Retro St Johnstone Shirts – Perth Saints Through the Decades

St Johnstone's story begins in 1884 when the club was formed in Perth, taking their name from the ancient designation for the city. Their early decades were spent in the lower tiers of Scottish football, building a foundation and fanbase in a city more associated with rugby union. The Saints spent many years in the Scottish First Division, earning a reputation as a solid, well-organised club without the financial muscle of their rivals. Their first real taste of top-flight football came in the post-war era, and they have spent much of the modern era competing in the Scottish Premier League and its successor, the Scottish Premiership.

The defining moment in St Johnstone's history arrived in 2014 when they lifted the Scottish Cup for the very first time, beating Dundee United 2-0 at Celtic Park. Goals from Steven MacLean and Stevie May sparked wild celebrations in Perth, as decades of near-misses were finally put to rest. Manager Tommy Wright had assembled a well-drilled, hard-working side that epitomised the club's ethos.

But the truly legendary chapter came in 2021 under manager Callum Davidson. The Saints claimed the Scottish League Cup in February, defeating Livingston 1-0 thanks to a Shaun Rooney header. Then, in May, they completed the historic cup double by beating Hibernian 1-0 in the Scottish Cup Final, with Rooney again the hero. St Johnstone became the first club in Scottish football history to win both domestic cups in the same season – an extraordinary achievement for a club of their size.

Along the way, St Johnstone have also experienced European adventure, qualifying for the Europa League on multiple occasions. Memorable qualifying ties against clubs from across the continent brought European nights to McDiarmid Park that supporters still cherish. The club's fierce local rivals include Dundee and Dundee United in the historic Tayside derby – matches that carry enormous local pride and have produced some of Scottish football's most passionate encounters.

St Johnstone's history is populated with players who gave everything for the blue and white of Perth. In the modern era, few have embodied the club's spirit more than midfielder Chris Millar, a tireless worker who captained the side with distinction and was part of both cup-winning squads. Steven Anderson, the rock-solid centre-back, similarly gave years of loyal service and lifted the Scottish Cup in 2014 as skipper.

Stevie May, who arrived on loan in 2013-14, proved to be a revelation – his goals were instrumental in that first Scottish Cup triumph, and his performances attracted wider attention. Shaun Rooney wrote his name into St Johnstone folklore by scoring the winning goals in both cup finals in 2021, an extraordinary feat from a wing-back who had only joined the club the previous year.

Liam Craig, one of the most technically gifted midfielders to represent the club, served the Saints with distinction over multiple spells and was a crucial figure in their cup successes. Murray Davidson, another unsung hero of the double-winning era, brought energy and intelligence to the midfield.

On the managerial side, Tommy Wright transformed the club's ambitions after taking charge in 2013, delivering the first Scottish Cup and establishing them as a regular top-six side. Callum Davidson, a former Saints player himself, then elevated the club to legendary status with the 2021 cup double – his tactical acumen and man-management producing the greatest season in the club's history.

St Johnstone's classic colours of royal blue and white have remained remarkably consistent throughout their history, giving their kits a timeless, recognisable quality. The home shirts through the 1980s and early 1990s featured the bold, block colours typical of that era – simple designs that have aged beautifully and are now highly sought after by collectors. Manufacturers including Admiral, Umbro, and later Le Coq Sportif dressed the Saints in kits that reflected each decade's aesthetic perfectly.

The 1990s brought more adventurous designs as McDiarmid Park opened and the club's profile rose. Pinstripe variations and shadow patterns gave these kits a distinctive character. The shirts worn during the Saints' first European campaigns carry particular historical significance. Into the 2000s, the club's kits became cleaner and more streamlined, with various local and national sponsors appearing across the chest.

The kits from the 2013-14 Scottish Cup winning season are among the most collectible, as are those from the remarkable 2020-21 cup double campaign. A retro ST Johnstone shirt from either of these periods represents a tangible connection to the greatest moments in the club's history. The away kits, often featuring white or amber, have also produced some memorable designs across the decades that collectors actively hunt down.