News Archive - Started May 15th 1999

This page - 8 December 1999 to Present

Other archives (Click to view):

[15 May 1999 - 1 September 1999]

[2 September 1999 - 7 December 1999]

22 January - Falkirk 2 Saints 0
It was almost a case of deja vu as the hellhole that is known as Brockville once again proved to be a stumbling block for Saints.   A poor team performance all round and very similar to the manner with which Saints lost there back on the 25 September.   Dunfermline, as expected saw off the challenge from Ayr United with a 2-0 win and now lie 3 points behind the buddies although Saints have a game in hand against Clydebank.  Whilst Livingston comfortably saw off Clydebank 3-0, Raith Rovers slipped up at Inverness and could only manage a 1-1 draw.  M*rton finally managed to overcome their hoodoo against Airdrie with a 4-0 win.

Read the Roving Ross' post mortem:

20 January - Preview: Falkirk v Saints
By Roving Ross
It was almost four months ago now that Saints travelled to Brockville full of optimism and with a four point lead at the top of Division One. On that day in September the whole team learned a great lesson as Falkirk caught them cold and hit them with three early goals before Hugh Murray netted a consolation from the penalty spot.

The gap to second place may have grown slightly - it now stands at six points - but on Saturday Tom Hendrie’s men will make that journey to Falkirk once again, not so much optimistic for a result, rather expectant.

Certainly all the pressure will be on a Falkirk side whose automatic promotion hopes would surely disappear with a defeat which would leave them 12 points adrift having played two games more than St.Mirren.

Of course that’s only if they can actually qualify for promotion, with a ground which meets only Safeways standards and a backup plan which consists of lodging at Clyde’s council owned Broadwood stadium which if I’m right only has a capacity of 8,000, some way short of the regulation 10,000 set by the SPL. The likelihood of the SPL’s member clubs giving the go ahead for them to groundshare is slim, to say the least, and once more it seems that the money which has been spent by Alex Totten will be to no avail.

Despite their predicament Totten’s side continue to battle in the hope that the “big boy’s” have a change of heart and will be buoyed this week by the return of Kevin McAllister. Having missed the entire season through injury he played an hour in a closed-door match on Tuesday and could be set for a place on the bench tomorrow.

David Sinclair and Scott Crabbe are suspended for the home side while Hugh Murray will at long last start a three match ban, which he received three weeks ago, for Saints. In his place Hendrie is likely to opt for the versatility of Sergei Baltacha, perhaps with one eye on next week’s cup game with Aberdeen in which Baltacha is likely to deputise for suspended sweeper Tommy Turner.

Also making a return to the starting line-up should be Barry Lavety, fresh from his midweek reserve hat-trick against Clyde. As a result Junior Mendes could have to make do with a place as a substitute having been excused from training for two days this week to visit his daughter in England.

Another Saint doing some visiting this week was Ludovic Roy who met with a specialist to have a second scan on his groin injury.  While he was given the go ahead to start training again his chances of playing tomorrow are doubtful so Derek Scrimgour will once again deputise between the sticks.

Likely line-up: Scrimgour, Nicolson, Ross, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Baltacha, Brown, Lavety, McGarry, Yardley  Subs from: Mendes, Bowman, Robinson & Rudden

19 January - Saints Ticket Allocation Sold Out
All tickets for the Aberdeen game have now been snapped up.  Buddies queued for hours at Love Street yesterday to get their hands on the briefs which were limited to four per person.  It has also been revealed that the league game against Dunfermline at Love Street on 4  March is likely to be all ticket also.

Erin Hibs v Sizzling Saints
Roving Ross has kindly submitted his match report on the Internet game versus Erin Hibs.

Basher Hits Hat Trick
Barry Lavety made a 'second eleven' appearance on Tuesday night and scored all the goals in a 3-0 win against Clyde.  Bashers goals came from the penalty spot, a header direct from a corner kick and a forunate effort which hit the back of the net whilst Basher was lying on the ground!

