With 2023/24 at an end, manager Stephen Robinson reflects on a season in which we secured European football for the first time in 37 years.  

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the loan signing of Ellery Balcombe from Brentford FC subject to international clearance.

The goalkeeper becomes our second signing of the summer as he joins on loan from the English Premier League side until the end of the season.

A product of Brentford’s academy, Ellery has been capped by England at U18, U19 and U20 level. After impressing for Brentford B, Ellery earned his promotion to the Bees’ first-team squad in 2018 and has gained valuable playing experience with loan spells at Boreham Wood, Viborg FF, Doncaster Rovers, Burton Albion, Bromley, Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers. The goalkeeper has made 72 senior career appearances, keeping 20 clean sheets, across English League One & League Two, the National League and the Danish second tier and signed a new four-year contract with the Bees last October.

The 24-year-old made his Brentford debut in their penalty shoot-out win over Newport County in the EFL Cup in August 2023, saving two penalties in the shoot-out as Brentford progressed. 

Ellery joins Shaun Rooney in signing up with the Buddies ahead of season 2024/25. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, manager Stephen Robinson said: "Ellery is someone I’ve really liked.

I’ve watched Ellery for a while. His distribution is very good, he’s commanding in his box and I believe he’s someone that will enhance our already good record of goalkeepers."

"We were keen to keep Zach [Hemming] but we spoke to Middlesborough and he's their player so we have to respect that. He'll go back for pre-season and fight for a number two jersey there, but we already knew that would come.

Ellery was somebody that we had been speaking to and keeping close watch on.  He was our first choice to join and we’re delighted to have that over the line. It gives us a real base and our squad is taking shape nicely now."

Ellery Balcombe with Brentford manager Thomas Frank after making his Bees debut (Image: Brentford FC)

St Mirren Football Club has been recognised for its unique partnership with young person charity, Kibble, as it takes on iconic football clubs from across the world at this year’s Football Business Awards.

The club, which qualified for European football last week for the first time in 37 years, has been grouped in the same category as Premier League teams Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, French title winners Paris Saint-Germain and Spain’s football top flight La Liga, as it celebrates the work that has been achieved in collaboration with Kibble.

National charity Kibble purchased part of St Mirren FC in 2020, alongside St Mirren Independent Supporters Association (SMISA), in a deal that is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK. The agreement created the only fan-owned premiership club which is also run in partnership with one of the country’s biggest charities.

As part of the deal, Kibble provides St Mirren with a substantial amount of support and commercial expertise to help the Football Club grow as a business and together, they create more opportunities for young people.

At the awards, hosted in London on 24 May, St Mirren has also been named as a finalist for its sustainability initiatives and will go head-to-head with current Premier League champions Manchester City, and fellow English club sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Norwich City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As part of its sustainable focus, St Mirren is driving a number of initiatives across the club to ensure that the organisation is a good neighbour that gives back to the community, as well as a legacy for generations to come. It has set out to ambitions to be the first carbon neutral football club in Scotland, while its multi-award-winning programme Street Stuff provides a range of weekly activities which are free to young people throughout Renfrewshire.

Keith Lasley, chief operating officer at St Mirren FC, said: "It's a really proud moment to be nominated alongside so many well-known and successful clubs across Europe, underlining the innovative partnership model that has shown great success in recent years. Good luck to all our fellow nominees.

"Our overall objective is to be the best community-centred development football club in Scotland and we are extremely proud of the progress made to date.

"Alongside Kibble, we have strengthened youth employment opportunities and our set strategy, vision and mission confirms our dedication to sustainable business growth and securing the club’s future."

Jim Gillespie, CEO of Kibble, said: 'We’re delighted to be recognised in such iconic company and it is a tremendous achievement that underlines the significance of the partnership.

"The innovative collaboration between the two organisations provides more opportunities for vulnerable young people who are given the chance to gain valuable experience within a large, functioning operation to ensure training and future employment opportunities.

"For our young people, having access to a premiership football team has invigorated them to get excited about the world of work. And, for us, there is no better testament to the partnership’s tremendous success."

