Season 1976-77

By the start of 1976-77 Fergie had moulded a young enthusiastic team which were starting to make everyone take notice of them.

The league campaign started slowly with a draw at home to East Fife and then defeat at Falkirk. The third match was against Hamilton at Love Street. Goals from McDowell, McGarvey, Borthwick, Reid and Hyslop gave Saints a 5-2 victory and set the team on the road to 28 league matches without defeat to see them sitting proudly at the top of the league.

The Scottish Cup gave Saints the chance to pit themselves against Premier opposition, when Dundee United who were near the top of the league, visited Love Street. UTD scored first and then Saints missed a penalty and many thought that they had lost their chance. But goals from Torrance2 McGarvey and Stark gave Saints a 4-1 victory and made the whole of Scottish football take notice of this young upcoming team. The next round took them to Fir Park and although they held their own in a tough match, Premier Division Motherwell edged them out 2-1.

After the cup exit Fergie concentrated his efforts on guiding his young squad to the title. This was achieved on the 19th April 1977 when Dundee were defeated 4-0 at Dens Park, with Frank McGarvey netting a hat-trick and Billy Stark the other. Fergie's furies had arrived on the big stage.

With the title wrapped up, Saints played out two 2-2 draws against Airdrie and Montrose.

The season ended with St.Mirren on top of the league having lost just 2 from 39 games. Top scorers were Frank McGarvey and Derek Hyslop with 17 each.