St Johnstone: end of an era as Sheerin departs

May 7 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FANS favourite Paul Sheerin will bid an emotional farewell to McDiarmid on Saturday as the curtain comes down on a glittering Perth career.

And supporters should be turning out in their droves to say goodbye to a club legend in a clash with seventh place rivals Hamilton which kicks-off at 12.30pm.

The cultured midfielder, who will be presented with a supporters’ “Player of the Decade” award before the match, yesterday confirmed it will be an emotional occasion.

The fans’ poll was conducted by website Weareperth and Sheerin, now 35, follows on from record scorer John Brogan and cult hero Roddy Grant in the Perth pantheon of stars. They topped the lists for the eighties and nineties.

He said: “There is no playing contract for me at the club. But while coaching is a real possibility and obviously in my plans for the future, I’m still keen to play on even if it means dropping down a division from the SPL. I pride myself on the fact I have been available for every game over the six years since I was brought from Aberdeen by John Connolly.

“It’s the end of an era for me and I have been here so long the club and the supporters have become an important part of my life.

“Saturday will be a chance to say goodbye and it’s a real honour getting this award. Of course it will be emotional but I’ll try to keep the tears at bay. The award will help ease the pain.

“It’s great to be mentioned in the same breath as guys like John Brogan and Roddy Grant.

“It was a tough season being caught up in a relegation dogfight when I first arrived but I leave with some great memories. Winning the First Division title last season is the best of the lot. It beat all the hype and publicity which accompanied beating Celtic in the Scottish Cup when I was at Inverness. That was a one-off and there was no tangible reward. Winning the Challenge Cup here is another highlight.”

Spot-kick expert Sheerin, nicknamed The Wizard, has entertained and bewitched in 204 starts and added another shift from the bench in the 0-0 at Falkirk in midweek.

He said: “I think I’ve scored 27 goals – the last one was the penalty against St Mirren recently – and the best of the lot has to be one against Dundee at McDiarmid. That was special and even sweeter because it was in the derby.

“This season has been pretty frustrating from a personal point of view because I’ve been a bit-part player for the first time in my career. But I have made a few appearances from the bench and hopefully I’ll be in the squad again for the Accies game, although I don’t expect sentiment to come into play because there is a lot of money riding on seventh place.”

Sheerin has already been linked with interest from Ayr United and Arbroath and is bound to attract interest from elsewhere.

Website contributor Gavin Stewart said: “There was a great response to the poll and, in all, 21 different players received nominations. Jason Scotland was second and Alan Main third but Paul received most votes and is a worthy winner.”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, teenager Josh Falkingham hopes he’s done enough in an impressive midweek debut from the bench to secure a contract for next season.

The 19-year-old, who was cast aside by Leeds United, has been patiently waiting for his chance.

He said: “I’ve played in three bounce games but the weather was bad when I first came up so I’ve had to be patient. But the gaffer said if I kept working hard and doing the right things I would get my chance.

“I’m trying to impress him because I’ve loved my time up in Scotland. I settled in quickly and would love to stay on here.

“There’s massive competition for places at the club but the lads have been brilliant to me. There are some real characters in the dressing room. Guys like Michael Duberry and Jody Morris really help a young boy like me.”

Falkingham is well aware he’s one of the smallest players in the country.

But he stressed: “The height factor has been with me all though my career. It definitely counted against me in England. I got used to it at Leeds and put it to the back of my mind.

“I know people take one look at me and say I’m too small but hopefully once they see me do my stuff on the pitch they think again.

“Jody has had a great career and look at the size of him. If he can do it so can I.”