St Mirren in the Community are delighted to confirm that the SMiSA Panda Club will be open as usual for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against Raith Rovers at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The SMiSA Panda Club will open at 1:00pm on Saturday. Parents please note that you should pick up your kids after the final whistle from the community office at 5:00pm.

Please note that for tomorrow's game entry to the SMiSA Panda Club is FREE of charge. Places are limited so you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

For further information about the SMiSA Panda Club or to book your place at the next SMiSA Panda Club match day please contact Stephen Gallacher by e-mail at stephen.gallacher@stmirren.com.

Panda Club details for Saturday’s game are as follows:

St Mirren v Raith Rovers
Saturday 29th April 2017
1:00pm – 5:00pm

To find out more about the Panda Club click here

Billy O’Brien says that avoiding the drop would be one of the greatest achievements in most of the players’ careers.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently on loan from Manchester City, staying in the Ladbrokes Championship could be a highlight of the players’ entire careers because of what they have done to get from where they were in January to now having the chance to avoid the drop.

People wouldn’t think it but doing this would probably be one of the greatest achievements in most of our careers," he told stmirren.com "We’re not winning something but because of where we were and where we can get to.

"If we win this game we’re guaranteed not to finish bottom, if that was offered to us three or four months ago we’d have snatched your hand off.

"By the end of January we’d been written off by so many people. It’s a huge incentive and it’s our aim to stay up whether it’s via the play-offs or not, as long as we get the job done we’re not bothered. To secure not finishing bottom is a step forward.”

"We know what we need to do to get the job done," O'Brien continued. "No matter what goes against us elsewhere we can still get it done, so it’s important that it’s in our hands. We’ve been on a really good run for three or four months now and we’re getting better step by step.”

On a personal level, joining St Mirren during this tough period has been very beneficial for O’Brien’s development; however he admitted that it has been a worrying time.

It’s what I needed," he said. "I don’t think I would have got that anywhere else in the world, it’s been a frightening period. Every single game for four months now has been must win but I’m enjoying every minute.”

The goalkeeper also commented on the importance of the fans and knows they will be out in force tomorrow to back the team. 

The fans have been massive, I’ve no doubt about them. Since day one for me they’ve been unbelievable in every aspect, home and away. They can see that we’re fighting on the pitch and that’s all we can do.

"We’re just a set of lads that are working hard together doing the best we can and whatever happens, happens. We appreciate their support because it’s been outstanding.”

The SPFL has today announced that the Group Stage draw for the 2017 Betfred Cup will take place on Friday, 2 June.

The 2017 Betfred Cup will kick off another season of Scottish football and follows a hugely successful first year in the competition’s unique format which saw a number of innovations introduced. BT Sport continue as broadcast partner of the Betfred Cup for a second season.

The Group Stage draw sees the 40 participating clubs placed into eight groups of five and scheduled to play four games across five match dates – 15 July, 19 July, 22 July, 26 July and 29 July (subject to broadcast selections).

The format, announced in advance of the 2016 Betfred Cup, sees all drawn Group Stage matches go straight to a penalty shoot-out with the winners earning an extra ‘bonus point’ in addition to the traditional point given for a draw.

Following the Group Stage, the eight group winners and four best runners-up join the four UEFA participants in the second round when the competition reverts to knockout matches, culminating in the 2017 Betfred Cup Final on Sunday 26 November. Celtic defeated Aberdeen 3-0 in the 2016 Betfred Cup Final in November earlier this season. 

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said:

“We’re very pleased to be able to confirm that the Group Stage draw of the 2017 Betfred Cup will take place on Friday, 2 June, a date for clubs and supporters to really look forward to.

“The first year of the new format was universally popular and with 80 Group Stage matches to be enjoyed during the summer it is the perfect way to kick off another Scottish football season of entertainment, excitement and drama.”

Click here to see the scheduled dates for all rounds of the 2017 Betfred Cup.

St Mirren could guarantee not finishing bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship when they host Raith Rovers tomorrow in a must win game.

A win for the Saints would see them leapfrog the Kirkcaldy side heading into the final match of the season. And with Raith facing current bottom side Ayr United on the final day, a Buddies victory tomorrow would mean that they cannot finish in 10th place.

