Radford 72 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 It was touched upon by 1884 in another thread but twenty years ago around now, Saints fans were filing out of McDiarmid Park, the new ground's first season, having witnessed what probably remains the greatest match to take place at he stadium. In the late sixties and early seventies, under the stewardship of Willie Ormond, St Johnstone enjoyed the most successful period in their history. A League Cup final and sojourn into the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup saw crowds flooding to Muirton Park. Victory over Celtic on the final day of the 1974/75 campaign secured the club a place in the inaugural Premier Division but within a decade they were heading for the Second Division and crowds struggling to break four figures. The club were on the brink, with debts approaching £275,000 and a once proud ground that had seen the capacity restricted to just 2,500. The arrival of Geoff Brown as chairman in 1986 not only saved the club but transformed its fortunes. Brown delivered not only a top class manager in Alex Totten, who had Dumbarton on the brink of promotion to the Premier Division, but masterminded a deal that saw the club move into the country’s first custom-built, all-seater football stadium, all within three years. The club entered the 1989/90 season with a real hope that top flight football could be on the way back to Perth. It was November before Saints tasted defeat in the league, when Jimmy Bone’s Airdrieonians became the first side to win at the new ground and as the season progressed it would be the men from North Lanarkshire that offered the greatest threat to Saints’ premier dreams. The Diamonds’ second visit to Perth came in late March 1990, on a day when everything conspired to bring about the most amazing match, which will live on in the club’s history as one of their finest achievements. The stakes were high, but especially for Saints. With a one-point advantage and a game in hand, the Broomfield men had lost only once in 18 outings and only really needed to draw to set themselves up for the final run in to the league flag. Four years after Totten’s arrival in Perth, the prospects of Premier League football were going on the line. It was win or bust for Saints. Every single one of the record 9,556 spectators who crammed into the Crieff Road stadium knew they were playing for high stakes. The entire season would be shaped by the outcome of the next 90 minutes. The sun was shining on the shirt-sleeved crowd as the show got under way in front of the BBC Scotland cameras. Saints came flying out of the traps and Airdrie keeper John Martin had already produced two fantastic stops when Steve Maskrey controlled Roddy Grant’s flick and rattled the crossbar. The game was being played at a frantic pace and it was the home side creating all of the chances. Grant had prodded wide before Paul Cherry was next to test the Airdrie keeper when he burst through the middle and stung Martin’s palms with a ferocious right foot drive. Airdrie’s only notable first half venture forward saw Owen Coyle, a recent £175,000 signing from Clydebank, force Saints stopper John Balavage to showcase his own reflexes. Airdrie were struggling to deal with the presence of Grant and the pace of Maskrey and Allan Moore out wide and within the opening minutes of the second period, another three chances had been passed up. First, Maskrey scampered down the left before cutting the ball back to an unmarked Sammy Johnston, who failed to get enough purchase on his effort, and then Paul Cherry became the second player to rattle the bar when he was picked out in the box by Moore. Next it was Maskrey rampaging down the right and when his teasing cross found Grant, the woodwork was left shaking for the third time in the match. The pressure pounded down on the Airdrie defence and Coyle, Scotland’s top scorer, was starved of possession. Surely it was just a matter of time before the breakthrough? Then, in 69 minutes, a rare Airdrie venture upfield. Stevie Gray, a £70,000 buy from Aberdeen, raged a drive towards the top left corner. Saints keeper Balavage, who until that moment had been little involved, threw himself towards it but already knew he was beaten. The north stand erupted, a cauldron of red and white. A sucker punch had been delivered in this clash of the heavyweights. Everything Saints had played for seemed to be collapsing. This game was going to have a crucial bearing on the future of both clubs and after all the pressure Saints had exerted, the whole season was disintegrating. Several in blue fell to their knees but the fighting spirit throughout the team was incredible and not for the first time that season, Saints hauled themselves up off the deck, like a weary prize fighter operating on personal pride. Maskrey nearly capitalised on a slack ball back to Martin but the Airdrie man again came to the rescue. Increasingly frequent glances towards the electronic scoreboard suggested fate was conspiring against the Saints. Martin seemed capable of turning back the blue tidal wave all afternoon and, with time against the Perth side, the championship seemed bound for Broomfield. But with Ian Heddle and Kenny Ward replacing an exhausted Gary McGinnis and Sammy Johnston, Airdrie were driven further back into their defensive shell. The tireless Maskrey jinked into the box, only to be upended by Brian McKeown. Down he went... penalty! Saints had in their ranks a player who enjoyed taking penalties and never missed one for the club. As he placed the ball on the spot, Mark Treanor