Partick Thistle Women's Football Club has sparked excitement and hope among its fans with the signing of three promising players as the January transfer window kicks off. Ellie Kane, Emma Craig, and Mae English have all joined The Jags, demonstrating the club's ambition to strengthen its roster as they pursue success this season.
The marquee signing, Ellie Kane, has made headlines since her arrival from Queen’s Park. The striker, who was capped at the under-19 level for Scotland, previously had stints with Hamilton Accies and Queen’s Park, where she was instrumental in leading her team to the SWPL2 title. During her time at Queen's Park, she enjoyed remarkable success, earning four consecutive Player of the Month awards and concluding her season as the designation's top scorer. Her prowess on the field is matched only by her leadership qualities, having captained her previous teams.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Kane expressed, referencing the tough competition faced as she battled against Thistle on numerous occasions. She emphasized her admiration for Manager Brian Graham, stating, “I spoke to Brian and he was a big part of me coming here.” She acknowledged the impact Graham continues to have as both a player and coach, expressing eagerness to learn from him and contribute to the team's success. Kane also shared her determination to overcome recent fitness challenges, aiming to hit the ground running and add goals to her tally as soon as possible.
Partick Thistle's manager Brian Graham expressed delight at securing Kane's services, calling it “a big coup for the football club.” He noted her scoring ability and leadership and acknowledged the significant contributions she made at Queen’s Park. “I think she’ll really excite the supporters,” he predicted.
Another significant addition to the Thistle lineup is Emma Craig, who has made her return to the club after time spent at Glasgow Women and Queen’s Park. Starting her career at Celtic, Craig joined Thistle before the start of the ill-fated 2020 season. Since then, she has faced her share of adversity, battling injuries during her previous stint. Graham was thrilled to welcome her back, having recognized her development as both a player and person during her time away from the club.
Craig’s appetite for football remains ferociously strong. “I’m really excited to be back at Thistle. I loved my time here before so I jumped at the chance to return to the club,” she expressed. Graham is especially optimistic about Craig's evolution from winger to centre midfielder, reflecting on her growth and potential to influence games more directly moving forward. “I’m happy to have Emma back in a Thistle shirt,” he said, highlighting her maturation throughout her time away from the club.
Completing this impressive trio of signings is Mae English, the youngest of the group at just 16 years old. The former Celtic Academy player brings youthfulness and energy to the squad, having already garnered attention at the national level, participating with the Scotland Schools squad and holding caps at the under-16 and under-17 levels. English recently showcased her talent scoring Scotland’s equalizer against Portugal last March.
“I’m really happy to be here. I feel making the step up to senior football is great for my development as a player and this is the perfect place to make my debut,” she stated enthused. Having spent recent weeks training with Graham’s team, English has already made her mark, demonstrating exceptional skills and speed during her time as a trialist.
Graham highlighted English's potential, noting, “Mae is still very young but she has shown up really well in training.” He expressed excitement about her future contributions, acknowledging her current abilities as befitting of first-team football. The coaching staff anticipates working closely with English to develop her talent, positioning her for success within the squad.
With these signings, Partick Thistle WFC has significantly bolstered its squad as they look forward to the rest of the season. The arrival of Kane, Craig, and English reflects both the club’s commitment to progress and aspirations to make strides within the SWPL. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how the new signings mesh within the team and to witness their contributions as they strive for success on the pitch.