St Mirren’s 1926 and 1959 Scottish Cup-winning heroes could be recognised with street names in their honour at a new housing development in Paisley.
Renfrewshire Council is considering naming 24 streets at the Dykebar development after the players and managers from the two victorious teams.
The proposals come ahead of St Mirren celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2027.
Construction is underway on 600 homes at Dykebar, with the first homes due to be completed next year.
Councillor Bruce MacFarlane, Depute Convener of the council’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, said: “We felt this was a good opportunity to pay tribute to St Mirren’s incredible cup heroes in their 150th anniversary year.
“Recognising the players from two of the club’s three Scottish Cup successes in this way will mean their names live on together and I’m sure any Saints supporters living here will be excited to be on a street named after their past players.
“We’re raising awareness of these proposals just now and over the coming weeks we’ll be consulting local elected members and the community council on the proposed street names.
“We’re also keen to hear from family members of these cup winning teams so we can celebrate their achievements further as the development progresses.”
The 1926 win saw the Buddies lift the Scottish Cup for the first time, beating Celtic 2-0 in the final with first-half goals from Davie McCrae and Jimmy Howieson.
In April 1959, more than 108,000 people watched as Saints beat Aberdeen 3-1 through goals from Tommy Bryceland, Ally Miller and Gerry Baker.
St Mirren’s most recent Scottish Cup success came in 1987, when Iain Ferguson scored the only goal in the final against Dundee United.
St Mirren FC chairman John Needham said: “This is a fantastic gesture of recognition from Renfrewshire Council. St Mirren is such a major brand and attraction in Paisley. As we approach the club’s 150th Anniversary it’s great to have the Council supporting us in this way.”
It is not the first time St Mirren players have been recognised through street names.
The club’s former stadium on Love Street was redeveloped into housing in 2019. A competition saw streets named after Billy Abercromby, Mark Yardley, Steven McGarry and Tony Fitzpatrick, alongside Saints Street, Cairter’s Corner and North Bank.
Under the latest proposals, streets would be named after Bradford, Findlay, Newbiggin, Morrison, Summers, McDonald, Morgan, Gebbie, McCrae, Howieson, Thomson and manager Cochrane from the 1926 side.
The 1959 names would be Walker, Lapsley, Wilson, Neilson, McGugan, Leishman, Rodger, Bryceland, Baker, Gemmell, Miller and manager Reid.
Some streets in Renfrewshire already have the same names, including Lapsley Avenue. The second word and postcode would be different to avoid problems with post.
Family members of players or managers from the 1926 or 1959 teams who have a story to share can contact Renfrewshire Council at addressenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Social media preview: St Mirren’s 1926 and 1959 Scottish Cup heroes could have Paisley streets named after them as part of plans for a new 600-home development.
Headline image: Ally Miller netting for St Mirren in their 3-1 victory over Aberdeen in 1959
Photo Credit: OneRen / Renfrewshire Council