GERRY BRITTON insists Alan Archibald should be forever remembered as a Partick Thistle legend despite his sacking as boss at the weekend.

The Firhill board brought an end to Archibald’s tenure in the dugout following a poor start to the campaign that has left the Jags ten points off the pace in the Championship.

Archibald was given a chance to take his side straight back to the top flight this term following their relegation from the Premiership last season.

And chief executive Britton believes his former team-mate’s achievements as a player and a manager will ensure he retains a place in the hearts of the red and yellow army.

Britton said: “It’s a fresh start. Alan’s legacy will be looked on favourably. “Probably not right away. Probably in a period of time people will look back and appreciate what he did.

“Now there’s the opportunity for a fresh start for the whole club. It’s exciting times.

“Alan was the second longest-serving manager in Scotland – for a reason. He is a good manager and the board felt he was the right man for the job.

“A number of critics were saying in the summer he should have been let go then to give the club a fresh start in the Championship.

“But the board firmly believed Alan was the right man to take the club forward and they had the courage of their convictions to stick with him.

“No way could the board be accused of short-termism or a knee-jerk reaction. It was after careful consideration.

“Without a doubt Alan Archibald should be regarded as a Thistle great. That’s what he is.

“He’s a top 10 appearance holder, captain, coach, his achievement getting Partick Thistle to the top six in the Premiership is unparalleled. There’s a lot to look back on with great pride and admiration.

“For us, now, it’s a fresh start and with the new training ground on the horizon it’s an exciting time for Partick Thistle.”