St. Mirren F.C.

St. Mirren

Full name	St. Mirren Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Buddies or The Saints
Founded	1877
Ground	St. Mirren Park, Paisley (Capacity: 8,023)
Chairman	Stewart Gilmour
Manager	Danny Lennon
League	Scottish Premier League
2010–11	Scottish Premier League, 11th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours
Current season

St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.

St. Mirren have won the Scottish Cup three times in 1926, 1959 and 1987 and have played four times in European competition (UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1987–88 and the UEFA Cup in 1980–81, 1983–84 and 1985–86).

They play at St Mirren Park, which has been their stadium since 2009 when they relocated from Love Street, their home for 115 years.

History

Saint Mirren were formed as a gentlemen's club which included, among other sports, cricket and rugby in the late 19th century. The increasing popularity of football ensured that by 1877 the members had decided to play association football. They are named after Saint Mirin, the founder of a church at the site of Paisley Abbey and Patron Saint of Paisley. There is also a street in Paisley named "St. Mirren Street".

The club originally wore scarlet and blue strips, however after one season changed to the current black and white striped shirts, which have been worn all bar one season in the 1900s where cream tops were used.

St. Mirren football club played their first match on 6 October 1877, defeating Johnstone Britannia 1–0 at Shortroods. Two years later, the club moved to another ground; Thistle Park, Greenhills. St. Mirren's first Scottish Cup match came on 4 September 1880, a 3–0 victory over Johnstone Athletic. The following year, the Buddies reached their first cup final but were beaten 3–1 by Thornliebank in the Renfrewshire Cup. In 1883 however the scores were reversed with the Saints winning the Renfrewshire Cup, 3–1 against Thornliebank. It is in 1883 that move to their third home, that of West March (early maps indicate area as West March and not Westmarch), defeating Queen's Park in the first game. In 1885, St. Mirren played their first match against Morton, resulting in a defeat.

The 1890 season was an historic season for St. Mirren, as they became founder members of the Scottish League along with fellow Paisley club Abercorn. Of the 10 founder clubs, currently only 5 survive today in the current league system. It was during the match against Morton at Cappielow in this year, that St. Mirren played one of the first night games under light from oil lamps.

St. Mirren moved to Love Street in 1894 and reached their first Scottish Cup final in the 1907–08 season but were defeated 5–1 by Celtic. The Buddies went on to lift the trophy in 1926, 1959 and 1987.

In 1922, St. Mirren were invited to play in the Barcelona Cup invitational tournament to celebrate the inauguration of the Les Corts, the then home of FC Barcelona. They won the tournament by beating Notts County in the final.

In the 1979–80 season, St. Mirren achieved their equal-highest ever finish in the top-flight finishing third behind Aberdeen and Celtic. That season Saints also became the first and last Scottish club to win the Anglo-Scottish Cup, defeating Bristol City F.C. in a two-legged final. The following season, St. Mirren competed in European competition for the first time and won their initial game 2–1 vs. IF Elfsborg in Sweden, followed by a 0–0 draw in the second leg. The next round saw them play French team Saint-Étienne. Although St. Mirren's home leg ended up a 0–0 draw, Saint-Étienne pulled off a 2–0 victory in the second leg to put St. Mirren out of the cup.

The club have been relegated from the Scottish Premier League once (2000–01) and the Premier Division of the Scottish Football League once (1991–92) having escaped relegation from the latter in 1991 after league re-construction. In 2001, St. Mirren finished bottom of the Premier League despite losing only one of their final seven matches. The Saints however managed promotion after clinching the First Division title in 2005–06, a season which also saw St. Mirren win the Scottish Challenge Cup, defeating Hamilton Academical 2–1 in the final at Airdrie United's ground, the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, with goals from Simon Lappin & John Sutton.

St. Mirren came within an ace of signing Ian Harte in February 2009, only to see their hopes cruelly dashed. In 2010, they reached the final of the Scottish League Cup where they were defeated 0–1 by Rangers FC after having a two man advantage. However, three days later, they recorded a famous win over Celtic FC, a match that The Buddies won 4–0, with doubles from Andy Dorman and Steven Thomson.

