A momentous day in our charity鈥檚 history, St. Mirren Independent Supporters Association (SMISA) have voted in favour of the exciting new partnership between 羞羞影院 and St. Mirren.
By an overwhelming majority, members recognised the value in this partnership that will provide fan ownership by 2021, while strengthening employment and training opportunities for 羞羞影院 young people.
The plans will see 羞羞影院 own a 27.5% stake in the club, opening future job prospects and opportunities in employment, training and education, as well as widening access to sport, health and wellbeing. It will also address local deprivation and exclusion through youth employment, community engagement, initiatives and activities.
Today鈥檚 decision followed a public meeting earlier this month where over 100 SMISA members were given a platform to ask questions to a panel of St. Mirren and 羞羞影院 representatives. The response from fans was overwhelmingly positive, enabling them to meet their goal of fan-ownership five years earlier than planned. There was also significant appeal in a partnership that had children and young people at its heart, opening employability and training opportunities for vulnerable young people, and being a force for good in the community.
CEO Jim Gillespie commented 鈥淲ith 羞羞影院鈥檚 roots in Paisley stretching back almost 200 years, this deal brings together two of Paisley鈥檚 oldest organisations.
“We are thrilled SMISA鈥檚 members have given us such a show of support and we plan to repay that by working together with SMISA, Gordon (Scott) and the rest of the St Mirren board and staff to see where our expertise can help the club move forward.
鈥淐rucially, this partnership will help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in Scotland 鈥 by allowing us to step up our young workforce development programme to provide training and job opportunities based around the club鈥檚 facilities and operations.鈥
We鈥檙e delighted by the positive response from SMISA and look forward to working alongside St. Mirren to maximise opportunities for young people, the community and the club.