On Friday evening the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew hosted the club’s Celebration Dinner where the 2016/17 player awards were made as well commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1987 Scottish Cup Final win.

The management team and players from the 1987 winning side were in attendance and the night was hosted by well-known Saints’ fan and journalist Bill Leckie. Former Grade 1 referee, John Rowbotham did the after dinner speech ahead of the various player of the year awards which were as follows:

Club Player of the Year - Lewis Morgan

Club Young Player of the Year - Kyle Magennis

stmirren.com Player of the Year - Lewis Morgan

SMFC Fans Council Player of the Year - Gary MacKenzie

SMFC Fans Council Young Player of the Year - Kyle Magennis

Black & White Magazine Player of the Year - Gary MacKenzie

Goal of the Season - Kyle Magennis (v Queen of the South) and Stevie Mallan (v Raith Rovers)

A gallery of pictures from Friday's event can be seen below.

St Mirren are delighted to announce the appointment of John White and John Allison as our new Supporter Liaison Officers (SLO).

The role of the SLO at St Mirren Football Club is to:

* Improve the match day experience within a safe environment.

* Provide a forum and means of continual communication in both directions between the authorities, the club and the fans.

* Work on the basis that football is in the business of entertainment providing an enjoyable experience that encourages repeated attendance, thus providing job security for club employees.

* Establish a working relationship with the authorities, the club and the fans to provide a mutual understanding of each other’s expectations.

* Engage with all fan groups and individuals on a regular basis to establish positive future objectives of St Mirren Football Club.

If you wish to contact the SLOs please e-mail slo@stmirren.com.

Jack Ross says he'll be patient in his pursuit of new players to give himself the best possible chance of getting the right type in for next season. 

The Buddies manager was speaking to stmirren.com after picking up a second Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Month award in a row. 

He admitted that a lot of business will depend on what players currently at the squad decide to renew their contracts. 

However, with work underway to tie up current players and identify new talent the gaffer also confessing that he is close to bringing in a new face.

We've had lists of players for a long time now because of the extent of our planning," he said. "But some will be determined on players that remain because there are players here that I don't want to change.

"There's one that we are hopefully not far away from that I have spoken to for a while.

"We've done a lot of hard work already but again some of it will be dependent on what happens with the current squad and we can progress things from there.

"There are also a couple of areas where I will be patient because I want to make sure it's the right calibre of player and the right type of character we get in as well. 

"In that sense I want to be a little more patient because there are obviously still games to be played in Scotland in the Premiership.

"Finishing the season at this time it helps," he continued. "James [Fowler], Allan [McManus] and I have already spent a bit of time this week going over players and it means we can make real considered decisions which is helpful. It means you have more chance of getting it right."

Adam Eckersley became the first out of contract Buddie to commit his future to the Saints as he agreed a new two-year deal with the club on Tuesday.

He was joined by Jack Baird who, this morning, put pen to paper on a one-year extension and the manager is relaxed about others following suit after speaking with the squad.

I'm quite comfortable about where we are at after initial conversations with a lot of the players," he said. "A lot of them are very positive about wanting to stay. I know that can change when other things come into the equation. But my initial thoughts are that it's a good starting point for us.

"Adam committing already is a real positive sign because he is a real quality player who absolutely had options elsewhere, but he wanted to stay here. He's thoroughly enjoyed it and wants to play a part in us being promoted because he is an ambitious guy as well.

"The players are in a brilliant place. The challenge is just keeping the bulk of the squad together and the changes I have to make is about getting the right types in again.

"That process for me begins right away. I want to have things settled as quickly as possible and know where we are at for the start of pre-season.

"I think when the players come back they'll come back with a spring in their step. There will be a feel good factor around the place and the challenge is to keep that going. I absolutely believe we can keep doing that particularly if we keep the bulk of the squad together."

Speaking on his second Manager of the Month award, Jack acknowledged it was a nice accolade to receive but was quick to praise his backroom staff for all the work they do. 

He said: "It's always nice to have your work recognised but it's very much a reward for the players and staff.

"I'd like to pay tribute to the work of James and Allan in particular because they've been a huge help to me this year.

"They fly under the radar at times in terms of how much attention and credit they get for it so I'm delighted for them as well."

St Mirren Football Club can announce that Jack Baird has signed a one-year contract extension.

The 21 year-old youth academy graduate has featured 81 times for the Buddies - with 36 of them coming this season - and becomes the second player to sign a new deal with the club after Adam Eckersley extended his contract earlier this week. 

The defender scored three times this season - all of which came in cup competitions.  