The Buddies have faced Raith Rovers three times this season only managing a win on one occasion. Jack Ross was in charge for the last two meetings between the sides which saw him win one and lose one.

The first meeting between the two sides came back in August and saw visitors St Mirren suffer a 3-1 defeat. Declan McManus opened the scoring after 17 minutes. Ross Callachan then doubled the Rovers’ lead on the 50th minute before McManus scored his second and Raith’s third just a minute later. Rangers loanee Ryan Hardie pulled one back for the Saints just after the hour mark, but it wasn't enough to stir a Saints comeback.

Jack Ross had taken over as St Mirren manager when Raith Rovers travelled to the Paisley 2021 Stadium for the second league match between the sides. The Buddies, who had just picked up their first league win of the season a few days earlier, made it back-to-back triumphs with a goal from Lewis Morgan early on in the second half securing all three points.

The last clash between the two relegation rivals saw the Saints travel to Kirkcaldy to face Raith at Stark’s Park. Hardie, back on loan at Rovers after his spell at St Mirren, scored a double late on in the second half to give his side an important victory.

Despite coming off the back off a frustrating defeat to Dundee United last week, Jack Ross’ side will be confident going into tomorrow’s game following a great run of form aside from the Tannadice hiccup. The Buddies have won four of their last seven league matches and lost only two of their last 10.

It has all the makings of a tense and exciting game as both teams know a win will see them avoid finishing at the foot of the table ahead of the final day.

Our match day programme, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, will be available from the Club Shop ahead of Saturday’s game.

This issue, for the Ladbrokes Championship match against Raith Rovers, is a 48 pager with a £3 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Adam Eckersley.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Jack Ross with his thoughts on recent matches and his pre-match message for the fans.
Matchday Gallery – Pictures from the post-match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home game against Dumbarton.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Last Time Out – Match report and pictures of last Saturday's Championship match away to Dundee United.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher gives his thoughts on the upcoming match between St Mirren and Raith Rovers..
The Opposition – Brian Corry gives the lowdown on Saturday's visitors, John Hughes' Raith Rovers side.
Hall of Fame – David Cochran highlights the St Mirren career of Gerry Baker who was part of the 1959 Scottish Cup winning side.
Player Interview – Rory Loy talks about his second stint at St Mirren and working with manager Jack Ross.
Action Shot (Centre Pages) – Defender Adam Eckersley.
St Mirren Supporters Trust – John White updates on the latest happenings from SMiSA.
Fans Corner – Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Championship Round-Up – A look back at week 33 of the Ladbrokes Championship season.
Last Time Out 2 – Match report and pictures from the recent match away to Morton.
Last Time Here – A gallery of match pictures from Raith Rovers' last visit to Paisley on league business back on 10th December.
Kit Sponsors 2016/17.
Marketing Matters – Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy brings us up to date with all the commercial activities within the Club.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2016/17 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures for this season.
Team Lines – The two squads and match officials for Saturday’s match.

To buy this issue or to place your programme subscription for the 2016/17 season click HERE.

If you live outside the UK & Ireland, St Mirren TV is your way to watch Paisley’s top football side live in action each and every home match day.

This service, which is delivered by media students from the University of the West of Scotland, will cover all of St Mirren’s home games.

As usual the St Mirren TV team will be presenting all the action from The Paisley 2021 Stadium when Raith Rovers are the visitors on Saturday afternoon.

If you want to tune in here is the info you will need:

St Mirren v Raith Rovers
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 29th April 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm BST

To access this match day service:

1 Day Pass – €6.99 EUR
Season Pass – €69.99 EUR

To view Terms & Conditions and get started with St Mirren TV please click HERE.

For technical support with St Mirren TV please e-mail tvsupport@stmirren.com

We are giving fans the opportunity to vote for the man of the match and also put two lucky fans in with the chance of winning a £10 voucher for the Club Shop.

Every home game we’ll throw open the voting on the 60 minute mark for 20 minutes where votes can be cast on Facebook and Twitter. All you have to do is use the hashtag #SMFCMOM followed by the name of the player you are voting for, eg ‘#SMFCMOM MALLAN’.

With 10 minutes of the game remaining all the votes will be counted then the Stadium Announcer will confirm the winning player over the tannoy system.

