WHEN the Partick Thistle powerbrokers congregate for a board meeting next week, filling the two empty seats at the table will be top of their to-do list.

The men in charge at Firhill – chairman David Beattie and directors Billy Allan, Greg Brown and Ian Dodd – have guided the Jags through some of the most turbulent times in the history of Scottish football, with the Irn-Bru First Division club one of a few in the country that are financially stable in what is a fluctuating economic market.

Thistle's four main guardians are not happy to remain static, though, with high ambitions of returning the club to the Scotish Premier League and increasing their financial clout always in their thinking.

The resignations of Ronnie Gilfillan and Grant Bannerman from the Firhill hierarchy have left positions to be filled, with the club custodians eager to source fresh faces and new ideas to continue driving the Jags forward.

"There are four of us just now and we are looking at different people to bring in and bring new directors on board," said Beattie.

"The important thing is that they are Thistle minded. That doesn't mean they need to be Thistle fans, but they have to stand for what the club stands for – youth development, family, community.

"If they want to be involved in football with those principles then we are interested in speaking to people. If they are interested in becoming involved with Thistle I would be delighted to take their call.

"We are looking for people that will do things, not people who will just come in and say 'there is a few thousand pounds, I am a Thistle director'.

"They have to commit to bringing something to the board – some skills, some contacts, some ideas."

While Beattie is keen for new additions to help Thistle take on the challenges on the immediate horizon, the Firhill chairman acknowledges the long-term future is just as important. He said: "It was never my intention to be chairman and then, all of a sudden, I am the chairman.

"I don't think directors of football clubs should be there for the long term, I think we should put our input in and then create succession for the future.

"I am a lot happier than I was a couple of years ago, primarily down to the finances.

"The introduction of Billy, Greg and Ian into the club have been positive. I think we have brought a stability to the club.

"Our job as custodians of the club is to make sure it is set up for the future. I would step away tomorrow if I thought there was someone who could do it better than me."

The turnaround in personnel at Firhill in recent months has been significant, with manager Jackie McNamara wheeling and dealing in the transfer market in a bid to improve his squad.

In the wake of Ian McCall's departure from Firhill, Ian Maxwell, his former assistant manager, could have followed suit yet he is now is Thistle's General Manager.

Beattie said: "I think Ian has a very bright career in football. He is going through his apprenticeship just now, if you like.

"Hopefully he stays with the club because we have gone on to bigger and better things but, if not, I am sure he will.

"I think not getting the manager's job was a shock for him. I think he was hoping to get that job and I had quite a fraught conversation with him early doors.

"I put forward to him that I thought he had an opportunity in the management of football.

"We are the perfect club for him to gain that experience."