DAN SEABORNE hopes Partick Thistle can make as big an impact on the park next season as they have off it this summer.

The Jags became an overnight hit across the world thanks to new mascot Kingsley as the sun-shaped character went viral online last week.

The images of Kingsley spanned the globe as people from New Zealand to America were caught up in the Firhill fever.

Seaborne was on hand to launch Thistle’s home kit for next season in Glasgow yesterday and is determined Alan Archibald’s side will have their own reason to hit the headlines as they prepare for a third straight Premiership campaign.

He said: “It’s a really good idea. The mascot has come out and it’s created a bit of a buzz around the place for Partick Thistle.

“We shouldn’t have really needed it because we did alright last season. But this has brought a lot more people out and will hopefully bring a lot more people in through the turnstiles.

“I was on holiday when the mascot was announced then someone emailed me this link. I saw it on Sky Sports and it picked up a lot of momentum over a very short space of time.

“I thought it was really good and if the club has got a decent sponsor out of it too then it’s good for everyone.

“The new mascot is strange. I saw the photos and a lot of people were talking about it so strange or brilliant it’s still good for the club.

“We’d obviously like to get the club known for its football but it gives us a platform for the media team at the club to go and really show what they can do.

“There’s a lot of interest and hopefully we can then go and back that up on the pitch. It’s a really good thing and exciting times for the club.”