FANS have got the ball rolling on a campaign to rename a train station so it matches their football club.

FANS have got the ball rolling on a campaign to rename a train station so it matches their football club.

St Mirren supporters want to change the name of Paisley St James because it is the stop closest to their new stadium.

Under their proposal the stop, which lies a few hundred yards from the ground being built on Greenhill Road, Ferguslie Park, would be called Paisley St Mirren.

David MacDonald, 36,who runs fans' website www.blackandwhitearmy.com, said the railway station would become a "focal point" on match days.

The computer manager said: "The name of St Mirren will mean more to the people of Paisley than St James.

"We have just started this campaign, but will be encouraging fans to write to councillors and MSPs to ask for their support.

"The station would become a focal point for the fans of St Mirren travelling to home games, as well as away fans on match days."

The campaign to rename the stop, which operates on the same line as trains running from Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street, has gained the backing of St Mirren FC and one of its former stars.

Billy Abercromby, 49, the captain of the club's 1987 Scottish Cup winning team, said: "Changing the name is a great idea and I really hope it gathers support.

"The first thing people will see when they come out of the station is St Mirren's new ground - it makes perfect sense."

Brian Caldwell, St Mirren general manager, added: "Anything that leads to increasing the profile of our name is good for the club."

The station is managed by ScotRail but owned by Network Rail, which would have to give permission to rename the stop.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We are happy to speak to the supporters and listen to any ideas they have."

Supporters hope to see St James turned into St Mirren before Christmas - in plenty time for the opening of the 8000-seater stadium.

The ground, part of a £15million deal with Tesco, is expected to be completed by November, with Saints moving in on January.

Contractor Barr Construction has put the stands in place and the pitch has been laid.

As part of the deal the club's old ground, St Mirren Park in Love Street, will be bulldozed and replaced by an 80,000sq ft superstore.