15 January - Saints v Clydebank - Match Postponed!
Amidst all the talk about the fixture re-arrangement and the vouchers being isued for the cup game against Aberdeen it is ironic (although hardly surprising) that the game was called off due to a frost bound pitch!   After all the work which went into the switch of the game from Crappielow to St.Mirren Park the efforts of those involved were to prove in vain as a lunchtime inspection deemed the pitch unplayable. Although the majority of the surface was soft and in perfectly good condition the area which lies in front of the main stand was frozen solid and deemed to be a danger to the players.

Caley Thistle’s game at Ayr was also called off late on with many Inverness fans having already made the trip to the seaside while Ian McCall’s first game in charge of M*rt*n at home to Livingston was another which was defeated by the elements.

While the Caley fans on their way home decided to stop off to see Falkirk’s trip to Dunfermline, roving ross’ spying mission led him to the Shyberry Excelsior where Airdrie were hosting Raith Rovers. In a miserably dull encounter, which was made even worse by the fact that the temperature was somewhere in the region of minus 42, the visitors took all three points thanks to second half goals from Alex Burns and Jay Stein.

Meanwhile at East End Park Dunfermline looked to be heading to a comfortable victory after strikes from Steven Hampshire and Steve Crawford gave them a two goal lead with only five minutes remaining. Alex Totten’s men had all Saints’ fans (or maybe it was just me?) jumping with joy though when Scott McKenzie and then Ivo Den Bieman scored to leave the fifers with only one point from their past three games.

14 January - Preview: Sizzling Saints v Erin Hibs
By Marko Van Haddock
This sunday Sizzling Saints pick up hopefully where they left off against Ayr after banishing their end of the millenuim psychosis blues in the match versus Kilmarnock. Fresh from that convincing 9-3 victory over Ayr at the Feegie Park Field of Dreams and in their first match of the new millenium, Saints travel to Edinburgh to take on excellent opposition in Erin Hibs, Saints conquerors in the Erin Tournament Semi final earlier in the season.

This will be a tough test for the young (ha!) Saints side who seem set to switch goalkeepers, top scorer Mark L threatening to take over from the under fire Gloves, still shame-faced from AJs goal against him in the Ayr match. Saints were tonight boosted by the news that second top scorer Marko van Haddock has announced his availability after doubts following a family bereavement. That and the welcome return of wide man Craig sees Saints going to Edinburgh filled with optimism of a good performance though perhaps lacking in fireower with the call off of Tony McG.

The match kicks off at Edinburghs Jack Kane Centre at 11am on Sunday with the team bus leaving the Caley Stand at 9.15am. A full report will appear here and any support be it purely financial will be accepted.....

13 January - Preview: Saints v Clydebank
By Roving Ross
Having been in doubt now for almost a week due to the incompetence of the League, M*rt*n and the off-field disaster that is Clydebank tomorrow's game only goes ahead because, thankfully, Stewart Gilmour knows what running a football club consists of.

With M*rt*n facing Livingston on the same day as Saints were scheduled to meet the 'Bankies, who are also set to meet Raith Rovers on Tuesday, the match looked like a certainty to be called off until the Love Street chairman decided enough was enough. In the end common sense prevailed with the two remaining fixtures between the sides being switched, meaning that the Crappielow tie will now be played on the 25th of March.

With a trip to East End park already rearranged for March Tom Hendrie was  keen to avoid the sort of fixture backlog which could have been punishing for his players in the title run-in. Also with Falkirk travelling to Dunfermline for a must win match he sees this as an ideal opportunity to further extend Saints' seven point lead, whereas with a postponement it was likely that the chasing pack would close the gap to put pressure on his young side.

It could, as well, be that the Paisley gaffer is desperate to get Hugh Murray's three match suspension out of the way and, with all due respect to Clydebank, the home side should still have enough quality left in the side  to defeat Ian McCall's men. "Shuggie" is the only new doubt with Sergei Baltacha the most likely replacement in midfield. McCall is known to prefer playing with three up front against Saints and Baltacha's versatility could be the deciding factor in his selection.

