Saints legend and great dad Jim is hailed
Family and friends pay tribute to footballer and family man
Tributes have been paid to a St Mirren legend who played alongside Archie Gemmell and has died aged 79.
Jim Kiernan turned out for the Buddies between 1965 and 1968, picking up the Player of Year award.
He passed away peacefully last week.
His son James described him as a “great fai’ther” and highly respected centre back who spent all his days in Paisley.
Jim was born a stone’s throw away from Love Street and would eventually go on to enjoy a successful spell at his home town team.
James said: “He was a good footballer. He played with some top players with St Mirren, like Archie Gemmell. He loved being a footballer.
“He was born close to Love Street, so it was amazing he went on to play for St Mirren. He also won the player of the year and the second division title in 1967.
“He was proud he got the chance. to do that.”
“My dad loved his football and boxing as well.”
James, who had three children with wife Betty, Lorraine, Angela and James, and two grandchildren, Heather and Martin,also played for Greenock Morton and Dumbarton before retiring from football to work in Babcocks.
Betty passed away several years ago and in recent times, Jim, who lived most of his life in Hunterhill, was staying in a care home when he died.
James added: “He was a family man. That was his passion in life, really. He looked after everyone around him and he loved spending time with his kids.”
His brother George also paid tribute to the man who was part of Morton’s famous 25- match winning run in 1963 -64.
He said: “Jim played for Morton for a few years and was in a great team there. He was a really good centre half, and he was delighted to play for St Mirren because we were born so close to the ground.”