Queen of the South F.C.

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Queen of the South

Full name

Queen of the South Football Club

Nickname(s)

The Doonhamers

Founded

March 1919

Ground

Palmerston Park, Dumfries
(Capacity 6,412)

Chairman

David Rae

Manager

Gordon Chisholm

League

Scottish First Division

2007-08

Scottish First Division, 4th





Home colours





Away colours

Queen of the South Football Club are a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries in south-west Scotland. They currently play in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football.

Officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens and sometimes as QoS (as listed on the club badge), they have played their entire existence at Palmerston Park on Terregles Street.

The club has won national honours, namely the 1950-51 B Division, the 2001-02 Second Division and the 2002-03 Scottish Challenge Cup. Queens were top of the Scottish League's top division until Christmas in season 1953-54. Their highest-ever finish in the Scottish top flight is 4th in 1933-34. Their longest cup run was in the 2007-08 Scottish Cup, in which they reached the final for the first time in that competition in finishing runners up.

The club is currently managed by Gordon Chisholm.

1 History
2 Club culture
3 Famous players
4 Club records
5 Honours
6 Results against overseas teams
7 Opponents from England
8 Biblical references
9 Club mascot
10 Famous fans
11 Current squad
12 Managers
13 Non-playing staff
- 13.1 Boardroom
- 13.2 Management
14 References
15 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Formation and early success

[edit] Club name and formation

Dumfries got its nickname Queen of the South from David Dunbar, a local poet, who in 1857 stood for Parliament in the General Election. In one of his addresses, he called Dumfries "Queen of the South" and this became synonymous with the town.^[1]

Queen of the South Football Club was founded shortly after World War 1. A meeting in Dumfries Town Hall on March 21st 1919 agreed an amalgamation of three Dumfries clubs - Dumfries F.C, The 5th Kings Own Scottish Borderer's Football Team and (car manufacturer works side) Arrol-Johnston to form a professional football club. Queen of the South was agreed as the name of the club and Palmerston Park (already an established football venue) chosen as the club's home. ^[2]Queen of the South's name derives from a separate much earlier team known as Queen of the South Wanderers that had become defunct in 1894.^[3]

The club badge contains the same motto as that on the crest for the town of Dumfries, namely A Lore Burne.

After an initial trial match Queen of the South's first ever game took place on August 16th 1919. The opposition was Sanquhar side Nithsdale Wanderers and ended 2 - 2.

[edit] Early days and success

Very early in their careers the form of Dave Halliday (1919) and Hughie Gallacher (1921) at Queen of the South proved to be the beginnings of hugely successful careers elsewhere. Gallacher scored 18 goals in his first 7 games for Queens.^[4]

Jimmy McKinnell from Dalbeattie and Tom Wylie were both sold to Blackburn Rovers at the same time. This combined with the sale of Ian Dickson to Aston Villa helped to fund the purchase of Palmerston Park in 1921 for £1,500.^[5]

In 1923/24 Queen of the South joined the Scottish Football league at its lowest level, the newly created Third division and finished 3rd. Goalkeeper Jimmy Coupland signed in 1924 and would make his debut aged 16. Queens first tangible national success came in their second season of 1924/25 by finishing second to gain promotion to the Scottish Second Division.^[6]

In 1932 Coupland became injured and was replaced by the small but agile and safe handling John Smith. Willie Savage joined the same year (he make would make 369 appearances for Queens). Willie Culbert also joined in 1932 and with Savage would form the club's full back partnership for years to come. After solidly consolidating their position in the 2nd division Queen of the South were promoted to the Scottish First Division in 1933/33. 10 years after entering the league and with 2 promotions behind them the club were set for top division football.^[7]

[edit] 1933 to 1966 and top division football

[edit] Top division football

From 1933, excluding war time interruption, Queen of the South spent only one season out of Scotland's top division until 1959. Queens justified their meteoric rise with some fine performances. In this period Queens' ability to live with the elite is demonstrated by their results against Celtic. On eighteen visits to Palmerston Park Celtic managed just five victories. With three games drawn, Queens claimed full points on ten occasions.^[8]

[edit] First season in the top division and finishing 4th

After 10 years at Chelsea (3 with Hughie Gallacher who was now recognised among the greatest talents in football), Willie Ferguson signed for Queen of the South at the start of 1933/34 season (after 4 years as a Queens player Ferguson would become manager).^[9] In their first-ever game in the top division and with Smith in goals Queens condemned Celtic to a 3 - 2 defeat. That season of 1933/34 saw the club's highest ever league finish with fourth place in Scotland's top flight. Eire international Laurie Cumming scored 24 goals that season. Adam 'Skull' Allan and winger and local lad Willie Anderson would also figure prominently.

[edit] The 1936 overseas tour and the Algiers invitational tournament

In 1935 George McLachlan became Queen of the South manager (as well as playing in Scotland and in the 1927 F.A. Cup cup win with Cardiff City his playing experience included over 100 games for Manchester United and a short spell with French side Le Havre). In May 1936 he took Queens on a tour to mainland Europe and North Africa. This included competing in an 4 team invitational tournament in Algiers. Home side Racing Universitaire d'Alger (R.U.A. for whom philosopher Albert Camus had played for their junior team) had already won both the North African Champions Cup and the North African Cup in the 30s (R.U.A. would win each twice by the decade's end). Queens booked a place in the invitational tournament final with a 2 - 1 victory against them. In the final Queens faced a Racing de Santander side who had just finished 4th in Spain's La Liga. A 1 - 0 scoreline saw Queens victorious. The trophy can still be seen in the club museum today.^[10]

[edit] The late 1930s

Jackie Law signed in 1936 and scored 71 goals in 228 games over 10 years.