Ludovic Roy (how is it pronounced, is it "Wah" or "Roy"? Answers on a postcard please) is still out with a groin injury but Barry Lavety returns from suspension, albeit only for a place on the bench. Clydebank's selection problems tend to stem from the fact that they only have about 14 registered players and just one goalkeeper. Usually in Colin Scott's absence their coach, Steve Morrison, stands between the posts but tomorrow they have the luxury of on-loan Kilmarnock 'keeper Colin Stewart as Scott recovers from injury.

Likely line-up: Scrimgour, Nicolson, Ross, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Baltacha, Brown, McGarry, Mendes, Yardley  Subs from: Lavety, Bowman, Robinson & Rudden

Elsewhere it's Airdrie v Raith Rovers, Ayr v Inverness CT, Dunfermline v Falkirk, M*rton v Livingston

11 January - Voucher Issue for Aberdeen Tickets
Vouchers will be issued at Saturdays re-arranged game with Clydebank which will allow fans attending the Clydebank game to obtain a ticket to the Scottish Cup third round tie v Aberdeen.  The voucher issue is sure to swell the crowd this Saturday.  On a side note, there are a few corporate hospitality places available for the Aberdeen game but they are going very fast.  Anyone who wishes to take up the corporate hospitality for this match phone the club on0141 840 1337 or  0141 889 2558  . The cost is £85.

Barr Construction Awarded new Stand Contract
The club have decided to award the contract for the construction of the Love Street stand to Barr Constructon who were the lowest priced tenderer.  having built stadia for many other Scottish clubs and indeed our own Caledonian Stand, Barr's have unrivalled experience in this type of work.

10 January - Saints take on Clydebank at Love Street this Saturday
St Mirren and Clydebank have succeeded in re-aranging the fixture list.  The net result is that Saints will play Clydebank at Love Street this Saturday with the game on March 25 being moved to Cappielow.  This means two trips to Cappielow on successive Saturdays for Saints as they are due to play M*rton on the 18 March.

Saints v Aberdeen all ticket
The Scottish Cup third round tie v Aberdeen will be all ticket.  According to our information the Aberdeen support will be allocated the Caley Stand and 200 seats of the main stand.  The remainder of the main stand and the entire Northbank will be reserved for Saints supporters.

9 January - The New Love Street Stand
An article on the redevelopment of the Love Street terrace, including some drawings of the new stand.

Scottish Cup Third Round -  Saints v Aberdeen
Saints drew a cracker of a home tie against Aberdeen in the third round draw made earlier today.   The tie is to played on 29 January (unless TV coverage dictates otherwise) and is sure to be a sell out due to a reduced capacity caused by the construction of the Love Street stand.

The tie is sure to be a close affair and one which Tom Hendrie and the team will no doubt look forward to.  On the other hand, Aberdeen (currently propping up the SPL) wont be relishing the prospect of facing Saints who have already defeated SPL opposition during the pre-season friendlies.

Saints offer Bankies Love Street Option
Saints have offered to play Clydebank at Love Street in order to avoid a congestion of fixtures in March. The Scottish Football League has ruled that the game between   M*rton and Livingston should take priority hence this match will go ahead on Saturday as scheduled.  Both Saints and Clydebank appear to be keen to play the fixture in the next week.

Sizzling Saints would like to point out that this type of confusion is what happens when clubs are allowed to ground share and hopes that the SPL takes note!!

8 January - Saints 3 Airdrie 1
It was the type of day that makes you realise that the SPL winter shut down makes sense.  The saving grace was the the game had top billing on Radio Scotland who hailed the fans who stood for the last time on the East terracing.  Even the fans in the Northbank in the front rows got a real soaking however after 90 minutes their misery was forgotton as Saints increased their lead at the top of the First Division to 7 points.

Junior Mendes picked up his game once again wih two glorious goals and an in form Steven McGarry scored an equally impressive goal.  Saints must have wondered what was happening when Airdrie equalised with a soft goal by Alex Neil however a sizzling second half performance in the driving wind and rain saw the points won.

As usual Roving Ross was at the game and his report is online.

The other results in the division: Falkirk 4 Clydebank 0,   Inverness C.T  6 M*rton 2,  Livingston 1 Dunfermline 0, Raith Rovers 2 Ayr Utd 0.

