The feature covers the ins and outs of life at Queen's Park and the many trials that come with it. The first comment is on training. John McCormack says "Enthusiasm is so important in a player and I had more of it than anybody. I just wish they were all as enthusiastic as me."
The column then discusses John McCormack's career achievements as a player and as a manager. Also mentioned is Queen's Park's poor showing last year after finishing bottom of the Third Division.
The conversation content then changes to that of Queen's Park's status. McCormack reluctantly comments on the amateur side of Queen's. He states "Queen's Park is one of the oldest clubs in the world, but there is no getting away from the fact it is a changing world. Football, like everything else, moves on. The club has to decide where it wants to go. If it has aspirations to play consistently at a higher level, it would have to become at least semi-professional."
The passage also mentions McCormack's hard work and shrewd managerial talents. Despite the simple surroundings, McCormack is still motivated at Queen's Park.
He also says, "There is no way we could get into the First Division as an amateur side. It's not possible. We wouldn't be able to attract players good enough to do well and any which we brought through the ranks who were that good would be snapped up by other clubs."
"Obviously, because there is no trapdoor in Scottish football for the team finishing bottom of the pile, the club could soldier on in Division Three. A trapdoor or play-off system has been mooted, though, and is being considered by the SFA. If that came in, we might have a problem. But I'm not complaining about the way it is here. I knew the rules when I took the job so I can't grumble. I love the job and the club. I have never been so motivated in my life as I am at the moment. I think a lot of people in football will agree managing Queen's Park in a professional league is one of the hardest jobs in the game but there's not many I'd swap it for. When I came here in 1998 I believed I could achieve success and I have done that. Now I want some more."
The Third Division success in 1999/2000 is mentioned. "I knew we'd struggle in Division Two. Because we had had a good season, it put the team in the shop window and we lost five of our best players to other clubs. Then, because we don't buy or pay players, it is extremely hard to attract footballers of a similar standard and experience. We started well in Division Two, but we couldn't keep it going and in the end we were relegated on goal difference."
What also is mentioned is the fact that he only gets a few nights a week to train with his players. "If I'd been able to spend �500 to bring in a couple of players for the last couple of weeks of that season, I could have kept us up. I went to the board about various things, but they have a way of doing things around here and I have a complete respect for that. Some people think we're crazy, but our amateur status does make us special and we try to reward the players in other ways. Instead of stopping off at the chippy, we go to McDonald's because it's a bit classier."
Full-time supporter Keith McAllister says that the Amateur status makes the club special and the promotion of status to semi-pro probably wouldn't change much at QP.
It also covers McCormack's recent relegation to part-time status at the club because of cost-cutting.
Ross Caven discusses his long career at Hampden.
Club President Kenny Harvey defends Queen's Park amateur status.
John McCormack then mentions the difficulties that surround motivating the players, especially for training. One player had to be excused because his wife wanted to go to the bingo and he had to stay home and look after the children. Cowboy said, "As for the bingo, well, what could I do? I'd have invented a slightly less embarassing excuse, though."
McCormack then continues to state his love for the club and how he could never be tempted away. "I love this job and the attitudes of all the players here. Because they get paid nothing, I know they are here for one reason, and that is because they want to play for Queen's Park."
The difficulty in attracting players is also brought up.
"Yes, it's hard for me to attract players, but that's why I spend night after night watching juvenile and amateur matches. No matter what the weather I'm looking for players. Often they knock me back when I tell them there's no money in it. Some think I'm joking, then get a nasty shock when they realise I'm not."
Up and coming star Steven Canning is also mentioned, this time by Frank Reilly. Canning also says, "It's a great club and there are not many others where I would have been given such a big chance at such a young age. It would be great to move on to bigger things, but if not I'll be happy to play here."
That concludes the section on Queen's Park. Thanks to The Herald.
