At the start of season 1975/76, Alex Ferguson was beginning to build a team of promising young players who he felt could take Saints back to the top flight. To add some style to the midfield he signed Billy Stark from Anniesland Waverley. Born in Glasgow in 1956, Billy started his football life at school and in the Boys' Brigade, before signing for Anniesland.

He made his first appearance in the stripes against Selkirk in a friendly on 26th July 1975. His competitive debut came on 20th August when he lined up against Montrose in a League Cup match. Despite being just 18-years-old, the manager pitched him straight into the top team squad and he soon became a regular in the starting XI.

Billy’s first goal came in a 2-2 draw with Morton on 6th September and he would go on to score six times in 24 matches over the season as he established himself in the Saints’ midfield. The highlight of this first season was a match against Airdrie at Broomfield on 21st February 1976. With the score tied at 1-1, Billy entered play as a 73rd minute substitute. Five minutes later he scored to put Saints into the lead, before clinching a 3-1 victory with his second goal in the final minute.

Season 1976/77 was one of the best in Saints’ history, as 'Fergie’s Furies' won the First Division in style. Billy played his part, scoring 11 times in 35 league matches. One of these goals was the opener in a 4-0 win over Dundee on 19th April 1977, which secured the title and promotion to the Premier Division. He also scored in a 4-1 Scottish Cup win over Dundee United who were, at the time, top of the Premier Division.

In the top flight, Billy continued to play well and over the following two seasons he clocked up over 80 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals as he matured into an exceptionally talented midfield playmaker. 

Stark played in every league game of season 1979/80, scoring eight times, as Saints finished third in the Premier Division, their best ever finish to a league season. He also played a big part in Saints becoming the first (and only) Scottish club to win the Anglo-Scottish Cup. He scored three times in the early rounds as Hibernian, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United were defeated. The final paired Saints with Bristol City. The first leg at Ashton Gate was a high point in his career, as he scored both goals in a 2-0 win to set Saints up for the second leg. He didn’t score in the return leg, but contributed to a 3-1 victory on the night, for a 5-1 aggregate win.

Season 1980/81 was another fine season. Billy played in 39 matches scoring seven goals. He also made his debut in European competition as Saints faced Elfsborg of Sweden in the UEFA Cup. A 2-1 aggregate win took Saints through to the second round where he came face to face with Johnny Rep, Patrick Battiston and the legendary Michel Platini as St Etienne ended Saints adventure with a 2-0 aggregate win.

Billy scored 10 goals in 33 league matches in season 1981/82 but it was the cup competitions that made headlines for Saints with semi-final appearances in both the Scottish and League Cups. Billy played in every match, scoring twice in the League Cup, but it wasn’t enough as Saints failed to reach any of the finals.

The following year was to be Billy’s last in Paisley. He played a total of 42 matches, scoring 11 times. Again, it was the cups that made the headlines with a quarter-final appearance in the League Cup, Billy scoring four times in the competition, including one in the quarter-final 2nd leg, but Saints fell 3-2 to Hearts. The Scottish Cup was also memorable. Victories over Dundee United and Morton took Saints into a quarter-final tie with Airdrie. It took Billy just three minutes to open the scoring. Frank McAvennie and Ian Scanlon made it 3-0 before Billy added another two to complete a 5-0 win and claim his first senior hat-trick. Sadly, in the semi-final Rangers won 1-0 in a replay with a controversial 'goal'in the final minutes of extra-time.

In June 1983, former boss Alex Ferguson paid £70,000 to take Billy north to Aberdeen. In his eight seasons at Love Street he played in 345 matches and scored 84 times,placing him on the seventh rung of Saints all-time scoring charts.

This article first appeared in the St Mirren matchday programme on 18th July 2017 for the match against Livingston.

We've got 10 questions to test your St Mirren knowledge (answers below).

1. On this day last year St Mirren beat Dundee 2-1 in the Ladbrokes Premiership thanks to goals from Danny Mullen and Brad Lyons. Which player was named #SMFCMOM that afternoon?

2. How many goals did Danny Mullen score last season?

3. What was the scoreline when we defeated Dundee on the final day of the 2018/19 season?

4. Tomorrow marks two years since we drew 2-2 with Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium to move a point closer to promotion. Who scored a penalty for Saints that afternoon?

