Record almost a Sheer thing for St Johnstone

May 20 2008 by Gordon Bannerman

PAUL SHEERIN is St Johnstone’s Mr Consistent – and now he’s rapidly closing in on a post-war club record.

The Perth midfielder, who recently sealed a new 12-month deal at McDiarmid Park, appeared in every one of the club’s 47 league and cup games last term.

He’s now clocked-up 132 consecutive appearances dating back to August 2005.

And that’s a track record unmatched since Saints star Bob Wylie featured in 140 matches on the bounce between 1936 and 1939.

The all-time record, unearthed by club statistician Brian Doyle, is 162 games posted by Willie Steele between August 1927 and April 1931.

Brian said: “Paul figured in every game last season. It is amazing in the modern game to find a player being available and selected by the manager for so many consecutive games. Paul has now surpassed keeper Andy Rhodes who clocked-up 127 consecutive starts, Ernie Ewen, who managed 117, and the late Drew Rutherford, who had a 111-game run.

“Paul was also the second top scorer, with all 12 of his goals coming from the penalty spot.”

The most prolific Saints scorer was Andy Jackson in his first full campaign.

The 20-year-old striker hogged the headlines with his impressive strike rate.

His 19 goals helped fill the void left by Swansea bound Jason Scotland, who finished the campaign with a League One championship medal and the top gun accolade down south.

Jackson featured in 45 games while ex-Celtic full-back Gary Irvine amassed 43 appearances, with veteran keeper Alan Main posting 42 starts after returning to Perth. Main again topped a poll of First Division managers asked to select their number one keeper.

Saints finished the campaign in third place, behind Dundee and champions Hamilton.

Manager Derek McInnes knows the defence has to tighten-up next term, with just 12 clean sheets posted in 47 League and cup matches.

Brian noted: “Saints conceded the first goal on 17 separate occasions. But they only lost six of these games, including two away to Hamilton.”