Double Winning St Johnstone FC Thread

[Kyle]

In the last few months we've lost Cummins, Paton, Maclean, Mannus, Millar and Watson and the only permanent signings in that time are McMillan and Wright (albeit with the full summer ahead of us). Getting Williams permanently would be fine (although he's really replacing Swanson/MOH rather than any of the above listed). We've obviously lost the 3 loanees too but they were stop gaps anyway.

Cummins not replaced because we had Kane/Hendry already here. Potentially another striker coming in over the summer too but that doesn't seem to be guaranteed

Paton replaced by Willock short term, and may well be again if we can get him on loan

Watson -no replacement required

Maclean replaced by McMillan

Mannus replaced by Zander long term and whoever the 2nd choice goalie will be

Millar not replaced as yet - the one that Tommy really has to get right

Drey Wright (hopefully) corrects an issue we've had for a quite a while, where our wingers are mostly more comfortable playing centrally.

I'm reasonably comfortable with the squad (creativity, lack of pace and lack of a metronome in midfield the big issues for me, and I worry that 3 of our 4 strikers had long term injuries last season, and the other is Greg Hurst) but I think a lot of our fans had geared themselves up for loads of signings and a big clean out. Two completely new signings, a loanee made permanent and a loan extension is probably not what a lot of people had in mind. Hopefully we'll add a striker to the mix as well, but Wright seems a lot less pressed with that than I think a lot of our fans want him to be.

[RandomGuy.]

58 minutes ago, Kyle said:

Williams is more in our hands. I can't see Fulham renewing his contract regardless of the league they're playing in as he seems well out of the picture there. It'll be down to whether Williams gets any better offers from League one clubs I'd imagine, or if he values more football at this stage in his career over money.

If we do end up getting Williams and Willock back, we could be looking at a summer where our only new players are Wright and whoever the back up goalie is. Not quite the clear out and regeneration that I think most were expecting.

 

Tbf over the past 12 months we've probably had about eight out and eight in, with the average squad age cut. 

In retrospect, demanding eight new first team players probably wouldn't work out that well, and muddling along with jobbers like Craig in the middle of the park is enough to keep us safe. 

[PauloPerth]

We've also introduced Kerr, Gordon, McCann and Hendry to the first team squad. 

I can't complain at the change being made gradually, there's a huge risk with a big cull and recruitment of 5 or 6 all at once.

Agree that a ball playing central midfielder is the priority, though Tommy has hinted at playing Alston and Spoony there more.. if that's the case then both have to bring far more consistency to the table or we could be suspect there. Think it could be early for McCann to start in there's every week, but time will tell how much faith the manager has in him. There's also McLean to come back in.

[RandomGuy.]

Official Saints Twitter doing an "on this day" type tweet at the same time the goals went in. 

Some saddo Saints fan replying with moans about Ando not signing a new contract. Pathetic...

[Kyle]

23 minutes ago, RandomGuy. said:

Official Saints Twitter doing an "on this day" type tweet at the same time the goals went in. 

Some saddo Saints fan replying with moans about Ando not signing a new contract. Pathetic...

 

[tree house tam]

Kyle and Radford in a tag team match against Ali and Random? I think I'd pay money to watch that.

[Davis Love III]

Enjoyed looking back at the May 17th memories, images and videos. Part of that reminiscing brought me to this article that I wrote for the club website three years ago, marking the first anniversary of that extraordinary day and weekend. Apologies for the lengthy post, but here it is...

As we celebrate the first anniversary of St. Johnstone’s maiden victory in the Scottish Cup, it is truly hard to believe that a full 12 months have now passed. Indeed, that is a bit of a cliché. People often say the same whenever a birthday comes round, or in the weeks building-up to Christmas.

However, it would be fair to say that the 17^th of May 2014 goes beyond that for all Saints fans. It certainly does for this supporter. The memories are so vivid and detailed - simply because they are relived in the mind on an almost daily basis. The sights, sounds and emotions can all be fully recalled as we reflect on that extraordinary day.