5. Who finished top scorer in our title winning season of 2005/06?

6. Who scored our first goal that season?

7. How many times have St Mirren won the title in the second tier of Scottish football?

8. St Mirren were the only Scottish Club to win the Anglo-Scottish Cup. What season did we win it?

9. Who did we beat in the semi-final of the Anglo-Scottish Cup the season we won it?

10. Which player scored a brace in the second leg of the Anglo-Scottish Cup final?

ANSWERS

1. Ryan Flynn

2. Seven

3. 3-2

4. Harry Davis

5. John Sutton

6. Alan Reid (v Forfar, Challenge Cup)

7. Five

8. 1979-80

9. Sheffield United

10. Doug Somner

We are aware of an incident this afternoon where a member of the public has entered the stadium and run on to the pitch.

We would like to make supporters aware of the dangers of entering the stadium illegally. Climbing the fence at the stadium could cause serious injury due to its height and the anti-climb spikes at the top.

The club also wishes to remind supporters of Government guidelines during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. People should stay at home and only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home). The single most important action we can all take in the fight against coronavirus is to stay at home in order to save lives and protect the NHS.

The individual involved has not followed Government guidelines and could have caused himself serious injury while illegally entering the stadium.

This type of situation will not be tolerated and CCTV footage has been passed on to the police.

John 'Cockles' Wilson retired over fifty years ago but is still remembered fondly around St Mirren Park, and had a supporter’s club named in his honour.

Born in West Kilbride, in 1935, he gained the nickname 'Cockles' from his time scouring Ayrshire beaches for shellfish to help with the family business.

Originally a centre forward, he began playing with Ardeer Recreation in Stevenston and was brought to the attention of Saints in 1955. Included in the Saints’ team as a trialist for a friendly match against Reading on 21st March 1955, under the assumed name of Alan Robertson, his match lasted just three minutes, as he broke his collar bone! However, he was offered a contract and signed on 16th April 1955 as a 19-year-old.

Over the next two years John spent a lot of time in Germany, completing his national service in the RAF, so playing opportunities were limited. He made his top team debut against Queen of the South on 11th August 1956 in a League Cup match at Palmerston, but had to wait until February 1957 for his next start, when he lined up at left back against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup. His league debut came three days later against Queen of the South at Palmerston and he went on to play in the remaining ten matches of the season, establishing himself as the regular left back.

Having completed his national service, 1957/58 was the season that he became a regular in the team, cementing his reputation as a tough tackling full back. He played in 41 of 43 competitive matches and scored his first goals in the top team. With a striker crisis affecting the club, manager Willie Reid played him at centre forward for a match against Hibs on 22nd February 1958. John netted once and led the line well in an amazing 5-5 draw. He continued at centre forward for the remainder of the season scoring seven times in 12 games.

Season 1958/59 opened with a League Cup tie against Airdrie on 9th August and John continued at centre forward, scoring his first senior hat-trick in a 4-3 win. He continued to lead the forward line until the New Year, scoring nine times along the way. By the time the Scottish Cup campaign got underway, he was back in his full back position and, after missing the first-round thrashing of Peebles Rovers, he played in the next three rounds as Saints made their way to the final.

On 25th April 1959, John lined up at Hampden to play his part in bringing the cup back to Paisley following a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen.

Over the next three seasons, Cockles played solidly at left back, playing 126 matches. The highlight of this period was another Scottish Cup final appearance, unfortunately, losing to Rangers in April 1962. The disappointment of this was countered by him being awarded the Saints player of the year award for the season.

Season 1962/63 saw him play in just 20 matches due to injury, but he was back to fitness, and goal scoring form, for the following season, as he scored six times in 34 matches. He scored a further two goals from 41 matches during season 1964/65, bringing his total to 24 goals. Not a bad record for a player who played mostly at full back.

Cockles played in four matches at the beginning of season 1965/66 but an injury against Morton at the end of August was to keep him out for the rest of the season. He made a return at the start of the following season, but only managed two League Cup matches before dropping out of the team again.

He returned to the team for two matches in January 1967, but these were to be his last competitive games for the club. He made a substitute appearance in a friendly against Queen of the South on 1st March, but never appeared in the first team again. At the end of this season Saints were relegated to the Second Division and Cockles decided to retire.

Over his 11 years at Love Street he played a total of 320 competitive games and scored 24 times. He will always be remembered as part of the 1959 cup winning team.

Towards the end of 1984, it was announced that Cockles was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease and the club organised a benefit dinner for him. Sadly, John died on 24th February 1985. The dinner went ahead in his memory, at the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew, on 25th March 1985. It was attended by many of his former colleagues as well as fans and other big names from the world of football. A fitting tribute to one of Saints’ greatest players.

This article first appeared in the St Mirren matchday programme on 24th September 2017 for the match against Queen of the South.

Everyone at St Mirren applauds NHS workers for their hard work each and every day especially during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

We've got 10 questions to test your St Mirren knowledge (answers below).

