Doolan joined Partick Thistle in 2009 after an impressive start to his career in the Scottish junior leagues with Kello Rovers and Auchinleck Talbot. He became one of their most prolific and consistent goal scorers in the club's history, currently in joint fourth position in the all-time top scorers list[2] In recognition for his services to the club, Doolan was inducted into the Partick Thistle Hall of Fame in March 2019. He was released by Thistle at the end of the 2018–19 season and subsequently had short spells at Ayr United and Morton. After returning to Thistle as a youth coach at the Thistle Weir Youth Academy, Doolan was appointed Partick Thistle manager in 2023.
On 5 February 2010, Doolan was sent out on loan to Clyde to help them try to avoid relegation to the Third Division.[7] After returning to Firhill, Doolan struggled to cement his place in the starting eleven. However, he subsequently scored a spectacular 92nd-minute goal on the final day of the 2009–10 season against Queen of the South to give The Jags a 1–0 victory.[8] Doolan was Thistle's top scorer in the 2010–11 season with 18 goals.[9]
Having gained promotion, Doolan signed a new two-year contract on 21 May 2013.[12] Doolan scored his first top-flight goal for Thistle in their 3–1 away victory against Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium. Following a poor run of results for Thistle, striker Lyle Taylor was brought in on loan from Sheffield United in the January transfer window. Goals from Doolan and Taylor eventually helped Thistle secure their place in the Scottish Premiership for the 2014–15 season.
2014–15
On 24 May 2014, Doolan extended his contract with Partick Thistle by another two years, keeping him at the club until May 2016.[13]
Doolan scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season in a 1–0 Scottish League Cup away win to Greenock Morton in the on 26 August 2014. As of 18 October 2014, Doolan had played 203 games and has scored 70 goals in all competitions for Partick Thistle.[14] On 21 January 2015, Doolan scored four goals against Hamilton Academical in a 5–0 win at Firhill, making him the first Thistle player to score four goals in a top-flight match since George Shaw in 1992, and the first footballer to score a perfect hat-trick in the Scottish Premiership since its formation in 2013.[15]
2015–16
On 18 January 2016, during the January transfer window, Doolan signed a new contract extension with Thistle to keep him at the club until the summer of 2019. The contract will take him to 10 years of service, and consequently a testimonial year.
2016–17
Doolan scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season in a League Cup group stage tie scoring the winner against Airdrieonians.[16] He scored his first league goal of the season in a 2–0 away win against Dundee at Dens Park making it 2–0 with a second half strike.[17] Doolan scored his 100th, and then 101st professional goal for Partick Thistle on 1 April 2017 against Ross County at Firhill.[18]
2017–18
On 21 April 2018, Doolan scored his 100th league goal in a crucial post-split fixture against Hamilton, making him the first ever Partick Thistle player to score 100 league goals.[citation needed] He played in both legs of the Premiership play-offs against Livingston, scoring his club's only goal in the tie as they were defeated 3–1 on aggregate and relegated to the Championship.[19]
2018–19: Last season at Firhill
On 1 September 2018, in a league match at Firhill against Greenock Morton, Doolan scored a legitimate goal which was not awarded: the ball struck the underside of the crossbar from his shot, bounced on the solid tube holding the net to the ground, came back out of the goal area and was kicked into touch by a frustrated defender. The minimal movement of the net itself deceived the referee Barry Cook into believing the ball had not crossed the line and he awarded a throw-in, despite the usual reactions of the home team and fans celebrating and the away team starting to walk back to their positions to kick off.[20] Thistle still won 1–0 despite the error and Doolan was awarded a goal bonus which he donated to charity, with the amount matched by the club.[21]
A similar incident had occurred at the same end of the same stadium in 1993 when a shot by Dundee United's Paddy Connolly entered the goal and rebounded off the supporting stanchion, but was not awarded even though a defender then caught the ball and handed it to the goalkeeper.[22]
On 16 March 2019, Doolan was inducted into the Partick Thistle Hall of Fame at Firhill Stadium.[23] Teammates and friends including Chris Erskine, Steven Lawless, Scott McDonald and Gary Harkins were in attendance, alongside Manager Gary Caldwell. On 23 April 2019, Doolan made his 400th appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute for McDonald against Ayr United.
After a difficult return season to the Championship, with the club having successfully fought off further relegation, on 9 May 2019, manager Gary Caldwell informed Doolan that his contract with Thistle would not be renewed, bringing to an end his 10-year stay at the Firhill club. Partick Thistle chairman Jacqui Low stated: "Kris is, and always will be, a legend at Partick Thistle Football Club. Legend is an overused word but he has earned that title. The service he has given to the club both on and off the pitch is almost unmatched."[24]
Doolan ended his Thistle career with 401 appearances, 121 goals and 34 assists.
Ayr United
On 24 June 2019, Doolan signed a one-year deal with Ayr United and once again linked up with then former Thistle manager, Ian McCall.[25] Doolan scored twice on his Ayr United debut as Ayr beat Berwick Rangers 7-0 in the league cup.[26] Doolan scored his first league goal for Ayr against former club Partick Thistle in a 3-2 win at Firhill.[27] Doolan was released from his contract with the club on 30 January 2020.[28]
Greenock Morton
On 6 February 2020, Doolan signed until June 2020 with Greenock Morton[29] After the season was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, Doolan left Morton on 1 August 2020.[30]
Arbroath
On 14 August 2020, Doolan signed with Arbroath.[31]
International career
Doolan's form at Auchinleck Talbot was recognised by the Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) with his selection for the Umbro Quadrangular Tournament in 2008. He appeared in all three matches at the tournament and tallied one goal against Northern Ireland in a 4–3 victory.[32]
Style of play
"First and foremost he's one of the best professionals I've worked with. He's great about the place, gives everything he's got in training. He's an all-round model professional, and one that I think every young player at Thistle should look up to, take lessons from his work ethic and watch how he goes about his business. He's a role model with a great attitude to his work."
It is believed Doolan's talent was brought out due to the small and difficult pitches used by junior football clubs. Auchinleck Talbot scouts noted his ability to find space and utilise his "explosive pace." Along with his playing ability, he has been described as a "model professional", with leadership ability and commitment to his club.[33]
Similarly to teammate former Thistle teammate Chris Erskine, his emergence from the Scottish junior leagues has been a testament to his success and work ethic as a player and has further proven the quality and potential of younger players in the junior football leagues.[34]
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Doolan set up a coaching academy in Ayrshire and also coached in a SFA Elite Performance School.[35]
Partick Thistle
Doolan returned to Partick Thistle in January 2023, as he became a coach in the Thistle Weir Youth Academy.[35] He became the Partick Thistle first team caretaker manager a month later, following the club's dismissal of manager Ian McCall.[36] After three games in interim charge, winning two and drawing the other, Doolan was appointed manager on a permanent basis.[37]
In Doolan's first season in charge, Thistle finished fourth in the Scottish Championship and reached the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership Playoff Final, where they lost 5–4 on penalties to Ross County, who had finished 11th in the Scottish Premiership, despite Thistle having a 3–0 aggregate lead in the 70th minute. Had Thistle won the tie, they would have made history as the first side to be promoted after finishing fourth in the second tier.[38]
