pondsman

Probably tussling with an opponent for a piece of the Bounty bar! Never mind, Stelios. You're a legend in Paisley, anyway.

Sums it all up nicely. I also live a good distance from Paisley and enjoy the travel and refreshments experience on a match day. Like some others, it's also good to know that my seat will be there waiting for me when I arrive. One further point. I think it was St. Ricky who suggested that the club might offer a deal on programme prices and season tickets. Just wonder if it would be possible to offer different 'bundles'. For example, a reduction if you buy a season ticket and a subscription to Buddievision, or one for a season ticket and car parking. Not sure about the economics, so it might not be viable for the club, but just a thought. Any comments/suggestions are welcome.

Totally agree with the above sentiment! However, the current uncertainty over the manager's future may be having some effect on the preparations for next season. For example, is that what's delaying Gavin Reilly's decision to sign a new contract? If the situation with Ipswich Town is resolved this week, then that might be OK because Jack, or any replacement appointed at St. Mirren, will still have time to find the players required for next season. However, if Jack doesn't get the Ipswich job, what happens then? Do we go through the rest of the summer wondering which club will come calling for him next? And how does he go about persuading players to come to St. Mirren, if it looks as though he might be gone before a ball is kicked? I'm only too well aware that JR is the best thing to happen to St. Mirren in a long time, but if he doesn't get the Ipswich job, and is still intent on finding a bigger club, should he not show his faith in his ability by resigning and letting Buddies appoint a new man to get on with the job that needs to be done at Greenhill Road in the next few weeks? Would that not be fair to the club? Just asking. Other views on how we can move the situation forward are welcome.

Totally agree with this. As someone else who lives a good distance from Paisley, the forum is my 'go to' place to get all the latest news and views about the Buddies. This is not available in my local area. I don't use social media outlets, so I really need the forum to keep me up to date with what's happening at St. Mirren Park. I also really enjoy the debates that go on here. If an argument develops that I'm not interested in or find boring, I just skim through the posts till I get back to something I want to read, and no harm done. I would just echo StanleySaint's plea that, before posting, contributors consider whether their comment is going to add to the debate. PLEASE keep the forum just as it is.

Sign of good professionals. Always looking to extend and deepen knowledge and experience of their subject. That will be necessary for the Premiership next season.

Back on topic. Sad to say, the day of the match programme is probably coming to an end. When they were introduced, they were the only source of detailed information about a club and its players. Hence the practice of collecting them, as a link to the club's history and achievements. But the world has moved on, I'm afraid. While older supporters continue to buy programmes largely out of habit (hence the digression into rituals in the posts above), a large amount of programme content is also available on the club website and social media outlets. This is where younger supporters will access it because it's where they access nearly all of the information they require for their lives. Sad but true.

Says it all, really.

Returning to the title of the thread, if anyone has any influence on this (though it's probably already too late for next season), can we please have traditional broad black and white stripes on the home strip and please, please, please, NOT that checked red and white disaster that we had this season for the away strip. It really hurt my eyes.

I agree that the club has done well in announcing departures at the first opportunity. Gives the players as much time as possible to find new clubs. Heartfelt thanks to all the players who are leaving for their efforts in getting the club back to the Premiership at the end of such an exciting season. Good luck to them all. Special mention to John Sutton who has not played so much recently, but has been with the club long enough to know just how much this season's success has meant to the supporters and who saw his contract out with dignity, never giving less than 100% to the job. Special mention also to Stelios, who played a big part in our success and formed a real bond with the supporters, despite being with us for just a short time. Great guy! Hope he finds another club quickly.

Many congratulations to Lewis for winning Championship Player of the Year. A clear and worthy winner. Head and shoulders above the other players in the division. Also nice to hear him give credit to his manager and the rest of the team. Thanks for what you've done for our club, Lewis, and all best wishes for the future.

Didn't see this coming, but many congratulations to Jack. Very well-deserved. Saints fans are all aware of what a massive job he took on when he came to our club and how he has gone about moving the club to the position it now finds itself in, but it's nice to see that achievement recognised by the wider football community. I have complete confidence that he and James Fowler will bring new players to the club who will improve the team for next season. I agree with others that the really dangerous time for us will be early in the new season, when other clubs are sacking managers and looking round for someone to replace them. If Jack has a good start to the season, he will definitely be a frontrunner for those kind of jobs. Just hope that he gets the time to make an impression in the Premiership with us.

