Jim Rodger wanted to become a school teacher, and that ambition led to him playing a part in one of Saints’ greatest days!

Born in Cleland in September 1933, he began playing football at school, progressing through to the Wishaw High school first team. In his final year, they reached the under-18 Shield final in 1951, winning 5-1.

After school, Jim joined Cumnock Juniors before moving up to the senior game with Rangers in May 1952. Three years later, after three first team appearances, he was released by manager Scot Symon as he was unwilling to turn full-time due to pursuing that teaching qualification at Glasgow University. Rangers loss was Saints’ gain, as manager Willie Reid moved quickly to sign him after being impressed with his displays in recent reserve matches between the sides.

Jim’s first match for Saints was a League Cup game against Kilmarnock on 13th August 1955. He scored his first goal in the opening league match against Raith Rovers in a 2-2 draw. His second goal was against Dumbarton in the quarter-final of the League Cup as Saints won 6-2 on aggregate. A 2-0 replay win over Motherwell in the semi-final led Saints to the final against Aberdeen. On 22nd October 1955 Saints faced Aberdeen at Hampden, but unfortunately, despite playing well, lost 2-1 to The Dons. During that first season Jim played in 24 matches, scoring four times.

Over the next couple of years his appearances in the stripes were limited due to National Service, playing only 14 games with five goals scored. Serving his time in the RAF, he spent a period stationed at RAF St Athan, near Barry, in South Wales. To keep up his playing fitness, he spent some time with local club Newport County, playing several reserve matches during the latter part of season 1956/57. He scored a few goals in these matches and at the start of the following season he made five appearances in the County top team, scoring once against Port Vale in a 2-1 win on 11th November 1957 before returning to Paisley.

It was to be January 1959 before he gained a regular starting place in the Saints’ team, just in time to play his part in St Mirren history as they reached the Scottish Cup final. Having scored in the first three rounds of the competition against Peebles Rovers, Motherwell and Dunfermline, Jim was a vital part of the team that swept Celtic aside 4-0 in the semi-final before lining up against Aberdeen on 25th April 1959. He played his part in gaining revenge for that League Cup defeat in 1955, with a 3-1 win.

After the cup win, Jim started the next season in good form and was to play 30 of the 34 league matches scoring 5 times. He also scored four times in the Scottish Cup as another bit of history was made. The first round of their defence of the trophy saw them face Glasgow University at Love Street. In a one-sided match, Jim scored the 14th goal as Saints ran in a club record 15-0 score line.

The second round paired Saints with Celtic and Jim scored just after the hour mark to put Saints ahead, but the lead lasted just 60 seconds and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The replay saw a goal-fest with Jim again scoring once in a 4-4 draw. A second replay saw Jim continue his scoring record, however this time it was a consolation as Saints lost 5-2.

Season 1960/61 was arguably Jim’s best season at Love Street. He played in 40 matches over all competitions and scored 15 times, making him the club’s top scorer. Best match of the season, and possibly Jim’s best-ever in the stripes, was undoubtedly a Scottish Cup match against Third Lanark. Having drawn 3-3 in the first match, Saints travelled to Cathkin for the replay on 28th February. Jim was on top form and in nine second half minutes he netted his first senior hat-trick. He added a fourth goal later in the game as Saints ran out 8-0 winners.

Season 1961/62 started well with Jim scoring in a League Cup match against Raith Rovers. When the league campaign got underway he scored twice in the first three matches. He continued to play well, making 21 appearances up until the middle of January 1962. His form prompted Hearts’ manager Tommy Walker, to take him to Tynecastle at the beginning of February.

In his seven years in Paisley Jim played 155 matches and scored 44 times, placing him 32nd in Saints’ scoring charts.

This article first appeared in the St Mirren matchday programme on 5th August 2017 for the match against Falkirk.

St Mirren Football Club and the St Mirren Charitable Foundation would like to thank all of those who are playing their part in helping the community during these difficult times.

Firstly, we would like to thank all of our 'Saints of the Day', everyone who has kindly donated essential food and hygiene items and also those who have volunteered their time to support us and our partner organisation Star Project by delivering food parcels to vulnerable homes during this time.

