THIS MONTHS LATEST NEWS
For previous news see the monthly archive at the foot of this page.
ALAN HOGG 29th December 2000
Thanks to Queen's fan David Roulston for providing the original material for the following article.

New signing from Ashington, Alan Hogg- a scales technician, is hoping that his move to Queens will be the stepping stone to a career in the game. In his first season at Ashington, who he joined from Newbiggin Central Welfare he netted over thirty goals and has fifteen to his credit this season. He was quoted in the local Ashington newspaper as saying, "I've enjoyed playing at Ashington and with the expectancy of promotion, there's part of me not wanting to leave the club.
[Alan Hogg]
However joining Queen of the South presents an opportunity for me to play at a higher standard which is too good to pass up on."

Hogg also had an impressive scoring record as a youngster and hit over four hundred goals with Bedlington in the North East.

He leaves Ashington fans with good memories after scoring in his last match against Whickham with a 'superb' header.

With Peter Weatherson and Stephen Skinner already showing their potential it looks as though Queens have one of the most promising and talented youthful strike options in the division.
BANKIES GAME OFF 29th December 2000
The league clash due to be played this weekend at Cappielow versus Clydebank was, this afternoon, called off due to the frozen pitch in Greenock. No date has been set for the match to take place yet.

Tuesday's match versus Stranraer looks very doubtful with Palmerston covered in 150mm of snow and 50mm more frozen below.
THREAVE FRIENDLY OFF 27th December 2000
Those of you thinking about going along to the planned reserves friendly versus Threave Rovers at Castle Douglas tonight will have to rethink their plans. The pitch is unplayable after successive heavy frosts so the match has been cancelled.

At this stage without an improvement in the weather there is doubt over the next two fixtures in Greenock and at Dumfries, check back on the site for updated information as soon as we have it.
MAN OF THE MATCH 26th December 2000
Peter Weatherson's closest rival in the Player of the Season League Table, Andy Aitken makes up a bit of ground this week as he narrowly wins the Man of the Match award from fellow central defender Ronnie McQuilter, in third place comes Peter Weatherson.

Full results as follows, for the effect on the Player of the Season League Table follow the MoM link.
Mathieson
Rating: 6.44
Atkinson
Rating: 6.22
Aitken
Rating: 6.78
McQuilter
Rating: 6.74
McKeown
Rating: 6.33
Sunderland
Rating: 6.30
Hawke
Rating: 6.11
Muir
Rating: 5.63
Kinnaird
Rating: 5.52
Skinner
Rating: 6.37
Weatherson
Rating: 6.70
SUBSTITUTES
Nixon
52 mins
Rating: 5.15
Suddick
65 - mins
Rating: 5.11
Patterson
69 - mins
Rating: 4.67
Caldwell
-
Rating: -
Scott
-
Rating: -
NEW PLAYERS 24th December 2000
A little bit more information on two of the three new players brought in this week by John Connolly:

Midfielder David Milne formerly with Clydebank who he joined in August of this year but failed to make a first team appearance, previous to this he was with St.Mirren for four years and made, in total, seventeen first team appearances.

Martin Hughes is a twenty year old Glaswegian who came through the youth ranks at Hibs, towards the end of last season he was loaned out to Albion Rovers where he made five league and cup appearances. Signed by Stranraer in August of this year but didn't manage a first team outing.
WEEKEND PREVIEW 22nd December 2000
Don't expect any changes to the squad that was named for the Scottish Cup victory over Clydebank on Monday night. With Stuart Davidson having been recalled and Jon Sunderland suffering from no more than cramp during the match it is likely that the same sixteen will be named, although there may be room made for one or two of the new signings made today, see below.

It was August when we last met tomorrow's opponents Queen's Park and came away from the national stadium empty handed despite creating enough chances to warrant a draw with chances like the one below that saw Peter Weatherson's shot just palmed away by 'keeper Colin Stewart.
[Stewart palms away Weatherson's shot]
The system was different, Queens playing 3-5-2, there are likely to be five changes to the Doonhamers team lines from that day and Queen's Park were top of the league with a 100% record, now with the way results have gone we can climb above the Spiders by taking a victory and they could end the day third from bottom if the other rearranged match, Clydebank v Arbroath ends drawn. Another example of how tight this league really is.

A couple of former Queens players may make a re-appearance at Palmerston, Craig Flannigan and Graham Duncan both moved to Hampden in the summer, although the man to watch will undoubtedly be Kevin Finlayson, the speedy winger being the architect of Queens downfall back in August.

