This event took place at Glasgow Green on Saturday 7 June, 2025, and made history as the largest ever one-day walking football festival.  It is such a shame the weather was not better- with intermittent heavy showers. 

The event was sponsored by Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. 

Guests on the day were Maree Todd MSP, Craig Levein, Peter Grant, David Hopkin, Douglas Imrie and WFS Patron and football icon - Rose Reilly MBE. 

There were 92 teams and over 900 players taking part including Queen of the South over 60’s (although some over 70) for the first time. 

Many of the teams taking part involved very talented former players and a mix of those participating in walking football for leisure and fitness. 

Queens were drawn in a strong group with Alloa, Hearts, Ayr United, Linlithgow Rose and Giffnock. These matches were played in an enclosed area with standard 24’ goals but with a 3’6” high crossbar.  Whilst this reduced the options with penalty kicks the really good players could find the corners of the net making it extremely tough for the older goalkeepers. With very strict refereeing (not always perfect but with best judgement applied) there was no margin for error and any mistakes were invariably punished, with penalties awarded for infringements, however minor, in the last quarter of the playing area. 

The day started well for Queens against a very tough and disciplined Linlithgow Rose squad however this was to be the only win of the day.  Although playing well against Giffnock in the next match, slightly better finishing right at the end of the game just shaded it in favour of Giffnock. 

The next three games against Hearts, Ayr and Alloa, involved a number of really good players, whose experience and movement on and off the ball gave them a distinct edge. Whilst Queens put everything into these games and held their own, particularly against a very strong Hearts team, some very slick passing and finishing made the difference. 

With Alloa and Hearts eventually qualifying from this group, they went on to the quarterfinals with Pollock United and Drumchapel. Both lost these matches and Pollock were the eventual winners of the over 60’s competition- beating the finalists of the other groups - Oriam - (I believe on penalties).  Pollock also won the over 65’s competition demonstrating the strength and depth of their squad. 

Overall, this was an excellent opportunity for Queens to test themselves against some of the best teams in Scotland and although unsuccessful in reaching the group stages, the experience of playing at this level is invaluable. 

Queens Squad:
Tom Gordon (GK), Rob Clark, Keith Brown, Neil McQuiston, Robert McAuley, Alan Cameron, Stevie Smith, Mike Jones, Chris O’Toole and Ally Rankine. 

We are delighted to announce that we will visit Loch Park to take on Glenafton Athletic for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday 24th June.

The fixture will take place at 19:30pm.

We will update supporters on tickets as soon as we can.

We are delighted to announce that midfielder Ben Johnstone has signed a new contract, committing himself to the club for a further year.

Ben progressed through the QOS Academy and, following the signing of his first professional contract in 2020, has featured in numerous first-team fixtures, delivering confident performances at the heart of midfield.

In January of this year, Ben joined Cumbernauld CFC, where he went on to start 11 matches in the Scottish Lowland League, scoring one goal.

Everyone at Queen of the South is looking forward to seeing Ben in action during the 2025/26 season.

Our Group B fixtures for the Premier Sports Cup have now been confirmed.

We open with a Tuesday night fixture at home to Edinburgh City on the 15th July before Ross County visit Palmerston on the Saturday.

We then travel to Firhill to take on Partick Thistle on Tuesday 22nd July before finishing up with a D&G derby against Stranraer at Stair Park on Saturday 26th.

The club is pleased to announce the re-signing of Michael Hewitt. Michael who started 35 games last season was a mainstay in Peter Murphy's side. The flying full back found the goal 4 times throughout the campaign and was a threat going forward. 

The Manager commenting on the signing 'We are delighted with yet another player who excelled last season giving his all for the club. Mikey gives us so many options having covered in left back along with his natural right side and centre back. We hope Mikey continues to develop by adding to our attacking options down that right side from his defensive position.'

Michael has signed a one year contract extension with the club and will be here until May 2026. 

We are delighted to announce the signing of Taylor Charters on a 2 year contract! 

Taylor who joined on loan in January proved to be a strong and versatile player who can add a lot to the Doonhamers.

Peter Murphy stated 'Taylor is another player who came in and helped the team to progress  over the latter part of the season. We are delighted he has agreed to stay and push us forward over the coming seasons. For Taylor’s development now he needs to get a full run in the team staying free from any little injuries which will no doubt enhance his performances and help us as a team to keep improving. His power and ability will add another dimension to the squad, being able to play a number of positions gives us vital options and competition for the season ahead.' 

The club is delighted that local talent Niall Rogerson has today extended his stay with the club for a further year. The Dumfries born player has shown great promise in his time at the club and excelled while out on loan with promotion winning side Threave Rovers! 

Manager Peter Murphy said the following, ' Niall is a player who has improved over the course of the season, growing in stature and confidence. We need to see him contiue improving and developing all aspects to give him a chance at pushing for the first team. He is a young player who is absorbing information, embracing the challenge and learning all the time. Being around experienced 1st team players is no doubt a huge benefit and we look forward to seeing him contiue his journey here with us.

Niall had this to say ' I am very happy to be extending  my stay with the club. We need to go back for pre season ready to go. i’m a local boy and know how much it means to the fans. We have a brilliant group of lads and i’m delighted to be part of that going into next season.'

First team players Matty Douglass and Brennan Dickenson took time out from their summer holidays to attend the last youth training session of the season at Palmerston Park tonight.

Both players are at different stages of recovery from serious injuries, but were happy to come up and see the youths.

The lads helped put the u16 and u18 players through their paces ahead of the last youth fixtures of the season on Sunday, with Matty even able to join in the boxes at the start of the session.

With the last games on Sunday and a very short break until the new season, the club would like to thank all of the coaches and volunteer staff that have given up their time to work at the academy this season.

Thanks to Matty and Brennan, all the best for your recoveries.