Cup Final ref is from Paisley

Mar 10 2010 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

WHISTLER Craig Thomson will take charge of St Mirren’s cup final Hampden clash with Rangers.

Thomson has been appointed to run the rule over the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final between the Buddies and the Ibrox giants on Sunday, March 21.

The move completes the former Paisley Grammar pupil’s hat-trick of domestic cup finals, having already refereed the Scottish Cup Final and the climax of the Scottish Challenge Cup.

The whistler said: “National finals are the pinnacle that your career can reach domestically and I have now completed the set.”

This month’s big match at the National Stadium will be the first time that Thomson has refereed this Co-operative Insurance Cup Final.

He was the man in the middle for the 2009 Scottish Cup Final last May when Rangers beat Falkirk 1-0.

Thomson’s assistant referees will be Martin Cryans and James Bee. Brian Winter has been appointed as the fourth official.

In other news the North End St Mirren supporters have announced that their bus for the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final is now full.

However, the Chivas Travel Club are organising buses that will leave the Argyll Bar and the Wee Barrel at 1.30pm on the day of the final.

Bus tickets for non-members are on sale from behind the bars in both pubs.

And the Cockles Wilson Travel Club are planning to have three buses for Hampden.

For more information about availability of seats and departure times call into to Corkers.

Meanwhile, the North End St Mirren supporters are organising a bus for Saturday’s trip to New Douglas Park.

They will meet in Lang’s Bar before they head down to their bus which leaves opposite the Hole in the Wa’ public bar at 1.45pm.

Non members are welcome to hop aboard for £5.