St Mirren Football Club was saddened to hear of the passing of long-time Saints supporter Gordian Mothersole.

Gordian was a highly active member of the St Mirren family as chair of the Barry McLaughlin testimonial committee as well as becoming the first chair of the St Mirren Fans Council.

Gordian's face was well known to all around the club including staff and players in his role at the Black and White magazine.

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick said: "Everyone at St Mirren is deeply saddened by the news of Gordian's passing.

"Gordian loved St Mirren and was truly a great person who was highly respected by all who knew him. I was lucky to know Gordian personally and was devastated to hear the news yesterday.

"On behalf of the club I would like to pass on our condolences to Gordian's wife Susan and their sons Gordian and Graeme as well as his extended family."

It’s been a long seven months without match day entertainment and the SLO’s/Panda know you are missing it as much as they are so this Halloween, they are coming to you!

Between 3-8pm on Saturday 31st October a very spooky looking Paisley Panda will be going 'trick or treating' around Paisley (PA1 to PA11). Not only is the Panda going to bring the trick but the club will also be supplying a treat for the kids!

To get involved all you have to do is email colin.bright@stmirren.com with your address and how many kids will be in your house.

You will then receive a confirmation email followed by a further email nearer the time giving you an estimated time of arrival for the Panda.

This service is absolutely free however spaces are limited so please book now, we don’t want any disappointed buddies!

It will be possible to have a picture with the Panda, however, please note we must comply with social distancing rules at all times.

Football stadiums across the world fell silent. The Scottish Premiership came to an abrupt halt. Football, a form of escapism for many and a source of joy; but also a business and livelihood for many, ceased as the whole world faced the unknown.

St Mirren FC and the wider community banded together in solidarity – and we expected nothing less.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

As the sale of season tickets launched during a time where fans understandably had other priorities and concerns, unwavering support was shown from all. Be In That Number was the sentiment loudly shared through actions and words.

We decided that each season ticket holder should receive their own personalised number because the fans are the most important part of the club. Each individual deserved unique recognition and were awarded their own number, just like the players on the pitch. The commitment to purchase a 2020/21 season ticket was worth commemorating.

Our Be In That Number messaging was proudly displayed far and wide across the streets of Paisley on billboards and shared online across multiple social media platforms.  

St Mirren FC Manager Jim Goodwin made a standout appearance on the streets of Paisley, while Saints fans brightened up a grey day.

Be In That Number successfully created a sense belonging as fans joined in the social media conversations sharing their number with fellow followers and supporters.

Saints fans took to social media to share their number

Fans truly came to the forefront with their support and generosity. We are pleased to report that over 3,200 season tickets have been sold to date, almost matching the sales from the previous season.

Thank You, Fans

As a thank you, the club were determined to find a way to reward fans and add excitement and hope to the anticipated return of football. A prize draw was introduced to present lucky fans with incredible, once in a lifetime experiences.

Christie Wishart won lunch with the gaffer and a player of her choosing. James McCulloch was awarded the iconic number of 1877 and will have the West Stand named after him in his honour for one match. Emily Keane and Grace Keane will be our new stadium announcers for one game and Gary Montgomery will attend a match with our Chief Executive, Tony Fitzpatrick.

Last but not least, Ryan Watson was one of the first to own the new home shirt.

Our hope was to help create magical moments for fans. The delight expressed by the winners was wonderful to hear.

      Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick Presenting Ryan Watson With The First Home Shirt

The Search for Paisley’s Other Saints

We have been pleased and privileged to introduce our Saints In That Number initiative. Saints in the community who have performed selfless acts of kindness throughout the recent challenging times will receive a St Mirren FC family season ticket. Fans have had the opportunity to nominate and help us in our search to find local heroes, NHS staff and other outstanding individuals who regularly show tremendous thoughtfulness.

Kibble, our partner and major stakeholder, has followed in our footsteps to donate a selection of tickets and several Paisley businesses, including Claymore Contracts Ltd, Scotjet Ltd and CY Turf have also joined the campaign.

Football is a way of life for so many people and we want to do anything we can to let the wider community know that we stand together and are there to support them.

Mental Health Support For All Staff

To help ensure the wellbeing of the wider Kibble and St Mirren team, mental health support was offered to staff, management and players. Private, one-to-one sessions with Kibble’s psychologists were available online or on the phone. The service re-emphasised the Be In That Number messaging as the integral members of staff who are dedicated to running the club were proactively supported too.

