thewhiteman

you are right of course, and its for that reason smisa are getting (and always have over the years) the two free positions to raffle

if a member brings a guest it wont be a problem them both being there at noon, although the discussion for the first half hour will discussing the past year and members voting, accounts etc hence the open to all public meeting half an hour after that as that part of the meeting will only relate to the bid
in any organisation it makes sense to try and inform the current members what the intentions are and be the first to know what is happening hence them being told about the meeting before
there will be further information issued and meetings organised for anyone wishing to find out more

Yes, I could do that. It would seem that any kind of upfront payments would be a good thing, though, so I hope that is being considered. There's also the question of people who may be willing or able to pay more than the requested amount. I know it's clear it's one member one vote, but there would probably be some willing to donate a bit more.

Back of the Net Exhibition 8 of 11
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OFF-FIELD ANTICS
Sometimes the antics off the field can be as entertaining as the action on the pitch, with over-exuberant fans, cheeky announcements from the tannoy and questionable mascot behaviour all adding to the fun!
*
“When I was a boy my dad took me to see St.Mirren every week from around 1968 onwards. My lasting memory of these games as a young child was the singing, ‘Hey Jude’ being the one I remember the most, plus the half-time entertainment. This consisted of the latest ‘pop tunes’ played over the tannoy. Whilst these were being played this huge bald-headed guy use to leap from the Northbank, resplendent in what can only be described as a black and white hooped romper suit, and proceeded to dance until the teams came out for the second half. Some of the older fans might remember this guy as he was affectionately known as ‘Mad Peter’. The last I remember of ‘Mad Peter’ was the season we won the First Division in 1977 and he used to stand up at the back of the Northbank with a huge sombrero hat on and yodel.” - P.P.
*
“My dad was the stadium announcer back in the early 1980s. One time at half time a young woman appeared at his commentary booth bearing two pies and two bovrils. She said she had gone to get them for her and her husband but couldn’t remember where she was sitting. So my dad said over the tannoy ‘I have an attractive young lady here with two pies and two bovrils and she can’t remember where she is sitting. Can her husband put his hand up’ – and about 100 or so arms were raised in the stands!” - Andrew W.
*
“One of my favourite memories of watching St Mirren came at Love St in October 1983, a week after seeing Rangers off three-nothing. Many of us perhaps felt that we had little right to expect further bounty from football’s horn of plenty. Demolishing both halves of the Old Firm inside eight days was pretty much the province of Aberdeen and Dundee United back then. In preceding seasons, Celtic had given the impression that they didn’t consider it worth turning up against St Mirren for less than five, and when they went two up with their first two attacks, I must confess I was already consoling myself that at least I would get to see some goals that afternoon.
But then two events changed my gloomy outlook, although they could not be said to be related by anything more than that they took place within a hundred yards of each other. The first happened in the crowd, and involved a character familiar from previous Old Firm matches at Love St: the drunken hardcase wandering provocatively around the home supporters’ section of the terrace. This particular peace envoy found a good sounding-spot about five yards down the terrace from where I stood, and began swearing happily at the Buddies’ hard-core North Bank support.
Then I heard a loud cry of “HAW!” from the back of the terraces, and turned round to see a barely-chewed pie sailing through the air. I was able to follow its flight path almost from launch until it impacted entertainingly on the face of our erstwhile taunter. He had looked up in response to the shout but was too drunk to move out of the way.
Fixed by that particularly adhesive grease that holds pies together, the pie sat there on his face as he wobbled uncomprehendingly for a few seconds, then slid slowly down and eventually fell off. He staggered away in silence into the waiting arms of some kindly gentlemen in blue uniforms, who were offering to escort him to less hostile surroundings.
The second event was that John “Cowboy” McCormack suddenly seemed to decide that two goals was enough of a start, and set about relentlessly demolishing Celtic’s midfield. Saints pulled one back, and I remember thinking that things might not end so disgracefully after all. Within about ten more minutes we were leading three-two, and by the time the third bout of jumping ecstatically around the terraces was over, I looked down to see that for the last few seconds I had been bouncing up and down on that pie.
Celtic struggled in search of an equaliser in the comparatively disappointing second half, and piled on increasing pressure, only for it all to fall apart when Ian Scanlan burnt the ball past Bonner from a full 40 yards.” – Christopher B.
*
“Some of the antics that Paisley Panda has got up to over the years were hilarious, totally meant in jest and just banter between rivals. These have included waving a giant cardboard ‘Magic Tree’ air freshener in front of Morton fans and also throwing bars of soap into their fans. I remember once wondering what was in the giant holdall he carried onto the pitch, and after a bit of a warm up, he unzipped it and out popped ‘Junior P’, the baby Panda mascot! There was also the time that he used a Falkirk training top as a piece of toilet roll to clean his bum – this led to numerous complaints and the ‘Panda’ resigning before he was sacked! People used to turn up at the ground early just to see what the Panda was going to do this time. Seems that football has no sense of fun anymore, it’s no wonder it’s in decline....” – Carol C.

