St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of defender James Bolton on a one-year deal subject to clearance.  

The 28-year-old Englishman joins Saints following the expiry of his contact at English League One champions Plymouth Argyle following Declan Gallagher's move to Dundee United for a conditional fee.

The centre-half, who can play at right-back, began his professional career at Macclesfield Town and had spells at Halifax, Gateshead, Shrewsbury and Portsmouth before joining Argyle in 2021.

Speaking to stmirren.com after signing, James said: "It feels brilliant.

It's all happened quite quick but I'm really excited to be here and excited for the challenge. 

"I had a good discussion with the manager on the phone and he really welcomed me here. I'm just trying to relish the challenge.

"I'll give 100%. I think that something that is has nothing to do with ability and just a willingness to win. On the pitch, I feel like I am quite calm on the ball and will put my head in there. I'm looking forward to it.

"I know St Mirren did well last season finishing top six and it's just about progressing from there and keep pushing on.

"I spoke to Greg Docherty and he loves Scottish football and said the Scottish Premiership is very good and everyone I've spoken to can't speak highly enough of it." 

Manager Stephen Robinson added: "James is a versatile player that I've known from down in England in his time at Shrewsbury, Portsmouth and Plymouth.

He'll bring a vast amount of experience and he's a very good defender.

"He gives us another option in there and adds to our numbers with Declan leaving. This was the reason we allowed this to happen because we knew we had someone else coming in.

"We need to get him up to speed, but he's a fit boy. It's another quality player in the building who will bring more experience into the dressing room and most of all he's a very good defender." 

James Bolton checks in at St Mirren (Image: Allan Picken)

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Declan Gallagher has left the club to join Dundee United for a conditional fee.

The 32-year-old joined St Mirren from Aberdeen last summer and went on to make 32 appearances for the Buddies, scoring once, while also earning himself a call up to the Scotland National side. 

Manager Stephen Robinson said: "Declan had an opportunity arise to move to Dundee United and he’s from Dundee so it’s something that works well for him.

"He hasn’t played as much as he wanted to since the World Cup and we couldn’t guarantee him those minutes.

"I’ve worked with Declan for a long time and I couldn’t deny him the opportunity to move closer to home with his family and the chance to get more game time. Everyone at the club wishes him nothing but good luck.

"We will receive a fee for Declan and have already targeted a replacement that we hope to sign today subject to a medical."

We thank Declan for his contributions to St Mirren and wish him all the best for his future career.

Toyosi Olusanya's 95th minute goal gave St Mirren a dramatic late win at Cowdenbeath and kept the Buddies hopes of topping Group H alive. 

Saints created a host of chances, but couldn't find a way past Cowdenbeath goalkeeper Craig Hepburn until deep into stoppage time when Olusanya followed up on a save from the Blue Brazil stopper and slammed into the net. 

Stav Nahmani was given his first start after scoring a brace on his debut in Saturday's 4-0 win against Arbroath. Stephen Robinson was also able to welcome Keanu Baccus into the starting line-up for his first appearance of the new season, while Richard Taylor came in with Mark O'Hara suspended, Greg Kiltie injured and Olusanya dropped to the bench. 

Saints had controlled the opening half but had little to show for it. Nahmani had a close-range header blocked early into the match before seeing a tame effort held by Hepburn on 28 minutes. 

The manager made two changes at the interval with Alex Greive and Lewis Jamieson introduced in place of Baccus and Nahmani. 

Scott Tanser had a good chance to put us ahead on 52 minutes when the ball fell nicely inside the area, but the defender screwed the effort wide. 

Three minutes later it was Caolan Boyd-Munce who came closest to breaking the deadlock with a powerful drive from distance. Hepburn was down quickly to push away the Northern Irishman's strike. 

The goalkeeper made another good save with 20 minutes remaining to deny Greive. The New Zealand forward was quickest to react to Boyd-Munce's cross, but the Blue Brazil goalkeeper spread himself well to keep it goalless. Five minutes later it was Jamieson who the ball fell for kindly, but he struck straight at the goalkeeper. 

Hepburn - who was named as Cowdenbeath's official man of the match - again foiled Saints with less than five minutes remaining. The Buddies won a free-kick in a good area around 25 yards from goal. Strain curled low towards the right-hand corner, but Hepburn was down well to save.

Cowdenbeath were reduced to 10 men in the final minute when Kevin Smith was given his marching orders after a second yellow card for a foul on Luke Kenny. It looked like it would be Saints' night when another free-kick opportunity for Strain in stoppage time saw the Australian's effort tipped onto the bar with Saints unable to force home the loose ball. 

But the Buddies were able to make the man advantage count when Olusanya's reacted quickest to Hepburn's save from Jamieson's strike to slam into the net and give us three points. 

It sets up Saints up for Saturday's clash against Forfar Athletic at The SMiSA Stadium. The Buddies know a win would be enough to secure top spot and a place in the last 16 of the Viaplay Cup.

