Jack Sanders, an Englishman of middling talent, born 18 March 1999, and destined for a career of relative anonymity, has found himself masquerading as a defender at St Johnstone. Towering over most at 1.97m (6ft 5in) and tipping the scales at a strapping 87kg (13st 9lb), Sanders plays primarily as a central defender - an occupation he conducts with the grace of sequoia in a brisk wind. He can typically be spotted clinging to his number 5 jersey, with a degree of fondness that mirrors a cold emperor penguin to its offspring.
According to those insightful analysts at Transfermarkt, Sanders' current market value applauds in around a staggering £210k, give or take a freckle. Given his contract with St Johnstone is set to expire on the 31st of May 2026, one wonders if that's money well invested or simply setting it aflame.
Where has our beloved Jack been before gracing the St Johnstone turf? Well, he embarked, or perhaps stumbled, onto the scene at Wigan Athletic in July 2019. As they say in the game, the only way is up. But for our Jack, it was down to AFC Fylde on loan in October 2020.
Upon making his return to Wigan, he was very promptly shipped off to Kilmarnock in July 2021. His spell at Killie was quite uneventful. He managed to amass a shall we say, 'modest' four appearances to his name. The term 'regular starter' was, clearly, not a phrase he was accustomed to.
Then, Sanders was off again, this time to Cove Rangers on loan. His spell in the Scottish wilderness was characterised by 12 first team appearances, a single goal, and, one suspects, a considerable number of post-match pints. He was promptly recalled to Kilmarnock where, dogged by consistency, he once again made only four appearances.
Perhaps tired of the Premiership, Sanders took his chances at Ayr United in the Championship. Perhaps lower expectations were what our Jack needed as he managed to notch up a career best of 14 appearances, and even found the net once.
Finally, in July 2024, he was snapped up by St Johnstone, a move that by all accounts has been an absolute triumph, with 20 first team appearances in his maiden season. One can only imagine the parties that must have been held in the streets of Perth upon hearing the news of his signing.