On 30 January 1937 captained by Savage, with Willie Fotheringham in goal and with Culbert, Allan, Cumming and Law also playing, Queen of the South condemned Rangers to a 1 - 0 first round Scottish Cup exit. Winger Jackie Oakes signed in 1937 from Wolverhampton Wanderers (he would eventually leave for Blackburn Rovers in 1946). 1937/38 at Ibrox Park was the first season when Queens condemned Rangers to a league defeat .^[11] In 1938 Pat Fitzsimmons signed from Preston North End and original board member Jimmy McKinnell Senior became secretary/manager until retiring in 1946.^[12] Queens finished 6th in 1938/39.

In 1939/40 after 5 games, the league was abandoned, after war was declared in Europe. It was decided soon after to carry on playing in a regional league setup, with Queens playing in the West League. The new League started on October 21st, 1939.

[edit] The 1940s

At the end of 1939/40 Queen of the South finished runners up to Rangers in the West league. Queens never played another league game of any description until the war in Europe was over.^[13] The official league resumed in 1946/47.^[14]

Freddie Jenkins joined in 1947 and in 1949 was transferred to Chelsea for a record fee of £10,000.^[15]

1947/48 was the first season Queens would register league victories against both of the Old Firm in the same season.^[16]

Wales, Leeds United and Juventus legend John Charles made his first team debut for Leeds United in a friendly versus Queens on 19 April 1949. The score was 0-0, crowd 20,000. The same year on October 15th saw the collective debut of Hibs' 'famous five' forward line of Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull and Willie Ormond. Queens lost 2 - 0.

[edit] 1949/50 and other Scottish Cup runs

Queen of the South have made it to the Scottish Cup quarter finals on numerous occasions. Only once in the 20th century did they progress beyond that stage. That was in 1950 when they knocked out Aberdeen 2 - 1 away in a replay (the home game was 3 - 3). In the semi final after drawing 1 - 1, Queens were knocked out 3 - 0 by Rangers in a replay. Both semi finals were played at Hampden Park in Rangers' home city of Glasgow.^[17]

In 18 Scottish cups played between 1938/39 and 1962/63 Queens would reach the quarter finals 6 times. The most memorable of the 5 of these that resulted in defeat was in 1962/63. Dundee United required two replays to see Queens off after the first two games ended 1 - 1. United won the 3rd game 4 - 0.

[edit] The 1950s and Queens' best

The Scottish cup run to the semi final was balanced by the disappointment of Queen of the South's first ever league relegation. 1950/51 seen Queens rule the Scottish B Division when promoted straight back to the top flight as champions^[18] and they also reached the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup.^[19]. The championship trophy was presented to then captain and rugged centre half Willie Aird at the start of the next season. In that same 1951/52 season the Doonhamers would hand Celtic a 4 - 0 thrashing.

The early and mid 1950s saw the club's most successful spell to date achieving regular mid table finishes in the Scottish A Division (as the top flight was then called). Queen's were managed throughout this period by Jimmy McKinnell Junior. On 23 February 1952 Palmerston Park saw its record attendance of 26,552 for the Scottish Cup visit of Hearts.

This was the era at the club of goalkeeper Roy Henderson, full back Dougie Sharpe, and until July 1952 Dumfries boy and centre-forward Billy Houliston. Centre forward Jackie Brown debuted in January 1947 (in season 1953/54 he would score 4 hat tricks). Dougie McBain replaced Fitzsimmons and gave 7 years from 1948. Jim Patterson signed in 1949 (251 strikes for the club make Jim Patterson the all time goals king of Queens). Inside forward and play maker Walter Rothera joined the club in 1951 as did full back Jimmy Binning, classy left half Jimmy Greenock and Jackie Oakes returned this time from Manchester City. Centre half Alex Smith and goal scoring outside right Bobby Black (another local boy) did the same in 1952. Black is the club's 2nd highest scorer with 120 goals. Charlie Johnstone played until 1953 before retiring aged 41. At different levels whilst at Queens, Houliston, Sharp, Patterson, Binning and Black would represent Scotland internationally. Henderson was selected 6 times as Scotland reserve goalkeeper.^[20] Queens topped Scotland's highest division until Christmas in season 1953/54. Same season league defeats were given again to both of the Old Firm in 1953/54 and 1955/56 by killer Queens. The solidity of Queen's results through this period peaked in 1955/56 when after again leading the top division early in the season they finished in sixth place - a finish surpassed only once in the club's history.^[21] For Queens fans this was the time of the beautiful South.

Queens were subsequently relegated from the top division in 1959.

