New players sign into Queens

Aug 29 2008 by John Ballard, Dumfries Standard Friday

GORDON Chisholm has bolstered his squad with two new signings.

The Queens boss captured the signatures of defender Tom Parratt and midfielder/forward David Weatherston, just ahead of Monday’s transfer window closure.

The pair were unveiled at Palmerston Park after completing their medicals on Wednesday and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s home game against table-topping Dundee.

Weatherston, a pacy winger who can operate on both left and right flanks or as a striker, joins the Doonhamers from St Johnstone.

The 22-year-old started his career at Queen’s Park, netting 18 goals as the Hampden amateurs were promoted from the Third Division in 2006/07.

He told the Standard he was eager for a new challenge with Queens.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it.

“It wasn’t quite working out for me up the road at St Johnstone, but I’m really pleased to be joining Queens as they are an ambitious club.

“It’s a tough league but if we all work hard for each other I think we can do well.”

Parratt, born in Inverness but brought up in the United States, signed for the Doonhamers from Hamilton and has also had spells with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Birmingham City.

He said: “I got in touch with Gordon Chisholm to say I was available and had a trial for a few days, and he’d also seen me last season.

“Now I just want to do as well as I can for him and for the club.

“I remember coming here (Palmerston) with Hamilton last season and being impressed with Queens and the supporters and I know it’s an ambitious club that’s going places.”

Chisholm rates both players highly and says they’re welcome additions to his squad.

“I’m a bit surprised they’ve become available because they’re good players and are young and enthusiastic – the type of players I’m looking for,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of good young players now and the squad is coming together with the right balance of youth and some more experienced heads alongside them.”

The only real injury worry for tomorrow’s game is striker Gary Arbuckle who is expected to be out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury.

The clash with Dundee was originally scheduled for Sunday, but as the UEFA Cup game took place on Tuesday rather than Thursday it’s been moved forward to tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).