A fan-owned club, run in partnership.

Fan ownership, the SMiSA way

The St Mirren Independent Supporters Association (SMiSA) bought out the remaining shareholding of former chairman Gordon Scott to become majority (51%) owners of the Buddies, safeguarding the future of the club — formed in 1877 — by placing it in the hands of the people who care for it the most.

That move came in conjunction with charity and social enterprise Kibble, who in 2020 bought a 27% stake to become part-owners. The model — where the club is owned by its fans and run in partnership with a charity — is believed to be unique in top-flight European football.

The dream was only realised thanks to the financial backing of SMiSA's near-1,600 strong membership over the past 20 years. Now the shares are purchased, members' contributions go towards supporting the youth academy and the charitable foundation.

SMiSA have four representatives on the board: chairman John Needham, Alex White, Paul McNeill and Jim Irvine. Vice-chairman Jim Gillespie and Mark McMillan sit as Kibble representatives. The day-to-day operation continues to be led by COO Keith Lasley and the St.Mirren staff.

Our Kibble partnership

Kibble, the leading child and youth care charity, became part-owners of St.Mirren in March 2020 alongside SMiSA — believed to be a UK first as the only top-flight club owned by its fans and run in partnership with one of the country's biggest charities.

Kibble's purpose in pairing up with a Premiership team is to expand their young workforce development programme and improve the future prospects of young people. Together we address local deprivation and exclusion through youth employment, community engagement and shared facilities at the SMiSA Stadium and Ralston training ground.