Season 2004-05

After the previous three seasons, only the most optimistic of Saints fan would have predicted anything other than mid table safety as the best the team would achieve in 2004-05.

With some new players in place for the start of the season, Saints became a very hard team to beat. Defensively they were solid with old heads Kevin McGowne, And Millen and Mark Reilly guiding the young players through games with ease.

Throughout the season it was evident that Gus MacPherson had sorted the defence and midfield but he struggled to find the right blend up front. Over the two previous seasons Saints had shipped a total of 141 goals in 85 competitive matches, an average of 1.6 goals against a match. During 2004-2005 they lost just 32 in 42 matches for an average of 0.76 goals per match!

Many matches which ended in draws or narrow defeats could possibly have been converted into wins had Saints had a prolific goal scorer. MacPherson took steps to change this with the signing in December 2004 of hit man Stewart Kean from Ayr United. Kean repaid him with eight goals before the end of the season.

With a much improved all round performance, Saints finished the season in second place behind runaway winners Falkirk. In the Scottish Cup, Saints reached the quarter-final, for the first time since 1987, with wins over Hamilton Academical and Ayr United. They eventually lost 2-0 to Hibernian at Easter Road but they were far from disgraced and came out of the tie with much praise in the press for a courageous, battling performance and some attractive football.

The footballing world was beginning to notice the changes in the club!

A late rally in the league saw them gain second spot at season end. Far better than anyone would have predicted and signs of hope for the future!