The whole occasion was rather overwhelming. The ultimate dream throughout the years of following Saints was to win the Scottish Cup. It was the pinnacle. The cup final has always been *the* game of the season - the showpiece and marquee fixture - and the fact that Saints were part of it was certainly difficult to comprehend. It didn’t truly sink in until the teams came out for the warmup at Celtic Park.

Like any football club, there have been so many highs and lows in the history of St. Johnstone. Relegations, promotions, European adventures and despairing nights at the likes of Berwick and Montrose, there had been everything you could imagine for supporters to look back on in the pubs and buses together.

Well, almost. The one caveat to the history of the Perth Saints had been the absence of a major trophy. It led to ridicule from supporters of other clubs, and an enduring sense of underachievement and frustration from those wearing blue and white scarves. That tangible sense of exasperation only grew over the years with each passing defeat in a semi-final – eight of them featuring in the Scottish Cup.

That was something dispelled after the semi-final against Aberdeen at Ibrox. There was a release of energy after years of pent-up disappointment under the rainy Glasgow sky; at the conclusion of that dramatic second half. As the talismanic Stevie May fired in those two brilliant goals, the demons of so many crushing afternoons had finally been exorcised. St. Johnstone had vanquished that eternal barrier and reached the showpiece.

One thing that was always in the forefront of the mind in the days leading up to the final was a sense of good fortune. We were the lucky ones who would be present to see it. In 130 years of history, there were generations – tens of thousands of Saints supporters who never lived to witness their dream come true. That was certainly a powerful emotion for many in attendance. Very powerful.

Personally, the prominence of that sentiment was partly the result of attending the final with a very close friend; whose father (a Saints supporter of decades) had sadly passed away just a few months prior. He would have so dearly loved to have experienced that momentous occasion in Glasgow.

It was an all-too close reminder of the inherent cruelty and unfairness of life, but also of the importance that football can play throughout it for so many people. The magical escapism of the game. Pantomime for adults.

Many in attendance were representing deceased friends and relatives. Sons and daughters standing for their parents, middle-aged men who had never forgotten their grandfather who introduced them to the terraces of Muirton, and even those familiar faces who had sadly long disappeared from the East Stand at McDiarmid.

In a way, that almost placed a sense of responsibility onto the shoulders of the lucky 15,000 who were all privileged to be present inside Celtic Park on that afternoon. We were representing the history of the club and all those who had come to love and support it throughout the past century and beyond.

Now all we needed was the team to actually go on and win it.

Easier said than done, and there weren’t any real expectations as to what to expect from the match. Hopeful, at best. Perhaps that was a result of being unable to comprehend the idea of Saints somehow lifting the trophy. But it was possible. From a footballing perspective, there was certainly no reason why it couldn’t happen.

It was the largest Saints crowd that anyone had ever seen. An historic total befitting the magnitude of the occasion. From all over the world, people bought into the final. That in itself was special to see, and it was an incredible experience to soak in the atmosphere of the Jock Stein Stand – which was soon to be christened the Steven MacLean End.

Being an unashamed sentimentalist when it comes to everything St. Johnstone, there were a few tears at the start of the warmup as the team emerged from the famous tunnel on a rainy afternoon at one of the great arenas in football. The first of many, it has to be said.

As the stadium began to fill and the anticipation grew, the nerves flourished in tandem. However, an unexpected sense of calm and acceptance came in the minutes leading up to kick-off – during the spectacle of thousands of Saints fans waving their scarves during the prolonged and spine-tingling Espana chant.

It was mesmerising to be part of not just a support of that size – but of a crowd that was so vocally and fervent in their backing of St. Johnstone. It made the whole experience worthwhile. No matter what was to follow. Those few minutes were intoxicating and significant. And yes, there were some more tears.

Throughout personal strife, illness and worry, St Johnstone, and the Scottish Cup dream, had always been a constant and thoroughly enjoyable distraction in life. And as the expectant 47,000 in the stadium rose from their seats to welcome the two Tayside clubs - as the team came out of that tunnel - in blue – it almost felt like that dream had in a way already been fulfilled. We were ready.

