All our attention turns to Saturday as football makes its return at long last.

The 2020/21 season gets underway with Saints playing host to Livingston at St Mirren Park in our first competitive match since our 1-0 win over Hearts in March.

It’s been a long time and while matches will start behind closed doors, anyone who has bought a season ticket will be given free access to live streams of all home matches while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

Season ticket holders will be given a unique ID based on the name on their season ticket and the number, our managers access would be jim-goodwin-012345678910 We will have more details tomorrow on test events happening this week to ensure everything is in place for Saturday’s match.

We will require accurate email addresses from everyone, with a test email being sent out at 6pm this evening. If you do not receive a test email from us please contact info@stmirren.com with your full name, season ticket number (the number on your season ticket card) and an accurate email address. Please remember to check your spam folder for this test email.

Season ticket holders will also be given three months full access to our new St Mirren TV platform. We have been working hard with our partners at Stream Digital to develop the new site that will see us move away from our existing St Mirren TV and Buddievision platforms.

The new platform will be priced at £5.99 per month or £59.99 for UK & Ireland subscribers, while international subscriptions are set at £14.99 per month and £149.99 per year. International subscriptions will include all the benefits of UK membership as well as live streams from all home and away Scottish Premiership matches next season.

We can also announce that the SPFL has agreed to allow clubs the opportunity to sell pay-per-view passes for home matches whilst social distancing measures are in place. More details on this can be found in the FAQ below

There is still time for you to #BeInThatNumber and purchase a season ticket for season 2020/21. Your support in these difficult times have been exceptional and we hope to see you all at St Mirren Park in the not too distant future.

FAQ

How does the virtual season ticket work?

Season ticket holders will have access to all home matches live. Season ticket holders will use individual login details which will provide access to live match day broadcasts from St Mirren Park. We have also agreed a deal with our new partners at Stream Digital that will see our season ticket holders given three months free access to the full St Mirren TV platform.

How can I access live match broadcasts?

Season ticket holders will be given a unique ID based on the number on their season ticket card. It will follow the format of forename-surname-season ticket card number.

When will the new St Mirren TV platform be launched?

We continue to work with our partner Stream Digital and aim to launch the new platform on Wednesday of this week.

Do I need my #BeInThatNumber number to access matches?

No, the #BeInThatNumber numbers don’t have anything to do with your access to live streaming.

Are away matches included in my virtual season ticket?

No, away matches will not be included in your virtual season ticket.

Will there be a pay-per-view option?

Yes. We will be offering pay-per-view for home games excluding those that are shown live on Sky Sports.

What will the cost of pay-per-view be?

St Mirren will be charging £12.50 per game. 

How can pay-per-view be bought?

There will be an option to buy matches on a pay-per-view basis on our new St Mirren TV platform which will go live this week.

Do I need to register to watch pay-per-view?

Yes, you will need to register on our St Mirren TV platform to watch matches on pay-per-view.

Will pay-per-view continue once fans are allowed back into matches?

No, pay-per-view will no longer be available when social distancing measures come to an end and supporters are allowed back into the stadium.

Will pay-per-view be available for away matches?

Pay-per-view will be available for some away matches as other clubs confirm their intention to offer this service. Some clubs have yet to make a decision as to whether they will offer pay-per-view.

I live abroad. Can I watch pay-per-view matches?

Pay-per-view will only be available to supporters inside the UK and Ireland. Supporters based abroad will be able to watch all home and away matches live but will need a St Mirren TV subscription to do so.

I was a Buddievision subscriber. Will I get access to the new St Mirren TV?

Anyone who had an active Buddievision subscription will have it carried over to the new platform if they wish.

All at St Mirren Football Club were saddened to hear of the passing of Hugh McLaughlin, a key member of Alex Wright’s Second Division Championship winning team of 1967/68.

Hugh passed away peacefully on Tuesday 21 July at his home in Larkhall after a long illness and is survived by his wife Ilene, daughter Gillian, son Greg and his three grandchildren.

In January 2009 Hugh, together with teammate Bobby Duffy received an award from the Club at the St Mirren Park, Love Street Commemorative Dinner recognising his part in securing Saint’s first-ever league championship title.

Incredibly the pair did not receive medals at the time despite Alex Wright fielding only 21 players in the entire campaign, six of whom made five appearances or less. So the core of the squad and the Buddies’ success was 15 regulars – including Hugh and Bobby!

On the way to the title and promotion Hugh helped his teammates set a St Mirren FC record of 16 consecutive wins between 18 November 1967 and 30 March 1968. A record that still stands today.

Hugh’s family are in the thoughts of all at St Mirren Park.

Above: Hugh with the 1967/68 Second Division Championship winning squad.

Below: Hugh receives award from the club recognising his part in securing Saint’s first-ever league championship title.

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick said: "We have complied robustly with the official testing and hygiene regimen to the letter, using a private testing facility in accordance with the Scottish Government and the SPFL/SFA Joint Response Group protocols.

"Our players were tested on Monday 20th and have returned 100% negative tests on Wednesday 22nd July, however test results for seven of the coaching staff undertaken at the same time showed they were positive for Covid-19.

