The major talking point was, of course, the dismissal of Tom Hendrie as Saints manager. Whilst several people had been calling for his head since December 2001, the board finally got rid of him in September 2002. However, in typical St. Mirren style, it wasn’t as simple as that. The board gave him leave of his duties, and installed assistant manager John Coughlin as caretaker manager. How often does that happen in football management? OK, the assistant can be made caretaker, but the manager is usually sacked or he resigns, he isn’t given leave of his duties.
Most people knew Hendrie wouldn’t be back, however Saint’s chairman made the ludicrous statement that we weren’t after a new manager as we still had Hendrie! Nevertheless, Coughlin was made manager until the end of the season in December, then for the next 2 years in June, with Hendrie fully paid off in January.
The season also saw the possibility of Saints leaving Love Street gain a bit more credibility. There have been rumours for years that Saints would leave Love Street, however it seems these now have a bit of truth. Gilmour revealed in October that the club were in negotiations to sell Love Street to supermarket chain Morrisons. As part of the deal, Saints would move in to a purpose built stadium on Greenhill Road. Most of the debt would be cleared, and Saints would have a nice new, admittedly Lego brick, stadium to use. Let’s hope it happens, as it would make the club one of the most financially secure in Scotland!
On the park it was near enough the same old rubbish as season 2001/2002. The club did manage to get to the semi finals of the League Challenge Cup, although the semi final proved to be Hendrie’s second last game in charge. Just days later, Saints were hammered 4-0 by Inverness Caley Thistle. An absolute clown of a trialist, Klaus Dietrich, was in defence for the first half, as Saints shipped three goals. He was taken off at half time, and there were rumours he was on a plane home by full time. There was hardly anyone left by full time, but those who were made their feelings known. Hendrie was gone, well on leave of duties, the following Thursday.
I fully believe that if Hendrie had not gone, Saints would have gone down. As it was, we came close to going down under Coughlin, however at least he made changes. I wasn’t quite so bothered getting hammered when the youngsters like Simon Lappin, David Lowing and Ricky Robb were playing, it was when the so called “experienced” players like Sergei Baltacha, Paul Rudden, Chris Kerr and Jamie McGowan were playing that I was annoyed. Admittedly I’m always annoyed when we lose, but it’s slightly easier to take when some promising youngsters are playing. It’s also a worry what Hendrie would have done at the transfer window. Coughlin’s signings weren’t bad, although they initially filled us with confidence. Hendrie would probably have signed more players in the Andy Dow mould.
If the Caley game was a major low point, the following week was a major high, when Saints made the short trip to Cappielow to play eventual third division champions Morton. Saints were 2-0 down at half time, and it seemed that Hendrie was still in charge. Thankfully, Martin Cameron and Simon Lappin got Saints level, and the game went to extra time. The first period was goalless, and it was looking like penalties would be the only way to decide this one. However, cometh the hour, cometh the man; in this case, Mark Yardley. He made Archie Gemmill’s goal in 1978 look decidedly average (honest). He turned the Morton defence inside out, before slotting it past the Morton goalie. For anyone else it would have been a good goal, however for someone of Yard’s weight, build and pace, it was stunning.
Yard’s didn’t see out the season, being moved on to Albion Rovers during the transfer window. Also leaving during the season were Dow, Baltacha, Ian Ross, and Junior Mendes, whilst Scott McLean, Mark Dempsie, Mark Roberts, Ally Mitchell, Martin Baker and Paul McHale all came in. However, for the new season, only Dempsie and McLean remain, thanks partly to the 18 month contracts they signed!
In 2001/02 we had very few good goals, however this season we had loads of them; Yard’s against Morton, Martin Cameron’s against Queen of the South in the league, Ricky Gillies against Alloa Athletic before being sent off, and Brian McGinty’s goal against Falkirk, to name but a few. However, Yard’s goal has to be goal of the season, simply because of the opposition and the way it was done. It also turned out to be his last Saints goal.
The Morton game was one of three matches that I was at which were brilliant to watch. The other two were when we beat Clyde 3-2 at Broadwood, with Junior completing his hat trick in the last minute, and the 4-4 draw with Falkirk at Love Street, after we were 3-0 down at half time. We did beat East Stirlingshire 7-0 at Love Street, but it wasn’t that good a game as the opposition were awful. Beating Alloa 3-2 at Recreation Park was also a highlight for me, despite the fact I wasn’t even there. Following scores on ITV’s “The Goal Rush” has never been so exciting; as Saints fought from two goals down to win 3-2.
The last minute against Arbroath at Love Street in April proved real drama. Saints were clinging on to a one goal lead when Chris Kerr brought down an Arbroath player in the box. Penalty. Andy Dow was the taker, and he’d been given abuse all through the game after his terrible performances for Saints earlier in the season. Instead of it being revenge for Dow, it was the chance for Ludovic Roy to make himself a hero one final time. Not only did he save the penalty, but he saved the follow up as well, giving Saints the win. It was his final game for Saints, and what a way to go out!
The only other “highlight” of the season was the performances of the younger players. Simon Lappin, David Lowing, Graham Guy, Jamie Dunbar and Kirk Broadfoot all played well, however only Lappin and Broadfoot will be around next season. Alan Muir and David McKenna also did well when given their chance towards the end of the season, the latter scoring against Ayr United. Ricky Robb did exceptionally well when playing in central defence, however when he was moved to right back, where he’d played with Rangers, he had a terrible time. Had he not been given a two year deal, he’d be out the door with Lowing, Guy and Dunbar.
One major low was the poor form of Brian McGinty. After scoring 6 goals for Saints the previous season, big things were expected of him. However, he only managed two all term, one less than former Saint Steven McGarry! It wasn’t entirely his, or his supply’s fault, however. He was diagnosed with a condition called Bell’s Palsey, which would obviously affect his form. He’s recovered now, but there’s a possibility it could return, so I’d like to wish him all the best (if only to avoid getting a doing for what I’ve said about him the next time I see him in Pizza Hut!).
Saints finished the season 7th, and were only officially safe from relegation with 2 games remaining. This is unacceptable, and whilst it would be easy to blame Tom Hendrie for everything, thanks to the squad he put together, the players and John Coughlin must take some of the blame. The player’s attitude stunk for the majority of the season, but in turn Coughlin should surely have been able to do something to get them playing properly.
Here’s hoping next season is better, and in the meantime watch out for Mirren Mad’s alternative awards ceremony, coming soon to a website near you!