Toyosi Olusanya celebrates his winner with Alex Greive (Image: Craig Brown)

Full-Time: Cowdenbeath 0-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Dunne (Kenny 78), R.Taylor (Olusanya 63), Strain, Baccus (Greive 46), Gogic, Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Mandron, Nahmani (Jamieson 46)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Sutherland, Penman, Offord

Cowdenbeath: Hepburn, Walker, Rodden, Jordan, Hill (Duncan 67), McNab, Butterworth (Jack 67), McDonald (Berry 71), MacPherson (Smith 79), Chalmers, Docherty (Tait 79)
Subs Not Used: Blair, Murray

Referee: Ross Hardie
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford

Attendance: 859

SMiSA Season Tickets help push us through 3500 mark | Highest record full season ticket sales at the SMiSA Stadium

Season ticket sales have broken through the 3500 mark with SMiSA’s community season tickets helping us to our highest full season ticket sales since we moved into The SMiSA Stadium in 2009.

SMiSA have taken 20 season tickets for the 2023/24 season that will be used at all home matches for worthwhile community causes. Last season, almost 600 tickets were gifted to groups and charities in and around Renfrewshire as part of SMiSA’s community ticket programme.

It follows record attendances at The SMiSA Stadium last season with more than 120,000 through the gates over the course of 2022/23.  

St Mirren Chief Operating Officer Keith Lasley said: "First and foremost, I would personally like to thank all supporters for their terrific backing of the club.

"We are delighted to have sold more than 3500 season tickets for the upcoming season.

As a fan-owned club, supporters are our lifeblood and it’s fitting that SMiSA’s community tickets are the ones that have helped us pass through this milestone."

SMiSA Treasurer Jim Cumming added: "Last season was the fourth year that SMiSA have ran the community season ticket programme and we are delighted that the members have passed the vote to continue into season 2023/24.

We issued 570 tickets to groups and charities in and around Renfrewshire last season and the feedback we received was always positive. Families were given the opportunity to see their local team, which they previously could not do.

"We introduced St Mirren to groups who previously had no affiliation with our famous club."

2023/24 Season Tickets are still available to purchase ahead of our cinch Premiership season getting underway. Click HERE to buy yours now and join #OurFamily. 

Tickets for our opening match of the 2023/24 cinch Premiership season against Hibernian are available to buy now. 

Tickets are on sale at the St Mirren Ticket Office and can be purchased online for collection and postage.

Please note that online sales will be available until 10am on Tuesday 1st August for postage and until 10am on Friday 4th August for Ticket Office pick-up. All tickets purchased selecting Ticket Office pick-up must be collected from St Mirren Ticket Office by 2pm on Friday 4th August. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm.

The club has received an allocation of just under 1300 tickets for this match.

Hibernian v St Mirren 
Competition: cinch Premiership
Date: Sunday 6th August 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Easter Road

Hibernian Ticket Info

Adults - £26
Concession* - £16
U18s - £14
U13s - £12

*Over 65s, full-time student with valid matriculation card

Ambulant disabled tickets will be charged at the age-appropriate rate. Must be in receipt of Higher Rate DLA or Enhanced PIP for a carer ticket. If a carer is needed and proof can be provided this will be free of charge. 

We have been allocated 10 wheelchair & carer pairs for this match. These are only available at the St Mirren Ticket Office and charged at the regular match price with carer free of charge. 

Please note that parking is not available within the stadium footprint at Easter Road. Supporters are urged to travel via public transport where possible. 

St Mirren Ticket Office Tel: (0141) 840-6130.

St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com 

Tickets for our opening match of the 2023/24 cinch Premiership season against Hibernian are available to buy now. 

Tickets are on sale at the St Mirren Ticket Office and can be purchased online for collection and postage.

Please note that online sales will be available until 10am on Tuesday 1st August for postage and until 10am on Friday 4th August for ticket office pick-up. All tickets purchased selecting Ticket Office pick-up must be collected from St Mirren Ticket Office by 2pm on Friday 4th August. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm.

The club has received an allocation of just under 1300 tickets for this match.

Hibernian v St Mirren 
Competition: cinch Premiership
Date: Sunday 6th August 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Easter Road

Hibernian Ticket Info

Adults - £26
Concession* - £16
U18s - £14
U13s - £12

*Over 65s, full-time student with valid matriculation card

Ambulant disabled tickets will be charged at the age-appropriate rate. Must be in receipt of Higher Rate DLA or Enhanced PIP for a carer ticket. If a carer is needed and proof can be provided this will be free of charge. 

We have been allocated 10 wheelchair & carer pairs for this match. These are only available at the St Mirren Ticket Office and charged at the regular match price with carer free of charge. 

Please note that parking is not available within the stadium footprint at Easter Road. Supporters are urged to travel via public transport where possible. 

St Mirren Ticket Office Tel: (0141) 840-6130.