We would like to give particular thanks to Gillian Robinson of Company Shop in Renfrew as she continues to go above and beyond and from week-to-week. Her support is invaluable. We also wish to mention Jim Goodwin & James Hunter for delivering food parcels and boosting morale this week.

Secondly, we wish to thank our new food partners Gary McGaw of Bianco E Nero & George Naismith of Abercorn Dairies who have come on board and agreed to provide 200 pints of milk, our most sought after essential item, per week for the next 10 weeks. It is unbelievably generous and everyone at Star Project and here at the Foundation applaud you, thank you.

Next we wish to thank every member of the community who has already donated and who continue to donate to our JustGiving page. These funds are essential to us as we navigate through this period of lockdown and reduced program delivery.

We would like to take time to thank the first team player who made a substantial donation directly to the Foundation and wishes to remain anonymous, we are humbled by your generosity.

To the St Mirren Disabled Supporters Association we give thanks for your kind donation and show of support, so thoughtful and greatly appreciated.

We also thank our dear friend Paul McGrath from Consilium Contracting Services for your kind donation and constant support.

Lastly a note of thanks to our amazing coaches for all of their care, time and never ending team spirit. They go above and beyond every day supporting Gayle Brannigan of the Foundation and the community. We are very fortunate to have them and every member of the team is truly valued.

Thank you to the Foundation's board, the board of St Mirren, Jim Goodwin, Kate Cooper and all the players for your constant encouragement, advice and unwavering support, what a team we have!

Take care of yourselves, stay home, stay safe and have a lovely weekend.

Dundee FC’s decision to say yes has finally resulted in the passing of the SPFL’s resolution recommending the termination of the 2019/20 season in the Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2 – with the same applying to the Premiership if the remaining matches in our division cannot be played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St Mirren Football Club put on record last week that we fully supported the resolution and we firmly believe the decision that has been made by member clubs is the correct one.

As we’ve previously said, the concerns of football during this terrible crisis seems like a small thing when people are dying, and as lockdown continues both the UK and Scottish Governments make it abundantly clear that everybody must stay in their homes as much as possible with the least social contact until scientific opinion says otherwise.

From a public safety angle, for the protection of both fans and players, and to safeguard the NHS, we are happy that Scottish football is now likely to be taking a complete break until after the summer and hopefully able to start season 2020/21 safely on schedule.

All of our fans are the heart of the club and we want to be able to support you throughout this challenging time; just as you have always supported St Mirren and our local community.

The St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation would like to reach out to those who are struggling through this time. If you feel this is something you will benefit from then please get in touch on one of the ways listed below to enable a volunteer to be in touch with you.

We are here for you and our community has never been more important.

Contact us:

General Enquiries – info@stmirren.com 

Charitable Foundation - foundation@stmirren.com

Gayle Brannigan - gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com 

As a club we have made it clear that we support the SPFL resolution to end the season now for Leagues One & Two and the Championship and for the decision on the Premiership to be decided following the UEFA meetings later this month.

While every club has their own individual view on what sporting integrity looks like the fact remains that without the clarity that this decision will bring there are many clubs who may not survive the horrible situation we find ourselves in.

We continue to move forward and even during these dark times we are looking at ways we can strengthen our club.

As part of that ongoing plan we would like to announce two senior appointments. Mark MacMillan, joins the St Mirren board as a Director, and David Jamieson, takes up a new full-time club operational post as General Manager.

Mark MacMillan, Head of Corporate Services for Kibble Group, has a key role in developing and implementing the Organisations strategy in relation to human resources, funding, marketing, communications and external relations. Mark is also a former Leader of Renfrewshire Council, where he was at the forefront of the creation of the Glasgow City Region City Deal and Paisley’s Bid to be UK City of Culture. He previously sat on the Glasgow City Region Economic Leadership Board.

Mark joins Kibble’s Chief Executive Jim Gillespie as one of the Kibble Group two nominated Directors, replacing Ronnie McGinlay who has resigned in these unprecedented times to focus and spend more time with his company Walker Laird solicitors.

