St Mirren travel to Iceland this week as we take on Valur in Reyjkavík in the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round. 

Saints face the Besta deild karla side on Thursday evening in our first European tie since 1987. 

Traveling to Iceland for a football match can be an exciting experience. Here are some safety travel tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip:

Before You Go

Research and Plan Ahead:

Weather: Check the weather forecast. Iceland's weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly.

Visa Requirements: Ensure you have the necessary travel documents and visas, if applicable.

Health Precautions:

Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required for Iceland.

Travel Insurance: Obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers health, accidents, and trip cancellations.

Travel Documentation:

Make copies of important documents like passports, tickets, and insurance papers. Store them separately from the originals.

Airport Security:

Arrive early at the airport to allow ample time for security checks and boarding procedures.

Luggage:

Always keep your luggage within sight. Use locks and tags to secure and identify your bags.

Upon Arrival

Local Transportation:

Taxis and Public Transport: Use licensed taxis and familiarise yourself with the local public transport system.

Driving: If renting a car, be aware of Iceland's driving laws and road conditions.

Accommodation:

Stay in reputable hotels or accommodations. Use hotel safes to store valuables.

During Your Stay

Safety at the Stadium:

Tickets: Only purchase match tickets from our official sources.

Crowds: Be cautious in large crowds and follow the instructions of local authorities and event staff.

Behaviour: Respect local customs and laws. Avoid any behaviour that could be seen as disruptive or disrespectful.

Personal Safety:

Alcohol Consumption: Drink responsibly and be aware of your surroundings.

Night Safety: Stick to well-lit areas and avoid walking alone at night.

Emergency Contacts:

Know the local emergency numbers (e.g., 112 for emergency services in Iceland).

Have the contact details of your country's embassy or consulate in Iceland.

Weather Preparedness:

Dress appropriately and be prepared for sudden weather changes. Carry waterproof and windproof clothing.

Be cautious when participating in outdoor activities, such as hiking or exploring natural sites. Inform someone of your plans and expected return time.

Communication:

Stay Connected: Have a working mobile phone with international roaming or a local SIM card.

Share your travel itinerary with family or friends back home.

Cultural Respect

Local Customs: Familiarise yourself with Icelandic customs and etiquette. Icelanders are known for their politeness and respect for nature.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and memorable trip to Iceland.

Away section:

Turnstiles will open at 5.45pm local time.

If you have concerns regarding access to the stadium, please contact slo@stmirren.com as soon as possible.

Permitted Items:

• Small Bags: Bags should not exceed 25cm x 25cm x 25cm; backpacks should be left in the cloakroom.
• Battery Packs and Charging Cables
• Flags and Banners: These should not exceed 2m x 1m and will be checked by security for inflammatory language.
• Essential Medicines: Including inhalers.

Prohibited Items:

• Video Cameras
• Toiletries: Including perfume bottles.
• Please see appendix for the full list of prohibited items provided below.

How to get to the stadium:

It is a an approx. 36min from the centre of Reykjavik to the Hlíðarendi Stadium, see map in pix

Useful Information

British Embassy Reykjavik

Laufásvegur 31
101 Reykjavík
Iceland

Passport advice line: +44 300 222 0000

Emergency services in Iceland

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Useful Links:

Appendix

Unless otherwise authorized in writing, Stadium Visitors and Accredited Persons are not permitted to use, possess, hold, or bring into the Stadium the following Prohibited Items:

• Weapons of any kind.
• Anything that could be used as a weapon or to cut, thrust or stab, or as a projectile, in particular long umbrellas and other unwieldy implements.
• Bottles, cups, jugs or cans of any kind as well as other objects made from glass or any other fragile, non-shatterproof or especially tough material or Tetrapak packaging, hard cooler boxes
• Fireworks, flares, smoke powder, smoke canisters, smoke bombs or other pyrotechnics.
• Alcoholic beverages of any kind, narcotics, or stimulants.
• Racist, xenophobic cause, charity, or ideological concern related materials, including but not limited to banners, signs, symbols and leaflets, objects, or clothing, which could impair the enjoyment of the event by other spectators, or detract from the sporting focus of the event.
• Flagpoles or banner poles of any kind. Only flexible plastic poles and so-called double-poles that do not exceed 1 meter in length and 1 cm in diameter and which are not made of inflammable material are permitted.
• Banners or flags larger than 2m x 1m50. Smaller flags and banners are permitted if they are made from material which is deemed “of low flammability” and complies with national regulations and standards.
• Any promotional or commercial, materials, including but not limited to banners, signs, symbols and leaflets, or any kind of promotional or commercial objects, material, and clothing.
• Gas spray cans, corrosive, flammable substances, dyes, or receptacles containing substances which are harmful to health or are highly flammable:
• Unwieldy objects such as, large bags, rucksacks, suitcases, and sports bags. “Unwieldy” is given to mean all objects which are larger than 25cmx25cmx25cm and which cannot be stowed under the seat in the Stadium.
• Large quantities of paper and/or rolls of paper.
• Mechanically operated instruments which produce an excessive volume of noise such as megaphones, hooters, or gas-powered horns. Drums will not be permitted.
• Laser pointers.
• Cameras (except for private use and then only with one set of replacement or rechargeable batteries), video cameras or other sound or video recording equipment.
• Computers or other devices used for the purposes of transmitting or disseminating sound, pictures, descriptions, or results of the events via the internet or other forms of media.

We can confirm that we have this afternoon received delivery of tickets from Valur for this Thursday’s UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round tie.

Saints head to Iceland this week to take on the Besta deild karla outfit in Reykjavík in our first European tie since 1987.

We are aware that many are travelling for the match soon and will be keen to have their tickets secured. Season Ticket Holders successful in the ballot should visit the St Mirren Ticket Office tomorrow morning (Tuesday 23rd July) from 10am to receive a paper copy of their ticket with proof of ID. 

If you are unable to visit the St Mirren Ticket Office, then please give us a call on 0141-840-6130 to pay for your tickets and we will send you a digital ticket via email. Please note this must be the email address that you used when entering the ballot. Tickets are priced at £18. If phone lines are busy, please send an email to tickets@stmirren.com and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience.

The winner of the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round Tie between St Mirren and Valur will face either Go Ahead Eagles (NED) or SK Brann (NOR) in the Third Qualifying Round.

The UEFA Conference League Third Qualifying Round draw took place this afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland and saw Saints face a potential trip to either the Netherlands or Norway should they progress past Icelandic side Valur.

These ties will be played on the weeks of August 8th and 15th. 

It was another 2-2 draw with English opposition as Saints drew with Carlisle United at The SMiSA Stadium in our final pre-season friendly. 

After the same result against Fleetwood Town on Saturday, the Buddies were held by the Cumbrians ahead of our UEFA Conference League tie against Valur in Iceland on Thursday. 

Saints fell behind on 30 minutes, but drew level early in the second-half through Toyosi Olusanya. James Scott headed us in front with 10 minutes remaining only for the visitors to equalise five minutes later. 

Saints had the first real opportunity in the opening 20 minutes when Mikael Mandron saw a shot blocked by a Carlisle United defender.

The visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark when Harrison Neal fired low into the bottom corner of the net after a nice one-two with Charlie Wyke. 

The Buddies levelled quickly after restart when Olusanya glanced home a wonderful cross from Jaden Brown on 50 minutes. 

New signing Alex Iacovitti got his first taste of action as a Saints player when he came on for Richard Taylor on 61 minutes, but his game would only last seven minutes when he pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and he had to be replaced by Shaun Rooney.

Freddie O'Donoghue almost put Carlisle back in front but his header came off the bar. And it was Saints who would go ahead when an Ethan Sutherland corner wasn't cleared properly which allowed fellow substitute James Scott to flick a neat backward header into the net. 

But Carlisle equalised with five minutes remaining when Terell Thomas bulleted home a header from a Dan Butterworth corner. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-2 Carlisle United

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, R.Taylor (Iacovitti 61, Rooney 68), Bwomono, Smyth (F.Taylor 84), Boyd-Munce (Adeniran 68), O'Hara (c) (Idowu 46), Brown (Sutherland 75), Olusanya (Ayunga 65), Mandron (Scott 68)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Jamieson

Carlisle United: Lewis, Davies (Butterworth 61), Thomas, Lavelle, Hayden (McGeouch 61), Robson (Allan 75), Wyke (Fitzpatrick 61), Charters (Ellis 61), Vela (c) (Barclay 61), Neal (O'Donoghue 61), Armstrong (Kelly 75)
Subs Not Used: Breeze, Smith

Attendance: 2,011 

Last night, it was confirmed that Saints would be heading to Iceland to face Valur FC in the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round. 