[edit] Early and mid 1960s

In 1960 ex-Scotland and long-time Blackpool FA Cup winning goalkeeper George Farm signed for Queen of the South. Queens would make it to the League Cup semi final in 1960/61 for the second and to date last time. Farm was made player manager in 1961. Fast and tricky right winger, Ernie Hannigan (he later said, "Going to Queen of the South turned out to be a great move"),^[22] and big, future Scotland centre forward, Neil Martin (44 goals in 78 Queens games), joined in '61 and formed a great partnership (they would later play together in England's top division with Coventry City). With Jim Patterson still at Queens the club were promoted back to the top division in 1962 where they played again for 2 seasons (beating Celtic at Parkhead in 1962/63).^[23] Queens have not played top division football since 1963/64. Queens would keenly contest promotion to the top flight in the next 2 seasons but missed out by 1 place by finishing 3rd on both occasions.

Two players signed for Queens in the early 1960s who by sticking with Queens through thick and thin would give greater service than any other player. With a combined service of 4 decades and over 1400 games between them those players are Allan Ball and Ian McChesney.

[edit] The Harkness era

Willie Harkness became Queen of the South chairman in 1967. ^[24]

A second place finish in 1974/75 failed to carry the significance of previous seasons due to league restructure meaning the top 6 clubs would play in the 2nd of 3 divisions the next season (instead of providing promotion to the top tier as had been the case before).^[25] ^[26]

Two seasons later in 1976/77 by finishing 9th in a 12 team second flight makes this one of only two season in the Harkness era when Queens finished in the upper half of the Scottish league (placing them 19th out of 38 clubs as there were then).

Queens were promoted as runners up of the third of three divisions in 1980/81 (winger Jimmy Robertson was divisional player of the year) and in 1985/86. However both visits to the middle division were short (one season and three seasons respectively). 1987/88 seen Queens second and last Harkness era finish in the top half of the Scottish League ladder when finishing 7th out of 12 in the middle division (placing them 19th out of 38 clubs).

In 1970/71 and 1972/73 11th place finishes in the lower division meant Queens finished 9th bottom of 37 teams in the Scottish league ladder. In finishing second bottom in the lowest division in 1979/80 only Alloa Athletic that season prevented Queens finishing bottom of the entire Scottish football league ladder. From 1982/83 to 1984/85 Queens finished in 8th bottom, 9th bottom and 7th bottom. More abject league finishes followed; the sequence from 1989/90 to 1992/93 was 5th bottom, 3rd bottom, 4th bottom and 5th bottom of the Scottish football league pile. The 7 times when Queens have finished in Scotland's bottom 8 were all in the Harkness era. Of the 4 finishes of 9th bottom place, 3 of these were in the Harkness era with the other being in the 1920s within 5 years of Queens joining the Scottish league.^[27] ^[28]

Cup highlights in the Harkness era were also scarce. Queens had two runs to the Scottish Cup quarter-finals. These were in 1975/76 (including an Allan Ball penalty save with a broken ankle in the away 2 - 2 fourth round draw with Ayr United before the 5 - 4 replay victory), and 1976/77. In the 1990/91 Scottish Cup Queens were knocked out at home to then non league Ross County in a 2nd round replay conceding 6 goals to 2. Two seasons later (again in the second round) Queens went out to non league opposition again this time losing 2 -1 away to Huntly. In 1993/94 Queens conceded 8 goals to Forfar in the 1st round exit (scoring 3 in reply).

The lowest recorded attendance for a competitive Queens' game at Palmerston is 300 on 4 May 1974. Alloa Athletic were the league opponents in an end of season Queens 1-0 victory.^[29]

The finest footballer from Dumfries^[30] of his generation, Davie Irons, made a negligible playing contribution to Queens. Queens were Irons' side for one year where he played 3 first team games. He moved in 1980 into junior football with Kello Rovers. Irons returned to the senior game and included playing premier league football in Scotland in a respected playing career spanning 26 years.

Ian McCall in his boyhood was a regular on the Palmerston terraces. His hopes of playing for the club were dashed, though, by then chairman Willie Harkness. "I played a trial game for the club, and thought I did reasonably well," McCall recalls. "Drew Busby was the manager, but I was told by Willie Harkness I might not make the grade. Instead (in 1983) I went to Queen's Park, and then three years after that was sold to Rangers for £250,000."^[31]

More talent slipped unnoticed through the club in the shape of Bernie Slaven. The young Slaven played 2 first team games for Queens in 1983/84.^[32] Slaven's next club was Albion Rovers with whom he would score 31 goals in season 1984/85. From Rovers Slaven went to Middlesbrough in October 1985 where he notched 146 goals in 381 games over eight seasons. He was part of the Republic of Ireland squad for the 1990 World Cup.

In 1984 Queens smashed their previous highest transfer fee received with £100,000 for Ted McMinn.

In December 1993 Tommy Bryce of Queens scored a "hat-trick" against Arbroath in a period of 1 minute, 46 seconds, earning him a place in the Guinness Book of Records^[33].

The chairmanship of Willie Harkness ended in 1994.

