Updated 07:11:98
Another disaster today with Queens losing to bottom of the table Forfar, we seem to be rapidly closing in on that spot. Lilley was sent off, Doig, Nesovic and Cleeland were all booked, so we consolidate our position at the top of the crime count league. One bit of good news is that Graeme Love has been released, his performances were always below par and invariably led to the exclusion of Andy Aitken.
McKie played again today and Rowan is reportedly keen to sign him up long term. On paper he should be a decent player having spent six years at Manchester United with the likes of the Nevilles and Scholes etc. Too early to make any judgment yet after only having seen him play in one game.
Updated 29:10:98 Queens have had a favourable draw in this seasons Scottish Cup, in the First Round we have a bye and in the Second a home tie, although it is against high flying Ross County who are no strangers to Palmerston on Cup duty, say no more.
Time for a mini "Where are they now" feature, Mark Dobie, man of many clubs and presently back at Gretna for a third time can be found at the Moss filling Station on the A74, I still think that given better service he could have done a job for Queens. A lad released at the end of last season Liam Armstrong, better known as part time "Dougie the Doonhamer" plays Sunday league for Wetherall, no one knew of this quiet unassuming lads previous canine existence until a lad I know just mentioned that they played in the same team, apparently he is now given a "dogs life" in the changing rooms. Better news for him is that he is having trials with a few decent size English league clubs and is hopeful of getting another chance in the game.
Updated 24:10:98 Lilley, Mallan and Rowe all managed to get themselves booked in todays defeat at Livingston, whilst JT was substituted after 15 minutes, don't know why yet.
Updated 16:10:98 Local papers concentrate on Rowan's repeated threat to bring in the younger players, I must admit that I would normally agree with a policy that brought in youth as things can't get any worse than defeat by Arbroath, however tomorrow's game against Clyde will undoubtedly be a very tough game where experience may be needed. The guys now at Clyde with their ex-junior background will know all the tricks and setting up the young lads in a game like this might not be the best policy.
Found an interesting web page relating to the ladies team, click on this link to go there: Updated 10:10:98 I wasn't at the match at Arbroath today but things can't get much worse than this, bottom of the table Arbroath actually beating Queens. On top of that three more players were booked, Thomson, Doig and Love, soon Rowan will have to bring in the young lads as everyone else will be suspended. The team was the same as the outfit that last week looked to have found its true performance level, with Rowe and Nesovic only making onto the subs bench along with Bailey. They did however all make the pitch at some point in the game but obviously to no avail. Next week we're at home to Clyde which will be a difficult game unless the tactics are right.
Updated 27:09:98 Good national coverage again by having the East Fife fixture on Sunday. Terrible result though especially with three players booked and two sent off. We must have by far the worst disciplined team in Scotland following Nesovic's and Rowe's dual sending off today. Looks like it's back to the drawing board for the manager.
Updated 25:09:98 This weeks game against East Fife at Bayview takes place on Sunday, as per last seasons fixture, hopefully there will be good coverage on teletext channels again as I won't be traveling up to the Kingdom.
The under eighteen's had a good victory on Monday night defeating Partick Thistle 4-2, this despite having Dennis Boyle sent off in the first half.
Sundays squad will again be without Leslie and Potts, both still injured, youngster Brian Caldwell is set to make his first team squad debut after impressing in the youth teams.
Updated 11:09:98 Stevie Mallan makes a comeback tomorrow despite wanting to leave the club, he will definitely start the match at Inverness. As Lilley, Leslie, Love and Boyle all miss out you would expect Aitken, McLeod and Townsley to start also. The manager is also attempting to bring a couple of experienced midfield players to Palmerston on loan, the purpose being to slow the game in the centre of midfield and improve distribution, something everyone would agree is needed right now.
Ex-Queens star Andy Thomson features this week in the Oxford United Player Interview page, click on this link to see what he remembers of Queens:
Or you can visit the full Oxford United website at http://www.oufc.co.uk/
Updated 05:09:98 Surely it can't get much worse, after today's defeat at Stirling Queens are now firmly rooted to the bottom of the division, after five games all that we have managed are two draws and scored twice. Undoubtedly the managers head will be called for by numerous fans, personally I feel that it's a bit premature to make major decisions like that.
Anyone attending Palmerston this afternoon to see the reserves pick up the Southern Counties League Cup, they were after all carrying a 3-1 lead from the first leg, must have been mightily disappointed as even the reserves managed to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory by losing 4-1 to Tarff Rovers. Even Stevie Mallan couldn't score against this relatively poor standard of opponents. They didn't even have their big name new signing Chic Charnley playing for them.