Shortlist for St Mirren’s award categories at the Football Business Awards

Partnership of the Year

GRIDSERVE x Fulham FC: Driving Decarbonisation and Fan Engagement around Sustainability

LALIGA: THE IMPOSSIBLE MATCHWEEK by vivo and LALIGA

Manchester United Foundation and DXC Technology

PSG x Qatar Airways

St Mirren FC X Kibble

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: F1® DRIVE – London

Wasserman & LALIGA: The Two Biggest Names In World Football Join Forces

Xero - Women’s Football Partnerships

Sustainability Award

Brighton & Hove Albion FC

Fulham FC

Norwich City FC

Manchester City FC and Puma Re:Fibre

St Mirren FC

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, the club can now provide supporters with a squad update. 

The core of the squad remains under contract with a new signing already added in defender Shaun Rooney who has agreed a deal until summer 2026, while forward James Scott’s initial loan converts into a permanent two-year deal. 

Ryan Flynn has been offered a player/coach role while offers have also been made to Luke Kenny and Gallagher Lennon. 

Sadly, the club says goodbye to Keanu Baccus, Charles Dunne, Alex Greive and Ryan Strain as all leave the club following the expiry of their contracts. 

Keanu Baccus joined from Western Sydney Wanderers in July 2022 and made St Mirren history just a few months later when he became the first ever Saint to play at a World Cup after being called up by Australia for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar where he faced off against Lionel Messi and eventual winners Argentina. The midfielder made 72 appearances at the Buddies with four goals and has made the move down south to Mansfield Town in English League One. 

Keanu's fellow countryman, Ryan Strain joined in June 2022 following a spell in Israel at Maccabi Haifa. The 27-year-old had a family link to St Mirren with his grandfather, Gerry Baker, having played a huge role in our 1959 Scottish Cup winning side. Ryan made 64 appearances in his time in Paisley, scoring five goals. 

Charles Dunne signed for Saints in June 2021 and was a huge personality on and off the park. The 31-year-old looked set to depart last summer but agreed a one-year extension to spend another season with the club. In his time at the Buddies, Charles made 91 appearances and scored one goal.

New Zealand striker Alex Greive made 76 appearances and scored 9 goals after joining from Birkenhead United in January 2022. Greive spent the last few months on loan at Dundee United, helping the Tayside outfit to promotion from the Scottish Championship.

All four have made telling contributions and we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to all for their respective efforts during their time at St Mirren. Everyone at the club wishes them the best of luck in their future careers. 

Jaden Brown, Zach Hemming and Hyeokkyu Kwon all return to their respective parent clubs. Jaden joined on loan in January from English League One side Lincoln City and made eight appearances at Saints.

Goalkeeper Zach established himself as number one after signing on a season-long loan from Middlesborough and played every match last season, keeping 15 clean sheets.

Korean Hyeokkyu made nine appearances on loan from Celtic before a hamstring injury ended his season early. The club thanks Jaden, Zach and Hyeokkyu for their efforts at St Mirren and wish them the best at their parent clubs. 

The club is continuing the hard work to add to the core of players already under contract for next season. 

Under Contract 2024/25

James Bolton, Shaun Rooney, Scott Tanser, Richard Taylor, Mark O’Hara, Jonah Ayunga, Mikael Mandron, Conor McMenamin, Greg Kiltie, Alex Gogic, James Scott, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Toyosi Olusanya, Marcus Fraser, Lewis Jamieson, Kieran Offord, Peter Urminsky, Fraser Taylor, Ethan Sutherland, Elvis Bwomono.

Offers Made

Ryan Flynn, Luke Kenny and Gallagher Lennon.

Leaving the club

Keanu Baccus, Charles Dunne, Alex Greive and Ryan Strain. 

Returning to parent club

Jaden Brown, Zach Hemming and Hyeokkyu Kwon.

We're bursting with pride and excitement.

"To get Europe this year is a massive achievement and we're looking forward to representing the club on a European stage."

Captain Mark O'Hara gave his reflections on the season at our St Mirren Player of the Year Awards Dinner. 