[edit] Rebuilding and revival - 1994 to today

[edit] Starting the re-build

"A shot at glory" poster

New chairman Norman Blount started the ball rolling on dragging Queen of the South into the 21st century by the bootstraps.^[34] Two time divisional player of the year Andy Thomson was transferred for a club record fee of £250,000 in 1994. As Thomson was to say on his return over a decade later, "Things have changed quite a bit while I've been away - a new stand, a completely new set-up and a more modern type of training system. Norman Blount was an excellent chairman."^[35]

Arriving quickly in the new era was the new stand. Rangers provided the opposition in April 1995 in a game (drawn 2 - 2) to commemorate the stand opening and also the club's 75th anniversary. Notably among those happy to guest for Queens' new regime were Davie Irons and Ian McCall.^[36]

Queens have gone on to rebuild some relative success last enjoyed in the pre Harkness era. ^[37] In 1997 the club reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the first time. Second Division Queens lost 1-0 to 1st Division Falkirk despite a rousing Queens display at Motherwell's Fir Park; a performance that included the man of the match award going to Queens veteran central midfield playmaker Tommy Bryce.

Scenes from the film A Shot at Glory, starring Robert Duvall, Michael Keaton and Brian Cox were shot at Palmerston Park during 1999.

Ronnie Bradford moved up as new Chairman in November 1999.

[edit] Back to the top half

Jim Thomson outside Palmerston at the celebration of the 2007/08 QoS run to the Scottish Cup Final

2001/02 Division 2 player of the year John O'Neill outside Palmerston 25 May 08

February 2007 against Hibernian F.C.

The recent Queen of the South improved record was blotted in 1999/2000. At the end of a poor season only a controversial points deduction for Hamilton Academical saved Queen of the South from relegation to the Third Division. ^[38]

John Connolly was appointed manager in July 2000. With captain Jim Thomson Queens ruled the Second Division to take the title in 2001/02. This was clinched with Queens condemning Forfar Athletic to a 3-0 defeat with goals by forwards Peter Weatherson (2) and Sean O'Connor leading to jubilant fans pouring on to the pitch after full time. Goal scoring midfielder John O'Neill was awarded divisional player of the year. The following season seen Queens victorious in the Scottish Challenge Cup with Robbie Neilson playing. Brechin City were condemned to a 2-0 defeat in the final at Clyde's Broadwood Stadium. In the Scottish Cup third round Queens held Aberdeen to a 0 - 0 draw at Palmerston before losing the replay 4 - 1. Bradford left due to ill health in June 2003. Fans comments on the club's message board thanked Bradford for his steerage, foresight, vision, motivation, inspiration and carrying on the work started by Blount.^[39]

John Connolly left the club in May 2004 to join former club St Johnstone, with his former assistant Iain Scott taking over. With a second consecutive 5th place spot in 2004, Queens became the first part-time club to remain in the new First Division for more than two years. Queens then finished fourth in the First Division in 2005 - their highest finish since 1963. ^[40]

Gordon Chisholm outside Palmerston for the celebration of the QoS 2007/08 run to the Scottish Cup Final

Iain Scott parted from the club with the club sitting second bottom of the league in 2005/2006. Dumfries-born Ian McCall was appointed manager in November 2005 and brought in Gordon Chisholm as his assistant. Seven new players were acquired in the January transfer 'window'. Queens went on a run, losing only once at home since November and collecting 23 points from their last 12 games. They secured their First Division survival with a 1-1 draw at Brechin City on 22 April 2006.

A poor start to the 2006/2007 campaign saw the Dumfries side bottom of the league after 21 games. Inspired by the goals of January transfer window signing Stephen Dobbie, a twelve match unbeaten run led to the side avoiding relegation in the penultimate game of the season. A Scottish Cup run that included a replay penalty shoot out victory over Dundee saw Queens make the quarter-finals before Hibernian won 2 -1 at Palmerston. Queen of the South and Ian McCall parted company after agreeing mutual terms at the season's end. ^[41]

Chairman Davie Rae led the club to full time football at the start of the 2007/08 season.^[42] Gordon Chisholm was announced as the new manager on 28 June 2007 and appointed Kenny Brannigan as assistant. After an injury filled start to the season Queens picked up with a 10 game unbeaten run in all competitions that started in January. This run propelled them to 4th in Scottish First Division where Queens finished the season.

[edit] 2007/08 Scottish Cup run to the final

Stephen Dobbie outside Palmerston at the celebration of the 2007/08 QoS run to the Scottish Cup Final

The message at Dumfries Odeon epitomises the feelings in Dumfries on the QoS 2007/08 Scottish Cup run

Semi final result on the scoreboard at Hampden Park

QoS fans enjoy the day out to the 2008 Scottish Cup final

On 8 March 2008 Chisholm guided Queen of the South to their first Scottish Cup semi-final in 58 years with a 2-0 quarter-final home victory over Dundee at Palmerston. The goals came from prolific marksman Stephen Dobbie and an 84 yard injury time long distance chip from Ryan McCann, with an application pending for the Guinness Book of Records as the longest distance goal ever scored by an outfield player (the previous record reportedly stood at 82 yards)^{[citation needed]}.

