The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Mannus prepares to bid a fond farewell
Alan Mannus will treasure the memories of his seven years at St Johnstone after deciding to return to Ireland.
The former Northern Ireland international reached contentment when he made his first appearance for the Perth club – but his achievements went a good deal beyond that.
“The decision to go back to Ireland was really made three years ago when Leanne and I were planning to get married and buy a house,” he said. “But we kept it quiet. “We now have our son Mason and we want to be around family more.
“We have had a great time here and the club have been brilliant to me. I have so many fantastic memories from my seven years with St Johnstone, including the cup final win, because of what we achieved as a group and what it meant to the fans.
“It has justified my decision to try my luck across the water when I was 29 with an initial one-year contract.
“It took me 15 years to get here but it has worked out better than I could ever have hoped for.
“When I wasn’t playing in that first season I was starting to plan what I would do about going back to Ireland.
“But I always believed I could make the step up and it has all worked out well in the long run.
“My first league game was a big milestone because I could say I had played in the SPL. No one could take it away from me.
“Another personal highlight was finishing third and I played in every game. I had proved I could play at this level week in week out.
“And at the end of last season when it was a sort of family day at the stadium, we played Rangers at home and Mason was at the game. He came out on the pitch with me. That was a big moment.
“Now I have signed a deal at Shamrock Rovers through to the end of next season.
“But I am still a St Johnstone player and could still have important games to be involved in.”