The final day of the 1998/99 season and St Johnstone had just earned European qualification for the second time in the club’s history.
Players crashed to their knees, there were tears in the home end and, inside the dressing room, manager Sandy Clark proudly cheered and danced to the tune of success.
Clapping in unison with a young chap by his side, it was a moment to be cherished and one that remains particularly special when taking a trip down memory lane.
That young man was Sandy’s son – Nicky – now 31 years of age and who just netted a beautiful debut goal against St Mirren after penning a three-year McDiarmid Park deal.
It is somewhat of a homecoming for the talented forward whose early association with football often meant watching Saints from the Main Stand before joining his father for post-match celebrations or discussion.
“He was there every week with his older brother and his mum,” recalled Sandy, speaking to the PA after Nicky committed his footballing future to the club he once managed.
“It’s 23 years ago now and time passes so quickly, but they are great memories. He was only a boy and was going where his mum and dad told him to go.
“But at the end of the day both my boys loved being there and enjoyed being supportive of me.
“Nicky has been right into his football since he was a kid. He has always had that desire and love for the game. He wanted so much to be a footballer.
“Seasons and days like that one in 1999 can motivate you for possibly your whole career. You can’t buy the feeling and the emotion.
“Nicky, like every other St Johnstone fan at the time, thoroughly enjoyed it. We have so many pictures from back then. He really enjoyed his time going to McDiarmid Park. He so looked forward to it.
“Nicky would have been at every home game, don’t worry about that. Maybe not the away European ones. I think he was a bit young for that!”
Lured from Tayside rivals Dundee United, Nicky was quick to voice his desire to join the Saints when they showed real desire to earn his signature.
Sandy said: “I said to Nicky it is a really good club with solid people who own it and run it. Personally, I was disappointed with the way things panned out at Dundee United in the end.
“As soon as someone shows an interest and shows they really want you, then it was easy for Nicky. He completely made his mind up.
“I know a big plus for him was Callum Davidson. I have a lot of time for Callum, Steven MacLean and Alex Cleland. I know them all from the coaching world and they are all talented coaches.
“Obviously there was a wee bit of a hiccup last year but I’m sure everyone at the club has learned from it.”
Only 26 minutes into his debut, Nicky received a headed pass from strike partner Stevie May, cushioned the ball quite wonderfully on his chest before flicking beyond goalkeeper Trevor Carson.
Coupled with this majestic piece of forward play, his all-round contribution – hold-up, link-up and movement – was a pleasant watch for Perth fans.
“I’m really looking forward to watching Nicky play for St Johnstone and I know he is really looking forward to playing,” Sandy added.
“Nicky is an intelligent footballer and is a completely different type of footballer to me when I played. The game has obviously evolved a lot since then.
“The top end of the pitch is where he does well, whether creating space for others, assists for goals and he has always managed to get a few goals.
“His record is good when you look at it and that is why St Johnstone have pushed the boat out a little bit to get him. He will take everything in his stride. He knows fine well it’s now about what happens on the pitch.
Perhaps one day Nicky himself can help lead Saints back into European competition.
“The memories are there for him, but the priority is to kick on and do well for the team,” Sandy explained.
