Paisley housing project to name streets after St Mirren legends

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-06 10:21 3 min read

Close-up of a street name sign on a historic stone building facade.

Renfrewshire Council has announced plans to immortalize St Mirren FC’s most iconic players by naming 24 new streets at the Dykebar housing development after the heroes of the club’s 1926 and 1959 Scottish Cup-winning squads. This initiative aligns with the club’s upcoming 150th anniversary in 2027, providing a permanent tribute to the players and managers who defined key moments in Paisley’s sporting history.

Honoring the Cup-Winning Squads

The proposed street names will feature the surnames of the 11 players and two managers from each of the two historic cup-winning teams. The 1926 side, which secured the club’s first-ever trophy by defeating Celtic 2-0, will be honored with names including Bradford, Findlay, Newbiggin, Morrison, Summers, McDonald, Morgan, Gebbie, McCrae, Howieson, Thomson, and manager Cochrane.

Paisley housing project to name streets after St Mirren legends

The 1959 squad, which famously overcame Aberdeen 3-1 in front of a crowd of over 108,000, will see names such as Walker, Lapsley, Wilson, Neilson, McGugan, Leishman, Rodger, Bryceland, Baker, Gemmell, Miller, and manager Reid featured on the development’s signage. While some of these names already exist elsewhere in Renfrewshire, the council has confirmed that the second part of the street names and the postcodes will be unique to ensure there is no confusion for postal services or emergency responders.

Community Consultation and Family Involvement

Renfrewshire Council is currently consulting with local elected members and the community council regarding the final list of names. A central component of this project is the effort to engage with the descendants of the 1926 and 1959 players and management teams.

Councillor Bruce MacFarlane, Depute Convener of the Council’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, stated that the project aims to ensure these footballing legends remain a visible part of the Paisley landscape. The council is encouraging family members of the players from those specific winning years to contact them at [email protected] to share stories and participate as the development progresses.

Legacy and Development Timeline

This project follows a precedent set in 2019, when the club’s former Love Street stadium was redeveloped into residential housing. A public competition at that time resulted in streets being named after modern-era icons, including Tony Fitzpatrick, Billy Abercromby, Steven McGarry, and Mark Yardley, alongside names like Saints Street and Cairter’s Corner.

St Mirren FC Chairman John Needham has welcomed the proposal as a significant gesture of support for the club as it approaches its 150th year. Construction is currently underway at the Dykebar site, which will eventually house 600 homes. The first phase of these properties is scheduled for completion in 2025, with the naming project expected to be finalized as the development moves toward its 2027 anniversary milestone.

Source: Renfrewshire Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Council Proposal

This report is based on the official public notice issued by Renfrewshire Council regarding the Dykebar housing development naming proposals.

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