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Alan Archibald

Summary

Alan Archibald (born 13 December 1977) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who is currently a first-team coach at Kilmarnock. Archibald, who played as a defender, has been associated with Partick Thistle for most of his career. Beginning his professional career with the club as a teenager, he went on to make 423 appearances for Thistle in two spells, placing him tenth on the club's all-time list of most appearances. His only other professional club was Dundee United, where he played between 2003 and 2007 before rejoining Thistle. Archibald also played five times for the Scotland national under-21 team.

Alan Archibald
Archibald (left) is interviewed by Chick Young of BBC Radio Scotland.
Personal information
Full name Alan Maxwell Archibald[1]
Date of birth (1977-12-13) 13 December 1977 (age 46)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Kilmarnock (first-team coach)
Youth career
1994–1996 Partick Thistle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2003 Partick Thistle 200 (8)
2003–2007 Dundee United 125 (6)
2007–2013 Partick Thistle 159 (1)
Total 484 (15)
International career
1998–1999 Scotland U21[2] 5 (0)
Managerial career
2013–2018 Partick Thistle
2019–2023 Partick Thistle (Assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Following his retirement from playing, Archibald became Partick Thistle manager in 2013 and went on to win the Scottish Football League First Division title that year. Thistle stayed in the top flight for four seasons under Archibald, but the club were relegated in 2018, he was kept on as manager despite relegation but on 6 October 2018 he was sacked as manager after a poor start to their Scottish Championship campaign. Archibald returned to Partick Thistle a year later, as assistant manager to Ian McCall. They both left the club in February 2023. In total, as both a player and coach, Archibald has achieved four divisional titles and promotions with Partick Thistle.

Career edit

Partick Thistle edit

Archibald was born in Glasgow. A left-footed defender, he started his professional career with Partick Thistle as an eighteen-year-old. He had arrived at the club in May 1994 but wouldn't go onto become a regular part of the first team for another two years, his development years stuttered somewhat due to the precarious financial situation occurring at Thistle in the 90s. Alan made 231 appearances scoring eight goals during this period with the Jags where, until leaving, he was their longest-serving player. During this time he also gained caps as a Scotland U-21 international. As a player in this stint he was a vital part of the side who won two back-to-back titles under gaffer John Lambie, the Scottish Second Division title in 2001, and the Scottish First Division title in 2002, the latter securing promotion to the top flight for the first time since Thistle's relegation in 1995.

Dundee United edit

Archibald was signed by then-manager Ian McCall for Dundee United on 3 June 2003. In his first season at Tannadice – 2003–04 – Archibald was the only player to feature in every match for United, and his assured performances earned him a contract extension.[3] Archibald's first United goal came against Hearts in a 2–1 win at Tannadice. He also scored against Celtic in a narrow defeat for the Tangerines at Celtic Park.

Archibald was one of the club's most consistent performers in 2003–04 and his contribution in the side that achieved a fifth-place finish was marked with the Player of the Year award at the club's annual dinner and he also received recognition from the Federation and other supporters' clubs. During the 2004–05 season, Archibald continued his ever-present run by appearing in every match that season as United reached the Scottish Cup Final and secured their place in the SPL following a long battle with relegation. In the Scottish Cup Final Archibald almost scored an injury time equaliser to take the game to extra time when he hit the bar.[4] He also added a further four goals to his United tally, including the opener in the 4–1 Scottish Cup win over Aberdeen at Tannadice.

Return to Partick Thistle edit

At the end of the 2005–06 season, it was rumoured that Archibald might be returning to former club Partick Thistle.[5] However, following the signing of fullback Christian Kalvenes early into the 2006–07 season, Archibald was moved to his preferred position in the centre of defence. Up until 26 November 2006, all of Archibald's United appearances had been from the starting eleven; he finally made a substitute appearance in the 1–0 win over St Mirren. On 24 January 2007, Archibald was informed by Dundee United manager Craig Levein that his contract, due to expire in June 2007, would not be renewed.

On 31 January 2007, Archibald signed a contract to return to Partick Thistle, lasting until the end of the 2008–09 season.[6] Although a March 2008 knee injury kept him injured for eight months, he was granted a testimonial season by the club.[7] In September 2009 he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[8]

Coaching career edit

Partick Thistle edit

On 30 January 2013, he was appointed interim manager with former player Scott Paterson as assistant following the departure of Jackie McNamara to Dundee United.[9] On 22 March, the duo were given the job on a permanent basis[10] signing a one-year rolling contract.[11] Archibald later guided Thistle to the First Division title (now known as the Championship)[12] gaining the Jags promotion to the Scottish Premiership.[13] Thistle also lost the Scottish Challenge Cup final to Queen of the South on penalties in April 2013.[14]

Thistle's performance in the Premiership was mixed. The club went seven months without a win at home. However, the club had more success away from home with a total of six wins. Their run of success near the end of the Premiership season saw them secure their top-flight status for the 2014–15 Scottish Premiership season. After a poor start to the 2015–16 season, the team had a run of success, winning seven from nine points, in which Archibald picked up the Premiership Manager of the Month award for November.[15] Since Jackie McNamara's departure from Dundee United in September 2015, Archibald has been the longest serving current manager at any Premiership club.[16]

On 7 May 2016, Thistle secured their Premiership status with a 2–0 away victory to Kilmarnock, with goals coming from Steven Lawless and Kris Doolan.[17] This result meant that Archibald overtook former manager Davie McParland as the record holder of top-flight victories. On 8 April 2017, Thistle beat Motherwell 1–0 to secure a place in the top six for the first time since the league split was first introduced to the Scottish top flight in 2000–01.

