GRANT TAKES UP GENERAL MANAGER ROLE

Yesterday was the end of an era at McDiarmid Park as Managing Director Stewart Duff stepped down after 23 years service to St Johnstone.

In tandem with Chairman Geoff Brown the former bank worker has been instrumental in keeping Saints in the healthy financial position which is the envy of most other clubs and typically one of his final pieces of business before bowing out was securing the lucrative annual Jehovah’s Witness District Convention for McDiarmid Park for the next three years.

With Stewart gone, the Club is pleased to announce that Grant Cullen has been appointed to the role of General Manager and in a slight restructuring of roles within the club 47-year-old family man Grant will work closely with Paul Smith in an attempt to take the club forward in challenging economic times.

The Club’s Vice Chairman Steve Brown said of Grant’s appointment: “We had more than 70 applicants for the position and there were many excellent candidates.

“In all, the process took six weeks but, in appointing Grant, we believe we have the right man for St Johnstone.

“With Stewart bowing-out on May 31 we felt it was a good time to look at the McDiarmid Park set-up.

“Inevitably there will be an element of restructuring, as we now have more than 70 employees.

“Between Grant and Paul, they will have all the bases covered.

“Grant has a wealth of experience in the hotel and drinks industry and, in a competitive environment, he is well-placed to exploit the excellent facilities we have on offer at McDiarmid Park.

“Paul will assume greater responsibility for the football admin side of the operation – they should make a good team,” he said.

Father-of-two Grant, a native of Aberdeen but now based in Edinburgh, admitted football will provide a fresh challenge after a successful 25-year career spanning various elements of the hospitality trade.

He explained: “For the last 12 years I have had area management roles with Belhaven and, latterly, Maclay Inns.

“I have also held conference and banqueting roles at Gleneagles, the Ritz in London and the Caledonian in Edinburgh.

“In some ways it isn’t a dramatic departure coming to St Johnstone, as there are a range of superb facilities at the stadium.

“We have to maximise their full potential – I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he declared.

Married to Alison, a lifelong football fan with historic allegiances to the Granite City, Grant is a season-ticket holder at capital club Spartans, a club managed by former Saints player Mickey Lawson and Grant’s eldest son, Hugh, has been featuring in their youth set-up.

He continued: “I have always followed football, so I know it’s different from most businesses and there is a profile and expectation associated with the post, from both supporters and customers.

“Derek McInnes certainly seems more than capable of handling the football side.

“I will have a co-ordinating role designed to take forward the sales and marketing side of the football club.

“The football aspect gives us a huge advantage in terms of a profile in the area and further afield.

“I’m determined to hit the ground running and get myself out-and-about locally,”

Photo: Vice Chairman Steve Brown (centre) pictured with Grant (left) and Paul