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Tommy Ashe

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Name: Tommy Ashe
Date of Birth: 13th July 1920 (Died 1997)
Place of Birth: Paisley, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Inside Left
Signed: November 1937 from Mossvale Strollers
Departed: December 1944 released
Debut:
Final Match: 
Apps: 39
Goals: 3
Honours: None

Inside Forward Tommy Ashe joined Saints in November 1937 aged just 17 from local side Mossvale Strollers, a fine feeder team for Saints in the early 20th century. Before his career could really get going however, WWII broke out in September 1939 and football put on an “unofficial” status.

Ashe was released in December 1944, but made a good reputation for himself at Dumbarton after the war, appearing almost 50 times for the Sons. Tommy remained in Paisley all his days, and passed away in 1997 aged 76 in the town.

YEARLGSCG
37/380000
38/39
39/40
40/41
41/42
42/43
43/44
44/45
TOTAL APPSGOALS
393

Armour Ashe

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Name: Armour Ashe
Date of Birth: 14th October 1925 (Died 15th June 1958)
Place of Birth: Paisley, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Full Back
Signed: June 1950 from Aberdeen
Departed: April 1953 to Stockport County
Debut: 14th October 1950 v Raith Rovers (0-2)
Final Match: 1st January 1953 v Queen of the South (3-4)
Apps: 25
Goals: 0
Honours: None

Paisley born full back Armour Ashe started his career at Ayrshire club Dalry Thistle but moved to Aberdeen in 1949 where he played once for the Dons before returning to his hometown and signing for Saints.

Despite staying with the club for three seasons, Ashe only played 25 matches as the defensive positions were mainly guaranteed for club heroes David Lapsley and Jimmy Drinkwater before the latter returned to England and Willie Cunningham took over at left back.

This lack of opportunities persuaded Ashe to leave Paisley again, this time moving to England with Stockport County however it would be his time at Accrington Stanley which would define the tough tackling full back’s career where he stayed 5 years and made almost 200 appearances before finishing his playing days at Southport, Gateshead and non-league Horwich RMI.

Arthur remained in England after his career finished in 1962, however the Buddie sadly passed away in the Lancashire town Haslingden in 1968 aged just 42.
YEARLGLCGSCG
50/511100000
51/52
52/53
TOTAL APPSGOALS
250

Yoann Arquin

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Name: Yoann Arquin
Date of Birth: 15th April 1988
Place of Birth: Le Harve, France
Nationality: Martinique
Position: Forward
Signed: 15th January 2015 from Ross County
Departed: 31st May 2015 to 1461 Trabzon (Turkey)
Debut: 17th January 2015 v Ross County (2-1)
Final Match: 2nd May 2015 v Partick Thistle (0-3)
Apps: 12
Goals: 0
Honours: None

A French born attacker who played for Martinique at international level, Arquin arrived at Saints in January 2015 from Ross County as recently appointed manager Gary Teale attempted to steer the club away from the relegation battle following a disastrous opening period to the season under Tommy Craig.

Potentially the attacker looked like a good accusation; a mobile and strong running forward who was good in the air, however a question mark hung over his commitment and attitude. After only 37 minutes of his debut ironically in Dingwall against his former club, Arquin was harshly sent off as Saints still won the match 2-1.

The club successfully appealed the red card, but he was sent off in one of the matches he should have missed a week later against Dundee Utd, and this seemed to sum up both the season for the club and the 12 matches played by the forward where he failed to find the net and was released at the end of the campaign.

Arquin continued his nomadic career after leaving Saints, playing in Turkey, Sweden, England, Kazakhstan and China.

YEARLGLCGSCG
14/151200000
TOTAL APPSGOALS
120

Eddie Annand

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Name: Eddie Annand
Date of Birth: 24th March 1973
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Centre Forward
Signed: 1st July 2003 from Greenock Morton
Departed: 31st May 2004 contract expired
Debut:13th September 2003 v Brechin City (1-1)
Final Match: 1st May 2004 v Raith Rovers (1-1)
Apps: 11
Goals: 0
Honours: None

Prolific lower league striker Eddie Annand was among a number of experienced players signed by John Coughlin in the summer of 2003, with the 30 year old striker arriving from Ayr Utd after spending a few months on loan at bottom tier Morton the previous campaign.

The former Clyde and Dundee striker struggled to make an impact at Saints however, and made only 11 appearances for the club without scoring, before being released at the end of the season and joining Dumbarton.

YEARLGLCGSCG
03/041100000
TOTAL APPSGOALS
110

Tony Andreu

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Name: Tony Andreu
Date of Birth: 22nd May 1988
Place of Birth: Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France
Nationality: French
Position: Midfield/Forward
Signed: 4th July 2019 from Coventry City (out of contract)
Departed: 31st May 2000 (contract expired)
Debut: 14th July 2019 v Dunfermline (2-3)
Final Match: 11th March 2020 v Hearts (1-0)
Apps: 36
Goals: 2
Honours: None

French attacking midfielder Tony Andreu arrived at Saints in 2019 from English third tier side Coventry City towards the end of his career, following successful spells in Scotland with Livingston, Hamilton and Dundee Utd; heralded as the first significant signing of the Jim Goodwin era. (Dean Lyness had already signed but was agreed under Oran Kearney)

The 31 year old still displayed excellent technical ability, however injuries from earlier in his career had caught up with Andreu and he was no longer the player that had made such a big impression on Scottish football only a few years earlier, especially when he entered his own goal of the season competition against Saints in 2016/17 when he scored a number of outrageous volleys for Dundee Utd.

