EYES ON THE PRIZE
New-look lotteries were just the ticket
St Mirren’s two moneyspinning lotteries were being revamped in 1980.
Bright new tickets that were unique to the club were to go on sale.
Out went the old two-game tickets with nine rub-off panels.
Out went the pink and brown cards.
In came the new brighter 12-panel tickets.
In came the special tickets with the Saints logo and crest.
And in came bigger cash prizes – with more than £4,000 to be won on each game.
The new look was the brainchild of the club’s commercial manager Mr Neil Bennett.
He decided to make the change after hearing people’s comments on the then design.
“I have done a lot of research on this,” he said.
“I have listened to what people have to say and have tried to incoporate a number of their points to make a ticket which meets the public demand.”
The new tickets were designed by Mr Bennett and the basic changes included the reintroduction of 12 rub-off squares that were easier to use; new bright colours of red, gold, blue and yellow; and larger figures that were much easier to read.
The top prize was still to be £1,000.
But the club was adding a £250 prize, extra £100, and two extra £25 prizes, bringing the total to 21.
There was also to be a special mystery prize.
The Saints’ Lottery and the St Mirren Lottery were originally launched with 12-panel cards before changing to the two-game tickets.
Between the two games, 80,000 tickets were sold each week.
And from the £10,000 made on each, £4,000 went to St Mirren Football Club.
Mr Bennett said: “We are very pleased with the support that has been given to us since we launched the lottery.
“This is our way of saying thank you.”