LATEST NEWS
For previous news articles see the monthly archive at the foot of this page.
Season Review 31st May 2002
Look out tomorrow night for part four of our review of the championship season and we're up to the month of October and our first visit to the top of the league.
Shirt Draw Winner 30th May 2002
A record was set at Palmerston tonight as the Shirt Draw attracted no fewer than 142 entries, by far the largest number of entries and an increase of 87% over the previous highest figure of 80 seen in season 1998/99. The draw was made by Lisa Scott, wife of first team coach Ian Scott, and Lisa drew the name of Queens director David Rae out of the hat first, David though was kind enough to donate the prize to Queens and for the second time the first prize was offered for auction amongst the entrants present with Positive Response Communications winning with a bid of £2,400, taking the night's earnings from the draw to £45,000.

Speaking for Positive Response Communications, Mrs Pat Hobson said, "It's just brilliant, my family has had a long connection with Queen of the South, my Aunt Vi has assisted Doreen in the kitchen for twenty years, also my grandfather Robert Crawford was a staunch Queens fan and followed then for years home and away and my brother carried on the tradition and he now follows Queens to every game."

The full list of prize winners is as follows:
FIRST Shirt Sponsorship Positive Response Communications
SECOND League Match Sponsorship Dumfries and Galloway Libraries
THIRD Matchday Hospitality Package for six Rotchell School of Motoring
FOURTH Matchday Hospitality Package for four Grampian Country Park Halls
FIFTH Executive Club Membership Wee Beastie, Soft Drinks
SIXTH Executive Club Membership Oakbank Services
SEVENTH Executive Club Membership Doonhamers Travel Club
EIGHTH Autographed Match Ball Bruce McGarva, Joiner
NINTH Autographed Team Shirt Criffel Micro Business Centre
TENTH Match Mascot Annandale Insurance
It's your last chance 29th May 2002
Remember that tomorrow evening will see the sixth annual Queen of the South Shirt Sponsorship Prize Draw, so if you still haven't got round to entering it's not too late, just get along to Palmerston tomorrow with your £300 pound and see if your name comes out of the hat and ends up on the shirts of the Doonhamers. For full details click on the Shirt Draw icon on the right hand side.

STOP PRESS

The response to the shirt draw tthis year has surpassed all previous seasons by some margin, in fact at present we have in the region of 130 entrants and this is twice the total we had in season 2000/01, some more entries are hoped for tomorrow and for the record here are the totals from when the competition began:
1997/98 - 79 entrants - Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

1998/99 - 80 entrants - Pizzeria Il Fiume

1999/00 - 70 entrants - Alex Wilson TV and Video

2000/01 - 65 entrants - Glass & Glazing

2001/02 - 75 entrants - Armstrong Waste Management

2002/03 - 130+ entrants - Find out tomorrow night!
Midfield Strengthened 27th May 2002
Left sided midfielder Brian McColligan today agreed terms and joins Queens for the assault on the first division next term. 21 year old Brian came through the Celtic youth set up and only left the Parkhead sides ranks last September, he made one first team appearance at Parkhead and was farmed out to Stenhousemuir in 2000/01 where he made 12 appearances and scored his first league goal, versus Queens. Clydebank picked him up after Celtic and he has featured in most of the matches this term. A native of Glasgow.
Weatherson Stays 27th May 2002
Queen of the South have denied the speculation in the national press over the weekend stating that star striker Peter Weatherson was set to move to newly promoted English Second Division side Mansfield Town, said manager John Connolly, "Peter has just signed a new contract with Queens and the statements are little more than rumour mongering."
Additional Friendly 27th May 2002
The pre-season will start a week earlier with a friendly being fixed up for Saturday 6th July against Scottish League hopefuls Gala Fairydean at Galashiels.
New Badge Designs 26th May 2002
Two new badge designs are now in stock and available at £3.00 each, now available at the midsteeple Information Centre along with a number of other items in a presentation cabinet dedicated to Queens:
Doonhamers Success 25th May 2002
We see that ex-Ayr United star Greg Shaw, son of Queens secretary Dick Shaw, has been appointed assistant manager of Berwick Rangers.