had already decided where the ball was going, all because of an evening in front of the TV. A preview of the match the previous evening had included a look back at the penalty he converted earlier in the year to put paid to Partick Thistle’s promotion hopes and wary of the fact that Diamonds keeper Martin could be tuned in as well, the former Clydebank right back had made up his mind that if there was a penalty, he would send the ball towards the other corner. Whether Martin had seen the programme or not, he went the wrong way and Treanor, tagged as being as cool as a cucumber by BBC commentator Alastair Alexander, had dragged Saints back into the game with only 14 minutes left on the clock. The draw was tailor-made for the league leaders but Saints were back in it and from then to the end it was a question of when the Perth side would get their winner. Saints had been the side that all season had produced the late goals and when Derek Grant scythed down Allan Moore, it was the same player that was beaten to the ball by Roddy Grant as the big striker met Treanor’s 86th minute driven free kick to put Saints into the lead and point them in the direction of the Premier Division. The heroic Martin got his hands to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out. A cult hero with the fans, man-of-the-match Grant notched 19 goals in this championship season but none as valuable as this, which amply repaid the faith his manager had shown in him during his initially unproductive time with the club. McDiarmid Park was alight with passion and having hit the woodwork thrice, there was no doubt that Saints merited their advantage but Airdrie were briefly stung into life, although Coyle could do no better than direct a header over with their final offering of the match. Saints themselves weren’t finished though and only three minutes after Grant’s strike and with the full-time opposition devastated, the Saints subs combined to inflict the coup de grace, Ward dispatching Heddle’s measured cross in the final minute following more fine play by Grant. Airdrie’s hopes were buried. The fans, many of whom were still on their feet from Grant’s goal, went mad again. Relief, joy, and that feeling which only football can engender, of momentary, yet supreme, subliminal happiness, all mingled to give the home crowd the result of the season. The standing ovation was richly deserved. The impact of this result reverberated over subsequent weeks. Airdrie were defeated, psychologically as well as statistically. They lost their game in hand, to Clydebank, and Saints were then in pole position. Although it would be the penultimate weekend of the season before the title was secured, it was always destined for Perth following this classic confrontation that got the Perth fans behind their team in a way which has seldom been repeated. dunkeldneil 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mc Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Got me all goose bumps reading that Radford.On a sadder note Airdrie's scorer Stevie Gray died quite recently,think he was only 42. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUZZ Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 That was another of the all time great days of following this club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike180279 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 That was another of the all time great days of following this club.Right up there with last night......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mc Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Really was a great day,brought a team up from Glenrothes and humped McCarry one nils team from Perth on the Astro before having a swally in the 208 then onto the match.Even had a wee scrap with section b'ers up the back of what was the subaru garage,what a day!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydavidson Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 My first ever Saints game was the defeat to Airdrie earlier in the season, I remember it but I am not so sure if I was at this one. The stadium looks amazing when it is packed like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1884 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Thanks for that, Radford. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Wonderful stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 This should be in the Fanzine, brilliant article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1884 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I have a collection of old football magazines in the attic and in one of them (Scottish Football Today I think it was called?) was a letter all the way fae Canada written by a Scottish bloke who'd emigrated there many years before. He said he'd managed to watch the highlights of the Saints V Airdrie game on a cable TV feed where he lived in Canada and his heart had been racing with the excitment of the game and that it was a superb advert for Scottish Football. Brilliant stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintstevie Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Up there with the 7-2 game and the 3-0 semi win over Hearts as the best game ever. It was a beautiful day, and what a brilliant game. What a team we had back then. Mind all the stuff with the fans sending Jimmy Bone a wreath the week before as well. "Mark Treanor, cool as a cucumber." