Retaining the family stand and kickstarting the Help A Buddie community initiative has been the first “major” step as a fan-owned club, says Dave MacDonald of Pie and Bovril.
MacDonald is a prominent Buddies fan and runs the popular Twitter account, which has more than 90,000 followers.
Help A Buddie is a scheme launched by the club to help the most vulnerable in the Paisley community to afford match tickets.
Supporters can buy a ticket for a fans less fortunate, meaning they can attend the SMiSA stadium.
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MacDonald says it is great to see the fans embracing the initiative. He said: “The decision to take back the family stand for the Old Firm’s visits is a massive decision, and one all supporters are happy about. Although we know the financial hit the club will take, the support can and will help reduce that hit.
“The cost-of-living crisis that we are living under is tough. This initiative allows us to give back to the community and potentially give tickets to fans who hardly ever – or at all – go to games and allow them to enjoy themselves.”
The recent decision to cut the ticket allocation for Celtic and Ranges games is reported to be costing the club in the region of £120,000. But the financial implications are not stopping the club from looking out for the community and the supporters have answered the call through Help A Buddie.
Saints fans from far and wide have bought tickets to allow the most vulnerable to attend games, with backing coming from supporters as far away as Australia.
MacDonald said: “It is really difficult to ask fans to dig deep due to the circumstances that we’re living in at the moment. However, along with some local businesses, they have done that.
“I have bought ten tickets and hope that it will inspire others to do the same. Fans from all over, even Australia, are buying tickets which I think is amazing.”
Keith Lasley recently joined the club as chief operating officer to replace club legend Tony Fitzpatrick.
And Help A Buddie mirrors his former club Motherwell’s community spirit.
“I am not sure how much of a say Keith has had in the initiative,” MacDonald added. “However, Motherwell is a club who do stuff for the community really well and he has done a lot of work there.
“St Mirren have always been proud to help the community.”
To back Help A Buddie, go online to https://www.stmirren.com/tickets.shtml
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