New signings would become heroes our heroes
In St Mirren fans’ eyes the year 2005 would rank up there with their very own Carlsberg moment.
The arrival of Charlie Adam, Billy Mehmet and John Sutton – all in thethespacespace of a matter of days – lifted the expectations as the Love Street side aimed to top the pile and seal their passage to the top flight.
Sutton, the most well known to supporters prior to the move, arrived from English side Millwall following a successful loan spell at First Division rivals Dundee.
The striker would knock back an offer from the ‘Dee to sign with Saints, in a move which would prove pivotal to St Mirren’s title challenge, with the Dens Park side eventually winding up second in the league.
Looking to aid Saints’ rally towards the First Division title, Buddies boss Gus MacPherson had been keen to add to the ranks throughout the summer transfer window.
Ian Maxwell had earlier arrived, but it was the three attacking threats which would catch the imagination.
Charlie Adam signed on a short-term loan deal from Rangers, following a similar loan spell at Ross County.
It was at the Dingwall side where he caught MacPherson’s eye, with a stunning display against the Buddies the previous season.
An audacious effort from the Love Street halfway line in a league clash embarrassed keeper Craig Hinchcliffe.
And to rub it in, Adam would try his luck once again, almost catching out the Buddies stopper for a second occasion.
However, supporters weren’t to know what was to come with Adam proving an integral figure, with strikes against the likes of Queen of the South going a long way to guaranteeing St Mirren’s name on the title.
But, it could be said, in the grand scheme of things the signing of Billy Mehmet from Dunfermline would prove to be the most important over the course of a number of seasons under MacPherson.
The striker struggled to make the breakthrough that year, but would fire home the goal that sealed promotion with a win over Dundee in May.
It would be his goals in further campaigns which would seal his spot as a true St Mirren legend.
Much like now, supporters were impatient as soon as the transfer window creaked open, but it will take a lot to rival the transfer window of the summer of 2005.