Fans Forum October 2026 – 

Evening all, 

Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your attendance this evening, we do have a lot to get through, and we will aim to get through them as fairly and promptly as we can. 

Before passing over to our guests, I have a couple of things I want to advise from the steering group. Any questions submitted for this meeting will be answered in full, at the last meeting we had received over 20 questions in advance, and to ensure those in attendance got the chance to answer questions, and to ensure that the questions went smooth we made the decision to summarise them, the club did receive the feedback from those who submitted them. This is something we won’t be doing today. The only questions that we will not accept, are relating to specific player or staff contracts, or where there is an element of abuse. 

I also just want to thank Fair City Saints and Proud saints for responding to recent communications we have sent out to supporters’ groups. Effectively, we want to try and be more active in being communicative to supporters and their groups, we have reached out to all registered groups on the club website with the exception of Saints in Exile, mainly because we know you’re spread throughout the world and we don’t know if you have meetings or what the situation is, however can I ask that Tam Patterson reach out to us so we may discuss this and anything the exiles wish to raise with us. 

We’d also like to extend our well wishes to Zack Mitchell as he recovers from his knee injury and congratulate both Taylor Steven & Joel Cotterill for receiving caps for the Welsh and Scottish under 21 sides respectively. 

Tonight’s Agenda - 

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Paul McDonald & Gus Macpherson updates 


Gus- Paul has replaced a legend and it’s a tough job. Adam (Webb) asked that after 5 years there is improvement in youth. I can’t answer for him as it is his idea although the youth system is definitely changing. Me and Fran went to St Andrews (SFA youth development meeting) and it is changing slowly. The ‘Development stage’ at a time was beyond u19 football. We are led to believe that u19 teams will disappear, and development will move to u17. How this will look I’m not sure although it is definitely changing clubs’ youth structures though difficult to get an understanding. It will be down to Paul to get an idea for the youth programme. Last year we had an age gap compared to other u21 teams which was large.

Coaching staff always move on in younger year groups and this will happen as it changes. The money has been invested in the programme. We have brought in a sports scientist and got the gym downstairs which is helping the youth teams. Alistair has done well in getting through a challenging season post relegation for the first team. This season we have high hopes for young Taylor (Steven) and for Jack (Robertson) although Jack picked up a minor injury early on. It is difficult to evaluate players that are out on loan constantly. credit needs to be given to coaches that are developing young players that are/have once been at St Johnstone. It is an area of football that needs constant change and development. We have ensured that it is invested in. 

Paul- thanks for coming, I have been here for 14 months and received phenomenal backing from the club and the direction the club is taking the academy is really exciting to me. We want to entice the best young talent to St Johnstone. Someone mentioned (in the questions page) how do we measure success and this is done through the environment in which we create to foster talent. We had a festival here to foster talent through local clubs and strengthen links to local clubs and ensure players don’t go outwards to Dundee/United/Falkirk and want to come here. We are trying to establish us being an attractive club to come to as a youth player. My vision puts pressure on my academy and that’s okay I’m ready for that. We don’t make good players; we give good players a platform to develop in the pathway. We want players to be involved in player training or better make their way to the first team to be cheered on by you fans. Always good to see when a player comes through the whole system and a Perth local steps onto the pitch. I want to continue the history of young players being given a chance.

Crowd question for Paul- for KDM evolution trophy will we put our B team in as we didn’t this season.

Paul- We can see why the club didn’t put one in this season. A lot of the players are doing u19 as we said it’s a younger youth squad although next season for u19s they will of course be older. It’s a club decision. Look at hearts B, (against Ross County) does it do anyone any good getting battered by 14 or so. It will be interesting from the SFA to see what they do with the competition. I can see the merits of it although there has to be expectation from the club with it and overall, there has to be real benefit. It’s not the be all and end all of development pathways for these players. There has been huge youth development progress in the 14 months I’ve been here.

Gus- we will make a decision. We have been asked by SFA already for next season. We will sit down and discuss. It’s a decision for the squad; is it worth the time. Young players to play against adults is not possible for some of them and the pathway is different for everyone. Not all of them need to play against adults right now. Would the KDM evolution have enhanced a young boy from Dundee to go further (Luke Graham)? 90% of B teams are getting beat in this. definitely 2 or 3 that are capable every week but to ask 8 or 9 to go to play senior teams is unrealistic as its too much as a group. We need a better way to work things with young players.

Fran- Financially we earn only 15K for getting knocked out of the league phase. Is it worth the extra pitch time? We can’t host games with this money. 