Falkirk chairman has launched a protest about all Championship games being changed to Sunday 1/5 to accommodate St Mirren v New Team being on tv.

it will be

Back of the Net Exhibition 7 of 11
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CUP VICTORIES
To date, St Mirren have won the Scottish Cup three times (1926, 1959, 1987) and the League Cup just once in 2013. Other cup success has included the Barcelona Cup in 1922 and the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1980, the only Scottish side to have ever won these trophies.
*
“My earliest memory dates back to 1959, when I was 9 years old and going to the Scottish Cup Final when St.Mirren beat Aberdeen 3-1. There were 108,000 in the crowd, and over 60,000 St.Mirren supporters, many of whom walked to Hampden Park, the rest travelling by train, tram or bus as there were very few car owners those days. My dad and I were fortunate that we travelled from our home in Argyle Street, Paisley, to Hampden in the back of a plumber's van driven by our neighbour Larry Miller, a Paisley plumber, along with Larry's friend Mr Fenton, his son Jim, and Larry's son David. I remember sitting slightly uncomfortably on Mr. Miller's upside down plumber's bucket ‘Oor Wullie’ fashion in the back of the van, all the way to Hampden, but of course it was well worth it!” ­– John B.
*
“I remember being in Cotton Street after the 1959 cup final victory. It was wall to wall people heading for County Square to wait for the team to return. They came out on to the balcony of the county buildings above the jail. I was seven years old at the time, too young to go to the game, but was with my cousin in County Square and he lifted me up on to his shoulders. It was unbelievable the amount of people that were there.” – Alan C.
*
“The ‘87 Cup Final and the Coat: The first round was against the then Highland League side Inverness Caledonian at Love Street. It was a freezing cold day in January so I decided to wear my sheepskin coat. And we won 3-0. Second round, Morton at Cappielow. Once again it was a horrible day so once again the sheepskin coat made an appearance. And again we won, 3-2 in a right thriller. Two rounds, two victories was enough to convince me that the coat was some kind of lucky charm. So on to the quarter-final against Raith Rovers at Starks Park. And the coat came too. And this time it was a fairly comfortable 2-0 victory. And so, on to the semi-final at Hampden against Hearts. By this time the weather had started to warm up but there was no way I was leaving my lucky coat at home. So, once again, it all went to plan and we gubbed the Jambos 2-1 with Frank McGarvie grabbing the winner. And I almost died of heat stroke. But the lucky coat was still doing the business and we were in the final.
The day of the final came along and it was a beautiful sunny day and my wife banned me from wearing the coat! I just knew it was futile to argue so it was with a heavy heart I met all my mates for a pint (at 1959 prices!) in the town, which was absolutely heaving. My mates were a bit annoyed (to say the least) that I wasn't wearing the coat... And of course I almost got lynched when Ian Ferguson (of the Dundee United variety) scored. You can imagine my relief when it was chalked off. And relief turned to sheer joy when our Ian Ferguson scored the goal that won us the cup for the first time in 3 decades in extra time. What a day!
I never wore that coat to the football again.....” – Jim R.
*
“Although I was living in England at the time nothing would have stopped me attending the 1987 Scottish Cup Final. The queue of supporters waiting for the train snaked around from the Moss Street entrance to Gilmour Street Station into County Square. Everyone in it was singing at the top of their voices, laughing, joking and smiling. I’ve never sung as much in one day as I did on that day.
The game itself wasn’t brilliant and my only outstanding memory is of Dundee United scoring and the entire St Mirren contingent watching in stunned silence as the United fans went absolutely potty. Then as the realisation spread through the ranks of Dundonians that their goal had been disallowed the scene was immediately reversed, the United fans frozen in silent disbelief and the Saints around us erupting in unbridled joy and relief! Some minutes later of course came the moment of truth. Ian Ferguson’s magnificent strike sent the entire Paisley contingent into collective monumental ecstasy. We were hugging each other, kissing each other, leaping, dancing, screaming and singing for sheer joy – we were about to WIN the Scottish cup! True happiness it seemed was within our fevered grasp. And so, of course, it proved. And let me tell you, there’s no feeling like it.
We caroused back to Mount Florida Station, a living column of seething Paisley cup-winning joy. The songs were non-stop and they continued for the rest of the day well in to the wee small hours. From Gilmour Street it was straight to the pub, out to welcome our heroes back with the cup on the balcony of the town hall and then back to the pub, more beer and much more singing!
Once the pubs closed people converged on Dunn Square, even though it was getting on for past midnight. A crowd of about 2000 people gathered, simply singing their hearts out with the sheer, uplifting joy of it all. Eventually I wended my weary way home to Hunterhill, meeting several bedraggled fellow fans on the way, all equally tired out from rejoicing. It was like Hogmanay, only better to the nth degree!” –B.L.
*
“I have been lucky in my life so far of following the Buddies, having seen them win the Scottish Cup in 1959 and 1987, the Anglo Scottish Cup in 1980, and, of course, an unforgettable 17th March 2013 which turned St.Patrick's Day into St.Mirren's Day when they lifted the Scottish League Cup for the first time in their proud history, defeating Hearts 3-2” –John B.

Please list so we can back our Buddies!

Anybody else pessimistic along with Optimistic.

Shame but sadly indicative of two horrendous seasons on the park, and what is turning into the worst last game of the season imaginable.
The amount of folk I know who are not going to the Rangers game is staggering. Folk who hardly ever miss a game.

I,m in,My family will be in and i will be canvassing lapsed Saints fans and drinking buddies in my local to support their local team.Hopefully now we will have positivity coming from within the club but we need to do it as one.Fans council,Smisa,supporters clubs,season ticket holders.We should all be in this together.STID and all that.

10 years for fan ownership not exclusively smisa (I think).

the target is to get 1000 fans signed up. The CIC had 1300 so hopefully that can be matched. I'll be signing up.

