As we continue to invest in the future of the Club, it has been a busy summer with significant changes.
Over the past few months, the main stand has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme, including a new roof to remove the asbestos sheeting, electrical upgrades, repainting of the metalwork, and a deep clean of the perspex panels. The completed work has enhanced the overall appearance of the stadium. With the roof replacement now complete the stand will reopen and will be in use for our first home league game against Peterhead on the 8th of August.
Alongside these external improvements, major internal refurbishment works have also begun and will conclude over the course of the season. Including upgrades to our changing rooms, physiotherapy areas and shower facilities, creating a more modern, professional environment for our players and staff.
These investments reflect the club's ongoing commitment to improving our infrastructure and providing the best possible facilities as we continue to build for the years to come.
We would also like to thank our volunteer group Club 1919, Helping Hands for their continued efforts to help tidy up in and around the stadium.
On the pitch, we are delighted to have secured our co-operation agreement with Kilmarnock Football Club. The partnership will allow a number of players to move between both clubs throughout the season, providing valuable opportunities for player development while strengthening the options available to our management team.
The squad continues to take shape, but our work is not complete. We remain committed to strengthening the group and will continue to work right up until the close of the transfer window to bring in players who can improve the squad. The management team has been working tirelessly throughout the summer to identify and secure its key targets, and we will continue to support those efforts as we look to build a competitive squad for the season ahead.
Despite a frustrating delay to the arrival of our new playing kits, we are delighted now to be in a position to unveil them to our supporters. The bespoke designs have been created specifically for Queen of the South and we hope they will prove to be a fantastic addition to the club's identity, while also becoming an important commercial asset as supporters begin placing their pre-orders.
Unfortunately, the delays were entirely beyond the club's control. We understand the disappointment this caused and apologise to our supporters for the inconvenience. We have already worked closely with our suppliers to review the process, and measures have been put in place to help ensure a similar situation does not arise going forward.
This morning, we launched our two bespoke, home and away kits and in due course we will be launching our third kit that was designed by young Rex from Dalbeattie. His winning design was chosen from over two thousand entries sent in from school kids across the region. An initiative that we have taken to help engage with the younger generation.
Season ticket sales remain in line with our projected forecasts, providing a positive platform ahead of the new campaign. As always, the continued backing of our loyal supporters is invaluable. Whether through purchasing season tickets, attending matches, buying merchandise or supporting the club in the wider community, your commitment plays a vital role in helping the club to continue to grow both on and off the pitch.
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the Barflies for their continued and generous support of our Youth Apprenticeship Scheme. Their commitment plays a vital role in providing opportunities for young players graduating from our academy and helping bridge the gap into first-team football. This season has already seen several of our young talent make significant strides, with Ben Morton, Billy Gray, Josh Kelly, Joe Thomson and Shaun Petry all featuring during pre-season and more experienced youth products in Niall Rogerson and Ben Johnstone in the Premier Sports Cup campaign. Their progress is a testament to the hard work of the players, our academy staff and everyone involved in the club's player development pathway.
Developing homegrown talent remains a key part of the club's long-term vision, and the continued backing of supporters' groups such as the Barflies is instrumental in making that ambition a reality, this not easy but we continue to work and improve. Together, we are creating opportunities for the next generation of Queen of the South players to represent the club with pride.
We would also like to recognise and thank Club 1919 and its members who have raised a generous amount since its creation. Their monthly donation towards the manager’s player fund is appreciated by everyone at the club.
Commercially, we are delighted to have welcomed a number of new partners to Queen of the South ahead of the new season. We are proud to have agreed partnerships with The People's Project, Trust Ford, Stevie Wight, Farries Kirk & McVean, and Gavin Edgar Joinery, who together make up the sponsorship portfolio across this season's first-team shirts.
These partnerships represent a significant investment in the club, and we are incredibly grateful for the confidence each of these organisations have shown in supporting the club. Their backing enables us to continue investing both on and off the pitch while strengthening our connection with the local business community.
We are equally pleased that Oakbank and BDS have extended their stand sponsorships for a further three years. Their continued commitment demonstrates the strength of our long-standing relationships with valued commercial partners, and we look forward to working together as we continue to grow the club in the years ahead.
Our facilities at the Arena, King George V and Lochmaben continues to provide a stable income for the club due to the modern indoor pitches, tennis courts, gym facilities to name a few and the ongoing clubs that we run from these venues. One significant change over the summer was taking over the running of the café within the Arena. The Queens’ Café is an arm of the business that we will continue to build over the months to come.
To all of our volunteers, sponsors, partners and advertisers, thank you for your continued trust and support. Your investment is fundamental to the ongoing success and sustainability of Queen of the South Football Club.
Our community programme has continued to go from strength to strength and remains one of the club's greatest successes. Our player pathway now supports more than 200 young people, providing opportunities to develop their footballing ability within the Queen of the South environment while creating clear progression routes through the club.
This summer, our community camps welcomed over 400 participants from across Dumfries and Galloway, giving young people the opportunity to enjoy football in a fun, safe and inclusive environment while strengthening their connection with the club. As part of our commitment to building the next generation of Queen of the South supporters, every child attending our summer camps has received a season ticket. We believe inspiring young people to support their local club is a fundamental part of our long-term sustainability, helping to grow our fanbase, strengthen our ties with the local community and secure the future of Queen of the South for generations to come.
The continued growth of our community programmes demonstrates that Queen of the South is much more than a football club. We are proud to play an important role across Dumfries and Galloway, using football to inspire, engage and create opportunities for people of all ages.
We understand that football can be frustrating at times, and we recognise the passion and expectations that come with supporting Queens. Everyone connected with the club wants success, and we all share the same ambition of seeing the team progress both on and off the pitch.
Now, more than ever, we need everyone pulling in the same direction. The players, management, staff, volunteers, supporters and commercial partners all have an important role to play as we strive to move the club forward together. We ask that Nicky and his management team continue to receive the full backing of the supporters. The atmosphere at Palmerston can make a real difference, and our incredible travelling support and dedicated Travel Club continue to represent the club with tremendous passion wherever we play.
Being united behind the team, we can create the environment that gives the players the best opportunity to succeed. Thank you for your continued loyalty, patience and unwavering support. We look forward to seeing you all at Palmerston throughout the season as we work together to achieve our goals.
Together, we are Queen of the South.