No surprise that JR has been nominated. However, he has some tough opposition and if Celtic win another treble, there can be only one winner. While it would be nice to see JR's achievement recognised with a national award, I'm sure he's well aware of what the last 15 months have meant to our club and its supporters. National award or not, he has made himself a legend with us!

Another great accolade for the young man, and well-deserved. To be nominated along with the three players from the Premiership shows just what an impact he has made beyond our club. I don't think a return to playing with us next season (or part of it) is out of the question, as Celtic will want him playing regularly to help prepare him for an introduction to the Celtic squad. Playing regular games for us would be preferable to playing in a development team at Celtic. Whether he returns or not, Lewis deserves the success which I'm sure will come his way in the future. Thanks, Lewis, and all the best!

Cammy's goal was a great team effort, but probably just topped by the Accies' goal. Of the individual efforts, (though it pains me to say it) Tierney's was exceptional and will probably win. However Joe Cardle's effort runs it close.

Thanks for posting this, Shull. Interesting to see an outsider's view of the club. Wonder what he'd have made of the club and ground if he'd attended on an 'ordinary' Saturday.

Thanks, IOBS. Fitting tribute to the young lads in the singing section. They've been great all season, home and away. Just hope they keep it up next season when the games will surely be harder. But, hey, I'm sure Jack and James will bring new players along to help us cope. So.......... COYS!!

Great day out! Good, competitive game, deservedly won by Saints. Credit to Morton for their efforts. Presentation could have been better staged, but I thought the players' lap of honour was excellent. All took their time going round (as advised by JR) which gave us in the West Stand time to reward them for their achievement. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for the bus parade, but, considering what we normally have to look back on at the end of a season, this was a phenomenal day for us. On to next season, and I agree with others that we will need to be bigger and more physical. Again yesterday we saw how a strong team can bully us and push us off the ball at times. We can only expect much more of this next season. However, I'm sure Jack and James have plans to deal with this. In our management team we trust. So............... COYS!!

Totally agree with this summary of Stephen's influence on the team. Has inspired the younger players and is well on his way to becoming a Saints legend. What am I saying? He IS a Saints legend! COYS!!

I'll be there. I think JR will play a strong team to get revenge for the defeat at Paisley on Tuesday night. If he does, it's possibly the last chance to see the heroes who have won us the Championship all playing together - I want to see Sammy, Liam, Adam, big Gary, Harry, Stephen, Kyle, Ryan, Lewis, Cammy, Gavin and a wee cameo from Stelios. What a team they've been! Also, it's farewell and thanks to Alex Smith. So............ COYS!!

Yes, but that achievement is not quite in the same stratosphere as the Championship Player of the Year award! Anyway, after all the comments you've made about Sammy during the year, I know you're pulling our legs now.

Wow! What's that screeching sound I hear. Must be the greatest handbrake turn in history!

I think you're at the wind-up again, Shull, but I'll bite. I admire Dobbie's scoring record, but that's all he seems to have going for him. If it's just about goals scored, then surely Scott McDonald or Gavin Reilly would have been nominated before Cammy Smith. Morgan has scored 13 league goals and also has 5 assists. He is clearly a very talented player with more strings to his bow than just goal-scoring. His goals and general play have made a huge contribution to his team winning the Championship and he has earned himself a transfer to the top team in the country (and made a decent financial contribution to his club in the process). He is by a long way the player of the year in his league.

Already given my view on a pitch invasion on another thread. The request from the club seems perfectly reasonable. Would hope that all saints fans comply. A win against Morton, the presentation of the Championship trophy and a demonstration of good behaviour from fans will be a fitting way to end the season at Greenhill Road.

Seems a reasonable request from the club. Would like to see all Saints fans comply. A win against Morton and presentation of the Championship trophy should be a satisfying enough conclusion to the day. No need to go any further over the top.

Samson - must stay Eckersley - must stay Liam Smith - would love to keep but looks like he's returning to Hearts. Stelios - love his enthusiasm but not reliable enough for Premiership, I'm afraid. Irvine - should probably let him go. Baird, Mackenzie, Davis - must all stay McGinn - must stay Magennis - must stay McShane - should probably let him go. Flynn - should stay Hill - let him return to Celtic Donati - only keep in a coaching role Sutton - should leave with thanks for his contribution Cammy Smith - must stay Reilly - must stay Mullen - should stay Hippolyte - could let him go, I think Todd - should return from loan. Has done well at Queens. Don't know the other younger players well enough to comment.