This weekend we welcome Dunfermline Athletic to Palmerston for our penultimate home game of the season.  It’s honours even in the three games between the sides this season so far, with a win apiece and a draw.  

There haven’t been many goals in the meetings, Josh Todd scored the only goal of the game at East End Park in October to give us victory, while it finished goal-less at Palmerston in December.  And Ryan Blair scored during the second half when we played last month in Stevie Crawford’s sides one – nil win.

Preparing for the game, Queens Manager Gary Naysmith has been sharing his thoughts “With three games left, we all realize that due to our recent run of results we are in a real scrap at the bottom of the table. However, what I must stress is that it is still entirely in on our own hands to make sure that we remain in the Championship next season.

I have every confidence in the players for the fight that lies ahead. If our recent performances had been poor then I would be really worried but I am taking confidence from the fact that the boys have played well of late. We’ve made individual and collective mistakes that have been punished but I know there is sufficient quality in my squad to get enough points from the last three games.

Last weekend’s game at Alloa probably summed up our season. We controlled the game in both halves, but we conceded a goal that was inexcusable and we failed to take a single chance of the many chances that we created and ended up coming away with nothing from a game we should comfortably have took three points in.

This weekend we welcome Dunfermline to our place. Our games against them this season have all been very close and I am expecting nothing else.

Finally, Please don’t under-estimate the roll that you, the supporters, can play. You have been great to me from the day I walked through the door and I know that you believe in what we are trying to do. In recent home games, despite some indifferent results, you haven’t turned on me or the players and we really appreciate that. So on Saturday, more than ever before this season, I am asking you to get right behind the players and give them your total backing for the full 90 minutes.

We are still without Stephen Dobbie and Nicky Low for the game”.

Notes for supporters:

Dunfermline fans should note that sections six and seven of the BDS Digital (East) Stand have been set aside for away supporters. Turnstiles three and four will be in use.

Entry is by ticket only. The Arena ticket office will be from about noon with the BDS Stand away ticket office opening around half past one.

Please note that the BDS Stand ticket office is a CASH ONLY office. Should spectators wish to pay by card then they should purchase their tickets at the Arena ticket office.

Ticket prices:

Adults:  £18

Concessions: £10

Under 16’s - £5

Pre-school children – FREE

Adult Accessible - £8

Concession Accessible - £5

U16 Accessible - £3

Wheelchair access for away supporters is on the south side of BDS Digital stand. There is a layby on King Street for vehicles to drop their passengers for flat access to the ground. Disabled parking is available on the north side of the BDS Digital Stand or at the Arena car park. The cost of entry of one personal assistant is included in the price of the accessible ticket.

Separate catering outlet and toilets in the BDS stand will be available for use. Catering is also available in the Arena café where a full menu is available before kick-off. The bar under the Gates Stand will also be open for refreshments.

There will be on street parking restrictions around the ground but car parking is available in the Arena car park, alternatively there is plenty of other on & off street parking available around the stadium.

There are no on-going roadworks currently around Dumfries that may affect travel times to Palmerston Park. Fans should check the Traffic Scotland website at http://trafficscotland.org/index.aspx for confirmation of any delays.

For those travelling by bus, it is suggested that buses/minibuses drop off their passengers in Terregles St/King Street and thereafter park on College Mains road just off the roundabout with the A76 on the town bypass (adjacent to Curry’s/PC World, as the other side at Aldi is the access road to the ambulance depot and is extremely busy). Pick up should be the same location. Supporters buses including minibuses will not be allowed to park in the Arena car park.

QOS have adopted a robust and thorough search policy for spectators entering the ground to ensure that ground rules and regulations are strictly adhered to, especially in relation to pyrotechnic devices and controlled containers. All bags will be searched and spectators presenting themselves for entry may also be subject to search. Spectators who refuse to be searched by stewards will be denied entry to the ground.

Palmerston Park is a non-smoking venue; this includes e-cigarettes and other such devices. Stewards are empowered to eject spectators who disobey these rules. No persons will be admitted to the ground who is deemed to be under the influence of alcohol.

All spectators are required to abide by our acceptable behavior policy.

Ahead of the match we will be holding our penultimate Saturday Kids club for primary school children in the Arena from half past 12.  Two hours of coaching, fun and games followed by a pre-match packed lunch and entry to the match.  It costs £10 per child or £8 for Junior Blue season ticket holders.  No need to book – just register on arrival

And Saturday is Retro Day when Queens fans are being asked to look out their classic strips,  scarfs, hats etc from over the decades for a bit of fun to help us mark our centenary.  A group photo will be taken at half time in section one of the BDS Stand, all those attending in vintage gear should make their way to the area at half time.  Those already seated in the area who are not taking part in the photo will be asked to move to section two on a temporary basis until the photograph has been taken.

