UEFA CUP WINNERS CUP 2nd Round, 1st Leg
21st October 1987
Achter de Kazerne, Mechelen
Mechelen 0-0 St. Mirren
ATT: 6,746 (250 Saints fans)
Referee: L Hartman (Hungary)
- After becoming the first team from the UK to visit Belgium since the Heysel Disaster in 1985, Saints presence in the Low countries means the the match is given a category A security listing by the Belgian government, with a restriction on traveling supporters and the allocation of armed police.
- The Belgians are in fine form and top their league, however Saints are labelled favourites to make the quarter finals and manager Alex Smith believes the Paisley side have a stronger squad than their continental counterparts.
- The 0-0 draw may seem to back this up as it is a fine result for St Mirren, however Saints withstand heavy pressure, particularly near the end and rely on Campbell Money and the woodwork to keep the Belgians out.
- Crucially for Saints, Ian Ferguson is booked and will miss the return leg in Paisley. With Frank McGarvey still refusing to train with the club, this severely limits the attacking options for Alex Smith who is also without midfielder Abercromby through injury.
- The Belgian Government praise St Mirren supporters following the match for their behaviour as a clear distinction continues to be drawn between the behaviour of Scottish and English fans abroad.
TEAM LINEUPS
| MECHELEN | NO | ST. MIRREN |
|---|---|---|
| PREUD’HOMME Michel | 1 | MONEY Campbell |
| DE MESMAEKER Paul | 2 | WILSON Tommy |
| SANDERS Koen | 3 | WINNIE David |
| RUTJES Graeme | 4 | FITZPATRICK Tony  63 |
CLIJSTERS Lei  | 5 | GODFREY Peter 77 |
| THEUNIS Paul 46 | 6 | COOPER Neil |
| CLUYTENS Bert | 7 | LAMBERT Paul |
| HOFKENS Wim | 8 | FERGUSON Ian |
| OHANA Eli | 9 | CHALMERS Paul |
| KOEMAN Erwin | 10 | WALKER Keith |
| DEN BOER Piet | 11 | CAMERON Ian |
DE WILDE Pascal  46 | 12 | HAMILTON Brian 63 |
| JASPERS Raymond | 13 | DAWSON Robert 77 |
| DE NIL Alain | 14 | McDOWALL Kenny |
| EMMERS Marc | 15 | SHAW George |
| DROUGUET Pierre | 16 | FRIDGE Les (GK) |
THE MATCH
THE TRIP
Stadium: Achter de Kazerne, Mechelen, Belgium
1987 Capacity: 16,000
Record Attendance: 18,477 (1989)
1987 City Population: 75,622
Distance From Paisley (air): 494 miles – 1.5 hour flight
Distance From Paisley (road): 648 miles – 14 hours drive
Times Played at Stadium: 1 (1 draw)
THE STADIUM
Match Poster – Click on Image to purchase
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