The next season, ’31-32, saw much improvement in both position and performances.
After the usual inconsistent start with five defeats in the first eight games, Saints went on a run where they won
eleven and drew two of the next fifteen!
There were some memorable matches, a 5-1 defeat of Hearts, 5-2 and 4-0 wins over Ayr UTD. Best day was on 28/11 when
Dundee were
thrashed 6-1 at Love Street. At Dens Park on the same day Saints reserve side
were handing their Dundee counterparts an 8-5 defeat.
Hero of that match was Davie McCrae, who had been out of the first team for most of the season with a serious knee
injury. He was to score SEVEN of the goals. Unfortunately this injury was to continue to plague him throughout the season
and Davie managed only half of the games but still registered
nine goals.
In McCrae’s absence, the goal scoring mantle was taken by Jimmy Knox, signed during the close season from Charlton,
who netted 24 goals.
Come seasons end Saints had climbed to fifth in the league.
There was plenty of silverware in the Love Street
boardroom this season with the Renfrewshire and Paisley Charity Cups both being won along with a new trophy, the South Western
County Cup.
This was a four team event where Saints defeated Kilmarnock 2-0 in the semi final,
with both goals coming from Jimmy Knox. In the final they met Ayr UTD and, in
a superb display hammered them 7-1. Davie McCrae took the scoring honours with
three, Knox got two and Bobby Rankin and John Miller scored on apiece.
Saints played the same team for both matches: - Fotheringham,
Baird, Hay, Gebbie, Walker, Miller, Knox, Workman, McCrae, Rankin and Farmer
The fourth team were Morton.
