BY DARREN JOHNSTONE @CCP_Sport
St Mirren and Partick Thistle have announced that they will open mixed supporters sections for their Scottish Cup clash next month.
Saints welcome the Jags to Paisley for the Friday, January 8 tie but both clubs have been working together to ensure that the traditional segregation measures will not be in place, ‘something not seen in most Scottish football grounds for decades’.
Instead there will be dedicated sections of the stadium where rival fans can mix, while there will also be a mixed family section for younger fans.
David MacDonald, who runs the popular St Mirren online forum blackandwhitearmy.com reckons the fans proposal will be a success.
He said: “Personally speaking I think it’s a good idea.
“Both sets of fans get on well, both clubs have got a lot in common operating within the shadow of the two bigger clubs in Glasgow.
“I think we’ve always got on well, we’ve swapped players over the years so I’m looking forward to it.
“Friday night football when it’s local is a good idea, when we’re mixing two sets of fans together I think it’s worth a try and I think it will make for a better atmosphere and hopefully a bigger gate.”
A Partick statement read: “There will be lots of New Year fun with both clubs already working together to make it an evening full of entertainment, both on and off the pitch.”