Back of the Net Exhibition 5 of 11
http://www.smisa.net/
http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/member/paisley-museum-and-art-galleries

EUROPEAN ADVENTURES
Throughout the 1980s St Mirren often qualified for European competition. Whilst it is fair to say that the club enjoyed “limited” success it cannot be denied that the supporters enjoyed every minute (with the probable exception of Hammarby at Love Street.......)
*
“St Mirren had finished an incredible 3rd the Premier League in the 1979 / 80 season after Aberdeen and Celtic. It got us entry to the UEFA Cup First Round where we were drawn against IF Elfsborg of Sweden, with the away leg first.
Four of us decided we had to be there. We arranged a package trip that entailed travelling to London by train then getting a bus to Felixstowe for a bumpy, seasick inducing ferry sail to Gothenburg along with the rest of the Saints fans who had travelled from Paisley by supporters buses. Arriving in Sweden there followed a 25 mile bus journey to the
town of Boras where our opponents were based.
On the night of the match it was bucketing down and I don’t remember getting much shelter in the ground but it didn’t matter because the St Mirren team put on a great show to win 2-1 with goals from Dougie Somner and Billy Abercromby. We were fortunate to be staying at the same hotel as the team and were able to applaud their entrance into the dining room for an after-match meal, after which we celebrated the result with them.
On the ferry back the BBC were filming the series ‘Triangle’ (about a North Sea Ferry) starring Kate O’Mara, who later commented about not getting any sleep due to noisy Scottish football
fans!” – Gordon R.
*
“I remember the Elfsborg game (1980) as if it was yesterday. The return leg was a very boring nil-nil draw but enough to see us through to a 2nd round tie with St Etienne. Seem to remember the Swedish keeper breaking his leg in the game at Love Street.”
*
“I worked in the hospital at the time and was backshift when they brought the Elfsborg keeper Roger Svensson into casualty with a broken leg. Blagged his jersey and a shinguard. By the time he got to the ward all he had on was a stookie!”
*
“The 0-0 draw at home to St Etienne and the 1-0 home defeat to Feyenoord in the UEFA Cup are worth mentioning if only for the quality of players we were up against. The French side included Michel Platini and the Dutch had Johann Cruyff and a young Ruud Gullit in their team yet Saints put up a decent show against both of them.”
*
“I remember listening to the Hammarby away-leg live on Radio Clyde. Saints went 1 up and were playing well. Got a goal disallowed and then the wheels fell off the bogey and we went 3-1 down. Then two late goals from Brian Gallagher and we salvaged a draw and Gallagher achieved a rare Scottish hat trick in Europe. Saints players then had to chip in for a bottle of champagne due to the extortionate prices in Stockholm!”
*
“I think the Hammarby home game exactly defines what being a St Mirren supporter is all about - just when you think it's all going so well along comes a punch in the guts to bring you back down to earth. Being 4-3 up on aggregate and in the last three minutes Hammarby score twice....”

Back of the Net Exhibition 5 of 11
http://www.smisa.net/
http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/member/paisley-museum-and-art-galleries

EUROPEAN ADVENTURES
Throughout the 1980s St Mirren often qualified for European competition. Whilst it is fair to say that the club enjoyed “limited” success it cannot be denied that the supporters enjoyed every minute (with the probable exception of Hammarby at Love Street.......)
*
“St Mirren had finished an incredible 3rd the Premier League in the 1979 / 80 season after Aberdeen and Celtic. It got us entry to the UEFA Cup First Round where we were drawn against IF Elfsborg of Sweden, with the away leg first.
Four of us decided we had to be there. We arranged a package trip that entailed travelling to London by train then getting a bus to Felixstowe for a bumpy, seasick inducing ferry sail to Gothenburg along with the rest of the Saints fans who had travelled from Paisley by supporters buses. Arriving in Sweden there followed a 25 mile bus journey to the
town of Boras where our opponents were based.
On the night of the match it was bucketing down and I don’t remember getting much shelter in the ground but it didn’t matter because the St Mirren team put on a great show to win 2-1 with goals from Dougie Somner and Billy Abercromby. We were fortunate to be staying at the same hotel as the team and were able to applaud their entrance into the dining room for an after-match meal, after which we celebrated the result with them.
On the ferry back the BBC were filming the series ‘Triangle’ (about a North Sea Ferry) starring Kate O’Mara, who later commented about not getting any sleep due to noisy Scottish football
fans!” – Gordon R.
*
“I remember the Elfsborg game (1980) as if it was yesterday. The return leg was a very boring nil-nil draw but enough to see us through to a 2nd round tie with St Etienne. Seem to remember the Swedish keeper breaking his leg in the game at Love Street.”
*
“I worked in the hospital at the time and was backshift when they brought the Elfsborg keeper Roger Svensson into casualty with a broken leg. Blagged his jersey and a shinguard. By the time he got to the ward all he had on was a stookie!”
*
“The 0-0 draw at home to St Etienne and the 1-0 home defeat to Feyenoord in the UEFA Cup are worth mentioning if only for the quality of players we were up against. The French side included Michel Platini and the Dutch had Johann Cruyff and a young Ruud Gullit in their team yet Saints put up a decent show against both of them.”
*
“I remember listening to the Hammarby away-leg live on Radio Clyde. Saints went 1 up and were playing well. Got a goal disallowed and then the wheels fell off the bogey and we went 3-1 down. Then two late goals from Brian Gallagher and we salvaged a draw and Gallagher achieved a rare Scottish hat trick in Europe. Saints players then had to chip in for a bottle of champagne due to the extortionate prices in Stockholm!”
*
“I think the Hammarby home game exactly defines what being a St Mirren supporter is all about - just when you think it's all going so well along comes a punch in the guts to bring you back down to earth. Being 4-3 up on aggregate and in the last three minutes Hammarby score twice....”