7 January - Coughlin in charge as Hendrie goes to 'school'
Summary of PDE report
John Coughlin was left in charge of Saints as Tom Hendrie spent Wednesday & Thursday in Liverpool as part of his UEFA Pro-Licence coaching course.

Hendries trip included visits to both Everton & Liverpools training facilities including a discussion session with Walter Smith and Archie Knox who are holders of the UEFA qualification.

Meanwhile John Coughlin took the players on a training sessions at the Love Street gymnasium, Linwood astroturf pitch and Elderslie baths since the availability of a grass park for training is still a problem for the club due to the inclement weather.

6 January - Preview: Saints v Airdrie
By Roving Ross
Following the disappointment of Monday’s draw against M*rt*n St.Mirren welcome (Aye, right!) Airdrie to Love Street tomorrow with both sides desperate to get back to winning ways albeit for entirely different reasons.  It’s now a full month, although only three games, since Saints’ recorded a victory and despite being four points clear, a win tomorrow is vital not only to stop the gap decreasing further but also to boost the confidence of one or two players whose form has suffered of late.

Airdrie on the other hand are a side in serious trouble. Although there’s little chance of second division football next season, with Clydebank being virtually assured of the one relegation slot, Gary McKay’s men are in rapid decline.   Having spent what money they had, and what money they never, on the ridiculously titled Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, which meets all SPL regulations on stadia, they now find they have nothing left to finance the building of a team which justifies the need for such a facility.  Similar to the situation St.Mirren were in only a year ago but whereas Stewart Gilmour and co chose to appoint a man they KNEW would have them challenging for the title Airdrie decided to go for the untried and inexperienced McKay.    It’s a move which clearly hasn’t paid off as McKay has been forced to field a side youngsters together with the few signings he has made - most of whom have failed to live up to expectations.

One of those signings, Niall Thompson, was red carded last week against Falkirk and as a result misses out tomorrows game through suspension while Gareth Evans is absent with injury.
Saints meanwhile choose from the same squad as last week with Ludovic Roy still out with a groin strain and Barry Lavety sitting out the last of a two match ban.  While Lavety can return next week against Clydebank tomorrow is the last appearance for Hugh Murray before he starts a three match suspension following the yellow card he received against M*rt*n.   Of course that ban wouldn’t quite be so long if it hadn’t been for a red card he picked up at Airdrie earlier on in the season. The theatrics of Paul Jack helped Murray on his way and as sure as a David Beckham sending off against American opposition the Love Street faithful will no doubt leave him needing little reminder of his actions on that day.

Likely line-up: Scrimgour, Nicolson, Ross, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Murray, Brown, McGarry, Mendes, Yardley  Subs: Bowman, Baltacha & Rudden

Other First Division fixtures: Falkirk v Clydebank, Inverness CT v M*rton,  Raith Rovers v Ayr Utd, Livingston v Dunfermline.

5 January - News Round up
The following is a summary of the news as reported by the Paisley Daily Express.

Hendrie wants Results
Tom Hendrie explained  that Saints have been unlucky in their last three outings.  He wont rush into panic measures and considers that Saints can put further daylight between the chasing pack.   The main weakness Hendrie explained, was the lack of quality balls into the danger areas and further hard work in training during the rest of the week should ensure Saints get back on the winning track. 

Hugh Murray faces three match ban!!
Once again Hugh Murray is faced with a long suspension after picking up a caution against M*rton.  The ban will commence after the Airdrie games so Shuggie will miss the games v Clydebank (a), Falkirk (a) and the 3rd round Scottish cup tie.

Basher gets 'extra' training
Whilst Tom Hendrie and the players enjoyed their midweek day off John Coughlin put Barry Lavety through some extra training to keep him match fit.  John Coughlin explained that if Barry does not get regular games he loses a bit of sharpness so this measure was deemed necessary to keep Basher in shape for the forthcoming games.

Ian Ross to line up against Airdrie
It has been revealed that Ian Ross was suffering symptoms of the recent flu bug at half time against M*rton.  He had dificulty with his breathing as he felt his chest tightening hence he was replaced by Gary Bowman as a precaution.  Ross pointed out  that he will be fit for the Airdrie game.

