THIS MONTHS LATEST NEWS
For previous news see the monthly archive at the foot of this page.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 30th April 2000
Last night saw the Annual Doonhamers Travel Club Player of the Year dance at the Townhouse Hotel on the Annan Road. Queens were represented by George Rowe, David Mathieson, Paul Stewart, Andy Aitken, Sandy Hodge, Denis Boyle, Mark Weir, Steven Leslie and Kevin Robison.

Stevie Mallan was the big winner taking the Player of the Season awards from both the Doonhamers Travel Club and the QOS fan club, the rest of the awards were as follows:

Stevie Mallan - Player of the Year

Sandy Hodge - Young Player of the Year

John Hillcoat - Langley Muir Memorial Award, "Away Day" Player of the Year

Sandy Hodge - Ian Corbett Memorial Award, Goal of the Season for his strike versus Clyde at Palmerston on the 14th March

David Mathieson - Female Supporters "Rear of the Year"

The Queen of the South Fanclub also made their awards at the same function and they went to:

Stevie Mallan - Player of the Year

Geoff Paterson - Young Player of the Year
ROUND UP 30th April 2000
The trio of former Doonhamers that featured in this evenings PFA Player of the Year awards all missed out on the glory. Jamie McAllister was pipped in the Young Player of the Year by Hibs hitman Kenny Miller, whilst Tommy Tate in the first division was beaten to the award by Stevie Crawford, finally in the Second the award went to Brian Carrigan of Clyde, Darren Henderson missing out this time.

Remember that tomorrow evening Queens take on Annan at Galabank in the Southern Counties Challenge Cup semi-final, kick off is 7.00pm, the winners playing in the final on Wednesday evening.
VIP VISITOR 29th April 2000
Visiting Palmerston today with his brother and nephew was none other than Jimmy Greenock. Those of you with a knowledge of Queens history or indeed are old enough to remember Jimmy in action will no doubt be aware that he was one of the most skilful left half's ever to pull on the Royal Blue jersey of the Doonhamers.
[Jimmy Greenock] [Jimmy Greenock]
Jimmy, centre, with his brother and nephew, Lindsay, right. Jimmy in action.
Jimmy joined Queens in 1951 from Wishaw Juniors, he played in 236 matches for Queens and scored 14 goals. Jimmy tells us that prior to joining Queens he was a big Motherwell supporter and would have "played for them for nothing", however despite two trials and scoring for them they didn't wait when they called round for Jimmy and he was out. Queens however were persistent and waited for Jimmy to return when they called. He says that his days spent at Palmerston were some of the best he ever had and that he still has great affection for the club and the town.
BACK TO THE FOOTBALL 28th April 2000
After a whirlwind last ten days at and around Queens we return to playing the game this weekend. The fixture though could not be any more exciting as the team at the centre of the controversy Hamilton Accies provide the opposition. Irrespective of what happens off the field with the Accies appeal what Queens must do is win, and then win again next weekend in the hope that either Stirling or Stenhousemuir lose both of their remaining two matches.

Tomorrow sees Ronnie Bradford and his Board of Directors showing their appreciation of the loyal Doonhamers support by providing free admission to OAP's, entrance at £1.00 for children and £4.00 for everyone else, a bumper crowd is anticipated to roar the Doonhamers onto victory and to Second Division survival. Get there early, take some friends and be prepared to sing yourself hoarse in what will be Ken Eadie's and George Rowe's last home game in charge.

There is a good chance that both Ken and George will start the match and indeed the team is more than likely to be the same as that which started last weekend as the only suspended player, Stevie Mallan, is not eligible until next week.

We're undefeated against the Accies this season with a 3-0 victory back in August at Firhill, a 3-2 win at Palmerston in October when we turned round a 2-0 twenty minute Accies lead and most recently a 1-1 draw at Firhill that saw us lead until the final minute of added time when ex-Queens forward Darren Henderson managed to convert one of the many chances made by Hamilton that afternoon.

