SMISA Updates

[bazil85]

March 2021

Welcome to the March update from the SMISA committee. This month we have a few things to update you on:

SMISA mission, vision, role and values

Last year, we ran the biggest-ever survey of SMISA members, in which we asked for your views on a wide range of issues, including what you saw SMISA’s purpose as being, and what you thought the priorities for a fan-owned St Mirren should be.

We analysed the results of that in detail, and based on the feedback you gave us, we have produced a form of words which we feel sum up SMISA’s future purpose and relationship with the club. They are:

Our mission is: To keep St Mirren fan-owned and at the heart of the local community.

Our vision for the club is: Respected throughout Scottish football as a financially-stable, sustainably-run club which competes at the top level, develops young players, and engages its fanbase and community.

SMISA’s role is to support the club to deliver the above by:

• - safeguarding the ownership of St Mirren;
• - helping ensure good governance of the business;
• - investing in the club and its long-term future;
• - ensuring our members views are considered by the club;
• - helping the club make a positive impact on the local community;

And in delivering the above, we will stay true to the following values: Respectful, Professional, Collaborative, Inclusive, and Honest. You can read more on our website here.

If you have any questions or thoughts on the above, we’d be happy to hear them via [email protected]

AGM date and committee election

We have scheduled SMISA’s annual general meeting for Monday 26 April at 7pm. Given the ongoing Covid19 restrictions, the AGM will take place online, via Zoom meeting.

The AGM will look back on what has been achieved in the past year, as well as ahead to 2021/22 – which is of course the year we will become St Mirren’s majority shareholders.

The AGM notice, including our annual accounts, will be issued 14 days before the meeting, along with your invitation to vote on all AGM business.

That will include the election of the SMISA committee. As it stands, four of the nine places will be open for election. Five members will continue to serve for at least another year: George Adam, Kenny Docherty, Dougie McMahon, Alan Quinn and Colin Orr.

Three members (one-third of the elected committee) who have served the longest since last being elected – Jim Cumming, Graeme MacPherson and Janette Swanson – must stand for re-election.

Colin Bright – who was co-opted on to the committee last year to fill the vacancy left when Lawrence McCabe stepped down – is required to apply for election.

Any other SMISA members who wish to put themselves forward can do so. Committee members are expected to attend fortnightly meetings (held on Monday evenings) and make a meaningful contribution, both in terms of their time and the quality of their input.

Anybody who would like to stand should email [email protected] and request an application form. You will need to be nominated by two other SMISA members and have been a member for at least 90 days prior to the date nominations close, which is Monday 3 April.

You will also need to submit a 500-word statement explaining why you would like to be elected and to submit a photo, for the election webpage on the SMISA website. Voting will run for two weeks from Monday 12 April, with results announced at the AGM.

SMISA club directors’ update

Our two reps on the club board – David Riley and John Needham – have produced their latest update for members, giving you some extra insight into what the club board has been working on.

In it they discuss how the board are planning ahead for next season, including the potential return of fans, and much more. You can read the full update here

You may have also spotted John on St Mirren TV a few weeks back being interviewed by Ali DeFoy at half-time in the game against Ross County. If you missed it, you can see the full thing here on our YouTube channel.

Meet the manager night

Since our last update in February we held a well-attended meet-the-manager night where almost 100 of our members joined Jim Goodwin and Tony Fitzpatrick on a Zoom call to put their questions to them. Thanks to everyone who took part in a really lively discussion.

Jim treated us to a special surprise on the night when he shared the presentation he had prepared for his interview for the manager’s job back in 2019. It was fascinating to see how his vision for the team at that time has come to life since then. We recorded the whole event and you can see that here

Archie Butter share donation

We were approached earlier in the year by member Archie Butter, who wanted to donate his 300 St Mirren shares to the trust.

Archie originally purchased the shares in 1998, not long after the Reg Brearley attempted takeover, after an appeal from the then-board for supporters to take up a share Issue to help safeguard the future of our club. 

That was the start of the long road to where we are now. St Mirren have always needed the support of the fans. We would like to thank Archie for his very kind donation.

As always, if there is anything you wish to speak to us about, we can be contacted via [email protected]

The SMISA committee

[bazil85]

Just now, bazil85 said:

Archie Butter share donation

We were approached earlier in the year by member Archie Butter, who wanted to donate his 300 St Mirren shares to the trust.

