St Mirren

05/11/2005 – Hamilton (N)

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Bell’s Scottish Challenge Cup Final
5th November 2005
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

St. Mirren 2-1 Hamilton


Lappin 22
Turnbridge 47
Sutton 80

ATT: 9,673

Referee: Stuart Douglas

  • Close to 7,000 Saints fans witnessed the team clinch the 2005 Bell’s Cup after a close fought win over Hamilton Accies in Airdrie.
  • The attendance at the Excelsior Stadium is a record, that stands today, and the match kicks off over 30 mins late to allow the travelling support from Renfrewshire to finally beat the traffic and access the stadium.
  • Saints start very strongly, and cement their dominance when Simon Lappin fires home after his initial shot crashes off the bar and David Van Zanten returns the rebound to the back post leaving the young Saint with an easy chance.
  • Saints squander multiple opportunities to increase their lead, and pay the penalty immediately after half time when Scott Turnbridge has a tap in for Accies after Smith saved.
  • The match is very close after this, with both sides creating chances, however it is a surging run from Van Zanten that creates the winner with 10 minutes remaining, when he plows his way to the by-line and swings a cross, where John Sutton nods the ball home in the middle of the box.
  • This is Saints first success in the competition at the 12th attempt.

St. MirrenNOAccies
Christopher Smith1David McEwan
David van Zanten2 81 Stuart Balmer
Kirk Broadfoot 3Derek Fleming
Andy Millen 764 Steven Thomson (c)
Kevin McGowne (c)5 Mark McLaughlin
John Potter6Alex Neil
Hugh Murray 7 Scott Tunbridge
Charlie Adam 698Marvyn Wilson
Stewart Kean9 38 Graeme Jones
John Sutton10 77 Scott MacKenzie
Simon Lappin11Pat Keogh
Substitutes
Billy Mehmet 6912 81 John Robertson
Alan Reid14Brown Ferguson
Mark Corcoran15 77 Mark Gilhaney
Mark Reilly 7616 38 Brian Carrigan
Craig Hinchliffe17Raymond Jellema
Gus MacPhersonManagerBilly Reid

12/12/1993 – Falkirk (N)

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B&Q Scottish Challenge Cup Final
12th December 1993
Fir Park, Motherwell

Falkirk 3-0 St. Mirren


Duffy 47
Cadette 48
Hughes 65

ATT: 13,736

Referee: Douglas Hope

  • Saints lose in their first ever appearance of the Challenge Cup Final, a competition started only 3 seasons beforehand for lower league clubs.
  • Despite dominating for the entire first half, Saints can’t open the scoring, with Barry Lavety unlucky on a number of occasions and Tony Parks in the Falkirk goal in inspired form to keep the Paisley side out.
  • The Bairns make Saints pay by scoring twice in the opening 3 minutes of the second half, effectively ending the match with their first attempts at goal.
  • John Hughes adds a third midway through the half, and Saints can’t even muster a consolation when Neil Orr’s 25 yarder hits the bar.
  • The attendance is a record in the competition until 2012, when the new Rangers are admitted to the bottom tier of the professional ranks.
  • The match remains long in the memory of the 6,500 Saints fans in attendance due to the awful weather, with driving snow and rain making conditions probably the worst ever experience for the bulk of the Saints support in the one uncovered terracing then remaining at Fir Park.

Saints centre back Barry McLaughlin makes a splash in the awful weather at Fir Park as Richard Cadette of Falkirk tries to close him down.

17/03/2013 – Hearts (N)

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Scottish League Cup Final
17th March 2013
Hampden Park, Glasgow

St. Mirren 3-2 Hearts

Stevenson 10
GONCALVES 37
THOMPSON 46
NEWTON 66
Stevenson 85

ATT: 44,036

Referee: Craig Thomson

  • Saints lift the League Cup for the first time, following one of the all time classic matches at Hampden Park on a cold spring day.
  • Despite Saints beating Hearts twice that season, including only a few weeks beforehand, they were not favourites with the Bookies or parts of the media, however in Renfrewshire there was little doubt Danny Lennon would return to Paisley with the trophy, following the standard of performance against Celtic in the semi-final.
  • Backed by close to 20,000 Saints fans, the players started slowly however, and conceded an early goal to Ryan Stevenson. For the next 20 minutes, Saints clung on before Danny Lennon made a tactical change and dropped Paul McGowan back to a deeper midfield role to become primary play-maker.
  • For the next half or so, Saints blew Hearts away with the type of fast flowing and thrilling football that Celtic could not hanadle in the semi finals. Almost immediately after the tactical switch, Esmael Goncalves continued his blistering start to life in Paisley with the equaliser following a move that ripped Hearts apart.
  • Barely a minute into the second half, Steven Thompson put Saints ahead following another precise move, before Conor Newton smashed home a third after he and Goncalves beat Hearts entire defence with a lightening exchange of passes.
  • Hearts pulled back a late goal and flung everything at Saints after this, however some stout defending paid off, and Saints prevailed in the competition for the first time.