Football Is Back *

As the historical season kicked off, we celebrated as much as we could.

Obika and fans celebrate the return of football with the caveat that matches will be behind closed doors.

We cannot wait until fans and players are reunited together in the stadium. However, we are fully committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our team, staff, fans and community and will only open the stadium when guidelines permit. *Football is back but behind closed doors for now.

Until that day comes, the players feel the strong sense of support from fans as cardboard cut outs fill the stands and digital screens flick through an array of supporter photos.

Fans fill the stadium through our digital screens, letting the players know they have a full support system behind them.

St Mirren TV

Until then, we promise to bring you exclusive insights and show you #BehindTheSaints through St Mirren TV. Our TV platform will feature live matches, behind the scenes footage and interviews. You can catch every moment of the action live on St Mirren TV.

Positive Thinking

Our Be In That Number messaging will be forever remembered, signage around the stadium has been hung for everyone to see on their return. When the sound of you, the fans, cheering and chanting these words from the stadium, will echo for miles, our mantra will be once again brought to life with more significance than ever before… When the Saints go marching in!

As part of the #BeInThatNumber season ticket campaign we decided that each season ticket holder deserved their own Saints number, just like the players on the pitch.

That is why with each 2020/21 season ticket we granted you your own number, starting at the number 12 – recognising that the fans are our 12th man. That number is yours to proudly own.

We have had a sensational response from season ticket holders and have sold over 3200 so far.

All of these numbers have now been sent out to 2020/21 season ticket holders on our database, if you haven’t received your 'Be in that Number’'these are some of the common reasons behind this:

- Some email providers have directed them to either the spam or promotions (gmail) folder
- Your email address hasn’t been updated when you changed it
- We do not have an email address for you
- You are under 16, in which case the adult associated with your ticket would have received the numbers

We would ask that anyone who hasn’t received their number checked their spam/promotions folder initially or contact events@stmirren.com to update your contact information.

Your support of St Mirren has never been more vital, and we thank you for Being In That Number during the 2020/21 season. 

When 2020/21 St Mirren FC Season Tickets went on sale the club wished to add more value to owning a season ticket by entering supporters into exclusive draws to win some incredible ‘money can’t buy’ prizes.

So far we’ve had a supporter guaranteed that they will be the first person to own our new 2020/21 home strip, while two young supporters will get the chance to the stadium announcers at a match when it is safe to do so and another supporter will have the West Stand named after them for a match next season.

Our latest prize winner will be announced this coming Tuesday (14th July). One lucky winner will be a guest of Jim Goodwin, and a player of their choice, for a visit to St Mirren Park followed by lunch in the hospitality suite.

We’ll have more incredible prizes up for grabs and the only way to ensure you’re in with a chance of winning is to buy your 2020/21 season ticket. Get yours now! 

Our new virtual 50/50 half-time draw returns this weekend for our Saturday’s classic match stream.

Supporters have the chance to support our St Mirren Youth Academy and win some cash!

Last weekend saw the launch of our virtual 50/50 draw with supporter John Moore winning a cool £577.50!

This weekend we will be showing the full replay of our IRN-BRU Cup semi-final win over Welsh side the New Saints in 2017 on our YouTube page.

The draw will be made during the half-time break with the first prize winner receiving 50% of net sales with the other half going towards developing our stars of the future at the St Mirren Youth Academy. The second prize winner will receive an autographed ball.

The app will select the winners which will be announced on the club’s social media channels at 3:55pm on Saturday afternoon

Grab the winning feeling and enter with tickets costing just £1 each with no limit on the amount of tickets you can purchase. To enter, simply click the link for the virtual draw.

Entries will close at 3:00pm on Saturday 6th June 2020. Good luck!

It's competition time!

Street Stuff are giving you the chance to win a St Mirren branded football signed by first team manager Jim Goodwin.

All you have to do is print, colour in and return the team image attached for a chance to win.

There are two signed footballs available and two chances to win. 

The first is a team prize. The youth team that sends in the most individual designs will win a ball (Make sure you add your team name to banner). The second ball will go to whoever sends in the best design. 

All finished designs should be sent to stephen.gallacher@stmirren.com with winners selected on Friday 8th May 2020.

Good luck!

All of our fans are the heart of the club and we want to be able to support you throughout this challenging time; just as you have always supported St Mirren and our local community.

