SQUAD DETAILS 2003/2004
Content copyright Queen of the South FC Ltd.
ANDY AITKEN [Special Feature]
[Andy Aitken] Date of Birth:
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Previous Clubs:

Profile:
02/02/78
Dumfries
Defender
Annan Athletic

At just 26 Andy is Queen's longest serving player and has made the most appearances for the club. Featured in every minute of every game last term. A local lad from Annan he is a firm favourite with the fans. This season has seen Andy have to be content with more seats on the bench than he is accustomed to due to the signing of Brian Reid.

Will not be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
DEREK ALLAN -
[Derek Allan] Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Position:
Previous Clubs:

Profile:
24/12/74
Irvine
Central Defender
Ayr United, Southampton, Brighton, Kingstonians

Known to John Connolly when at Ayr United as a youth, went to Southampton and made a few first team appearances in the Premiership before heading to Brighton. Was player of the season at Kingstonians in season 1999/00. Has had a mixed time at Palmerston with injuries hampering his progress, has been slotted in at right back towards the end of last term, although this season has seen his starting appearances restricted.

Will not be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
PADDY ATKINSON -
[Paddy Atkinson] Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Position:
Previous Clubs:



Profile:
22/05/70
Singapore
Defender
Sheffield United, Hartlepool, Gateshead, Newcastle United, Barrow, Workington, York City, Scarborough, Blyth Spartans

Another excellent signing by John Connolly, Paddy provides a level of versatility that is so rare in the modern game. Happy at left back, right back or further forward he is a true Mr Versatile. Last season saw him spend a lot of time on the treatment table and this term he is undertaking more of a coaching role as he combines looking after the reserve side in the Southern Counties league with providing cover for the first eleven.
DAVID BAGAN
[David Bagan] Date of Birth:
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26/04/77
Irvine
Midfield
Kilmarnock, Inverness CT

Signed 2003 close season, former Scottish Cup winner with Kilmarnock and capped five times for Scotland at Under 21 level. A superb worker on the right side of midfield who has a fantastic work rate and comes in with a few crucial strikes when needed, usually from the edge of the box.

Re-signed for season 2004-05
STEVE BOWEY [Special Feature] [Special Feature]
[Steve Bowey] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
10/07/74
Durham
Midfield
Forest Green, Bristol Rovers, Gateshead

Bowser joined from Unibond premier division side Gateshead in February 2002, an attacking midfielder who scored no fewer than fifty one goals in his one hundred and eighty eight appearances for the North East side. His performances at Gateshead attracted the attention of a number of league sides with Norwich City and Oxford United amongst others interested in capturing his signature. Scooped every player of the season award that he could have last term and established himself as a hero at Palmerston. It is the Geordie who is the 'engine room' of the Queens midfield.

Re-signed for season 2004-05
ALEX BURKE -
[Alex Burke] Date of Birth:
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11/11/77
Glasgow
Forward
Kilmarnock, Clydebank (loan), Falkirk, Clydebank, Berwick Rangers

Signed close season 2003 a skilful front man who provides a regular goal threat. Works well with Sean O'Connor and is competing with the big man to be the sides top scorer this term.

Will not be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
PAUL BURNS -
[Paul Burns] Date of Birth:
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18/05/84
Irvine
Midfielder
QOS Youth

Has featured regularly for the first team this term and has made some impressive performances showing determination and guile that belie his youthful appearance.

Will be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
JOHN DODDS -
[John Dodds] Date of Birth:
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16/12/81
Edinburgh
Goalkeeper
Stow, Ayr United

First signing of the new season, the 6ft 3inch 'keeper comes with a good reputation.

Will not be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
WILLIE GIBSON -
[Willie Gibson] Date of Birth:
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06/08/84
Dumfries
Midfielder
QOS Youth

A tricky wide player, Willie made an explosive start to his Queens career when he came on as a substitute in the last game of the 2000/01 season and won the Man of the Match award. Was seriously injured but has now fully recovered and started the season with a bang winning the first two Man of the Match awards, since then his appearances have been restricted as he is brought into the side gradually.

