In just a few weeks time we get our 2019/20 season underway with the group stages of the Betfred Cup.  Our first two games are at HOME (13th & 16th of July) and to kick off the campaign we are offering a special hospitality package for the games against Motherwell and Annan.

The package includes, a two course meal (starter and curry), a match ticket, match programme and complimentary team-sheet, premier seating in the hospitality box and a half time pie ALL for £30 per head.  The offer is open to both sets of supporters so Motherwell and Annan fans can book in for a pre-match meal too.

Food will be served from 1pm for the game against Motherwell on Saturday the 13th July and from 6pm for the game against Annan on Tuesday 16th July. 

By booking the hospitality package you will also have exclusive access to the top (pay) bar.

For more information or to book a space, email: [email protected] or telephone the office on 01387 254853

As manager, Allan Johnston continues to build the squad for next season; we have today signed Lewis Kidd on a one year deal.  Lewis makes a return to Dumfries having spent the past three years at Falkirk.

He first joined Queens in 2014 on loan from Celtic before making the move on a permanent basis.  He made 75 appearances for the first team during his two years at the Club.

Allan said “We are pleased to have Lewis back.  He has been training with us since we returned from the break and has impressed us during that time.  Although he is only 24 years old, he has plenty of experience of the Championship which will be invaluable.  He can play in a couple of positions in defence and midfield so that gives us options”.

The draws for the first and second rounds of the Challenge Cup will take place at 1230 tomorrow (26th June).  The draws will be streamed live via the SPFL YouTube channel.

With the kids getting their school holidays on Friday, we thought it was a timely reminder that we are running our popular Soccer Camps at various locations through the summer.

The camps get underway on Monday at the QOS Arena.  Kids can sign up for the whole week (Mon - Fri) or for a three day camp (Tues - Thurs).  The five day camps, are priced at £80 per child or the three day camp will cost £35. 

The camps are much better value than some of the others on offer in the area, as not only do the kids receive coaching from 10 am - 3pm daily during the week (when you are working), every child attending a camp will receive a free Junior Blues Season Ticket for season 2019/20, a medal and certificate.  In addition every child who attends for five days in a week will receive a free 2019/20 home top!

Our camps take place as follows:-

1 - 5 July at the QoS Indoor Arena, Dumfries
22 - 26 July at King Edward Park, Lockerbie
29 July - 2 August at Threave Rovers, Castle Douglas
5 - 9 August at the QoS Indoor Arena, Dumfries
12 - 16 August at the QoS Indoor Arena, Dumfries

Application forms are available from the Club Shop/ Office within the QOS Arena during normal opening hours. 

Our annual clean-up takes place THIS Sunday (30th of June) from 9am. 

Thank you to all those who have already volunteered to help out or who have supplied materials for the event.  But with work to do we can never have too many people so if you have a spare hour or two or more and are up for helping out then you will be very welcome. 

We are looking for litter-pickers, sweepers, painters etc to help our groundsman Kevin get the ground ready in advance of the new season beginning.

We will be offering refreshments for those who are willing to lend a hand.  

For more information email Dan at [email protected] or phone the office on 01387 254853.  Alternatively pitch up at Palmerston, 9am on Sunday.

Following his release from Ross County, we have this lunchtime completed the signing of Callum Semple.  The 20 year old defender trained with the squad this morning and has signed a one year deal.

Manager Allan Johnston said “We are delighted to bring Callum back to the club.  He is a young defender who proved his quality when he was on loan at Queens last season and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that there was a dip in results once he left.  He was popular with the fans and I’m sure he will continue to be a favourite of the supporters”.   

Callum who made 22 starts for Queens during his loan spell said himself “It was a pleasure the last time I played at Palmerston, all the staff, players and fans helped me improve and I learned so much over the six months.  I am really happy to be back and look forward to the new season”.

Now the first week of pre-season training has taken place, we caught up with Manager, Allan Johnston to find out how things have been going.

He said “We've had a good first week back.  It’s had its challenges but the boys have come back refreshed and in good shape. They’ve been working hard and are in good spirits.  The only downside is that Jack Leighfield has picked up an ankle injury and will miss much of pre-season”.

"We are disappointed that some of the players we had hoped to re-sign have made the decision to take up offers elsewhere but that’s football it happens everywhere. We just need to move on and aim to bring in other targets.  We have plenty of options as we have a lot of players training with us at the moment.  Some of them have previously played in the Championship but we have players from the lower leagues and from down south with us as well, so it’s up to them to go out and impress enough to be offered a contract”.

 “We could easily go out and sign 10 or 15 players but if they’re not of the quality that we need then there is no point. We need to make sure that we are getting the right players at the right price. I’m confident we can do that and we will be ready for our first game against Motherwell on the 13th of July”.

We are now offering a hospitality package for our home games against Motherwell and Annan in the Betfred Cup.

The package includes, a two course meal (starter and curry), a match ticket, match programme and complimentary team-sheet, premier seating in the hospitality box and a half time pie all for £30 per head.  Meals will be served from 1pm for the game against Motherwell on Saturday the 13th July with a 6pm start for the game against Annan on Tuesday 16th July.  A pay bar will be open.

The offer is open to both sets of supporters.

To book email, [email protected] or telephone the office on 01387 254853