Alan Mannus looks ahead to 2014 Cup Winners' Anniversary Dinner

Alan Mannus will always be remembered as one of St Johnstone’s greatest ever goalkeepers and the Northern Irishman is looking forward to returning to Perth later this year for our 2014 Scottish Cup Anniversary Dinner.

Come May 17, 10 years will have passed since Saints famously lifted our first major trophy against Dundee United at Celtic Park and to mark the occasion, the club are bringing the squad of 2014 back together for a night of celebration.

Mannus played a key role in the final as he kept a clean sheet against our Tayside rivals and the goalkeeper still looks back on the achievement as one of the greatest moments of his career.

“I can’t believe it has been ten years. It has flown by, it is amazing how quickly time goes by,” he explained.

“I am looking forward to getting back over to Perth and seeing everybody and reminiscing about the great times we had.

“I haven’t seen many of the guys or people at the club since I left back in 2018. I’ve seen Paddy Cregg now and again but that is about it.

“I’ve seen Tommy once or twice too, but it will be nice to meet up with everyone again. It was amazing times. I am privileged and honoured to have been part of it and part of the group.

“I knew it meant a lot to the supporters and it obviously meant a lot to us as a group as well.

“The club were always amazing to me. Everyone involved with the club and the fans. I have said that many times.

“Winning the cup in 2014 was my way and the group’s way of giving something back to all those people.”

Reflecting on the build up to the big day in 2014, Mannus continued: “I remember it all from the day we beat Aberdeen in the semi-finals.

“Nobody thought it would be us going into the final. From there it just all ramped up ahead of the final.

“I remember trying to focus on the league games, but you always had the cup final in the back of your mind.

“With it being a big rival team in the final it meant even more. Again nobody gave us any chance of beating them because of who they were and the players they had.

“It probably went in our favour. We were used to that and we liked to go in as underdogs to prove people wrong.

“We were a stubborn group who refused to lay down. We were always ready to fight. That is what we were good at.

“We were a better team than Dundee United that year anyway and in the final it showed.”

Mannus added: “I remember once we won it looking up to the sea of blue and white and looking for our families. My wife and mum and dad were there and it really was special memories.

“There were so many supporters from our side, behind my goal. It was such a great atmosphere.

“I just remember walking out before the game and the big blue and white display behind the goal. It was a special sight that will live with me forever.”

The 2014 Cup Winners’ Anniversary Dinner will take place on the evening of November 30 at Perth Concert Hall. More information is available HERE.