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St Johnstone fans forgo flight for European excursion to date with destiny

Paul Hotchkiss, Ally Munro, Ronnie Smith, Alan Tavendale, Jamie Koo, Andy Lothian and Gus Harris outside the Abbotsford pub in Craigie as they prepared to set out for Bratislava. Fellow intrepid traveller David Fleming is behind the camera.
Paul Hotchkiss, Ally Munro, Ronnie Smith, Alan Tavendale, Jamie Koo, Andy Lothian and Gus Harris outside the Abbotsford pub in Craigie as they prepared to set out for Bratislava. Fellow intrepid traveller David Fleming is behind the camera.

Intrepid St Johnstone fans have embarked on a 1,500-mile cross-Europe trek in the hope their heroes can deliver another historic victory.

The Perth side have it all to do as they attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit against FC Spartak Trnava on Thursday evening.

Manager Tommy Wright and his players will be backed by a hardy band more than 100 strong, who have already set out for Slovakia.

Travel costs and the difficulty of securing a last-minute trip have meant far fewer than the 1,000 or so fans who travelled to Switzerland last month will sing their hearts out in Eastern Europe.

Nonetheless Saints are delighted with the continuing dedication shown by a support that has been re-energised by top six finishes, historic Scottish Cup success and European adventures.

Among the travelling support will be eight dedicated fans from Perth who have decided that flying to the match is too simple.

Over a few pints, Andy Lothian and friends decided that driving all the way from Perth though England, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria would make the trip far more of an adventure.

They will join fellow fans in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, from where they will travel in hope of seeing talismanic striker and transfer target Stevie May return to fire them to a famous win.

The club retains serious hopes of returning from Slovakia with a place in the play-off draw secured and of bringing some of Europe’s biggest names to Perth.

Football administrator Paul Smith said: “We enjoyed a significant away support in Lucerne but that was not the case in Minsk last season, when visa problems meant there was not a single travelling fan.

“Despite that the team came back to Perth following a fantastic win, so the players are more than capable of securing a huge result without backing.

“We know, however, that our travelling fans will be noisy and their support will be very much appreciated by Tommy and the team.”

St Johnstone received around 300 tickets from their hosts for the second-leg clash but the club is some way short of selling out that allocation.

But those who will travel are filled with expectation and passion for the cause. Andy, owner of Ace Taxis in Perth, is determined to make the most of the experience.

He and his friends set out yesterday from the city’s Abbotsford pub to begin their long drive to the match venue.

They will meet up with other travelling fans in Bratislava before linking up with local taxi contacts who have already agreed to transport them to the game.

Andy said: “This was just a daft idea that came up in the pub but it’s one that we all got caught up in.

“The boys are all season ticket holders and most of us flew to Lucerne last month, and we could have travelled by plane once again.

“After a few pints one evening, however, our mate Gus Harris suggested that flying was just too easy and that driving all the way would make it more of an adventure.

“We’ll be travelling about 1,500 miles by minibus but hopefully the road trip will be a real hoot.”

Andy knows the Saints need to find goals on their travels but hopes they will replicate the final 20 minutes of the first leg, when they clawed their way back into the tie.

“We played brilliantly in that last 20 minutes, despite being short a couple of players,” he said.

“It’s certainly not lost yet. We have to believe and we really do think that the boys have what it takes to overturn the deficit.

“Win or lose, however, we’ll be looking to make the most of this.”