Our loyalty period is now open for season ticket holders to buy their new season tickets for 2024/25.

Being a St Mirren supporter is a love that will last forever. It's For The Highs, For The Lows, For The Connections, For The Kebab Pies, For The Community, For The Family, For The Past Glories, For The Future, For The Badge, For The Town, For The Passion, For The Last-Minute Drama, For The Pile-Ons! 

We're heading for an exciting 2024/25 off the back of our most successful top-flight campaign in almost 40 years. Look out your passports as the Saints are heading for Europe!

With your support we followed up last season's top six finish with a second in a row and qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League - our first European spot since 1987. 

Whether you are renewing, buying your first ever season ticket or bringing your whole family together with our family savings, we cannot wait for the new season and we want you there with us. 

Early Bird Pricing

Key dates for St Mirren Season Tickets

Discover when you can join the St Mirren Family. 

It was a night of celebration on Sunday as we hosted our annual St Mirren Player of the Year Awards Dinner sponsored by Walker Laird. 

More than 400 people packed out the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew as we brought down the curtain on a season to remember for Saints.  

Alex Gogic was named the St Mirren Men's Player of the Year, while Ceara Macintyre was named St Mirren Women's Player of the Year - the first time that particular award has been presented at the club's Player of the Year Awards Dinner. 

Alex Gogic picked up St Mirren Men's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and SMiSA Player of the Year (Image: Allan Picken)

Ceara Macintyre is presented with the St Mirren Women's Player of the Year from Women's Team manager Kate Cooper (Image: Allan Picken)

Richard Taylor picked up the Young Player of the Year award, while Scott Tanser was named Social Media Player of the Year and Caolan Boyd-Munce won Goal of the Season for his winner against Motherwell in the Viaplay Cup in August. 

Long-term staff member, Head Groundsman, Tommy Docherty was also recognised for his brilliant work behind the scenes in a new award for 2023/24 - the Team Behind the Team Player of the Year.

2023/24 Player of the Year awards winners

St Mirren Men's Player of the Year (sponsored by Walker Laird) - Alex Gogic

St Mirren Women's Player of the Year (sponsored by Walker Laird) - Ceara Macintyre

St Mirren Men's Young Player of the Year (sponsored by Walker Laird) - Richard Taylor

St Mirren Men's Players' Player of the Year - Alex Gogic

Social Media Player of the Year (sponsored by Ultimate Home Solutions) - Scott Tanser

St Mirren Goal of the Season (sponsored by Consilium Contracting Services) - Caolan Boyd-Munce v Motherwell

St Mirren Team Behind the Team Player of the Year - Tommy Docherty

SMiSA Player of the Year - Alex Gogic

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © 

It shows how far this football club has come. I'm proud of the players and the fans."

Manager Stephen Robinson spoke of his pride in his team as the season came to a close on Saturday.

Season 2023/24 drew to a close for Saints with a narrow defeat at Celtic Park. Captain Mark O'Hara scored twice, but the Buddies were edged out 3-2 by cinch Premiership champions Celtic.

Stephen Robinson made four changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Hearts at The SMiSA Stadium on Wednesday night. Goalscorers James Scott and James Bolton came out, as did Jaden Brown and Mikael Mandron. They were replaced by Elvis Bwomono, Marcus Fraser, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Toyosi Olusanya. There was also a final outing for Keanu Baccus from the start with the manager confirming earlier in the week that the midfielder will leave following the expiry of his contract. 

There was a carnival atmosphere inside a sold out Celtic Park on the day that the hosts would receive the cinch Premiership trophy after winning the league. Celtic started quickly and could have taken the lead on just three minutes when Stephen Welsh rose the highest to meet a Luis Palma corner but glanced his header just wide of the far post. 

But Saints would stun the expectant crowd by taking the lead four minutes later when captain O'Hara blasted home from 12 yards out. The hosts' defence couldn't deal with Baccus' long throw with Callum McGregor knocking a header into the path of O'Hara who took it first time to slam into the corner of the net.  

