THIS MONTHS LATEST NEWS

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

MATCH PREVIEW

31st December 1999

Queens will be out looking for revenge on Monday when they travel to Stranraer to first foot Billy McLaren's men and hopefully redress the balance of this seasons account. Queens presently two defeats down and six goals against. Stranraer will, however, be buoyed by the fact that Stair Park and ex-Queens boss Billy McLaren was today named as the Second Division Manager of the month, after taking his side to joint third place in the league. Queens will be looking to even the score with a team that could have as many as four changes to that which suffered the heaviest ever defeat to our neighbours back in November at Palmerston. Out through suspension are Boyle and Kerr, Allan Preston will miss through injury although Steven Leslie may be fully recovered from his bout of bronchitis and Warren Hawke should have shaken off his flu bug fully by Monday. Statistically Queens have the upper hand with thirty six wins against Stranraers twenty six and twenty one draws, after a five nil defeat however statistics like these don't really mean anything.

GAME OFF

27th December 1999

Today's match versus Alloa was postponed after a 10:30am pitch inspection found the Recreation Park surface unplayable due to a hard frost. The Queens team bus was informed of the decision as it approached Beattock. The match is likely to be rescheduled for February. Spare a thought today for poor Threave Rovers who finally got their Scottish Cup first round tie versus Stenhousemuir played, the result was a very disappointing 7-1 victory to the Second Division side.

TEAM NEWS

24th December 1999

Queens will face a tough task to follow up the hard earned victory over Arbroath last weekend as they travel to Recreation Park on Monday for the clash with Alloa. Likely to be missing from the teamsheet are Steven Leslie, (Bronchitis), Allan Preston, (Cracked rib and out for four weeks), Denis Boyle, (Only half way through his four game suspension) and Alan Kerr, (Starting a two match ban due to his sending off last weekend). Co-boss Ken Eadie will be at least on the bench and will add his considerable experience to the front line where Warren Hawke and Stevie Mallan will be hoping to build on the promising start to their striking partnership. Opponents Alloa are currently riding high in the league and presently occupy second position, having just won the Challenge Cup a few weeks ago, Terry Christie's men will be a confident and well drilled outfit, however they have only taken a single point from us this season so far and that was back in August in a 1-1 draw when young Bryan Caldwell scored just before half time with an excellent volley only to see it cancelled out just after half time when Martin Cameron scored for the wasps. All time records show that Queens have the upper hand having won thirty seven, Alloa twenty seven and twenty three being drawn.

MAN OF THE MATCH

20th December 1999

This weekend saw Andy Aitken pick up his secon Man of the Match award, however second place was shared by no less than three players, Stevie Mallan, John Hillcoat and John Dickson all just four points behind Andy.

TWO IN ONE OUT

18th December 1999

After extensive behind the scenes work, which concluded after midnight last night, Queens have secured the services of two new faces. Joining on a two year contract is ex-Sunderland, Berwick, Carlisle and laterly Morton forward Warren Hawke. The twenty nine year old featured as a substitute and came on at half time in the 1992 FA Cup final for Sunderland when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool, anyone care to name the former Queens player who similarly appeared in a Sunderland Cup final team, only nineteen years earlier? answers to the message board. The second new face today will be that of St.Johnstone's midfielder Allan Preston. Alan joins us on a months loan initially, as the Saints still see him as having a role to play in their present Premier League campaign although he has yet to feature this season. Allan was formerly at Dundee United and Hearts. Leaving Palmerston yesterday was the on loan Scott McLean who joins Partick Thistle from Inverness for a reported fee of £45,000.

LATEST

16th December 1999

Frantic work behind the scenes at Palmerston has yet to bear fruit in the form of new faces, however the existing squad remains in good spirit despite the depressing run of defeats of late. This Saturday sees the return to Palmerston of two faces who would surely have made a vast difference to the clubs fortunes on the pitch this season. Tam Bryce and Jim Thomson have settled well into their new surroundings at Gayfield Park and have undoubtedly contributed significantly to the Red Lichties ascent. JT has been missing recently, reportedly working in Dubai, but is due back prior to the game and should be available for selection whilst Tam Bryce only made it onto the bench for the last Lichties match away at Stranraer. Hopefully the Doonhamers will see this clash as the ideal fixture to start the long climb back to mid-league respectability, eight points adrift is more than unsatisfactory and the players are only too aware of this. Club Captain Steven Leslie returns from suspension and a display from the Captain on a par with his performance in the League Cup match versus Hearts is required. George Rowe, missing through injury last weekend should be fit, whilst Denis Boyle again gets a lesson in temperament control as he sits in the stand with only a quarter of his suspension served so far. Stato says; Queens have met Arbroath on exactly one hundred occasions, whilst the one hundredth meeting was a celebration for the Red Lichties, Queens have the upper hand overall with forty wins to Arbroath's thirty seven whilst the remaining twenty three have all been drawn. Queens largest victory was the "Guinness Book of Records" six nil win exactly six years ago to the day when Tam wore the blue of Queens and scored an unforgettable sub-two minute hat trick in the 8th, 9th and 10th minutes. A crowd of only 482 witnessed one of the greatest feats ever to be seen at Palmerston as Danny McGrains bearded army were sent homeward disconsolate. Too many coincidences here so lets hope that Tam Bryce isn't looking to repeat the feat this Saturday! Check back tomorrow night for any late news.