David Jamieson has commenced in his role as St Mirren Football Club General Manager. David has held several senior management positions during his 15 years working at Kibble. David will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the club’s non-football activities, including the upkeep and development of the Simple Digital Arena, Ralston Training Ground and facilitating Kibble’s young workforce development activities at St Mirren.

St Mirren chairman Gordon Scott welcomed the appointments. He said: "When Kibble’s investment was announced we said that St Mirren’s existing staff would be supported by Kibble's expertise in areas such as HR, finance, marketing and communications amongst others. The appointments of Mark and David are direct examples of this and show how the relationship between our two historic Paisley organisations is growing to the benefit of St Mirren football club.

"I look forward to handing over my day-to-day duties to David over the coming months and passing on the knowledge I have gained over the last four years. At this stage I have no intention of reducing my involvement with the club and see the appointment of David as an opportunity for me to focus on things that can take the club forward.

"As a board we have had many discussions about ideas we would like to investigate but up until now our focus has been on improving the infrastructure of the club, putting us on a strong financial footing and getting us back to the Premiership. I look forward to helping implement these new ideas alongside David, Tony and the board."

Season tickets

Given the uncertainty of the situation regarding the leagues being determined as they stand and the potential for the decision on the Premiership not being resolved until the end of April we have decided to hold off selling season tickets until the beginning of May.

There are also obvious logistical issues that would be created by trying to sell tickets during the lockdown and the additional time will give us more time to consider a safe plan with more consideration of the current environment.

Street Stuff update

• Staff continue to assist with activities for children of key workers within local schools.
• Staff assisted with the delivery of activities within schools throughout the Easter weekend.
• The Street Stuff Youth bus is being used to transport meals within the local community.
• Evening activities are available on-line and young people are encouraged to get involved.

Street Stuff Social Media

Facebook page: StreetStuff

Twitter: @SMFCStreetStuff

Instagram: @smfcstreetstuff

YouTube: streetstuff1877

Tik Tok: @streetstuff_1877

Supporters can still get in touch with the club via email.

General Enquiries – info@stmirren.com 

Ticket Office – tickets@stmirren.com 

Fans who wish to purchase anything from the club shop can still do so online. All orders will be processed and posted as quickly as possible, however, as you will all be aware the guidelines for what can be delivered changes on a daily basis. If you have any queries please email the shop on shop@stmirrendirect.co.uk 

The commercial department will remain open and supporters and sponsors wishing to make contact are advised to do so by email commercial@stmirren.com. 

St Mirren Charitable Foundation

A few days after our last update we filmed a short call to action asking all of our followers and supporters to watch our weekly wish list of essential items and, where possible, to donate what they can, the response has been overwhelming. We now have daily pick ups of these foods and hygiene products which we deliver to Star Project and they in turn dispatch immediately within their food parcels. This is having a huge impact in the local community and changing the lives of those who are most vulnerable during this time.

Many of our program participants & friends have been delivering goods directly to Star Project and also volunteering their time for Star & Renfrewshire Foodbank. Our St manager, Jim Goodwin, and Head of Media, James Hunter, kindly volunteered their time last week to deliver some of these food parcels door to door, well done lads.

We have managed to fulfil our promise of securing one new food partner per week and we must pay particular thanks to Gillian Robinson of the Company Shop in Renfrew who has responded to every crisis call we have put out - she has been amazing.

As most of you will know the number one constant emergency item for us is fresh milk and today we are delighted to announce that our newest partnership is a collaboration between Abercorn Dairies & Bianco E Nero who have agreed to donate 100 two pint cartons of fresh milk to us every week for Star Project, unbelievably generous and greatly appreciated. Both of these local companies are launching their online ordering portals at the end of this week and we will be promoting them via social media so please take the time to check them out and give them some support.

Instagram – smfc_charitablefoundation

Twitter - @SMFC_CF

Facebook – St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation

Contact - gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com 

Last but not least we give thanks to all of our Saints of the Day.

Firstly, our amazing team of coaches who are giving their time on a daily basis to inspire, support, motivate and engage with our followers and the wider community by delivering innovative, educational and fun content. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful team.

