Season 1955-56

1955-56 began with a 0-0 draw at Rugby Park in the group stage of the League Cup, which gave little indication of what was to come.

The second match saw Airdrie leading 2-1 at Love Street with seven minutes to go. Saints were to stage a miraculous comeback with goals from Tommy Gemmell and Brian Callan to win 3-2.

This result inspired Saints to better things and further victories over Dundee, Kilmarnock and Airdrie again took them to the quarter-final and a meeting with Dumbarton. This tie was won in the first leg at Love Street with Saints strolling to a 5-1 win.

The semi-final produced an exciting match against Motherwell. Tommy Gemmell netted another hat-trick, but the match ended 3-3 and a replay was played at Celtic Park. This time Saints won comfortably 2-0.

Hampden Park, 22nd October 1955. St. Mirren against Aberdeen in the League Cup final. The Dons were seen as favourites, and this proved to be correct as they won 2-1. Bobby Holmes got the Saints counter. Bobby was to end the season as top scorer with 10 goals as St. Mirren finished in 15th place.

One of the few highlights of the league season was a 7-2 win over Airdrie with Holmes and a certain Ally McLeod both scoring three. McLeod was to make his name many years later, as manager of the national team for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.