One of St Johnstone’s longest serving players, former goalkeeper Derek Robertson, has died at the age of 65.
Mr Robertson successfully put up a brave fight against cancer but was unable to overcome a respiratory infection and died at home last Thursday.
His passing was marked by a minute’s applause at Sunday’s club dinner at Perth Concert Hall marking last year’s Scottish Cup win.
A stalwart between the sticks over the course of 12 seasons, Mr Robertson was the club’s longest serving player in the post-war period until overtaken by Doug Barron in 1988.
Glasgow-born Derek was the first player signed by legendary manager Willie Ormond when he joined Saints in 1967 from Petershill juniors.
He made his debut with a shut-out in a 3-0 win over Ayr Utd.
Although he had to initially play understudy to Jim Donaldson, an injury eventually gave Mr Robertson his big chance.
Only weeks after his run in the first team got under way he was in the team for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Dunfermline Athletic at Tynecastle in March 1968, and made a spot-kick save in the defeat.
A run of consistent form saw him selected for the Scotland Under-23 side.
However, the game was postponed and his chance of international recognition never returned.
When Donaldson retired Mr Robertson made the position his own for five seasons, including Saints’ inaugural Premier League season when he was hailed the fans’ player of the year.
When the club went part-time at the conclusion of the 1975-76 Premier season Mr Robertson retired from the game.
With 265 appearances, he remains in the top 15 appearance makers in the club’s history.
Saints chairman Steve Brown said: “Derek was a great servant to St Johnstone for many years.
“The thoughts of everyone at McDiarmid Park are with Derek’s family at this sad time.”