NOSAINTSHEARTSNO
1Craig SamsonJamie MacDonald1
2David van ZantenDylan McGowan19
14Marc McAuslandAndy Webster (c)6
6Jim Goodwin (c)Danny Wilson4
3Paul DummettKevin McHattie29
21Gary Teale Ryan Stevenson7
10Paul McGowan 70 Darren Barr5
24Conor Newton 80 Mehdi Taouil10
29John McGinn 81 64 Jamie Walker14
9Steven Thompson 77 Michael Ngoo21
77Isma Gonçalves 90+2 John Sutton9
SUBSTITUTES
16Grant AdamMark Ridgers13
5Lee Mair 90+2Brad McKay28
11Graham Carey 8170 Jason Holt15
17Kenny McLean 64 Arvydas Novikovas18
19Sam Parkin 77 80 Dale Carrick37
 Manager: Danny LennonManager: Gary Locke 

21/10/2010 – Rangers (N)

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Scottish League Cup Final
21st March 2010
Hampden Park, Glasgow

St. Mirren 0-1 Rangers

Thomson 53
Wilson 71
Miller 84

ATT: 44,538

Referee: Craig Thomson

  • In one of the most infamous and astonishing matches ever played in the history of not only the club. but Scottish football, Saints lose the 2010 League Cup Final against a Rangers side down to 9 men.
  • Saints initially made light work of their underdog tag, and with 11 v 11 were by far the better side, particularity in the first half where Steven Thomson missed the best chance of the match, and David Barron hit the cross bar.
  • Saints domination continued into the 2nd half, and Rangers frustration boiled over after 53 minutes when Kevin Thomson was red carded for a wild lunge at namesake Steven.
  • Rangers decided to sit deep as a result of this, with the onus on Saints to break down the Ibrox men, which they found extremely difficult.
  • On the only occasion Saints did break through the mass Ranges ranks on 71 minutes, substitute Craig Dargo was taken down by Danny Wilson when he was about to shoot, and the Rangers defender was also red carded.
  • The stalemate continued, with Saints simply unable to take advantage of their incredible situation, and in their unnecessarily desperate attempts to finish the match inside 90 minutes, lost a goal on the counter attack to Kenny Miller after 84 minutes, and the final drifted away from Saints in devastating circumstances.

St. MirrenNORangers
Paul Gallacher1Neil Alexander
Jack Ross2 Steven Whittaker Y
David Barron3David Weir (c)
John Potter (c)4 Danny Wilson
Lee Mair 5Saša Papac
Graham Carey646 Steven Davis
Hugh Murray 607 Lee McCulloch
Steven Thomson8 Kevin Thomson
Garry Brady 85989 Nacho Novo
Billy Mehmet 701079 Kris Boyd
Michael Higdon11 Kenny Miller
Mark Howard12Allan McGregor
Steven Robb14 89 Steven Smith
Andy Dorman 601546 Maurice Edu
Stephen O’Donnell 8516Damarcus Beasley
Craig Dargo 701779 Steven Naismith
Gus MacPhersonManagerWalter Smith

22/10/1955 – Aberdeen (N)

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Scottish League Cup Final
22nd October 1955
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Aberdeen 2-1 St. Mirren

Mallan OG 47
HOLMES 57
Leggatt 79

ATT: 44,106

Referee: H Phillips

  • Saints first appearance in the League Cup Final, reached at the ninth attempt, results in a narrow defeat to Aberdeen
  • Despite being underdogs, and losing 3-0 to the Dons the previous week at Love Street, Saints are the better side for much of the game and the match is very even.
  • Jimmy Mallan suffers great misfortune just after half-time when he knocks the ball past Jim Lornie to give the Dons the lead.
  • Bobby Holmes, playing half back as opposed to forward, nets Saints equaliser 10 minutes later with a fine diving header.
  • The Dons win the match however with 11 minutes remaining, when outside right, Leggatt, fires home the winner.

