Season 1937-38

The first few games of 1937-38 saw mixed fortunes with four wins, two draws and two defeats, but were more important as seeing the debuts of two men who would become legends over the following seasons, Johnny Deakin and Bobby Rankin.

Rankin was making his second debut for Saints having previously played in the 1920’s. He was to be associated with St.Mirren for the next seventeen years as player, Director and manager.

October saw a five point return from four matches before a 1-4 defeat to Third Lanark in which Knox and Cunningham both missed penalties, to see Saints unbeaten home record ended.

Knox was to miss another penalty in the Christmas Day match against Clyde, but was to make amends with a 35yard free kick in a 6-1 victory.

The New Year did not bring much success with just five wins in 18 games to leave Saints in fourteenth place at the end of the campaign.
One match that did bring some joy was a 7-0 thrashing of County rivals Morton, with Knox grabbing a hat-trick. He was to repeat this against Morton in the Renfrewshire Cup final in a 7-1 victory. William McLintock also scored a hat-trick in this match.