Stadium

Main articles: St. Mirren Park and Love Street (stadium)

St. Mirren played at four different venues before moving to their ground of St. Mirren Park, or Love Street, in 1894. The record attendance was 47,438 versus Celtic in 1949. Love Street saw extensive redevelopment in recent years to comply with both the recommendations of the Taylor Report and SPL regulations and the ground eventually became a 10,866 seat venue. The ground had four stands of which the most recent, the WEast or Reid Kerr Family Stand, was built in 2000 in order for Love Street to meet the criteria for entry to the Scottish Premier League. The oldest stand was the main stand which had a basic wooden construction. The north bank was popular with the hardcore St. Mirren fans whilst the largest stand, the steeply raked West Stand, housed a sporting facility underneath. It was rarely used to its full capacity.

On 24 May 2005, Renfrewshire Council granted permission for the club to develop their oldish ground. this involved the sale of the grounds to a supermarket chain (ASDA) , and the construction of a ground in Ferguslie Park, Paisley (through a separate planning permission). The sale of their old ground allowed the club to finance the new stadium as well as clear the debts of the club. In April 2007 it was announced that a deal had been struck with supermarket giants Tesco and on 15 January 2009 St. Mirren moved to a new 8,000 seat stadium, also called St. Mirren Park (some people in the media wrongly call this ground 'New St. Mirren park') .

The opening game finished as a 1–1 draw with Kilmarnock, with Killie's Kevin Kyle scoring the first goal, and Dennis Wyness equalising. St. Mirren's first notable win at the new stadium came on 7 March 2009 in a 1–0 victory over the Celtic in the Homecoming Scottish Cup Quarter Final.

The stadium has a total seating capacity of 8,023 which is split up as follows: Main Stand: 2,220 West Stand: 2,516 South Stand: 1,633 North Stand: 1,654

Colours and sponsors

The traditional home colours of St. Mirren are black and white stripes, however for the first season the colours were scarlet and blue. There is some dispute as to why the colours black and white were chosen. A popular theory is that the stripes represent the Black and White Cart rivers which run through Paisley. In recent years there has been evidence unearthed that the Monks in the local abbey wore black and white striped habits. The team strips have varied very little in the long history of the club, however the thickness of the stripes have often varied. Some years have seen horizontal stripes used.

Away tops are traditionally red or all black, however in some cases strips have varied from orange to light blue, as seen on this season's 2010–11 strip. From 2007-2011, the Danish firm, Hummel International, replaced Xara as kit-manufacturers.

St. Mirren has had a number of main sponsors, mainly in the transportation industry, with several local bus companies and car dealerships like Arriva and Phoenix Honda sponsoring in the club. St. Mirren have been sponsored since 2005 by Braehead Shopping Centre, a local shopping centre four miles away in Renfrew. In August 2010, the club confirmed Barrhead company Compass Private Hire would have their name displayed on the back of the first team players' shirts as well as on their shorts. Compass Private Hire are owned by former St Mirren player, captain and manager, Tony Fitzpatrick and Raymond Stanley.

As of the start of the 2011/2012 season St Mirren signed a new 3 year deal with JD Sports to replace Hummel as kit and trainingwear manufacturer. JD Sports have licence to manufacture football kits under the brand names Carbrini, Fila, and Diadora. The first St Mirren kits under the JD Sports umbrella were released under the Carbrini brand, although somewhat confusingly, the home shirt sponsor was another of the JD Sports brands - Fila. On the club's red and black striped away shirt, the long-term club sponsor Braehead Shopping Centre remained on the jerseys as the main sponsor.