ABERDEENNOST. MIRREN
Fred Martin1Jim Lornie
Jimmy Mitchell2David Lapsley
Dave Caldwell3Jim Mallan
Bob Wilson4Jackie Neilson
Jim Clunie5Willie Telfer
Archie Glen6Bobby Holmes
Graham Leggat7Jim Rodger
Harry Yorston8Davie Laird
Paddy Buckley9Jackie Brown
Bobby Wishart10Tommy Gemmell
Jack Hather11Brian Callan
Davie ShawManagerWillie Reid

16/05/1987 – Dundee Utd (N)

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Scottish Cup Final
16th May 1987
Hampden Park, Glasgow

St. Mirren 1-0 Dundee Utd

FERGUSON 111

ATT: 51,782

Referee: Kenny Hope

  • Following a tense match that stretched through extra time into 2 hours of play, Saints emerged victors from the so called “Family Final” thanks to a late Ian Ferguson goal.
  • Backed by 35,000 fans, Saints shrugged off the underdog tag against UEFA Cup finalists Utd, with manager Alex Smith tactically outwitting the legendary Jim McLean to deliver a priceless success for the club.
  • Match-winner Ferguson, scored in every round apart from the Quarter Final win at Starks Park, and his thunderous left foot half volley from close range following a great move involving Campbell Money, Billy Abercromby and both Hamilton’s, (Derek and Brian) was enough to win the cup.
  • This goal knocked the stuffing out of the Tannadice side following over 100 minutes of stalemate, and Saints almost added to the lead on numerous occasions, before the final whistle sounded to deliver the cup to Paisley for the third time.
  • Team captain for the day Billy Abercromby lifted the trophy, at the insistence of close friend and club captain Tony Fitzpatrick, who had been introduced as a sub after 88 minutes following a long period out with injury.

St. MirrenNoDundee Utd
Campbell Money1Billy Thomson
Tommy Wilson2John Holt
Derek Hamilton3John Clark
Billy Abercromby4Jim McInally
David Winnie5Maurice Malpas
Neil Cooper6David Narey
Frank McGarvey7Iain Ferguson 
Ian Ferguson8David Bowman
Kenny McDowall 749Eamonn Bannon
Brian Hamilton1076 Paul Sturrock
Paul Lambert 8811116 Ian Redford
Tony Fitzpatrick 8812116 Paul Hegarty
Ian Cameron 7414 76 Kevin Gallacher

1987 Scottish Cup Winning Team
Back Row, Left to R: Tony Fitzpatrick, Paul Lambert, Ian Cameron, David Winnie, Brian Hamilton, Campbell Money and Bobby Holmes (Physio)
Front Row: Frank McGarvey, Alex Smith (manager), Derek Hamilton, Billy Abercromby, Kenny McDowall, Neil Cooper, Tommy Wilson and Ian Ferguson

21/04/1962 – Rangers (N)

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Scottish Cup Final
21st April 1962
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Rangers 2-0 St. Mirren

Brand 40
Wilson 58

ATT: 127,940

Referee: Tiny Wharton

  • In the 5th Scottish Cup final played by the club, Saints are beaten 2-0 by league runners up Rangers, following goals from Ralph Brand and Davie Wilson.
  • However, Saints have periods of domination throughout the match, with George McLean and Tommy Bryceland controlling the midfield area ahead of the highly rated Jim Baxter and Ian McMillan.
  • Rangers take their chances however, in front of the largest attendance Saints are ever likely to play in front of, and still the 10th highest ever recorded in Europe for a domestic match.
  • The crucial goals came just before and after half time, frustratingly lost during key parts of the match and the second in particular scored against the run of play, leaving Saints with too big a task to get back into the match.

RangersNoSt. Mirren
Billy Ritchie1Bobby Williamson
Bobby Shearer2Bobby Campbell
Eric Caldow3John Wilson
Harold Davis4Rab Stewart
Ronnie McKinnon5Jim Clunie
Jim Baxter6George McLean
Willie Henderson7Tommy Henderson
Ian McMillan8Tommy Bryceland
Jimmy Millar9Don Kerrigan
Ralph Brand10Willie Fernie
Davie Wilson11Þór Beck

25/04/1959 – Aberdeen (N)

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Scottish Cup Final
25th April 1959
Hampden Park, Glasgow

St. Mirren 3-1 Aberdeen

BRYCELAND 43
MILLER 65
BAKER 76
Baird 89

ATT: 108,591

Referee: Jack Mowatt

  • Highly fancied Saints proved the critics right by comfortably disposing of the Dons to bring the Cup back to Paisley for the second time.
  • The red hot forward line do the business once more for Saints, with Tommy Bryceland opening the scoring with a brilliant header from 15 yards just before half time.
  • Alistair Miller added a second from close range midway through the 2nd half before Gerry Baker completed the feat of scoring in every round by clinically finding the top corner from just inside the box with 14 minutes remaining.
  • Aberdeen grabbed a late consolation, but Saints wouldn’t be denied and the roar at full time from Hampden Park could be heard at Paisley Cross.
  • The attendance was one of only two matches in Scotland that has ever attracted over 100,000 with either old firm club not playing.
  • The numbers travelling from Aberdeen were estimated at 10,000, with close to 70,000 making the journey on behalf of Saints and the rest were neutrals.
  • Captain David Lapsley retired after the match.

