Ross: Fans hit the high note
Players chip in to boost resources for singing support
Craig Ritchie
Jack Ross insists a contribution to the club’s singing section pales in significance to the fans’ invaluable support.
The St Mirren manager was on hand to personally present the group, dubbed the Nor th Bank Aggro, with £ 150 to be used towards materials for new banners and displays between now and the end of the Championship campaign.
The money was raised by Saints’ first team stars and staff last week, with the gaffer handing over the dough before Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dunfermline.
The group has grown in popularity over the course of the past 18 months, congregating in section W7 on each matchday at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
And Ross admits that their efforts have caught the eye of players and staff alike, as they lend their backing both vocally and visually with striking displays – and the ever-popular drum on matchdays.
Banners include one of Ross himself prior to their recent game with Livingston, as well as a “Fortress” display, and one of the club’s mascot, the Paisley Panda, at the beginning of the season.
Ross told Express Sport: “The atmosphere in the stadium has changed an awful lot over the course of the past 12 to 18 months.
“Of course what we do on the pitch plays a massive part in that – but the group that has brought themselves together to create that atmosphere have been terrific and the players really appreciate that.
“It was their idea to give the supporters the money.
“It really is just a small contribution because these guys put their hands in their pockets for materials to produce what they do on a regular basis.
“It is a small way of showing our gratitude for their support.
“But the biggest form of gratitude that we can show is simply by winning games.”
The North Bank section, who co-ordinate the banners, have also teamed up with local company GKF PrintStudio – Personalised Clothing ( gkfprintstudio. co. uk) to produce a limited edition North Bank Aggro T-shirt for the club’s supporters.
GKF PrintStudio will also be donating two of the T-shirts to the group’s upcoming fundraiser on March 24, one of which will be signed by the Saints first team.
The group, alongside Ross, unveiled the new design at the weekend – and it has already gone down a storm among supporters. A number were kitted out in the crowd at the weekend, with the T-shirts set to sell quickly among the fans. They are currently available for pre- order on the section’s website, smfcpaisley. co.uk
And as the group goes from strength to strength, Ross admitted he was delighted to be able to welcome the group to the ground.
He added: “I get the opportunity all the time to express my gratitude from the players and the staff.
“I understand that the guys involved in that group will go to their own expense to produce the banners and displays that they put on.
“Their support has played a huge factor in improving the atmosphere at the ground and probably dragging more people along because their is an enjoyment factor in that as well.
“I’m pleased that we have managed to do that in a personal way as well and I’m sure it will be put to good use.”
The biggest form of gratitude we can show is simply by winning games