LATEST NEWS

For previous news articles see the monthly archive at the foot of this page.

Scotty Urges You to Buy Early

30th June 2004

The season tickets for the new season are currently on sale and Iain Scott is asking you all to get yours early, click on the season ticket picture on the right to see what Scotty is saying.

Fixture Cards Out Now

30th June 2004

This season's fixture cards, with a colourful new look, are available from Friday at the usual outlets, they are - Palmerston, Rankins Newsagents - across from the PO, the Tourist Information Centre, Low's Newsagents in Castle Douglas and the Sports and Trophy Centre in Lockerbie.

Two New Signings

29th June 2004

Queens have made two new signings today. Chris Scott, a 20-year-old defender has been signed from Sunderland where he captained both the Under 17 and Under 19 sides, Chris can also play in a midfield role. Tommy English is the second player, he too is a 20-year-old and has been training with Queens for the past ten days. An ex-Newcastle United midfielder he had loan spells with both Stoke City and Livingston and was on the books of Partick Thistle for the latter part of last season. Manager, Iain Scott, is hoping to add another player to his squad tomorrow.

Queens on Tour

28th June 2004

Remember this holiday season that wherever you end up on holiday be it Sandyhills or the Seychelles we want your photo for the matchday programme - Only one condition is applied and that is that you must be wearing something that will clearly show that you are a Queens fan, a strip, a scarf, a hat, a T-shirt, you get the idea. Send the photo's to the website and keep a lookout in the matchday programme to see if you get featured.

Season Review

25th June 2004

The latest installment of Ewan Lithgow's Season Review for 2003/04 is published tonight. Click on the link on the right hand side of the page to see how we climbed to the top of the league.

Season Tickets On Sale

25th June 2004

As of Monday 28th June, the new season tickets will be available for purchase from the Palmerston Office.

Another Disappointment

24th June 2004

Queens missed out on another striker this afternoon when former Rangers starlet, Daryl Duffy, opted for full-time football and joined Falkirk despite being offered terms with us. He had been on loan with Brechin City in the latter part of last season and made eight appearances for the Glebe Park side. However the manager wasn't too pessimistic. Said 'Scotty', "Of course it's disappointing but we're still waiting for word from another striker and we've yet another joining us for training on Saturday". Queens kick-off their league programme with two of their first three games at Palmerston, ironically against the same three teams we faced last season. "It's good for us" said the manager "But we'll be hoping to make a better start than we did last year". Queens had a good record against all three sides last season. Against Ross County we won three and drew once in five matches and that included a 3-0 victory at Dingwall in the League Cup. Although we lost 4-1 in the opener at St Johnstone we drew the other three encounters and were very unlucky to lose at McDermid Park in the return fixture. It will also be interesting to go 'head-to-head' with John Connolly so early in the campaign. Against Falkirk we were unbeaten and proved to be their 'bogey' side. We won three, drew one and they never even managed to score against us. So, here's hoping for a good start. Bill Goldie

Fixtures Released

24th June 2004

The fixtures for 2004/05 season have been released and have been added to the Fixtures section of the site.

Not True

23rd June 2004

Despite speculation in the national press and various websites that Sergie Baltacha had signed for Queens, manager Iain Scott dismissed it as rumours. Said Scotty "He has not signed! He has joined us for pre-season training, just like half a dozen other players. He has been out of football for about 15 months with a back injury and he has to get fit again. I'm not saying we won't sign him, but not at this moment". Sergie, a former St Mirren player, is a member of a famous sporting family. His father played international football for the USSR while his sister, Elena, is Scotland's top tennis player and currently starring at Wimbledon. The manager is happy at how pre-season training is progressing. He added "We had a good session on Saturday although there were a few tired legs afterwards, another on Monday night and there's one scheduled for tonight. This Saturday we should have the full squad available with Eric Paton, Colin Scott and Brian Reid back from holiday. Our new facilities at the Crichton are fabulous--a big improvement on the past". Bill Goldie

Signing-up Date

22nd June 2004

Queens lost out on another striker today, Paul Robinson an ex-Newcastle United, Wimbledon and Hartlepool United player. He has now been signed by York City. Talks are still ongoing however with yet another striker and he has now to decide between two clubs, ourselves and a side from south of the border. We're also very close to completing a deal with a goalkeeper but no names can be announced at this stage. Bill Goldie

Training Continues

21st June 2004

The second pre-season training session is underway this evening with some more new faces mingling with the bulk of last terms squad. No new signings have been made yet but as Iain Scott said at the weekend he is hopeful of some striking news later in the week.