Lead Physiotherapist 

(Package will be commensurate with the necessary experience for this role)

A rare opportunity has arisen to join our first team as senior physio.

The role includes leading the first team medical department in the development and organisation of the assessment, treatment and education of the first team squad.

In addition, the job holder will also be expected to take a significant role in the provision of development and education to the wider sports medicine team for the club as a whole. 

Key duties include:

• To lead and oversee the provision of musculoskeletal and medical care for the the first team of more than 25 footballers
• To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team on the care and injury status of players
• To travel with the team and provide pitch-side medical cover for all first team matches
• To assess new signings and give appropriate medical guidance to the Manager
• To maintain secure, accurate and up-to-date medical records
• To manage the first team medical budget. 

Job Outline:

• The role will involve working in collaboration with the Academy interdisciplinary team to create a high performance environment that nurtures and develops individual through a development pathway that aims to optimise player health and wellbeing to maximise player availability and performance.
• We are looking for an individual that is reflective in his/her practice and who can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of clinical reasoning during assessment and treatment. The individual must also be able to transfer this into clinical practice.
• The successful candidate will be joining an innovative interdisciplinary team with a wide variety of expertise within the professional sporting environment. This is a department that is ambitious and continuously seeking to develop and enhance its current position. 

The following are mandatory for consideration for the role:

• At least three years post qualification practice in an elite sports environment
• BSc or Masters degree in Physiotherapy 
• Valid HCPC and CSP registrations 
• Relevant qualifications in the pitch-side trauma management
• Excellent rapport building and motivational skills

How to Apply

To apply please send a current CV to info@stmirren.com by Friday 19th May.

We have a great auction prize to be won with the money going to the St Mirren Youth Academy.

Pollok Golf Club will be hosting a PGA Pro-Am Shotgun event on Wednesday May 31.

The event will take the form of an 18 hole Pro-Am with each team entered of three amateurs being joined by a PGA professional to make up a team of four.

Each team will submit their best two net scores to make up their final aggregate. 

The successful bidder will have the chance to bring two friends to the event with a PGA professional making up their team of four. 

Order of events

• Champagne Reception (from your Emirates hosts and hostesses)
• Registration 
• Coffee & Hot Rolls on arrival (served in the Clubhouse)
• Shotgun Event 1pm
• On Course Drinks Buggy
• Buffet lunch and refreshments following your round
• Prizes for: Nearest the pin, longest drive, straightest drive
• The chance of winning £5,000 for a hole in one
• The chance to win two return flights to Dubai courtesy of Emirates

For a chance to win this fantastic prize all you have to do is submit your bid (minimum bid £250) to claire.coventry@stmirren.com. Bidding closes at 12:00pm on Thursday 25 May 2017.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Adam Eckersley has agreed a new deal with the Buddies.

The full back joined the club in January initially until the end of the season and, after making 15 appearances for Saints, has signed a two-year extension.

The Englishman made his debut in the 2-2 draw with Dumbarton at the start of February and now signs up having helped the club retain it’s Ladbrokes Championship status.

He said: “It was a pretty easy decision. I believe in the project that is going on here. I’ve seen enough over the last few months to say this place is going in the right direction and I want to be a part of that.”

Jack Ross said: “Adam was a player that I was very fortunate to get in the first instance. I think my previous relationship with him allowed us to get him in in January. He was terrific and I think he got better with each passing week.

"It’s the first part of retaining this squad. I think it's a reflection of how much he has enjoyed his time at the club. He didn't know an awful lot about the club when he joined but I think he's been surprised at what has happened over the last few months and the support we've received.

"I think supporters will be delighted as well because I think they've been impressed by him and I think they've also recognised he's got better with each passing week."

The manager also confirmed that discussions have begun with other players, while some won't be renewed. 

We have some players whose contracts are coming to an end that won't be renewed. Ben Gordon, Andy Webster and Jordan Stewart are in that category.

"We have others that we've started discussions with and it will be an ongoing process. The one thing I am keen to do is get everything done as quickly as possible because I like would like our squad in place for the start of pre-season."

Stevie Mallan believes avoiding relegation ranks as the best achievement of his career. 

The midfielder, who broke through the 100 appearance mark this season, played a pivotal role in keeping the Buddies in the Ladbrokes Championship - pitching in with 12 goals throughout the season. 

The 21 year-old also had a hand in setting up Rory Loy's leveller that was enough to earn the Saints the draw they needed to remain in the league. 

It's up there as one of the best achievements of my career," he said.