It's four years since there was a Battle Royal at Palmerston and hopefully this time the Dumfries Queens will be victorious, back in season 1995-96 the two sides met in both Cup competitions, in the League Cup we recorded a 3-1 victory whilst in the Scottish Cup were dumped 4-2 at home.
TRIPLE SIGNING 22nd December 2000
Queens today made a triple signing swoop prior to the Scottish Cup signing deadline and captured, Alan Hogg a 23 year old forward from Ashington with an impressive scoring record, Martin Hughes a 20 year old midfield player from Stranraer who was swapped for Mark Weir and David Milne a 21 year old midfield player signed from Clydebank.

All three are immediately available for the league and also for the forthcoming cup tie away at Elgin.

If they do not make an appearance this weekend then they may well feature in a friendly fixture set up for the reserves on the 27th December when they will visit Castle Douglas to take on Threave Rovers with a 7.30pm kick-off.
DAVIDSON DEPARTS 21st December 2000
Midfielder Stuart Davidson has been recalled by Kilmarnock after almost two months on loan with the Doonhamers. Davidson added significant strength to the centre of the park and was becoming a favourite with the fans, winning the Man of the Match award in his last game at Palmerston.

All at Queens wish him well for the future and are sure that he will go on to be a regular fixture in the Killie squad.
[Stuart Davidson]
Check back tomorrow when we will hopefully have news of a new signing for Queens.
MAN OF THE MATCH 20th December 2000
No surprises for guessing the Man of the Match from the Clydebank cup tie on Monday night, two goal hero Peter Weatherson picked up an amazing eight award this season so far and in the process consolidated and strengthened his grip on the Player of the Season league table.

In second place came Dean Muir who so effectively took over the midfield playmaker role from Stuart Davidson, whilst young striker Steven Skinner was voted third in his first start for Queens.

The full results were as follows, check out the MoM link to see how the scores alter the Player of the Season League Table.
Mathieson
Rating: 6.96
Atkinson
Rating: 7.21
Aitken
Rating: 7.43
McQuilter
Rating: 6.96
McKeown
Rating: 7.04
Sunderland
Rating: 6.93
Hawke
Rating: 7.32
Muir
Rating: 8.00
Kinnaird
Rating: 6.68
Skinner
Rating: 7.50
Weatherson
Rating: 8.32
SUBSTITUTES
Nixon
81 mins
Rating: -
Caldwell
81- mins
Rating: -
Suddick
85 - mins
Rating: -
Patterson
-
Rating: -
Scott
-
Rating: -
GAME OFF 16th December 2000
Today's planned match versus Stenhousemuir has been called off due to the frozen pitch at Ochilview. Queens players are also unlikely to train today as local pitch conditions are also poor.

The match is likely to be re-arranged for some time in January or possibly February.
INSPECTION PLANNED 15th December 2000
There will be a 10:30am inspection at Ochilview on Saturday morning which will determine whether Queens fixture against Stenhousemuir goes ahead or not. At present the match is in doubt as half of the pitch is said to be playable whilst the other half is unplayable. With a frost expected overnight matters are only expected to get worse, however the pitch inspection will determine whether the match goes ahead or not.

We will carry news of the pitch inspection on this site tomorrow morning.

Please also note that the Southern Counties match versus Newton Stewart planned to be played at Palmerston tomorrow has already been cancelled. Damage could have been done to the pitch ahead of Monday nights re-arranged Tennents Scottish Cup tie versus Clydebank.

If the Clydebank match is postponed again it is planned for Wednesday evening at Palmerston whilst if the match ends up all square the replay will go ahead at Cappielow on Wednesday evening, all in all a very busy week for Queens with potentially four first team competitive matches in the space of seven days.

Fortunately John Connolly has a fully fit squad to pick from as injuries are bound to be picked up in the present underfoot conditions. There are no players carrying any injury at the present time with all fully fit although short of match practice.

The Stenhousemuir clash is sure to be an exciting tussle, the previous two encounters testify to that with Queens losing on the first day of the season to a last minute Stenny strike after clawing back to 3-3 from being 3-0 down and then in October a much changed Queens side reversed the defeat by recording a 4-2 victory in front of their home fans, Peter Weatherson scoring a hat-trick.

Since that clash Queens have only suffered defeat on two occasions, to the top and second top teams in the league at that, Stenhousemuir though have also been putting together some good results of late despite crashing out of the cup last weekend they have, indeed they have only lost one league match since losing at Palmerston and that was to their bogey team Berwick.