The club would like to provide a further update as we get set for our first European tie since 1987.

Ballot

With a limited number of additional tickets becoming available from Valur, as well as supporters originally successful but no longer being able to travel, we have now sent emails to supporters that have been successful in the second ballot.

If you have received an email this afternoon confirming you were successful, you must fill out the form that was provided to you in the email to confirm you wish to take your ticket by 10am on Monday 22nd July. If you are now unable to attend for any reason please select the appropriate option in the form. If you do not complete this form by the closing date you will be withdrawn from the process.

Kick-off times

Provisional kick-off times have been set for both ties. The away leg is due to kick-off at 7:45pm UK time (6:45pm local time) on Thursday 25th July. The second leg at The SMiSA Stadium is also due to kick-off at 7:45pm UK time on Thursday 1st August. In consultation with UEFA and Valur, we hope to confirm this as soon as possible. 

Ticket Purchase/Distribution process

The club has been in discussions with Valur regarding the distribution of tickets. At the moment, Valur are in consultation with their ticket providers with regards to the best way of delivering tickets to us. They have assured us they will update with the relevant information as soon as possible.

We will let those supporters who have been successful know as soon as possible how they can purchase and receive these tickets. Valur has confirmed the ticket price is 3000 ISK which works out at roughly £17 at the current exchange rate. 

Home match

We remain in discussions with authorities regarding making more tickets available to supporters for the second leg at home on Thursday 1st August.

We are happy to share that we now expect that we will be in a position to make around 900 tickets available in the North Stand to St Mirren supporters.

There will be a further update from the club over the next week once this is confirmed. 

PPV

We are exploring the possibility of broadcasting the match on our platforms. However, given the rights for the away match are owned by the opposition club, there are no guarantees this will happen. 

Beamback event

We recognise there has been some discussion from fans around the possibility of hosting a beamback event at The SMiSA Stadium. Given the resource required operationally, it is not feasible for us to host an event at The SMiSA Stadium for this tie. 

Additionally, as detailed above, we are still not in a position to guarantee a broadcast feed for the match. 

The club will further update on any progress on all these matters in the coming days. 

St Mirren host English League Two side Carlisle United at The SMiSA Stadium in our pre-season friendly match ahead of our UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round tie. 

The Buddies host the Cumbrians on Friday night and tickets are on sale at the St Mirren Ticket Office and online. 

Match Details

St Mirren vs Carlisle United
Pre-Season Friendly
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium, Paisley
Date: Friday 19th July 2024
Kick-off: 7:30pm

Please note that only the Main and West Stands will be opened for St Mirren supporters at this match. Tickets for the home end are available at the St Mirren Ticket Office and HERE. Season tickets are not valid for this match.  

Carlisle United supporters can buy their tickets at stmirren.com/awaytickets

Please note that there is no hospitality and the 1877 Supporters Club will not be open for this match. Supporters should also be aware that there is also no stream available for this match.

Ticket Prices

Adult - £12
Concessions* - £6
Under 12 - £3

*Over 65, 12-17, Full-Time Students with valid matriculation card.

Ticket Office Phone No: (0141) 840-6130
St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com

The Ticket Office opening hours for the remainder of the week are as follows: 

Fri 12th July - 10:00am-2:00pm and 5:00pm-7:30pm

Car Parking

The black car park will not be available for the home friendly fixtures against Fleetwood Town and Carlisle United. Supporters should note that Drums Avenue gate will be closed to vehicle access.

The white car park (entry via Ferguslie Park Avenue) will be available to home supporters only on a first come, first served basis at a cost of £5. Last season's car park passes will not be valid. 2024/25 car park passes will go on sale on Monday 15th July. Applications will be available on stmirren.com from Sunday. 

Disabled parking protocols are agreed directly with the St Mirren Disabled Supporters Association.

St Mirren will face Valur FC in the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round after the Icelandic side defeated KF Vllaznia in the First Qualifying Round.

