New housing development salutes Buddies legends

Five St Mirren legends have scored the ultimate goal after supporters picked them to have a street named in their honour.

The Black and White Army have been voting in their thousands for the fun #SaintsStreets competition which gave them the chance to name five streets at a new housing development being built at the team’s old Love Street ground.

And yesterday the five winning street names were revealed:

 Abercromby Avenue – marking the achievements of 1987 Scottish Cup winning captain and culthero Billy Abercromby, infamous for his nononsense approach.

 Fitzpatrick Way – in honour of current club chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick who was also part of the 1987 Scottish Cup winning team and enjoyed two spells as manager.

 McGarry Terrace – recognising forward Steven McGarry who helped the club he supports to the 2000 First Division title and in memory of his late father Tam, a well-known St Mirren supporter.

 Saints Street – celebrating the affectionate name for all St Mirren supporters.

 Yardley Avenue – named after popular striker Mark Yardley whose glut of goals propelled Saints into the top flight in 2000.

Renfrewshire Council ran the competition and whittled down the 1,000 suggestions to a final shortlist which went to the public vote earlier this month.

More than 6,000 votes were cast during the weeklong poll before the five winners were picked.

These five streets add to two already named ‘North Bank’ and ‘Cairter’s Corner’ after well-known sections of the old ground they sit on.

The children’s play area will also be named after the club’s mascot, Paisley Panda.

A delighted St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick said: “It’s an incredible honour to have a street named after me at Love Street and it means the world to know my family name will always be there.

“The big memory was when I was 12 years old and stood at the top of the terracing at the Love Street end, and looking down on the park I made my decision I wanted to play for St Mirren.

“That was almost 50 years ago - St Mirren has been a massive part of my life ever since and the fans have always been brilliant to me, so I want to thank everyone who voted for me.

“I’m pleased to see something positive happen with the Love St reet site - jus t one of many good things hap p e n i n g around Paisley just now.”

Now living in Australia, Steven McGarry said: “We are all humbled and thankful for the amount of support through the votes. I suspect 99 per cent of them were for my dad as he had such an impact with good relationships with many of the saints supporters, players and club over the years.

“To be named along with such legends of the club, Tony Fitzpatrick, Billy Abercromby and Mark Yardley is such an honour. Love Street will always hold a place in our hearts and this makes it even more special.

“Love Street and St Mirren were a massive part of my childhood.

“My dad started taking me to games ever since I was two.

“The biggest memory would be no surprise, being part of that special team in 1999/2000 and scoring against Raith Rovers to help clinch the Championship in such a spectacular season wi l l live with me forever.”

Fans hero Mark Yardley added: “The atmosphere that was generated at home matches was amazing. I always remember how passionate and loyal our supporters were, through the very good, but also some very bad times. The noise they made was appreciated by all the players and I loved playing at Love Street and it was even better scoring there many times over the years.

“For me to be one of the lucky five winners of the Saints Streets competition it is an absolute honour and I feel so privileged to be voted by the supporters.

“To make the top five has made me one of the proudest and happiest men in the world and how grateful I will always be to them for this accolade.”

Sanctuary Scotland is building the development in partnership wi t h Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government. Work has started on the £ 17million project to transform the site in 132 new affordable homes and it is due to be completed by September 2019.

C o u n c i l l o r Ma r i e McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Congratulations to the past players on emerging victorious from what was an extremely strong shortlist.

“The competition really sparked the public imagination and we were overwhelmed by the interest it generated.

“We felt it was really important that we celebrate the rich history of the site as it is transformed into new homes to be enjoyed by families for generations to come.

“The development is already taking shape and will contribute towards our target to build 1000 high quality affordable homes in Renfrewshire by 2021.”

Gillian Lavety, head of development for Sanctuary Scotland, said: “Sanctuary is delighted Renfrewshire Council allowed St Mirren supporters to choose the names of these streets. Many who voted would have attended Love Street religiously and have glorious memories of the old ground.

“At Sanctuary we believe it’s important to recognise the history of the sites we develop.

“These names are fitting tributes to the local legends they immortalise and the affectionate name all fans have for St Mirren.”