The skinny is the board yet again are taking the only people who put money into SMFC without ever.... Expecting it back, up the ronson lighter... And yet again wr are taking it... They must be laughing their socks off at the cash cow that is a saints fan!
they can actually do what they want,and we will not only give them more money, but may actually buy them out too.
Somebody had to pay for that Fans Council bar, turns out it was families, children and the Panda club... I Suspect here will be no bragging about how many of us sign up for season tickets next time as it drops off yet again...

I've said for years that only way I'd join SmiSA is if it was guaranteed that any money I paid in was for the sole purchase of buying shares in the club so if this gets the go ahead I will be joining. 10,000 hours got to the numbers required so i think there's a good chance of the numbers getting there.
For a few years I've thought the only way to make sure any football club is run on a sensible basis is to have fans own it. For the last few years we've been lucky but without fan ownership the shares will eventually be sold, then sold again and sold again - increasing the chance of a Craig Whyte getting his hands on the club at some point. If the fans own the club and the shares are held in trust in some way then it should never be for sale again.

Back of the Net Exhibition 4 of 11
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MEMORABLE MATCHES
Supporters remember games for a number of different reasons, whether getting a win against impossible odds, crazy score-lines or off-field events taking centre stage over the action on the pitch.
*
First football match I ever went to was at Love Street, St.Mirren vs Berwick Rangers, a League Cup game in July 1978. I would have been 7 years old. Cant remember much about the game but the Saints won 5-1 and I thought this will do me! My dad would take me to the home games (unless either half of the Old Firm were visiting!) and we went for the next three seasons before moving away from Paisley, making Saturday afternoon visits to Love Street an impossibility. They were a great few seasons for the team and I only ever saw them lose twice in all the games I went to, to Hibs and Morton, which was actually at Cappielow, a rare trip to an away game! John P.
*
St Mirrens biggest ever victory was in a Scottish Cup game in January 1960 against Glasgow University when they won 15-0, with one player, Gerry Baker, scoring 10. There was also the 1961 Scottish Cup game in which we drew Third Lanark. The game at Love Street ended 3-each. We then went to Cathkin for the replay the following Wednesday night and beat them 8- nil! Ramon W.
*
Anglo-Scottish Cup first leg of the quarter final in 1980, the year we won the trophy. The away game was one of my best experiences following the Buddies. I was totally convinced we were out. Home leg had been won 4-2 but away we lost 2-0 in 90 min to two Sam Allardyce goals (whatever happened to him?!). Aggregate result was 4-4 so we are out on away goals. Right?
Wrong! A quirk of the Anglo-Scottish was that away goals only counted after extra-time. Cracking Jimmy Bone goal in extra time sealed the tie 5-4 and the rest is history. I loved the Anglo-Scottish. Some great days out in minor English towns and cities.
*
St. Mirren v Hearts sometime in the early 60s. St Mirren had a centre-forward called Tommy White. Hearts were a big team at the time and St Mirren were not expected to win. During the course of the game the goalkeeper got injured and Tommy White ended up in goals, even though he had never played in goals in his life! White played the game of his life and some of the saves he made were incredible, unbelievable. It was one of those fairy-tale days and St. Mirren won 3-2. Alan C.
*
Another famous St Mirren victory was at Ibrox in season 1959/60. Saints won 3-1 in a very wet day. I was glad I went to that game as Saints were at their very best and Rangers were chasing shadows for long periods of the match.
Ranger's right back was Bobby Shearer and he played 'keepie-uppie' with Alistair Miller or any Saints player who dared venture into his backyard initially. The best way to repay that was to step up a gear and simply leave him lost and forlorn with some great football by Miller. It is not an exaggeration to say that Shearer was taken to the cleaners.
I remember the Evening Citizen newspaper headline SMIRREN REIGN AT IBROX - a never-to-be-forgotten headline and match. The journalist that wrote that must have been a Buddie! K.C.
*
Some might argue that the 1959 Cup Final victory over Aberdeen was the Saints finest hour, but for me their best game was early on in the 1958-59 season when they played host to Celtic at Love Street. We knew we had not a bad team and fancied our chances against anyone and there was a good feeling when Celtic came to visit in August. That was until they took a two goal lead in the first 25 minutes! Even at 2-0 down though Saints were a better team, and with 40 minutes on the clock Tommy Bryceland and Tommy Gemmell scored a goal each to put things level. Saints were then awarded a free kick and David Lapsley, the hardest shot in Scottish football, let rip from 30 yards and we went 3-2 up at half-time.
The second half was all St Mirren, with Jackie Neilson adding a fourth and Bryceland another two. Celtic were awarded a last minute penalty (that should never have been!) but at the end of the day St.Mirren came out 6-3 winners. So then it was straight from the footy to queue outside the pub for 5 oclock opening where we celebrated until closing time! K.P.
*
There was the season (1968/69) that Colin Stein joined Rangers from Hibs. He scored a hat-trick in his first two games. When they came to Love Street they were expected to run all over St Mirren, but the Saints stopped them in their tracks and beat them 1-nil. The scorer was Hugh Gilshin, who had joined the team from Johnstone Burgh. That was Gilshins claim to fame he was hopeless, but he scored the goal that beat Rangers and stopped Stein getting another hat-trick! Alan C.
*
6th May 2000, Inverness Caly Thistle v St Mirren. Inverness were 4-0 up and the St. Mirren fans were shouting we want 5, gave a loud cheer when it was scored, and then invaded the pitch at the final whistle because, despite the 5-0 scoreline, we had won the First Division! Carol C.