The St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation would like to reach out to those who are struggling through this time. If you feel this is something you will benefit from then please get in touch on one of the ways listed below to enable a volunteer to be in touch with you.

We are here for you and our community has never been more important.

Contact us:

General Enquiries – info@stmirren.com 

Charitable Foundation - foundation@stmirren.com

Gayle Brannigan - gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com 

A bucket collection at the Simple Digital Arena before our match against Hearts last month raised £486 for Marie Curie during their Great Daffodil appeal.

Marie Curie Nurses and frontline staff give vital support to dying people and their families, in their homes and our hospices across the UK. At this time of national emergency, when the NHS is being put under extreme strain, these crucial services are needed more than ever.

Sara Murray, Community fundraiser at Marie Curie said: "Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to collect at your grounds, your support is greatly appreciated, especially at the current time.

"If anybody would like to support further, they can find more details of the Marie Curie Emergency appeal at www.mariecurie.org.uk. 

"Thank you again to everyone at St Mirren for your kind generosity."

Saints striker Jon Obika took part in a Q&A with supporters on social media this afternoon. 

Find his answers to some of the questions put to him below. 

Q (@dj_nicol): Jon or Jonathan? Also - favourite goal for Saints?

A: Jon and my first goal against St Johnstone

Q (@healy1877): What do you put down to your recent excellent run of form? Also would you like to extend your stay at the club? Lastly, how easy was it to settle in Scotland?

A: Different training drills to do with timing and visualising my position to gain space in the box. Yes, I'd like to. It was difficult to settle as I didn't have a pre-season, but now I'm up to speed I'm enjoying it. 

Q: (@PDE_Sport): Do you ever sing your own song around the house? (and be honest!)

A: Lol, a few times in the shower!

Q: (@saintmurn): Do you feel you've had to change your game a lot since coming up to Scotland? Have you always been seen as a target man or is this a new part of your game you've had to adjust to?

A: I've definitely had to adjust my game as you come up against more defensive formations. I've been a target man or second striker through my career - I enjoy both!

Q: (@cassidy_alan): Do you remember the first song you had to sing in hospitality after a Saints game?

A: I think I sang Happy Birthday in a Barry White tone.

Q: (@PTFblog): Would you rather fight two Junior Morias-sized Gary MacKenzies or one Gary MacKenzie-sized Junior Morias? 

A: Neither! 

Q: (@dorman8smfc): Who do you get in with best in the squad? 

A: Junior Morias

Q: (@cwhyte25): Favourite thing about living in Scotland?

A: The different accents. 

Q: (@kyleblue2401): Who is the funniest in the dressing room? 

A: The duo of Danny Mullen and Cammy MacPherson lol

Q: (@glenvale2004): Our players are ages 15 and 16. What advice would you give to a 15/16 year-old?

A: Don't stop practicing, that's where your confidence comes from.

Q: (@FinnGibson7): Who's the best player you've ever played with?

A: May have been one or two games but more so in training I'd say Gareth Bale or Luka Modric.

Q: (@Gally87): Sophie asks....I play striker for my team and for my school, what advice would you give me to play the same position as you?

A: Enjoy being in position to score goals, make it a habit.

Q: (@AliDeFoy): Who has most influenced your football career and if you could work with any manager dead or alive who would you choose? 

A: My performance coach Jag Shoker and my academy manager at Tottenham John McDermott. If I could work with any manager it would be Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Q: (@RobHall46): How did he score that overhead kick? I must've missed that rehab session somehow

A: You taught me that one on the training ground!

Q: (Garry Williamson) Jon has shown great mental strength during a slower start than he might have liked but is now showing very good form (for which he deserves enormous respect!) What tips could he offer fans they might he able to use in these testing times to strengthen and enhance their own mental health?

A: Try and draw the positive things this period is making us realise. Time is important to everyone, use and share our time wisely.

Q: (Peter Mullan) What are he and the team doing to keep themselves fit. Can they keep themselves at the level of "readiness" they were reaching when the season was halted?

A: We've been given a programme by Junior Mendes which we follow to keep us ready for the restart. Match fitness will always be needed but it'll not take long to get up to speed.

Q: (Derek Heathwood) Jim Goodwin was a tough player but comes across as measured and balanced - what’s he really like in the dressing room? 

A: Very calm and composed, information is always clear. 

Q: (Alistair Orr) The last game against hearts was one of the most spirited performance I've seen in a long time. What do you do to get really hyped up before games?

A: Apart from music, remembering why I wanted to play football (family).