We're St.Mirren supporters........." "I am a St Mirren fan" "I am a St Mirren supporter" Both mean the same thing, right ?  Wrong.......... The past few seasons have been difficult for Saints. It seems that ever since the cup final of '87 the club has been in almost perpetual decline. Each season it seems has brought with it the usual crisis, the small highs and the seemingly never ending lows. We've seen managers come and go, we've seen the club almost sink into the second division, we've seen our finances dwindle away to almost nothing and we've even seen the club come close to folding. Throughout all of this barren period - the same hard core of fans - numbering around two to two and a half thousand still follow the club - through thick and thin, hail rain and shine, they will be there to follow the darling buds. The core support hasn't really changed - sure when the team string together a few good results, or Morton come to visit or it's a Scottish cup tie, the closet saints fans come out scarf in hand - only to disappear again a few weeks later. What has almost certainly changed in recent years is the attitude of those supporters. The change in the North Bank over the past twelve years hasn't only been the introduction of seats, the removal of the crush barriers and the disappearance of the "Love Street Division" - we've seen a marked chance in attitude within the core support which borders on threatening the teams confidence when playing in front of a home crowd. The latest edition of Saints Quarterly carries an article by Stewart Dickson - "Law Stud". Stewart loves to provoke controversy and is often at the centre of many meaningless arguments which merely stem from boredom and a will to stir up a hornets nest, but on this occasion many of the sentiments disguised in an overly hostile article struck true to many of those who have become disenchanted with life on the North Bank. As finances have ebbed away, so too have the experienced "star" players which used to grace the field for the buddies. In the late 80's and early nineties it was commonplace to see four or five exciting new faces sign on for Saints at the start of another premier league campaign. Those days have long since gone, and Saints now rely on bargain free signings and, most importantly, our promising batch of young players. It seems that the change of circumstance has left it's mark on some Saints followers - perhaps still embittered by the clubs fall from grace these fans spout poison at the players at every opportunity. Every mistake, missed pass, skewed shot, defensive mistake leads to howls of derision from certain individuals who, it seems, cannot wait to lambast the boys who carry the hopes and aspirations of the club they claim to love. This has sometimes gone too far. We have seen isolated incidents of racist abuse aimed at Junior Mendes, we have seen players jeered before even taking to the field, and we have seen players virtually barracked out of Love Street by certain sections of the North Bank. Stewart Dickson called, in his article, for fans to be "educated", to use their own football knowledge to judge the game and the tactics, and urged the clubs followers to make their own mind up on situations, rather than just follow the general chorus of dissent. Whilst, again, the argument could perhaps have been delivered in a less aggressive form, the point is made - and is valid. When a young player makes a mistake, and hears the obscenities being howled from the supporters - is it really likely to encourage them to play any better ? Do we really believe that some players don't try when they pull on the stripes ? These players are playing for their livlihoods. This is their profession and most in the Saints team are probably paid less than twenty grand per annum - including bonuses. These are lads that face a career being over by the time they are in their mid thirties - and some won't even get that far before being slung out to part time football. The argument that players don't try is a non-starter. The Tommy Turner incidents last season are case in point. Turner wrongly got involved with a trackside incident with some fans who had constantly berated his performance during a match. When substituted Turner reacted foolishly and was subsequently punished by being slapped on the transfer list and loaned out to Queens Park. The incident was pointless and would not have happened had the fans not barracked one of their own. These are the same fans who are now seeing Turner excel at the centre of a Saints team which needs an experienced head in the middle of a team of youngsters. Had it not been for Tom Hendrie's arrival Turner would almost certainly not be at the club and quite simply put it is unlikely Saints would be able to afford an able replacement. There is an argument, often put by the barracking brigade, that they pay the gate money and thus have the right to a say the same as the next man, woman or child who occupies a seat at Love Street. This is a valid argument, and the aim of this article is not to diffuse the passion and the feeling that the hard core Saints fan takes with them to every match. The aim of this article is to make these followers "think" about the effect that constant abuse can have on team morale & confidence. There is, of course, a huge swell of jealously in the eyes of most fans. Most followers of the team would have given anything to be paid to play for the buddies - to pull on the jersey and even score a goal in front of the North Bank. The dream never comes true and it is a general impression that these lucky buggers on the park should be doing better - they got the chance - so they are barracked for not emulating Ronaldo at every turn. Compare the backing the team receives away from home and quite different picture is painted. Away from home the team receives more vocal backing, more encouragement and even more passion than is evident at Love Street. Whether this is down to being outnumbered, being half cut, or just being away from home and being underdogs is not clear - but the difference is there and can be felt as soon as a match kicks off. This feeling needs to be transferred and emulated at Love Street. Get right behind the team at all times. If a player makes a mistake then we will all groan and complain, but shout louder encouragement - tell the lad to get the head up and get stuck in. If you feel an urge to abuse someone you will find eleven suitable candidates playing for the opposition - jeer and abuse these players at your will. A promising saints move which breaks down should be applauded - a good tackle cheered and a near miss given recognition. Bad misses will be groaned - but if the build up has been good then it should be recognised. If players are having a bad day at the office then clap everything they do right - it is the managers job to see a player is out of sorts and replace him. Do all of this and you will become a supporter as well as being a fan. Do all of this and the North Bank will become a better place to visit. Do all of this and we might see the team turn loses into draws, and draws into wins as they will surely enjoy the home atmosphere rather than live in fear of it. If the team performs poorly the time to let them know in no uncertain terms is at half time and at full time. If you feel they deserve a pasting then wait and let them know before the manager probably does the same. A poor performance should hurt them as much as it does us. Sing - sing sing - get up on your feet and acclaim the team - back them with every song that goes - make the atmosphere - join in - make some noise and let's get Love Street buzzing again. Wear the shirt to the games - wear a scarf - SUPPORT the team - let's make Love Street a place to fear again - let's help the manager bring back the good times to Love Street. anonymous Your right to reply - mail us with your comments, for or against the article