This follows fellow Doonhamers Ian McCall in charge at Falkirk and Peter Handyside captaining Stoke City to play-off success at Cardiff last week.

BLW
No Go Lyle 23rd May 2002
Bad news on the forward front today as boss John Connolly confirmed that talks with Derek Lyle and his agent earlier in the week had proven unsuccessful as terms could not be agreed for a move south, JC said, "It is now highly unlikely that Derek will be joining us". It now looks as though the skilful striker will remain at Partick for next season and we wish him all the best in the SPL, his contribution to our championship was greatly appreciated and in the time he was with us he became a firm favourite with the fans.

More news on the player front is that JC is in discussions with two players at present and will be discussing the possibility of moves to Palmerston with them both again next week.
Season Review 23rd May 2002
Look out again on Saturday evening for Part Three of the Championship Season Review, this week Ewan looks at the busy month of September.
Happy Hibee 23rd May 2002
Former Palmerston favourite big Derek Townsley has been speaking to Queen's Press Officer Bill Goldie recently and was telling Bill just how much he is enjoying life with the Easter Road side. The big man scored in the last three games of the season and is keen for next season to get underway, meanwhile he's off to the Algarve for a well deserved break.
Book Bargain 23rd May 2002
The 1969 Queens book is selling at a Kilmarnock dealers for £45.00! but the 1996 one (which is just and update) is in the Book Shop at the Loreburn Centre for only £2.00.

BLW
Memorabilia 23rd May 2002
Coming soon new QOS memorabilia - coaters, mugs, mouse mats - available from the Club Shop Online, Club Shop at Palmerston Office, Standard Office, Lows (Newsagents) Castle Douglas and the Information SHop Midsteeple. Golf sets now in stock.

Metal badges now here, two different designs celebrating the championship, graphics here tomorrow evening.

BLW
Pre-Season Shapes Up 21st May 2002
The pre-season is taking shape as some more friendlies have been confirmed, the full list is now as follows:

13th and 14th July - Annan Tournament (Annan Athletic, Queens, Livingston + TBA)

20th July - Kilmarnock - Home - 3.00pm Kick off

24th July - Barnsley - Home - 7.45pm Kick off

27th July - Southport - Away - 3.00pm Kick off
Top Boss 21st May 2002
Congratulations to John Connolly as he picked up the Scottish Football League Second Division Manager of the Season award at Gleneagles today.
Everywhere we go..o..o..o 20th May 2002
During the summer break Bruce Wright, the QOS programme editor is asking all Doonhamer fans to pack in their suitcase a Queens shirt, hat, scarf etc., and while on holiday, be it Sandyhills or Santiago, get a photo taken wearing them. He will then feature them in next season's programme as "Queens on Tour" - as Bruce says this could be your claim to fame, so go on.

You can send your photos in to QOS Programme, c/o Solway Offset, 11 Catherinefield Industrial Estate, Heathhall, Dumfries, DG1 3PQ, or email them to the website by clicking HERE. Just like James Robertson in Alcudia and Albert Hamid in Bulgaria, below, did last year.
A Championship season reviewed - Part 2 16th May 2002
Remember that Saturday evening will see the second part in the story of our 2001/02 Championship season, this week Ewan looks at the month of August when the real action kicked off.
Season Ticket Details 16th May 2002
Season Ticket prices have been set for next season as follows:

Main Stand:
Adults - £180
OAP - £100
Juveniles - £100
Junior Blues - Not available

East Stand:
Adults - £160
OAP - £90
Juveniles - £90
Junior Blues - £30

Terracing:
Adults - £160
OAP - £90
Juveniles - £90
Junior Blues - Not available

The tickets aren't quite ready to be issued yet but you can send in your payment to the office and the season's will be forwarded to you when ready.
Friendlies 15th May 2002
Some friendly games have been set up with the main attraction so far being a match against Kilmarnock at Palmerston on Saturday July 20th, we will also be taking part in the Annan tournament, a tourney that we have triumphed in over the past two seasons since its inception, the only other side confirmed are, of course, Annan.
Mememtoes 14th May 2002
More large button badges at £1.00 are now in stock and a new golf pack (2 balls, 3 tees and a marker) at £5.00 are also available. New enamel badges due in next week, the design will be posted on the site.