Member of the crowd reminds Fran these games are all away from home for B teams and suggests the possibility of having a sponsor pay for travel costs to and from these games.

Fran- I didn’t realise this and we will take this into account so it will come down to a footballing decision as mentioned. 


East stand closure from the Falkirk Game 

Fran- prior to kick off 11.30 the electrics in the east stand tripped 4 times. We called out SB electrical urgently and tried to find the fault. Found it after the game with the issue being a cable that ran under the pitch to the east stand. A control board was the issue, and the breakers were not working and touch wood it has now been fully rectified. It wasn’t highlighted to us Thursday by stand maintenance which happens a couple days before each matchday and it was identified on Saturday morning when entering the stand. Thanks to fans for understanding as it could have been a cancelled game which we had to adapt to an issue on short notice. We gave the electricians as much time as we could before kick-off, but it all was sorted quickly in the end with everyone getting seats in the Geoff Brown and north stands. 


Hibs match trouble in car park 

The Hibs ultras group arrived in the car park long before the game. The Police commander said to us trouble between this group and others would have happened anywhere. Hibs were aware they were going to make this trouble. We opened the turnstile earlier to allow the group to enter the ground safely and the Hibs group tried inciting an altercation with arriving FCU members. Credit to our members in the FCU for their behaviour during this as they entered the ground problem-free. Afterwards the Hibs supporters, under advice from the match commander, were denied entry to the ground. As a result of this Bev quickly revoked the tickets for the group. One of their members changed clothes and bought another ticket and entered the ground despite this. The majority of the members from this group congregated in the car park. The police decided to hold them in the car park to disperse after the match. The club have questioned this decision. Police are reviewing the incidents, and we have updated today through media channels our clubs’ steps to try and make our supporters feel safer and allow general safety in and around the ground. 

Q&A from online questions and from the room 


Questions submitted online – Answered by Fran unless stated otherwise

John Gorham – “Are we the new Livingston? We have a bloated squad and few players that opposition managers would sign. Where are the players that are exciting and make managers nervous?” 

Thomas Woodgoulbourn (East Stand Season Ticket Holder) “Can the club confirm it does not intend to close the East Stand Permanently this season or beyond?”

Bill Damie – “Has the club ever thought of a path between the end of the east stand/Ormond Stand along the side of the training pitch to the bypass?” (NB – Club used to have a shortcut from cremmy across this land prior to road change for families) 

Roy Spiers – “Apologies if this has already been dealt with, but are there proposals to move the fan tiles from the Ormond Stand to somewhere in or on the stadium that doesn’t need to be covered over with barriers? And if so, how quickly can this be done? It was very dispiriting seeing the tiles behind barriers before the Falkirk Match. If this isn’t already being dealt with, could this be raised at the forum please?” 

Colin McCredie – As a volunteer with Saints Fans supporting foodbanks, I would like to ask the club if we can gain access to the clubs wi-fi to enable potential use of payment apps for donations? We have 2 bucket collection events coming up and based on last season most supporters no longer have cash to donate at the game. Some fans intimated they could donate by card. Obviously strong wi-fi is needed for this. 

Neil Gray – My question is who was responsible for allowing the steps in the east stand to be covered over with an adverts given this means any new fans or current season ticket holder need really look for their seat by going to  stairwell that isn’t covered to get to their seats? Thank you 

Questions submitted by WAP: 

Mizfit – “Does the club have a plan for potential half season ticket sales if this impacts the number of tickets that the old firm can receive?” 

Aitchy – “What efforts were made to contact season ticket holders from last season who did not renew this season?”

The Kinross Saint “It’s quite clear that questions on season tickets will be categorised as already answered, so won’t be raised, is this really a fans forum steering group anymore or just an offshoot of the club?”

Mizfit – “After scrapping kids under 12 go free, what number of kids tickets were converted to match paying in the east and main? Also if possible does the club have the data to show how many kids go onto purchase a season ticket at 13+ after no longer being eligible for under 12’s go free? 

Pezza70 “Could you ask did we consider putting a B team in the challenge cup to give fringe players more game time? Roughly, how much does it cost the club if we were to run a B team.|”

Mr T “Could it be asked if the PA system will be getting upgraded, not to blast out but a lot of the announcements appear to sound as if the announcer has his head in a galvy bucket. And to save those lost when entering can stadium plans with rows and end seat numbers be placed on the walls of the entrances where the stewards stand. As we all know that sometimes they are as much in the dark as those lost souls lookin for their seat,also should there be an emergency the area can be easily identified to gain help. 

