FORMER SAINTS MANAGER JIM STORRIE PASSES AWAY
26th July 2016
St Johnstone Football Club is sad to learn of the passing of former manager Jim Storrie, aged 74.
Kirkintilloch-born Storrie was appointed as successor to Jackie Stewart on 15th April 1976 - the final weeks of St Johnstone’s disastrous participation in the inaugural Premier League campaign which had seen a succession of defeats long-since relegate the club with a low points tally which remains a ignominious record to this day.
Storrie – at the time manager of Southern league Waterlooville FC - had shown interest in the job two months earlier when Jackie Stewart had been sacked but was advised that trainer Jim Peacock had been made caretaker manager to give him the opportunity to see if he could turn things around.
However, with Jim unable to arrest the fall, he and Storrie were both interviewed for the job with the former Aberdeen player getting the nod.
However, hampered by a playing staff cut not only in numbers but also from full-time to part-time status he understandably struggled to get the club out of the First Division – 11th and 8th positions in the 14 team league falling well below the standards hoped for - and when season 1978/79 began with a League Cup exit at the hands of Second Division Berwick Rangers, his tenure was at an end.
A player with Airdrieonians, Leeds United and Aberdeen, Jim participated in the 1965 FA Cup final, helped the Yorkshire side to the Second Division title and scored for Aberdeen in their first ever European tie.
Rotherham United, Portsmouth and St Mirren also benefited from Jim’s playing abilities.
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.