This piece is from yesterday's Buddies Briefing newsletter, which is emailed out at 6pm every Thursday. To receive our full, free St Mirren newsletter straight to your email inbox, click here.
Football is often tarred with the suggestion that it's an industry full of 'jobs for the boys'.
When it comes to Keith Lasley at St Mirren, that couldn't be further from the truth. Lasley's qualifications for his role at the SMiSA Stadium extend far beyond his links to Paisley.
A sports directorship Masters degree - which he was working on as he first took the role - speaks volumes to the calibre of individual in situ in the St Mirren COO position.
And then there's that intangible quality - simply put, he gets it.
That's not something exclusive to St Mirren either, Lasley understood the importance of the support and club when at Motherwell.
But now, with the Paisley People Performance strategy now in place, it's little wonder such good work is evident on and off the park at St Mirren.
That's not to say things are perfect, the COO would admit as much himself, but there are clear signs of progress and meaningful progress that positively impacts supporters, the surrounding area and the football club as a whole.
Lasley put in best in an excellent interview with club media this week: "It is about the football, but it's about that surrounding area as well and trying to build a bit of ownership since the club have moved to the stadium.
"There are so many fantastic memories at Love Street but you want to try and have that sense of ownership of this area and Paisley as well."
He continued: "It goes back to the club, what is the club? We are here to connect our supporters to be as one and back to that thing of being greater than the sum of your parts."
Look on the pitch and under Stephen Robinson - with Lasley's influence from the offices within the SMiSA Stadium - there is clear progress being made. Take a glance around the stadium and progress is being made with new executive boxes, and electronic advertising boards pitchside and outside the stadium.
And most importantly, look at the engagement from supporters.
Attendances are well up, fan enthusiasm is through the roof, and engagement with the club - which was lacking in previous regimes - is evident.
St Mirren are thriving on and off the park currently - and Lasley has played a significant part in that.
AND ANOTHER THING
Stephen Robinson's remarks that the pressure is off for St Mirren could be received in a number of different ways.
Obviously, the pressure for a successful season is off with St Mirren safely in the top flight and with a top six finish secured.
Forget any other factors - that would always be deemed a majorly successful season for the Buddies.
However, this season you can't seem to shake the feeling there is pressure to land that last European spot.
Fifth is up for grabs and the reward of a spot in Europa Conference League qualifying - to be in the battle for that doesn't come around too often.
In my view, Robinson is correct in his assessment of the pressure being off, but the ambition certainly isn't lessened.
Five huge matches are coming up - starting against Rangers - and while there is no pressure, there is some expectation.
I can only assume Robinson's comments may have come to ease the players after a difficult conclusion to the regular season.
This team have performed best when underestimated or overlooked - we struggled at times when given the respect deserved against fellow Scottish Premiership teams.
Perhaps easing the shackles, as Robinson put it, will see a return to form at the perfect time.
AND FINALLY
It was unsurprising to hear top clubs are tracking Ethan Sutherland.
This week Manchester City and Chelsea were credited with interest in the 17-year-old who has impressed on loan at Alloa Athletic.
For St Mirren, the outcome is guaranteed to be net positive.
In Sutherland, there is a real talented youngster with a promising future in Paisley or beyond.
Should he remain in Scotland then St Mirren will be boosted by him in the first-team. Should he decide on a move to England, then a decent transfer fee would be required with the teenage contracted for another year.
It's another win for the St Mirren Academy set up.
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