Alan Archibald

Alan Archibald

Archibald (right) with winger Christie Elliot (left)
Personal information
Full nameAlan Maxwell Archibald[1]
Date of birth13 December 1977
Place of birthGlasgow, Scotland
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing positionCentre back
Club information
Current team
Partick Thistle (manager)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1996–2003Partick Thistle200(8)
2003–2007Dundee United125(6)
2007–2013Partick Thistle223(1)
Total548(15)
National team
1998Scotland 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.
† Appearances (Goals).

Alan Maxwell Archibald (born 13 December 1977) is a Scottish former football player and manager. Archibald is the manager of Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership after taking over from Jackie McNamara in 2013. Archibald, who played as a defender, has also played for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United. Archibald, who started his career at Firhill as a teenager, made 423 appearances for Thistle, placing him 10th on the club's list of most appearances. He has also been capped 5 times for the Scotland national under-21 football team.

Career

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.

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.

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

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.

Career statistics

As of 25 January 2013[13]
Club Season Competition League Cup League Cup Other[14] 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

Honours

Player

Partick Thistle
2000–01
2001–02

Manager

Partick Thistle
2012–13

Managerial statistics

As of 25 April 2015
Team From To Record
GWDLWin %
Partick Thistle January 2013 Present 96 34 28 34 35.42

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.
  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. ↑ "Alan Archibald Statistics – Soccerbase". Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  14. ↑ Includes the Scottish Challenge Cup and UEFA Cup competitions.

External links