LATEST NEWS
For previous news articles see the monthly archive at the foot of this page.
Goal 30th November 2002
For a fans-eye view of Derek Lyle's goal click on the link below, again thanks to David Gow for the footage and to Derek Lyle for the close-up.

Derek Lyle scores the second
Arbroath 1-2 Queens - Reaction 29th November 2002
It goes without saying that John Connolly was a happy man when he spoke to the website from the team coach, "It was another great win for us", he admitted, "Arbroath is never an easy place to come and get a result, they always put you under pressure from their set-pieces and being right next to the North Sea the weather can also play a big part.

Derek Lyle's goal just after the interval came at a great time and big Sean O'Connor should have made it 3-0 shortly after that which would more or less settled the match.

They had a man sent off but it doesn't always make it easier and then they pulled back to 2-1, we were under pressure once again, however we held on to take maximum points and that's what counts at the end.

We're almost half way through the season now and have twenty one points from sixteen games, if anyone had offered us that back in August we would have bitten their hand off. We're now eleven points clear of the second bottom team so they would need four wins to overtake us so that in itself takes a lot of pressure off us.

A couple of weeks back I said I'd take seven points from the St.Mirren, Arbroath and Alloa games, but I've changed my mind now, I want nine. But Alloa are never an easy side to beat so it's crucial we focus on each game as it comes along and take it one week at a time."

Bill Goldie
A Shot at Glory 29th November 2002
The long awaited release of the Robert Duvall/Ally McCoist football based movie on DVD has been made across the Atlantic. The DVD went on sale in the US on the 19th of this month but as yet there seems no sign of a UK release date. If you have a region free DVD player then you can watch this movie quite happily in the UK, the lowest cost supplier seems to be www.deepdiscountdvd.com who, including shipping to the UK will sell it to you for around £15, probably cheaper than it will be when released in the UK in any case. Shipping takes less than a week, or did when we purchased a copy.
Team News 28th November 2002
Owing to work commitments both Derek Allan and Derek Anderson will be missing from the Queen of the SOuth squad who travel to Arbroath on Saturday.

Derek Anderson in particular will be a big miss as he has been performing so well in the centre of the defence these past few months. A defence that has recorded ten clean sheets in twenty two competitive games so far this season.

Back however will be Peter Weatherson and Brian McColligan who were both missing through suspension last Saturday.

Bill Goldie
Man of the Match 25th November 2002
Sean O'Connor took the Internet Fan Club Man of the Match award by a convincing margin, the big man took the award ahead of Eric Paton in second and John O'Neill in third, all three goal scorers this week making the top three.

The Player of the Season League Table has been updated and can be found via the Man of the Match link and the scores for the individual are on the Report link.
Star Returns 24th November 2002
A star of the George Farm era at Palmerston made the journey up from England to take in the victory versus St.Mirren yesterday, it was none other than the great right half Gerry Irving who some of you may remember was part of the Irving, Rugg, Murphy combo that produced some great displays for the Queens back in the early/mid sixties. It was certainly nice to see Gerry back at Palmerston and he was able to catch up on old times with Allan Ball.
Goal 23rd November 2002
For a fans-eye view of the third goal click on the link below, again thanks to David Gow for the footage.

Jonjo scores against the Buddies
Match Reaction - Queens 3 - 0 St.Mirren 23rd November 2002
Said John Connolly afterwards, "I told the lads before the game that the next three matches were going to be crucial games, so to collect three points from St.Mirren got us off to a great start.

We played well, particularly in the second half and had their young 'keeper not had such a great game it could have been a lot more. The first two goals came just at the right time for us and I told the players at half-time just to concentrate and not to do anything silly.

When John O'Neill netted the third goal that more or less settled it, but it was good to get a clean sheet again after conceding five at Inverness last week.

St.Mirren manager, John Coughlin conceded, "Queens deserved to win they scored the goals at crucial times", he said, "We were always struggling for a team this week and had four youngsters out there today, we were all under a lot of pressure, including myself but today's result is now history and we must look forward to next weeks game."