1. Who scored St Mirren's first league goal of 2019/20?

2. Which lower league side did the St Mirren Colts beat in the third round of the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Cup?

3. How many league matches have Saints won this season?

4. Stephen McGinn reached what St Mirren landmark this season?

5. Who captained Saints in the 1999/2000 season?

6. What side did we beat 8-0 on our way to winning the 99/00 First Division Title?

7. Which player scored a hat-trick in that 8-0 win?

8.  St Mirren win the 99/00 First Division title with a 3-0 win against who?

9. Who scored St Mirren's first goal in the then SPL in 2000? 

10.  St Mirren's first SPL win came against which team?

ANSWERS

1. Ilkay Durmus (v Aberdeen)

2. Stirling Albion

3. Seven

4. 200 appearances

5. Tommy Turner

6. Clydebank

7. Barry Lavety

8. Raith Rovers

9. Ricky Gillies

10. Dundee

Given the uncertainties that still remain about when we will be playing competitive football again the club needs to budget to ensure we can continue to pay all players and staff and make sure we are in a strong position to ride out this storm and continue our upward progress as a football club.

The biggest commitment any individual supporter can make to our football club on a yearly basis is by buying a season ticket.

The vast majority of fans getting in touch with us have said they do not want any money back from this years’ season tickets should the season not be played to a conclusion, and all at the club hugely appreciate your loyalty and support at this difficult time.

However we feel the least we can do is offer something back, so we would like to offer all current season ticket holders entry to one league cup game and one pre-season friendly free of charge next year in return for not getting any compensation this year’s season ticket.

We are aware that some clubs have already put season tickets on sale but we would prefer to wait for a bit more clarity before making a decision on a release date. We can assure you that there will be no increase in prices next season unless the situation changes dramatically.

The stadium and airdome remain closed for the foreseeable future but we will continue to update you on a weekly basis.

Buddievision will remain free for the rest of this season but we would ask all those who can afford to do so to continue their monthly subscriptions as it is a valuable source of income for the club and every last penny is vital at this time. If you have any inspirational ideas of things you would like to see on Buddievision please contact james.hunter@stmirren.com 

Supporters can still get in touch with us via email.

General Enquiries – info@stmirren.com 

Ticket Office – tickets@stmirren.com 

Fans who wish to purchase anything from the club shop can still do so online. All orders will be processed and posted as quickly as possible, however, as you will all be aware the guidelines for what can be delivered changes on a daily basis. If you have any queries please email the shop on shop@stmirrendirect.co.uk 

The commercial department will remain open and supporters and sponsors wishing to make contact are advised to do so by email commercial@stmirren.com.

Street Stuff have 11 staff members assisting with the delivery of activities in schools which are currently open for the children of emergency service workers. We will continue to assist the local community in any way we can to help us all through this crisis. All other Street Stuff programs are cancelled for now.

Over the course of the past week since the stadium closed, the team at St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation have worked hard to ensure that there is no delivery interruption to any of our programs. Last night was the first night of the new online workouts and educational content and it was very successful and although these were created for our groups, they will be posted on all of the social media platforms, stated below, and YouTube for all to see and take part.

Our community football team have been very creative with all of their children’s activities, from skills & drills, to fun comps & challenges and educational projects, with the coaches, parents and now players taking part. We will be rewarding participants in unique ways and would again encourage you all to follow the social media platforms below for updates as these activities will be posted most days.

As you know we have pledged our support and resources to Star project and other local partners and would thank our dear friends at Manorview Leisure for reaching out to us to offer us all of the fresh produce from their hotels which we donated to Star and are now distributing out to community fridges and those in need.

While the planned Kiltwalk has been postponed we are still taking donations from anyone who feels they can help with the Hunter Foundation adding a 50% Bonus to fundraising totals as of 31st March.

The Foundation can be contacted on any of the following channels:

Instagram – smfc_charitablefoundation
Twitter - @SMFC_CF
Facebook – St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
Email – gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com

We thank you all for your continued support and urge you to stay safe and follow the Government’s guidelines so we can all get back to watching the game we love as soon as possible!

Prices have been reduced for the 2019/20 St Mirren home and away shirts! 

Adult shirts have been reduced to just £25, while kids shirts are down to just £20. Limited stock is available to order online.

Due to the stadium being closed as part of Government guidelines in the ongoing fight against coronavirus, orders could take a few weeks to process. 

Campbell Money was born in Ayrshire on 31st October 1960. After school, he joined the police cadets whilst playing football with Dailly Amateurs.