New manager John Connolly will be in attendance and will be sizing up his squad for next season, the players on view will surely then need no more motivation to produce a spirited and skilful performance.
RE-ARRANGED DATE 28th April 2000
The clash against Annan Athletic in the semi-final of the Southern Counties Challenge Cup postponed on Wednesday has been re-arranged for Monday evening at Galabank with a 7.00pm kick off. The winners will go on to meet Tarff Rovers in the final which will take place either at Galabank on Wednesday evening with a 7.00pm kick off if the home team wins or at Palmerston on Wednesday evening with a 7.30pm kick off if Queens win.
TRAVEL CLUB DANCE 26th April 2000
This Saturday sees the Doonhamers Travel Club Player of the Season Dance. The event takes place at the Townhouse Hotel, formerly the Emerald Park, on the Annan Road, it starts at 7:30pm, and tickets are £5.

The tickets are initially only available to members and a guest. However any unsold tickets will be available on Saturday for anyone else interested. See any committee member. If you're not sure who to speak to go in to the Palmerston Bar before the game, and someone should point you in the right direction.
MATCH POSTPONED 26th April 2000
The Southern Counties Challenge Cup semi-final due to be played this evening was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Galabank. Details of the re-arrangement will be posted here as soon as they are available.
NEW MANAGERIAL TEAM ANNOUNCED 26th April 2000
With effect from the end of this season forty nine year old ex-Scotland, Hearts, Hibs, St.Johnstone, Birmingham, Everton and Newcastle winger John Connolly, presently manager of North East English non-league side Ashington will take over as Manager of Queen of the South. John will bring his present player/coach Ian Scott with him.

John is fondly remembered at Everton as a skilful Scottish winger and at Newcastle he made forty two league appearances between 1978 and 1980 scoring ten goals in the process.
ANNAN CLASH 26th April 2000
Kick off tonight for the match versus Annan Athletic at Galabank in the Southern Counties Challenge Cup semi-final is 7.00pm.
MANAGERIAL MOVES 25th April 2000
Expressing their disappointment that results had not gone as they had hoped the Queen of the South Coaches, George Rowe and Ken Eadie have confirmed to Chairman, Ronnie Bradford, their decision to vacate the coaching positions to allow new arrangements for next season to be considered fully and put in place.

Ronnie Bradford confirms that George Rowe will remain as a player with Queens and so far as Ken Eadie is concerned he may have a future at the Club in another capacity.

Ronnie Bradford stressed that when he had taken over as Chairman following the departure of Norman Blount he and the other members of the Board had felt it correct that the agreement made with George Rowe and Ken Eadie be honoured to let them run the first team through the current season. Fans will remember that last season their joint efforts had been successful in keeping the club in the Second Division. The combination of running the team, playing in the team, responsibilities for families and other employment simply being too much has imposed a considerable strain on George Rowe and Ken Eadie. As they feel unable to devote the time which the positions require, they reluctantly decided to step down from their posts.

Ronnie Bradford stated that the situation is a completely amicable one and his attention will now turn to working out a winning formula for next season. This is likely to involve the appointment of an experienced non-playing first team coach and a reserve team being run to ensure match fitness for the full first team squad. It is Ronnie Bradford's view that the face of Scottish Football is changing very quickly with increasing financial pressures being felt across the four divisions and in particular points to a strong view that so far as the League set up is concerned three divisions of ten clubs is not necessarily a permanent fixture and could well be changed. It is the view of many paying fans that playing the same team four times a season is simply not stimulating enough. He considers that in addition to having a good youth policy developed and managed locally the future for Queen of the South will involve a blend of established first team players, supplemented by a mixture of youngsters and experienced players, possibly on loan from time to time from Premier or First Division Clubs.

At this time the Chairman and Board would like to thank George and Ken for everything they have done in the past.
MAN OF THE MATCH 24th April 2000
Warren Hawke has all but wrapped up the first ever Intenet Fan Club Player of the Season award with a Man of the Match winning score of 7.89 in the victory at Arbroath on Saturday. Two personal bests for the season were recorded by second and third placed men Ken Eadie with 7.44 and Mark Weir with 7.33.