In December 2011, St Mirren and JD Sports announced the pathway for their forthcoming kit releases, moving to an earlier launch in the year to allow supporters to wear the new kits throughout the warmer months. The home kit is a new variant of the traditional black and white stripes, with a 'special edition' change kit, featuring the club's original 1877 shirt design of thin scarlet and blue hoops. The special edition change kit is designed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the club's 1987 Scottish Cup win, the 35th anniversary of the 1977 Division 1 win under the management of (Sir) Alex Ferguson (widely regarded as the greatest St Mirren side ever), and also to mark 135 years of the club itself. Simple '135th anniversary' gold stitching around the club crest will act as a mark to all three of these events. If successful, it is anticipated that every five years, the club could release a 'special edition' change or third kit featuring similar stitching around the club crest - making the change or third kit a collector's item twice a decade. For the 2012/13 season, an early glimpse of the new away kit was also given - an all-black affair featuring a red diagonal stripe on the chest. All three of these new kits are being manufactured under the Diadora brand name.

Mascots

In recent years, St Mirren have been represented by 3 mascots, the Pandas. They are Paisley Panda, Junior P and Mrs Panda. The regular mascots are Paisley Panda and Mrs Panda

Honours

• Scottish First Division: 1967–68¹ 1976–77, 1999–2000, 2005–06
• Scottish Cup: 1926, 1959, 1987
• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2005
• Renfrewshire Cup: 1882–83, 1883–84, 1887–88, 1890–91, 1893–94, 1896–97, 1897–98, 1903–04, 1909–10, 1910–11, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1940–41, 1943–44, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1949–50, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1966–67, 1973–74, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12
• Victory Cup: 1919
• Anglo-Scottish Cup Winners: 1979–80
• Summer Cup: 1943
• Epson Invitational Tournament: 1986–87

¹As the 'old' Scottish Second Division

Club records

• Highest home attendance: 47,438: .v. Celtic on 20 August 1949
• Highest average home attendance: 17,333, 1949–50 (15 games)
• Biggest victory: 15–0: .v. Glasgow University on 30 January 1960
• Most capped player: Iain Munro and Billy Thomson: 7 Scotland.
• Most capped international player: Mo Camara 79 appearances for the Guinean national team.
• Youngest Player: Scott Gemmill 16 years & 60 days – vs. Raith Rovers (Starks Park) 8 August 2003.
• Most League appearances: Hugh Murray, 438 (1997–present)
• Most European appearances: Campbell Money, 8 (1985–1988)
• Most League goals: David McCrae, 221 (1923–1934)
• Most League goals in a season: Dunky Walker, 45 (1921–22)
• Record transfer fee paid: £400,000 to Bayer Uerdingen for Thomas Stickroth (March 1990)
• Record transfer fee received: £850,000 from Rangers for Ian Ferguson (February 1988)
• Most League wins in a season: 24, Division Two (1971-72)
• Most League defeats in a season: 31, Division One (1920–21)
• Most League draws in a season: 15, Premier League (1987–88)
• Most consecutive league victories: 5, Division Two (18/11/1967 – 30/3/1968)
• Longest unbeaten league run: 34, 18/11/1967 (Division Two) – 16/11/1968 (Division One)
• Most Goals Scored in a season: 54, Division Two (1935–36)
• Most Goals Conceded in a season: 92, Division One (1920–21)

Players

Current squad

As of 24 January 2012.

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Craig Samson 2 DF David van Zanten 3 DF David Barron 4 DF Darren McGregor 5 DF Lee Mair 6 MF Jim Goodwin (captain) 7 MF Hugh Murray 8 MF Steven Thomson 9 FW Steven Thompson (vice-captain) 10 FW Paul McGowan 11 FW Nigel Hasselbaink

No. Position Player 12 GK Graeme Smith 14 DF Marc McAusland 15 MF Aaron Mooy 17 MF Kenny McLean 21 MF Gary Teale 22 DF Jeroen Tesselaar 23 MF Graham Carey 25 GK Adam McHugh 27 FW Dougie Imrie 37 DF Jason Naismith 39 FW Thomas Reilly

Further information: 2011–12 St. Mirren F.C. season

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 18 MF Jamie McKernon (on loan to Ayr United) 19 FW Jon McShane (on loan to Hamilton Academical)

No. Position Player 20 DF Dominic Kennedy (on loan to Dumbarton) 32 MF Mark Lamont (on loan to Dumbarton)

For recent transfers, see List of Scottish football transfers winter 2011–12.