"We immediately implemented strict isolation protocols and made further arrangements for the coaching staff to be retested at NHS testing facilities on Thursday 23rd.

"I’m very pleased to report that six of the subsequent coaching staff tests have now come back negative this morning (Friday 24th).

"The remaining member of the coaching staff has confirmed as a positive test result and continues to be in strict isolation and has not come into contact with any member of the playing or coaching staff since Saturday 18th July. The club will continue to support and look after this staff member to ensure a full recovery.

"We are liaising closely with NHS Scotland, the SPFL and the SFA on next steps. We will also be undertaking an urgent review of the private testing arrangement which returned the initial false positive test results.

"In light of recent events the club’s planned friendly match at home to St Johnstone, scheduled to take place on Saturday 25th July, has been cancelled.

"Our priority throughout the pandemic has always been the safety and wellbeing of our staff and players, and to ensure we placed public safety at the forefront of our thoughts and actions. This will continue to be the club's top priority as a safe start to the football season is essential."

We can confirm our testing regimen has identified several members of our coaching staff have tested positive for COVID-19. We immediately contacted the health authorities, and the SPFL and the SFA have also been informed.

Thus far no members of the playing staff have tested positive and we are taking all possible precautions to ensure there is no further spread. We will provide an update in due course.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Gennaro Glass and Glazing will become the club’s first ever official sleeve sponsor.

Gennaro is a family company with over 70 years experience in glass & glazing and is able to offer a highly professional and comprehensive service to all customers, large and small. Based in Paisley, they are one of the leading manufacturers in the UK of Fire Rated products such as windows and doors.

The new deal will see the Gennaro logo on the sleeves of all first team home and away tops in the coming season.

Gennaro director, Kevin Beattie said: "We are delighted to become a official sponsor of the club and look forward to seeing our brand proudly displayed on the kit."

Our Scottish Premiership fixture away to Celtic, originally scheduled for Saturday 31st October, has been postponed due to Celtic's involvement in the semi-final of the 2019/20 Scottish Cup.

A new date for the match against Celtic will be announced in due course.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Isak Thorvaldsson is the latest player that will #BeInThatNumber after agreeing a season-long loan with Saints.

The 19 year-old Icelandic midfielder joins us on the temporary deal from English side Norwich City. The Canaries retain the option to recall Isak in January.

Capped at U19 level for Iceland, Isak began his career with his local club Afturelding before joining Norwich City in 2017. In January 2020, Isak signed a loan deal with English League One play-off semi-finalists Fleetwood Town.

He becomes our second signing of the afternoon following the announcement of Joe Shaughnessy at 4pm. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, Isak said: "I'm really excited to get back to playing after meeting all the boys.

"I spoke to Akin [Famewo] before coming here and he only said positive things about the club. I don't know much about Scottish football but St Mirren seem like a good club to come to and hopefully we'll do well this season. 

"I'm an explosive player who likes to get into tackles and fight for the team. I just want to help the team as much as I can and show what I'm capable of."

On the signing, manager Jim Goodwin said: "We've managed to develop a really good relationship with the guys at Norwich and had great success with Akin last season.

"Isak is an Iceland youth international and will probably be in the U21 squad for them when it next comes about.

"He's a midfielder who can do a little bit of everything. He's a physical player but also technically very good and I'm really looking forward to seeing him."

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Joe Shaughnessy will #BeInThatNumber after agreeing a two-year deal with Saints subject to international clearance. 

The Irish defender has signed a two-year contract to become Jim Goodwin’s fourth signing of the summer after leaving English League One side Southend United.

The 27-year-old is no stranger to Scottish football having joined Aberdeen as a 16-year-old in 2009. He played 59 times for the Dons in a six-year spell whilst also having spells on loan at Forfar Athletic and Falkirk.

In 2015, following his exit from Aberdeen, Joe signed for St Johnstone. He would make 169 appearances for the Perth Saints in a four-year spell and was named club captain in 2017.

After 10 years in Scotland, Joe left St Johnstone last summer to seek a new challenge in England where he signed for Southend United.

Joe told stmirren.com: "I'm very happy to get everything over the line. 

The manager really sold the club to me. His ambition came across really well any time I spoke to him and it made me feel like there is something starting here and I want to be a part of it. 

"I had four years at St Johnstone which went really well and time at Aberdeen too. I feel well suited to the Scottish game and hopefully I can bring what I learned in England to here. 

Saints manager Jim Goodwin said: "We have been in constant dialogue with Joe since he left Southend United and we are delighted that we have been able to get him signed up. 

"He is a fantastic leader and a really good character as well. He's got fantastic experience in the Scottish Premiership already and played a huge part in St Johnstone's success in recent years.

'All these boys we are bringing in fit a certain profile and Joe ticks every box."

Earlier this week we asked supporters to send in their questions for new signings, Richard Tait, Jak Alnwick and Nathan Sheron.

We put a selection of your questions to our new Saints.

Q: What was the biggest selling point for you in coming to St Mirren?