Archie originally purchased the shares in 1998, not long after the Reg Brearley attempted takeover, after an appeal from the then-board for supporters to take up a share Issue to help safeguard the future of our club. 

That was the start of the long road to where we are now. St Mirren have always needed the support of the fans. We would like to thank Archie for his very kind donation.

On this note, I have always wanted to own shares of my own (or share). If anyone has any and is willing to part with all/ some of them please let me know, would pay a reasonable fee. 

[Cumbriansaint72]

Watched the meet the manager on you tube, really impressed with the end bit with JG vision for club.

 

Also looking at the channel, and seeing a 47 sec video. Took me back, really did. Kenny Morrison, jeez haven't seen, albeit very briefly at Annan match in cup a few years back(a 'home' away match for me) since I left to come down here in 94.

 

[HSS]

SMiSA members vote 510-39 against plastic pitches in the top flight 

[eastlandssaint]

 

[eastlandssaint]

St. Mirren Independent Supporters Association | Facebook

[shull]

 

[shull]

 

[billyg]

Kenny Lang has resigned from the Smisa board today , wonder what's going down ?

[HSS]

34 minutes ago, billyg said:

Kenny Lang has resigned from the Smisa board today , wonder what's going down ?

I met Kenny last night He was having a great night and was waxing lyrically about his love for St Mirren 🤷

[eastlandssaint]

Our Future, Your Say | SMiSA Survey (stmirren.com)

[eastlandssaint]

Join the SMiSA Board

[eastlandssaint]

Always Pushing for a Stronger St. Mirren

[eastlandssaint]

SMiSA funding adds new seats to take capacity over 8,000

[faraway saint]

St Mirren FC thanks Mark Macmillan and welcomes Dougie Falconer to board of directors

St Mirren Football Club have announced that Mark Macmillan has after five years of dedicated service decided to step down from the Board. As part of the transition, Dougie Falconer will join the club’s Board of Directors.

🔗 stmirren.com/club-news/5975-st-mirren-fc-thanks-mark-macmillan-and-welcomes-dougie-falconer-to-board-of-directors

[faraway saint]

A small change in personnel at board level. 

Hopefully for the best. 

[eastlandssaint]

2026 Third Kit Voting

[eastlandssaint]

Meet the Manager Q&A Evening

[eastlandssaint]

The Way Forward: SMiSA Unveils New Strategy to Build the Buds

[bazil85]

Seems like some very positive steps in a reset of what SMISA is there for and what they want to achieve. 

Would be good to know if the new funding model and director voting rules moves the dial for many that have been skeptical to date. 

50% of funds directly invested into the club is tremendous. At 3,000 members that would make the below ideas (any others?) realistic in the short to medium term. 

- Filling in the corners at the stadium as we look close to outgrowing our capacity constraints. 

- Building a whole new major stand to increase attendance & other commercial interests. Something like Falkirks main stand would be good. 
- A complete revamp of the Ralston academy. 
- Safe standing sections. 
- A permanent structure replacement to the dome with more security in building commercial interests. 

 

 

[faraway saint]

25 minutes ago, bazil85 said:

Seems like some very positive steps in a reset of what SMISA is there for and what they want to achieve. 

Would be good to know if the new funding model and director voting rules moves the dial for many that have been skeptical to date. 

50% of funds directly invested into the club is tremendous. At 3,000 members that would make the below ideas (any others?) realistic in the short to medium term. 

- Filling in the corners at the stadium as we look close to outgrowing our capacity constraints. 

- Building a whole new major stand to increase attendance & other commercial interests. Something like Falkirks main stand would be good. 
- A complete revamp of the Ralston academy. 
- Safe standing sections. 
- A permanent structure replacement to the dome with more security in building commercial interests. 

 

 

The 3000 target is ambitious, to say the least. 

Currently hovering around 1200 although with the club on the crest of a wave this is possibly the best ever chance to at least move towards that number. 

[eastlandssaint]

'The Way Forward' Information Evenings

[eastlandssaint]

Ten Reasons To Sign Up

[eastlandssaint]

SMiSA Launches ‘Build the Buds’ Campaign as We Aim for 3,000 Members by St Mirren’s 150th Anniversary

[HSS]

The corner of the stadium between the Ultras and away end is to be filled in and seated for home fans Seats in away end could also be given to home fans when teams with a small support visit us 

Thats great news and hopefully just the beginning of getting the stadium upgraded