Season Review

19th June 2004

Ewan looks at the month of September in this evening's edition of the Season Review. A month that saw an unlucky defeat by a tricky Raith Rovers side and some superb displays against St.Mirren, Ross County and Clyde to push the team towards the top of the league. Click on the link to the right to view the article.

QOS Fan Club

18th June 2004

The Queen of the South Fan Club webpage has just been updated and is worth a look, check out the link on the second page of the menu items.

Season Review

18th June 2004

Tomorrow night see's the next edition of the Season Review, so check out the action from September 2003.

Update

16th June 2004

After only a five week break Queen's commence pre-season training at their new facility, the Crichton, this Saturday. Said manager Iain Scott, "It's been a relatively short holiday for the players but our first pre-season friendly against St.Cuthbert Wanderers is only three weeks away so it's important we get going. The first team squad will train in the morning at about 10.30am and will have four or five new faces joining us. Only three of our regular players will be missing - Eric Paton who is on honeymoon and Colin Scott & Brian Reid also are still on holiday. In the afternoon we'll be having a mixed eleven a-side match with the young players from the Under 17 and 19 squads and this will also feature some of the lads who signed for the "Fit for Purpose" course last week. Kick-off is 3.00pm and all Queens fans will be welcome to come along and see some of our young talent in action". Added Scotty, "We've no other signings yet but we're meeting two players next week - both strikers. We've already spoken to them but they've been away on holiday so we'll meet again and continue negotiations which we hope will lead to a positive outcome". Bill Goldie

Season Review

12th June 2004

The third installment in Ewan Lithgow's Season Review is online tonight as we look at the first competitive matches as August is reviewed. Click on the link on the right hand side of your screen.

Weekend Round Up

11th June 2004

Manager Iain Scott returned yesterday from his coaching course at Largs a happy but tired man, "I really enjoyed it", he said, "I found it both challenging and informative. All the coaching staff were great and very helpful. I also made loads of useful contacts which will no doubt help me a lot in the future. That was my introductory course and I return next year for my A Advance. It was all worth while but quite tiring so it's nice to be back". Scotty returned to his desk today and 'in at the deep end' so to speak with interviews for the 'Fit for Purpose' course organised jointly by Queens and the SFA. "Kenny Crichton and I spent practically all day interviewing young prospects who would like to make football their career", he added. "We spoke to ten candidates, nine have already agreed, one is considering it and we have a place left for someone who I think has a bright future. In the mornings - five days a week they will have football coaching taken by myself and in the afternoon's they will continue their studies at college or some alternative form of education depending on their ability". On the home front Scotty quickly quashed speculation which had been circulating in his absence. Firstly, he explained, "Steve Bowey is not for sale. We did have an offer which we rejected and the player himself didn't even have to think about. Bowser's team captain and a big player, he's going nowhere. He's a personal friend of mine, he enjoys his job, (working for Wazza), his wife's expecting a baby soon and family are quite settled in the Newcastle area. So as I said he's going nowhere". It is believed that Bowser turned down offers from both Carlisle and Gretna to go full time and he openly admits that he's happy at Palmerston. On the Ian Harty saga Scotty was adamant that Queens will not be going back in with an increased offer. "We made two offers for the player, and they were really good ones. They were both turned down so as far as I'm concerned the deal's 'dead' unless Clyde reconsider and come back to us". Pre-season training commences next Saturday and the manager hopes to have at least four new faces participating - they include two full-backs and a striker. As for new signings Scotty admitted, "I've one player very close to signing a contract, I'm still talking to several others and have offers out to players from both sides of the border. I also have a list on my desk of around 350 players looking for clubs, so there are still plenty available. The biggest problem we have is battling against full-time football and the financial restraints of the game, but that's life". Bill Goldie

Travel Club Launch Website

11th June 2004

The Doonhamers Travel Club, the primary Queen of the South Fan Club, have launched their own website this week. On it you will find a live message board, details of bus times for next season, and loads of other information on the club. Check it out at qostravelclub.com or better still download the membership form and join.

