An independent fan view of everything St Mirren Football Club. From, blogs, articles, stats and research dating back to 1877 right up to and including the current season; including a full history of the St Mirren shirt and kit, our greatest team, top goalscorers, penalty takers, transfer fees, and managers. we have it all covered. Additionally, we look at the other football clubs of Paisley, such as Abercorn and Dykebar FC as well as the historical ranking of every club in Scottish football.
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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