Returned: 1997/98
Details: I don't have a clue what he was like the first time, but when he returned the second time he was not very good, though the fact that the club were in deep trouble, both on and off the pitch, wouldn't have helped. He later admitted it was a mistake coming back
Verdict on first spell: Maybe (dunno what he was like!)
Verdict on second spell: Miss
Name: Barry Lavety
Returned: 1999/2000
Details: First time around, Basher was a superb young striker, managing around 20 goals in his first season. He moved to Hibs in the mid 1990s, before returning at the start of the title season, first on loan and then permanently. He scored something like 15 goals, but was released at the end of the season due to injury. The prodigal son left unhappy, and vowed never to return.
Verdict on first spell: Hit
Verdict on second spell: Hit
Name: Ricky Gillies
Returned: 1999/2000
Details: Ricky scored on his debut against Cowdenbeath, becoming the youngest ever Saints goalscorer. Whilst not exactly prolific as a striker, Tony Fitzpatrick claimed he could walk into the AC Milan first team. Rumours of £2million+ transfers to Arsenal were around, but instead he ended up at Aberdeen. He hardly played there, and came on loan to Saints at the end of the title season, before the move was made permanent in the summer. Was top scorer in the SPL (including 2 goals against Aberdeen), but wasn't exactly brilliant in our first season back in division 1. However, he has done well since, and recently notched his 50th Saints goal.
Verdict on first spell: Hit
Verdict on second spell: Hit
Name: Junior Mendes
Returned: 2002/03
Details: Junior arrived from Chelsea in the mid 1990s. A quick striker, he was an integral part of the title-winning season, though he was only missed after he left for Dunfermline in 2000. An unsuccessful spell there, including dogs abuse when he returned to Love Street, saw him leave in the summer, and Saints signed him a year later. Was much better than in his first spell with us, in my opinion, and scored a brilliant hat trick against Clyde. Left in the transfer window for Mansfield after putting in some good performances.
Verdict on first spell: Hit
Verdict on second spell: Hit
Name: Hugh Murray
Returned: 2002/03
Details: Not exactly a proper departure from Shuggy as he left in the summer of 2002 and returned when he couldn't get a contract elsewhere. I'll always rememebr him for that goal against Stirling in 1998 which kept the club up, and possibly alive. However, he seemed to have one good season followed by one bad, as proven by his superb form in the title season followed by his terrible time in the SPL. Has done relatively well since returning.
Verdict on first spell: Hit
Verdict on second spell: Hit
Name: Martin Baker
Returned: 2002/03
Details: A decent left back during his first spell with Saints, he left for Kilmarnock in 1997. Did well in the SPL, before having a bust up with Bobby Williamson over his exclusion from the CIS final. Was released in the summer of 2002 due to injury, and John Coughlin brought him back to Love Street around Christmas time. Sadly he was nowhere near as good as before, and was released in the summer.Apparently had some offpitch problems with some of the Saints management team.
Verdict on first spell: Hit
Verdict on second spell: Miss
Name: Paul McKnight
Returned: 2003/04 Details: Paul was signed from Rangers just before the transfer deadline in the title season. He played in four games for the remainder of that season, scoring two of the most vital Saints goals I have seen, apart from Shuggy's v Stirling. Late winners against Falkirk and Ayr saw Saints effectively win the league, but injury problems reduced him to just four SPL appearances. Was released in the summer of 2002, returned home to Linfield and was resigned in the summer. has hardly played, due to injuries again, and I certainly wouldn't have had him back. A talented player definitely, but constantly injured.
Verdict on first spell: Maybe, only because of the two goals
Verdict on second spell: Miss
Name: Kevin McGowne
Returned: 2003/04
Details: No idea what he was like during his first time with us, however I have been totally unimpressed with him this season. Was made the captain, but looks extremely shaky at the back, and his distribution is absolutely awful.
Verdict on first spell: Maybe (dunno what he was like!)
Verdict on second spell: Miss
Name: Barry Lavety
Returned: 2003/04
Details: To the fans delight, Basher returned to Love Street in the summer of 2003, deciding that what had gone on before should be forgotten. After only returning at first to keep himself fit before returning to Bath Uni, Team bath and FA Cup Qualifiers, the fans were desperate for him to return when he scored a goal against Gretna in a friendly. He duly obliged, signing a two year part time contract which meant he could continue his studies at a local college. Sadly, he has failed to recapture the form of either of his past two spells, looking even more unfit than before and having terrible luck in front of goal, including some shocking misses.
Verdict on first spell: Hit
Verdict on second spell: Hit
Verdict on third spell: Miss, though if he starts finding the net soon that could change.
So, looking at that only four players, Gillies, Lavety, Mendes and Murray, out of the eight who have returned since 1997 have done well, though Basher's third spell has been truly awful. Please let me know if I have missed anyone out!