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John Patrick began his footballing
career with local sides Kilsyth Wanderers and Kilsyth Rangers, before moving to
Grangemouth and then onto Falkirk. It was from here that he arrived at
Love Street in 1892. He made his debut against Third Lanark
on the 27th August 1892. This was not a happy debut as Saints lost 4-1! Despite this result, Patrick’s
performance was such that the committee felt he had earned a regular place in
the side and he was picked again for the following match. Again in this match John Patrick was to
earn many plaudits and the committees faith was justified as over the next few
seasons he established himself as one of the best keepers in the clubs history. He was ever present during seasons
1894/95, 95/96 and 97/98. He would have made it four straight seasons had he not
left for a trial at Everton during 1896/97 and missed one match! The match for Everton saw him play in a
6-0 win over Burnley, but he had missed Paisley and was back in goals for Saints
the following week! This sequence of appearances saw him
play in 139 matches out of Saints total of 164 over a nine year period. His performances had began to attract
the attention of the International selectors and he was chosen to play for the
Scottish League against the Irish League in 1896 before he was elevated to the
full national squad for matches against England and Wales in 1897. A further league cap was won in 1898,
also against the Irish League. The blackest moment of his Saints career
was playing at Ibrox on the 4th December 1897 when Rangers inflicted
St.Mirren’s record defeat with a 9-0 victory! He soon earned the nickname ‘the
penalty king’ due to his knack of saving penalties. One interesting feature of John
Patrick’s career (and life) was that he actually lived within the confines of
the Love Street ground! When Love Street was opened in 1894, a cottage was included in the plans, meant for the grounds-man. However he did not wish to stay there so Patrick took up residence in it remaining there for the remainder of his Saints career.
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