Chris Erskine is thrilled to go down in Partick Thistle history after being inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame last Friday night.
The 35-year-old, from Lindsayfield, netted 56 goals from midfield in almost 300 appearances for the club over three spells and joins the legendary figures John Lambie, Jackie Husband, Chic Charnley and Bertie Auld in being immortalised at Firhill.
Erskine, who is currently with East Kilbride FC, said of the honour: “It’s sunk in a wee bit now. Friday night was brilliant to be there and be inducted.
“To have my name in there with big names in the history of the football club is amazing.
“At Firhill, they’ve got all the Hall of Fame pictures as you go up the staircase at the main entrance, going up to hospitality, and they already had mine there when I came in.
“It was really nice to see that and I’ve got my own wee plaque there as well.
“I got a wee glass trophy and a poster with stuff about my career on it that I can frame, so I’m absolutely delighted.”
Erskine started his career in the Juniors with Kilbirnie Ladeside before a big move to Partick came in 2009.
He became a huge fan favourite for his passion, commitment and knack for spectacular goals, which earned him a move to Dundee United in 2013. After three years at Tannadice he returned Partick for a second spell before Livingston came calling in 2019.
He joined EK in 2020, playing a handful of games due to the pandemic. The shutdown of lower league football saw him return to Partick for a third spell on loan.
He is now back at EK and set for a career in the fire service, which he hopes to balance with another season at Kilby.
Erskine is currently in talks with EK boss Kevin Rutkiewicz about staying on next season. He made his return to the side a fortnight ago in a 1-0 defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose.
But after feeling his hamstring after the match he will now sit out the rest of the season, with Kilby in the semi-finals of the Lowland League Cup.
Erskine added: "I am hoping to play on next season.
"If EK are happy to have me I would stay, but if not I'll try and get something else.
"It suits me being at the club. I enjoyed it this season before I stopped and working in East Kilbride, it would make sense for me to play my football as close as possible.
"They've got the semi-final coming up but I don't think I'll be involved in that - or the final if they get there - due to my work anyway.
"I start my job the week of the semi-final, but it's good to get the legs moving again.
"I'd only been keeping myself fit for the fire service stuff. I hadn't done any sort of sprinting so I ended up going on for the last 15 minutes against Bonnyrigg, then the next day I could feel my hamstring a bit sore.
"I had literally not kicked a ball since my last game on December 29.
"I'd spoke to the manager about coming back in for the last couple of weeks. I said aye to that, but I probably shouldn't have gone on the pitch to be honest.
"I could still feel it a bit at the weekend as well, so I'm just going to train with the boys for the next couple of weeks and see what happens."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