BLW
Former Players 13th May 2002
Congratulations to Jon Sunderland for his part in the first national success of Whitley Bay FC as the North East side lifted the FA Vase at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. It would appear from reports that Jon played on the right in a 'back three'. Also to Peter Handyside, (one game versus Threave Rovers in a friendly), with his Stoke City team mates for winning the second division play-off final to take his side back into division one of the English Football League.
In With The Bricks 12th May 2002
Keep your eyes out in the very near future for a chance to be 'in with the bricks' at Palmerston. Be part of the park for ever with your own customised brick. Full details to follow.
Re-signings Complete 11th May 2002
The final piece in manager John Connolly's plans regarding the retention of players from last season was completed yesterday evening when John O'Neill agreed to re-sign for the club. This makes it nine out of the ten who were offered new contracts accepting the deals and this has "greatly exceeded" the managers expectations, so the foundations for the assault on the first division have now been firmly cast.
Footie's Back 10th May 2002
Saturday tomorrow and already you will be able to read about Queen's games, for each Saturday this close season we will run a feature reviewing our championship season and we begin with a review of the pre-season month of July.

Away day reporter Ewan Lithgow has produced the review and has managed to capture the season perfectly. Make sure you log on tomorrow.
More Commit 9th May 2002
More out of contract players committed themselves to the doonhamers this evening, giving us what would be a decent starting eleven and solid bench, John Connolly will continue his discussions with John O'Neill over the weekend with a view to agreeing on a deal, however Graham Connell, the only other to be offered a deal will not be signing and has now left the club:

John Connolly

Colin Scott

Paddy Atkinson

Andy Aitken

Jim Thomson

Derek Anderson

Alan Gray

Barry Donald

Steve Bowey

Joe McAlpine

Peter Weatherson

Sean O'Connor

Gordon Connelly

Derek Allan

Jon Crawford

Jamie Campbell
A Shot at Glory 9th May 2002
With the release of the Robert Duvall film last Friday in the USA, the official website for the movie has been opened, it's worth a visit as Palmerston features in a number of the stills on show. Look out for Mr Duvall and Mr Dougie The Doonhamer. Click on ashotatglory.com
Top Man Andy 8th May 2002
Internet Fan Club Player of the Season, Andy Aitken, was delighted to have topped the league table this season after coming runner-up last season.

Speaking to the website tonight Andy said, "It's my best season with Queens, the competition for places in the starting eleven, with the likes of Derek Allan, Jon Crawford and Jim Thomson all looking at the central defensive positions has certainly helped us all raise our game. Certainly this season when you got a chance in the side you had to take it, and that's what the gaffer made clear."

Asked about the midfield role that he was given early on in the season Andy commented, "I play where the gaffer asks and although it was a different experience I felt that the performances I put in in midfield achieved what I set out to do, certainly the pre-season friendly with Newcastle was enjoyable in that role but the first game of the season at Hamilton not so enjoyable, it doesn't make any difference to me though I will always give 100% wherever I am asked to play or whatever I am asked to do. I always had the faith in my own ability and felt that once I could get back into the side that I would keep my place."

Andy finished by saying that he is looking forward to next season in Division 1 and hopes to be enjoying another successful campaign.
Car Wash Departs 8th May 2002
Disappointingly, Graham Connell has chosen to reject an offer of a new contract with the Doonhamers for next season, the battling midfielder has decided that he will pursue his footballing career elsewhere and will not re-sign for the club. Good luck to Graham in his future career.
Runners-Up 7th May 2002
Congratulations to the Under 18 side for reaching the final of the Under 18 League Cup, the final was played last night at Forthbank Stadium against a Stirling Albion side that is basically their full team, most of the side having made numerous first team appearances this season in the third division. The boys put in a battling performance but succumbed to an Alex Williams, top scorer in the third division this season, hat-trick.

