MX23RW : Wednesday, July 3 18:30:37| >> :600:2408570:2408570:

Charity partnership could aid St Mirren takeover

Charity partnership could aid St Mirren takeover
© Reuters
The St Mirren Independent Supporters Trust (SMISA) is due to buy out current owner Gordon Scott in 2026, but that could now happen next year.

St Mirren could become fan-owned as soon as next year thanks to a partnership between the club's supporters' trust and Paisley-based charity Kibble.

The St Mirren Independent Supporters Trust (SMISA) is due to buy out current owner Gordon Scott in 2026, but under new plans outlined on Wednesday, Kibble would buy 27.5 per cent of Scott's shares now, with SMISA then taking its own stake to 51 per cent before the end of 2021.

Scott would continue as club chairman, with SMISA and Kibble represented on the club board. As majority owners, SMISA would be able to appoint the majority of future board members.

SMISA's 1,200 members are being asked to vote on whether they accept the new proposals, with a meeting planned for next week.

Scott said: "When I took over as chairman and majority shareholder in 2016 it was with the intention of taking the club forward and working with SMISA to create a sustainable and successful fan ownership model.

"This is the right time, the right corporate partner and the right model. The club is in a very strong place right now – financially, in terms of stadium and academy infrastructure, and the people we have employed at all levels of the football club."

Kibble chief executive Jim Gillespie said: "We are incredibly excited by this important plan for both organisations, both of which were founded in Paisley in Victorian times and are a part of the town's history.

"The purpose of our proposal is to step up Kibble's young workforce development programme and improve the future prospects of our young people, including employability options, skills and qualifications."

ID:387963: cacheID:387963:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2509:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Tony Andreu: 'Gambling influence was first thing I noticed in Scotland'
>
Read more about Gordon Scott Off The Pitch
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!