Updated 04:09:98 Latest Super Stevie Mallan has been placed on the transfer list at his own request as a result of being left out of the squad for the past few games. The move, according to the local papers, is amicable, with Stevie feeling that he needs a new challenge. My money's on a swift move up the road to Albion Rovers to team up with former team boss Billy McLaren and former job boss Davie Shanks. Good luck to Stevie wherever he goes as he at least tried to make up for his shortcomings by increased effort.
According to Rowan the team he fielded last week is just about his ideal line up and that it just needs a few games together to gel, I tend to agree despite the criticism being leveled at the team via the letters page of the Standard, and feel that it is only a matter of time before we begin to climb up into the top four.
Anyone reading the teletext preview of this weeks game at Stirling would be surprised at the change of management at Palmerston, apparently Rowan Atkinson has taken over, could explain a lot I suppose, Mr. Bean selecting the team!!.
Updated 28:08:98 Latest The local press are much more hopeful this week after what was seen as being an encouraging display last week at Thistle. Star men Nesovic, Bailey and Potts will be expected to produce more of the same tomorrow against Livingston while Deggsie will be asked just to make sure he stays on the park.
Rowan was rushed into hospital this week with a mystery illness, after numerous tests he was released and advised to take it easy for a few days.
The usual report and pictures won't appear on this site until Sunday this week.
Updated 22:08:98 Latest The local weekend press emphasised the fact that Queens were up against Tam Bryce's team, Rowan making a dangerous pre-match statement that they are "Not a particularly good side". Only a comprehensive win would, you would think, vindicate such a statement, the 2-2 draw leaves you to draw your own conclusions about the quality of Queens. Townsley takes a bit of a hammering from Rowan following his fourth red card in two years and quite rightly so, however it seems again a bit dangerous to make a statement that if his sendings off don't stop he will be shown the door, doesn't leave the manager much option if he's sent off next week!!.
Naz also comes in for a bit of criticism, basically for wanting to play, "Think yourself lucky young man etc., etc.", maybe Rowan is modeling himself on Brian Clough!
Finally there is talk of David Lilley going to Stranraer, after his display last week, hopefully Queens can hold onto him.
Updated 14:08:98 Latest Kevin Doig has now signed, the ex-Killie defender will go straight into the squad to face Arbroath at Palmerston tomorrow. Also making a welcome return tomorrow is Derek Townsley who has been sorely missed in his creative midfield role over the past two games. Craig Potts and David Lilley will also feature, Potts hopefully sooner rather than later as he is sure to make a favourable impact down the left and should link well with Deggsie after being teammates at Gretna previously.
Updated 03:08:98 Latest Another Queens website is now up and running, that takes the total to five. Visit Andrew Cowan's site on http://www.bigfoot.com/~qosweb.
Updated 28:07:98 Latest Queens concluded their short tour of the North east with a 4-3 win against Blyth Spartans, one of the scorers being Gretna player, or ex-Gretna player, Craig Potts. A surprise inclusion in the team was ex-Ranger and Carlisle player Ross Milligan originally from Dumfries. Milligan was freed by Carlisle after playing only a handful of games in his one season there. He is reported as being potentially a good quality right back but with possibly some doubts about his pace.
Updated 15:07:98 Latest Lee Bailey formerly of Hibs and Livingston has reportedly agreed terms and Charlie Adams has been offered terms but like Marc Cleeland has yet to accept them. Kevin Doig is another who has been made an offer and again he is expected to accept.
The biggest news is that Jim Thomson is training with Hibs this week with a view to a potentially big money move. This is surprising as big Jim has in the past though not to be keen on full time football, because of his work commitments. However it has to be said that he does play well above the level of the division and thoroughly deserves such a chance.
Updated 13:07:98 Latest The first friendly of the season saw Queens record a 3-0 victory over Workington Reds, on the face of it this looks like a good result, but I wasn't at the game, so anyone with a report please send it in.
As reported here two weeks ago the "anonymous" Gretna player that Queens were after was indeed Craig Potts, whose signing was reported today on Radio Scotland. Potts is an ex Carlisle United YTS, who made a number of first team appearances for the Cumbrians at left back and left midfield, he would seem to be the ideal replacement for Des McKeown, although he is said to be very one footed. He works as a postie in Carlisle as almost all of the Gretna and other local Carlisle team players do and is mates with Deggsie.
Queens presently have Jamie McKellar, ex-Brechin, Charlie Adams, ex-Clydebank, Kevin Doig, ex-Killie and Graeme Love ex-Ayr training with them at the moment. Love wants full time football and Brechin want too much for McKellar so it looks as though Adams and Doig will join Potts at Palmerston leaving only one place left.
PS If you hadn't noticed the full fixtures for 1998/99 are listed now.
Updated 29:06:98 Latest A young Queens team went over to France to take part in an international tournament and take in a World Cup game. The players reported to have gone on the trip, according to the Standard were a number that had been freed at the end of the season!!