Check out the Sales and Wants section of the site and you will see that you can purchase the programme from last nights game directly from Stirling Albion at only £1 in P&P.
Thanks 6th May 2002
At the end of such a successful season we would like to thank the people behind the scenes of the website who have provided invaluable assistance and contributions throughout the season, they are:
Bill Goldie

Bill is the club Press Officer and provides the website with all of the latest information from Palmerston as soon as it happens and ensures that we can get the news to you before any other media can. The after match reaction from John Connolly and some of the players who have had a key role in the game is brought to you within a few hours of the match ending courtesy of Bill. And the Thursday evening team news is again provided by Bill.


Ewan Lithgow

Ewan serves the club in a number of ways, the highest profile being assisting John Paterson in the operation of the Club Shop on match-days, however it doesn't end there and one of Ewan's additional roles is as the away-day match reporter for the website and without fail within a few hours of an away game and after travelling in some cases this past season anything up to three hours back from a match you can guarantee that a fully detailed report is ready for uploading to the site.
Look out also over the close season for Ewan's review of the Championship Winning Season, published here.

Ian Black

Ian is the Club Historian and Museum Curator and provides the website with the answers to all of the questions posed by fans regarding the history of the club.

The many hours spent searching the records for fans who have relatives that played for the Queens in years gone by seldom receives any thanks from those enquiring but is certainly appreciated by all those that then read the responses via the Questions and Answers page.


David Gow

During the season we have been able to bring you video clips and stills of some of the goals and the celebrations of the fans both home and away, these clips have been provided by former Annanite David Gow. Despite now being a resident of Edinburgh, David follows the Queens faithfully and e-mails us with the clips shortly after the match. It appears to be unique to Queens in terms of the other websites in the league and has certainly boosted the number of visitors to the site.

We would like to offer our thanks to all of those mentioned above plus everyone else at Palmerston, particularly Margaret and Dick in the office and also programme editor Bruce Wright for ensuring that we don't miss a story. Without the assistance and co-operation of all of those involved the website would not be what we believe it to be and that is one of the best in the league and hopefully next season one of the best in the first division.

Finally a thanks to all of the Doonhamers who visit the site and who have helped us increase the number of site hits, i.e. those through the front page, from around 400 per day at the start of the season to over 1100 per day approaching the season's climax. Please keep on visiting during the close season as we will still be open 24/7 as they say.
Cup Final 4th May 2002
The Under 18 side take part in the final of the Scottish League Cup on Monday evening against Stirling Albion at Forthbank with a 7.45pm kick-off. Good luck to the lads, it would be good to see a few blue and white scarves at the game supporting the side so, if you can, why not go along and give them your support.
Squad Develops 4th May 2002
Following the releases and offers of new contracts the following are now committed to Queens for the assault on the first division, probably the most important capture this week has been the re-signing of manager John Connolly on a new one-year deal.

John Connolly

Jamie Campbell

Paddy Atkinson

Andy Aitken

Jim Thomson

Derek Anderson

Alan Gray

Barry Donald

Derek Allan

Jon Crawford

Sean O'Connor
Shop Updated 3rd May 2002
Make sure you check out the online Club Shop as we have updated it tonight with all of the merchandise made available to commemorate our fantastic championship season. Some of the items are out of stock but will be in soon, also in the pipeline are new mouse mats, enamel badges, mugs and various other items. Keep checking back.
Poetic Victory 1st May 2002
Thanks to Queens fans Stephen and Ross Moffat for providing the following poetry in recognition of Queens championship celebrations:

allan moore runs up the line
hes obviously not wasting time
he flicks it through to pretty boy
a lob, its in, we jump for joy

john o'neil plays in a cross
morton just dont give a toss
allan moore strikes it through
tem minutes gone, we're up by two

john o'neil gets a lucky bounce
morton we're about to trounce
open goal, he cant miss
league top scorer thanks to this

moore is off o'conners on
used to play for the morton
the balls bouncing everywhere
o'conner nets, we're nearly there

the whistle goes at 4.45
then the players take a dive
the trophies out, the medals there
steve bowey has yellow hair

its time for big jim to go up
waited 51 years for this cup
watched by six thousand, one hundred and 10
the queen of the south shall rise again
Leaving and Staying 1st May 2002
There is a total of seven players leaving the club following our championship winning season, leaving are:

George O'Boyle
Allan Moore
Stuart Davidson
Gordon Burns
Lennie Walker
Graeme Armstrong
Ross Brownlie

Still under contract are:

Jamie Campbell
Barry Donald
Derek Allan
Jim Thomson
Jon Crawford
Sean O'Connor

Others have been offered new contracts.
Ups and downs 30th April 2002
Some former Queens players have been in the news recently as their respective teams are enjoying success or suffering.

