McPhee Heads For Portugal

McPhee was only with Saints for a few months towards the end of our SPL season. The striker was on loan from Coventry City, and despite not scoring any goals was superb. We lost only once when he played, at Parkhead when Celtic won the league. He also won the young player of the month award for April of 2001. His main asset was his pace, and his arrival totally transformed Saints, and almost kept us up.

He had agreed to come to Saints for our first division campaign, however after his holidays he decided to sign for Port Vale. Last season he scored 27 goals and was atteacting interest from Leeds and Bristol City, due to being out of contract. However, with him still being under 24 Port Vale were looking for money for him, and rejected a bid from Leeds. McPhee wanted to leave, so headed for Portugal where no fee would be needed.

Beira Mar's current manager is Mick Wadsworth, who was brilliantly sacked by Huddersfield a few years ago, only to be reinstated with the full backing of the board as they couldn't afford to get rid of him!

Stephen has a few Scotland under 21 caps, but this move could see him playing for the Scotland side. There is an interview with him in the Sunday Herald today, which you can read by going to http://www.sundayherald.com/43016