Club’s ‘history boys’
Also featured in the Barrhead YFC Legends series is former Scotland midfielder Derek McInnes.
He played for the Barrhead club until he was 14 and went on to make his first team debut in the senior game for Morton at the age of 16.
McInnes picked up a number of medals during a glittering career that also included spells at Rangers, Dundee United and St Johnstone, as well as three years at West Bromwich Albion and a season at Millwall.
Just like McLeish, he went on to make his mark in management, cutting his teeth at St Johnstone from 2007 until 2011 before moves to Bristol City and Aberdeen.
In 2022, he joined Kilmarnock and has steered the Rugby Park outfit to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership this season.
The Barrhead club has had close ties with St Mirren over the years, with the likes of defender David Winnie and midfield ace Ricky Gillies playing for both.
Indeed, the current Saints captain – Mark O’Hara – is a former player.
He was just 16 when he made his first team debut for Kilmarnock in 2012 and stayed at Rugby Park for four years, before joining Dundee.
A move south to Peterborough United followed in 2018 but, before long, he returned to Scottish football at Motherwell.
He signed for the Buddies in the summer of 2022 and has since become a firm favourite with supporters there.
Other stars who have come through the Barrhead ranks and are still gracing the biggest stadiums in Scottish football include Rangers defender Leon King and Hearts ace Barrie McKay.
Paul added: “It blew me away when I looked into our history and saw the players who once played for the club.
“The initial teams away back in the 70s had players like Alex McLeish and Peter Weir, who were both Barrhead High School students.
“You can look back at these players who have been there and done it and you know that we helped give them a platform.
“We always try to make sure that, when players come to us, they enjoy football first and foremost.
“Knowing that our players are having fun, wanting to come along and making memories at a young age, that is what we are all about.
“We will continue to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the players, ensuring they enjoy their grassroots journey and have fun.
“We are a true community club, a true family club.”