From all the fans who nominate the winning player one will be picked at random from the Facebook account and another from the Twitter account and they will each be awarded a £10 voucher for the Club Shop. The winners will be notified through the account they posted from.

So get yourself ready on the hour mark of Saturday’s game against Raith Rovers and get voting with #SMFCMOM.

Paisley Panda is all set for Saturday’s match against Raith Rovers with his preparations all in place for the popular match day competition ‘Bung a Baw’.

To take part in ‘Bung a Baw’ fans need to purchase a small foam ball which is numbered and they will then have a chance to throw their ball towards our club mascot Paisley Panda in front of the Family Stand. Each person will have 60 seconds to do this and the winner will be the person who has thrown the ball closest to the feet of the Panda with the winner being confirmed over the PA system.

The competition is sponsored by The Linwood Farm Restaurant who are supplying a family meal voucher as the prize for the contest winner.

Each ball will cost £1 to buy. The balls will be available from sellers inside the Family Stand in the 30 minutes leading up to kick-off and then again in the first 5 minutes of half-time before the competition starts (subject to availability). Each ball is numbered and participants will also get a ticket with the corresponding number which they will use to claim the prize if they win.

Paisley Panda reports that ‘Bung a Baw’ continues to be very popular so he advises that you get in early tomorrow to purchase your ball to take part.

As well as taking care of ‘Bung a Baw’ Paisley Panda will be giving away sweets to the kids in and around the stadium courtesy of the Black and White Army website.

Paisley Panda has also teamed up with the St Mirren Club Shop so you will be able to buy hats and scarves for the game from the 'Bung a Baw' stands.

Paisley Panda is pleased to confirm that ‘First Scorer’ will be back for tomorrow's game against Raith Rovers.

‘First Scorer’ gives fans the opportunity to predict in advance of the game who they think will score St Mirren's first goal in Saturday’s match against The Rovers.

Two winners will be picked at random from those who guessed correctly and they will each win a signed copy of Paisley singer, Lisa Kowalski’s debut EP which is also available to buy from iTunes.

To enter all you have to do ahead of the game is post your prediction of the first St Mirren scorer on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #Saints1stgoal.

The lucky winners will be notified through the account they posted from confirming the instructions to collect their voucher from the Club Shop after the match.

St Mirren v Raith Rovers
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 29th April 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm

The match day officials for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against John Hughes' Raith Rovers side are as follows:

Referee: Kevin Clancy.
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson.
Assistant Referee: Barry Reid.

If you are thinking about coming to the Paisley 2021 Stadium for the first time on Saturday please click HERE for all the info you will need to make sure your match day experience runs as smoothly as possible.

Match Details

The game kicks-off at 3:00pm.

Season Tickets ARE valid for this game.

Match is all ticket – tickets will be on sale (subject to availability) UNTIL KICK OFF.

On the match day St Mirren fans can purchase their tickets (subject to availability) at the St Mirren Ticket Office from 10:00am to kick-off time (3:00pm).

We also now have a Ticket Booth sited at the West Stand beside turnstiles T11-14 on a match day.  The Ticket Booth is only for the purchase of tickets (subject to availability) for the West Stand, and also the pick-up point for pre-ordered tickets for the West Stand.  The Ticket Booth will be open from 1:30pm to 3:00pm (kick-off).

The Raith Rovers fans can purchase their tickets (subject to availability) from the window at the away end of the ground (North Stand) from 1:30pm to kick-off time (3:00pm).

Tickets can also be purchased from the Online Ticket Shop.

The St Mirren Ticket Office (Main Stand) opening hours in the build up to this match are as follows:

Fri, 28th Apr: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Sat, 29th Apr: 10:00am to 3:00pm (kick-off)

Please note that fans can buy tickets for the game away to Hibernian up till 1:30pm on Saturday 29th April and that the St Mirren Ticket Office will open again for 30 minutes after the Raith Rovers game for fans to buy tickets for the match at Easter Road Stadium.

The Ticket Booth (West Stand) opening hours in the build up to this match are as follows:

Sat, 29th Apr: 1:30pm to 3:00pm (kick-off)

Ticket Office Phone No: (0141) 840-6130.
St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com.

Please note that the Club Shop is also open the same hours as the Ticket Office.

Ticket Information

Visitor Information