Stanway boosts Thistle promotion bid – watch live on BBC
Partick Thistle midfielder Ben Stanway has signed a surprise one-year deal to remain at Firhill, strengthening the club’s bid to return to the Scottish Premiership. Manager Mark Wilson said Stanway’s attachment to the club and desire to achieve promotion were central to his decision, after Thistle narrowly lost last season’s play-off final.
The 21-year-old academy graduate, who has been with Thistle since age 11 and has made more than 100 appearances, scored 12 goals last season. He had been expected to leave amid interest from Premiership clubs, but stays as Thistle prepare to host fellow promotion contenders Livingston, following a 1-0 opening-day win at Greenock Morton.
- Ben Stanway signs one-year Partick Thistle extension.
- Promotion ambition helped persuade midfielder to stay.
- Thistle face Livingston live on BBC Scotland.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Stanway's decision reflects admirable loyalty to his boyhood club and demonstrates his genuine attachment to Thistle's project. At 21, he is already an established performer with over 100 appearances and meaningful contributions—12 goals last season—and staying offers him the opportunity to achieve something historically significant by helping return the club to the Premiership, whilst developing further in a stable environment where his value is unquestionable.
The case against
A talented 21-year-old with Premiership interest ought to capitalise on this opportunity to develop at the highest Scottish level whilst he has genuine suitors courting him. Remaining in the Championship carries meaningful risk: another failed promotion attempt leaves him at 22 with another season at this level, potentially diminishing his market value at a critical stage of his career, whereas moving now guarantees elite-level exposure and a more certain developmental pathway.