Mark Angel for instance was instrumental in setting up both goals in Boston United's victory over Hayes at the weekend that saw the Lincolnshire side step up from the Conference as Champions to the third division of the English football league, it was also interesting to note that big Neil Tarrant formerly with Ross County and Aston Villa also plies his trade with the Pilgrims, Queens fans will certainly remember him as he always performed well against us. If you are interested then you can catch a programme on BBC 2 on Thursday evening at 7.30pm about Boston.

Steve Preen has settled in well since returning to Gateshead after his unsuccessful spell at Palmerston last season, the big striker has again topped the north east sides scoring charts and walked away with their player of the season award.

Both Warren Hawke and Des McKeown left us during the season and both joined sides that were ultimately relegated, Morton and Stenhousemuir respectively, commiserations to them both. Paul Harvey and David Milne also facing the drop with the Warriors.

Gareth McGhie, Phil Nixon and Alan Hogg all returned to Ashington after spells at Queens, unfortunately though after winning promotion under new manager Cec Irwin last season they could not sustain their position in the Northern League First Division and have this term been relegated after the shortest of stays.

Coming in the opposite direction may be Esh Winning who Stuart Connolly now plays for, however it will be a close run thing as Esh will have to wait for the results of the Penrith v South Shields and Prudoe Town v Shotton Comrades games, if both Penrith and Prudoe win then Esh loose out on goal difference.

Finally on a high note congratulations to Jon Sunderland and his new side Whitley Bay who have made it to the FA Vase final, normally played at Wembley, this year will take place at Villa Park, good luck to Jon and to Whitley Bay.

If we've missed anyone let us know.
Championship Merchandise 30th April 2002
Look out later in the week for a Shop update when we will be adding a section just for the items produced to celebrate the championship complete with photo's.
Player of the Season 29th April 2002
What a nail-bitting climax to this season's Internet Fan Club Player of the Season award, prior to the game on Saturday Andy Aitken held a 0.02 point lead from Peter Weatherson, both put in tremendous performances, Nellie scoring once and Andy keeping it tight at the back. The Man of the Match award went to the Geordie striker with a very high 8.83, second place was taken by PFA Player of the Season for the second division John O'Neill, third though was Andy Aitken with a score of 7.95, but would it be enough to hold off Nellie?

The scores have been tallied up and the averages arrived at this evening, the gap between the two reducing to a mere 0.008 and we have had to drop to one more decimal place to split them, the winner by the slimmest of margins is Andy Aitken. Congratulations to the big man from Annan who held his nerve, won his way back into the side and proved again that he is the linchpin of our defence. Check back later in the week when we hope to have an interview with the man himself and thanks to all of the fans for taking the time to vote and making this years contest the closest yet.

The votes from Saturday were as follows and remember that you can download the full spreadsheet used for calculating the scores via the Man of the Match link.
Scott
Rating: 7.73
Atkinson
Rating: 7.75
Thomson
Rating: 7.87
Aitken
Rating: 7.95
Anderson
Rating: 7.31
S1 1
Moore
Rating: 7.46
1
O'Neill
Rating: 8.24
Connell
Rating: 7.45
S2
McAlpine
Rating: 7.89
S3
Lyle
Rating: 7.76
1
Weatherson
Rating: 8.83
SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 67 - 1
O'Connor
Rating: 7.00
S2 - 67
Bowey
Rating: 6.57
S3 - 72
Crawford
Rating: 6.28
Donald
Dawson
SPFA Awards 28th April 2002
Congratulations to our very own John O'Neill for winning the Scottish Professional Footballers Scottish Second Division Player of the Year award, arguably the most prestigious of the national awards as it is voted for by the players themselves, Jonjo won the award ahead of Paul Tosh of Forfar, Gary Wood of Berwick and Graeme Brown of Cowdenbeath.
Video Clips 28th April 2002
Here are some video clips to bring back yesterday's celebrations and see a couple of the goals, click on the link and wait a few minutes until it downloads or right click and save to disk before playing
John O'Neill Scores

Sean O'Connor Seals it

Some fans are on the pitch.....