St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com 

An exciting opportunity has arisen within St Mirren Football Club. We are looking for a performance analyst to work at the St Mirren Youth Academy.

Reporting to Head of Academy Coaching and Head of Academy Analysis, you will be responsible for the video analysis programme at the Academy and your role will see you work as an integral part of the Academy Analysis department, supporting elite level performance analysis across our St Mirren Youth Academy.

To download the job description please click HERE.

If you’re interested in this exciting & challenging role please send an up-to-date copy of your CV and cover letter to: ross.horsburgh@stmirren.com by 6pm on Thursday 27th July. 

Saints make the journey to Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night to face the Lowland League side in the Viaplay Cup. 

The Buddies won 4-0 over Arbroath on Saturday as we bounced back from a defeat against Montrose on matchday one.  

Stephen Robinson's men are aiming for two more wins from the remaining two matches to qualify from Group H.

This will be Cowdenbeath's last match in the group stage having already faced Forfar, Arbroath and Montrose. The Blue Brazil have picked up two points having drawn 1-1 with both Arbroath and Montrose, but missed out on the bonus point in both matches after losing on penalties. 

Match Details

Cowdenbeath v St Mirren
Competition: Viaplay Cup
Date: Tuesday 25th July 2023
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: Central Park

Ticket Info

Tickets are priced at £14 for adults, £8 for concessions and £5 for U12s and are available online HERE.  

Please note there will be no stream for the match and due to a lack of facilities at Central Park, we are unable to offer live commentary on St Mirren TV. 

Previous 

Saints faced Cowdenbeath at Central Park in last season's Viaplay Cup group stage. Jonah Ayunga scored twice as the Buddies ran out 2-0 winners. 

The previous League Cup meeting before that was back in August 1992 when Barry Lavety scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for St Mirren at Love Street. 

Jonah Ayunga celebrates with Ryan Strain after scoring a double in our win against Cowdenbeath. 

The officials

The referee on Tuesday is Ross Hardie. David McGeachie and Gordon Crawford are his assistants. 

It was a much improved performance. There was a lot of good stuff."

Stephen Robinson gives his reaction after our 4-0 win over Arbroath.

St Mirren eased to victory over Arbroath in the Viaplay Cup with a strong performance at The SMiSA Stadium. 

First-half goals from Mikael Mandron and Mark O'Hara had us two to the good at the interval before debutant Stav Nahmani scored twice from the bench in the second-half to secure an emphatic 4-0 victory.  

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson made three changes from the side that lost to Montrose last week. Scott Tanser, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Toyosi Olusanya came in for Declan Gallagher, Conor McMenamin and Alex Greive. 

Saints hit the front with just 10 minutes on the clock when Mandron scored his first Saints goal - heading Ryan Strain's cross from the right into the net. 

Strain should have gone from provider to goalscorer five minutes later but he fluffed his lines after Toyosi Olusanya's effort was parried into this path. Greg Kiltie had an opportunity on the follow-up, but his effort was headed off the line. 

Mandron's powerful header on 18 minutes drew a terrific save from Arbroath goalkeeper Derek Gaston. And the French forward wasn't far away again on 25 minutes after he slipped in by Olusanya and lifted his effort over Gaston but just wide of the post. The Arbroath stopper denied Mandron again 10 minutes later with another good save as Saints ramped up the pressure. 

The Buddies would get their second on the stroke of half-time as captain O'Hara broke through and finished beyond Gaston to make it 2-0. 

Captain Mark O'Hara - our top goalscorer with 12 last season - got his first in 2023/24 to put us 2-0 up (Image: Allan Picken)

A quiet opening to the second-half saw the visitors have their best change of the match when Craig Slater hit the post just after the hour mark. 

Saints fans got their first glimpse of new signing Stav Nahmani as he came on for Caolan Boyd-Munce, while Lewis Jamieson also replaced Olusanya. And what an impression the Israeli forward made as he netted two goals in eight minutes. The first saw him burst to on a brilliantly placed Strain through ball and he scored with a neat first time finish.

The 20-year-old would grab his second with 11 minutes of normal time remaining when he raced on to a lovely low pass from Jamieson, rounded Gaston and slotted into the net. 

It was the perfect first impression as Saints got off and running in Group H of the Viaplay Cup. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 4-0 Arbroath 

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Strain, Kiltie (Gallagher 44), O'Hara (c), Boyd-Munce (Nahmani 63), Tanser, Olusanya (Jamieson 63), Mandron
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, R.Taylor, Kenny, Sutherland, Penman, Jamieson, Greive, Nahmani

Arbroath: Gaston, Steele (Gold 23), Stewart, Little, O'Brien (c), Slater, Balde, Stowe, McKenna (McIntosh 70), Bird (Turan 70), Dow
Subs Not Used: Adams, Jacobs, Allan

Referee: Graham Grainger
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Gordon McCabe

Attendance: 2,059 (139 away)