Saints legend who achieved his end goal
David Wotherspoon’s epic journey with St Johnstone
There is a great picture of David Wotherspoon. It surfaces from time-to-time.
Face painted, proudly kitted out in St Johnstone’s 1996/97 home kit (the one with Famous Grouse splashed across the front) and sitting back in a huge wooden chair, here was a smiling kid from Perthshire whose dreams mirrored hundreds if not thousands of others his age.
Whether kicking a ball around Aberargie, at Abernethy Primary School, Abernethy Cubs or through the streets of Bridge of Earn, the end goal was to play for St Johnstone. It’s a pipe dream for most.
He would proudly perch down from the stands at Mcdiarmid Park and watch his favourites go for glory, cheering the ball into the net against teams from near and far. The Monaco 3-3 game would receive particular attention.
Just outside the stadium across from the Main Stand on the astroturf - on that sand surface which would burn knees forever - Wotherspoon would impress in the Saturday morning coaching with community stalwart Atholl Henderson.
To move this story along, Wotherspoon can now reflect on making more than 350 appearances for the club, reflect on playing a key role in winning three pieces of major silverware and reflect on representing them multiple times on the finest of European stages.
Just last year he was the pride of Perth after fulfilling another boyhood dream when his performances earned a spot in Canada’s World Cup squad.
Wotherspoon, who first signed for Saints in the summer of 2013 by Tommy Wright, was this week not offered a new contract for the 2023/24 campaign and that will bring his decade of success to a close.
Perhaps even more important than his on-the-field footballing achievements, Wotherspoon became a role model to others off it. He is an example of just what can be achieved.
He never shirked away from attending community events whether down the local cubs or more recently up at his former Perth High School to wish cup finalwinning students well before a Senior Shield date with destiny at Hampden.
Hampden, undoubtedly, will forever hold the happiest of memories for Wotherspoon. It was there he became one of just three players - Michael O’halloran and Stevie May also - to lift three pieces of major silverware with the club.
The first Scottish Cup triumph had arrived at Celtic Park back in 2014 against Dundee United where his cultured right boot provided the corner assist for Steven Anderson’s opener.
There was later the waltzing run from deep inside his own half which completely bamboozled now Liverpool star Andy Robertson.
Dad Ian had smiled: “You look back at the 2014 cup final win and he turned Andy Robertson and stuck him on his a**e.”
Wotherspoon noted: “It’s probably been the best season and best year of my life.”
The season before hadn’t been all that bad either, mind you. A memory that springs instantly to mind was assisting Frazer Wright in Trondheim as delirious Saints fans celebrated a Europa League win against Rosenborg. He provided the assist in the home leg too for good measure.
Perhaps 2021 would need to be redefined as the best season of his life though. The cup double-winning campaign.
Wotherspoon, at times, was simply unplayable. Just ask Alex Gogic who, back then, was playing for Hibs and who fell into the Spoony Chop trap wide on the left flank at the national stadium.
Wotherspoon’s cross which followed was nodded home by Shaun Rooney and that proved to be the only goal of the Scottish Cup final to follow on from the League Cup heroics.
He cut an emotional figure when his postmatch interview beamed out to viewers across the country and, unable to hold back the tears, said: “I just want to say one last thing to my family back at home watching. My kids, my wife, mum and dad. Thanks.”
With momentum on his side heading into summer, Wotherspoon sustained a gutting cruciate knee injury against Celtic in the League Cup semifinal in November 2021.
H e would battle back, after months of pain and hard work, to one year later become the first Saints player to grace the
field at a World Cup.
Representing Canada - his mum Sheila was born in Winnipeg - Wotherspoon was called from the bench and entered the action against Tunisia in Qatar.
His proud brother, Ian, had explained: “Me and my dad turned to each other and said to ourselves: ‘Is this actually going to happen?’ He took his bib off and we all got a bit emotional.”
Wotherspoon, since returning from the World Cup, has not played as much a part as he would’ve liked and, ultimately, has not been offered a new contract.
“David is a St Johnstone legend and I
He’s played a huge role in all of our successes in the past decade
have total respect for him as a professional footballer and as a person,” said manager Steven Maclean.
“He’s played a huge role in all of our successes in the past decade. I’ve had a chat with him to explain the reasons behind my decision.
“I feel I have made the right choice for the football club as we move forward. I’d like to wish David the very best in whatever comes next for him in his career.”
While Wotherspoon was not paraded in front of home fans at the end of Sunday’s curtain-closer - he really should have been alongside O’halloran - the 33-year-old will receive a testimonial. And a well-supported one at that.
It will be a chance to honour the services of arguably the greatest ever Saint.