Alan Archibald

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
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Partick Thistle (manager)
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)
National team
1998 Scotland U21[2] 5 (0)
Teams managed
2013– Partick Thistle

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 April 2010.


Alan Maxwell Archibald (born 13 December 1977) is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the manager of Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership. 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.

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. In total, as both a player and manager, Archibald has achieved three league divisional titles and promotions with Partick Thistle. Since September 2015, he has been the longest serving current manager in the Scottish Premiership.

Career

Partick Thistle

Archibald was born in Glasgow. A left-footed defender, he started his professional career with Partick Thistle as an eighteen-year-old. 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.

Dundee United

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. 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

At the end of the 2005–06 season, it was rumoured that Archibald might be returning to former club Partick Thistle.[4] 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.[5] Although a March 2008 knee injury kept him injured for eight months, he was granted a testimonial season by the club.[6]

Managerial career

Partick Thistle

On 30 January 2013, he was appointed interim manager[7] following the departure of Jackie McNamara to Dundee United.[8] On 22 March, the duo were given the job on a permanent basis[9] signing a one-year rolling contract.[10] Archibald later guided Thistle to the Championship[11] gaining the Jags promotion to the Scottish Premiership.[12]

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 Manager of the Month award for November.[13] Since Jackie McNamara's departure from Dundee United in September 2015, Archibald has been the longest serving current manager at any Premiership club.[14]

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. This result meant that Archibald overtook former manager Davie McParland as the record holder of top-flight victories.

Career statistics

Player

As of 25 January 2013[15]
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

As of match played 3 December 2016
Team From To Record
GWDLWin %
Partick Thistle January 2013 Present 161 55 45 61 34.16

Honours and Achievements

Player

Partick Thistle
2000–01 (third tier)
2001–02 (second tier)

Manager

Partick Thistle
2012–13 (second tier)

Footnotes

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

Alan is a known Rangers fan which has upset Michelle (25) from Killie.

References

  1. ↑ The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-95485-561-1.
  2. ↑ "Alan Archibald". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "Tannadice duo extend stay". BBC Sport. 11 April 2004.
  4. ↑ "Thistle hope for Archibald return". BBC Sport. 17 May 2006.
  5. ↑ "He's Coming Home". Partick Thistle. 31 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007.
  6. ↑ "Archibald nears return for Jags". BBC Sport. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  7. ↑ "Change in management". Partick Thistle. 30 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "Partick Thistle name player-coach Alan Archibald as interim boss". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "Alan Archibald – Confirmed as New Partick Thistle Manager". ptfc.co.uk. Partick Thistle F.C. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "Partick Thistle appoint Alan Archibald as manager at Firhill". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  11. ↑ "2012/13 Scottish Division One Table". espnfc.com. ESPN FC. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Crown of thorns: Partick Thistle celebrate promotion to SPL". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  13. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35003575
  14. ↑ "Alan Archibald on becoming Premiership's longest-serving manager". STV News. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Alan Archibald Statistics – Soccerbase". Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2013.

External links

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