'WHERE IT ALL BEGAN' BY ERIN MCRITCHIE

Erin McRitchie, from Perth Grammar, has written this article on St. Johnstone's promotion-winning side of 1989/90.

'Where It All Began'

Their names are synonymous with the club, with the fans due to their achievements during the ‘89-’90 season, namely their promotion to the Premier League. Devoted fans can recall their names at any given moment; Alex Totten the fearless manager directly linked to success, Mark Treanor the powerful ‘old school’ defender, Roddy Grant the skilled forward (also recognised for his jovial personality) and Allan Moore - one of Grant’s self professed “flying machine” wingers - the list of long-loved players is endless, as well as their numerous successful attributes.

When talking to such legends, you truly begin to comprehend the extent to which their time at St. Johnstone impacted their lives and their careers. They all speak with such passion when describing their accomplishments with the club, all agreeing that such an achievement in winning promotion would not have been possible without the “tremendous team spirit” that they experienced and the fact that “there were no cliques in the dressing room” - Grant even going on to say that their team simply had “flare”.

When asked how they felt about such an achievement the players gladly recall their place in the league winning team. Roddy Grant explained, “It was brilliant! We were of the mind set that, if they scored 3 against us then we would go on and score 4. With the addition that our style of play (playing 4-3-3) caught people out.” Mark Treanor then expressed that they simply played attractive football and, “We really took it to them!”. One fan, John McKean, expressed that he felt their performances throughout that season were always thrilling, especially the Airdrie game as when asked about said game he stated, “All the Saints fans that were there will tell you it was, and probably still is, the greatest game seen at McDiarmid.”

And, of course, every person knows that football teams cannot truly reach their full potential without the backing of loyal fans. Totten spoke of the influence of the Saints supporters in helping him achieve the Scottish Football Writers’ Manager of the Year Award in 1991, saying that the fans at St Johnstone gave him numerous happy memories and that, “It was the best time in my managerial career.” Grant and Treanor then go on to emphasise this, saying respectively that fans were “like the 12th man” and that, “one influences the other.”

With their numerous successes at the club, when asked what their proudest moment was the resounding answer was, “Oh dear!”. Having to choose just one moment proved hard, so hard that numerous ones had to be included. For Totten, it was winning his managerial award, the promotion to the Premier League and a special night upon the opening of McDiarmid which saw Alex Ferguson, Bobby Charlton, Matt Busby and the Manchester United team come up for a friendly match. For Grant, his highlights included the Airdrie game, beating Aberdeen 5-0 when no one expected it and watching the 2014 team win the Scottish Cup. And finally, for Treanor, he included a number of the same experiences as his colleagues but also said that for him just the special individual team performances that culminated in their well remembered success.

It must be acknowledged that such a legacy is being continued - by a new generation of successful St Johnstone stars that will become legends in their own right in years to come. Grant makes fair point that although the game has moved on now (becoming more tactical with more focus put on the sports science aspects) the current team, much like the men he played amongst, do not possess any fear which allows them to continue to be successful. Treanor goes on to praise the team, the players specifically, for the fact that none have become “too big for their boots”. He also gives specific mention to current captain Dave Mackay (whom he dubs ’Mr Consistency‘) and to the defenders Frazer Wright and Steven Anderson for displaying what he deems to be the old school style of defending, describing the way in which they “defend first and worry later”.

Overall, it is clear to see that through the heart and skill they show, and last year's Scottish Cup success, the current team will be remembered as dearly and fondly as the 1990 promotion-winning side.