Eric Paton was over the moon after the match, "I've been sidelined for the last couple of months", he said, "and to comeback and score a vital goal just made my day. It's my first goal since the opening game of the season but all credit to the rest of the boys out there this afternoon they were just brilliant."

Bill Goldie
New Badge 22nd November 2002
Make sure you get the new Bell's Cup winners badge from the club shop at Palmerston tomorrow, only £3.00.
New Chat 22nd November 2002
Scotsport have just launched a new feature on there website, a nice message board system for all of the leagues in Scotland, individually, and for some other sports.

You can find the site via the 'Other Sites' link on the second menu.
Team News 21st November 2002
Queens could well have problems prior to Saturday's match with St.Mirren, the two players red carded at Inverness, Peter Weatherson and Brian McColligan are suspended and both John O'Neill and Sean O'Connor are listed as doubtful following ankle knocks in training, said John Connolly, "With Barry Donald still unfit that could be us down to sixteen players again unless we call up youngsters from the youth squad."

Bill Goldie
Santa Who? 19th November 2002
So did you guess who the Santa Claus in our photo link was, well it is none other than Andy Goram. Andy has agreed to switch on the Dumfries Town Centre Christmas Lights this year and on Sunday the 1st December 2002 Andy, with hopefully a few more Queens players will do the honours at the Midsteeple in the Town Centre.
Man of the Match 18th November 2002
It didn't take Sean O'Connor long to find his scoring boots after his long lay-off, the big striker notched two on Saturday and also netted the Internet Fan Club Man of the match award. In second place was the ever reliable Steve Bowey with Andy Goram in third position.

All of the individual scores can be found via the Latest Report link whilst the Player of the Season League Table has also been updated and can be found via the Man of the Match link.
New Shop Items 17th November 2002
A commemorative bottle of whisky in honour of Queens Bell's Cup win is now available to order via the Club Shop on match days only or direct via T B Watson in the town.

Also available is a new enamel badge commemorating the Bell's Cup win with a very nice design, photo soon hopefully.
Reaction 16th November 2002
Speaking from the team coach on the way home John Connolly blamed five mad minutes, (Just before and just after the break), plus two refereeing decisions for the defeat.

"That spell cost us the match," he admitted, "We were holding our own at 1-1 when the referee gave a dubious penalty against us and I thought the sending off of Brian McColligan was a bit harsh, however I can't fault the lads for effort and commitment, twice we were two goals down and many teams would have caved in but each time we came fighting back to close the gap to one despite being down to nine men - they were brilliant.

Big Sean O'Connor caused them no end of trouble and had it not been for the two red cards I think we could have come away with at least a draw but as it stands both Peter Weatherson and Brian McColligan will now miss next Saturday's game.

I feel a bit hard done to, for not many teams go up to Inverness, score three goals and leave with nothing, however we've only dropped one place in the table and have three very important matches coming up in the next few weeks - St.Mirren and Alloa at home and Arbroath away, so we'll just have to forget Inverness and concentrate on the business in hand."

Caley boss Steve Paterson wasn't a happy man despite collecting all three points, "We outnumbered them but lost our shape and our way, we looked better at eleven versus eleven, but while they were a wee bit unlucky to get the red cards they are an attacking team and kept coming forward.

Just before we snatched our final goal I wanted the final whistle to sound because I was worrying it would end up four all which would have been a nightmare for us."

Bill Goldie
Video Interviews 15th November 2002
Scotsport have just re-launched their website and on it under the 'sport bites' section you can find a web page dedicated to each of the first division sides. Also on the page is a link to a number of video clips that have been recorded after some of the matches in which John Connolly is interviewed. These clips are worth a viewing as not all have been shown on the TV show. Follow the Scotsport link via the 'Other Sites' page on this site.
Team News 14th November 2002
Following training last night John Connolly tells us that he has only one new injury worry for the trip to Inverness on Saturday, Derek Lyle is doubtful after picking up a thigh knock in training and will be subject to a late fitness check. Good news is that Derek Anderson has recovered from a bout of flu and will be fit for selection on Saturday.