The MoM table has been updated as has the archive report which can be accessed via the fixtures page or by clicking HERE.
TRAVEL CLUB DANCE 24th April 2000
This Saturday sees the Doonhamers Travel Club Player of the Season Dance. The event takes place at the Townhouse Hotel, formerly the Emerald Park, on the Annan Road, full details and general availability of tickets to follow.
THANK YOU TO THE FANS 22nd April 2000
Queens Chairman Ronnie Bradford tonight announced that next Saturday's match at Palmerston versus Hamilton will serve as a thank you to the loyal Doonhamers support for their commitment this season.

Admission will be free to OAP's, £1 for children and £4 for everyone else.

On top of that Ronnie has requested that everyone turns up early as special pre-match entertainment will be the order of the day. Make sure that you get to Palmerston at least an hour before kick-off to savour the atmosphere and then enjoy a Queens side playing the good football that we all know they are capable of without the spectre of relegation hanging over them.
QUEENS SAFE 22nd April 2000
Queens, this afternoon secured second division football at Palmerston next season, pending any appeal by Hamilton to the SFA. A 2-1 victory against Arbroath at Gayfield where in season 1985/86 we won promotion and last season we secured second division status saw Queens move onto thirty two points with Hamilton going down to Ross County 3-0 leaving them on twenty five points and a gap of seven points with two matches left.
WEEKEND PREVIEW 21st April 2000
This Saturday sees Queens travel to the North East to meet the Red Lichties at Gayfield. A team with renewed purpose should take to the field following this past weeks controversial penalties imposed on Hamilton. A win for Queens and defeat for Hamilton, who face our opponents of last weekend Ross County would ensure Second Division football at Palmerston next season. Any other result ensures that Palmerston hosts its most important game for some time a week tomorrow when Hamilton come calling.

Back to this weeks opponents and Arbroath, after looking promotion certainties in the first half of the season have slipped away and joined the ranks of the inconsistent. They currently lie in fifth place with nothing to play for and mid-table security guaranteed. Recent results have seen them both winning and losing to Alloa, losing to Ross County, drawing with Stenhousemuir and Hamilton, with a win at Stranraer.

Queens will still need to perform to their best ability as Gayfield is now not an easy place to take points away from. Our last visit there brings back some harsh memories, a 5-2 victory for Arbroath with Colin McGlashan netting a hat trick and Queens generally played off the park. Results at Palmerston this season have been better with two wins, one after extra time in the CIS League Cup on what was the hottest day of the summer at Palmerston, the other in near farcical snow bound conditions where the pitch markings were green and the pitch white. Both of the wins were by the narrowest of margins, Lee Bailey in the summer, Stevie Mallan in the snow. The defeat was the first match of the season and came the Saturday following Arbroath's CIS Cup exit at Palmerston, this time though a free scoring game produced five strikes, Queens losing out by the odd goal, scorers being Weir and Mallan, Stevie also missing a penalty that would have levelled the match. Also notable in that game was the dismissal of David Lilley for bringing down last man Tam Bryce and the red card for the visitors Devine for a second bookable offence.

So can we pull it off tomorrow, well as George Rowe says it's now back in our own hands.

Team news is that George Rowe will not play up front tomorrow, Stevie Mallan sits out number two of three suspensions and everyone else is fit and ready for selection.
LEAGUE LIFELINE 20th April 2000
The Scottish League Executive Council today threw a Second Division survival lifeline Queens way when they penalised Hamilton Accies for not fulfilling their fixture versus Stenhousemuir last month. The size of the penalty surprised most people when it was announced that the Accies would have fifteen points deducted from their present total and with no right of appeal that is the final decision.

