For Bryan G. McWhirter, a proud Texan and operations officer at a major airport, a chance encounter at a San Antonio pub led to an unexpected passion for a Scottish football club. His journey from Fort Sam Houston to supporting St. Mirren FC and joining SMiSA is one filled with humour, camaraderie, and a deepening connection to a club thousands of miles away.
A Pub, a Joke, and a Club
Back in 2008, while training as a medic at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Bryan frequently spent his Saturday mornings at a local Scottish-themed pub called the Lion and the Rose. The pub’s warm atmosphere, good food, and a selection of British beers made it his favourite spot. But it was the football matches - Scottish football in particular - that would have the biggest impact on him.
“I frequented that pub a lot,” Bryan recalls. “They had all the Scottish football matches on the screens, and they served beer during breakfast - so it was a pretty good place to be on a Saturday morning.”
One Saturday, Bryan found himself next to a gentleman at the bar, who was intently watching a St. Mirren match. Amused by the black-and-white striped kits that reminded him of American referees, Bryan joked, “How many referees are in that game?”
The man smiled and replied, “That’s St. Mirren, the pride of Paisley - the best team in Scotland! Which team do you support? Hopefully not Morton.”
At the time, Bryan knew nothing about Scottish football, but the man’s passion for St. Mirren piqued his curiosity. “He helped me pick a club,” Bryan says. “I didn’t know anything about Scottish football, so he asked if I had any Scottish relatives.”
Bryan mentioned his last name, McWhirter, and the conversation took a memorable turn. The man immediately lit up, mentioning Norrie McWhirter, the well-known former St. Mirren player and Hall of Fame inductee, and jokingly suggesting that Bryan might be a distant cousin. “He insisted that I support St. Mirren as well,” Bryan recalls. “And that’s how it all started - a joke about referees and a chance connection to the McWhirter name.”
 |
| Bryan loves to show off his support at work... |
Joining SMiSA: An Ocean Apart, but Part of the Family
Years after being introduced to the Buddies, Bryan’s loyalty to St. Mirren remained strong, even as he watched the club's progress from across the Atlantic. In an effort to feel even more connected, Bryan decided to take the plunge and join SMiSA.
“Joining SMiSA felt like the next step,” Bryan explains. “I wanted to be more than just a distant supporter. SMiSA gives fans an opportunity to contribute to the club by funding various projects and parts of the club such as the Youth Academy, and that felt important to me. Even though I’m in Texas, I wanted to be part of that.”
It wasn’t long before Bryan's sign-up caught the attention of Stuart Chawk, a member of the SMiSA Board. When Stuart heard that a gentleman from Texas had joined, he was curious and decided to reach out. He scheduled a Zoom call to learn more about Bryan's story and his unique path to becoming a St. Mirren fan.
A Call from SMiSA: Strengthening the Connection
Stuart’s Zoom call with Bryan opened up a conversation about Bryan’s journey and his deepening connection with St. Mirren. The call was more than just an inquiry - it became a friendly chat that solidified Bryan’s place within the St. Mirren family.
“Talking with Stuart was fantastic,” Bryan recalls. “He wanted to know how an American from Texas ended up supporting a team from Paisley. It was great to share my story, and it made me feel even more connected to the club. It wasn’t just about being a member of SMiSA—it felt like being part of a larger community.”
The conversation also gave Bryan a glimpse into our club’s culture, history, and the passionate community of fans who, like him, were committed to supporting St. Mirren no matter where they lived.
The Lone St. Mirren Fan From Texas
Over the years, Bryan’s connection to St. Mirren grew stronger, even though he was far from Paisley. At his office, surrounded by co-workers who supported football giants like Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Barcelona, Bryan proudly claimed St. Mirren as his team.
“They asked me which club I supported, and I remembered that day at the Lion and the Rose. I told them St. Mirren,” Bryan says. “I even joked that I had a cousin who played for the club,” referring to Norrie McWhirter, whose name he had heard that fateful day at the pub.
Despite being surrounded by fans of world-famous clubs, Bryan embraced his role as the lone St. Mirren supporter in Texas, enjoying the uniqueness of his connection to the club.
Looking Forward to a Future Pilgrimage
Although he hasn’t yet made the trip to Paisley to see St. Mirren play in person, Bryan’s dream is to one day visit Scotland and experience a match live at the SMiSA Stadium. “One of these days, I hope to make the trip to Paisley and experience St. Mirren football as God intended,” he says with a smile.
For now, Bryan proudly waves the black-and-white stripes of St. Mirren in Texas, sharing the club’s story with anyone who asks about his football allegiance.
“It started as a joke, but now it’s become something much more,” Bryan reflects. “St. Mirren may not be as famous as Barcelona or Real Madrid, but they’re my team. And one day, I’ll be in Paisley, cheering them on in person.”
 |
| His extensive memorabilia colllection at home... |
Follow in Bryan's Footsteps - Join SMiSA to Contribute to Your Club
Bryan's story has shown how a membership of SMiSA is a great way to contribute to your club no matter where you reside. As well as making a financial contribution, you will be able to remotely join SMiSA quarterly members meetings and the SMiSA AGM where you will receive exclusive updates from both SMiSA and Club Board Director's, as well as having the chance to ask your questions to them. We are always looking to improve the member experience, and the SMiSA Board are trying to bring more value to overseas members.
Click Here to Join SMiSA Today!
Related Links:
- Learn more about SMiSA and how you can get involved.
- Follow St. Mirren’s latest fixtures and support them from wherever you are.