Queens defence will have to be on their game for tomorrow's match as the Warriors are presently the divisions top scorers and have one of the speediest front lines in the league, their defence doesn't quite match up however as they are the worst in the league, lots of goals then?
STOCKING FILLERS 13th December 2000
With only two Club Shop shopping days left until Christmas it's time to get thinking about the last minute pressies that your family could buy you. How about dropping some hints about a set of coasters, only £1.00 each, or an exclusive miniature malt Whisky at £2.49 (see below), Jumpers, jackets polo tops, we have them all, check out our on-line Club Shop and order over the net or just browse the webpage before going to the shop in person next Monday or Saturday week. [QOS
If you are looking for something a bit different then Queen's programme editor Bruce Wright has some unique enamel lapel badges on sale at the moment. The Globe Inn Doonhamers QOS badges are £2.00 each and are running out fast whilst a new badge to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queens winning their only senior trophy, the Division "B" championship in season 1950-51, these badges are £2.50 each. Full details on the Sales and Wants page.
MATCH OFF 12th December 2000
The re-arranged first round Tennents Scottish Cup tie versus Clydebank planned for this evening has again fallen victim to the waterlogged state of Palmerston Park. The match has now been scheduled for Monday 18th December 2000 with a 7.30pm kick off.
OKAY SO FAR 11th December 2000
The re-arranged Tennents Scottish Cup first round tie versus Clydebank looks set for tomorrow evening as the pitch has improved somewhat since Saturday with less rain falling.

No changes to the team news except that Des McKeown has had a little more time to recover and may figure in the selection plans.

Remember 7.30pm kick-off and don't forget to visit the Club Shop situated at the back of the main stand either before or after the game to pick up your Christmas presents for friends and family.
NEW BADGES 9th December 2000
Now available for Christmas

Queens 50th anniversary of winning the "B" Division championship badges in two colour versions - blue/white white/blue - £2.50 each.

B Wright, 278 Annan Road, Dumfries, Scotland, DG1 3JD.
MATCH POSTPONED 9th December 2000
After this mornings pitch inspection at Palmerston the Scottish Cup tie versus Clydebank planned for today has been postponed.

The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday 12th December with a 7.30pm kick-off.
WEEKEND PREVIEW 8th December 2000
With the match tomorrow very much in doubt due to the waterlogged state of Palmerston an 8.00am inspection will determine whether the Bankies make the journey down to Palmerston or not.

If it goes ahead then it will be their second visit in just over six weeks. League results this season have seen Queens take four points from the nomadic Clydesiders who have recently come under new ownership and are now more optimistic about their future than they have been for some years. This is despite attendance's which are shamefully low, only 126 watched what was reported as a pulsating clash between Clydebank and Stranraer in midweek with our local rivals coming out on top with a last minute goal to give them a 3-2 victory and move them into second place in the league.

Team news from Palmerston this evening is that the only doubt for match fitness is Des McKeown who is still struggling slightly, Paul Kinnaird's back problem has eased and Paddy Atkinson is ready again following his twist a few weeks back. So John Connolly is happy to be able to select from a full squad which he describes as being almost complete, the mix of youth and the more recent injection of experience being seen as just the right blend to produce a consolidated league position in this very tight Scottish League Second Division.

The boss also hopes that it is just the right blend to allow Queens to progress into the more lucrative stages of the Scottish Cup and realises the financial benefits that a lucrative third round tie versus a SPL team would bring.

Before travelling tomorrow please check that the game goes ahead, news will be carried here as soon as the decision has been made.
PITCH INSPECTION 8th December 2000
Due to the continued high rainfall levels the Scottish Cup match versus Clydebank planned for tomorrow is in doubt. A pitch inspection will take place at 8.00am Saturday morning.
GOOD LUCK JOHN 7th December 2000
We hear that former Queens youth player John McCaig, released by the club in August, has arranged himself a trial with ex-Dundee manager Jocky Scott's Notts County. John had trials at Sunderland pre-season and was said to have interested Morton but did not figure in the long term plans at Palmerston and was released.
MAN OF THE MATCH 4th December 2000
On loan Killie midfielder Stuart Davidson takes the honours this week for his battling performance in the heart of the Queens side in the 1-1 draw with Arbroath on Saturday. Tied in second place were goalscorer Bryan Caldwell and Jon Sunderland, the winger putting in his best league performance of the season according to the voting fans. Third place went to Andy Aitken for another tight performance in the back line.

The full results were as follows, see how they affect the Player of the Season voting via the MoM link.
Mathieson
Rating: 5.96
Pickering
Rating: 5.64
Aitken
Rating: 6.29
McQuilter
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