Nathan talks Euro success
SPORT Lowndes will take in all the action this summer
He was influential in helping St Johnstone nail down a UEFA Cup tie with Monaco in 1999.
Now, 18 years on, Nathan Lowndes will proudly take his seat at McDiarmid Park to watch the latest European adventure.
The former Perth forward still lives locally and is a regular at Saints games, supporting the club he has grown to love.
Lowndes, who scored against Finnish side VPS Vaasa in a UEFA Cup preliminary round tie, is even hopeful of following the team across the continent this summer.
“I’m certainly a fan and the club is close to my heart,” said Lowndes, now a police officer.
“I’ve always looked out for the results and my Scottish team has always been St Johnstone.
“I take my boy to see Saints now and it’s something we are looking forward to again.
“It’s difficult now that I’m a working man to get to the away leg. But we’ll be doing our best to get away - loads of my mates will be going. I’ve not experienced a European trip away as a fan yet.
“My first real good memory of Europe was scoring against Vaasa - we had to get past them to get the tie against Monaco.
“I remember going across to Vaasa when it was an eclipse of the sun. I remember the day really well and I know the fans say it was a great trip to Finland.
“Scoring was a great memory for me. When it’s raised I’m proud of it.
“But the goal itself was a six yard volley off my shin! It wasn’t the prettiest but meant a lot for the tie.”
It was a finish which gave the Perth squad momentum heading home for the return leg. A McDiarmid victory set up the mouthwatering tie with Monaco.
Saints battled well but ultimately suffered a 3-0 defeat in the Stade Louis II.
They would, however, shock the French giants with an enthralling 3-3 draw in Perth.
And there is a well-publicised tale from that tie which Lowndes continues to remember fondly.
“The amazing tie with Monaco followed and there is the shirt-swapping with Marco Simone,” Lowndes said.
“I had asked him to change shirts and he agreed. But after the game I went into the changing room, not having changed shirts, and thinking: ‘well, that is that’.
“But we had a chap on the dressing room door and he came in with his shirt. He asked me for my shirt which I thought was ridiculous. It was a really humble thing for him to do.
“Then there was the awesome game at McDiarmid. I think they scored early, an unbelievable goal, so you thought it was going to be a long night.
“But we had some team and I think we gave them a shock. They had a few World Cup winners. I was proud to play for the team that night.”
When Lowndes takes in the Europa League action in the coming weeks, he will watch with the knowledge that this is a special group of players.
He said: “The club has punched above its weight for a number of years.
“That is no coincidence when you look at the quality of the manager. They are precious and St Johnstone should do everything they can to keep him.
“It always surprises me the level that the club attains.
“We really should appreciate these nights when they come along because we have been spoilt over the last few years with a fabulous team.
“And it is a team, rather than unbelievable individuals.
“Looking back, the midweek fixtures against European opposition with the stadium full is a magical time.”