The season isn’t over yet and we continue to push to finish as high as possible in the league. However, I wanted to write to you ahead of our 2025/26 Season Ticket launch to thank you, on behalf of the Directors, for your fantastic support throughout what has been a challenging but very successful campaign.
Following this season’s record season ticket sales you’ve backed us in record numbers again and the team have responded magnificently by delivering another Top Six finish.
It’s been a roller coaster of a year in many ways but the resilience, quality and performances from the players delivered once again. I’m sure, like me, you’ve enjoyed seeing the team become more competitive against the top teams in the country. They may enjoy bigger budgets but with great organisation and attitude it’s remarkable what can be achieved. I believe it’s been the same in the stands at The SMiSA Stadium where your vociferous backing has inspired the players to score many late goals and deliver excellent team performances. Thank you.
Behind the scenes Keith and his team have continued to improve the effectiveness of the business. They all work so hard for the club, along with our volunteers, and they are rightly receiving increasing recognition for the successes across the key areas of our strategy - Paisley, People and Performance. They do a brilliant job with the budget available.
As you’ll be aware we face increased costs across the board. Following the imposition of increased Employers’ National Insurance, a rise in the living wage and the effect of inflation, both our direct costs (wage costs) and indirect costs (stewarding, policing and other supplies) have risen significantly. However, by limiting the increase in season ticket prices as much as we can, our tickets for the season ahead remain very competitive when compared to our Premiership rivals. This is particularly the case for concessions and young people - our fans of the future.
It’s always difficult when prices rise, but we want to remain competitive in the Premiership and give Stephen and his staff as much support as we can. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that he has spent wisely on the squad and we have also continued to invest where we can at the training ground and the stadium to provide the best possible environment for them to train and perform. We also want to enhance facilities for our loyal fan base and hope to deliver further improvements to the match day experience in the coming season.
As a majority fan owned club, it’s critical that we continue to increase the sales of season tickets and I hope as many of you as possible will choose to renew your tickets or join the increasing number of season ticket holders. It’s also a perfect time to join SMiSA and contribute to the ongoing progress of the club. SMiSA has contributed vital monies in the past and if we can grow their membership further it will increase their ability to support the club financially in the future to help us compete with the clubs that have significant external financial investors.
Thanks again for your loyal and unstinting support.
