Fans invited to share Queens special day

Mar 20 2009 by Jackie Grant, Dumfries Standard Friday

THERE have been many Queen’s players over the last 90 years who became firm favourites with fans.

And next Saturday, some of them will be joining the current squad at Palmerston to celebrate the club’s anniversary.

Before the home game against Livingston kicks off, the guests of honour will make their way onto the pitch for an official group photo, and will be back on the park to “take a bow” and be introduced to the crowd at half-time.

Goal-scoring legend Jim Patterson and his wife Avril will be there. During an illustrious career, ‘Big Jim’ netted no fewer than 251 goals for Queens – a record which will probably never be equalled.

Eddie Garrett, a noted striker who played in the 1960s, will travel north from his home in Wales to join in the celebrations. Born and brought up in Dumfries, Eddie recently celebrated his 70th birthday.

Others who have promised to attend are Keeper Allan Ball who played 731 competitive games for the club and from that same era, Billy Collings, Jimmy Miller, Crawford Boyd, Lex Law and Hugh McLean.

From the 1980s and 90s will be Kevin Hetherington, Stewart Cochrane, Billy Sim and Steven Leslie and others hoping to attend are Andy Thomson, Mike Jackson, Billy McLaren, Iain McChesney, George Rowe and young Jamie Adams.

From the north-east of England two other well-known faces will be Mike Barker and George Siddle who turned out in the late 1960s. Also Graeme Robertson, a Doonhamer himself but currently assistant manager at Livingston and Des McKeown, now a respected journalist.

Also considering making the long trip from his home in Somerset is 50s’ legend Bobby Black, now aged 82.

Queen of the South’s Billy Goldie said: “We wanted to do something a bit different and everyone is really looking forward to seeing these old faces. The day will bring back great memories for both fans and former players alike, and I’m sure everyone will have a great time.”