St. MirrenNoAberdeen
Dave Walker1Fred Martin
David Lapsley2Dave Caldwell
John Wilson3Jimmy Hogg
Jackie Neilson4Ken Brownlee
Jackie McGugan5Jim Clunie
Tommy Leishman6Archie Glen
Jim Rodger7Dickie Ewen
Tommy Bryceland8Norrie Davidson
Gerry Baker9Hugh Baird
Tommy Gemmell10Bobby Wishart
Alistair Miller11Jack Hather

1959 Scottish Cup Winning team:
Back row L to R: E McGarvie (Trainer), John “Cockles” Wilson, Gerry Baker, Dave Walker, Jackie Neilson, Jackie McGugan, Tommy Leishman.
Front Row: Jim Rodger, Tommy Bryceland, David Lapsley, Tommy Gemmell, Alistair Miller.

21/04/1934 – Rangers (N)

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Scottish Cup Final
21st April 1934
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Rangers 5-0 St. Mirren

Nicholson
Nicholson
McPhail
Main
Smith

ATT: 113,430

Referee:

  • Saints hopes of lifting the cup for the second time in 8 seasons were extinguished savagely by a rampant Rangers at Hampden Park.
  • Record goalscorer Davie McCrae was not selected for the final, with the veteran dropping out of favour during the campaign, despite scoring 14 times from 22 matches, including 4 Scottish Cup goals from as many matches.
  • Even the great McCrae wouldn’t have saved Saints however, and in front of the biggest crowd any St. Mirren team had played in front of at that point, as well as the promise of an overcoat for each player from local tailor, McAthur’s, Saints were resoundingly thrashed by the Govan side.
  • The official club minutes covering the match simply stated one word; “BAD” before moving on to the next item on the agenda.

RangersNoSt. Mirrren
Tom Hamilton1Jimmy McCloy
Dougie Gray2Walter Hay
Whitey McDonald3Bobby Ancell
Davie Meiklejohn4Allan Gebbie
Jimmy Simpson5Fulton T. Wilson
George Brown6John Miller
Bobby Main7Jimmy Knox
James Marshall8John Latimer
Willie Nicholson9Jimmy McGregor
Jimmy Smith10James McCabe
Bob McPhail11John Phillips

10/04/1926 – Celtic (N)

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Scottish Cup Final
10th April 1926
Hampden Park, Glasgow

St. Mirren 2-0 Celtic

McCRAE 3
HOWIESON 25

ATT: 98,620

Referee:

  • In-form Saints make no mistake in their 2nd Cup Final appearance, and beat Celtic to take the trophy to Paisley for the first ever time.
  • The prolific Davie McCrae gets Saints off to the perfect start when he rose above Shelvin in goal for Celtic to bullet a Jamie Thomson corner home after only a couple of minutes.
  • Saints doubled their lead just over 20 minutes later, when McCrae’s through pass was poked home by Jimmy Howieson following a scramble.
  • Captain Jock Bradford then kept Celtic at bay with a number of important saves, helped by one of the finest Saints full and half back line ups in the history of the club.
  • The official attendance of 98,620 was for paying customers only, and a record itself, but with complimentary tickets included the actual crowd was the first to ever exceed 100,000 in Scotland.

SAINTSNoCELTIC
Jock Bradford1Peter Shevlin
Andrew Findlay2Willie McStay
Willie Newbiggin3Hugh Hilley
Tom Morrison4Peter Wilson
Willie Summers5Jimmy McStay
William McDonald6John McFarlane
Mattha Morgan7Paddy Connolly
Allan Gebbie8Alec Thomson
David McCrae9Jimmy McGrory
Jimmy Howieson10Tommy McInally
Jamie Thomson11Willie Leitch

The 1926 winning team with officials: Back Row, L to R; Thomas Hart, George Riddell, Thomas Craig (all directors) and John Cochrane (manager and club secretary).
Middle row: WF Walker (director), Tom Morrison, Andrew Findlay, Jock Bradford (C), Willie Newbiggin, Willie McDonald and Andy Reid (Trainer)
Front Row: Mattha Morgan, Alan Gebbie, Davie McCrae, JR Hall (Chairman), Willie Summers, Jimmy Howieson and Jamie Thomson

The winners medal of JR Hall, club chairman

Saints captain Jock Bradford punches clear ahead of Willie Summers, with Celtic’s Jimmy McGrory challenging. Andrew Findlay is guarding the net with Tom Morrison in the background.

Fans queue to get into the ground. The match was a Scottish record attendance at the time.