The semi-final at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 12 April, was against Premier League side Aberdeen who finished fourth in the league. Although Queens were underdogs, over 10,000 Queens fans were in the crowd of 24,008 to witness an astonishing game. Four times Queens took the lead with goals through Steve Tosh, Paul Burns, Sean O'Connor and John Stewart. 3 times Aberdeen hit back with an equaliser including a goal from Dumfries boy Barry Nicholson. During an 11 minute spell at the beginning of the second half 5 goals were scored, with Queens' fourth goal of the day giving a 4-3 victory for the Doonhamers.^[43] The highest scoring game in a Scottish Cup semi-final took Queens to the final for the first time in their 89 year history.^[44] ^[45]

After four weeks without a competitive game following the end of the Scottish League Division 1 season^[46] the final was against Rangers on May 24 again at Hampden Park. Despite a battling second half performance to pull back the 2 goal half time deficit to 2 - 2 Queens eventually lost 3 - 2. Queens' scorers were Stevie Tosh and long-serving captain Jim Thomson.^[47] Afterwards Queens players expressed their disappointment in the result.^[48] Tosh voiced his frustrations at refereeing decisions that went against Queens.

For a team with the core of its support being in a town with a population of 38 000 Queens took a support of around 15 500 to the final. Queens fans have been widely praised for their good humour and carnival like contribution to the day.^[49] ^[50] Despite defeat in the final fans were universally appreciative of the team's achievement and attended in great numbers an open top bus parade by the team through Dumfries.^[51]

Date	Round	Teams, score & Queens scorers	Attendance
24:11:07	Third	Peterhead 0 - 5 Queen of the South (Dobbie 27, 89, O'Connor 44, 57, Burns 90)	695
12:01:08	Fourth	Queen of the South (Dobbie 16, Thomson 22, O'Connor 40, McArthur 72(og)) 4 - 0 Linlithgow Rose	3,062
02:02:08	Fifth	Morton 0 - 2 Queen of the South (O'Connor 46, Stewart 87)	3,506
08:03:08	Sixth	Queen of the South (Dobbie 51, McCann 90) 2 - 0 Dundee	6,278
12:04:08	Semi-final	Queen of the South (Tosh 22, Burns 49, O'Connor 56, Stewart 60) 4 - 3 Aberdeen	24,008
24:05:08	Final	Queen of the South (Tosh 50, Thomson 53) 2 - 3 Rangers	48,821

[edit] 2008/09 UEFA Cup

QoS fans eagerly await the UEFA cup trip

From the Scottish Cup run Queen of the South have qualified for the 2nd qualification round of the 2008/09 UEFA Cup.^[52] In the BBC TV cup final coverage Ian McCall described Queens' UEFA cup qualification as, "The very essence of sport".

With both UEFA cup qualification rounds being regionalised the Dumfries team are scheduled to play in the Northern region.

The draw for the second qualification round is on August 1.^[53] The ties will be played on August 14 and August 28.^[54]

UEFA seating regulations mean Palmerston would be limited to 3500 spectators for UEFA Cup games. Thus an agreement has been reached that Queens play home UEFA Cup fixtures at the Excelsior Stadium - home of Airdrie United - capacity in excess of 10,000.^[55]

[edit] Club culture

Scotland international Robbie Neilson of Hearts says of Queen of the South from his loan period at the club in 2002: "It's a well-run club and a real family club with a good spirit about the place."^[56]

Marc Horne wrote in The Scotsman following Queens' appearance in the 2007-08 Scottish Cup Final: "In the Palmerston Park club's songbook, it is clear there is no room for songs which feature religion, violent vendettas or centuries-old battles that took place in other lands."^[57]

[edit] Famous players

Dave Halliday from Dumfries joined Queen of the South from Arrol-Johnston in 1919 scoring 13 goals in 19 games for the Doonhamers. Moving on to St Mirren, Dundee, Sunderland, Arsenal, Manchester City and Clapton Orient he scored a prolific 347 goals in 464 Scottish and English league matches. After being player manager of Yeovil & Petters United he won trophies as manager of both Aberdeen and Leicester City. He was never once picked for the Scottish national side, being consistently overlooked in favour of one Hughie Gallacher.

Hughie Gallacher started his senior football career at Queens in 1920/21. In his first 7 games for Queens he scored 18 goals [55]. A pocket sized footballing phenonemem of natural skill and muscular strength, in 624 senior games Gallacher scored 463 times in a goal drenched career of terrorising defences. Scotland's third highest goal scorer with 23 goals from only 20 games, Gallacher's remarkable international strike rate of more than a goal a game makes him the most prolific Scottish international goal scorer in history. 5ft 5ins, Gallacher was part of the Wembley Wizards who beat England 5-1 in 1928. His clubs were Queens, Airdrieonians, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Derby County, Notts County, Grimsby Town and Gateshead. Gallacher also captained Newcastle to their last ever Championship in 1926/27. [56]

George Hamilton's first season in football was at Queen of the South in 1937/38. The inside forward was then signed by Aberdeen manager Dave Halliday (see above) for a long period of service there together that would end in 1955. In this time the Dons won the league and cup with Hamilton scoring in the final. With 5 caps and 4 goals for Scotland Hamilton also went to the 1954 FIFA World Cup finals.

Billy Houliston from Dumfries while playing for Queens was capped three times by Scotland in 1948/49. He scored twice on his Scotland debut, a 3-2 Hampden win over Northern Ireland and played in the Wembley win against England (3-1). This 3rd cap was again at Hampden, the 2 - 0 win over France. In all Houliston collected 9 caps at different levels and never played in a losing Scotland side.