Decent people don't want to mix with Old Firm supporters, Sevco supporters in particular.
Its a horrible experience.
Some things are worth more than money.

Back of the Net Exhibition 3 of 11
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ON THE ROAD
Travelling to see the team playing can sometimes be an adventure just getting there and often more exciting than what happens on the pitch....
*
I remember travelling with the team to the Anglo-Scottish Cup game against Fulham in 1977. We left Paisley at 9.00am on the Wednesday from Love Street to travel to Craven Cottage in London, the home of Fulham FC. The journey took 9 hours and we arrived at Craven Cottage at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm kick off. When we were due to depart the bus and go into the ground Alex Ferguson, then the St Mirren manager, was waiting to meet us. He boarded our bus and thanked all on board for travelling so far in midweek to support St Mirren and handed all 52 supporters on the bus free stand tickets for the game, which was well appreciated! After the game had finished it was back on the bus, back up to Paisley arriving at 7.00am and then straight to work. It was one of the best away trips of my life! Iain H.
*
28th July 2001, a pre-season friendly with Grimsby Town. It was a lovely hot summers day and the Saints fans descended on the town in droves. Many fans met at a local pub with a beer garden unfortunately there was a wedding on in the place at the time! My pal Audreys feet were killing her after the game so she chanced her arm and got talking to a couple of policemen who were heading back into town after the game and they offered us a lift. Unfortunately, I was spotted in the back of a police car and my friends thought I had been lifted! Carol C.
*
If you are a St Mirren fan aged under 40, the First Divison title-winning year of 1999/2000 was the best youve ever seen, a rollercoaster season of unforgettable memories. But one that sticks out for me didnt involve swashbuckling football, dramatic last-gasp victories or even an epic drink-the-town-dry title party.
Nope. Mine involves some strips belonging to our arch-rivals Morton, a Saints team being booed on to the park by their own fans, and my realisation the man responsible was my own father.
The game in question was in March of that year, as Tom Hendries exciting young side were locked in a pulsating title battle with Dunfermline. Just two weeks before, they had hosted Clydebank, a club limping towards its demise, and who would finish a miserable season as the UKs worst senior side, with one win and just ten points. Final score St Mirren 8 (EIGHT - McGarry, Lavety x 3, Ross, Murray x 2, Walker) Clydebank 0 (no one).
So when we travelled to face the same opponents two weeks later at their temporary ground-share home of Cappielow, the large away crowd on the terrace behind the goal were in confident mood. That mood was punctured when the teams ran out into the pitch. One set of players were clad in Mortons away top, a late-90s monstrosity of nylon and luminous yellow. The reaction from the away support went like this: BOOOOO....haud on....is that us?
As confusion spread, I started to look shifty. I knew enough about pre-match dressing room routine to know the unexpected attire could only be at the behest of the referee. Who happened to be my dad.
As he explained later that night, St Mirren had turned up with one set of strips, their away ones, which were red and white. Clydebank only had their home shirts, a white-and-red Ajax-style effort. As my dad ruled the colour clash unacceptable, someone was sent back to Paisley to retrieve Saints traditional black-and-white ones. But there wasnt time for them to get there and back for 3pm. There was only one option Mortons kit!
Back on the pitch and perhaps unsettled by this sartorial shambles St Mirren decided it wasnt enough to look like Morton, they should play like them too. Final score St Mirren 0, The Worst Team in Britain 0.
The postscript to the story came eight months and one promotion later. Saints travelled to Ibrox to face Dick Advocaats Rangers. The referee that day? Once again, my dad. And St Mirrens kitman was clearly either colour-blind or liked to travel light, as another clash meant Saints took to the field in Rangers socks.
Final score St Mirren 0, Rangers 7.
I eventually forgave my dad. Colin O.
*
At the end of season 1989-1990 both St.Mirren and Dundee were fighting it out at the bottom of the Premier League to avoid relegation. St.Mirren were 3 points ahead of Dundee with only one game left to play. St.Mirren were due to play Dundee at Dens Park for the penultimate game of the season, therefore, if St.Mirren lost that game, then they would be tied at level points, so, with only one game remaining, it definitely would have been "squeaky bum time" going in to the final match.
Due to the importance of this fixture, St.Mirren generously laid on free transport to Dundee and back with supporters' buses leaving from Love Street car park. The bus dropped us off at the foot of Tannadice Street in Dundee leaving us with a long uphill walk up to Dens Park. My dad, who had a heart condition, suffered an angina attack on the way up, but was kindly taken in to reception by Dundee United staff at Tannadice, given a cup of tea and settled down until his chest pains had gone away. Finally, having declared himself fit to carry on, and not wanting to miss the match, my dad and I carried on up to Dens Park. During the first half the weather was fine and calm, but at the start of the second half the weather took a turn for the worse and the wind picked up. This took the breath from my dad and he suffered a heart attack. We were taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where my dad was put into Intensive Care. Fortunately he made a good recovery and was allowed home after 2 weeks. When my mates found out they joked that it was a wonder my dad hadn't taken a heart attack the previous week when the Buddies thrashed Celtic 3-0 at Parkhead! By the way, St.Mirren beat Dundee 2-1 and so my dad and St.Mirren lived to fight another day. John B.