The team bus will be leaving Dumfries on Friday evening and will be stopping off at Aviemore for the night, travelling the last few miles on Saturday morning for what is sure to be a tough test against the other form side in the division.
AGM 13th November 2002
The Annual General Meeting of Queen of the South Football Club Limited was held tonight at the Nith Hotel, Glencaple. A superb turnout of eighty-five shareholders attended the event with a lengthy 'formal' session which saw some good suggestions from the shareholders discussing ways to increase the club's income followed by a question and answer session with John Connolly that provoked some excellent discussions. The meeting was one of the more lengthy AGM's of recent years with the business starting at 7.30pm and concluding at 10.00pm.
Man of the Match 11th November 2002
Collecting his fifth Internet Fan Club Man of the Match award this season is Player of the Season League leader Steve Bowey, second place went to goalscorer Brian McLaughlin for his first placing in the top three this term and in third was Jim Thomson for another commanding performance in the back three.

The Player of the Season League Table has been updated and can be found via the Man of the match link, the scores for the rest of the players can be found via the Latest Report link.
Reaction 9th November 2002
Summing up the game an ecstatic John Connolly said, "We won 1-0 but it should have been three or four nothing if we'd taken our chances, but I'm not complaining, that's us up to sixth place in the table and there's now some breathing space between us and the bottom two.

We're now starting to believe in ourselves and playing like that I think we're capable of holding our own against most of the teams in this division.

Andy Goram had a great save early on and Andy Aitken cleared one off the line, that was as near as they got to scoring. It was a tremendous all round performance by the team, the back four were again immense with Jim Thomson a 'rock' and upfront Sean O'Connor caused them no end of trouble.

After the goal we were in total control and completely dominated, I'm proud of every player in the team for they were greedy for victory out there today."

Ayr manager Gordon Dalziel was very disappointed at his sides performance, he felt they played well enough in the first half and had they scored first he was confident they would have won but after Queens scored he said his team just panicked and let Queens get right on top.

Bill Goldie
Message to the fans 8th November 2002
Some of you, after reading the messages page may be wondering what the letter from club Chairman Ronnie Bradford actually said, well here it is word for word and whilst it was addressed to the shareholders the message is obviously meant for all of the football supporting public of Dumfries and Galloway.

"The Future of Queens

You would recently receive the Directors' Report and Accounts for the Year ended 31 May 2002. The accounts show a loss for the Year of more than £88,000.

Last Season, the Board felt that promotion from the Second Division could be achieved provided the Club could attract a sufficient number of players of the correct quality. While the League was subsequently won the cost of success in terms of increased wages was a significant trading loss.

The Board was however encouraged by the level of support for the Club during last Season and when budgeting for the current Season felt it reasonable to anticipate that crowds would increase. Our expectation was that we would enjoy a hardcore support of around 2,500 at home games. Unfortunately after an excellent attendance at the first couple of home games numbers have dropped very quickly and the crowd at the fixture against Ross County can only be described as very disappointing indeed.

My purpose in writing to you is to draw the current situation to your attention so that together we can go forward and look for ways to deal with the anticipated problem now rather than wait until it is too late. Put simply in common with many other football clubs our wage costs now account for more than 80% of our total turnover and such a level of expenditure can no longer be sustained.

As you are aware we are now into the sixth month of the new Business Year and to be realistic I have to forecast a trading loss for the current Year well into six figures. You will remember that at past AGM's I have insisted that I would never bring the Club into debt and the view of your Board remains that we do not wish to involve Queen of the South in substantial bank borrowings and the compromise which such a position would inevitably create. Perhaps the true position is that if only 1600 people can be attracted to watch a First Division football team then we have aimed to take the Club higher than the support of the Club can sustain. Am I right or wrong?

The Board feels that the commercial income has probably been increased as far as possible and believe that the principle remedy open to us is to increase flow through the turnstiles.

