1979-80

1980's

1981-82

1980-81 1980-81 started with the Drybrough Cup and  after defeating Falkirk and Ayr United, Saints met Aberdeen in the final at Hampden. Unfortunately the Dons ran out 2-1 winners. On the back of the great season the year before, Saints were to compete in European competition for the first time during season 1980-81, winning their first match 2-1 against Elfsborg in Sweden. The return leg saw a dour 0-0 draw at Love Street but was good enough to see Saints through. The second round saw a head to head with the French giants St Etienne. Another 0-0 draw at Love Street was welcomed more than the Elfsborg result, but a 0-2 reverse in France ended the first venture into Europe. November 1980 saw another change of manager when Jim Clunie was sacked following a 2-1 victory over Celtic at Parkhead, which saw full back Alex Beckett net the winner in the final minutes with a great shot from outside the box. Clunie's replacement was physiotherapist Rikki McFarlane.  League form never quite matched that of the previous season with a 4th place finish come May.  Competitive Results Premier Division 09/08/1980 Aberdeen Love Street 0-1 16/08/1980 Morton Cappielow 4-1 23/08/1980 Hearts Love Street 1-3 06/09/1980 Airdrie Love Street 2-2 13/09/1980 Partick Thistle Firhill 0-1 20/09/1980 Dundee United Love Street 2-0 27/09/1980 Rangers Ibrox 0-2 04/10/1980 Kilmarnock Rugby Park 6-1 11/10/1980 Celtic Love Street 0-2 18/10/1980 Aberdeen Pittodrie 2-3 25/10/1980 Morton Love Street 1-1 01/11/1980 Hearts Tynecastle 1-1 08/11/1980 Rangers Love Street 0-0 15/11/1980 Dundee United Tannadice 0-2 22/11/1980 Celtic Parkhead 2-1 29/11/1980 Kilmarnock Love Street 2-0 06/12/1980 Airdrie Broomfield 2-1 13/12/1980 Partick Thistle Love Street 1-0 20/12/1980 Dundee United Love Street 3-3 01/01/1981 Morton Cappielow 3-1 03/01/1981 Aberdeen Love Street 1-1 10/01/1981 Kilmarnock Rugby Park 0-2 31/01/1981 Partick Thistle Firhill 0-0 21/02/1981 Hearts Love Street 2-1 28/02/1981 Aberdeen Pittodrie 2-1 04/03/1981 Airdrie Love Street 2-1 07/03/1981 Kilmarnock  Love Street 1-1 14/03/1981 Celtic Parkhead 0-7 21/03/1981 Dundee United Tannadice 2-1 28/03/1981 Rangers Love Street 2-1 04/04/1981 Airdrie Broomfield 2-0 11/04/1981 Partick Thistle Love Street 3-2 15/04/1981 Rangers Ibrox 0-1 18/04/1981 Hearts Tynecastle 2-1 25/04/1981 Morton Love Street 2-0 02/05/1981 Celtic Love Street 3-1 Scottish Cup 24/01/1981 3rd Rnd Dumbarton Love Street 0-2 League Cup 27/08/1980 2nd Rnd, 1st Leg Albion Rovers Cliftonhill 2-1 30/08/1980 2nd Rnd, 2nd Leg Albion Rovers Love Street 5-0 03/09/1980 3rd Rnd, 1st Leg Partick Thistle Firhill 0-2 24/09/1980 3rd Rnd, 2nd Leg Partick Thistle Love Street 0-0 UEFA Cup 17/09/1980 1st Rnd, 1st Leg Elfsborg Ryavallen Stadium 2-1 Somner Abercromby 01/10/1980 1st Rnd,2nd Leg Elfsborg Love Street 0-0   22/10/1980 2nd Rnd,1st Leg St.Etienne Love Street 0-0   05/11/1980 2nd Rnd,2nd Leg St.Etienne Stade Geoffroy Guichard 0-2   Drybrough Cup 26/07/1980 1st Rnd Falkirk Love Street 2-1 Logan Somner 30/07/1980 Semi Final Ayr United Love Street 2-1 Logan Stark 02/08/1980 Final Aberdeen Hampden Park 1-2 Somner