In their pursuit of success the Buddies have gone down every avenue in a bid to replicate that seminal success.
Smith was succeeded by one of the club's cup-winning captains Tony Fitzpatrick, who was chosen from within the ranks of that great side to try and provide a continuity and appreciation of just what the Paisley outfit was all about.
Davie Hay, Jimmy Bone and Fitz again all arrived and departed, along with Saints' top-flight status, before the qualities of Tom Hendrie were enlisted to take the Buddies back to the promised land of SPL football only for another descent to soon follow.
John Coughlin was next to shoulder the hopes, before Gus MacPherson was chosen to offer the organisational nous and methodical approach needed to climb back up to play the country's elite.
He also took Saints within touching distance of another cup triumph back in 2010, when they lost the League Cup final to a nine-man Rangers.
Sadly for MacPherson an uneasy relationship with the Paisley board caused his departure three years back.
It was then that St Mirren elected to pluck Danny Lennon from a Cowdenbeath side which he had just guided to the Second Division title and embrace his total football philosophy.
Last season Lennon took the Buddies to their best finish in modern times ending the term in eighth.
On Sunday, he will face the ultimate test of his abilities to help the club realise their silverware dreams once again.
It is a burden Lennon is happy to embrace.
The St Mirren manager said: "I am aware of just how long it has been since St Mirren last claimed a major trophy and that is something that I am comfortable with.
"Every day when I come into the club I see the photographs of that Scottish Cup victory with Alex Smith and his side and I have always used that as motivation.
"But the most important thing about this final is that we remain absolutely focused on the job in hand.
"We are going to Hampden to do everything we can to win the Scottish Communities League Cup."
HE ADDED: "Taking the squad away to St Andrews to keep us in the here and now is crucial.
"The club's history is something that we are very proud of but it is important that we have not allowed that to become a distraction.
"I'm confident that everything in our preparation this week has given us the best chance of producing our best performance on Sunday.
"Is this the biggest game of my managerial career? Of course it is and I am proud to say that.
"I'll be even more proud to lead this great football club out at Hampden on Sunday."
While Lennon is relishing the prospect of his first major cup in the dugout, there is one aspect of it he dreads.
He admitted: "There will be more than one of the players who will not make the match on Sunday as I need to cut the squad down to 16.
"That is going to be the toughest call I have ever made in management.
"Each and every one of the lads has played a part in getting us here and it is just unfortunate that someone will have to miss out.
"But these are the calls you have to make in management and the team I send out on Sunday will be the one I believe is best equipped to bring the League Cup back to Paisley."