Roy Henderson signed for Queens in 1946. He was selected 6 times as reserve goal keeper for Scotland, but never selected to play ahead of Jimmy Cowan nor Bobby Brown. Roy spent 12 seasons with Queens until he broke his leg in a match v Dunfermline Athletic, bringing his career to an end. Henderson was alleged by many to be the best keeper never to play for Scotland^{[citation needed]}.

Jim Patterson is the club's record scorer (see below) and was honoured with one game for Scotland, when he led the Scottish attack v The Army in 1953 at Hampden Park. He gave Queens 14 years service.

Jimmy Binning joined in 1951 and played 288 games in 7 years for Queens. The full back was recognised internationally when he was given a Scottish League cap in 1954 against the English League at Stamford Bridge. Although selected for the 22 man squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup, Scotland stupidly only took 13 players to the finals. Binning was one of the players who stayed at home on reserve.

Bobby Black (from Thornhill, another local boy) joined Queens in 1952 having already won the League Cup with East Fife. Black left Queens in 1961 having made 346 appearances scoring 120 times to make the outside right the club's second highest scorer of all time. He scored 2 goals in his 1 game for the Scottish League in Dublin in 1954.

Ivor Broadis is the best known non Scot to have played for Queen of the South. The Londoner previously played for Carlisle United, Sunderland, Manchester City and Newcastle United and had scored 8 goals in 14 appearances for England. This included playing in the 1954 World Cup finals alongside Stanley Matthews, Nat Lofthouse, Billy Wright and Tom Finney.^[58] Broadis joined Queens for the last of his playing days in 1959. With Ivor's engine still running the inside forward clearly enjoyed his fine displays at Queens later saying, "The two seasons I spent at Palmerston were the best of my career'.^[59]

George Farm signed for Queens from Blackpool for £3000 in 1960. Farm had been at Blackpool since 1948 and was goalkeeper through the tangerines' 1950s golden era. This included winning the 1953 'Matthews' FA Cup Final alongside Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. While at Blackpool he gained 10 Scotland caps. Farm went on to make over 100 league appearances for Queen of the South, as player-manager for three of his four years with the club. He guided them to promotion as Second Division runners-up in 1961-62; two years later, however, in January 1964, he was sacked, though the club retained him as a player. Farm later managed Dunfermline to their greatest achievement to date by following up the 1967/68 Scottish Cup win by reaching the semi final of the 1968/69 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup losing by 1 goal to eventual winners Slovan Bratislava.

Neil Martin signed from Alloa for £2,000 in 1961. After leaving Queens he gained 3 Scotland caps in a journeyman career where he scored consistently as a 100% effort centre forward. He hit 44 goals in 78 games at Queens. After Queens he went to Hibs (playing for Jock Stein), Sunderland, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Crystal Palace. He has the distinction of being the 1st player to score 100 league goals in both Scotland and England.^[60]

Ted McMinn (another local lad) played for Queens from 1982 - 84 before going on to play top flight football in Scotland, Spain and England. This was with Rangers, Sevilla and then following in the footsteps of Hughie Gallacher by also playing for Derby County. McMinn then went on to play further senior football in England for Birmingham City and Burnley.

Bernie Slaven was an unrecognised talent at Queens. He played only 2 first team games for Queen of the South in late 1983. On leaving Queens for Albion Rovers the goals started to flow quickly. His goals at Rovers included 27 in his 42 league games there. Next at Middlesborough Slaven scored consistently hitting 146 goals in 381 games. In March 1993 Slaven left Premier League 'Boro for Port Vale and scored the winner in 2-1 victory over Stockport County in the Autoglass Trophy Final at Wembley. He was awarded 7 Republic of Ireland caps scoring once and was in their squad for Italia 90.

Jamie McAllister began his senior career at Palmerston from 1996 to '99 before going to play for Aberdeen, Livingston (where he was capped for Scotland) and Hearts. McAllister then moved to Bristol City with whom he made it to the 2007/08 English 2nd flight play off final for a place in the English Premier League.

Since 2000, notable former players include controversial ex-Rangers and Scotland goal keeper Andy Goram (his last game was the 0 - 0 Scottish Cup draw with Aberdeen in 2003) and^[61] future Scotland cap Robbie Neilson of Hearts. Neilson speaks very highly of Queens from his loan period at Queens from August 2002 commenting, "I still hold the club in my heart and I look for their results on a Saturday after our game."^[62]

[edit] Club records

One of Palmerston's record-breaking floodlights

Andy Aitken outside Palmerston on 25 May 2008, the day after QoS' appearance in the Scottish Cup Final

Record victory: 11-1 v. Stranraer, Scottish Cup, 16 January 1932

Record defeat: 2-10 v. Dundee, Scottish First Division, 1 December 1962. Dundee were reigning Scottish League Champions at the time and would make the European Cup semi finals that season where they lost to A.C. Milan.

Record home attendance: 26,552 v Hearts, Scottish Cup 3rd round, 23 February 1952. Queens 1 Hearts 3

Record attendance (any venue): 58,975, April 5, 1950, Hampden Park, Scottish Cup semi-final replay 3 - 0 defeat to Rangers. 52,924 watched the 1- 1 cup draw with Rangers 4 days earlier at the same venue.