MAN OF THE MATCH

13th December 1999

Our first double winner of the Man of the Match award, and it tells you a lot about the outfield players performances as John Hillcoat makes it two MoM's this season in a 3-0 defeat! John consolidates his position at the top of the league and pulls out another five points from second place Andy Aitken who this week tied for runners up spot with his colleague in the centre of the defence Kevin Robison.

AUCTION NIGHT

13th December 1999

Don't forget to get along to the first ever Queen of the South Fan Club Auction on Thursday evening 16th December. The auction commences at 7.30pm in the Queensberry Hotel and all proceeds will go towards youth development at Palmerston. West Sound Radio's Tommy Jardine will be the guest Auctioneer and a large turn out is anticipated. For a list of some of the lots up for bidding click HERE

WEEKEND PREVIEW

10th December 1999

Queens feature in the only second division match this Saturday after last weeks postponement of the clash with Stirling Albion was rescheduled for tomorrow, Scottish Cup first round day. It is indeed a clash of the bad boys with Stirling presently heading the indiscipline league with Queens closing in just behind. Neither Andy Aitken nor George Rowe can be too careful on Saturday as a caution for either will see them cross the threshold and reach automatic bans. Queens are likely to have a relatively unchanged side on the park at Forthbank, certainly there will be no new faces this week, although there will be a game for Denis Boyle's replacement as the young Irishman sits in the stand for indiscipline again. As has been pointed out on the message board, Queens record versus the Beanos is not the greatest, in fact they have been a bit of a bogey team in recent years, with Queens only really getting the upper hand in the past few encounters. Queens all time record against the Beanos is 28 wins, 20 draws and 39 defeats. Probably our worst season against them was season 1995/96 when we managed to concede eighteen goals in just four games against them, including that embarrassing 7-0 defeat at Palmerston. However if you go back to season 1990/91 you will find that we did not concede a single goal in all three league encounters, we didn't score any either!. Our best season being 1975/76 when we won both games home and away in the old second division.

NO MORE MOVES

10th December 1999

The Board of Directors as presently formed is likely to stay that way for the immediate future, the board now consists of Ronnie Bradford as Chairman, Tommy Harkness as Vice Chairman, Keith Houliston and Craig Paterson as Directors whilst Dick Shaw remains as Company Secretary.

STILL SEARCHING

10th December 1999

Strenuous efforts behind the scenes at Palmerston this week have yet to yield any results. No fewer than eight other Scottish senior clubs have been involved in discussions regarding player deals but so far nothing has been finalised. Queens are looking for experienced players who can solidify the midfield area and produce some creativity going forward.

PRICE CUTS

10th December 1999

For the last game of the century at Palmerston, Queens are reducing both OAP and Juveniles admission prices by £2.00. (BLW)

BIBLICAL MOVES

9th December 1999

The "Very Unofficial" Queen of the South website, "The Only Team in the Bible", has moved home. Webmaster Stuart McLaren has finally decided to rehouse his excellent site with a new ISP after two years at Demon Internet. For the new address head for the links page and update your bookmarks accordingly.

SNIPPETS

6th December 1999

Queens team bus reached Elvanfoot before they were told that the game was off on Saturday, however they are hopeful of making it all the way next Saturday weather permitting. The meeting of the two sides is the clash of the bad boys of Division Two, Stirling leading the table with 210 points and Queens just behind with 190. (BLW)

GAME OFF

4th December 1999

Today's scheduled match versus Stirling Albion has been postponed due to the weather. The match has been rescheduled for next Saturday, as both teams have a bye in the first round of the Scottish Cup.

NEW MAN ON BOARD

3rd December 1999

Chartered Accountant Craig Paterson has been co-opted onto the board of directors of Queen of the South Football Club. Craig comes from a family with long tradition of supporting Queens and was often to be found assisting his father John in the Palmerston Club Shop on match days.

HE'S SMILING AGAIN

2nd December 1999

Goalkeeper David Mathieson is making an excellent recovery from the injury which has seen him miss the whole of the season so far. Smiler has now come through a number of heavy training sessions and an Under 18's game as the over age player in the side. Things are looking good for an early return to first team contention, however with John Hillcoat performing so well at present smiler may not find that recapturing his first team place will be that easy.

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