First Team
300 turn out for Cuptie Testimonial Dinner
4th September 2017
Monday 4th September
Dave Mackay savoured a night to remember as more than 300 packed the Dewars Centre venue to hail the former St Johnstone skipper and 2014 Scottish Cup winner.
The sell-out testimonial dinner was held within a marquee at the Live Active Leisure Glover Street venue, with Perth players past and present in attendance, along with manager Tommy Wright, backroom staff and directors.
A highlight of a memorable evening was when auctioneer and lifelong Saints fan Lindsay Burns sold Cuptie’s cup final shirt, with board members Charlie Fraser and Stan Harris making the successful £1500 winning bid to ensure this unique piece of club history will be on display at McDiarmid Park.
The night was compered superbly by actor and long-time Mackay sponsor Colin McCredie and featured club poet Jim Mackintosh and after dinner speakers George McNeill and John O’Neill. Warm tributes were paid by manager Wright in person and on video from former Perth boss Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty. Testimonial committee chairman Scott Findlay said: “What a fantastic night! Dave was bowled over by the turn-out and the welcome he received. And no one is more deserving given what he brought to the club during his years at McDiarmid.
“There are many people we need to thank for ensuring the dinner was so successful, ranging from everyone who turned out in huge numbers to our top table guests, main sponsor the Booker Group and Paul Dickson, all those who donated superb raffle and auction items and, of course, the management and staff of the Dewars Centre.”
Auction items were donated by The Gleneagles Hotel, Colin McCredie, Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove, Derek McInnes and Aberdeen FC, Jody Morris, Allan Preston, Morrison and Mackay and Rankin Risk Management.
The committee is also grateful for support from PPA and club photographer Graeme Hart and St Johnstone’s Ross Cunningham.
Dave Mackay with Paul Dickson from sponsors Booker Tommy Wright and Colin McCredie play it for laughs with Dave Cuptie enters the venue to a standing ovation The top table line-up at the Dewars Centre