All clips courtesy of David Gow
Shirt Draw 28th April 2002
It's the time of the year when you need to convince your boss or yourself that the profile of your company needs to be raised both within the local community and nationally, the best way of achieving this is of course via the annual Queen of the South Shirt Draw where your company could end up on the shirts of the Doonhamers for a full season in the Scottish First Division.

The details have now been released and you can check them out by clicking on the 'Shirt Draw' box on the right hand side of your screen, you can also download an entry form print it and send it in with your cash.
Paddy is a Music Man 28th April 2002
Mr Versatile Paddy Atkinson famed for his regular Saturday morning slot on Teamtalk 252 has now released a dance track cassette which is on sale at £3. It features Paddy himself and ITV commentator Guy Mowbray now known as the Safri duo. Apart from the music it features four of our most crucial matches on our way to the championship - the 1-0 win at Clydebank which took us to the top of the table, the memorable 6-5 victory over Morton, the promotion winning 3-1 win over Hamilton and the 3-0 romp up at Forfar which gave us the title.

Paddy provides the music with Guy giving the commentary of the four matches. It is also hoped to release a CD in the near future but meanwhile you can order your cassette via the Club Shop on the website.
FAN..tastic 28th April 2002
Queens historian Ian Black and Press Officer Bill Goldie have been doing some research today and from the records that they hold have come up with some answers to the question that everyone is asking;

When was the last time we had more than 6158 at Palmerston?
August 1985 versus Celtic in the Skol Cup

What about in the league?
January 3rd 1966, 7500 to watch the neerday derby versus Ayr United
Great Honour 28th April 2002
Speaking today to Queen's Press Officer Bill Goldie, Travel Club Player of the Year Alan Gray said, "It was a great honour to receive the award, especially in such a successful and competitive season when quite a few players could well have been chosen, it came as a real shock as I thought John O'Neill would be favourite.

Yesterday was the greatest day of my life and I'd like to thank all those fans that who voted for me. I also received a beautiful Player of the Year award from the Globe Inn (Howff) fans, so I'd like to thank them as well, it's been a tremendous season but it's a pity I missed the final game with an injury I picked up late in the match against Forfar. I think I featured in every game up until then and I would love to have played in the last one as well.

We had a great time last night and tonight we're off up to the PFA Player of the Year awards, there's over a dozen of us attending and we're all wearing full highland dress in the Queen of the South tartan and will be rooting for John O'Neill to win as he is in the four nominations in our division.

By the way I do qualify to wear the kilt since I'm half Scottish - my mothers a Scot, she's been trying to get me into a kilt for years and she's finally succeeded and is so proud."
Player of the Year Awards 28th April 2002
A fantastic night was had by all at the Nith Hotel following the final league match of the season. At the Doonhamers Travel Club Player of the Year night, the awards given were as follows:-

Goal of the Season (Ian Corbett Memorial Trophy)
1 - George O'Boyle v Cowdenbeath away (2nd goal of game)
2 - Peter Weatherson v Hamilton Accies home
3 - Joe McAlpine v Stranraer away.

Rear of the Year (Female Supporters Award)
1 - John O'Neill
2 - Peter Weatherson
3 - Paddy Atkinson

Away Day Player of the Year (Langley Muir Memorial Award)
1 - Jim Thomson & Joe McAlpine - tied award
2 - Colin Scott
3 - John O'Neill

Young Player of the Year
1 - Joe McAlpine
2 - Andy Aitken
3 - Peter Weatherson

Player of the Year
1 - Alan Gray
2 - John O'Neill
3 - Peter Weatherson

Celebrations went on well into the night but, whilst Joe McAlpine was the man of the evening, it was Alan Gray who went to bed with the big trophy. A fantastic achievement in his first season with the club. In his speech, he paid tribute to manager John Connolly and looked forward to next season in the First Division. Credit where credit is due, a tremendous end to the season and a fitting tribute to the squad and manager.

Ewan Lithgow
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