So much about the day and the experience is vivid in the memory – but the actual match is a blur with only a few (admittedly pretty memorable) moments of genuine clarity. Thankfully we have the DVD to fill any blanks.

One thing that is clear was the heart-stopping instant when Ryan Dow of Dundee United’s effort on goal clipped off the inside of Alan Mannus’ left-hand post, and – somehow – avoided rebounding off the goalkeeper’s back as the ball trickled along the line. It was inexplicable. And so the belief grew.

As Steven Anderson – the dictionary definition of a stalwart – headed the ball into a gaping net to make that crucial breakthrough just before half-time, the scenes of celebration were beyond jubilant in the stands. Leading in the cup final. We didn’t quite know how to react to being in that position.

The corner of a teary eye spotted Tommy Wright - whose exuberant celebrations had been a highlight of the cup run - charging down the touchline in impassioned and unrestrained delight. The manager was channelling the emotions that every fan was experiencing inside the stadium and beyond at that moment.

During half-time, as supporters continued to digest Ando’s goal, the tannoy system began to play Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer. The lyrics: “Whoa, we're half way there” had never carried so much weight.

The second-half was unpredictable and emotionally tumultuous for every fan. Dundee United came close to scoring on a number of occasions, while David Wotherspoon almost produced a wonder goal after weaving magically through an assortment of defenders, before Stevie May saw a celebratory moment of his own correctly chalked off for hand-ball.

However, the star-striker would ultimately play a defining role in the final, as his pass deflected into the path of a determined Steven MacLean, who beat an onrushing Radoslaw Cierzniak to slot the ball into the goal in-front of the masses of St. Johnstone supporters; etching his name forever in the history of the club and Scottish football.

As everyone around celebrated manically with the elusive trophy being all-but clinched, this particular supporter stood in stunned disbelief. Was this really happening? On the outside, it was certainly the least animated of goal celebrations. However, on the inside, it was anything but. Innumerable emotions flowed through the head as tears ran down the cheeks. It was a truly transcendent experience.

The final-whistle was the cue for emotional embraces all round – with the dreams of thousands being collectively fulfilled at the same time as Dave Mackay triumphantly raised the oldest trophy in world football. It was the culmination of a journey for all supporters. For some it had been just a few years, while for others it had been decades.

The parade on the Sunday was the proverbial icing on the cake. Getting into the town early, and seeing the crowds slowly build-up on the high street – the numbers surpassing even the most optimistic expectations – there was a sense of civic unity. St. Johnstone had brought the city and county together in collective joy.

Those striking scenes were the conclusion of a remarkable few weeks in Perth. In the build-up to the final – the response from the city was truly something to behold. The displays, banners, flags, signs, bunting and even, of course, the giant grouse at Broxden Roundabout that was all kitted out. It was a shame to see it all have to come down.

Strangely – and it may have been an uncommon experience – there was a quiet sense of sadness as the dust settled on that surreal weekend. It might have been a result of emotional exhaustion, but there was a feeling of emptiness on that Sunday evening.

It was a wearied realisation that no matter what future successes are to hopefully come – this Scottish Cup victory would forever be the pinnacle for this generation of supporters. It would quite simply never be topped.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We were the privileged few to have been living witnesses of such an incredible weekend. It was a win for us in attendance – and all of those who had come before to follow the Perth Saints in previous eras at the Recreations Grounds, Muirton and McDiarmid.

It was also a triumph for the generations of fans to come in future. This will be the date and achievement that they will celebrate and commemorate in future decades, in the same mould as Celtic’s European Cup victory in 1967. The Scottish Cup winning side – led by Tommy Wright – are our Lisbon Lions, and they will be rightly remembered and revered as such.

It will forever be the date for all Saints supporters to look back on - present and future.

17^th of May 2014. The greatest day.

[Fife Saint]

I wept like a child and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

[7-2]

Ok then. According to a rumour on WAP we're going to be sponsored by this lot...

