PARTICK THISTLE have been given a £35,000 cash boost after a successful end-of-season ball.
The money from last weekend's event will be handed over to the Firhill club's youth department to help bring through new generations of stars.
The Jags have placed greater emphasis on producing their own players in recent years and head of youth development Gerry Britton says the money will be put to good use.
He said: "We are in the process of securing three of our current academy players on contracts that will see them begin the new season as full-time apprentices with the club.
"Despite the current financial climate, the youth development department has been sheltered from any austerity measures being introduced in other areas of the club.
"The directors have set aside funding to enable our coaches to work with squads at each level of the SFA initiative tier for the first time.
"This means that at each age group we will have a squad of 18 players receiving professional coaching and using the best available facilities. As well as Thistle benefiting from the fund-raiser, the club also presented a £2000 cheque to Adam Lockyer for the Underprivileged Youth Centre in Accra, Ghana.
A club spokesman said: "As many fans will know, for the last six years, Thistle supporters have generously been sending strips to Ghana.
"The club are immensely proud of the efforts of our supporters and would like to thank Adam Lockyer for ensuring that a little bit of Africa will remain forever Thistle.
"We would also like to thank those who took tables at the event, and especially those who purchased items in the auction."