New Strip Design Complete

8th June 2004

The new strip design for this season has been completed and both are now in the process of being manufactured by our kit supplier Nike. You can order yours from the Club Shop at the same £40 as last season and if you send your cheque in now we will make sure that you get yours sent out as soon as we have received them, we don't cash the cheque until we have sent out the goods and please remember the P&P for mail order.

Update

7th June 2004

Manager Iain Scott is currently enjoying a coaching course up at Largs and has just commenced his second week. Talking to the website today Scottie said, "Although we still have offers on the table for several players there have been no signings yet. However three new lads will be joining us for pre-season training which commences on the 19th June". Bill Goldie

Season Review

5th June 2004

This weekend Ewan Lithgow reviews the pre-season in his review of 2003/04. When we played the likes of Newcastle, Darlington and Morecambe and the squad began to come together. Also our congratulations and best wishes go out to Ewan and Annan lass Maureen today as they walk down the isle to begin their married life together.

Pre-season fixtures

4th June 2004

Queens have almost finalised their pre-season fixtures and there could be as many as six matches scheduled for the month of July. On Thursday morning a game against Dunfermline Athletic was agreed--this will take place at Palmerston on Saturday, July 17th and two other matches arranged this week were St Cuthbert Wanderers (away) on Wednesday, 7th July (to celebrate the Kirkcudbright side's 125th anniversary) and Threave Rovers (away) on Wednesday, 14th July. The match with St Cuthberts however is still to be confirmed. The full list now reads: St Cuthbert Wanderers (a) 7th July (to be confirmed), Barrow (a) 10th July, Threave Rovers (a) 14th July, Dunfermline (h) 17th July, Newcastle United XI (h) 21st July and Chester (a) 24th July. Bill Goldie

Del Boy saga

4th June 2004

Meanwhile the saga of Derek Lyle continues. Will Jimmy Calderwood now take him to Aberdeen? Will Dunfermline honour their promise and take him to East End Park? Or will he now be retained at Palmerston? However, at this moment in time, it is still hoped he will move to Dunfermline on loan until the end of the year. Bill Goldie

'Giro' the Boss

2nd June 2004

We hear that Geordie 'Giro' Cloy has been named as Dalbeattie Star South of Scotland League Team manager for the forthcoming season. It's the first position in senior football management that the Queens stalwart has taken up and all Queens fans will we're sure, wish him the best of luck. Ian Black

The return of Brian

1st June 2004

It's official! At last! One of the worst kept secrets in the club's history is out and Brian McLaughlin is a Queen of the South player again. Negotiations have been ongoing over the past couple of weeks but Brian's present contract at St Johnstone did not expire until the end of May so, for obvious reasons, he preferred to keep it quiet until then. He has signed until the end of next season and is hoping to get a part-time job in the Dumfries area. It's believed that the 'wee man' missed the comeraderie of the Palmerston dressing room and couldn't wait to get back into a Queens' jersey again--even though it meant reverting back to part-time football. Bill Goldie

QOSTV Returns

30th May 2004

After a long absence due to webspace restrictions we are now able to bring back QOSTV. This section has been constructed from clips provided in recent years through David Gow from his 'behind the goals' position and from years gone by from Ian Black's archive footage. We have clips ranging from this season back as far as 1937 when we knocked Glasgow Rangers out of the Scottish Cup in the first round at Palmerston Park. The clips are fine if you have broadband but if you have a dial up connection then you will have to be patient - don't expect 'Match of the Day' coverage, remember that the cameraman was as excited as you were when the goals were scored! The new link to the QOSTV page can be found on the bottom bar immediately above the club address.

