GERRY BAKER
They were convinced that writing a cheque for £2000 before a ball was kicked ensured they beat all- comers in the national tournament.
That modest sum bought them centreforward Gerry Baker from Motherwell and he would go on to score in every round of the Cup, including the final, as the Buddies lifted the coveted trophy for only the second time in their history.
New York-born Baker had been kicking his heels at Fir Park, unable to dislodge Ian St John from the No.9 jersey. He was an instant hit at Love Street, scoring the winner on his debut against a Hibs team featuring his younger brother Joe.
No one was tipping the Paisley men to go all the way to Hampden before Baker’s arrival but the lightning-quick striker with great skill and an eye for goal was the final piece in their jigsaw.
With the likes of Tommy Bryceland, Ally Miller and Tommy Gemmell providing openings, Baker kept banging in the goals.
Their opening Cup clash was in February 1959 against East of Scotland minnows Peebles Rovers. If any of the players were superstitious about playing on Friday the 13th, it didn’t show in their play.
Manager Willie Reid had put the team on a special bonus to provide goals in the first ever Love Street match played under floodlights and his men did not disappoint.
The final score was 10- 0, Baker having hit four of them.
The third round brought Motherwell to Paisley and Baker scored against his old club in a 3-2 win.
The trademark Baker grin was never broader. He said: “When a club lets you go, they’ve ditched you – so you’re always going to bust a gut against them.
“I had to prove I should have been in their team.”
Baker took his Cup tally to six in a 2-1 win over Dunfermline then came Celtic in the semi-finals.
Many observers felt the Hoops’ tradition and experience would help them prevail but Baker scored twice as the Buddies thrashed them 4- 0.
Saints were underdogs again in the final but by now the team believed they could beat anyone.
The £100-a-man win bonus was also an incentive as they went out in front of more than 108,000 fans at Hampden and beat Aberdeen 3-1, with Baker scoring No. 3.
Manager Reid saluted a fantastic team effort but he knew who had made the difference. He said: “Gerry has been more than a good player for us – he has been a mascot. Since he came to Love Street, our fortunes have taken a turn for the better.”
Baker continued his love affair with the Scottish Cup the following season when he scored a club record 10 goals as the Buddies began their defence of the trophy with a 15- 0 win over Glasgow University.
But all good things have to come to an end and Baker was sold to Manchester City for £17,000 in November 1960.
In his two years at Love Street, he had scored an impressive 66 goals in 81 games.
It took 28 years to get the Scottish Cup back to Paisley and again success came out of the blue.
Wi t h form again inconsistent, no one was breaking down their bookie’s door to get a bet on St Mirren.
When their captain Billy Abercromby was sent off three times in a league match the Buddies’ season looked to be going from bad to worse. The midfielder was known to like the physical side of the game. Love Street fans came up with a chant of “Aber’s
Gonnae Get Ye” just to let the opposition know what to expect.
In October 1986 he was sent off at Love Street along with Motherwell’s Steve Kirk after a flare-up.
Abercromby argued the toss with match official Louis Thow and received a second red card. But the expletiveladen rant continued and a third red was flashed before he finally went up the tunnel.
Manager Alex Miller was incensed to have witnessed such “stupidity” and slapped the player on the transfer list.
“I am appalled that a St Mirren captain should behave in this way,” he said.
“He has let down not only me but himself and the club.”
A 12-match SFA ban followed and it