St Johnstone classic kits and shirt sponsors

St Johnstone great Steve Maskrey in the Bonar shirt and holding a Saints scarf above his head after winning promotion to the Scottish Premier Division. — Steve Maskrey in the Bonar shirt after winning promotion to the Premier Division. Image: SNS.

How many of these classic St Johnstone kits do you remember?

St Johnstone signed a sponsorship deal to have advertising on the front of their shirts for the first time with the Famous Grouse in 1986.

The kit will evoke memories of winning the Second Division in 1988.

Bonar will always be associated with McDiarmid Park’s greatest game, when St Johnstone defeated Airdrie in March 1990 in front of over 10,000 fans.

Hydro Electric harks back to European nights against Monaco in 1999 and Brown Construction was on the shirt when the Scottish Cup was lifted in May 2014.

But which of these was the best?

1981

Ally McCoist wearing the St Johnstone home jersey in 1981.

Maybe you prefer the simplicity of the Umbro era with club crest and no sponsor?

1983

St Johnstone lined up on the pitch with the First Division trophy. — St Johnstone with the First Division trophy. Image: SNS.

Where does this classic Umbro blue shirt with white pin stripes rank?

Manager Alex Rennie wore his famous matching grey suit and slip-on shoes when they showed off the First Division trophy for a pre-season photocall in 1983.

1986-1989

Danny Powell in 1987, wearing the Matchwinner kit with the Famous grouse sponsor — Danny Powell in 1987. Image: SNS.

The Famous Grouse signed the first sponsorship deal with the club.

Matchwinner were kit manufacturers when the whisky brand adorned the shirt.

The red and white away kit worn by Danny Powell was a big favourite.

1986-1989

St Johnstone's Dougie Barron warming up in 1989. — St Johnstone’s Dougie Barron in 1989. Image: SNS.

Dougie Barron in the Famous Grouse blue and white home shirt before the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Celtic Park in April 1989.

St Johnstone legends Don McVicar, Paul Cherry, Steve Maskrey and Roddy Grant were among those who showcased that classic Matchwinner kit.

1989-1991

Steve Maskrey in action in April 1990. Image: SNS.

The 1989-90 season not only heralded the arrival of McDiarmid Park but also a new £100,000 shirt sponsorship deal with Dundee firm Low & Bonar.

The name Bonar adorned the front of the kit, which was manufactured by Bukta.

The home shirt will bring back memories of the famous game in March 1990 when Saints beat league leaders Airdrie 3-1 before going on to win the title.

1989-1991

St Johnstone’s Mark Treanor in the red and white striped away shirt in April 1991.

The kit was worn between 1989 and 1991.

It was such a classic it was brought back for the 2021-2022 season.

1991-1993

St Johnstone player John McClelland poses for a picture in the Perth club's kit on the pitch in 1992. — John McClelland in 1992. Image: SNS.

The Famous Grouse returned to sponsor the club in July 1991.

The six-figure contract was signed for two years with an option to renew.

1991-1993

John Davies kicks the ball while playing for St Johnstone in April 1993, with the referee in the background — John Davies in April 1993. Image: SNS.

The Famous Grouse away kit worn from 1991 to 1993.

Players who wore the shirt included John Davies, Ian Redford and Paul Wright.

1993-1994

Billy Dodds playing for St Johnstone in February 1994 — Billy Dodds in February 1994. Image: SNS.

A blue home shirt with white pin stripes returned for the 1993-1994 season and was worn by record signing Billy Dodds, who joined from Dundee.

St Johnstone were relegated back to the First Division under Paul Sturrock.

1994-1996

Saints decided to go it alone in 1994 after “past let-downs from kit suppliers”.

They signed up Premier Marketing to create and distribute the branded “Saints Collection”. This included the home shirt, which cost £33.

1994-1996

Callum Davidson looks straight at the camera in a press shot; the defender was among the players who wore the Saints Collection. — Callum Davidson in July 1994. Image: DC Thomson.

The away kit was blue stripes on a bold yellow background.

Callum Davidson was among the players who wore the Saints Collection.

1994-1996

Jim Weir challenges a Dundee United player for the ball — Jim Weir in action. Image: SNS.

A tartan third kit was worn by Jim Weir and his team-mates when Saints beat Dundee United 1-0 at McDiarmid Park in the First Division in April 1996.

Saints couldn’t get over the line and finished fourth.

1996-1997

Callum Davidson pictured on the pitch at McDiarmid Park in July 1996 — Callum Davidson in July 1996. Image: DC Thomson.

The new home strip for the 1996-1997 season featured a yellow and blue trim.

Saints won the First Division by 20 points from Airdrie in the Famous Grouse strip.

1996-1997

George O'Boyle challenges Rangers defender Richard Gough for the ball in January 1997 — George O’Boyle in January 1997. Image: SNS.

The away kit for the 1996-1997 season was a “half and half” in teal and purple.

The shirt with a V-neck and collar was the latest addition to the Saints Collection and was worn by players such as George O’Boyle and Attila Sekerlioglu.

1997-1998

Gerry McMahon running in the Famous Grouse yellow away kit in 1998. — Gerry McMahon in action. Image: SNS.

Gerry McMahon in the Famous Grouse yellow away kit in 1998.

Xara was the manufacturer and Saints finished the Premier Division season in fifth.

1998-2000

George O'Boyle in the home kit made by Xara — George O’Boyle in the home kit. Image: DC Thomson.

George O’Boyle in the new home kit before the 1998-1999 season.

Hydro Electric became the main sponsor and the badge was in the style of a shield.

1998-2000

St Johnstone's Brendan Crozier kneels on the pitch for a press shot in 1998. — Brendan Crozier in 1998. Image: DC Thomson.

Brendan Crozier in the away kit for the 1998-1999 season.

Hydro Electric was the sponsor when St Johnstone qualified for Europe for the first time in 28 years following a third-place finish in the Premier League.

1999-2000

The yellow third kit arrived for the 1999-2000 season.

Saints famously drew 3-3 with Monaco in the Uefa Cup during the campaign.

2002-2003

Saints players and a store employee holding up the new Saints shirts outside Campus Sports in 2002 — Showing off the shirts at Campus Sports in 2002. Image: DC Thomson.

Scottish Citylink boosted St Johnstone’s bid for a “speedy return” to the Premier League by agreeing a five-figure shirt sponsorship deal in July 2002.

The light blue away shirt was a highlight in a disappointing season.