This re-arranges the bottom four league positions and puts Hamilton at the foot with a four point margin before Queens in second bottom place. Relegation is now basically a two horse race between Accies and Queens as Stenhousemuir are virtually safe and Stirling Albion are mathematically safe.

Queens could reach safety this weekend with a win at Arbroath as long as Hamilton lose to Ross County at Firhill. If things are not settled then the next weekend sees the two meet at Palmerston which could see a dramatic finish to the season for Queens.

"It's up to us now over the next few weeks", commented George Rowe, whilst Chairman Ronnie Bradford was meeting the players this evening to stress that it is a lifeline which needs to be grabbed.

On another note, now safe Stenhousemuir sacked their player manager Graeme Armstrong following their defeat at the hands of Hamilton on Tuesday evening.
PRIZE WINNERS 19th April 2000
The Queen of the South Fan Club held their annual Prize Draw before Saturday's game versus Ross County. Queens director Craig Paterson drew the winning tickets as follows:
Midi CD player Ivor McKay - Annan
Lawnmower Pia Taylor - Sanquhar
Galloway Frozen Foods Hamper John Cameron - Powfoot Golf Club
Electric Drill Margo Marchant Smith - Brixton, London
Meal for 2 at the Pheasant Hotel Kate Taylor - Castle Douglas
Rucksack Billy Hyslop - Edinburgh
Telephone M Adams - Castle Douglas
Prontaprint Voucher Scott Maxwell - East Yorkshire
Bottle Whisky Eve - Great Mills
Bottle Vodka Bill Nicol - Dumfries
Crate of Beer Dale Anderson - Castle Douglas
Box of Cream Eggs Nan Jess - Sanquhar
In all the draw was reckoned to have raised a profit approaching £450. This will enable the fan club to hand over a cheque at the last game of the season to Queens youth development for a sum in the region of £1500.
DECISION DAY 19th April 2000
Tomorrow sees the meeting of the Scottish League which will decide the punishment to be imposed on Hamilton Accies for their recent players strike. Accies boss Ally Dawson is fearful of being handed automatic relegation, whilst the best they can hope for is the deduction of three points.

The re-arranged game between Accies and Stenhousemuir took place last night with Hamilton running out 1-0 winners. Check out the table to see what this means to us.
DALBEATTIE DUMPED 19th April 2000
Queens progressed into the semi-finals of the South Challenge Cup with an unconvincing 3-2 victory over high flying Dalbeattie Star on Monday evening. Star can count themselves unlucky after a string of fine saves by David Mathieson in the Queens goal.

The semi-final will take place next Wednesday evening against Annan Athletic at Galabank, check back next week for kick off details and confirmation of date.
DOIG DELIGHT 17th April 2000
Former Queens youngster Chris Doig has been named in the Scotland Under 21 squad for the friendly against Holland next week. The Nottingham Forest central defender who recently turned 19 makes his first appearance at this level.
MAN OF THE MATCH 17th April 2000
Back with a bang this week is Andy Aitken who put in a commanding performance at the heart of the defence on Saturday and won the Internet Fan's Man of the Match award by almost a full point. Way back in second place was the hard working Warren Hawke who maintains his lead at the top of the Player of the Season table.

The MoM table has been updated and you can see all the other individual scores from Saturdays match via the reports link on the fixtures page or by clicking HERE.
ROUND UP 16th April 2000
Remember that tomorrow evening sees a Queens team made up of fringe first team players take on Dalbeattie Star in the Quarter Finals of the South Challenge Cup. The match kicks off at 6:30pm at the Islecroft Stadium, with the winners travelling to Annan a week this Wednesday for the semi-final.

Don't rush out to the video shop to try to get a hold of the "The Cup" video just yet. A film also entitled "The Cup" was released in late January in America, however it bears little resemblance to the Robert Duvall movie that was partly shot at Palmerston. Some notable differences are that it is a Hindi language film subtitled in English. The Cup film that we will recognise has now been re-titled "The Road to Glory" as revealed in yesterday's programme, however it has not yet been released in the USA and at present a distributor is being sought for it. Keep up to date with developments on the release of the movie at upcomingmovies.com.