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poang Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) I was at this game apparrently, but i was only 5 and cant remember any of it sadly Edited March 31, 2010 by poang / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE REBEL SAINT Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jings Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Best birthday present I ever had. 34 years young on that day. Happy Birthday to me:laugh: Only time I ever sat in the Ormond Stand as well. Struggled to get a ticket, changed days eh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Harry Curran's Love child Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Superb A few observations: 1) How good was Maskrey that day? 2) Forgot about Roddy goading the Airdrie fans when he scored 3) Airdrie paid £175k in 1990 for Coyle???? That must be about a million in todays money, no wonder scottish fitba is fecked anyone have a link to goals from the 7-2 game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Child Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 It was struggle to be beaten as the best game at McD ever. MT Cool as a cucumber. Setting Son 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finners Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 how come we got 10,000 then and now we struggle to get above 5k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mc Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 how come we got 10,000 then and now we struggle to get above 5k Over pricing and the recession are two of the biggest reasons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE LARK SAINT Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 how come we got 10,000 then and now we struggle to get above 5k New Stadium novelty value!!! and a bloody good team, and the managers pr skills were second to none!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morientes Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Fantastic article....to this day the best game I've ever been to - I was only 8 but remember it like it was yesterday. Have the game on DVD and still watched the 10 minute youtube video of the highlights about 20 times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilgour Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 how come we got 10,000 then and now we struggle to get above 5k I was there with my uncle and cousin in our season ticket seats in the West stand.No idea how many STs we had then but we were strongly advised to buy for the new ground to ensure good seats.There is no doubt the novelty value of the custom built ground helped but the team was so skillfull.As previously stated Mr Totten was at his most persuasive and regularly appeared in the media extolling the virtues of Saints. Live football on telly was still much more restricted ( ie mostly 4pm on Sundays) and many more people were working.The price rises endured since have been in tandem with all clubs so would not affect us any worse than other clubs.There was a feeling of rennaissance amongst Perth,s football fans and I am sure many youngsters who might go to Ibrox or Parkhead today chose to stay local then.The fight for the 1st Div. that year caught the eye of many and several clubs enjoyed bumper crowds. The idea of rising from the 2nd to the 1st and on to the hallowed turf of the Premier all from the comfort of your own shiny plastic seat was very appealing.Super piece Radford.You captured it beautifully and awakened many memories in my old brain. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Christmas Jones Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Superb A few observations: 1) How good was Maskrey that day? 2) Forgot about Roddy goading the Airdrie fans when he scored 3) Airdrie paid £175k in 1990 for Coyle???? That must be about a million in todays money, no wonder scottish fitba is fecked anyone have a link to goals from the 7-2 game?If Gavin Swankie wants to know what a real winger looks like.Del should give him a few dvds with Moorey,Maskrey and maybe even Jenko to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranmere Saintee Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 New Stadium novelty value!!! and a bloody good team, and the managers pr skills were second to none!! Good grief Larky, you are spot on, especially about Alex Totten, who to this day still asks about the kids & Mrs TS by name on the odd occassion I still bump into him. And by the way what a game:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiddy Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Never had Radford down as a big Beatles fan... Alec Totten taught the team to play They've been going in and out of style But they're guaranteed to raise a smile. So may I introduce to you The act you've known for all these years, Super sainties, St. Johnstone Football club.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al C Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Cheers for that Radford, real tear to the eye stuff. Can't believe it was 20 years ago. Every single one of the record 9,556 spectators who crammed into the Crieff Road stadium Did we not have over 10,000 for the Thistle game earlier in the season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike180279 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Cheers for that Radford, real tear to the eye stuff. Can't believe it was 20 years ago. Did we not have over 10,000 for the Thistle game earlier in the season?We extended the capcity in the stadium at least once after reaching the premier. Thistle was almost a sell out too as I recall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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