Victorious St Johnstone set for bus parade

May 5 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH and Kinross Council are ready to hail conquering heroes St Johnstone with an open top bus victory parade through Fair City streets.

While a fall-out between the club and an individual councillor wrecked plans for a procession when Saints last captured the First Division title under manager Paul Sturrock, the Perth club will eagerly embrace the local authority’s invitation on the back of Saturday’s memorable title win, sealed with a 3-1 win over Morton.

Perth last hosted a similar parade when manager Alex Totten led St Johnstone to the Premier League in 1990.

Yesterday, Provost John Hulbert told the PA: “I have written to Saints chairman Geoff Brown suggesting a bus parade to give the people of Perth a chance to acknowledge this wonderful achievement.

“Obviously nothing could be confirmed before the championship was won but now we can press on with arrangements.

“The council wants to recognise the football club’s achievement.

“It’s very, very important to Perth to have St Johnstone in the Premier League.

“It is particularly nice to see Saints back in the SPL for their 125th anniversary and next year’s Perth 800 celebrations.”

Saints chairman Geoff Brown, the longest-serving chief in Scottish football, yesterday revealed that while jubilant players took to the town to party he headed for home.

Mr Brown, who recovered from a cancer scare to resume the helm at the football club he salvaged back in 1986, said: “I went home and put my feet up. And I spent the night going through the congratulatory texts and calls which clogged up my mobile phone.”

The 2009 Irn-Bru First Division title win is just the seventh Scottish championship Saints have won since their formation in 1884.

Mr Brown said: “It was a great day for everyone connected with St Johnstone Football Club.”

Saints now return to the top flight after an absence of seven years and the chairman said: “It means such a lot to so many people. A lot of time and past disappointments paved the way to this. The time was right for us.

“We’ve been at places like Dingwall and Stranraer in recent years and that’s the joy of Scottish football.

“The coming season will be a test for us but one we’re all looking to.”

Nineteen years ago, crowds thronged the streets to cheer Alex Totten and his players, congregating in the High Street.

Once again, the council is keen to lay on the five-star treatment for Derek McInnes, with plans for a civic reception being finalised.

The date and time has yet to be arranged but with Saints’ final league game away to Airdrie on Saturday, Thursday was looking the best bet.