Not too bad until you do some googling and find that they don't alter from that logo no matter what they put it on, standard yellow football strips and dark yellow Hull City supporters flags included.  It echoes early Hydro Electric white box stubbornness 

As things stand it looks like we're heading for a blue rugby strip with tartan bits down the side and a yellow box on the front. Please please please let this be banteresque nonsense. Please.

[mizfit]

At least Jewsons background is blue on their logo....let’s go with them.

[Radford]

Last season we ended up sharing a strip with Breadalbane Amateurs from Aberfeldy. But they weren't sponsored by a used car dealer at least. This season we're sharing a sponsor with Luncarty ASC. Not even the Junior club but amateurs, wearing a strip that will be made by a company no one has heard of.

This is going to to be horrific and I for one can't wait to see it!

[tree house tam]

If anyone hasn't heard of the brand KooGa then they aren't really into sports imo.

 

KooGa rebranded to BLK lads.

[jamamafegan]

What the f**k is wrong with St Johnstone Football Club that they cannot make sure we have a cracking shirt to play in for the season? We’ve become an absolute laughing stock in this department.

How difficult can it be? How can they not get in touch with someone actually decent, with a good track record in producing shirts and get them to come up with the goods?

I want Saints to have a shirt that feels good to wear to the match and looks good on tv for televised games. When it was announced we’d be leaving Joma there were scenes of jubilation - tears of joy in the Jama household. The excitement of who we’ll be going with next has been crushed now that it’s looking like we’re going to be going with some barely known company from Oz that specialise in rugger bugger gear. What an absolute MINTER.

[tree house tam]

4 minutes ago, jamamafegan said:

What the f**k is wrong with St Johnstone Football Club that they cannot make sure we have a cracking shirt to play in for the season? We’ve become an absolute laughing stock in this department.

How difficult can it be? How can they not get in touch with someone actually decent, with a good track record in producing shirts and get them to come up with the goods?

I want Saints to have a shirt that feels good to wear to the match and looks good on tv for televised games. When it was announced we’d be leaving Joma there were scenes of jubilation - tears of joy in the Jama household. The excitement of who we’ll be going with next has been crushed now that it’s looking like we’re going to be going with some barely known company from Oz that specialise in rugger bugger gear. What an absolute MINTER.

You're an absolute MINTER. 

[RandomGuy.]

11 hours ago, 7-2 said:

Ok then. According to a rumour on WAP we're going to be sponsored by this lot...

Not too bad until you do some googling and find that they don't alter from that logo no matter what they put it on, standard yellow football strips and dark yellow Hull City supporters flags included.  It echoes early Hydro Electric white box stubbornness 

As things stand it looks like we're heading for a blue rugby strip with tartan bits down the side and a yellow box on the front. Please please please let this be banteresque nonsense. Please.

It'll look good on a yellow away top, no doubt we'll go with a white one though

Fwiw there's been numerous clubs who've been forced to change sponsor design through fan pressure, we should probably attempt that if they refuse to lose the yellow box

[Mr Positive, sometimes.]

20 minutes ago, jamamafegan said:

What the f**k is wrong with St Johnstone Football Club that they cannot make sure we have a cracking shirt to play in for the season? We’ve become an absolute laughing stock in this department.

How difficult can it be? How can they not get in touch with someone actually decent, with a good track record in producing shirts and get them to come up with the goods?

I want Saints to have a shirt that feels good to wear to the match and looks good on tv for televised games. When it was announced we’d be leaving Joma there were scenes of jubilation - tears of joy in the Jama household. The excitement of who we’ll be going with next has been crushed now that it’s looking like we’re going to be going with some barely known company from Oz that specialise in rugger bugger gear. What an absolute MINTER.

How difficult can it be? Lets put a few thoughts into what goes on potentially as part of our kit deal.

Theres a lot more to our kit deal than making a nice kit from a popular brand i would imagine.

For a start the gear for the the players has to have the quality to last for the whole season. Its not an unlimited supply of a new strip every week like we see in the sky generation leagues.

The deal is not simply about strips... its about the training gear, how much of it, the quality of it. Often about a supply of boots as well as part of the deal. 

