TRIBUTES PAID TO ST MIRREN 1959 SCOTTISH CUP WINNER JIM RODGER

Tributes have poured in after the sad passing of a St Mirren "legend".

Regarded as one of St Mirren’s “greatest players”, Jim Rodger passed away on Friday aged 90.

Jim joined St Mirren in 1955 and played his first match for Saints in a League Cup game against Kilmarnock.

Over the next couple of years his appearances in the stripes were limited due to national service.

It was to be January 1959 before he gained a regular starting place in the St Mirren team, just in time to play his part in Saints history as they reached the Scottish Cup Final.

Having scored in the first three rounds of the competition against Peebles Rovers, Motherwell and Dunfermline, Jim was a vital part of the team that swept Celtic aside 4-0 in the semi-final before lining up against Aberdeen on April 25, 1959.

Saints would win 3-1 to secure the Scottish Cup for the second time in the club’s history.

The football club shared the sad news with fans with a statement on its website, alongside a series of pictures charting Jim’s history with the club.

It read: “In his seven years in Paisley, Jim ‘Jolly’ Rodger played 155 matches and scored 44 times, with his contributions seeing him nominated into the St Mirren Hall of Fame.

“St Mirren Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of 1959 Scottish Cup winner Jim Rodger.

“The thoughts of everyone at St Mirren are with Jim’s loved ones at this sad time.”

Having been born in Cleland, North Lanarkshire in September 1933, Jim began playing football at school, progressing through to the Wishaw High School first team.

After school, he joined Cumnock Juniors before moving up to the senior game with Rangers in May 1952.

But it was his time with St Mirren and his role in the 1959 Scottish Cup for which most people remember him.

Members of the Black and White Army have also been sharing their memories of one of the club’s “legends”, with Jim sharing a platform with Alistair Miller, Davie Lapsley, Tommy Bryceland and John ‘Cockles’ Wilson.

Paisley southeast Councillor, Eddie Devine passed on his condolences to Jim’s friends and family adding: “I will never forget him playing in the 1959 cup final. Great player.”

Fan Russell Weir posted on Facebook: “Hugely important member of the 1959 cup winning side. But my greatest memory of Jim was in a Scottish Cup replay on February 1961 against a strong Third Lanark side at Cathkin Park when he scored four goals, all from outside the penalty box. What a performance that was! RIP legend.”

Buddie Stewart Gilmour said: “What a sad day, another of our ‘59 legends leaving us.

“All Saints fans will think of our legend who has departed, and his family. Thoughts with all.”

Norman Kerr added: “RIP Saints legend Jim Jolly Rodger, what a player, what a gentleman. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this very difficult time. A genuine legend for our club.”

And Bobby Gillespie commented: “A gentleman in the true sense on and off the park. He was a humble, smiling, what you saw was what you got. These are very rare qualities in recent decades.”

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2024-05-07T11:01:35Z dg43tfdfdgfd