Season Review

29th May 2004

During this close season we are pleased to be able to bring you a full review of the season just past. Written by our away day match reporter Ewan Lithgow it is a superb read and brings back many happy memories from a season that saw Queens sit proudly at the top of the highest league that they could contest with the present structures. Click on the link on the right to read Part 1 - The Summer.

Sean Gone

28th May 2004

According to the Morecambe Official Website, see 'Other Sites' link, Sean O'Connor has signed a two-year deal that will see him join up with the Christie Park side subject to a medical and international clearance. Best wishes to Sean and we're sure he'll take the conference by storm.

Still Looking

28th May 2004

The manager is still on the lookout for new players and has 'spoken' to around a half dozen players over the past couple of weeks. "But it's difficult", said Scotty, "We're a good club and players say they'd like to come here, however we're part-time and don't have the finances some of the clubs do, some of the offers we're up against are just crazy. We had an offer for a top first division striker turned down today for just that reason. However it's not for the want of trying. On Tuesday never the less we will be confirming the signing of a player who I feel will fit into the setup at Palmerston very well". Another Queens target today signed for St.Mirren, the former St.Johnstone striker Mixu Paatelainen favouring the full-time offer made by the Paisley side over our own offer. Bill Goldie

Bell's Cup Draw

28th May 2004

In the draw for the first round of the Bell's Cup, made this afternoon Queens have been drawn away from home yet again. They meet Airdrie United at the Shyberry Stadium on Saturday 31st July. Manager Iain Scott admitted, "It's a tough one to kick-off with. Airdrie were promoted last season and also won the championship so they're certain to be on a 'high'. They've already signed a couple of new players so will be a stronger side - but it's a difficult tie for them as well so if we give 100% commitment I'm confident we can win through. "We had six cup games last season, every one away from home - I don't know what we have to do to get a home tie". This will be the third time in the last five seasons we've met Airdrie in the first round of the Bell's Cup. In 2000/01 we lost by two goals to one and the following season we lost 2-0, here's hoping it will be 'third time lucky'. The full draw is:- Alloa v Elgin City Inverness/Partick v Brechin City East Fife v Cowdenbeath Airdrie Utd v QUEENS St Johnstone v Hamilton Accies Ross County v St Mirren East Stirling v Berwick Rangers Gretna v Montrose Ayr Utd v Falkirk Forfar v Morton Dumbarton v Stirling Albion Raith Rovers v Albion Rovers Queen's Park v Stenhousemuir Arbroath v Peterhead Both Clyde and Stranraer will have a free day the ties are played, Saturday July 31st, as they both received byes. Bill Goldie

Shirt Draw Winners

27th May 2004

There was a record entry of 135 for the Queen of the South annual Shirt Sponsorship draw held this evening. Winner this season was the Barron Wright Partnership and partner Alastair Barron said he was "Absolutely delighted." A self-confessed Morton supporter he commented, "I don't think I've ever won a raffle before but we've entered the Shirt Sponsorship Draw since it started and it will be a great honour to have our name on the Queens shirts. Second prize went to local Painter and Decorator Ian Sproat who won sponsorship of a league match and third was RW Electrics who won matchday hospitality for a party of six. Three firms who collected Executive Club membership were Johnstone's Garage, Chips Keswick and MG Contract Services. Other winners were Gallovidian Fresh Foods (admit two adults to Boardroom and Directors Box), Deutsche Asset Management (Autographed team shirt), Klic Cars Ltd (Autographed match ball) and Scott Rodley Financial Services (Match Mascot). Lisa Scott, wife of manager Ian Scott made the draw and afterwards Scotty himself thanked all present for their support. "For the season ahead I'd like all our fans to back us through 'thick and thin' as we try to achieve things that haven't been done before and one I'd really like to do is to beat a premier league side in the Cup" he admitted. Bill Goldie

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