Back in 2023, SMiSA members voted to approve an £80,000 interest-free loan to St Mirren Football Club to support the construction of three new executive boxes within the Main Stand at The Marbill Coaches Stadium.
The project was another example of how SMiSA member contributions can be used to support investment in the club, helping create new opportunities to grow commercial revenue and strengthen St Mirren's long-term financial position.
The benefits of that investment are now clear, with the executive boxes having proved an excellent addition to the stadium.
Used for matchday hospitality, the boxes have also created new opportunities for the club to generate income throughout the week, providing a venue for business meetings, corporate events and other functions.
At the time of writing, the club is on course to have generated more than £300,000 in income from the executive boxes by the end of this season - an outstanding return on the original investment.
Earlier this year, SMiSA received the second £20,000 repayment instalment from the club, meaning that 50% of the original £80,000 loan has now been repaid.
This is a fantastic outcome for both the club and its majority owners, demonstrating what can be achieved when supporters and the football club work together with a shared ambition to #BuildtheBuds.
Check out the club’s dedicated webpage for information on the executive suites, and how they may be of use for your business. Please contact [email protected] if you’d like to book private hospitality at St Mirren FC.
A great example of supporter investment in action
SMiSA Chair Alex Dillon said:
"The executive boxes are a fantastic example of what can be achieved when SMiSA members and the club work together. Our members backed the proposal in 2023, recognising that this was an investment which could deliver tangible benefits for St Mirren, and it's brilliant to see the results.
To see the boxes generating more than £300,000 in income for the club is hugely encouraging. Not only have they improved the matchday hospitality offering, but their use throughout the week has created an additional revenue stream which benefits the club all year round.
It's also encouraging to see the loan repayments progressing, with half of the original amount now returned. This is exactly the kind of positive relationship we want between SMiSA and the club, and we're working together to identify further opportunities to invest in St Mirren and help Build the Buds."
St Mirren CEO Keith Lasley added:
"The executive boxes have been a really valuable addition to the stadium and have made a significant contribution to our commercial operation.
Their success goes beyond matchdays. Being able to offer high-quality facilities for meetings, events and hospitality throughout the week has opened up further commercial opportunities and helped us make better use of our stadium.
We are grateful to SMiSA and its members for supporting this project through the original loan. It is a great example of the positive impact that supporter ownership can have, and of what we can achieve by working closely together for the benefit of St Mirren Football Club."
Building on that success
The executive boxes project also provides a valuable example of the thinking behind SMiSA's current Build the Buds campaign.
While the original £80,000 was provided as an interest-free loan, SMiSA is now looking to take this approach a step further by directly funding capital investment projects through its dedicated Build the Buds pot.
Under the campaign, 50% of all SMiSA member subscriptions go directly into this pot, which is a dedicated fund to support improvements and investment at St Mirren.
The aim is to give supporters an even greater opportunity to shape the future of their club, helping deliver projects which improve facilities, generate additional income and benefit St Mirren for years to come.
The success of the executive boxes demonstrates why this approach is so important. An investment made possible by SMiSA members has helped the club create a valuable commercial asset, generate significant additional income and strengthen its ability to invest in the future.
The current project being funded by our 'Build the Buds pot' is the replacement of the 3G pitch at our Ralston Training Centre. This project is vital to the success and growth of our Academy, and reinforces our support to invest in the future home-grown talent. Check out our dedicated project page here, where you can donate a one-off sum to go directly to the pitch replacement fund!
If you have any ideas on future funding projects which could generate a similar level of financial return as the executive boxes, please email [email protected] and a board representative will be in touch.
Be part of St Mirren's future
Every SMiSA member makes a difference. Whether it's helping fund improvements to the stadium, supporting projects which generate additional revenue or giving supporters a direct say in the future of their club, collective contributions can deliver a lasting impact.
If you're a St Mirren supporter who isn't yet a SMiSA member, there's never been a better time to get involved.
Membership starts from just £5 per month, and every new member helps increase the amount SMiSA can invest in the club we all love.
Together, we can continue to build a stronger future for St Mirren.
To become a member, visit www.smisa.net/signup and join the team behind the team.
