The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Supporters say a big ‘Noah’ to Armenia trip
Saints fans reluctant to follow their team to Eurasia for qualifying tie
St Johnstone’s latest trip into Europe drew a less than enthusiastic response from the side’s fans when the Europa League draw was made yesterday.
Perhaps best known as the supposed resting site of Noah’s Ark, former Soviet state Armenia will host the Perth club in next month’s qualifier.
But the draw with the country’s Alashkert FC hasn’t exactly triggered a mass stampede for tickets.
John Kaylor, who runs the Jeanfield 208 Supporters’ Club, was unimpressed by the prospect of the July 2 clash.
“This is absolutely the worst case scenario for us fans,” he said.
“This stadium is only 500 miles from Baghdad and there’s the danger it’s close to an Isis training camp.
“I definitely won’t be going and I know most of the supporters won’t be either. The ones with money might make the effort, but I think everyone else will wait until the home game.”
Online, the reaction wasn’t much better.
One Facebook fan posted: “Second lowest ranked team in the tournament, average of 149 home attendance and their stadium looks worse than Luncarty’s. We’re doomed.”
Travel sites were offering flights to the country’s capital Yerevan from £319 from London or £422 from Aberdeen,
As well as Noah’s Ark, the country is known for its war-ravaged history and also as home to the ancestors of reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Their stadium looks worse than Luncarty’s. We’re doomed