Partick Thistle has unveiled Just Employment Law as its new shirt sponsor until the end of the season.

The company, who specialise in legal services such as employment tribunals, trade union negotiations and business restructuring, said it was delighted to support its local team and will consider a further deal for next season.

Thistle Chairman David Beattie said: "Thistle have had a couple of financial blows in the past few months so we are delighted today to give the fans positive news as we announce our new front of shirt sponsorship deal.

"It didn't take long to thrash out the details with the JEL team as they were very keen to come on board and be part of Thistle. JEL will be a very hands on sponsor and we look forward to building a firm relationship with them."

The deal between the club and the law company is until the end of this season and is worth a five-figure sum. The sponsorship agreement comes after Sangs, the parent company of previous backer macb, went into administration in January.

Later that month, the club confirmed the three-year deal with the drinks firm, thought to be worth £50,000 a season, had come to an end as a result. It was feared at the time The Jags would be left without a sponsor for the remainder of the season.

Just Employment Law’s Managing Director David McRae said: "We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Partick Thistle, who are not only a venerable Glasgow institution but are also our local team.

"We believe this deal will further enhance our profile within the legal services market and that this will be a winning combination for both parties." 

JEL’s headquarters in Glasgow are in Eagle Street, around a mile from the Firhill Stadium home of The Jags. Mr McRae said he wanted to support Thistle in its hour of need because it was a local club with a strong relationship with the community.

Next season

On the issue of keeping the sponsorship beyond the current season, he said: "It is certainly something we will be discussing with the directors over the coming months. The deal is to the end of the season, and we hope to discuss matters further and keep it under review with the board."

Thistle captain Alan Archibald added: "We are delighted, especially in this current climate. Everything is tight financially, especially at this club. We lost the sponsor, and the Glasgow Warriors as well, so it is good to get a local company."

Asked if the loss of sponsorship of macb affected the players, he replied: "It puts a wee doubt in people’s minds - will there be finance next year? It doesn’t affect them directly, but - in the future - they start thinking is there going to be money there, is there going to be money for contracts? It may affect them that way.

Archibald is one of several first team players who is out of contract at the end of the season. He added: "I am hoping to stay on. I coach the under-19s and help with the reserves. I think I have another season in me. I am only 34, I would like to keep playing if I can if there is anything there, but you just don’t know what it will be like."

Manager Jackie McNamara was also pleased with the sponsorship news. He said: "I feel sorry for the previous sponsor macb, but as a club we are delighted that a local business has stepped in.

"The macb news has not affected the dressing room. They (the players) will read things about our main sponsor going, the rugby leaving - they would worry about the budgets for next year, but they don’t act differently. This money is filling a hole that was left in a budget for this season, not for next season."