Next we thank everyone of you who have been so generous financially, from those who has donated to our JustGiving page, to the first team player who made a generous donation to us and wishes to remain anonymous, to the members of SMiSA who are currently voting on their £2 pot for April, we thank you all.

Lastly to every single person who has donated food goods and essential items over the course of the past three weeks, your support, kindness and care has been truly humbling and it’s been great to see you all, albeit from a responsible distance.

Everything you guys are doing to support us is in turn supporting our community partners like Star Project, you are making a huge difference. Thank you.

We are delighted to announce a two-year sponsorship extension with Ultimate Home Solutions Ltd to be St Mirren Football Club’s official Social Media sponsor.

The deal will see joint branding on the club's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts for the next two seasons.

Colin Pass, Managing Director of Ultimate Home Solutions Ltd said: "We are a local business and feel this is a great opportunity for us not only to promote our own business, but also to continue to support the club financially."

St Mirren Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy said: "I would like to thank Ultimate Home Solutions Ltd for their continued support and committing to the club during these uncertain times.

"Social Media is a huge marketing tool for the football club and businesses alike and we look forward to a successful partnership."

For more information about Ultimate Home Solutions please visit their website ultimatehomesolutions.co.uk. 

The St Mirren Charitable Foundation has partnered with Star Project Paisley over the last few weeks to help provide for those in need in the community during this difficult time. 

Last week St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin and Head of Media, James Hunter, both volunteered at Star Project to deliver food parcels to those in need in Paisley. 

Star Project are currently in need of the following items for the week ahead: 

- Cereals
- Milk
- Eggs
- Ready Meals
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Soap 

St Mirren Football Club and the St Mirren Charitable Foundation would like to pay a huge thanks to Manorview, Starbucks, Tesco and Company Shop for their assistance as food partners over the past few weeks.

If anyone is able to help out with providing the following items or wishes to learn more about helping Star Project please contact gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com. 

On 2nd December 1992 St Mirren lined up against Cowdenbeath in a First Division match at Love Street. On the bench for Saints was a young man called Ricky Gillies.

When he replaced his brother Kenny during the match, Ricky became the youngest player ever to represent Saints in an official competitive first team match, at 16 years and 100 days old!

Further history was made late in the match when he headed home a John Hewitt cross to become the club’s youngest scorer. The match ended 5-0 and the name Ricky Gillies was embedded into Saints’ history forever! He made two further substitute appearances before making his first start on 10th March 1993 against Raith Rovers at Love Street.

Over the next two seasons Ricky played irregularly, but soon earned a place with the first team squad and by the start of season 1995/96 he had become a regular in the starting line-up, displaying a talent and maturity beyond his years. He clocked up 31 starts that season and registered three goals. He also played in several reserve matches, scoring four times, as Saints’ second string won the Reserve League West title.

Season 1996/97 saw Ricky grow into one of Saints most consistent and creative players, despite being only 20 years old. The opening game of the season was against East Fife at Bayview and Ricky netted twice in a 4-0 victory. Bayview was to be a happy hunting ground for him that season as in the second trip there on Boxing Day 1996, he claimed his first senior hat-trick in a 3-0 win. He scored a total of eight times that season.

This form saw Ricky gain international recognition. Having been capped at Under-16, 17 and 19 levels, he gained seven Under-21 caps between August 1996 and July 1997. He had also attracted attention from a number of other clubs, most notably Liverpool and Newcastle but it was Aberdeen who tempted Ricky north in August 1997 for £35,000.

Big things were expected from him at Pittodrie, however the Dons were in a period of change and went through four managers in two-and-a-half seasons, meaning Ricky never really got the chance to prove himself in the Premier League. In his time at Pittodrie he started in 17 matches with 35 as substitute, scoring twice.

Towards the end of season 1999/2000, Ricky was well out of the first team picture at Pittodrie, and Saints stepped in to secure a short-term loan deal. He made his return as a substitute against Livingston on 15th April and went on to play in the final four matches as Saints were crowned First Division champions.