3 January - Saints 1 M*rton 1
Most Saints fans feared the return of Paul Hartley to the hallowed turf and their fears proved correct as he gained M*rton a point which they scarcley deserved.  On another day Saints would have won this match 6-1 however Ally Maxwell in the M*rton goal had one of those games which a keeper has only a few times in their career.  The game was not without controversy however when Yardley scored for Saints as Steven McGarry was offside but ruled not interfering with play.  All up though, with Dunfermline losing at Raith Rovers no damage was done and the St Mirren bubble gained a point in thickness (Copyright Bill Lees 1999).

Roving Ross' quality match report is online.  

The other results in Division 1:  Airdrie 0 Falkirk 2, Clydebank 0 Ayr Utd 2,   Livingston 1 Inverness CT 1, Raith Rovers 3 Dunfermline 0.

1999 Review
By Roving Ross
A brief overview of the highs and not so many lows of last year and a look-ahead at what's to come.  

2 January - Preview: Saints v M*rton
By Roving Ross
Having (un)officially been declared the Millennium Champions St.Mirren go into the new year in search of the additional, and rather more important, title of “Scottish Football League Division One Winners 2000”.

Compare that to the fortunes of tomorrow’s opponents, M*rt*n, who are lying second from bottom with only Clydebank saving their blushes and you’d be forgiven for thinking tomorrow’s game would be a proverbial stroll in the park for Saints.

Not so, according to football’s greatest family man himself, Andy Millen. So if quality isn’t the difference between the two sides just what is? Well it’s obvious, isn’t it? Luck! Barmy as it may sound that’s the claim from the 'hooped vermin' (copyright roving ross 1999) skipper - surely that sort of quote is all the inspiration Hendrie’s Heroes need in order to repeat the sort of performance which resulted in November’s great 4-1 win at Crappielow.

Admittedly Saints were in the middle of an eight match winning streak when they made that trip to deepest darkest Greenock but with the squad at it’s healthiest in almost two months there’s no reason why tomorrow can’t be the platform for a similar run of form. Only Barry Lavety, who starts a two match suspension, and Ludovic Roy, with a groin strain, sit the game out with the obvious exceptions of the four long term absentees - Ronnie McQuilter, Norrie McWhirter, Chris Kerr and Colin Drew. This means a return to the starting eleven for Junior Mendes and also Ian Ross, whose return looks likely to demote Sergei Baltacha to the subs bench.

M*rt*n meanwhile would have you believe they have a never ending list of players suffering from flu. In reality the problem is nowhere near as big as that which swept over Love Street last week, with only five of the unwashed feeling the effects. Those five - Keith Wright, Bryan Slavin, Craig McPherson, John Anderson and David Murie - along with Graham Morrison and Derek Anderson, who are suspended, are Billy Starks only problems. Somehow I can’t see why so few sicknotes could merit a postponement although I’ve no doubt a certain Mr.Scott would see things differently.  Morton will present their case to the SFL at start of business 3rd January.

Likely line-up: Scrimgour, Nicolson, Bowman, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Murray, Ross, McGarry, Mendes, Yardley  Subs from: Brown, Baltacha, Rudden and Robinson

The other fixtures in the division: Airdrie v Falkirk, Clydebank v Ayr Utd, Livingston v Inverness CT, Raith Rovers v Dunfermline.

1 January - Saints March into New Millenium

Bells SFL Division 1

27  December - First Division Round Up
With the much publicised flu bug putting paid to Saints match at East End Park it was business as usual for the rest of the first divison.   Performance of the day was no doubt by Ayr utd who are beginning now to find some form after a dismal start to the season.  They trounced Airdrie 5-0 at Somerset park. Clydebank remain without a win after they were thumped 4-1 by Inverness Caley Thistle however Livingston leap into third place with a good away win at Brockville.  The division scores were as follows:

Ayr Utd 5 Airdrie 0, Falkirk 2 Livingston 3, Greenock Morton 1 Raith Rovers 0, Inverness CT 4 Clydebank 1.

