Calls for Paisley Museum exhibition to mark St Mirren's 150th anniversary in 2027 get backing

Calls for the creation of an exhibition in Paisley Museum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St Mirren in 2027 have received cross-party support.

Councillor Eddie Devine, a Saints season-ticket holder, asked Renfrewshire Council and OneRen, the trust responsible for culture in the area, to work together on a project to mark the approaching milestone.

There are still three years to go before that chapter in the club’s history but the veteran politician put forward a motion on the topic at a full council meeting to make sure there is time to plan a fitting display.

The Paisley Southeast representative explained: “I went to OneRen first and I spoke to a lady called Kirsty Devine – no relation – and they’re now looking into it.

“I thought it would be best if the council as well could lend their weight to get this exhibition on. There’s a book called ‘Marching On’ from a guy called Jack Paterson, some of you will know him, he’s a friend of mine.

“It’s about the first 125 years of St Mirren and it’s interesting St Mirren’s first colours were actually scarlet and blue hoops and there was an international played at what is now our civic amenity site at Underwood Road.

“The book contains a lot of information on the first 125 years but the last three words of the book are ‘to be continued’, so I’d like the council to hopefully support this and we could work with OneRen, St Mirren and SMiSA.”

The Buddies, who were founded in 1877, compete in the William Hill Premiership and finished fifth in the league last season – qualifying for European football for the first time since 1987.

Stephen Robinson’s side will kick off the new campaign on Thursday, July 25 with a trip to Iceland to face FC Valur or Albania to take on FK Vllaznia Shkoder, which will be another landmark in the club’s history.

Councillor Devine accepted an addition to his motion from Councillor Bruce MacFarlane, an SNP representative for Paisley Southeast, who is also a season-ticket holder at the SMiSA Stadium.

It said: “Council further congratulates St Mirren’s men’s team on achieving European football for the first time since 1987 and wishes them all the best on a successful campaign for the upcoming 2024/25 football season.”

The motion received unanimous backing in the council chambers at Renfrewshire House.

Meanwhile, the museum, which has been undergoing a £45 million transformation, is expected to reopen in 2025.

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