Fanfest plans

May 15 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SAINTS are kicking-off their 125th anniversary celebrations in style with a July 26 Fanfest at McDiarmid Park.

While a grand dinner is planned for October 25 at Perth Concert Hall, chairman Geoff Brown was keen to embrace the entire Perth support and maintain the feel good factor enveloping the club.

Unveiling plans for a summer extravaganza which will boost Radio Tay charity Cash for Kids, he was still astounded by the turn-out for Tuesday’s victory parade in the city.

“This is a major milestone in the history of the football club and it is also the 20th anniversary of McDiarmid Park,” he said. “It is also the 40th anniversary of St Johnstone’s League Cup final appearance against Celtic during the Ormond era. And we have completed a memorable season.

“We will be holding a celebratory dinner in October but with 1700 season ticket holders and hopefully more for the SPL, the board wanted to stage an event which would embrace all sectors of our support.”

The first ever Fanfest on the all-weather pitch will include an Abba tribute band, the Radio Tay Roadshow, a funfair, food and drink outlets and appearances by fans favourites from the last 20 years. It will run from 4-8pm and there’s something for everyone.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the stadium, Saints are inviting fans to list their top five players of the McDiarmid era.

The club’s perthsaints.co.uk website will kick-off the ballot next week. There will also be a link on the PA website, perthshireadvertiser.co.uk which is also carrying video coverage of this week’s victory parade.

Mr Brown said: “This will be a real day for the fans. And we are supporting Cash for Kids. Saints are all about youth, progression and athletes and this is a great local charity. The fans are on a high and that was underlined by the reception the team got going through the streets on Tuesday. The squad will be back from their break and they will be joined by stars from the past on July 26.

“We are all looking forward to the new season and the 125th anniversary.”

It’s also understood Saints are keen to secure a visit from a Premiership club, with Everton mentioned in dispatches.

Lorraine Stevenson, programme administrator at Radio Tay and spokeswoman for Cash for Kids, said: “The charity works with many children in Perth and Kinross and it is great that St Johnstone have chosen us to benefit from their Fanfest. Our Tay sports team will be present at the event.”

St Johnstone season ticket holders will be admitted free, with public prices pegged at £10 and £5 for kids. Tickets are available on 01738 455000.