"From where we have come from to finish seventh is an unbelievable achievement for the boys. For everyone - the boys, the backroom staff, it's just an unreal occasion for us all."

It's been a difficult season for St Mirren and Mallan is first to confess he wasn't at his best in the opening months of the campaign.

He credits manager Jack Ross for his turnaround in form along with the club's recruitment in January.

It was a brilliant achievement," he said on scoring 12 times this season. "I wouldn't have got to double figures if it wasn't for the gaffer coming in and changing things.

"If I'm being honest with myself I had a shocking six months. That was nothing to do with management or the boys I just felt I just wasn't playing the way I can. I spoke to a few people to try and get the finger out and thankfully I did.

"At the same time the gaffer brought in new players and we've all gelled together. The last part of the season was a really good one for myself and the team. You could see the recognition we got from playing Celtic, beating Hibs and Dundee United. It's just been a really good few months and thankfully we've ended it on a high. 

"At one point we were nine points adrift at the bottom of the league. Something had to change. The gaffer sat us down and we went through every game until the end of the season and looked at how many points we needed. I don't think we were that far off it.

"The boys had said we wanted to go on an unbeaten run and although that never happened we were close with the points. It was a pivotal moment because we believed that we could do it and we've finished seventh instead of bottom. It's been amazing for everyone." 

With Saints needing at least a draw to ensure their status in the league, they were dealt a setback early in the second half when Grant Holt put Hibernian ahead.

However, the Buddies responded in great fashion, creating several chances before equalising through Loy.

Mallan believes that fired the team up and hopes his next challenge will be fighting to win a league. 

As soon as that goal went in it just woke us all up," he said. "It was an eye opener. 

"When that goal was scored it was a terrible feeling. But we kicked on and the fans got right behind us. It was a brilliant run from Morgy and a really good team goal with me, Rory and Magennis.

"It's the most I've ever celebrated a goal. We needed the draw and we got it. It was the best achievement of my career and hopefully my next one will be going for a league and not relegation."

Stephen McGinn says his return to St Mirren has been the best spell of his footballing career. 

The midfielder rejoined the club in January after leaving English side Wycombe Wanderers. 

He was quickly made club captain by manager Jack Ross and played an integral part in helping the Buddies secure their Ladbrokes Championship status.

And with survival achieved, the 28 year-old's one year contract extension has been activated.

Staying in the league has triggered my extra year," he told stmirren.com. "I wanted to come here, get back to enjoying my football again, wanted to play for a manager that I trust and it's exceeded my expectations. I've absolutely loved the four months.

"What the players, the fans, the manager have done here has turned it into the best spell of my career. I really hope we can keep it together because the sky is the limit with the potential of some of the young players in the team.

"We knew they would start fast and for the first 10/15 minutes Hibs were brilliant. We said at half time that this was going to happen again and to lose a goal inside the first minute was a nightmare. But I think it shows the character that the whole club has shown since January that it did take going 1-0 down to have the reaction to bring it back to 1-1.

"We have so many young players in this team and the performances they are delivering under pressure, they are going to have big careers." 

Much has been made of the Saints support and with over 1800 travelling through to Edinburgh, the skipper wanted to thank them and believes they have played just as big a role in keeping the Buddies in the league.

"It's hard to describe," he said of how he was feeling after St Mirren completed one of the great escapes in football. "I was getting emotional at the end when I was going over to see the fans.

"It's something I've been thinking of for three or four months. With the backing we've had from the fans since I have come in, they've played a part as much as any goal scored, clean sheet or win.The goal celebrations and the celebrations at the end will live with me forever. 

"The only thing I can have a wee complaint with about the fans is that I was sure it was 2-1 to Ayr! They celebrated twice and whoever celebrated the awarding of the penalty before it was scored needs to have a look at themselves," he joked. 

It was a family affair for McGinn, with brother John receiving his winner's medal as part of the Hibs team that finished the season as Champions.

It was the ideal situation," he said. "It was a day I'll be able to look on with fondness. We managed to stay in the league and John has got his championship trophy so it was a great day for us both. He set up the first goal which I wasn't happy with and I'll be having a word with him. But I'm delighted for him, they've deserved it and it was brilliant to play in that atmosphere."

A gallery of pictures from yesterday's 1-1 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road which secured Saints Championship status. 

Rory Loy netted on the hour mark after Grant Holt had given the hosts the lead. Loy's goal was enough to gain the Buddies the point they needed to avoid the relegation play-offs and saw St Mirren end the campaign in seventh.

Match gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography and  John Millar - © millarpictures