It's good to see some players who have worn the Royal Blue of the Doonhamers being recognised in this years "Players Player of the Season awards", despite their being no current Queens players nominated. The most notable being in the Premier League where Jamie McAllister has been nominated for the young player of the year award along with Barry Ferguson of Rangers, Kenny Miller of Hibs and Lee McCulloch of Motherwell. In the first it's former loan signing Tommy Tait of St. Mirren who features and in the second it's Darren Henderson of Hamilton who mustered up enough votes for his nomination

Watch out this Tuesday for the Hamilton Stenhousemuir scoreline, this is the re-arranged match at Larbert following the postponed one last month due to the Accies players strike. Then on Thursday the Scottish league meet to determine the fate of Hamilton after the strike and what penalties will be imposed.
WEEKEND PREVIEW 14th April 2000
This weekend sees Queens having to do something that they have never managed in their history, that is defeat Ross County. In the six meetings between the clubs the Staggies have won four and drawn two, they have scored sixteen against Queens whilst conceding only six. The task therefore is not an easy one, add to it the fact that by winning tomorrow and Partick losing, County will secure their place in the first division and you will appreciate that the match will be a stern character test for the Queens players.

These are however the players that are playing for their contracts as a number of them come up for renewal at the end of the season, so the incentive is with the Dumfries men. A win is also crucial to the reducing hopes of second division salvation, but in reality favours will be required elsewhere.

Back into the squad comes both George Rowe and Andy Aitken who are both likely to feature from the start despite the form of youngster Kevin Robison. Stevie Mallan starts the first of his three game ban this weekend so the strike force will more than likely feature Hawke and Adams with Weir and Dickson wide left and right respectively.

Remember also that a Queens team will travel to Dalbeattie on Monday night for the quarter final of the Southern Challenge Cup. Kick off at the Islecroft Stadium is 6:30pm, the winners will then be away to Annan Athletic a week on Wednesday.
MAN OF THE MATCH 13th April 2000
The man who has been so close to scooping the award for the past five or six matches finally gets his reward this week. Stevie Mallan has been one of our most consistent performers in recent weeks and has been piped on a couple of occasions by the smallest of margins, this week though he turns the tables and just sneaks the award from comeback kid Mark Weir.

It seems appropriate that Marv wins it this week as he has no chance over the next three games as he has to watch from the stand following his booking against Partick that saw him burst through the suspension threshold.

Warren Hawke maintains his position at the head of the table after scoring a creditable 5.69 despite being substituted early in the second half. To some it may look cut and dried for Warren Hawke to win the first ever internet fanclub player of the year but remember that there are a couple of players who will just break into the reckoning over the course of the next few matches once they have racked up at least 50% appearance levels. In particular David Mathieson isn't too far away at present and with a couple of good performances could yet see himself claiming the award.

The MoM table will be updated tomorrow evening but to check out all the other player rankings either visit via the report link on the fixtures page or HERE.
MATCH PREVIEW 10th April 2000
Following Stenhousemuir's shock win over Alloa at the weekend, it's essential that the Doonhamers reproduce the shock and take a full three points of the Wasps tomorrow evening. Unusually this will be Queens first visit to Recreation Park this season as this match was originally scheduled for December but has been put back a couple of times due to pitch problems. Don't look for any up to date news in the matchday programme, it's dated December so will be for collectors only.

The Queens side is likely to feature Ally McMillan as it's unsure whether Paul Stewart will be fit in time for the clash, Graham Duncan will feature in central defence but the midfield choice will be more difficult after Saturday with John Gallagher and Alan Kerr fighting for the central role next to Denis Boyle.

