The ultimate day of the 1998/99 season and St Johnstone had simply earned European qualification for the second time within the membership’s historical past.
Gamers crashed to their knees, there have been tears within the house finish and, contained in the dressing room, supervisor Sandy Clark proudly cheered and danced to the tune of success.
Clapping in unison with a younger chap by his facet, it was a second to be cherished and one that is still notably particular when taking a visit down reminiscence lane.
That younger man was Sandy’s son – Nicky – now 31 years of age and who simply netted a gorgeous debut objective in opposition to St Mirren after penning a three-year McDiarmid Park deal.
It's considerably of a homecoming for the gifted ahead whose early affiliation with soccer typically meant watching Saints from the Most important Stand earlier than becoming a member of his father for post-match celebrations or dialogue.
“He was there each week together with his older brother and his mum,” recalled Sandy, talking to the PA after Nicky dedicated his footballing future to the membership he as soon as managed.
“It’s 23 years in the past now and time passes so rapidly, however they're nice recollections. He was solely a boy and was going the place his mum and pa informed him to go.
“However on the finish of the day each my boys liked being there and loved being supportive of me.
“Nicky has been proper into his soccer since he was a child. He has at all times had that need and love for the sport. He needed a lot to be a footballer.
“Seasons and days like that one in 1999 can inspire you for presumably your entire profession. You'll be able to’t purchase the sensation and the emotion.
“Nicky, like each different St Johnstone fan on the time, completely loved it. We now have so many photos from again then. He actually loved his time going to McDiarmid Park. He so regarded ahead to it.
“Nicky would have been at each house recreation, don’t fear about that. Perhaps not the away European ones. I believe he was a bit younger for that!”
Lured from Tayside rivals Dundee United, Nicky was fast to voice his need to affix the Saints once they confirmed actual need to earn his signature.
Sandy stated: “I stated to Nicky it's a actually good membership with strong individuals who personal it and run it. Personally, I used to be dissatisfied with the best way issues panned out at Dundee United ultimately.
“As quickly as somebody reveals an curiosity and reveals they really need you, then it was straightforward for Nicky. He utterly made his thoughts up.
“I do know an enormous plus for him was Callum Davidson. I've a number of time for Callum, Steven MacLean and Alex Cleland. I do know all of them from the teaching world and they're all gifted coaches.
“Clearly there was a wee little bit of a hiccup final 12 months however I’m positive everybody on the membership has realized from it.”
Solely 26 minutes into his debut, Nicky acquired a headed go from strike accomplice Stevie Could, cushioned the ball fairly splendidly on his chest earlier than flicking past goalkeeper Trevor Carson.
Coupled with this majestic piece of ahead play, his all-round contribution – hold-up, link-up and motion – was a nice look ahead to Perth followers.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to watching Nicky play for St Johnstone and I do know he's actually wanting ahead to enjoying,” Sandy added.
“Nicky is an clever footballer and is a very completely different kind of footballer to me once I performed. The sport has clearly advanced loads since then.
“The highest finish of the pitch is the place he does properly, whether or not creating area for others, assists for targets and he has at all times managed to get a couple of targets.
“His report is nice while you have a look at it and that's the reason St Johnstone have pushed the boat out slightly bit to get him. He'll take every part in his stride. He is aware of high quality properly it’s now about what occurs on the pitch.
Maybe sooner or later Nicky himself might help lead Saints again into European competitors.
“The recollections are there for him, however the precedence is to kick on and do properly for the workforce,” Sandy defined.