Andreu however was a firm favourite with Goodwin, although as the season progressed he became more of an impact player from the bench with 16 of his 36 Saints coming as a substitute. The Frenchman scored his first goal for Saints on the 14th September 2019 when his free kick squirmed under Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw to level the score at Dingwall during an eventual 2-1 defeat, however a couple of months later his  92nd minute penalty miss at Pittodrie left a rather more bitter taste in the mouth for the travelling Saints support.

Despite the inconsistent performances Andreu chipped in with six assists, the best at the club that season, and scored one more goal, this time a fine left foot effort at Easter Road to put Saints 2-0 up in February 2020. However, COVID-19 was on the horizon and Andreu played the last of 36 matches for Saints in March during the 1-0 defeat of Hearts and was released at the end of his contract in May.

Andreu would later sign for Ross County during the 2020-21 season but has been out of football since and presumed retired.

YEARLGLCGSCG
19/202824040
TOTAL APPSGOALS
362

Goals

1. 14/09/2019 v Ross County (A)

2. 01/02/2020 v Hibs (A)

Tommy Anderson

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Name: Tommy Anderson
Date of Birth: 24th September 1934 (Died 2018)
Place of Birth: Haddington, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Inside Forward
Signed: October 1965 from Watford
Departed: December 1965 to George Cross (Australia)
Debut: 16th October 1965 v Clyde (1-0)
Final Match: 11th December 1965 v Motherwell (1-4)
Apps: 7
Goals: 0
Honours: None

Inside forward Tommy Anderson spent a very brief period at Saints in 1965 during a turbulent period at the club as various managers tried and failed to recreate a side capable of meeting the expectations of the support following the fine teams of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

The Haddington born player had already played for an astonishing 12 clubs in 10 years since starting out on an amateur contract at Hearts, with spells at Falkirk, Queen of the South, Watford (twice), Bournemouth, QPR, Torquay, Stockport, Doncaster, Wrexham, South Melbourne Hellas (thrice) and Barrow, before signing for Saints on a free transfer on the 14th October 1965, making his debut two days later at Shawfield Stadium during a 1-0 win in front of just 1,990 spectators.

Six or so weeks later after just seven matches for Saints, Anderson, who was renowned as being an exceptionally quick player, returned to Australia ‘soccer’ with George Cross but was back in the UK a year later when he signed briefly for Leyton Orient in 1967 and then finished his career with League of Ireland side Limerick who he also managed.

After football, Anderson settled in Australia, working as a journalist in Sydney where he had his own radio show dedicated to football. He passed away in 2018 in his adopted country.

Iain Anderson

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Name: Iain Anderson
Date of Birth: 23rd July 1977
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Winger, Midfield
Signed: January 2006 from Dundee
Departed: March 2007 contract terminated
Debut: 7th January 2006 v Motherwell (3-0)
Final Match: 19th September 2006 v Celtic (0-2)
Apps: 16
Goals: 3
Honours: 2005/06 First Division

The youngest ever scorer in the Scottish Premier Division era when he converted a penalty for Dundee aged 16 against Hibs in 1993, Iain Anderson was a player of immense unfulfilled potential, however injuries played such a devastating part in the midfielders career it had all but frittered out by the age of 30.

Initially a wide player who would move infield as his career progressed, Anderson was a set piece specialist with great technical ability, and after six years at Dens Park it was no surprise when the 13 times capped Scotland u21 player moved abroad to French side Toullose in 1999.

Homesickness however forced the 22 year old back to the UK, and he joined third tier English club Preston on loan in 2000 before completing a club record £500,000 move the Lancashire side after helping them to promotion to the second tier. Despite making a big impression at Deepdale, repeated injury issues completely curtailed his progress and the winger found himself on loan at Tranmere in 2003 and then sold to Grimsby Town a few months later

A return to Dundee occurred in 2004, but injuries again restricted his appearances and the midfielder moved to Saints in early 2006 with the team top of the first division and looking odds on for a return to the SPL. Anderson undoubtedly helped the cause, playing in a central midfield three as Gus MacPherson utilised a wing back system, and made his debut as a sub when Saints beat Motherwell 3-0 on the 7th January 2006 during a pulsating Scottish Cup performance.

The following week, Anderson came off the bench again, this time against Airdrie at half time at New Broomfield, to great effect when he grabbed a fine double during a 4-1 win. A few weeks later, he would add another goal as Saints disposed of Stranraer 3-0 with ease, however injuries were once more holding Anderson back, and he would only manage 11 matches for the club in 14 months before being freed in March 2007 aged just 29.