Queen of the South FC look forward to hosting you at Palmerston and wish you a safe and enjoyable journey to and from the stadium.

Kick off, 3pm Saturday.

As we continue or Centenary celebrations, we are hoping for a good turnout of fans sporting their retro shirts, hats, scarfs etc when we host Dunfermline on Saturday. 

To mark the occasion, plans are in place for one big group photo to be taken at half time.

All those attending in retro gear should make their way to SECTION ONE of the BDS stand at the interval where the SLO committee who are organising the event will arrange the photo.

Fans who are already seated in this area but NOT wearing a retro shirt will be asked to move,  temporarily to section two whilst the photo is being taken. 

Our safety and security teams would appreciate your co-operation during this time.

Congratulations to our Under 20 side who last night reached the final of the Southern Counties Challenge Cup. 

Joel Pearon's penalty just before the hour mark was the only goal of the game in a win over Edusport Academy at Palmerston.

The team will now play Bonnyton Thistle in next month's final.  Details to be confirmed.

With the situation we find ourselves in, it’s understandable that emotions are running high.  However, in times of need we must all stick together. 

We have three big games between now and the end of the season and we are encouraging everyone to get behind the team. Although it is ultimately down to everyone at the club to pull us through the situation, please don’t under estimate the part the people of Dumfries can play. 

The club has been around for 100 years, long before all of us and will hopefully be around a long time after for many others to enjoy. 

It’s a crucial time for us all and we must pull together.  Dumfries needs Queen of the South and we need the people of Dumfries.  Dumfries is Queen of the South and Queen of the South is Dumfries.

Our aim is to keep full-time football in Dumfries as long as possible as it’s what we feel the town deserves.  There are many rumours doing the rounds that we are going part-time.  As we told shareholders at our AGM in February, that is not the case and nothing has changed.  There will still be full time football at Palmerston next season.

We have many fantastic volunteers who keep the club going and who try to raise the profile of the club and we thank them for their efforts, but there is only so much they can do.  It’s time for everyone to get their hands dirty.  There is no need to hide behind computer keyboards, The Board are always open to ideas and willing to listen to the thoughts of supporters, that is why we operate an open door policy.

We are all in this together.

People of Dumfries, this is not our club, Queen of the South are YOUR club, therefore for this important run in to the end of the season, we ask you to put to one side any personal opinions, feelings etc.  and support the club.  Whether that’s by those who attend regularly bringing along a friend or those who haven’t been for a while getting back along, please put the club first and give us your full backing. 

Come along and be the twelfth man!

Airdrie 18's v QoS 18's
This was a pleasing performance, but for the missed chances, from the young Queens squad who travelled to Airdrie and returned with the points thanks to goals from Potts and Currie outscoring the solitary goal from the hosts. Queens finished with six u16 players on the pitch whilst 15 year old goalkeeper Charlie Cowie deserves a special mention for his full debut at u18 level.

There are no youth fixtures on Easter Weekend.

The reserves are at home tomorrow evening (Wednesday 17th April) as they bid for a place in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup Final.  They host Edusport Academy in the semi-finals.  The last four tie at Palmerston kicks off at 7.30pm and admission is £3

The first team have their penultimate home game of 2018/19 on Saturday when we host Dunfermline. 

We are looking for a vintage performance on the park and some vintage Queens strips, hats, scarfs etc off it as the day doubles up as Retro Day.

The event originally scheduled for the 23rd of March has been arranged by the SLO Committee as part of our Centenary celebrations.

We are looking for as many Queens fans attending the game on the 20th of April to dress up in Queens tops, hats, scarfs etc from across the decades.  Don't forget, there are shirts to be won in a competition and we will be gathering everyone together for one big photo at half time.

Everyone at the Club are sorry to hear about the sad passing of Ivor Broadis.

At 96 years of age, Ivor was the oldest surviving England Internationalist who was capped fourteen times for his Country.  During which time he scored two goals in the three games he played for them at the 1954 World Cup Finals. 

During his career he played for some of the top sides south of the border, Tottenham Hotspur, Carlisle United, Sunderland, Manchester City and Newcastle United before ending his playing days with Queens.  He spent two seasons at Palmerston after joining in 1959.

He goes down as the only Queens player to have scored at a World Cup finals which is a great achievement but he was also a loyal servant to the clubs that he played for.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.