St Johnstone FC Fans Forum


25 June 2026 

At McDiarmid Park, Perth


Club Representatives: Fran Smith (CEO)

                                    Simo Valakari (Manager)

                                    

Fans Steering Group:  Stuart Taylor (Chair)

                                    Colin Mackay

                                    Tom Welsh

                                    Steven Oswald

                                    Jim Granger (Minutes)

                                    

Apologies:                   Elliot Thomson

                                    Dan Shek

                                    Laura Stewart

                                    Darlene Macdonald


Fan Attendees:           63

                                  

1

Introduction and Welcome

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed a large number of fans to the event.  Stuart confirmed the agenda and advised the meeting should last around 1hr 30 minutes.


He went on to  say that Danny Williams had retired from the group due to a recent change of circumstances.  Danny had previously been Chairman of the group and instrumental in getting the fans forum set up years ago.  Danny is a sad loss to the team but we wish him well in his new role.  There is now a vacancy to be filled and Stuart asked if anyone was interested, to contact him after the meeting.


A request had been made prior to the event for questions to be submitted in advance.  There were a considerable number of questions put forward with the majority relating to Season Ticket issues.


The Chair handed over to Fran Smith who was using a power point presentation to address all points.  Questions from the floor would be accepted thereafter.


2

Fran Smith update

Fran also welcomed everyone along and asked that what was about to be shown be kept confidential for the next 15 minutes within the room.  


Fran then went onto launch the away kit for this Season, this included, to everyone’s joy a video showing Ruari Paton and Niamh Irvine from the ladies

 

team wearing the away strip.  All the fans were delighted to learn that Ruari had signed for the club.  


He started to run through the considerable increases to our social media, 28.3 million impressions across the last year, engagement of up to 25% increase.  X/Facebook 47% increase, Instagram up by 30% followers, Tik Tok 1.7 million reach.  Fran paid tribute and thanks to the Media team of Matt and Aiden.


Next Fran addressed the Season Ticket work and the thoughts behind some of the decisions.  Firstly, a comparison was made against all the other Scottish Premier League clubs pricing ranges.  He accepted that some fans had been unhappy about some of the club's pricing.  The pricing has allowed the board to make strong decisions going forward.  He accepted that the club had got some of the communications process wrong and apologised.  A further screenshot showed the stadium seating plan.  He advised that “Fan base” were preparing a system to allow fans to select an alternative Main stand seat if the East stand was to be allocated to visiting fans.


Fran went on to address concerns fans had around the profit and workings, so he moved through a screen showing all the different scenarios with 2/3 stands to the Old Firm and their related profits.  The Club wants to be open to fans, to show how the Club has to budget.  Season tickets contribute to 10% of income.  The increase in ticket sales along with the increase in prices allows the club to continue with its commitment to pitch improvement, new hospitality boxes, community arena, Muirton Lounge, Stadium signage, and new gym facilities for the players.  The Club is totally committed to improving the campus here at McDiarmid.  Any new profit is being ploughed back into the Club and to the benefit of the fans.


Match day hospitality packages for Match Sponsors have been sold out.  Captains armband’s and Ball Sponsors are still available.


Fran moved onto explaining why the Club moved the away stand from the North to the Ormond.  All to do with the flow of fans.  He moved onto a more detailed explanation as to how this improves the flow for home fans. (Please also see the web video for more background).


Other news – St Johnstone have been selected by the SPFL to do the alcohol trial every game next season, except Old Firm matches.  Further information was also given about bar facilities in each of the stands. (see web video)  

All things continue to develop and Fran encourages everyone to let him know any ideas that they hold that could make a difference at McDiarmid, improving revenue.  Improved revenue contributes to more squad funds.


3

Questions


Due to the considerable number of questions submitted, all fans should refer to the web video which covers all of the questions and answers supplied, word for word.


A very detailed question was also submitted by Tom Welsh regarding Section H Upper.  Due to the detailed nature and data included we would also refer all fans to the web video where details can be obtained word for word.


4

Foodbank Feedback

Collection Amounts from last year.


Last Season, fans exceeded totals from previous seasons.  7123kg of food and toiletries passed the Foodbank.  (Over 20 tonnes since start).  £5,205 cash from fundraising events and our Focus in Foodbank day.  £2,738 last season to Saints in the Community.  £665 collected for the British Heart Foundation.  £100 to Highland & Islands College to support Students.


Colin thanked the fans for the extraordinary amount of donations.  We continue to collect again this Season, moving the Foodbank to the corner of the Main Stand and Ormond Stand.  Colin also thanked the club for making storage space available again.


5

Additional News

Fran advised that despite our well publicised and anticipated losses, the club continues to invest and support Simo with his squad.


Stuart introduced Lesley Carcary who is the new CEO for Saints in the Community to the meeting.  We were delighted to have her with us and wished her well in her new role.


Just as Stuart was about to close the meeting, Simo asked for an opportunity to speak to the fans.  He referred back to a year ago, sitting at a meeting, wondering how our time in the Championship might go – where is our club going? There were a lot of question marks.  He asked that fans get behind the team and stick with us.  We grew together before, we all worked hard.  We met our goal of getting back to the Premiership.


Enjoy the journey, he says it will be a great Season, some ups and downs.

LETS STICK TOGETHER.


Stuart closed the meeting.