Chisholm keeps five lead players

May 27 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

QUEENS boss Gordon Chisholm has retained five first-team players as he continues to re-build for the new season.

Jamie McQuilken, Steve Tosh, Craig Reid, Barry Wilson and Neil Scally all put pen to paper to sign new contracts, bringing next season’s squad to thirteen.

And midfilder Paul Burns has extended his contract which will keep at the club until 2011.

Chisholm said: “I think you can never underestimate what those lads have done for the club.

“I’m delighted to have it done and dusted and now we can focus on bringing in new signings.

“We’re still waiting to see what Neil MacFarlane chooses to do, he wants a bit more time to think it over.

“With recent acquisition Derek Holmes now on board we have a nucleus of around a dozen and once the SPL list is published we’ll be studying it carefully.”

The latest five to stay include four of Chisholm’s most experiences players, with Craig Reid the only man under 30.

Eight Queens men were told earlier this month that they would be leaving the club, and since then only Derek Holmes has joined as a replacement.

But the news that these five will join the six already under contract for next season, the squad is starting to take shape.

And while there is plenty of work still to be done before September, Chisholm is biding his time before adding to the 13-strong squad.

“This is always a bit of a dead time. Players are away on holiday and the free [transfer] lists aren’t out yet, so it’s a bit of a waiting game.

“But I won’t be rushing into anything.

“I know who my targets are and if I have to wait until the end of August to get them I will.

“I’ve one or two players definitely in mind, and we’ll just have to wait and see at the moment.”

l While the Palmerston faithful wait to see who Chisholm brings in next, 17-year-old defender Steven Black has signed for the club.

Black already has Scottish Schools FA International caps to his name and featured in all four of the Schools Centenary International competition.

He also earned a man of the match award in the process.

The Annan Academy school boy has been working with Queens, and Chisholm clearly feels he has a bright future in the game.

Chisholm said: “He's been with us for a while but he’s now signed a two-year contract on a Modern Apprenticeship deal.”