22  December - Saints Share Issue
Anyone wishing to buy shares from the club then print  this shares form  fill it in and send it to: The St Mirren Football Club, St Mirren Park, Love Street, Paisley. PA3 2EJ together with a cheque or postal order for the appropriate amount.

The minimum investment is 30 shares at £7-00 per share (£210 total).  Allow 30 days for the club to process your application.

Sizzling Saints Stocking Fillers
We thought we would digress a little.  We have found some cool games and managed to loosely link them to our unwashed friends from the *rse of the bank.  It should help pass a few hours till Santa arrives. 

19  December - Saints 1 Ayr United 2
What a difference five minutes makes!  With 85 minutes of the Saints and Dunfermline games gone there was still six points between the teams.  At the final whistle Saints had somehow thrown the game away whilst Dungfermline sneaked a last minute goal.  Saints lead now cut to three points however with Dunfermline to play on the 27th December everything is still up for grabs and only a freak result will prevent Saints going into the new millenium leading the First Division.

Read Roving Ross' match report 

Sizzling Saints 9 KaisAYRslautern 3
Sizzling Saints once again returned to winning ways with a convincing 9-3 win over the Ayr United internet team.  The game will perhaps be remembered for a stunning goal by Ben Fica - a thunderous drive from 25 yards, 'Hugh Murray-like' in its execution and into the top corner of the net.  Bens goal celebrations meant the rest of the Sizzling Saints running to catch him, which they did - at Linwood Toll :o)

Read Marko Van Haddock's match report. 

A word of thanks to the Ayr lads for an enjoyable day and a mention to the KaisAyrslautern 'away' support who were magnificent! 

17  December - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!
Sizzling Saints is one year old today!  We threw a huge party last night which lasted well into the wee small hours and  some of the If Only.... babes decided to turn up! Totally unexpected of course.  They even brought us a cake.

All at Sizzling Saints would like to thank everyone who has wished us well and visited the site in the past year.  We hope to keep up the high standard well into the new millenium.

We extend our warmest wishes to the staff, players and fans of St Mirren Football Club without whom we would be producing websites for....???   (answers on a postcard!)

Thanks folks.

Div, Tiger, Ross & Karin.

Saints Receive Cash Boost for New Stand
Christmas came early for Saints yesterday when it was revealed that their application for funding to help bring St.Mirren Park up to the SPL’s standards has been successful.

The club have received a total of £300,000, made up of Grants and Loans from Sportscotland and the Football Trust. This news means that Saints are now free to start work on a new stand at the Love Street end of the ground  on January 10th.

This will leave enough time for the existing terracing to be redeveloped with a roof and 2,200 seats by the SPL’s March 31st deadline

Preview: Saints v Ayr United
By Roving Ross
Having received the necessary cash investment required to bring St.Mirren Park up to SPL standards Tom Hendrie and his players go into the second half of the season knowing that, with off-field affairs taken care of, the pressure is now on them to take care of everything on the field.

Although six points clear at the present time that’s sure to be no easy task with such a small squad, especially in the winter months, and Tom Hendrie yesterday revealed that he’ll look to bring in one or two players on loan if the injury situation were to deteriorate any further. That’s something which the man opposite him in the dugout tomorrow hasn’t been slow to do with Gordon Dalziel bringing in no fewer than six players on a temporary basis this season already.

Looking at that statistic it’s clear the Ayr manager hasn’t been too pleased with his team so far this season as they struggle in the lower reaches of the division. At present they lie in eighth place but despite that Dalziel this week made the bizarre statement that Saints aren’t any better than his men. A strange thing to say but then again this was the guy that paid £80,000 for Alex Bone.

That someone wants to pay money for Bone itself seems incredible but to pay money for him and then put him in the reserves is even more amazing. This week Jimmy’s nephew found himself playing at Cappielow in the Reserve League West and despite claiming a brace of goals it’s unlikely that he’ll be in the starting line-up for Saturday.