Saints head to Iceland for the first leg on Thursday 25th July before hosting Valur at The SMiSA Stadium on Thursday 1st August. Kick-off times are to be confirmed.

Season ticket holders successful in the ballot for this match were notified on Monday afternoon. If you were successful in this ballot, you must fill out the form that was provided to you in the email to confirm you wish to take your ticket by 12pm on Friday 19th July. If you are now unable to attend for any reason please select the appropriate option in the form. Please remember if you do not complete this form by the closing date you will be withdrawn from the process.

We also expect a very limited number of additional tickets to become available. If this is confirmed we will draw another ballot from those who were originally unsuccessful. This will be drawn once we know exactly how many tickets are available. 

The club will update supporters on details of the purchase and distribution of tickets as soon as we are in a position to do so.

St Mirren B will face Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park in the First Round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. 

The fixture will take place on Tuesday 30th July with a 7:45pm kick-off. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, matches will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

The winners will face William Hill League One side Dumbarton FC away from home in the Second Round on the midweek of 13/14th August. 

Ticket details will be announced in due course. 

Tomorrow evening, we will find out our opponents in the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round as KF Vllaznia host Valur FC in Albania. The club wishes to provide supporters with a further update ahead of Saints finding out who they will be facing.

Valur FC

Season ticket holders successful in the ballot for this potential match were notified on Monday afternoon. If you were successful in this ballot, you must fill out the form that was provided to you in the email to confirm you wish to take your ticket by 12pm on Friday 19th July. If you are now unable to attend for any reason please select the appropriate option in the form. Please remember if you do not complete this form by the closing date you will be withdrawn from the process.

We also expect a very limited number of additional tickets to become available. If this is confirmed we will draw another ballot from those who were originally unsuccessful. This will be drawn once we know exactly how many tickets are available if Valur qualify. 

KF Vllaznia

Following discussions with KF Vllaznia, we believe the provisional ticket allocation set means that any season ticket holder that entered the ballot will receive a ticket for this match. We hope to have a definitive answer from Vllaznia regarding final allocation as soon as possible should they qualify. If any tickets remain following the ballot process, these will go on general sale.

Ticket Purchase/Distribution process

The club will update supporters on details of the purchase and distribution of tickets as soon as we are in a position to do so.

Travel

Over the past few weeks the club has been in discussions with several flight brokers as we looked to secure travel to our away match. We had explored the opportunity of helping support fan travel but given the various challenges of getting to the potential locations, cost and lack of aircraft at this time of year, we could only secure a chartered flight suitable for the official club party.

Home Leg

Home end tickets for our UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg are sold out. We are thankful for your fantastic support! 

We continue to work with authorities with regards to crowd control in the hope of making more tickets available for home supporters in the North Stand. 

We appreciate supporters' patience as we work to get confirmation on these matters.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Alex Iacovitti on a two-year deal subject to clearance.

The 26-year-old has joined Saints from English side Port Vale for an undisclosed fee.

A left-sided defender, Alex is best remembered for a three-year spell at Ross County between 2020-2023 where he made 116 appearances for the Staggies and scored 12 times.

After leaving the Highlands last summer, Alex joined Port Vale and made 38 appearances in his one season at Vale Park.

Capped by Scotland at U21 level, Alex has also turned out for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town, Forest Green Rovers & Oldham Athletic and becomes our eighth summer signing.

Speaking to stmirren.com, Alex said: "I'm so glad it's over the line and I'm officially a St Mirren player.

I'm really excited. I know the league well and I just can't wait to get started now. 

"It's always been tough whenever I've played against the manager's teams so I'm really happy to get the deal over the line.

"St Mirren is a really well run club and every time I've come here it's been tough, you know you're always in a game. The last few years have been brilliant for the club and with Europe as well it was a massive attraction. 

"I've played against a lot of the lads before and there are a few familiar faces.

They're all top boys and they've really made me feel home straight."

Manager Stephen Robinson added: "Alex comes with SPFL experience which is vital to us at the moment. We're still a young squad with some new players that haven't played at this level, Alex has that experience. 

"He gives us natural balance on the left-hand side of the pitch and it means we have two left-footed defenders and two right-footed defenders. It gives us great balance in the squad. 

He's experienced and will help drive standards. We need more voices in the changing room and I think Alex will fit in very well."