Once dubbed the busiest man in Scottish football, it turns out that despite Partick Thistle falling short in the play-offs once more last month, Brian Graham will play in the Scottish Premiership next season.
The striker, who was previously first team co-manager, women's manager, and club captain at Maryhill, has joined newly promoted Falkirk.
Graham becomes John McGlynn's second summer signing, after now ex-Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain completed a move to West Lothian. The veteran has penned a one-year deal at the Falkirk Stadium.
"Brian Graham is someone both myself and [assistant] Paul [Smith] have worked with before having signed him for Raith Rovers from Morton back in 2011," McGylnn told falkirkfc.co.uk.
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"I’ve got to say he’s had an amazing career and it’s a credit to him and the way he’s look after himself that he’s still one of the hardest working strikers going about.
"His stats are very impressive, scoring fifteen Championship goals and twenty-one goals in all competitions [last season], he has the natural instincts of a top striker, he’s in the right place at the right time, he knows the position inside out, with the number of crosses we put in the box I’m sure there’s plenty more goals to come
"Brian is a winner, he is very determined individual and his experience at this level will be important to the team, I’ve said we needed Premiership experience and physicality, and Brian brings both of those in abundance, we’re all looking forward to working with him."
Graham himself can't wait to get going with the Premiership newcomers, who are just off the back of sealing back-to-back promotions.
The 37-year-old previously played under his new boss, McGlynn, at Raith Rovers. "The opportunity to work with John McGlynn again was one I couldn’t say no to," he said. "You can see how well the players and staff have done here over the last two years, back-to-back promotions, and it’s a chance for myself to get back and play in the Premiership as well.
"This is a great stadium, and you can tell with the number of season tickets that have been sold already that the place is going to be rocking on matchdays, and that’s something I’m relishing.
"It’s up to me now to work hard, get the head down, and get myself in the team. With the wide players here, I know for a fact I’m going to get chances to score goals and I’m really looking forward to getting started."
The forward hit a century of goals for Thistle in the play-offs against Ayr United in May. '100 not out' was his message after bagging at Somerset Park, although the strike turned out to be his final in red and orange.
Although he was offered the permanent Firhill job after an impressive interim stint, Graham turned it down, with Mark Wilson getting the gig.
Graham penned an emotional message to the Partick faithful after his exit. "Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to all the Thistle supporters, from day one you took to me and I will never forget it. Not just me but my family loved their Saturday afternoons in the Lambie stand with all the red and yellow army.
"We had highs and lows along the journey from covid relegation to winning League One then obviously all the play-off drama.
"It was an honour to Captain the football club and be the league top scorer plus winning the Championship player of the year award, all the goals throughout the 5 years. But the 2 goals against Ayr as 99 and 100 were very special and will live with me for the rest of my life.
"It’s emotional leaving the football club, a place I fell in love with. I would like to thank my teammates plus the staff for all their help across the years, special mention to the kitmen Macca and Danny, two fantastic men. We had great laughs together and also Graham McRoberts, wasn’t just a colleague he became a friend along the way. Can’t leave without saying about young Christopher Dobie, he’s a very quiet lad but great at his job. When the players had their darts tournaments seeing Christopher come out his shell was amazing, he’s a great kid and wish him well.
"I would also like to thank Ian McCall and Jacqui Low for signing me for this great club plus it was them that pushed me in the direction to take on the Woman’s manager role which I absolutely loved. Great memories made along the way.
"Lastly, good luck going forward, I wish Mark and the squad all the best, once a Jag always a Jag."
