Partick Thistle chiefs hail 'significant' signing of Glasgow businessman Ajay Chopra

Jun 6 2012 By Gordon Parks

PARTICK THISTLE have sealed a major off-field signing coup by adding businessman Ajay
Chopra to the Firhill board.

The Glasgow-based goods supplier brings a wealth of experience as well as much-needed financial backing to the Maryhill club next season as part of a behind-the-scenes reshuffle.

Chopra has already assisted the Jags with support in recent months and will take a hands-on role in assessing the growth of potential commercial revenue streams as Thistle make a return to the SPL their primary goal.

The boardroom reorganisation will also see Ronnie Gilfillan and Grant Bannerman step down as directors into associate positions and Jags general manager Ian Maxwell insists the arrival of Chopra is a massive boost for the club’s ambitions.

He said: “Ajay has been helping the club for a while through his friendship with our chairman David Beattie.

"He’s a football fanatic who has an energy and enthusiasm for trying to help Thistle progress and we’re delighted he’s now playing an official role.

“His primary task will be to look at the commercial side of the club and attempting to maximise our potential in that area.

“He has a huge range of business contacts and that’s something he brings to the table so we’re all excited at the prospect of working with us.

“He has now met the backroom team and is committed to helping us move forward and it’s an exciting, positive appointment and a significant one for the future of the club.”

Ajay, an Indian businessman based in the Glasgow area, works in the “grey market” industry selling and sourcing grocery goods to many of the major supermarket chains and Beattie is delighted to get his friend on board.

He said: “I’m delighted that we’ve added Ajay Chopra to our board of directors. I’ve known Ajay since around 1988 and he’s what I’d describe as a real ‘mover and shaker’.”