JUST THE TICKET FOR SAINTS FANS

Apr 26 2006 Paisley Daily Express

PDE NEWS WED APRIL 26

BUDDIES will paint the town black and white on Saturday as super St Mirren celebrate their title triumph by going on an open-top bus parade through the heart of Paisley.

There will be a carnival atmosphere as thousands of supporters line the town centre streets to salute Gus MacPherson and his players.

Fans of all ages will be able to get a look at the First Division Championship and Bell’s Cup trophies, which Saints stars will be proudly displaying from the open-top bus.

The parade will take place after the Buddies face St Johnstone in the final match of what has been an historic season.

And St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour reckons it’ll be one of the greatest parties Paisley has ever seen.

“I’m sure it’ll be a day the town will remember for a long, long time,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to what will be a truly special occasion.

“Thousands of people turned out on the streets of Paisley to congratulate St Mirren the last time we won the title six years ago and they’ll be out in huge numbers again on Saturday.

“The open-top bus parade will be superb because it will give the people of Paisley the chance to congratulate Gus and the players on their magnificent achievements this season and it will also give everyone at the club the opportunity to thank the fans for their amazing support.

“The backing the team has had from our fans this season has been out of this world.”

Saints bosses are encouraging as many people as possible to head for Love Street on Saturday to join in the title celebrations and have organised a feast of pre-match entertainment to make sure the party will be in full swing.

The fun gets under way at 2.30pm, with a jazz band performing outside the stadium’s match-day shop, while young and old alike can have their faces painted with St Mirren’s colours.

Inside the stadium, Saints stars will be giving away signed footballs to delighted fans and then supporters clubs will be presenting their Player of the Year trophies.

The Paisley Daily Express will also be on hand to present our annual Star Saint award to the player who has made the most outstanding contribution to the team’s successful season.

As another pre-match treat, fans will be able to listen to interviews with St Mirren legends Willie Fulton, Tony Fitzpatrick and Tommy Turner, who captained the club to their last three title wins in 1968, 1977 and 2000 respectively.

And the celebrations will step up a gear after the final whistle when current Saints skipper Kevin McGowne is presented with the First Division Championship trophy.

Then, at 6.30pm, the open-top bus will set off from Love Street and snake its way through the town centre before coming to a halt at Abbey Close.

Mr Gilmour said: “We had almost 8,000 people inside Love Street when we beat Dundee to clinch the title two weeks ago and we are hoping for a similar crowd this Saturday.

“There will be a fantastic atmosphere and it’ll be a terrific day out for all the family. We’re encouraging parents to bring their kids along and it’s also a great opportunity for people who don’t normally go to football matches to see what St Mirren is all about.”

Renfrewshire Council chiefs will pay their own tribute to Saints by staging a civic reception for the title-winning heroes at Paisley Town Hall on Sunday, May 14.