Back of the Net Exhibition

The Museum and Art Galleries held the very successful 'back of the net' exhibition in July 2015 which comprised of saints fans stories and experiences during their years of supporting the buds and these have been made available to SMiSA to allow further distribution for those who may not have made it to the actual exhibition at the time, or for those who would just like to see them again.

Due to the volume of material and as with any fitba team there are eleven separate elements and we will publish each group each day over the next eleven days

A big thanks to saints fan John Pressley at the museum and to all the original contributors whose stories deserve a second airing.

enjoy
BACK OF THE NET!
A football club would not exist without its dedicated, loyal fan base. Since its formation in 1877 St. Mirren FC has given its supporters a fair variety of experiences – the highs, the lows, the memorable days, the days you would rather forget. This exhibition brings together a mixture of stories from fans of many different eras to illustrate the bonds that tie a diverse group of people together through their collective experience of supporting Paisley's premier football team.
All of the quotes used in the displays come from St Mirren fans. This exhibition would not have come together without their input and is therefore dedicated to each and every supporter of the club, past, present and future.
MEETING THE TEAM
To every child (and adult!) that ever dreamed of donning a shirt and playing for their team meeting one of their sporting heroes is an experience never forgotten.
*
“Back in the late 1970’s I used to stay round the corner from Billy Abercromby, who would go on to captain the 1987 Scottish Cup winning team. Me and my pals would have been about 8 or 9 years old then and any time any of us got a new football we would knock on his door asking if he would sign it. At the beginning he always did so, totally making our day, although we did probably go a bit too often and he likely got a bit fed up with the constant stream of wee boys knocking his door as eventually his other half used to answer and tell us he wasn’t in! It was a great feeling meeting one of your football idols who took the time to talk to you, even though you were likely interrupting his dinner!” - John P.
*
“When I was a young boy I was lucky enough to be a mascot on my birthday and have a signed picture taken with Campbell Money and Paul Lambert from the day. We played Dumbarton and I can remember myself and another young lad who was also the mascot that day getting shown around the changing room and me giving my heroes high fives before hurriedly getting changed in a small room and leading the teams out.
Times were tough then for Saints and sadly we did not get to keep the strips but I do remember running out facing the old North Bank and clapping my hands in the air cheering with excitement.” – Mark K.
*
“A bizarre meeting with players came about after an evening friendly at Balintore near Tain in July 1993. Myself and 3 other ‘likely lads’ had set out north for 5 or 6 days of revelry armed with a couple of tents – and more than a few litres of strong wine. We had pitched tents at the back of a public house next to a cemetery in this picturesque little village and after thrashing the local Highland League Div 2 team 7 or maybe 9 zero we found ourselves in another pub where we met up with the St Mirren team who were trying to peacefully have their post-match meal. We ‘introduced’ ourselves to Neil Orr and a few others before we were ‘politely’ asked to leave…….” – Ronald C.

