Gregor Buchanan says he can't wait for competitive football to get underway as St Mirren's 2017/18 campaign officially gets underway this weekend.

The Buddies travel to Stranraer on Saturday to face the League One side in the first match in the Betfred Cup group stages. 

And the 27 year-old, who joined the Buddies in May after leaving fellow Championship side Dumbarton, admits he is eager to get going. 

I'm looking forward to Saturday," he told stmirren.com. 

"You look at the calendar all pre-season and see that first game.  

"The Betfred Cup is now a stage where everybody wants to do well.

"It's going to be a tough group but we are expected to get out of it."

Like Saints teammate Gavin Reilly, Buchanan says he is a fan of the group stage format that came into being last season.

The defender believes it has freshened up the competition and points to last year's final between Aberdeen and Celtic as showing its importance. 

It has probably helped the competition," he said.

"It's given it a facelift and I think it's important to keep refreshing things.

"It seemed to be an exciting competition last season and it was two big teams that were in the final and that shows you how important a competition it is.

"We want to do well in it."

Buchanan is delighted to be back in full-time football after his spell with Dumbarton and says he is going to work as hard as he can to earn himself a place in the starting eleven. 

It's been really good," he said of his short time at St Mirren so far.

"I feel like I've come in and settled in pretty quickly which is important.

"Getting back to full time was what I was aiming for, so I'm just giving me all every day and trying to work my way into the team. 

"There's an intensity every day especially with what the manager wants. He wants us to play at a good level so you have to be fit and sharp and he wants that every day.

"That's my main focus - to be at that stage every day so I'm happy with that. 

"I'm just getting used to what the manager wants and I'm doing everything I can to be in his plans."

Tickets for the Betfred Cup Group Stage matches against Livingston and Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium are on sale.

Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. 

Season ticket holders have until Midnight on Sunday 16th July to reserve their own seat for the Livingston match and until Wednesday 25th July to reserve their seat for the Airdrieonians match. After this time all seats will be sold on a first come first served basis. 

Livingston supporters will be placed in the Family Stand creating a mixed family zone as we have done previously against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup in January 2016.

Saints get their Betfred Cup campaign underway this weekend as we travel to Stranraer to face the League One side. That match is pay-at-the-gate with admission prices of £15 (adults), £10 (concessions), £5 (secondary school child). 

Our match against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday 22nd July is also pay-at-the-gate with admission prices of £12 (adults) and £6 (concessions). 

The club is looking for ball boys and girls for the upcoming Betfred Cup matches against Livingston and Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

We have 14 spaces for kids aged 10-12 years old and these will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Due to such an overwhelming response we are no longer looking for anyone for these matches. Thanks to all who have been in touch.

When Season Tickets went on sale a few weeks ago we announced that if we achieve 1000 Adult/Concession Season Ticket holders in the West Stand, that the Club would guarantee that the whole stand will be for St Mirren fans, with the exception of cup games, where it may need to be segregated.

We are delighted to say that we have surpassed this target with 1,008 now sold in the West Stand.

We would like to thank supporters for the loyalty they have shown ahead of the new season and can ensure that the West Stand will be black and white for league games in the 2017/18 season.

Season tickets are still on sale for anyone who still wishes to purchase one in time for the big kick-off in the Ladbrokes Championship in August.

Click here for more details. 

We are delighted to announce that Imperial Commercials have confirmed that, for the 17th Year in succession, they will sponsor St Mirren Football Club for the upcoming season.

The company, based at Bogmoor Road in Govan, sponsors a mini bus that is used to take our Academy players the length and breadth of the country for matches.

They have also confirmed that they will sponsor Jack Ross' training kit for the 2017-18 season. 

St Mirren Commercial Manger, Campbell Kennedy said: "I would like to thank Imperial Commercials for their continued support especially Director, Willie Minty and Van Sales Manager, Christine Thomson."

Gavin Reilly wants the team to use the draw with Alloa to drive them on when they face Stranraer on Saturday.

The striker admitted that the stalemate was disappointing and hopes the side can use that to spur them on when competitive football returns this weekend.

The Buddies travel to Stranraer to face the League One side in the first of the Betfred Cup group matches. 

Speaking to stmirren.com after last weekend's draw with the Wasps, he said: "We'll go home and analyse the game, but we have to put it aside and think about the first competitive game against Stranraer.

We've looked at going into every game wanting to win and that included the game against Dundee.

"To come here and draw 0-0 is disappointing because we are wanting to win every game to build the momentum from the start. 

"Everyone is feeling good," he continued. "We are starting to crank things up and we are feeling good.

"The result was disappointing but we'll use the negatives from the game and turn them into positives next week."

The Betfred Cup group stages return after a successful first year last season.

Reilly confessed he enjoys the new format and believes it has been a good addition to the game. 

I'm a big fan of it," he said. "It is a breath of fresh air.

"It's good that you can get a mix of teams and because it's sectioned you aren't having to travel too far.

"I think it's definitely a good thing that the SPFL have brought that in."

The 24 year-old, who joined Saints in June, scored in last week's 3-1 loss to Dundee at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

And while the Buddies weren't on the right end of that scoreline, he believes there were positives to take from it ahead of this weekend.

As a striker you want to score in every game to build your confidence.

"Psychologically it was good to get on the scoresheet and we created a couple more chances which is positive as well. 

"I worked hard during the summer and I'm feeling fit.

"Hopefully I can get more minutes under my belt and get ready for the first game on Saturday."

On Friday 6th October 2017, St Mirren Football Club celebrate 140 years to the day this great club was formed with a Gala Black Tie Dinner.

The event will take place at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew.

This will be a night of celebration with a number of ex-players and special guests attending and a number of St Mirren greats inducted into the club “Hall of Fame”. 

