Season 1908-09

1908-09 was to produce many highlights on the pitch, but it is for off field matters that the season is best remembered!

The season began in disappointing fashion with a 4-2 defeat at Pittodrie and elimination from the Renfrewshire Cup after a 4-1 defeat by Morton at Cappielow.

This was followed, however, by four consecutive victories, and the start of an eleven match unbeaten run that included a total of eight victories.The beginning of October arrived with Saints challenging for top spot in the league. This position was soon to be overshadowed by off-field events.On the 10th October Queens Park visited Love Street and played out a 1-1 draw. .

During this match, referee, Mr Edwards, disallowed an Andrew Brown goal for ‘offside’ a decision that infuriated the Saints support and they began to hurl ash and stones at the referee. Also during the match, Saints’ right half, William Key, was subjected to a torrent of abuse from a spectator, and he decided to take the law into his own hands and entered the crowd and struck the offending supporter.

A Scottish League enquiry found Saints guilty and ordered Love Street to be closed for a fortnight. William Key was suspended for a month!

For their next ‘home’ match St.Mirren were made to play Hibernian at Arthurlie's Dunterlie Park, but this proved no handicap as Saints continued their fine run with a 1-0 victory.The end of October saw Saints claim top spot in the league and after the first eighteen matches Saints proud record was won twelve, drawn four and lost just two.

However, a dramatic slump in performance saw only three wins in the second half of the season and the challenge slipped away, to leave a mid table 7th place finish.