In June 1978, Saints offered him a contract and he had to decide between football and the police. In the end, football won, and it would appear to have been the correct decision.

Campbell's debut was a friendly against Southampton on 1st August 1978. The keeper played well, earning Saints a 1-0 victory with some fine saves. His competitive debut was the following Saturday in the Anglo-Scottish Cup. Unfortunately, despite another fine performance, Motherwell won 1-0.

He quickly earned the nickname 'Dibble' after 'Officer Dibble' in the cartoon, 'Top Cat', after Jimmy Bone saw him arriving for a reserve match in full cadet uniform. Over the next three seasons, first team opportunities were limited due to the performances of Billy Thomson, making just one appearance each year. March 1983 saw his first senior shut-out in a 0-0 draw with Motherwell.

Towards the end of season 1983/84, Thomson was in dispute with the club and was dropped. Campbell grabbed his chance, playing the last five matches of the season. During the summer, Thomson left, leaving Campbell as Number One.

The 1984/85 season was an eventful one for Campbell. Starting as first choice, he kept six clean sheets in the opening 12 matches. In mid-October he was hospitalised with appendicitis, which side-lined him for several weeks. He returned for a match at Celtic Park at the end of November. This was not a happy occasion as Celtic won 7-1!

In January, a Scottish Cup match against Dundee United at Love Street, saw Money leave the field for ten minutes to have a facial injury stitched after colliding with a United forward. In all he played 35 matches, keeping 14 clean sheets.

The following season, the Scottish Cup again saw him carried off after 15 minutes against Hearts at Tynecastle, with another head injury. This time he was unable to return, and Saints lost 4-1 with defender Neil Cooper in goals.

The season had started well for Campbell, making his European debut against Slavia Prague on 17th September. A narrow 1-0 defeat in Prague was followed by one of the greatest nights in the club’s history when Campbell kept a clean sheet, in a 3-0 win. Sadly, Saints fell in the next round to Hammarby of Sweden.

His performances earned an international call up and a place in the provisional squad for the 1986 World Cup. He was in line for his first cap against The Netherlands on 26th April, but an injury against Dundee United three days earlier, ruled him out and cost him his trip to Mexico.

Season 1986/87 was one of the best of Campbell’s career. He kept 11 clean sheets in 42 league matches, earning a first Scotland Under-21 cap against the Republic of Ireland, as an over-age player. The Scottish Cup saw Saints defeat Caledonian, Morton, Raith Rovers and Hearts, as they reached the final against Dundee United on 16th May. In a poor game, Campbell kept a clean sheet as Saints won 1-0.

The day after the final, Saints flew to Singapore for a four-team tournament. They reached the final and faced Mexicans, Universidad Autonoma. The match ended 0-0. In the penalty shoot-out, Campbell took one of the penalties and scored, as Saints claimed the trophy.

The following season saw Saints in European action again and Campbell played all four matches as Saints defeated Tromso of Norway before losing to eventual winners Mechelen in the second round. He gained a further Under-21 cap against Belgium in October 1987.

Consistent performances over the season saw 15 clean sheets from 46 matches and earned Campbell a place in the national squad for the Rous Cup matches in May 1988, unfortunately he never got off the bench.

Over the next four seasons, Campbell played in 114 matches, keeping 30 clean sheets, earning another Under-21 cap versus Norway in September 1988 and a 'B' cap against Yugoslavia in March 1990.

In August 1990, he finally played for the full national team against a Scottish League select, in the League Centenary match. However, this was deemed unofficial by the SFA.

At the start of season 1991/92 Campbell was awarded a testimonial match for his services to the club, and Saints lined up against Rangers on 6th August. In an entertaining match, Saints lost 3-2.

When the competitive matches started, Saints drew 3-3 with Brechin City in the League Cup, leading to a penalty shootout. Campbell re-lived his Singapore heroics, scoring from the spot to help Saints win 5-4. The league campaign saw 6 clean sheets from 27 starts, but the season was not a good one and Saints were relegated to the First Division.

Life in the lower league got off to the worst possible start, conceding seven goals in the opening match against Raith Rovers. Things did improve though with seven clean sheets in the following eight matches. On 2nd December Saints faced Cowdenbeath in a league match at Love Street. With the score at 0-0 just before half-time, Saints were awarded a penalty. With his shoot-out goals fresh in mind, Campbell stepped up to open the scoring, in a 5-0 win. He repeated his penalty feat against Clydebank on Boxing Day in a 3-2 win, making him the top scoring goalkeeper in Saints' history. Unfortunately, a broken leg against Morton seven days later ended his season.