Phil D – I’d be interested to ask what the 5 year strategy to grow the saints fan base. Do we have a plan? Do we have someone in charge? Are there any links with university students for this? Is adding 1000 season ticket holders over that period realistic?

Gmac – “All away fans return to the north stand only, let the home support grow, through actions like this come and watch a team playing some decent football (Yes it’s a hard ask( but restriction of the away fans (Especially OF knuckle Draggers) will surely encourage more home attendees.

Pezza70 “Are the club issuing more shares in the future? What was the financial result of the buy a tile program for the community program?”

Mike Gain – How does limiting away support for one stand for matches v Dundee united, Dundee Aberdeen Hibs etc. Tie with reasons to give old firm 3 stands. We’re either trying to maximise revenue from all away support or we’re not. Move families to north end of GB Stand so they can have an actual season ticket for all matches, then leave North and Ormond for away support.

Mike Gain – The Pie sports service in main stand still below par. Too often foot items not available as they are not ready before half time. And please can pie sports just invest in some kind of POS technology? An app on a few cheap tablets better than pencil, paper and calculate. The youg staff will likely avoid conflict and correct mistakes by giving things away by accident that someone has asked for but that they didn’t charge for. 

Ginger bakers rebel army – We have Aberdeen at home on Boxing day, they will easily sell 3-4000 seats for a boxing day fixture in Perth, possibly more. Will Aberdeen be given the North stand to accommodate the huge support they will have at this game? If that happens please confirm the pricing will remain as a Category B match. 

Randomhuy – Been mentioned elsewhere but theres suggestions United fans are already trying to buy home end tickets because the allocation they’ve been given is nowhere near enough for them. An issue we will also have a few more times this season, particularly near end of the season if games are important. What’s the plan for that, that doesn’t also hinder PATG supporters?  

SJFC99 – The pedestrian gate nearest tesco once again had a bus parked there at the end of the last home game. Given only one gate is open which in itself creates a choke point, this only exacerbates the problem can the club ensure that buses and cars making pick ups use the area at the top of the car park instead?

SJFC99 – Can it be put to pie sports to provide paper bags or trats that have space for food, rather than merely drinks holders. Given the stiff narrow double fire doors in the main stand kiosk, it would make life much easier especially those with kids, elderly, or those with mobility problems to get back to their seats trying to open those doors with hot food and drinks, or can they be wedged open? 


In the room questions 

Will Hibs fans who had tickets cancelled be refunded.

In relation to the closure will it happen going forward in other stands due to age of stand

Will Dundee Utd get more tickets-

For the museum can we get replica trophies

Celtic or Rangers games can we have a designated section for singing support

Old firm games can we get allocated seats


Facebook Banter Page 

Paul Melloy – What’s happening with the car park resurfacing? The car park is now very difficult to walk on particularly for older fans, so what is happening with that?


Fran Smith General club Update (Not relating to the above)

The Abernethy joinery lounge will be an open lounge this season. A Huge LED screen has been installed in there and from Monday to Friday this will generate income. We will look to host events in there this winter. Food and drink options include a £15 deal down there for food and a drink token. It’s a nice and different vibe so please check it out. 

Retail update; The drop from puma for our home kits will be early dec as will the 3rd kit and hopefully they land for early December pending everything is okay with the deliveries. Christmas stock going to the shops in the next couple days. 

The Motherwell game on the 28th of October the Abernethy joinery lounge will host Stuart Cosgrove. He will be doing a talk and a collection for SITC, this will start at 6pm. 

All main stand stairways we are getting walking guardrails in. we got funding from the FCU, and they will be installed as soon as the shipment comes in around 4-6 weeks so also in December. Credit to the FCU for the funding of this with the remaining funds for the standing section. 

AOB

Danny Williams- I was part of the group for 3 years. I have stepped off as I now have a matchday role which conflicts with the interest of an independent supporters’ group. Online comments on the independence on the group is silly. The group has a good working relationship with the club. The goal is bettering supporters’ connection and communication and having a pop at the club wouldn’t help this. They (forum steering group) put their own time into it. I realise I’m speaking on behalf of a group I’m no longer part of although folk should not be lashing out, and it is not constructive. 

Stuart- Upcoming, the fans’ supporting foodbank have two large collections at home matches. The first of which will be at our next home game on the 17th of October for Sam Stanton’s efforts to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The second is the Annual focus on foodbanks game. This will be at home against Dundee on November the 7th. Both will have buckets around the ground and the latter we urge fans to bring foodbank donations. For these games, please bring along donations the FSF group always greatly appreciates them.  

Thank you all for attending.