Thistle suffered a poor 2017–18 season, finishing 11th in the Premiership with 33 points.[18] This meant that they went into a promotion/relegation play-off with Livingston, who had finished second in the Championship.[18] Thistle lost 3–1 on aggregate and were relegated, but the Thistle board decided to continue with Archibald as manager for the following season anyway.[18] Following a slow start to the 2018–19 Scottish Championship season, Archibald was sacked on 6 October 2018.[19]

In September 2019, less than a year after his sacking, Archibald returned to Thistle as assistant manager to Ian McCall and after an initial difficult spell, Thistle won the Scottish League One title for 2020–21, Archibald's fourth overall promotion involvement at the club. McCall and his coaching staff were dismissed in February 2023.[20]

After leaving Thistle, Archibald became a lead development coach at Motherwell.[21] In June 2023 he moved to Kilmarnock to become a first-team coach.[21]


Career statistics edit

Player edit

As of 25 January 2013[22]
Club Season Competition League Cup League Cup Other[note 1] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Partick Thistle 1996–97 Scottish First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1997–98 Scottish First Division 29 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 30 1
1998–99 Scottish Second Division 32 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 36 1
1999–2000 Scottish Second Division 35 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 41 0
2000–01 Scottish Second Division 34 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 38 2
2001–02 Scottish First Division 33 2 5 0 2 0 3 0 43 2
2002–03 Scottish Premier League 36 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 40 2
Total 200 8 15 0 8 0 6 0 229 8
Dundee United 2003–04 Scottish Premier League 38 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 41 2
2004–05 Scottish Premier League 38 3 5 1 4 0 0 0 47 4
2005–06 Scottish Premier League 33 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 37 1
2006–07 Scottish Premier League 16 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 19 0
Total 125 6 8 1 9 0 2 0 144 7
Partick Thistle 2006–07 Scottish First Division 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2007–08 Scottish First Division 27 0 6 0 3 0 1 0 37 0
2008–09 Scottish First Division 20 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 22 0
2009–10 Scottish First Division 27 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 31 1
2010–11 Scottish First Division 27 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 30 0
2011–12 Scottish First Division 33 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 34 0
2012–13 Scottish First Division 16 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 19 0
Total 159 1 14 0 6 0 3 0 182 1
Combined Total 359 9 29 0 14 0 9 0 411 9
Career total 484 15 37 1 23 0 11 0 555 16

Manager edit

As of match played 6 October 2018
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Partick Thistle January 2013 October 2018 250 84 62 104 033.60

Honours and achievements edit

Player edit

Partick Thistle
Dundee United

Manager edit

Partick Thistle

Assistant Manager edit

Partick Thistle

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ Includes the Scottish Challenge Cup and UEFA Cup competitions.

References edit

  1. ^ The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-95485-561-1.
  2. ^ "Alan Archibald". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  3. ^ "Tannadice duo extend stay". BBC Sport. 11 April 2004.
  4. ^ "Celtic 1-0 Dundee United". BBC. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Thistle hope for Archibald return". BBC Sport. 17 May 2006.
  6. ^ "He's Coming Home". Partick Thistle. 31 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007.
  7. ^ "Archibald nears return for Jags". BBC Sport. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  8. ^ "Inverness CT 2-3 Partick Thistle". BBC. 26 September 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Partick Thistle name player-coach Alan Archibald as interim boss". BBC Sport. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Alan Archibald – Confirmed as New Partick Thistle Manager". ptfc.co.uk. Partick Thistle F.C. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Partick Thistle appoint Alan Archibald as manager at Firhill". BBC Sport. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  12. ^ "2012/13 Scottish Division One Table". ESPN FC. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Crown of thorns: Partick Thistle celebrate promotion to SPL". The Herald. Glasgow: The Herald. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  14. ^ "Queen of the South 1–1 Partick Thistle (6–5 on pens)". BBC Sport. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Partick Thistle: Alan Archibald is manager of the month". BBC Sport. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Alan Archibald on becoming Premiership's longest-serving manager". STV News. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  17. ^ "Kilmarnock v Partick Thistle – 7th May 2016". Partick Thistle FC. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  18. ^ a b c "Alan Archibald to remain Partick Thistle manager after relegation". BBC Sport. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Partick Thistle: Alan Archibald sacked as manager". BBC Sport. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Ian McCall: Partick Thistle announce departure of manager". BBC Sport. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Backroom Team Bolstered As Sheerin Steps Into Assistant Manager Role". Kilmarnock FC. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Alan Archibald Statistics – Soccerbase". Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2013.

External links edit

  • Alan Archibald at Soccerbase  

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