From perusal of the Accounts you will observe that we are showing a figure of over £200,000 in the Bank at 31 May 2002. Clearly this figure has been eaten into and I must reiterate to you that we do not wish Queen of the South in an overdraft position. Of the current Board both David Rae and I have willingly invested our own money in the Club and when the time comes for us to hand over the reins we do not intend that financially the Club will owe us anything. I would however be failing in my duty to you if I failed to point out the liability which the Club has of almost £200,000 to the Company of my predecessor, Mr Norman Blount.

I appreciate that these are heady days for our Club. The winning of a League Championship followed by a Cup success within six months has almost always been the preserve of clubs from Govan and Parkhead and while I regret having to introduce a dose of reality to our celebrations I do not apologise for doing so. I regard it as my job, appreciating along with out Board Members that we are only passing through and must take very seriously our position as trustees of what we all regard as out football team, Queen of the South.

I therefore encourage you to come along to the AGM and bring your ideas with you. I remind you that the AGM is to be held on the 13 November 2002 in the Nith Hotel, Glencaple and is to start at 7.30pm prompt.

Yours sincerely

Ronald J Bradford
Chairman"
Team News 7th November 2002
Queens will have an unchanged side for the local derby against Ayr United at Somerset Park on Saturday.

The home side however are expected to be without Paul Sheerin and Marc Smyth, who were both red carded in the 1-1 draw with Arbroath on Tuesday night. Unlike Ayr, Queens have managed to maintain their much improved disciplinary record of the past two years. Robbie Neilson (on twelve points) is the worst offender at present but still six points short of the eighteen points where suspensions begin.

Robbie has been one of the stars at Palmerston in the last few weeks and manager John Connolly will be hoping to negotiate an extension to his loan period from Hearts come the end of December when the new window system re-opens.

Bill Goldie
Man of the Match 4th November 2002
After a game that saw him score his first goal for Queens and then head a net bound cross clear, midfielder Brian McColligan wins his first Internet Fan Club Man of the Match award. Second place went to Derek Anderson who seems to have found his best position in the centre of the three man defence with third going to Jim Thomson for another captain's performance.

The scores for all of the other players can be found via the 'Latest Report' link and the Player of the Season league table can be found via the 'Man of the Match' link.
Reaction 2nd November 2002
Said John Connolly after the match, "Yes I was happy with the draw, Falkirk are a good team with good players, they are a very fast moving outfit. I told the lads before the game that we couldn't afford to stand off them, we had the better of the first half and could have been two up at the interval, they came at us in the second half and I was disappointed at losing the goal after only five minutes, but in the final fifteen minutes we came back at them and could easily have snatched a winner. But it finished 1-1 and I'll settle for that.

The last three weeks have shown just how we've progressed this season, we've won the Bell's Cup, we outplayed Ross County last week and held the league leaders today. We've now closed to within a point of both St.Mirren and Ross County so we're getting there."

Falkirk manager Ian McCall wasn't so enamored, "When we come to places like Palmerston the crowd go ballistic and are crying out for our scalp because we are the league leaders, " he snapped, "Queens played well in the first fifteen minutes but after that we dominated the game and I'm very disappointed to be leaving with only one point."

Goal hero and sponsors Man of the Match, Brian McColligan was delighted, "It's my first goal for Queens, " he boasted, "and to score it against the team I rate as the best in this division was just great."

Bill Goldie
Team News 31st October 2002
Queens will have an unchanged squad for the visit of league leaders Falkirk on Saturday. If they show the same determination and appetite for the game as they did against Ross County, manager John Connolly is confident they can take something from the match.

The most unlucky player at Palmerston must be Barry Donald, at the start of the season he needed an operation on a knee injury which sidelined him for three months. Barry only resumed training a few weeks ago but after complaining about a pain in his foot he visited hospital and after an X-ray was told he had a broken bone. This could keep him out of action until the new year.

Bill Goldie
Travelling Bairns 29th October 2002
Crawford Baptie, General Manager of Falkirk Football Club, expects between seven hundred and one thousand fans to make the trip to Palmerston on Saturday, he said, "We've a great travelling support at present and took about one thousand to Paisley on Saturday and recently over eight hundred made the long journey north for the match with Ross County."
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