Most league points (2 points for a win system): 55, Scottish Division 2, 1985/86

Most league points (3 points for a win system): 67, Scottish Division 2, 2001/02

Most capped player: Billy Houliston (3 caps in the victories against Northern Ireland at Hampden, England at Wenbley and France at Hampden. Houliston scored 2 goals, both on his debut against Northern Ireland)

Record appearances: Allan Ball - 731 (819 in total including Challenge, Testimonials and Friendly matches) between 1963 and 1982

Longest serving player: Ian McChesney - 1960 to 1981 (the defender made 587 appearances and scored 79 goals)

Record scorer: Jim Patterson - 251 goals, including 11 hat-tricks, in 462 appearances between 1949 and 1963

Record league scorer in a season: Jimmy Gray - 37 goals in season 1927/28

Record scorer (all competitions) in a Season: Jimmy Rutherford - 41 goals in season 1931/32

First Queens players to earn four senior Scottish football medals while playing for the club - Jim Thomson and Andy Aitken (winners of the 2001/02 Second Division and 2002/03 Scottish Challenge Cup; runners up in the 1997/98 Scottish Challenge Cup and 2007/08 Scottish Cup).

Record transfer fee received: Andy Thomson - £250,000 to Southend United, 1994

Fastest hat trick: Tommy Bryce, 1 min 46 seconds (Guinness book of records)

Longest distance goal by an outfield player: Ryan McCann - 84 yards in the Scottish Cup quarter final 2 - 0 victory over Dundee, 8 March 2008. Application pending for the Guinness book of records

First player to collect a complete set of all four senior Scottish football winners medals: Andy Goram when he played in the 2002/03 Scottish Challenge Cup final 2 - 0 win for Queens against Brechin City

First ever Scottish League Match under floodlights: Rangers v Queen of the South, Ibrox Park, 7 March 1956.

Highest free standing floodlights in Scottish football: Queens' floodlights were first used on 29 October 1958 and at 85 feet high they are the tallest in Scotland. To mark the occasion Preston North End sent a team north for a friendly match.

Oldest player to play for the club: Ally MacLeod v St Mirren in the Reserve League West in April 1992. With Queens short of players the then manager named himself as a trialist and played the whole 90 minutes. During the second half Queens were awarded a penalty and the ex Scotland manager converted the kick. The final score was 7-1 to St Mirren and MacLeod received a standing ovation from the small crowd at the end of the game. He was 61 at the time.^[63]^[64]

[edit] Honours

National League Competitions

Division 2 - Champions 1950/51, 2001/02; Runners Up - 1932/33, 1961/62, 1974/75, 1980/81, 1985/86

Division 3 - Runners Up 1924/25

National Cup Competitions

Scottish League Challenge Cup - Winners 2002/03, Runners-up 1997/98, Semi-finalists 1991/92

Scottish Qualifying Cup - Winners 1923/24

Scottish Cup - Runners up 2007/08, Semi-finalists 1949/50

Scottish League Cup - Semi-finalists 1950/51, 1960/61

B.P. Youth Cup Runners-up - 1985/86

Invitational Tournaments

1936 Algiers invitational tournament - Winners

Border Cup - Winners 1991/92, 1992/93

Scottish Brewers Cup - Winners 2000/01, 2001/02, 2006/07

Regional League Competitions

Scottish League South and West (Wartime League) - Runners Up 1939/40

Western League - Champions 1922/23

Southern Counties League - Winners 1996/97

Regional Cup Competitions

Southern Counties Charity Cup - Winners 1920-24, 1926,1930-32, 1934,1937

Southern Counties Cup - Winners 1921, 1924, 1935, 1936, 1962, 1966, 1972, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2004

Southern Counties League Cup - Winners 1996/97

Southern Counties Consolation Cup - Winners 1922

Potts Cup - Winners 1921, 1960, 1961

Individual awards

Second Division Manager of the Season - John Connolly - 2001/2002

Second Division Player of the Season - Jimmy Robertson - 1980/81, Andy Thomson - 1991/92, 1993/94, John O'Neill - 2001/02

Bell's Scottish Football League Angels Award - 2003/04

Bell's Scottish Football League Fan of the Season - Ian Black - 2003/04

[57]

