St Mirren Football Club is thrilled to announce that Stephen McGinn has returned to the club as he joins the St Mirren Youth Academy on a full-time basis. 

A St Mirren Hall-of-Fame inductee, Stephen will be taking up the role of U18s coach after his retirement from playing. 

The former Saints captain announced his retirement last week following a career that saw him make over 200 appearances for the Buddies across two spells, winning the Scottish Championship in 2018 and securing our return to the top-flight. As well as his time in Paisley, Stephen turned out at the likes of Watford, Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield United, Wycombe Wanderers, Dundee, Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Falkirk. 

The 35-year-old has been working with the U16s at the Academy on a part-time basis since November 2023 and will begin his new full-time role on Monday 24th June. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, Stephen said: "I feel like it was the right time to stop playing and I'm thankful that the club offered me the job when it did.

"You don't want to wish away holidays, but I'm really looking forward to getting started next week.

"I joined the Academy in November but was still very respectful of my main job at the time being the Falkirk captain. When I got offered the job to come back in full-time and have it be my main job, I'm really excited about it.

"It's always been a path that I wanted to go into after I finished playing. I've been at St Mirren for a long time as a player and there's a brilliant academy here that will help me get better as a coach. As well as coaching players, the manger coaches coaches. There's an environment that can make me better but my primary job is to try and get players into this first team. 

Seeing three academy graduates at the club involved with Scotland [at the Euros] gives a motivation to us as coaches and to the players that there's no ceiling here.

"I know what it takes to come out the academy and be a first team player. I've seen it first hand with teammates, myself and my brother. I'm here to earn my stripes and show the players and coaches that I deserve to be here."

Head of Academy, Allan McManus added: "We're absolutely delighted to get Stephen on board.

"Stephen has been with us for around seven months working with the under-16s whilst he was at Falkirk. He'll be working with the under-18s and have support from myself and Craig McLeish [Head of Youth Programme].

We have been working behind the scenes to try and get Stephen in on a permanent basis and we're delighted that has come to fruition. 

"We know how Stephen is regarded at the football club. He's been excellent with us over the last few months at the academy and he knows exactly what the club is all about which is important. He's also walked the walked in relation to being a player so that experience is huge and can only add a great deal of value to our young players.

"It's a win-win for Stephen as well getting the chance to work with some of the best coaches around in the manager, Diarmuid O'Carroll and Brian Kerr. There's no better learning environment than that and we also want to help him as much as we can."

Manager Stephen Robinson says St Mirren's UEFA Conference League draw is an exciting one for players, staff and supporters. 

Saints found out they will face either Icelandic side Valur or Albanian outfit FK Vllaznia in the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round following today's draw in Switzerland. 

It’ll be the Buddies' first European tie since 1987 and our first ever competitive encounter against team from either Iceland or Albania.

While the manager is looking forward to the tie, he confessed that whoever Saints face will present a difficult challenge for his side.

Speaking after the draw, the gaffer told stmirren.com: "I think it's a really good draw - but a tough one too. 

"We've avoided two of the big sides that were unseeded in Häcken and Brann. The ties we face give us an opportunity, one I believe the fans will be really excited about in terms of travel.

We obviously have to wait and see who we get but we're delighted to be involved at this level of competition."

Saints could have faced NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville or League of Ireland Premier Division's Derry City following the initial groupings made this morning.

But the manager admits that drawing a side from either Iceland or Albania gives it more of a continental feel.

"It feels more like a European game of course. We still have to navigate our way past them but it will be an exciting trip for the fans. 

It will be a different test for us as players and coaches. I've already spoken to a few of them and they're already really looking forward to it. 

"We will have the advantage of seeing both sides in action against each other. We'll be watching the first tie and will have representatives there, if not myself, to make sure that we get the view of it and we will prepare like we do for every other game. But ultimately we'll prepare like we do for every other game. The world is a smaller place in terms of the footage available for other teams. 

"We've had our time off. We've enjoyed it. We're very proud of what we achieved last season and now the challenge is can we take it a step further and progress in Europe.

We know it's a tough tie. We'll need to do a lot of research. But we're all very excited about the challenges the new season will throw up."

St Mirren will face the winners of the Valur/KF Vllaznia in the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round.

The draw in Nyon, Switzerland this afternoon paired the Buddies against either the Icelandic or Albanian sides who will face off in the First Qualifying Round. 

Saints have been drawn away in the first leg with the return leg taking place at The SMiSA Stadium. 

The Opposition 

Saints will be off to either Iceland or Albania for the first time ever in European competition.

Based in the capital of Reykjavík, Valur already have their season underway with the Icelandic side currently sitting third in Besta deild karla after 11 league matches - four points off leaders Víkingur Reykjavík. Valur are one of Iceland's most successful clubs having won the league title on 23 occasions and finished runners up last season to Víkingur. They play at Hlíðarendi Stadium in Reyjavík. Valur's last appearance in Europe saw them defeated 6-0 on aggregate by Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Conference League in 2021. 