Celtic equalised on 21 minutes when Kyogo Furuhashi beat the offside trap and held off the Richard Taylor. Alex Gogic came across to try and get clear but his header fell to the path of Matt O'Riley who lashed home. 

Saints hit the front again just five minutes later when O'Hara scored from the penalty spot. The Buddies were awarded the spot kick after Olusanya ran through when Welsh misjudged the flight of the ball over the top. The Saints forward was then bundled down by the Celtic defender and referee Matthew MacDermid pointed to the spot. O'Hara put the penalty high into the right-hand corner to score his 20th goal for the Saints, leaving Joe Hart with no chance despite going the right way. The skipper almost had a hat-trick when he met a Caolan Boyd-Munce corner at the back stick and headed off the post. 

Celtic levelled for a second time on 37 minutes when Furuhashi slid in at the near post to turn Reo Hatate's low cross from the right beyond Zach Hemming. They came inches away from taking the lead just a minute later when Furuhashi's cross was met by Palma but the unmarked winger somehow headed wide from close-range. 

Hemming made a good block to deny Furuhashi early in the second-half and followed up with a good save from Hatate's effort from the resultant corner. 

Baccus' long throw-ins continued to cause the Celtic defence problems in the second-half with Olusanya pouncing on hesitant defending to bring the ball down on his chest, but he slammed wide of target. Two minutes later, on the hour mark, the Saints forward looked poised to put us ahead for a third time only for Hoops defender Maik Nawrocki to slide in and block the attempt. 

Stephen Robinson made two changes with Charles Dunne and Ryan Strain coming on for what is likely their last appearances for the club. The pair replaced Taylor and Bwomono on 66 minutes. 

Olusanya was a nuisance for the Celtic defence with his pace and he had another opportunity with just under 20 minutes remaining when he raced on to a ball over the top but he just couldn't quite shake off Liam Scales to open up and smashed his effort high and wide. That was his final contribution as he was replaced by Mandron on 75 minutes. 

Celtic took the lead in the final minutes of time when Anthony Ralston's cross found Palma who tapped home at the back post to win it for Celtic.

Saints can look back on 2023/24 with immense pride after securing a second successive top six finish, as well as European football for the first time since 1987.

Full-Time: Celtic 3-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor (Dunne 66), Bwomono (Strain 66), Baccus, Boyd-Munce (Flynn 80), O'Hara (c), Tanser, McMenamin (Jamieson 80), Olusanya (Mandron 75)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Bolton, Scott, Brown

Celtic: Hart (Bain 88), Ralston, Welsh (Scales 65), Nawrocki, Taylor, O'Riley, McGregor (c) (Bernardo 77), Hatate (Iwata 65), Kuhn, Kyogo (Idah 65), Palma
Subs Not Used: Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Maeda, Forrest

Referee: Matthew MacDermid 
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Alan Muir
VAR: Kevin Clancy

Saints head to Celtic Park to close out another successful season for Stephen Robinson's men.

Celtic v St Mirren
Competition: cinch Premiership
Date: Saturday 18th May 2024
Kick-off: 12:30pm
Venue: Celtic Park

Disabled Parking is behind East Stand. For our disabled fans, Celtic have clarified that you must be in the car park by 10:45 am as the Police will close the road.

Please enter the stadium in a timely manner to avoid crowd issues. Please ensure that you have booked your car parking space with Celtic direct.

• Away turnstiles will open at 11am.
• Turnstiles 66-67 will be used for St Mirren supporters.
• Kiosks will be contactless only.
• Coaches to park on Springfield Road as usual.
• Please follow any police instructions.
• Flags should be within regulations and must have a fire certificate. No offensive or political flags will be allowed.
• Please display all flags/banners to the CCTV cameras before entering the stadium.
• No balaclavas or face coverings will be allowed on entering or within the stadium. Refusal of entry/ejection will occur if face coverings are seen.
• No pyro.
• No bags bigger than A4 allowed.
• No surfing banners or telescopic poles allowed.
• Drum will be searched and must fit through turnstile.
• Searching will be in place.
• Any inebriated fans will not be allowed to enter the stadium.
• No smoking anywhere inside the stadium.