During 1993 Campbell, along with Kenny McDowall, was given a coaching role at the club. This, added to the signing of Alan Combe, meant that he played irregularly through season 1993/94. He did play in the final of the B&Q Challenge Cup final against Falkirk on 12th December. Unfortunately, Saints lost 3-0.

Over the next two seasons he shared the goalkeeping position with Combe, registering five shut-outs in 28 games. On 2nd March 1996 he lined up against Hamilton at Love Street in what was to be his final Saints match. Shortly after this he left to become Stranraer's first full-time manager, guiding them to the Challenge Cup in 1996/97 and the Second Division Title in 1997/98.

In his time at Love Street Campbell played 391 matches, keeping 107 clean sheets and scoring those two penalties. Always a fans' favourite, he will be remembered as a reliable and brave keeper who served the club well.

This article first appeared in the St Mirren matchday programme on 6th January 2018 for the match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick has thanked fans and the local community for their support of the club and vowed that the club will continue to play their role in the community at this difficult time. 

The Scottish Football Association announced yesterday that football in Scotland would not resume before April 30th and clubs remain in limbo with regards to whether the 2019/20 season will return.

Tony admitted he's been heartened by the amount of support the club has received in the form of letters, emails and phone calls from the local community, but stressed that while the club is facing an uncertain period like all businesses there is no immediate threat. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, Tony said: "There is a lot of uncertainty and the club is like any business just now.

"There's a bit of trepidation but as was mentioned in our statement the other day the club is in a reasonable enough position to deal with this at the moment.

"There are no thoughts of cutting anybody's wages or making anyone redundant. We don't know how long this will last so we will continue to monitor the situation as things go on.

"These are difficult times but I also think this is a real chance for us to really reflect on everything at the club. One of the major things that has come out of all of this for me is what St Mirren means to the community and what the community means to St Mirren. You have the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, you have Street Stuff who do marvellous work and the Kibble also. These are organisations that are helping. 

"People were stopping me in the street and asking if the club was going to be okay. We've had numerous phone calls and letters coming in from supporters asking how they can help and telling us if the season is finished that they wouldn't want a rebate on their season tickets. Some of that money will be used to help the community over the coming weeks and months.

"It's a big opportunity for us to give back and we are a family, community club. It's times like this that you have to give back. I go back to the amazing work that the Charitable Foundation, Street Stuff and the Kibble all do. They are all part of the club."

With the football on hold until at least the end of April, Tony said that all non-Scottish players have been allowed to return home to their families.

All players have been given individual fitness programmes, while those still in the country have said they will play their part in helping out in the community. 

"The manager has taken the decision to let all the foreign players go home to their families and it was the right decision.

"With football postponed until at least the end of April, players will work towards being back at that date and hopefully by then we may have got on top of this. Of course we might not have and we might have to postpone things further. They have all been given an individual training programme to keep on top of their fitness. 

"The players who are still here have put themselves forward to help in any way they can. Whether it's just speaking to people on the phone or delivering messages, everyone at the club is up for it. St Mirren means so much to the community and the community means so much to St Mirren. If there is one good thing that comes out of all of this is that it's going to bring us all closer together.

"The positive for me is the way the community have responded to us and the way we have and will respond to the community."

With some players out of contract at the end of the season, Tony says the club will look to offer new contracts to some players while honouring the commitments it has to players.

And despite the uncertainty Tony says the club will continue to work hard in the background to make sure the club are ready for whenever football returns.

The board has been together quite a bit to discuss everything at the club. We have a number of players who are out of contract at the end of the season and we have loan players. We'll obviously honour all those contracts and there are players in there that we would like to offer new contracts to.

"Jim [Goodwin] will also have had a list of players that will be out of contract that we'd have been looking to sign in the summer and we are constantly discussing that.

"It's on hold a bit just now as we aren't sure where we are at with things but I'm a great believer that if we put the right plans in place and we keep working away then we'll be ready when this all passes.

"The SFA has unlocked some of the money for the academies which will help.

"We will need to wait for a decision from the SPFL in terms of how the league finishes and whether they will pay clubs on the basis of where they currently sit in the table. These organisations care about the clubs and there have been plenty of meetings that have taken place and hopefully they'll be able to come to some sort of decision soon."

Tony also praised the St Mirren Youth Academy staff for their work in keeping youth players engaged while they are unable to come into training. 

Allan McManus and his staff at the academy have also come up with some fantastic plans to engage with the kids while they can't come in. This is a real opportunity for them to practice. 

"It has made people think of different ways to keep the kids engaged, to keep their parents engaged and keeping the fans engaged and hopefully we are doing all these things. We will all come through this together."