Paul’s putting medals to a much better use than lying in a drawer
Paul Cherry would be torn were this year’s Premiership Play-off Final to be between St Johnstone and Inverness Caley Thistle.
The Englishman won silverware with both clubs – the First Division title with Saints in 1989-90 and the Third Division championship with the Highlanders in 1996-97.
He is currently in the process of raffling off his medals from both campaigns to raise money to help care for Ukrainian orphans.
“I think there is a decent chance my former teams could meet, and it would make for really good Final,” Cherry said.
“It’s almost a derby game, so it would be popular with the supporters.
“The problem I’d have is knowing who I’d want to come out on top. The managers, Callum Davidson and Billy Dodds, are both old team-mates from my time at Saints, so I would have to sit that one out!”
Cherry, now working in property in Spain, admits to being shocked the Perth club find themselves in this position at all.
“After their unbelievable effort in winning the two cups last season, they were always likely to drop a level this season. But I really didn’t expect them to fall as far as they have!
“It’s has been a very disappointing campaign. If they can survive, however, they can learn from the experience and also get a few new players in.
“They have to strengthen a bit defensively, and they need the goalscorer they have been lacking up front.
“That is for the future, though. Right now, they have to make sure they stay up.”
While the Premiership participant in the Final would usually start favourite to retain their place, there are exceptions, with Dundee shocking Kilmarnock last season.
“Caley Thistle have been up and down a bit over the season, but they have been more consistent recently,” Cherry continued.
“That is important because you want a bit of positive momentum.
“Firstly, they need to reach the Final. Arbroath, to name just one rival, have shown fantastic resilience all season.”
The 57-year-old isn’t the only person with history at the two prospective finalists.
Sergei Baltacha (inset) also played for both clubs, and the Ukrainian’s friendship with Cherry was one of the reasons for his fund-raising efforts. “We were neighbours in Perth, and became close,” he said. “Our families actually went on a cruise together to Odessa, one of the cities the Russians are looking to take over.
“I always remember the customs guys fawning over Sergei, like he was a total superstar to them.
“When the war first kicked off, I contacted Sergei to let him know we were thinking of him and his family, some of whom are still over there.
“Then on TV, I saw Steven Carr, who I know from Perth, had managed to rescue about 50 Ukrainian orphans through his charity, Dnipro Kids.
“I wanted to raise cash for them, so I put in the only two medals I won in my career.
“They were just lying in a cupboard doing nothing. If they can raise some money for the orphans of Ukraine, that is a much better use of them.
“If we can make the lives of those children just a wee bit better, that has to be worth doing.”
■ If you are interested in taking part in the draw for Paul’s medals then email sport@ sundaypost.com for more info.