A bit of totally unsubstantiated gossip overheard in a Carlisle pub this weekend is that Craig Potts of Gretna is on his way to Palmerston, apparently he is a handy player.
Updated 20:06:98 Latest Season 98/99 fixtures have been drawn with Queens starting off away at Clyde, followed by our first home game of the season against Arbroath, if our recent encounters are anything to go by we should look forward to this game. We then travel to Partick to meet Tam Bryce again and hopefully can show him that we are not missing him too much. The last league game in August is against Livvie at home and will be a tough test.
So this year at least we will have some football at Palmerston in August and hopefully we can capitalise on this to give us a firm foundation for the rest of the season.
As yet there is no news of new players although there has reportedly been lots of applications.
Updated 05:06:98 Latest Naturally all the papers this weekend are talking of the shock move by Tam Bryce to Partick Thistle. The Annandale again provides the most suitable tribute to Tam with numerous comments from Queens fans expressing grief in an almost obituary style of article. Now I have been Tam Bryces greatest supporter for many years, however if he scores against us this season I certainly wont be clapping. It's time to move on and time for the some time passengers like Townsley to start pulling their own weight and living up to the reputation that they have. On paper with a midfield of Townsley, Nesovic and Cleeland we should have a strong and young heart for a change.
The bad news is that Des is likely to go with Tam to Thistle and there may be more defections, particularly of the Glasgow based players over the next few months. Davie Kennedy has already signed up.
The League Cup formerly Coca Cola Cup draw has at last been made with Queens favored with two home draws, firstly against Caley Thistle and after we beat them against Aberdeen, so although it's not full house time it will certainly be a match to savour.
Updated 02:06:98 Latest Shock news today with the departure of one of Queens greatest servants and most influential players over the past thirteen years. Tam Bryce has left to take up the Player/Managers position at relegated Partick Thistle. All Queens fans will surely wish Tam every success in his new role, apart from the four times he will be facing us next season. Maybe some day he will be back managing at Palmerston when Rowan gets the job at Morton.
Updated 01:06:98 Latest A pre season game has been added against Walsall and the Challenge Cup has been scrapped due to the league re-organisation. The draw for the Coca Cola Cup has been postponed until after Clydebank and Livingston make their intentions re; amalgamation known.
An official Queens website is being developed at present with a planned launch just prior to the new season, when it launches I will post the site address here, it is reported to have a club shop for on-line purchases and full coverage of all the teams associated with Queens.
Mark Shanks is still rumoured to be on his way to Albion Rovers, although he has denied the story, and neither Tam Bryce or Des McKeown have re-signed despite local rumours.
Updated 24:05:98 Latest Pre season games against Lancaster City and Falkirk have been arranged for July and the North East tour will be repeated again this year with games against Dunston and Blyth Spartans.
Des McKeown is reportedly the target of Forfar.
Updated 17:05:98 Latest Players leaving Palmerston this close season are as follows: Craig Allen, Liam Armstrong, Ian Armstrong, Stewart Arnott, Derek Ferguson, Craig Flannigan, John Huston, Craig Irving, David Kennedy, Sandy Malone, Steven Pettit, Robert Connor, Dean Payne and Scott Starr. This should Help Annan Athletics bid for honours next year. The players that will be missed are Flannigan and Kennedy although it would be difficult to argue with either of these decisions as both players spend more time injured than on the pitch.
Tam Bryce and Des McKeown are both out of contract and are holding out for improved deals from the club, although with the glut of players that will be available it would seem to be a difficult position to bargain from.
If you want to find out who won what in the sponsorship draw then click on the "Sponsorship" icon to the left.
The player of the year awards have now been held with the following winners:
* = See the Official Goal of the Season being scored by clicking the link at the top of the home page. Be patient, it will take a couple of minutes to download but once it has downloaded then it will keep on cycling at a more realistic speed.
It has also been confirmed that there will be no full time players at Palmerston next year, all players will be on part time contracts and there will be a pool of only twenty. The reserve team has been scrapped but Queens will enter an under eighteen team in the national league. Rowan will however be full time and will take up his post on 1st June 1998.
Category
Winner
Player of the year
Jim Thomson
Runner up
Tam Bryce
Third
Stevie Mallan
Reserve player of the year
Scott Starr
Equal runner up
Jamie McAllister
Equal Runner up
Mark Weir
Third
Dennis Boyle
Personality of the year
Tam Bryce
Rear of the year
Stevie Mallan
Away day player of the year
Jim Thomson
Young player of the year
David Mathieson
Runner up
Andy Aitken
Third
James McLeod
Goal of the year
Tam versus Stranraer*
Runner up
Stevie Mallan versus Dundee United
Third
Deggsie versus East Fife
Fourth
Andy Aitken versus East Fife
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