Season 1944-45

1944-45 was very disappointing with some heavy defeats. The first of these was in the second match of the season, a 6-1 reverse at Ibrox. To add to Saint’s woes, Willie Kelly was again falling foul of the referee and was sent off. This time he earned a massive six-month ban!

In his absence, Willie Telfer took over at centre half and performed so well that he made the position his own for the remainder of his career. Further heavy defeats followed at Hearts (0-7), Hibs (2-6) and Hamilton (2-5) before a couple of 2-1 victories over Motherwell and Airdrie gave some hope.

The year ended with revenge on Hamilton with a 7-1 victory, but this was the final win of the season as only three draws were gained from the final nine games and a final placing of fourteen from sixteen teams.

The Summer Cup promised a good run with a 4-2 first-leg win over Hibs, but a second-leg collapse resulting in a 7-0 defeat saw Saints tumble out.