Keith Lasley says he is relishing the challenge of building on St Mirren's success as he reflects on his first year in the hot seat.
Paisley -born Lasley joined the Buddies as the club’s chief operating officer in June 2022 and says he has enjoyed his first boardroom role “immensely” as he celebrates a number of achievements on and off the pitch.
The former midfielder – who most notably played for Motherwell from 1996 to 2004 and then again from 2006 to 2014 – hailed manager Stephen Robinson, the staff at the SMiSA stadium and the club’s dedicated fanbase.
Lasley says that he hopes by bringing everyone together, he can help put the Saints on a path of sustained success.
“St Mirren is a fantastic football club,” the 43-year-old told the club’s TV channel. “I knew it was before I came in and being in here for a year has only reaffirmed that.
“Having grown up locally, I know the history of the club and the people round about it so I know what it means to the people of Paisley and beyond.
“And now, being in the building for a year, that has firmed up that it is a special place; a special club that means so much to so many people and it is a real privilege for me to be in this position and try and help it grow and move forward.
“We want to keep going in the right direction. Togetherness is huge for us.
“It’s one of the things I have had a real focus on and that’s connecting the club together in terms of the stakeholders, the staff, the fans, the volunteers.
“I want us all to be together pulling in the one direction. We are trying to compete with clubs that we know have far bigger resources and that’s a challenge. But I love a challenge and that’s the reason why I am sitting in this chair.
“We want to challenge these teams that are bigger than us and I think we have done that successfully this season and we want to continue to do that.”
Robinson and his men enjoyed a historic season – finishing in the top six for the first time in the current set-up which secured the club’s highest top-flight finish since 1985.
It was also a record-breaking season in terms of attendances as 121,610 people visited the SMiSA for the Buddies’ 19 cinch Premiership matches last season.
This is a new record at the Greenhill Road stadium since the club relocated from Love Street in 2009 – beating the previous record of 101,680 set in 2018/19.
Meanwhile, season ticket sales this summer have soared through the 3,000 mark as Buddies back the team.
With Robbo and assistant Diarmuid O’Carroll agreeing new deals until 2026, the Buddies are buoyant as the new season hovers into view.
In other club business, the St Mirren Charitable Foundation recently secured £70,000 to deliver its Fit and Fed initiative which will see in excess of 500 children from across Renfrewshire offered food and physical activities in every school holiday of the next academic year.
Reflecting on it all, Lasley admits it’s hard to pick out one highlight.
“I think we have made great progress on and off the pitch,” he added. “Obviously the top-six finish has got to be in there for the club.
“After such a long time, it is a fantastic achievement for Stephen and his staff and the players.
“And off the pitch we are making really great connections in Paisley, and with people in the local area, and that is so important to me and to the club.
“We don’t want to just win on the pitch, we want to win off the pitch and winning is making people’s lives better.”
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
