With the club on its knees financially, talented teenagers were given their chance at Love Street in the 1990s. Not only were they cheaper than more established pros, if they were good enough they would generate some much needed cash. Barry Lavety, Ricky Gillies, Martin Baker, Burton O'Brien and David MacNamee all did that. Others, like Barry McLaughlin, Hugh Murray and Steven McGarry, came into the team and established themselves - that particular trio all ending up with first division winners medals.
But at the turn of the century the talent tap seemed to be turned off. The odd player - like Simon Lappin or Stephen McGinn - still came through, but the quantity and quality of the previous decades had gone. Some, like Graham Guy and David Lowing, got a season and were then released. Others, like David McKenna and Craig Molloy, hung around the fringes for a few years without establishing themselves before being let go. And the rest maybe the odd appearance and were then ditched. Aside from Lappin and McGinn - Kirk Broadfoot came from Hibs - the only two I can think of that really came through the system and cemented their place were Chris Smith and David Barron - and injury has seen the latter reduced to a squad player in the last few years. Yes, Marc McAusland has come in but he had to go to Queen of the South before being given his chance.
One of the main criticisms of Gus MacPherson's final few years in charge was the lack of youngsters he was willing to give a chance in the first team (not including guys like Graham Carey and Scott Cuthbert who we signed on loan). The above would suggest the quality wasn't there, but fans felt letting the youngsters play rather than sticking with pros who were not up to the job would have been far more beneficial. Would Ally Love really have been any worse than Mo Camara? Why not let Sean Burns have a chance instead of Dennis Wyness? And in some people's eyes putting McAusland in for John Potter was a no brainer.
A few months into Danny Lennon's reign we were given a taste of how different things would be. Trailing Hamilton by two goals, Lennon decided against putting on the experienced Garry Brady and instead decided to throw on a youngster - one who, rumour has it, the previous manager didn't think would ever play for the first team. Within minutes, a mis-hit pass/cross/shot/whatever from the teenager led to a corner, which led to a goal. We drew 2-2. A few weeks later the youngster made his first start, was handed a lengthy contract and never looked back.
The player in question was Kenny McLean, now an integral part of the Buddies midfield. Few people seem to realise it's only just over two years ago that he was handed his first team debut and that he'll only turn 21 next month. In those circumstances the inconsistency that frustrates fans is understandable. In the last few months his performances have regularly been of a high level and numerous clubs are supposedly sniffing around. His contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2014 so if he does go we will reap the benefits and may even receive a club record fee. If he stays put fine - we still have a quality player on our books.
Until recently the big concern was who would replace McLean, but that is no longer an issue - and not just because Paul McGowan is almost fit again. John McGinn has grasped his first team opportunity with both hands and, like McLean, hasn't looked back. I'm still at a loss as to how Stephen's brother hasn't yet scored. His passing and vision is superb, his shooting is excellent and he's more than willing and capable of taking on – and beating - older players. He's already been signed up on a long term deal and will play a huge part in the next few years - or will be sold and we'll get a huge fee for him.
Thomas Reilly has also been tied up on a long term contract. For some reason we struggle to produce decent forwards. When Reilly scored his first Saints goal against Motherwell earlier this season he became our first homegrown striker to find the back of the net since McKenna in 2004 (John Baird came from Clyde). I reckon before that you're probably going back to McGarry! Reilly doesn't seem like the normal youth team striker that comes into the first team with lots of aimless running and little else. He seems to have football intelligence, is aware of where his team mates are and can play some decent passes.
Those are the three high profile ones but there are plenty of others. Strikers Jack Smith and Jon Scullion know where the back of the net is, Keiran Doran seems a talented winger and Sean Kelly looks solid at the back. We've also picked up a few players released by the big clubs, like Hull's Jordan Holt and Celtic's Mo Yaqub. And we have another McGinn in the shape of Paul and he, like Jason Naismith and Mark Lamont, is currently out on loan to get first team experience.
The current management seem more than willing to give the youngsters a chance so there is no reason we can't see a return to the mid 1990s when half the team were graduates of the youth set-up. The difference this time is that we are on solid financial ground and won't be forced to sell them off for buttons. They'll either continue to learn their trade with us or we'll rake in huge fees that can be reinvested in the first team or the next generation of stars.
The future's bright. The future's black and white.
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