deasel@livilions.co.uk
What's the food like?
Quite nice for a football ground. Pies, Chips and Hamburgers are served along with your usual hot drinks served from the modern serveies located beneath the North Stand.
What if I fancy a pint?
A pub the Livingston supporters go to is the Star and Garter. This small pub is always packed before the game and as a result there is a great atmosphere about the place. Renowned for being well priced, the Star and Garter is an excellent pre and post match pub.