| CLUB NEWS |
| 30 July Murdoch could sign According to stories, Scott Murdoch seems likely to join Ally Graham on Kenny Brannigan's coaching team at Hampden Park. The 34 year-old central defender could also be signed to play, but given that he has been outside senior football for a while this may not be the case. Murdoch will chiefly work as a defensive coach. Tony Mitchell has fixed up a deal with Arbroath. Until January, Tony will be registered with the Second Division club as an amateur. It shouldn't be forgotten that Tony is still a capable goalkeeper, and wouldn't be it be just like the thing if he made a success of his time at Arbroath? 29 July Graham accepts playing / coaching role 36 year-old striker Ally Graham has become Queen's Park's fourth addition to the playing staff this summer. Graham scored against Hearts and was involved in three other friendly games during July. Speculation had mooted that Graham would receive payment for his coaching duties; this would have created the phenomenon at the club of a member receiving payment from the club contemporary to his being a player, albeit not being paid to play. Such a situation has not materialised and like those before him, Graham will be playing, and coaching, for the sake of the game. A profile of Graham's career, which until now has spanned some 19 years and 11 clubs, will be posted later on in the week. As is now customary, the club failed, in their latest 'Squad Update' posted on the official website, to mention the names of Steven Canning and Chris Fisher. Meanwhile, the Evening Times, while reporting the signing of Ally Graham, also quoted Kenny Brannigan concerning the possibility of Paul Harvey signing. Kenny is still hopeful, but the player wishes to make a decision once a slight injury has cleared up. His signing does, however, appear to be on the cards. With him in, Queen's would not be short of experience and quality in attack, and, with the exception of another goalkeeper, the squad would be complete. 28 July More Glenavon details Stuart Kettlewell headed Queen's goal in the 2-1 defeat at Mourneview Park. Steven Moffat then missed a penalty, but it appears that on the whole there is good reason for Kenny Brannigan to be encouraged at the performance. Thankfully, the tiresome charade of pre-season is now over and we can get down to thinking about the challenge St. Mirren will pose on Saturday, and subsequently the more far-reaching question of our chances in the league championship. Two trialists travelled to Northern Ireland, Paul Harvey and Ally Graham, and word on their signing or otherwise will hopefully be passed on this week. 26 July Pre-season campaign ends with losses Queen's were beaten 2-1 by Threave Rovers on Friday evening in Castle Douglas; a disappointing defeat against non-league opponents. David Menelaws was the goalscorer for the visitors. Kenny Brannigan took the opportunity to seriously tamper with his starting eleven, choosing just three of his original line-up to start the second half. Ally Graham was again fielded as a trialist, and Stephen McAuley was one of the multitude of substitutes. Another trialist came off the bench: Paul Harvey, the experienced midfielder formerly of Raith Rovers, Airdrieonians and Motherwell, amongst others, who has been without a senior club since Airdrie United let him go last January. The crossing was made on Saturday morning to Belfast, from where the players and staff made the short journey to Lurgan, County Armagh, to face Glenavon, regular participants in European competition in recent seasons. The match resulted in another 2-1 defeat, hardly surprising given the superior calibre of the Irish side. More details will follow on Sunday, as you've no doubt guessed that we didn't have any representation at these games. Having not seen either of them therefore, I will resist the temptation to criticise or analyse the performances. Full service to be restored for next week's curtain raiser at Love Street. |