Short spells at Ross County, Ayr Utd and Elgin City would follow, however Anderson retired in 2008 at the age of 30 citing injuries and personal issues, a sad end to a potentially great career.

Harry Anderson

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Name: Harry Anderson
Date of Birth: 17th July 1888 (Died 8th November 1939)
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Inside Forward
Signed: March 1919 from Raith Rovers
Departed: September 1921 to Clydebank
Debut:
Final Match: 
Apps: 33
Goals: 2
Honours: 1919 Victory Cup

Harry Anderson was a Scottish international left half who had a fine career at Third Lanark, Hibernian and most prominently Raith Rovers where he won his only Scotland cap in 1914 during his eight years in Kirkcaldy, before joining Saints after the war firstly on loan and then on a permanent basis.

Like so many other footballers around that time, Anderson’s career had been on hold due to WWI where he was a corporal in the Royal Field Artillery, and after being demobbed in 1919, the Dennistoun born player joined Saints as a guest player towards the end of the 1918/19 season and played five matches including the Victory Cup success over Hearts before returning to Kirkcaldy.

The following season however, Anderson returned permanently to Paisley as manager John Cochrane set about building a team capable of challenging for honours, and the now 32 year old left half scored twice in 27 matches before signing for Clydebank in 1921 and retiring in 1922.

Anderson passed away on the 8th November 1939 aged 51.

Willie Allan

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Name: Willie Allan
Date of Birth: 11th December 1942
Place of Birth: Aberdeen, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Inside Forward
Signed: October 1963 from Aberdeen
Departed: September 1964 to Falkirk
Debut: 25th October 1963 v Third Lanark (1-0)
Final Match: 26th September 1964 v Falkirk (0-2)
Apps: 30
Goals: 4
Honours: None

Willie Allan enjoyed a nomadic career which took the playmaker all-around Scotland with six clubs and 18 months in South Africa with Durban City. The inside forward joined Saints in October 1963 from Aberdeen as part of the Don Kerrigan transfer the other way, and made his debut a few days later in a 1-0 victory over Third Lanark at Love Street in front of 5,305 supporters when Bobby Ross netted the only goal of the match after 13 minutes.

The following week against Dundee in Paisley, Allan grabbed a double to help secure a 2-1 win over the 1962 Scottish Champions, his first goals for the club, and the hope that Saints could replace Tommy Bryceland who had left for Norwich City in September the year before, were briefly ignited as Allan had good pedigree as a Scotland under 23 international and Scottish League full cap.

Replacing Tommy Bryceland however was close to an impossible task, as there probably wasn’t a better playmaker in Scotland at the time, and by his own admission Allan was a heavy smoker and drinker off the park, which in part played a significant role in him never truly settling at a club despite his undoubted talent as managers often singled him out as a troublemaker.

Therefore it was probably no surprise to the the player that after just 11 months in Paisley and only 2 further goals in a total of 30 matches, the forward moved to Falkirk in September 1964, and his Love Street career was over before it really got going.

After only a year at Brockville, his bad habits again caught up with him and he was transfer listed for £4,000 by the Falkirk board, and perhaps disillusioned with football in his home country, Allan then made the move to South Africa, enjoying a rich spell of form where he scored 15 times in 42 matches, however he was soon back in Renfrewshire when Morton took him to Cappielow in 1967.  

19 goals from 67 matches was a good return for Allan who is in the rarest of groups at the ‘Ton; a player who has appeared for the Greenock side in European competition. Allan would finish his professional career with spells at Cowdenbeath and Alloa before returning to his first club Bo’ness Utd in 1972. Thankfully, Willie gave up the cigarettes in 1979, and worked for many years at the BP Grangemouth Refinery, but is now happily retired.

Rowan Alexander

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Name: Rowan Alexander
Date of Birth: 28th January 1961
Place of Birth: Ayr, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Centre Forward
Signed: June 1983 from Queen of the South (£27,000)
Departed: September 1984 to Brentford (£25,000)
Debut: 14th September 1983 v Feyenoord (0-1)
Final Match: 22nd August 1984 v Clyde (1-0)
Apps: 23
Goals: 3
Honours: None

Centre forward Rowan Alexander signed for St Mirren from Queen of the South for £27,000 in the summer of 1983 after scoring 69 goals in 136 league matches for the lower league club, and the Ayrshire born striker would join a squad that included attackers such as first team regulars Frank McAvennie and Frank McDougall as well as ‘supersub’ Alan Logan.

Alexander was an athletic player with a rare ability to “hang” in the air making his aerial and heading ability far better than his height would indicate, but the forward could just never break into the side and left the club after one season to English side Brentford for a fee of £25k after the forward had scored three times in 23 matches, with 13 of them starts.

After two years in London, Alexander returned to Renfrewshire when he joined Morton in 1986, where he went onto score 122 times for the Greenock side in 347 matches and is the ‘Tons seventh highest ever scorer. Alexander would finish his playing career by returning to Qos and then joining Gretna where he would eventually become manager and lead the Borders club to the 2006 Scottish Cup final, knocking out Saints in the quarter final, as well as take them from the bottom to top tier, before being sacked prior to them playing in the SPL and folding within a year.