We have an unbeaten record versus Alloa this season with the promotion challengers drawing one all at Palmerston back in August and Queens running out winners just over a month ago by two goals to one. In that game the difference was the introduction of Brian Caldwell wide left who managed to provide the front two with some quality balls.
MAN OF THE MATCH 10th April 2000
Warren Hawke wins this weeks Man of the Match award by some way and now looks to be heading for the Internet Fans Player of the Season award unless someone produces some startling form over the last five games. Stevie Mallan gets yet another second place and creeps past Sandy Hodge in the overall standings, although Marv will only feature in two more matches this season as he has received a three game ban.

The MoM table has been updated and you can see all the other individual scores from Saturdays match via the reports link on the fixtures page or by clicking HERE.
WEEKEND PREVIEW 7th April 2000
This Saturday is another crucial match for the Doonhamers, Stirling Albion have put three past Queens in every match this season so far. A three all draw in September at Palmerston saw Queens come back from three one down, Paul Harvey scoring a memorable equaliser. Then a three nil victory for the Beano's at Forthbank in early December, all three goals coming in the second half following a good first half performance by Queens. Finally a three two victory at Palmerston which stopped our mini revival in its tracks as Albion were well worth their victory.

In terms of current form Stirling have slipped right back into relegation trouble and have lost all but one of their last six matches. Queens have to make their current form advantage count on Saturday, although Stirling have been losing it has been to the likes of Clyde, Ross County and Alloa so a tough match is guaranteed.

Of our closest rivals Stenhousemuir take on Alloa at home in what will prove a tough match for them whilst Hamilton face another tough task at 'home' to Clyde.

Team news from Palmerston is that there will have to be a central defensive reshuffle as Andy Aitken joins George Rowe on the sidelines as he begins the first of a two match ban. All other players are suspension free so we may well see Graham Duncan reverting to central defensive duties with any one of three from Kerr, Cleeland or Leslie fitting into the central midfield role vacated by Duncan.
CUP SUCCESS 6th April 2000
Queens cruised into the next round of the Southern Counties Challenge Cup with a resounding 8-2 victory over St.Cuthbert Wanderers at Palmerston last night. George Rowe weighed in with four strikes, Charlie Adams with two whilst Geoff Paterson and Alan Kerr finished off the scoring. The Queens side was reasonably strong with most of the fringe and suspended first team players making an appearance.

The quarter final takes place at the Islecroft Stadium, Dalbeattie on Monday the 17th April with Queens meeting Dalbeattie Star.
OOPS!! 5th April 2000
It's a bit late now but we forgot to mention that Queens face St Cuthbert Wanderers tonight at Palmerston in the Southern Counties Challenge Cup.

The team will feature the likes of John Hillcoat, Ally McMillan, Bryan Caldwell, Mark Weir, George Rowe, Andy Aitken and Denis Boyle. League suspensions don't count in this competition.
ROUND-UP 4th April 2000
For Hamilton things seem to be going from bad to worse, after Saturday's no show, tonight they lost 2-0 to Alloa and in the process missed two penalties. The defeat helps to keep things tight at the foot of the table.

It was good to see Chairman Ronnie Bradford at the Clyde match on Saturday, only three days ater undergoing another operation.

Stevie Mallan's booking on Saturday means that he will face at least a two match ban which is likely to start with the Ross County game a week on Saturday.

Clyde had a bit of a mix up with their programmes on Saturday which resulted in the 140 Queens fans missing out on their copies. John Taylor from the Bully Wee's award winning programme was on to Bruce Wright on Monday and hopes to do a reprint which will be sent to Palmerston.

It is planned to hold an Open day at Palmerston on the 6th August 2000, mark it in your diaries now!

BLW
MAN OF THE MATCH 3rd April 2000
Young right back and former Clyde player Paul Stewart was adjudged Queen's Man of the Match versus the Bully Wee on Saturday. The game which saw Clyde clinch a promotion spot with a deserved 3-1 win also saw Queens Stevie Mallan and Kevin Robison tie for second place in the MoM stakes.

Talking of Marv, the on form striker gets a full page to himself in a revealing interview in the Scottish Sun today which makes interesting reading.

The MoM table will be updated