During the close season, a deal was struck to keep Ricky in Paisley permanently and he was in place for the start of the SPL season that followed. In a poor season for Saints, Ricky was one of the few highlights and ended the year as the club’s top scorer with 11 goals. His first goal of the season was against old club, Aberdeen at Pittodrie on 5th August. However, it was merely a consolation as the Dons won 2-1. He scored against the Dons again on 28th October at Love street, this time helping Saints to a 2-0 win.

Ricky’s best game of the season was against Dundee United on 23rd April. United led 1-0 going into the final 20 minutes, but Ricky scored twice to win the game and give some hope of avoiding relegation. Unfortunately, it was not enough and Saints returned to the First Division.

Back in the First Division, St Mirren underwent two seasons of mediocre performances and had to battle relegation up till the final few matches before safety was assured. In seasons of very few high points, Ricky again proved to be a stand-out and by the end of 2002/03 he was again attracting interest from other clubs.

He made his 250th start for the club against Alloa on 10th May in what was widely expected to be his final match for Saints. During the close season, there was much transfer talk, but Ricky showed his feeling for the club by pledging his future to Saints for a further two years.

He started season 2003/04 with five goals in the first few matches. Unfortunately, his form, along with the overall team performances dipped and the season was again, disappointing with a seventh place finish. Ricky finished with nine goals to top the scoring charts.

Season 2004/05 saw an upturn in team performances under new manager Gus MacPherson. Ricky played in 30 matches, but only managed two goals. He was awarded a testimonial for his service to the club and on 30th March 2005 a Celtic team made up of youngsters and a few senior pros, came to Love Street to play Saints. A single Brian McGinty goal saw Saints win 1-0, and gave the fans the chance to show their respect to a great club servant.

At the end of the season, the manager made several changes to the squad and Ricky was released, joining Partick Thistle.

In his two spells in Paisley, Ricky played in 318 games and scored 56 times, placing him 22nd in the all-time scoring charts. His youngest player record was broken in August 2003 when Scott Gemmill played, aged 16 years and 61 days. Ricky still remains the youngest scorer in the club’s history.

This article first appeared in the St Mirren matchday programme on 15th August 2017 for the match against East Kilbride.

SPFL clubs have been invited to vote by 5pm today on a resolution recommending the termination of the 2019/20 season in the Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2 – with the same applying to the Premiership if the remaining matches in our division cannot be played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St Mirren Football Club fully support the resolution put forward by the SPFL this week, as stated:

"SPFL clubs are to vote on a resolution recommending the termination of the 2019/20 season in the Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2, with final season placings determined by points per game in league matches played to date by each club.

"The resolution also recommends that matches in the Ladbrokes Premiership remain postponed for the time being, to give the best possible opportunity for the remaining 2019/20 fixtures to be played.

"However, if the SPFL Board determines that the remaining Premiership matches cannot be played, the Ladbrokes Premiership would also be terminated, with final season placings determined on the same basis."

Our club has previously said, the concerns of football during this terrible crisis seems like a small thing when an increasing number of people are dying daily from coronavirus. Yet, it has become clear that for the sake of the game’s future in Scotland, a decision is going to have to be made that gives clarity to the SPFL’s member clubs.

The Board of Directors continue to meet regularly to review the financial stability of our club. This is essential in these unprecedented times.

St Mirren, in common with all other football people, would have always preferred to play the season to its proper conclusion, however for the protection of both fans and players, football should take a break until after the summer and hopefully be able to start season 2020/21 as soon as possible, safely.

As both the UK and Scottish Governments make clear daily, everybody must stay at home as much as possible, to protect the NHS and save lives. Putting increased pressure on clubs to end this season, and potentially start next season early is not what society needs right now.

A bucket collection at the Simple Digital Arena before our match against Hearts last month raised £486 for Marie Curie during their Great Daffodil appeal.

Marie Curie Nurses and frontline staff give vital support to dying people and their families, in their homes and our hospices across the UK. At this time of national emergency, when the NHS is being put under extreme strain, these crucial services are needed more than ever.

Sara Murray, Community fundraiser at Marie Curie said: "Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to collect at your grounds, your support is greatly appreciated, especially at the current time.

"If anybody would like to support further, they can find more details of the Marie Curie Emergency appeal at www.mariecurie.org.uk. 

"Thank you again to everyone at St Mirren for your kind generosity."