Instead, it seems as if on loan duo Roddy Grant and Neil Tarrant will start on Saturday with last week’s goalscorer against Falkirk, Jens Kristian Hansen(didn’t he write children’s stories?), also playing. Last season’s top scorer, Glynn Hurst, sits out the last of a two match ban while Neil Scally is out for a month as he recovers from a hernia operation.
Though against Inverness Saints were missing five first-teamers, that injury list should be considerably shorter for tomorrow. Both Ludovic Roy and Ian Ross will return from injury and joining them should be Mark Yardley, Junior Mendes and Hugh Murray who all trained for the first time this week, yesterday.

Barry Lavety will play his last game before a three game suspension but midfielder Tom Brown is extremely doubtful after he picked up a knock in that hell-hole called the Caledonian Stadium last Saturday.

Likely line-up: Roy, Nicolson, Bowman, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Baltacha, Ross, Lavety, McGarry, Yardley  Subs From: Murray, Robinson, Mendes and Rudden

16  December - SQ21 Christmas Edition
SQ21 is on sale this Saturday.  Watch out for Millport and Griff at the corner of Love Street and Albion Street - Price £1-50.  Contents include:

Saints Stalkings with Steven McGarry

Interview with Tom Hendrie and Chairman Gilmour

Festive Greenock Top Ten

Introducing the Independent Supporters Association (ISA)

And a pull out poster of Paisley Panda!!

14  December - First Division Update
Airdrie 2 Livingston 3: Two goals from David Bingham helped secure Livingston the points in this re-arranged fixture at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium.   The other fixture Raith Rovers v Clydebank was postponed due to the weather.

12  December - Inverness Caley Thistle 1  Saints 1
Saints failed to add to their Sizzling run of 8 wins on the trot by earning a draw at the Caledonian Stadium.  This game was always going to be a tough affair at a ground where Saints have twice lost this season.  All in all this could be viewed as a point gained since Saints were without Murray, Ross and Ludo Roy.

Saints opened the scoring in 43 minutes when a 28 yard shot from Yardley took a deflection and deceived the keeper.  ICT levelled almost immediately after the interval and that's how it stayed till full time.

Read the match report: 

9  December - Preview: Inverness Caley Thistle v Saints
By Roving Ross
It was with some irony that in the same week that Chris Kerr was told he would play again St.Mirren travel to Inverness to meet a Caley Thistle side complete with a fully fit Ross Tokely. Back in the two sides’ meeting in August Kerr played last  for Saints - his season ending only 20 minutes into the game when Tokely’s horror tackle caused cruciate ligament damage in his knee. It’s obviously not a moment the 20 year old will remember fondly especially when considering that he was on the verge of a call-up to the Scotland Under-21 squad.

On Tuesday Chris went through surgery and although it’s not clear when he will return to action he was content with the news that he will be able to resume his career in the future.   While “Gonzo” will have to wait until Saints are in the Premier League before he can kick a ball in anger another long term Love Street casualty was given the news yesterday that he could be back within a matter of weeks. After eight months on the sidelines - with medial ligament damage, also in the knee - Ronnie McQuilter has finally started jogging again.

Although this was welcome news for Tom Hendrie, on the long term injury front, he could be left waiting until Saturday afternoon to see if the same can be said short term. Both Mark Yardley and Ludovic Roy picked up groin strains during Saturday’s win over Falkirk and will receive intensive treatment from Physio, Colin Brow, today and tomorrow. While it seems likely that Yardley will play, Derek Scrimgour has been put on stand-by to replace Roy if the Frenchman fails to recover in time for kick-off.

Two certainties to be included though are Hugh Murray, returning from suspension, and Ian Ross, who has shaken off the ankle knock which kept him out of last week’s game.
That game was of course Saints’ eighth consecutive win but they will know that in order to extend that record to nine they will have to be on top of their game against an Inverness side which will be largely unchanged from the one which ended the Paisley bid for success in both the League and League Challenge Cup’s earlier on in the season.

Likely line-up: Roy or Scrimgour, Nicolson, Bowman, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Baltacha, Brown, Lavety, McGarry, Yardley  Subs: Mendes, Murray & Ross

[Homepage]