St Mirren do the business ... at last
As usual, St Mirren made us wait and wait ... and terrify us some more – but, finally, on Saturday, we got the result our town’s team needed.
The party started and may go on for some time.
I had a wee laugh to myself last Wednesday though.
My wife Stacey and I decided that I’d take Wednesday off – just in case Tuesday night involved some celebrating after the Dundee United game.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go to plan and I found myself at Pro-Life Fitness Centre pounding a treadmill.
At that point, I was thinking “Could this go badly for us?”
But, thankfully, on Saturday the mighty Buddies did what they had to do.
As always, on these occasions I think about the great St Mirren supporters I have known over the years who are no longer with us.
In my own family and friends circle, I think about my dad and my papa, two fanatical St Mirren fans who I have many fond memories of at various successful games.
In particular, Stacey and I talk of the time in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup against Morton when my wee faither started acting more like a teenager than a mature man in his 60s.
He was dancing and singing with the younger Saints fans and slagging our old rivals.
Councillor Jim Mitchell, my old political mentor, was a season ticket holder.
I can remember the joy he took in Paisley’s football team’s success.
But there are others who committed a lot of their time to the club.
People like Jimmy McIntosh, who organised a team bus through good times and difficult times, and of course the recently deceased Tam McGarry.
There are many more and no doubt they were all somewhere watching Saturday’s game.
But that’s the thing about St Mirren.
It is not just a football club but, for many of us, a way of life.
Their results can affect our whole week and have ruined many of mine in the past.
But, on this occasion, it is time to enjoy and celebrate with Jack Ross and his team.
We also need to remember there are a lot of people involved in the club. From chairman Gordon Scott down, there has been a huge commitment to get us where we are now. Well done to everyone.