Back of the Net Exhibition 3 of 11
http://www.smisa.net/
ON THE ROAD
Travelling to see the team playing can sometimes be an adventure just getting there and often more exciting than what happens on the pitch....
*
I remember travelling with the team to the Anglo-Scottish Cup game against Fulham in 1977. We left Paisley at 9.00am on the Wednesday from Love Street to travel to Craven Cottage in London, the home of Fulham FC. The journey took 9 hours and we arrived at Craven Cottage at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm kick off. When we were due to depart the bus and go into the ground Alex Ferguson, then the St Mirren manager, was waiting to meet us. He boarded our bus and thanked all on board for travelling so far in midweek to support St Mirren and handed all 52 supporters on the bus free stand tickets for the game, which was well appreciated! After the game had finished it was back on the bus, back up to Paisley arriving at 7.00am and then straight to work. It was one of the best away trips of my life! Iain H.
*
28th July 2001, a pre-season friendly with Grimsby Town. It was a lovely hot summers day and the Saints fans descended on the town in droves. Many fans met at a local pub with a beer garden unfortunately there was a wedding on in the place at the time! My pal Audreys feet were killing her after the game so she chanced her arm and got talking to a couple of policemen who were heading back into town after the game and they offered us a lift. Unfortunately, I was spotted in the back of a police car and my friends thought I had been lifted! Carol C.
*
If you are a St Mirren fan aged under 40, the First Divison title-winning year of 1999/2000 was the best youve ever seen, a rollercoaster season of unforgettable memories. But one that sticks out for me didnt involve swashbuckling football, dramatic last-gasp victories or even an epic drink-the-town-dry title party.
Nope. Mine involves some strips belonging to our arch-rivals Morton, a Saints team being booed on to the park by their own fans, and my realisation the man responsible was my own father.
The game in question was in March of that year, as Tom Hendries exciting young side were locked in a pulsating title battle with Dunfermline. Just two weeks before, they had hosted Clydebank, a club limping towards its demise, and who would finish a miserable season as the UKs worst senior side, with one win and just ten points. Final score St Mirren 8 (EIGHT - McGarry, Lavety x 3, Ross, Murray x 2, Walker) Clydebank 0 (no one).
So when we travelled to face the same opponents two weeks later at their temporary ground-share home of Cappielow, the large away crowd on the terrace behind the goal were in confident mood. That mood was punctured when the teams ran out into the pitch. One set of players were clad in Mortons away top, a late-90s monstrosity of nylon and luminous yellow. The reaction from the away support went like this: BOOOOO....haud on....is that us?
As confusion spread, I started to look shifty. I knew enough about pre-match dressing room routine to know the unexpected attire could only be at the behest of the referee. Who happened to be my dad.
As he explained later that night, St Mirren had turned up with one set of strips, their away ones, which were red and white. Clydebank only had their home shirts, a white-and-red Ajax-style effort. As my dad ruled the colour clash unacceptable, someone was sent back to Paisley to retrieve Saints traditional black-and-white ones. But there wasnt time for them to get there and back for 3pm. There was only one option Mortons kit!
Back on the pitch and perhaps unsettled by this sartorial shambles St Mirren decided it wasnt enough to look like Morton, they should play like them too. Final score St Mirren 0, The Worst Team in Britain 0.
The postscript to the story came eight months and one promotion later. Saints travelled to Ibrox to face Dick Advocaats Rangers. The referee that day? Once again, my dad. And St Mirrens kitman was clearly either colour-blind or liked to travel light, as another clash meant Saints took to the field in Rangers socks.
Final score St Mirren 0, Rangers 7.
I eventually forgave my dad. Colin O.
*
At the end of season 1989-1990 both St.Mirren and Dundee were fighting it out at the bottom of the Premier League to avoid relegation. St.Mirren were 3 points ahead of Dundee with only one game left to play. St.Mirren were due to play Dundee at Dens Park for the penultimate game of the season, therefore, if St.Mirren lost that game, then they would be tied at level points, so, with only one game remaining, it definitely would have been "squeaky bum time" going in to the final match.
Due to the importance of this fixture, St.Mirren generously laid on free transport to Dundee and back with supporters' buses leaving from Love Street car park. The bus dropped us off at the foot of Tannadice Street in Dundee leaving us with a long uphill walk up to Dens Park. My dad, who had a heart condition, suffered an angina attack on the way up, but was kindly taken in to reception by Dundee United staff at Tannadice, given a cup of tea and settled down until his chest pains had gone away. Finally, having declared himself fit to carry on, and not wanting to miss the match, my dad and I carried on up to Dens Park. During the first half the weather was fine and calm, but at the start of the second half the weather took a turn for the worse and the wind picked up. This took the breath from my dad and he suffered a heart attack. We were taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where my dad was put into Intensive Care. Fortunately he made a good recovery and was allowed home after 2 weeks. When my mates found out they joked that it was a wonder my dad hadn't taken a heart attack the previous week when the Buddies thrashed Celtic 3-0 at Parkhead! By the way, St.Mirren beat Dundee 2-1 and so my dad and St.Mirren lived to fight another day. John B.

Back of the Net Exhibition 2 of 11
http://www.smisa.net/
LOVE STREET MEMORIES
St Mirren moved to Love Street in 1894 and it remained their home until 2009 when they moved to the new St Mirren Park in Greenhill Road, about half a mile away from the old, and much loved, Love Street stadium.
*
First memory of Love Street was sitting in the Caledonia Stand watching St Mirren v Airdrieonians. It was a freezing Paisley afternoon and I wasn't even 5 years old at the time, not really into football then but my brother was - how times have changed! I also remember the immortal line when returning home after a 3-2 defeat, kicking off my shoes and saying angrily (while shivering): "I'm never going to another football match again!" Oh boy, how I'm glad I was wrong.
*
My abiding memory from the late 1970s is being lifted over the turnstiles to the terracing. We couldnt afford entry to the stand, which I think was about a pound at the time compared to something like 30p to get in to the terracing! My dad must have got a better job because I remember progressing to the enclosure and then finally the stand luxury, a seat at last! John P.
*
When we played Liverpool in '77 I went to meet my mates at the Thorn Bar in Elderslie beforehand and there were two Scousers in the bar, who had forgot to get off the train at Gilmour Street. After one or two too many they came with us to the game - can remember sitting in the Caledonian Road end singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" alongside them! S.O.
*
My earliest memory was my first game at Love Street. My late Dad was an Accies fan, and took me to Love Street to see Fergie's Furies play them. I sat on his shoulders at the Caledonian Street end, and when Frank McGarvey scored a late winner, I promptly peed down his back with excitement. I must add that I was 4 years old at the time! - F.B.
*
When I was about 5 or 6 I used to beg my dad to take me to Love Street with him and my uncle and grandpa. Eventually, he gave in and told me he was taking me to see the Saints, but when we got there, I couldn't work out why there were multiple pitches with no stands or crowds and there wasn't anyone playing in black and white stripes. He confessed when I was about 16 that he'd actually spent a few weeks taking me down to St. James Racecourse to save money before the guilt got to him and he actually started taking me to Love Street! - I.W.
*
I actually felt a wee bit sad when they boarded up the car park area at the Love Street end. Funny how I wasn't that bothered about the stands coming down, but a lot of folk used to meet up in or around that car park. 'See you at half past in the car park, just at the merchandising caravan....' P.B.

Back of the Net Exhibition

The Museum and Art Galleries held the very successful 'back of the net' exhibition in July 2015 which comprised of saints fans stories and experiences during their years of supporting the buds and these have been made available to SMiSA to allow further distribution for those who may not have made it to the actual exhibition at the time, or for those who would just like to see them again.