(Nathan Sheron) A: Just the stature of the club and how big the club is. I'd never been to Scotland but I'm looking forward to it. 

(Jak Alwnick) A: Just speaking to the gaffer and speaking. to Lee Hodson. It was a club that I had come across in the past with Paul Dummett and Conor Newton coming up here on loan. With no start date in England for coming back I just wanted to get going straight away. The phone call came from the gaffer and said he wanted to come to the club and I knew I wanted to join. I'm buzzing to get started. 

(Richard Tait) A: When I met the manager that really swayed my decision. I really liked what he had to say. I think most footballers like to be wanted by a team and St Mirren wanted me so that's why I joined.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in Scottish football?

(Nathan Sheron) A: I'm just looking forward to the whole experience of it. There are some big games but it's all about the competition and the competitiveness of the league.

Q: What are you looking to achieve at St Mirren?

(Nathan Sheron) A: I just want us to finish as high as we can in the table and try and win as many games as possible.

(Jak Alnwick) A: I want to play as many games as possible and get as many clean sheets as possible. My aim to start with is to play every single league game. 

(Richard Tait) A: I'd like to get a lot more assists than I have in the past two seasons. I think the season before that I was up there with most in the league so a few more assists would be nice. I'd also like to play as many games as I can and just generally for the team to do well. 

Q: How excited are you for the start of the season and how strange will it be without fans?

(Nathan Sheron) A: I can't wait for it. We'll definitely miss the fans but we've just got to focus on each game and know the fans will be supporting us from a distance.

(Jak Alnwick) A: It will be quite strange but pre-season has been better than I thought. It's been fairly normal as far as pre-season goes. We've played a few bounce games with no fans and that prepares us for it, but it will obviously be strange at first. It's something within a game or two I think we will get quite used to and hopefully it's not long before everyone is back in. 

Q: If you bring one player that you've already played with to this club, who would it be and why?

(Jak Alnwick) A: Hatem Ben Arfa is the best player I've ever played with. More recently, Armand Gnanduillet at Blackpool. He scored a lot of goals last season but Ben Arfa is the best player I've ever played with.

(Richard Tait) A: Probably Liam Grimshaw at Motherwell because he's my mate. It's a bit of a double-edged sword though as he'd probably be after my position! 

Q: Who is the best player you have ever played against?

(Jak Alnwick) A: As a young player it was Paul Pogba. Whenever we would play against Manchester United he was head and shoulders above everybody. As a goalkeeper he was tricky to play against because he'd hit them for everywhere.

As I got older the best player I played against was Eden Hazard. You have seen what he achieved in the English Premier League and he was different class in the way he moved the ball. The two of those players are the best I've played against.

(Richard Tait) A: Wayne Rooney. It was during that phase where they weren't doing great under Louis Van Gaal but he was still unreal. 

Q: Which players at St Mirren have impressed you the most?

(Jak Alnwick) A: I think as a whole with the tempo in training it would be really hard to single anyone out. But as a goalkeeper I'm coming up against Jon Obika and Junior Morias most and they've looked really sharp. 

(Richard Tait) A: Cammy MacPherson has real potential as does Ethan Erhahon. There are a few young boys in the side that, if they make the right choices and do the right things, could go a long way in football, but all-in-all the whole squad has impressed me. 

RICHARD TAIT, JAK ALNWICK AND NATHAN SHERON WILL #BEINTHATNUMBER FOR THE 2020/21 SEASON. WILL YOU? GET YOUR SEASON TICKET NOW!

St Mirren Football Club, long known as The Saints, today launched a search for the outstanding people of the Paisley area who are also deserving of that title.

The Saints In That Number initiative will reward the most deserving community-conscious individuals with a St Mirren FC family season ticket for the new Premiership season soon to start.

The club is asking Buddies to nominate people who in their view help to make Paisley a better place by their selfless acts.

St Mirren FC will provide the initial tranche of these season tickets for the Paisley heroes, but it also looking for local businesses to get involved with the scheme and donate season tickets.

Already Kibble, the specialist child and youth care charity which in January bought 27.8% of the shares in the club, has committed to taking part by providing tickets.

Several Paisley businesses have jumped at the opportunity to join Saints In That Number including Claymore Contracts Ltd and Scotjet Ltd. However, we’re looking for more to get involved.

St Mirren Chief Executive and club legend Tony Fitzpatrick said: "During these recent challenging times, it’s important that the wider community stands in solidarity to support one another as much as possible.

"St Mirren is first and foremost a community club and we are proud of Paisley and its people. So we are pleased to announce the club will donate the first sets of St Mirren FC family season tickets to outstanding keyworkers, NHS workers and other deserving local heroes who have completed selfless acts.

"But we are also inviting Paisley businesses to get involved in the Saints In That Number initiative. In return for their involvement, they will be able to choose the winner of their ticket from the nominations, or indeed nominate their own 'Saints’'"

Nominations can be made via a contact form on stmirren.com, and businesses looking to take part in the scheme should email their details to commercial@stmirren.com.