I can remember few first division away days with quite such a big crowd. Only two stand out, both for different reason, and both have links to Saturday's game.
The first was 2nd May 1998, away at Forthbank when Saints needed to win to stay up. Thanks to a goal from Hugh Murray, who scored on Saturday, we did. The second was on 22nd April 2000, at Somerset against Ayr, when Paul McKnight's last minute winner sent Saints into the SPL. Both occasions saw fantastic Saints supports, which (on my away trips at least) have been rare in the league outside of derbies.
Saturday’s game had most of the necessary ingredients. Relatively close to Paisley, decent train links, good pubs (apparently), old-fashioned ground and the chance to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 1987. But how does that add to the magic? Why have I been walking about with a stupid grin on my face since Saturday night after beating a lower league team?
Simple. Because it's the cup. Fans suddenly get optimistic. If you're in the first division, you're just three games from Hampden and four from the final. This year it's even better with half of the Old Firm already out. Poor league form, no matter what team you support, suddenly goes out of the window. The stay away fans suddenly come back. Look at Saturday's crowd, and the crowd last season against Caley Thistle, a team who hump us on a regular basis. Once you get past one round, just one round, in the Scottish Cup, fans come flocking in for some strange reason.
That's good for Saints, as it gets us some much needed cash. However, don't the stay away fans realise that if they turned up more often for clubs that they would e able t improve, due to the extra income and support, and maybe do well more often? Saurday showed just what a support St. Mirren can have, and probably should have. It would be great if even a quarter of the fans that don't normally go went to some of our games before the end of the season, as we could do with the cash.
For the first time in 18 years, the romance and extra cash continues for the Saints. A quarter final tie away to SPL side Hibs awaits, and the optimism amongst the Saints support is now up to a stage where many feel we can beat one of the best Scottish teams outside of the cup. Funny what a few wins can do.
When I was writing the preview for the third round match against Hamilton, I talked about how pathetic it was the pundits going on about cup romance when we were playing another first division side. I've changed my mind. The romance of the cup is a fantastic thing, and long may it continue.
As I said, funny what a few wins can do.