There is plenty to see and do in the local area, but a day out at the football is many peoples’ favourite activity to enjoy during an evening in the week or on a Saturday with friends and family. Whether it’s watching a smaller side, such as Abercorn, or sampling the action at a bigger club, like St Mirren, it’s an enjoyable occasion on the whole. In terms of St Mirren, the overall offering from the club is probably the best of the lot given the standard the team is currently at, though.
After winning the 2017–18 Scottish Championship, St Mirren have managed to battle against the odds and survive in Scotland’s top flight for a number of years. While sports betting odds might have them at 500/1 to win the title, with the likes of Celtic at 4/9 and Rangers at 13/8, the small but well-run club is more than capable of causing a few shocks over the course of the campaign. In fact, St Mirren has had a number of memorable moments in recent times, not to mention a solid start to the campaign this season. There are plenty of other reasons to get behind The Saints, too. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
A team steeped in history
Although St Mirren Park was opened in 2009 and is perhaps not as characterful as some other stadiums in Scottish football, the current ground is adored by supporters and showcases the clubs rich history through its museum and a number of other historical pieces that highlight just how far the club has progressed. The old Love Street home in Paisley will always be fondly remembered also, but St Mirren’s current stadium is certainly an upgrade. It has all the facilities necessary to host and enjoy a game of football in the 21st Century, while also offering cheaper prices compared to Premier League sides, for example, and providing a genuinely good day out for friends and family. Even if you don’t regard yourself as a football fan, you still might take some enjoyment from supporting your local side.
A fan-owned club bucking the trend
Football is a game with an endless amount of issues. One of them, particularly in England, is the infestation of unscrupulous owners who essentially treat clubs as a toy. In the past, sides in England, such as Wimbledon FC, were subjected to horrific treatment which eventually ended up in the Wombles being moved to Milton Keynes and rebranded as MK Dons. Thankfully, Wimbledon’s fans didn’t follow the franchise on its scandalous relocation and formed AFC Wimbledon, a fan-owned club that is now competing in League Two after starting from the very bottom of the football pyramid. Even major clubs like Manchester United are facing ownership agony, with Red Devils supporters dismayed at seeing the club being run into the ground by owners who aren’t interested in the supporters who essentially make a football club what it is. In order to avoid such a scenario from occurring at St Mirren, the St Mirren Independent Supporters Association (SMISA) have bought out the remaining shareholding of chairman Gordon Scott to become majority (51%) owners of the Buddies. Now, with fans having a say in the running of the club, it’s a community asset to get behind. Once you become a fan and support St Mirren during its journey in Scottish football’s top flight, you might then want to join SMISA from as little as £5 a month and help shape the club’s future, while also feeling a real sense of community along the
way. Fans of sides like Manchester United can’t really say the same, can they?
Genuine entertainment on offer
Above all else, watching top tier Scottish football and singing in the terraces after having a locally brewed pint is an unbeatable experience for many people, particularly when the likes of Celtic and Rangers come to town. From goals and sliding tackles to comical chants and the great atmosphere on offer, watching St Mirren is well worth it.