Now that's what I call looking after the fans...

Gordon Small has been a St Johnstone fan for more decades than he cares to remember. He first went to see the Perth Saints in 1955 and, apart from when he was living and working away from Perth, has always had a season ticket.

A few months ago, just after the season started, he had a stroke and was rushed to hospital. Fortunately, he was discharged after five days, but he is still not quite back to 100% and doesn't get out of the house much. So what did St Johnstone do?

Well, firstly, Bev Mayer, the SLO, refunded Gordon's season ticket money, telling him that when he was able to come to games again, hopefully after Christmas, he could get a half-season ticket and keep his old seat beside his mates. Secondly, Aidan Smith, one of the Comms team at McDiarmid Park, got in touch with Gordon and asked if he could come to visit him. Gordon was delighted, especially when manager Simo Valakari turned up too. Simo and Aidan spent a long time chatting to Gordon, asking about his memories of the team and listening to his thoughts on the current team (which, we are reliablly informed, consisted of get the ball up the park more quickly and let's not have too much tippy-tappy stuff at the back!).

St Johnstone are not unique in this, but this story is an example of how we believe clubs should treat fans, not just long-standing ones like Gordon. A post on the St Johnstone fans' private Facebook page got hundreds of likes, as well as nice comments from other fans who didn't realise Gordon had been taken ill. Well done to the Perth club and its staff for taking the initiative like this and treating loyal, long-standing fans with respect and affection.

If you know of other clubs with great stories like this, please let us know and we'll happily publish them too.

Stuart Murphy, CEO, The Scottish Fans Union