Non-playing staff

Boardroom

Name	Role
Stewart Gilmour	Chairman
George Campbell	Vice -Chairman
Chris Stewart	Director/Secretary
Allan Marshall	Director
Bryan McAusland	Director
Ken McGeoch	Director
Richard Atkinson	Director

Management

Name	Role
Danny Lennon	Manager
Tommy Craig	First Team Coach
Paul Mathers	Goalkeeping Coach
James Grady	Coach
David Longwell	Head Of Youth Development
Frazer Robertson	Youth Team Coach
Dr. Gerry Canning	Club Doctor
Gerry Docherty	Head Physiotherapist
Andy Mackenzie	Physiotherapist
Alan Gray	Kit Man
Tommy Docherty	Groundsman
Grant Cassidy	Video Analyst

Admin & Marketing

Name	Role
Brian Caldwell	General Manager
Campbell Kennedy	Commercial Manager
Stephanie Lawrie	Youth Development Administrator
Marion Barr	Accounts Administrator
Kath Steel	Office Administrator
Norrie Jamieson	Communications & Media Officer

Managers

• John McCartney June 1904 – January 1910
• Barry Grieve February – June 1910
• Hugh Law July 1910 – July 1916
• John Cochran July 1916 – April 1928
• Donald Turner April 1928 – April 1929
• John Morrison June 1929 – October 1936
• Sam Blythe October 1936 – February 1941
• Donald Menzies February 1941 – December 1942
• Willie Fotheringham December 1942 – May 1945
• Bobby Rankin May 1945 – August 1954
• Willie Reid August 1954 – December 1961
• Bobby Flavell December 1961 – December 1962
• Jackie Cox December 1962 – May 1965
• Doug Millward June 1965 – December 1966
• Alex Wright December 1966 – October 1970
• Wilson Humphries November 1970 – January 1972

• Tommy Bryceland January 1972 – May 1973
• Willie Cunningham June 1973 – October 1974
• Alex Ferguson October 1974 – May 1978
• Jim Clunie June 1978 – November 1980
• Rikki McFarlane November 1980 – October 1983
• Alex Miller October 1983 – December 1986
• Alex Smith December 1986 – April 1988
• Tony Fitzpatrick April 1988 – May 1991
• David Hay May 1991 – May 1992
• Jimmy Bone May 1992 – August 1996
• Iain Munro 9th – 10th September 1996 (24 hours)
• Tony Fitzpatrick September 1996 – December 1998
• Tom Hendrie December 1998 – September 2002
• John Coughlin September 2002 – November 2003
• Gus MacPherson November 2003 – May 2010
• Danny Lennon June 2010 – present

European Record

Season	Competition	Round	Opponent	Home	Away	Aggregate
1980–81	UEFA Cup	First round	IF Elfsborg	0 – 0	2 – 1	2 – 1
		Second round	AS Saint-Étienne	0 – 0	0 – 2	0 – 2
1983–84		First round	Feyenoord	0 – 1	0 – 2	0 – 3
1985–86		First round	SK Slavia Prague	3 – 0	0 – 1	3 – 1
		Second round	Hammarby IF	1 – 2	3 – 3	4 – 5
1987–88	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Tromsø IL	1 – 0	0 – 0	1 – 0
		Second round	KV Mechelen	0 – 2	0 – 0	0 – 2

External links

• Official St. Mirren F.C. website
• 'Historical Database' of St. Mirren F.C.
• Black and White Army Unofficial St. Mirren website
• Mirren Mad
• The St.Mirren Programme Archive
• St. Mirren BBC My Club page
• http://stmirren.theoffside.com