Will be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
EMILIO JACONELLI -
[Emilio Jaconelli] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
05/06/83
Lanark
Forward
Kilmarnock

Powerful young striker signed close season 2003 but has yet to make a start for the first team despite regularly banging in the goals for the second eleven. In his first game in front of the Palmerston crowd managed to get himself sent off for retaliation.

Will be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
DEREK LYLE -
[Derek Lyle] Date of Birth:
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13/02/81
Glasgow
Forward
Partick Thistle, East Stirling (L), Queen of the South (L), Partick Thistle, Stirling Albion (L)

Young striker who joined Partick Thistle as a youngster and came through their youth setup to turn professional with them. Joined Queens on a one month loan deal in February 2002 and immediately impressed, signed up at Palmerston 2002 close season in a move that delighted both the fans and the player. Has come back into the side as either a right sided midfielder where his ball control skills have been shown to good effect or as a right sided striker where he prefers and is most effective. Has been blighted by injury this term.

Presently out on loan to Stirling Albion until the end of the season.

Re-signed for next term but will be out on loan to Dunfermline Athletic
JOE McALPINE -
[Joe McAlpine] Date of Birth:
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12/09/81
Glasgow
Midfielder
Everton, Airdrie

A product of the Everton youth setup, joined from Airdrie in September 2001 and immediately made an impact in the side. A pacey left sided winger capable of delivering some telling crosses, his performances in the championship winning season were outstanding. Has played on the left side of midfield but features mainly as an attacking left-back to good effect. Wa s rushed to hospital prior to the Inverness match in mid-December with suspected appendicitis.

Will not be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
BRIAN McCOLLIGAN -
[Brian McColligan] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
31/10/80
Glasgow
Midfielder
Celtic, Stenhousemuir(L), Clydebank

A product of the Celtic youth setup, joined from Clydebank close season 2002. A tough tackling midfielder who can be relied upon to steady things up. Took a while to win over the Palmerston fans but eventually convinced them of his abilities and was rewarded with the Young Player of the Year award from the Travel Club.

Re-signed for season 2004-05
PAUL McMULLAN -
[Paul McMullan] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
13/03/84
Bellshill
Midfielder
Heart of Midlothian

Has been at Hearts since he was thirteen years of age. Last season saw him make fifteen starts for the first team and his loan move to Palmerston will hopefully be as beneficial to both Hearts and Queens as Robbie Neilson's was last term.

A left sided midfielder.
SEAN O'CONNOR [Special Feature]
[Sean O'Connor] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
07/07/81
Wolverhampton
Forward/Winger
Hednesford Town, Dundee United - Rochdale (loan), Portadown (loan), Morton (loan)

6' 3" striker joined late 2001/02 season from Dundee United, turned in an excellent performance against Queens whilst at Morton on loan. Signed shortly after although Queens had previously enquired about his availability. A strong running front man who ensures that Queens do not suffer from a lack of fire power. Had a great start to the season but picked up an injury that saw him miss around six weeks, returning as a substitute against Inverness in mid-December.

Will not be at Palmerston for season 2004-05
ERIC PATON [Special Feature]
[Eric Paton] Date of Birth:
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01/08/78
Glasgow
Midfielder
Hibernian, Stenhousemuir(L), Partick Thistle, Clydebank

Signed from Clydebank in close season 2002, a highly rated right sided player who had been the mainstay of Clydebank's attack on the Second division title and ended up top scorer for the Bankies. Is presently favoured in an attacking right-back position and has been one of the sides top performers this term.

Re-signed for season 2004-05
STEPHEN PAYNE -
[Stephen Payne] Date of Birth:
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23/12/83
Glasgow
Defender
Aberdeen

Signed in the January 2004 transfer window from Aberdeen on an eighteen month contract. Right sided younster who has shown great promise.