[edit] Results against overseas teams

Date	Nation of opponent	Nature of contest	Teams, score & ( Queens scorers)	Attendance (if known)
Mar 28, 1931	Northern Ireland	Challenge match	Coleraine 2-1 Queen of the South (Jenkins)
May 06, 1936	France	Challenge match	Béthune 4-3 Queen of the South (Haywood 2, Cumming)	10000
May 08, 1936	France	Challenge match	Sète 1-2 Queen of the South (Tulip, Gordon)
May 10, 1936	France	Challenge match	Charleville 0-5 Queen of the South (Gordon 3, Cumming 2)	9000
May 12, 1936	France	Challenge match	Aniche 1-3 Queen of the South (Cumming 2, Thomson)
May 14, 1936	France	Challenge match	Union Sportive Boulonnais 1-1 Queen of the South (Burns)	3000
May 17, 1936	Luxembourg	Challenge match	Spora Luxembourg 3-2 Queen of the South (Cumming, Gordon)
May 21, 1936	Algeria	Invitational tournament semi-final	Racing Universitaire d'Alger 1-2 Queen of the South (Thomson, Tulip)	10000
May 24, 1936	Spain	Invitational tournament final	Racing de Santander 0-1 Queen of the South (Haywood)
May 28, 1936	France	Challenge match	Montpellier 4-2 Queen of the South (Cumming, Tulip)	2000
May 31, 1936	France	Challenge match	Reims 4-5 Queen of the South (Smith, W Anderson, Cumming, Haywood, Burns)
June 1, 1936	France	Challenge match	Bethune 2-3 Queen of the South (Cumming, Haywood, Thomson)
Mar 26, 1970	Ukraine	Challenge match	Queen of the South (McChesney, Donald) 2-0 FC Metalist Kharkiv Металіст Харків	2043
August 7, 1978	Northern Ireland	Challenge match	Queen of the South (Mitchell, Pollock 4, Boyd) 6-1 Distillery
August 1, 1980	Northern Ireland	Challenge match	Bangor 2-3 Queen of the South (McClure 2, Roddy)
August 2, 1980	Northern Ireland	Challenge match	Ards 3-3 Queen of the South (Phillips, Proudfoot 2)
June 6, 1981	Portugal	Challenge match	Vitoria Setubal 3-0 Queen of the South	5000
August 6, 1983	Northern Ireland	Challenge match	Queen of the South (Muir, McMinn, o.g.) 3-1 Ballymena United
August 3, 1985	Northern Ireland	Challenge match	Queen of the South (Cloy) 1-0 Larne
July 31, 1994	Republic of Ireland	Challenge match	Home Farm 1-0 Queen of the South
December 22, 1994	Serbia	Challenge match	Queen of the South 0-4 FK Partizan ФК Партизан	1902
July 21, 1995	Republic of Ireland	Challenge match	Drogheda United 1-0 Queen of the South
July 22, 1995	Republic of Ireland	Challenge match	Bray Wanderers 0-1 Queen of the South (Bryce)
July 23, 1995	Republic of Ireland	Challenge match	Ballyclare Comrades 1-4 Queen of the South (Wilson, Cochrane, McLaren, Bryce)
March 27, 1997	Iceland	Challenge match	Queen of the South 0-1 Íþróttabandalag Akraness
October 10, 1997	China PR	Challenge match	Queen of the South (Mallan 2, Eadie 2) 4-2 Quando Huanwei	300

^[65]

[edit] Opponents from England

The following English teams have played against Queen of the South at least once each:

Ashington * Barnsley * Blackburn Rovers * Barrow * Blackpool * Blyth Spartans * Bolton Wanderers * Bournemouth * Bradford City * Bury * Carlisle United * Chester City * Chesterfield * Coventry City * Crook * Crystal Palace * Darlington * Doncaster Rovers * Dunston Federation Brewery * Gateshead * Grimsby Town * Hartlepool United * Hull City * Leeds United * Lincoln City * Manchester City * Manchester United * Middlesborough * Millwall * Morecambe * Morpeth * Newcastle United * North Shields * Notts County * Penrith * Peterborough United * Plymouth Argyle * Portsmouth * Port Vale * Preston North End * Reading * Rochdale * Rotherham United * South Shields * Sheffield United * Sheffield Wednesday * Shrewsbury Town * Southport * Sunderland * Walsall * Whitley Bay * Wigan Athletic * Workington * York City

^[66]

[edit] Biblical references

Queen of the South are often humorously cited as the only league club in the United Kingdom to be mentioned in the Bible. Luke 11:31 states "The queen of the South shall rise up at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them..."^[67] Queen of the South is similarly quoted under Matthew 12:42.^[68] In the biblical quote the "Queen of the South" is considered to be the Queen of Sheba.

[edit] Club mascot

Doogie the Doonhamer at Palmerston for the celebration of the 2007/08 QoS run to the Scottish Cup Final.

The club mascot is 'Doogie the Doonhamer', a human sized border collie.^[69] The character has been played for many years by supermarket worker Brian Harkness.^[70]

[edit] Famous fans

While there are several Notable people to have connections with Dumfries the level of affection many of these have for Queen of the South F.C. is unknown.

The following have been documented as Queens fans in at least the reference beside each person:-

Golfer Andrew Coltart^[71]

STV presenter Stephen Jardine^[72] (son of the late Bill Jardine, a former Queens Chairman)^[73]

Scottish champion race horse trainer Len Lungo^[74] (also quoted in local newspapers).

Music producer Bill Drummond^[75]^[76] (as well as being a self confessed fan the 6th track on his 1986 album "The Man" is also called "Queen of the South")

Rugby internationalist Nick De Luca commented after the Scottish Cup semi final victory over Aberdeen, "Although I’m not a big football fan, it was really pleasing to see Queen of the South reach the Scottish Cup Final."^[77]

Hollywood actor and producer Robert Duvall wanted to acknowledge the occasion of Queen of the South gracing the Scottish cup final. Duvall faxed a message of support for the team.^[78]

Racing driver Allan McNish has been described as a fan^[79] but there appears no comment on record to either verify or correct this.

Other names have also been suggested but without citation these appear unlikely.