The manufacturer has got to be willing to meet our requirements including making a bespoke one of a kind kit. Lets just say for example we wanted a deal with a big brand like Nike, Adidas or someone similar, would we get loads of training gear thrown in etc. Not a chance. Would it be bespoke, not a chance. There would be other clubs wearing the same kit as us just in a different colour. Would any top brand be interested in having a deal with us? No... because the profit margin isn't worth their effort. 

One company might have a cooler design but if financially another deal is better... which deal should win?

I can imagine there's a lot more to it. 

[7-2]

2 hours ago, Mr Positive, sometimes. said:

How difficult can it be? Lets put a few thoughts into what goes on potentially as part of our kit deal.

Theres a lot more to our kit deal than making a nice kit from a popular brand i would imagine.

For a start the gear for the the players has to have the quality to last for the whole season. Its not an unlimited supply of a new strip every week like we see in the sky generation leagues.

The deal is not simply about strips... its about the training gear, how much of it, the quality of it. Often about a supply of boots as well as part of the deal. 

The manufacturer has got to be willing to meet our requirements including making a bespoke one of a kind kit. Lets just say for example we wanted a deal with a big brand like Nike, Adidas or someone similar, would we get loads of training gear thrown in etc. Not a chance. Would it be bespoke, not a chance. There would be other clubs wearing the same kit as us just in a different colour. Would any top brand be interested in having a deal with us? No... because the profit margin isn't worth their effort. 

One company might have a cooler design but if financially another deal is better... which deal should win?

I can imagine there's a lot more to it. 

Plenty of other similar sized and smaller clubs manage to get it right. Why do we need a bespoke strip anyway? That just makes matters worse. The way this is shaping up just confirms that the real problem with our strips lies with whoever at McDiarmid Park picks them, not the supplier. Even Joma had decent ones we ignored. 

[tree house tam]

14 minutes ago, 7-2 said:

Plenty of other similar sized and smaller clubs manage to get it right. Why do we need a bespoke strip anyway? That just makes matters worse. The way this is shaping up just confirms that the real problem with our strips lies with whoever at McDiarmid Park picks them, not the supplier. Even Joma had decent ones we ignored. 

This. What moron actually chose the last 2 strips over other clubs joma kits?

I suppose when you see who works at McDiarmid, check out their dress sense, it all makes complete sense.

[jamamafegan]

How difficult can it be? Lets put a few thoughts into what goes on potentially as part of our kit deal.
Theres a lot more to our kit deal than making a nice kit from a popular brand i would imagine.
For a start the gear for the the players has to have the quality to last for the whole season. Its not an unlimited supply of a new strip every week like we see in the sky generation leagues.
The deal is not simply about strips... its about the training gear, how much of it, the quality of it. Often about a supply of boots as well as part of the deal. 
The manufacturer has got to be willing to meet our requirements including making a bespoke one of a kind kit. Lets just say for example we wanted a deal with a big brand like Nike, Adidas or someone similar, would we get loads of training gear thrown in etc. Not a chance. Would it be bespoke, not a chance. There would be other clubs wearing the same kit as us just in a different colour. Would any top brand be interested in having a deal with us? No... because the profit margin isn't worth their effort. 
One company might have a cooler design but if financially another deal is better... which deal should win?
I can imagine there's a lot more to it. 

How come clubs like Queen of the South are able to manage it with Macron - and Saints, an established Premiership outfit, can’t?

Dundee are able to do it with Puma. The new Dundee kit, dare I say it, is pretty smart.

Falkirk managed fine with Puma in the championship as well. Clubs like Falkirk and Queens aren’t even going to be on the tv unless it’s a cup or play off game.

And then there’s us. Bumbling from one pish company to the next. It’s a farce.

[RandomGuy.]

Worth noting teams like QOS and Morton have designs and sponsors a involved months before the season ends, and put up polls for fans to decide which strip they want. 

Seems a really simple approach to increase relations between the club and support. 

Theres part time teams with new strips announced, season ticket prices announced, and the season tickets already selling. Have we even announced prices yet?