Signed for season 2004-05
BRIAN REID -
[Brian Reid] Date of Birth:
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Position:
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Profile:
15/06/70
Paisley
Defender
Morton, Rangers, Newcastle United (L), Morton, Burnley, Dunfermline, Blackpool (L), Blackpool, Falkirk

Brought in on the first day of the new season to add a degree of stability to the back four, an experienced defender who has played at the top level in Scotland.

Re-signed for season 2004-05
CRAIG SAMSON
[Craig Samson] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
01/04/84
Darvel
Goalkeeper
Kilmarnock

Scotland Under 21 squad member Craig joined up with the side in mid-February. A 'keeper that commands his area well and takes a good cross-ball.
COLIN SCOTT [Special Feature]
[Colin Scott] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
19/05/70
Glasgow
Goalkeeper
Dalry Thistle, Rangers, Brentford, Airdrie, Hamilton, Raith Rovers, Clydebank

Experienced goalkeeper formerly with Rangers as understudy to Andy Goram. Joined from Clydebank three seasons ago and when fit has proven an excellent 'keeper. Presently out injured an not likely to be seen again until March 2004.

Re-signed for season 2004-05
JIM THOMSON [Special Feature]
[Jim Thomson] Date of Birth:
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15/05/71
Stirling
Central Defender
Clyde, Stenhousemuir, Queen of the South, Arbroath

Returned from a two year spell at Arbroath 2001 close season, always a favourite with the Doonhamers support has shown the form that won him the Player of the Year award at Palmerston in 1998/99 season. Had an operation pre-season on his knee but as a naturalised Doonhamer he has been taken to heart by the locals and is an integral part of the Queens side.

Signed for season 2004-05
GARY WOOD
[Gary Wood] Date of Birth:
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18/09/76
Edinburgh
Forward
Cowdenbeath, Ross County, Berwick Rangers

Can play upfront or in central defence, a robust player who will net his fare share of goals this term.

Signed for season 2004-05
Thanks to Eric Moffat for the photographs of Emilio Jaconnelli, Gary Wood, Derek Allan, Willie Gibson and Brian Reid.
PLAYERS LEAVING DURING SEASON 2003/2004
STUART ROBERTSON -
[Stuart Robertson] Date of Birth:
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Position:
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Profile:
27/12/84
Irvine
Goalkeeper
QOS Youth

Under 18's 'keeper who made his first team debut last season against SPL side Dundee in the CIS Insurance League Cup after spending a great deal of the previous season on the bench without actually making an appearance.

Although released at the end of the 2002/03 season Stuart was re-signed prior to the start of the 2003/04 season and will feature mainly in the Southern Counties side.

Released in early March 2004.
PAUL TALBOT -
[Paul Talbot] Date of Birth:
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Position:
Previous Clubs:

Profile:
11/08/79
Gateshead
Midfield/Defender
Newcastle United, York City, Gateshead, Burton Albion

Signed in June 2003, former team mate of Steve Bowey at Gateshead. Returned to the North East in the January transfer window with Spennymoor United.
KRIS ROBERTSON (trialist) -
[Kris Robertson] Date of Birth:
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....
...
Goalkeeper
St.Mirren, Dumbarton(l), Aberdeen

Featured as a trialist against his former club St.Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle in early December 2003. Did not impress and his three match trial was cut short.
CRAIG COATES -
[Craig Coates] Date of Birth:
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Position:
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Profile:
26/10/82
Durham
Forward
Manchester United, Wimbledon, Easington Colliery, Gateshead, Tow Law Town, Jarrow Roofing

Striker who impressed in pre-season matches, signed in July 2003.

Released without making a competitive first team start.
SANDY HODGE -
[Sandy Hodge] Date of Birth:
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Profile:
04/10/80
Lanark
Defender/Midfielder
Motherwell, Queen of the South, Stranraer

An imposing left sided defender who was at Palmerston a couple of seasons ago. The second signing of the season by John Connolly who will be looking for 'Igor' to fill the left back position this term.

Left the club very early in the season and joined up with Hamilton Accies.


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