KF Vllaznia finished 2023/24 just four points off Albanian Kategoria Superiore winners KF Egnatia. Vllaznia play at The Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër. With a capacity of 16,000, it is a modern all-seater stadium that was rebuilt in 2016. The Albanian side were defeated 3-2 on aggregate by NIFL Premiership side Linfield in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Conference League last season. 

When is the Second Qualifying Round? 

The matches are due to be played on Thursday 25th July and Thursday 1st August.

Full details will be confirmed as soon as possible. 

Tickets

We appreciate there will be a lot of interest in this tie. We will be working on two different operational/logistical plans and would ask that supporters please be patient while we work out all the details. These will be communicated as soon as we can. 

Details on tickets will also be confirmed as soon as we can. We would ask that supporters do not contact the Ticket Office regarding tickets until the club is in a position to announce. 

St Mirren Football Club is incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of our 1987 Scottish Cup winning captain Billy Abercromby who has passed at the age of 65. 

A St Mirren Hall of Fame inductee, Billy began his career at Saints in 1975 - signing professional terms following a spell at St Mirren Boys’ Club.

Billy spent 13 seasons in Paisley, becoming a fans’ favourite with his tough tackling, no nonsense style, leading to chants of 'Aber's gonnae get ye' from the terraces.

In his time at Saints, Billy made 367 appearances for the Buddies – nine of which came in European fixtures, a club record. 

Billy was a part of our First Division title winning side in 1976/77, our Anglo Scottish Cup winning side of 1980 and famously captained Saints to our third Scottish Cup triumph in 1987 after a 1-0 win over Dundee United at Hampden. His final match for the club came in 1987 in the second leg of our European Cup Winners Cup tie against Norwegian side Tromso.

Billy would depart Saints in 1988 when he moved to Partick Thistle and had further spells in his career with the likes of Dunfermline Athletic, Cowdenbeath and East Stirlingshire.

The thoughts of everyone at St Mirren are with Billy’s loved ones at the difficult time.

We will find out our European opponents this week when the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on Wednesday afternoon.

The UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round will see Saints embark on their first European excursion since 1987. 

Stephen Robinson's side are seeded for the draw and Saints supporters can follow the draw on Wednesday live from 1pm on UEFA.com and UEFA TV.

We have been grouped in Group One of the draw meaning we will face one of:

• SK Brann (NOR)
• BK Häcken (SWE)
• FCB Magpies (GIB)/Derry City (IRL)
• Valur (ISL)/KF Vllaznia (ALB)
• Cliftonville (NIR)

The UEFA Conference League second qualifying ties take place on Thursday 25th July and Thursday 1st August.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Oisin Smyth on a two-year deal from Oxford United subject to clearance.  

The Northern Ireland midfielder joins Saints on a permanent transfer until summer 2026 from English League One play-off winners.

The 24-year-old began his career at Dungannon Swifts, making his senior debut in 2018 before being named club captain for the 2021/22 season. Oisin would then cross the Irish Sea after over 100 appearances for Swifts to join up with Oxford United in January 2022.

Oisin made 25 appearances and scored one goal for the U’s – a strike against Charlton that earned him the Joey Beauchamp Men's Goal of the Season Award for 2023/24. 

A Northern Ireland U21 international, Oisin becomes our latest summer signing with James Scott's loan being made permanent and Shaun Rooney & Ellery Balcombe also joining up for the new season.

Speaking to stmirren.com, Oisin said: "I've been very impressed with the facilities. I just can't wait to get going now and get playing.

"Following the club last season and seeing how well they did was a massive factor. There were a few factors that caught my attention so I'm glad to get the deal over the line.

My initial chats with the manager were very positive. The main thing we spoke on was development and how he is able to make players better. Game time was massive factor for me. I wanted to come here and play and enjoy football again so that's the main aim. 

"I've had a few different roles where I've played deeper and I've played further forward as well. I'm happy to pop up wherever I'm needed.

"I know Caolan [Boyd-Munce] well. I would stay in touch with him regularly. He spoke very well about the players, the staff and the club in general. I'm at that stage where I just can't wait to get going."

Manager Stephen Robinson added: "I believe Oisin is another really good footballer.

"He’s someone I know from back home. He got a good move to Oxford but didn’t play as much as he wanted and comes in at that age bracket we like. It’s another younger player and hopefully we’ll create another asset for the football club that we believe can get better and better with game time and coaching.

He’s got lot of development and lots of game time to come.

"He can play in numerous different positions, he can play as a six or an eight. After losing Keanu [Baccus] and [Hyeokkyu] Kwon, I believe it’s a really good signing and bolsters our midfield again.