We are delighted to announce the first inductee on the night will be Jim Goodwin, captain of the 2013 League Cup winning team.

More will be announced over the course of the next few weeks.

We also have a fantastic line up of speakers to entertain you on the night. Prepare to laugh the night away thanks to former Lawyer & Grade 1 referee, Willie Young with his stories from the world of refereeing and Eric Davidson who is recognised as one of Scotland's finest After Dinner Speakers, Comedians and Speech Writers and regular on the Edinburgh Fringe. He was raised in that Cultural Cul De Sac, the Creme de la Skimmed Milk of all Scottish mining villages, Newtongrange and keeping everything in order on the night will be well known Saints’ fan and journalist Bill Leckie.

The evening will consist of:

* Drinks Reception

* Three Course Meal

* Guest After Dinner Speakers 

* Hall of Fame Awards

* Prize Raffle

* Grand Auction

Individual places are available at £75 + VAT per person, with a minimum of two places on a shared table basis. Tables are available in multiples of TEN at £750 + VAT or TWELVE at £900 + VAT.

To reserve packages or enquire about Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy on (0141) 840-1337 or e-mail commercial@stmirren.com.

St Mirren hosted an Open Day at the Paisley 2021 Stadium yesterday ahead of the new season.

In conjunction with the St Mirren Fans Council, supporters young and old got the opportunity to see the Buddies training on the pitch before meeting players in the SMFC 1877 Supporters Club. 

There were also a range of activities going on throughout the day in the supporters club, around the stadium and inside the dome. 

Thanks to all who turned out to make yesterday a special day. 

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Lead Physiotherapist 

(Package will be commensurate with the necessary experience for this role)

A rare opportunity has arisen to join our first team as senior physio.

The role includes leading the first team medical department in the development and organisation of the assessment, treatment and education of the first team squad.

In addition, the job holder will also be expected to take a significant role in the provision of development and education to the wider sports medicine team for the club as a whole. 

Key duties include:

• To lead and oversee the provision of musculoskeletal and medical care for the the first team of more than 25 footballers
• To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team on the care and injury status of players
• To travel with the team and provide pitch-side medical cover for all first team matches
• To assess new signings and give appropriate medical guidance to the Manager
• To maintain secure, accurate and up-to-date medical records
• To manage the first team medical budget. 

Job Outline:

• The role will involve working in collaboration with the Academy interdisciplinary team to create a high performance environment that nurtures and develops individual through a development pathway that aims to optimise player health and wellbeing to maximise player availability and performance.
• We are looking for an individual that is reflective in his/her practice and who can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of clinical reasoning during assessment and treatment. The individual must also be able to transfer this into clinical practice.
• The successful candidate will be joining an innovative interdisciplinary team with a wide variety of expertise within the professional sporting environment. This is a department that is ambitious and continuously seeking to develop and enhance its current position. 

The following are mandatory for consideration for the role:

• At least three years post qualification practice in an elite sports environment
• BSc or Masters degree in Physiotherapy 
• Valid HCPC and CSP registrations 
• Relevant qualifications in the pitch-side trauma management
• Excellent rapport building and motivational skills

How to Apply

To apply please send a current CV to info@stmirren.com

Saints were held to a goalless draw by Alloa at the Indodrill Stadium as preparations for the new season continued.

The Buddies, who get back to competitive action next Saturday against Stranraer in the Betfred Cup, couldn't find a breakthrough against the League One side in an even match.

Jim Goodwin's Wasps started the game off brightly and almost took the lead when Iain Flannigan almost latched on to Alan Cook's tempting ball across.

Andrew Graham could have done better when he rose above the Saints defence, but his glancing header from a free kick was easily held by Ross Stewart. 

Saints had their best spell of the match as they approached the interval. 

First Jordan Kirkpatrick, facing the club he left in the summer, had the best chance to open the scoring when he ghosted in at the back post and forced a terrific save from Alloa goalkeeper Craig McDowall. 

A minute later, Dale Hilson almost got the Saints ahead from a similar position with his effort flashing just wide of the left hand post. 

Gary MacKenzie nodded a header from a Kirkpatrick corner wide after leaping above the Alloa defence, before McDowall was called into action again denying Hilson and Ross Stewart with a fine double save. 

The Buddies were on top at the point but entered the interval with nothing to show for it. 

They failed to continue that strong finish after the break and it wouldn't be until 20 minutes into the second half before something of note would happen for the visitors. 

Lewis Morgan picked the ball up on the edge of the box and rifled a shot that was deflected behind. McDowall made a stunning low stop to deny substitute Gavin Reilly from adding to his goal again in Dundee from the resultant corner. 

Alloa arguably should have taken the lead just five minutes later when Kevin Cawley was picked out at the back post. The midfielder was unmarked and has time to pick his spot only to be denied by the legs of Saint goalkeeper Stewart. 

Saints had a couple of corners while Alloa's Ryan Hoggan scuffed a free kick wide as the game ended in stalemate. 

St Mirren: Stewart, Irvine (Quinn 53), Buchanan, MacKenzie (Baird 68), Stelios (McDonald 74), McGinn (O'Keefe 74), MacPherson (Horne 81), Todd (Reilly 61), Hilson (Morgan 43), Kirkpatrick (Smith 60), Stewart (Sutton 61)
Subs Not Used: Samson, Whyte

Alloa: McDowall, Taggart, Meggatt, McKeown, Graham, Robertson (Grant 68), Cawley (Cunningham 77), Flannigan (Hoggan 68), Malcolm (Hetherington 63), Fleming (McDonald 45), Cook (Martin 63)
Subs Not Used: Wilson, Monaghan