Club Confirms Executive Decision
Last updated : 16 August 2005 By Stuart Gillespie
There were rumours on the web yesterday that they weren't going to do that and having it confirmed today is great news. We're now another step closer to having a new ground and our debts cleared.
Here is a full copy of the statement from Stewart Gilmour that appeared on
The Official St. Mirren Website earlier today:
The Scottish Executive has decided NOT to call in St Mirren’s planning applications to sell Love Street to a supermarket operator and build a new stadium in nearby Greenhill Road, Paisley.
The decision effectively means that the Club has been saved and will be able to raise enough cash to pay off the debt and build a new Premier League-standard stadium.
Saints chairman Stewart Gilmour welcomed the decision and said: “You could feel the relief in and around Love Street when the news came through that the Scottish Executive was not calling in our planning applications.
“That decision means we can now go ahead doing what is necessary to clear our crippling long-term debts and build a new stadium in Paisley. It also means that the Club’s 128-year link with Paisley remains and this will no doubt be welcomed by the many tens of thousands of people here and abroad who hold an affection for their home town club.
“I would thank the Scottish Executive who took the decision not to call in our application and allow us to proceed with our proposals. We will now start the rebuilding process both at St Mirren and in the north end of Paisley. We said all along that our proposals could be the catalyst for the regeneration of the North of Paisley and I am sure this will be the case.
“I’m also sure that, as a football club, we will bring much pride back to Paisley with success on the field. And off the field, I hope we can kick-start a similar process – socially and economically - in the north end of Paisley.
“Sure, it will be sad to leave Love Street, but there was no alternative. We would have had to sell the ground no matter what the outcome of our planning applications. The difference now is that we can raise enough cash to pay off the debt and stay in Paisley in a fabulous new stadium less than a mile from St Mirren Park.
“We can all recall the fantastic scenes at Paisley Cross and the Town Hall when we brought the Scottish Cup and the League Championship back to Paisley. It was a great day not just for our supporters, but also for the whole of Paisley and Renfrewshire. It gave everyone such a huge lift in morale. There will be a lot more of these wonderful days in the future.
“Who can forget the look of excitement on the faces of the youngsters who stood in front of the Town Hall as the open-topped bus arrived when we won the Scottish Cup and the League title?
"I am sure these same youngsters will be standing there again – albeit a little older - waiting for the team to arrive for another great St Mirren celebration.
“It’s thanks to this decision by the Scottish Executive and the earlier decision by councillors on the Renfrewshire planning board to give our plans the go-ahead that they will be able to do that.
“The Scottish Executive’s decision is great not only for St Mirren, but also for Paisley and the whole of Renfrewshire.
“With our proposals having been given the go-ahead, the directors, players and staff at St Mirren can now make sure that the Saints DO go marching in and keep on marching for a long time to come.”
A buyer is the next step now, with Morrisons, Tesco and Asda all rumoured to be interested.