"That’s three players in and our squad is looking strong. It’s now about waiting to see what other players and positions come up. At the minute we are really happy with the business that we’ve done."

The club had explored the potential of opening the 1877 Supporters Club for Scotland's group stage matches, however, it has been concluded that, operationally, opening the bar would not be feasible at this time. 

We can now confirm our pre-season schedule with Saints set for a training camp abroad as well as four friendly fixtures ahead of our UEFA Europa Conference League Second Round tie at the end of July. 

Stephen Robinson's side will travel to Spain for a week long camp at the Pinatar Arena. The Buddies spent six days at the complex near Murcia during the winter break in January and will return to the facility for a week of warm weather training to gear up for our 2024/25 campaign. 

Upon our return from Spain, Saints will take on Championship side Dunfermline Athletic at KDM Group East End Park on Saturday 6th July. There will be a Renfrewshire derby on Tuesday 9th July when we face Greenock Morton at Cappielow Park in the Communities Cup. 

The Buddies will play host to English League Two outfit Fleetwood Town at The SMiSA Stadium on Saturday 13th July, before closing out our pre-season schedule at home to Carlisle United on Friday 19th July. 

Full ticket arrangements will be announced in due course. 

Pre-Season Friendly

Dunfermline v St Mirren
Saturday 6th July 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: KDM Group East End Park 

Tickets for this match are available online HERE. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, £6 for concessions and £1 for U12s.

The Communities Cup

Greenock Morton v St Mirren
Tuesday 9th July 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: Cappielow Park

Pre-Season Friendly

St Mirren v Fleetwood Town
Saturday 13th July 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

Pre-Season Friendly

St Mirren v Carlisle United
Friday 19th July 2024
Kick-off: 7:30pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

St Mirren Football Club congratulates Stephen McGinn on a brilliant career after he announced his retirement from professional football.

A St Mirren Hall of Fame inductee, Stephen made 203 appearances for Saints across two spells at the club.

He made his Saints debut in 2007 after coming through the ranks as a youth at the club. The highlight of his first spell came in November 2008 when he scored the winner in our last ever game against Rangers at Love Street.

Stephen would move on in January 2010 as he joined English side Watford for an undisclosed fee. After spells with Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield United, Dundee and Wycombe Wanderers, he returned home to Paisley to join Saints for a second time in January 2017.

After leaving Saints in 2010, Stephen returned to Paisley to join the Buddies for a second time in January 2017. Quickly given the captain's armband by then manager Jack Ross, Stephen played an integral part in our 'Great Escape' in 2017 with the Buddies securing survival in the Championship on the final day of the 2016/17 season after a 1-1 draw against Hibernian at Easter Road.

He was also instrumental the following season and secured his status in St Mirren's history as captain of the side that won the Championship and promotion back to the Premiership in 2018. The skipper was pivotal in our first season survival as Saints retain their Premiership status with a play-off victory over Dundee United in May 2019. 

Stephen departed the club for a second time following the covid shutdown and would go on to play for Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Falkirk - leading the latter two sides to respective league wins in the Championship and League One.

Everyone at St Mirren FC thanks Stephen for all his contributions and wish him the very best of luck in his next step. 

St Mirren Football Club has entered into an innovative partnership with a leading Scottish credit union to offer fans access to tailored ethical loans to pay for their season tickets.

Capital Credit Union (CCU) is launching its 'fair fan finance' package for Saints supporters, allowing them to pay off their season tickets in instalments.

St Mirren Chief Operating Officer, Keith Lasley, said: "We fully appreciate that the current cost of living crisis can make it difficult for our fans to commit to a season ticket, especially when that involves several members of the family.

"This partnership with CCU will give our fans access to an ethical loans provider and means they can avoid building up credit card debt or having to go to expensive high interest lenders.

We hugely value their passionate support and this initiative will help them get behind the team in person next season and fits in with our community centred strategy."

CCU, a multi-award-winning credit union, is a community owned and member led organisation with almost 30,000 members and has partnerships with over 90 employers across Scotland. It has already undertaken a successful trial of its 'fair fan finance' initiative with fellow Premiership club Hibernian and is now rolling this out to other football clubs across the country.

CCU’s Director of Operations, Rory Gaffney, said: "I am delighted to announce that Capital Credit Union is now supporting St Mirren Football Club with our financially accessible season ticket finance solution.

"This brings the total number of clubs we support in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Championship to four. Our specifically tailored flexible finance solution allows them access to affordable borrowing and means they can continue attending games, which is obviously hugely important to so many people."

The ‘fair fan finance’ scheme allows supporters to pay for their season ticket in instalments and has no arrangement fee, hidden charges or early repayment penalties. The Season Ticket loans are protected by CCU’s Loan Protection Insurance.

Further information about this scheme and details of how to apply can be found at: https://www.capitalcreditunion.com/sports-clubs/