Due to the volume of material and as with any fitba team there are eleven separate elements and we will publish each group each day over the next eleven days

A big thanks to saints fan John Pressley at the museum and to all the original contributors whose stories deserve a second airing.

enjoy
BACK OF THE NET!
A football club would not exist without its dedicated, loyal fan base. Since its formation in 1877 St. Mirren FC has given its supporters a fair variety of experiences – the highs, the lows, the memorable days, the days you would rather forget. This exhibition brings together a mixture of stories from fans of many different eras to illustrate the bonds that tie a diverse group of people together through their collective experience of supporting Paisley's premier football team.
All of the quotes used in the displays come from St Mirren fans. This exhibition would not have come together without their input and is therefore dedicated to each and every supporter of the club, past, present and future.
MEETING THE TEAM
To every child (and adult!) that ever dreamed of donning a shirt and playing for their team meeting one of their sporting heroes is an experience never forgotten.
*
“Back in the late 1970’s I used to stay round the corner from Billy Abercromby, who would go on to captain the 1987 Scottish Cup winning team. Me and my pals would have been about 8 or 9 years old then and any time any of us got a new football we would knock on his door asking if he would sign it. At the beginning he always did so, totally making our day, although we did probably go a bit too often and he likely got a bit fed up with the constant stream of wee boys knocking his door as eventually his other half used to answer and tell us he wasn’t in! It was a great feeling meeting one of your football idols who took the time to talk to you, even though you were likely interrupting his dinner!” - John P.
*
“When I was a young boy I was lucky enough to be a mascot on my birthday and have a signed picture taken with Campbell Money and Paul Lambert from the day. We played Dumbarton and I can remember myself and another young lad who was also the mascot that day getting shown around the changing room and me giving my heroes high fives before hurriedly getting changed in a small room and leading the teams out.
Times were tough then for Saints and sadly we did not get to keep the strips but I do remember running out facing the old North Bank and clapping my hands in the air cheering with excitement.” – Mark K.
*
“A bizarre meeting with players came about after an evening friendly at Balintore near Tain in July 1993. Myself and 3 other ‘likely lads’ had set out north for 5 or 6 days of revelry armed with a couple of tents – and more than a few litres of strong wine. We had pitched tents at the back of a public house next to a cemetery in this picturesque little village and after thrashing the local Highland League Div 2 team 7 or maybe 9 zero we found ourselves in another pub where we met up with the St Mirren team who were trying to peacefully have their post-match meal. We ‘introduced’ ourselves to Neil Orr and a few others before we were ‘politely’ asked to leave…….” – Ronald C.

Back of the Net Exhibition

The Museum and Art Galleries held the very successful 'back of the net' exhibition in July 2015 which comprised of saints fans stories and experiences during their years of supporting the buds and these have been made available to SMiSA to allow further distribution for those who may not have made it to the actual exhibition at the time, or for those who would just like to see them again.

Due to the volume of material and as with any fitba team there are eleven separate elements and we will publish each group each day over the next eleven days

A big thanks to saints fan John Pressley at the museum and to all the original contributors whose stories deserve a second airing.

enjoy
BACK OF THE NET!
A football club would not exist without its dedicated, loyal fan base. Since its formation in 1877 St. Mirren FC has given its supporters a fair variety of experiences – the highs, the lows, the memorable days, the days you would rather forget. This exhibition brings together a mixture of stories from fans of many different eras to illustrate the bonds that tie a diverse group of people together through their collective experience of supporting Paisley's premier football team.
All of the quotes used in the displays come from St Mirren fans. This exhibition would not have come together without their input and is therefore dedicated to each and every supporter of the club, past, present and future.
MEETING THE TEAM
To every child (and adult!) that ever dreamed of donning a shirt and playing for their team meeting one of their sporting heroes is an experience never forgotten.
*
“Back in the late 1970’s I used to stay round the corner from Billy Abercromby, who would go on to captain the 1987 Scottish Cup winning team. Me and my pals would have been about 8 or 9 years old then and any time any of us got a new football we would knock on his door asking if he would sign it. At the beginning he always did so, totally making our day, although we did probably go a bit too often and he likely got a bit fed up with the constant stream of wee boys knocking his door as eventually his other half used to answer and tell us he wasn’t in! It was a great feeling meeting one of your football idols who took the time to talk to you, even though you were likely interrupting his dinner!” - John P.
*
“When I was a young boy I was lucky enough to be a mascot on my birthday and have a signed picture taken with Campbell Money and Paul Lambert from the day. We played Dumbarton and I can remember myself and another young lad who was also the mascot that day getting shown around the changing room and me giving my heroes high fives before hurriedly getting changed in a small room and leading the teams out.
Times were tough then for Saints and sadly we did not get to keep the strips but I do remember running out facing the old North Bank and clapping my hands in the air cheering with excitement.” – Mark K.
*
“A bizarre meeting with players came about after an evening friendly at Balintore near Tain in July 1993. Myself and 3 other ‘likely lads’ had set out north for 5 or 6 days of revelry armed with a couple of tents – and more than a few litres of strong wine. We had pitched tents at the back of a public house next to a cemetery in this picturesque little village and after thrashing the local Highland League Div 2 team 7 or maybe 9 zero we found ourselves in another pub where we met up with the St Mirren team who were trying to peacefully have their post-match meal. We ‘introduced’ ourselves to Neil Orr and a few others before we were ‘politely’ asked to leave…….” – Ronald C.