SCOTTISH football veteran Brian Graham is up for a unique double this season.
The former Hibs and Ross County striker has become a hero at Firhill as Partick Thistle’s prolific No9.
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The 36-year-old’s 20 goals in the Scottish Championship have earned him a nomination for the second division’s player of the year, alongside fellow marksmen Louis Moult of his old club Dundee United, Queen‘s Park‘s Ruari Paton and Raith Rovers star Lewis Vaughan.
As well as being shortlisted for the PFA Scotland award as voted by his fellow professionals on the pitch, Graham has also been selected as a potential winner for his work in the dugout.
Alongside his duties with the Maryhill side’s men‘s squad, he also takes charge of their women‘s team.
The Glasgow-born centre forward has been the manager of the Jags’ ladies team since 2020, overseeing their promotion to the top-flight of the women’s game a year later.
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And this campaign he led them to the Sky Sports Cup final where they faced SWPL1 rivals Rangers in front of a record crowd at Hearts’ Tynecastle Stadium.
Graham’s side lost 4-1 in the end but the achievement of getting the part-timers to the showpiece occasion and their top-six place has earned the forward recognition.
He will go up against Hibs boss Grant Scott and Gers head coach Jo Potter for the gaffer’s prize which will be handed out by the Manager’s and Coaches Association for the first time ever to those in charge of women’s teams.
Chairman Billy Brown said: “We are delighted to see SWPL 1 managers and coaches nominated for the first time, as it underlines the continuing growth and success of women’s football in Scotland.
“There’s so much good work being done across the SWPL and there are some fantastic managers and coaches working around the country involved in that.
“I’m pleased to see Brian being so successful with Partick – I don’t know how he finds the time to do it all whilst still trying to score goals on a Saturday!”
The awards will be presented at the 2024 PFA Scotland Awards dinner on Sunday 5 May at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow – two days after the end of the Championship season.
Graham will be hoping he can add promotion to the Scottish Premiership with Thistle after booking their spot in the play-offs.
They will have to overcome Airdrie and Raith Rovers before a final two-legged tie against the top league’s 11th place side if Kris Doolan’s men are to return to the top-flight for the first time since 2018.
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