Billy's agony over missing Scottish Cup winner's medal

Apr 21 2009 by Andrew Newport, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN legend Billy Abercromby last night revealed he has been left heartbroken after losing his treasured Scottish Cup winner’s medal.

Billy captained the Saints to a memorable Scottish Cup triumph back in May 1987 but, just months later, he slid into a dark world where only alcohol mattered to him.

Now he has told the Paisley Daily Express he was so boozed-up during his days as a hard drinker that he hid his priceless medal behind a fireplace – and hasn’t seen it since.

Billy had planked the medal behind the fireplace of a house in Kilbarchan he once shared with his ex-wife.

But the former Saints star admits he was so “out of it” through drink in those days that he forgot to take it with him when they split up and he moved out.

Billy – known to St Mirren supporters as ‘Aber’ – recently returned to the house in Kilbarchan in a desperate bid to recover the medal but was left gutted when his search turned out to be in vain.

Speaking exclusively to the Express last night, the 50-year-old former midfielder said: “I should have kept the medal in a safe.

“Winning the Scottish Cup with St Mirren meant so much to me and I’m absolutely gutted that my medal is gone.

“It’s not everyone who is fortunate enough to pick up a Scottish Cup winner’s medal and I’m now kicking myself for not looking after it properly.”

Billy was speaking to the Express as he prepares to launch his autobiography – Aber’s Gonnae Get Ye! – which details the highs of his time as a St Mirren hero and the lows of his battle with the bevvy.

In the book, which hits the shops today, the former footballer tells how he fears he may never see his treasured medal again.

Billy, who is now healthy and sober again, said: “When I was living in Kilbarchan, I decided to put the medal in a safe place and planked it in a cavity between the fireplace and the wall.

“When I left that house, I was so out of it that I forgot to take the medal.

“While we were writing this book, I took a trip down to Kilbarchan to try to find the medal.

“The owner of the house had some bad news – the medal was nowhere to be found.

“There had been a bad flood in the area a few years back and the house had suffered quite a bit of damage.

“All the floorboards had to be replaced and there was quite a bit of structural work carried out. I can only assume that the medal fell down the back of the fireplace and into the foundations when the work was going on.”

Billy was the first St Mirren player to get his hands on the Scottish Cup for 28 years when he lifted the oldest trophy in world football back on May 16, 1987, after Ian Ferguson’s goal in extra time was enough to secure victory over Dundee United.

The fans’ favourite admits he should have done more to keep his medal safe.

Billy said: “Maybe I could have a replica of the medal made but it wouldn’t be the same.

“You never know – one day, it might turn up again. I’d be delighted if that happens.”

‘Aber’s Gonnae Get Ye!’ is published by Macdonald Media Publishing and goes on sale today, priced £9.99.

Buddies will be able to meet Billy when he signs copies of his book at the hospitality suite at St Mirren Park tomorrow from 7.30pm.

The book is also available from Provan Sports, in Causeyside Street, Paisley, the WH Smith stores in Paisley’s High Street and Braehead in Renfrew, as well as Waterstones, also at the giant Braehead mall.

l Do you know the whereabouts of Aber’s Scottish Cup winner’s medal? If so, call Andy Newport in the Express newsroom on 0141 847 8640.

Make sure you get Thursday’s Express to read our fascinating feature on Aber as he lifts the lid on his amazing life story and reveals how doctors warned him he was just one bevvy away from drinking himself to death.