Stewart Gilmour says the plan would benefit the community

Soil samples were taken this week from the site of the proposed new stadium site in Greenhill Road, Paisley.

And club chairman Stewart Gilmour told his club's website: ""It is the only viable alternative to the club facing a financial catastrophe."

The club would sell St Mirren Park for a supermarket development and pay off the club's debt.

"It is not an exaggeration to say St Mirren will be saved from the prospect of administration and the club's future safeguarded for both its supporters and the town," said Gilmour.

The success of the project would also mean a massive boost for football at all levels in Paisley St Mirren chair Stewart Gilmour

The plans include indoor football pitches, which could be used by the public, and St Mirren are working with Sportscotland to investigate ways to build a full-sized artificial surface football park beside the new stadium.

"The success of the project would also mean a massive boost for football at all levels in Paisley and the community in general," said Gilmour.

Soil samples were needed as part of the planning application, expected to be lodged with Renfrewshire Council within the next few weeks.

Renfrewshire Council has already agreed to sell the unused 12.5-acre Greenhill Road site to St Mirren, who also need approval to build a supermarket in Love Street.

"We appreciate the planning issues we have to resolve," added Gilmour.

"But, with goodwill from both sides, we could have a positive outcome which would benefit the council, the community and the club and its supporters."