FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

From time to time we get asked similar questions, these are the most popular.

QUESTION

Why was the name Queen of the South selected for the club and what are the clubs origins?

ANSWER

The following article explains how the club came to be founded and was originally published in the 'Standard' of the 22nd March 1919 and reproduced in the publication, "The Queens - 75 years of Scottish Football", available from the Club Shop.

REVIVAL OF FOOTBALL

A largely attended meeting was held in the Town Hall, Dumfries, last night to consider the question of resuscitating Football in the town, and forming a club to embrace the leading players of the former Dumfries and K.O.S.B. and the present Arrol-Johnston Clubs. Mr A. McGeorge, Nunfield, presided, and was accompanied on the platform by Mr W. Hume, Gordon Street. The Chairman paid a feeling tribute to those former companions on the football field who had gone forth at their country's call, and had fallen in the War. He went on to say that it was now more than four years since they had competitive football in the locality, and that the meeting had been called to make an endeavor to revive the game. The idea they wanted to materialise was that instead of the former divided support, they should have one good team. Mr T. Steele moved that a senior club be formed from Dumfries and Maxwelltown to start business next season, and this was agreed to unanimously. It was agreed by a large majority that the name of the new team be "Queen of the South United." It was also decided that the club should be run on a professional basis, with a bonus system, the arrangement of the bonus to be left to the Committee.

QUESTION

What does A-LORE-BURNE mean?

ANSWER

The name Loreburn is deeply rooted in the history of Dumfries, it needs a proper explanation so the best place to find it is at the Dumfries Museum website, click on Dumfries Museum In the section on the history of Dumfries in the 'Beginnings' section the following couple of sentances explain the origins: "Much closer to the town was the marsh through which ran the Loreburn whose name in later times became the rallying cry of the town in times of attack - to the muddy (lore) burn (stream). Its source was a deep bog in Catherine Street and it ran southwards parallel with Loreburn Street. It turned to the east after crossing English Street and joined the Millburn on the east of Queen Street."

QUESTION

Where are Queen of the South mentioned in the bible?

ANSWER

Matthew 12.42 "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here." Luke 11.31 - "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here."

QUESTION

How did you obtain your fascinating name?

ANSWER

The town of Dumfries got its name Queen of the South from David Dunbar a local poet who back in 1857 stood for the General Election. In one of his addresses he called Dumfries "Queen of the South" and it became synonymous with the town. The local team Wanderers took up the name but they went defunct around 1900. The present Queens were formed in 1919 and after a vote Queen of the South was picked from amongst others:- Dumfries United, Southern Wanderers, Vale of Nith etc.

QUESTION

Where did the name "Palmerston" come from for Palmerston Park?

ANSWER

The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun.

QUESTION

What is a doonhamer?

ANSWER

The term doonhamer comes from the way that natives of Dumfries over the years have referred to the area when working away from home. The town is often referred to as doon-hame, (down home), the term doonhamer then naturally followed to describe those from Dumfries. Various stories exist as to who were originally christened as Doonhamers, I was always lead to believe that it was the railway workers as they went up and down the line to Glasgow but other stories exist about others being the original doonhamers. Whatever the origin the people of Dumfries are proud to be known as Doonhamers.