Arachnophile

Zlatan expected to sign in time for the Cowden game.

The great majority of football won't even notice. As I said last night, I think its a shame we couldn't carry on as glorious amateurs, but I believe the right decision has been made.

Stellar journalism from the Evening Times... https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/18034540.queens-park-set-historic-vote-future-amateur-status/ "But in July, owner Gerry Crawley spoke of the harsh realities facing the squad as a number of players were allowed to leave for no fee."

I haven't contributed a great deal to the debate about the club's future as, although I have supported the club for over 40 years , I only go to about 3 or 4 games a year these days. I think the views of those who go week in week out should carry more weight. However, I was a regular attendee in the early 80's watching a great team with Alan Irvine, John McGregor, Gerry Crawley Derek Atkins and many more competing for a couple of seasons in the second tier of Scottish football against the likes of Motherwell, Hearts, St Johnstone & Partick Thistle. How great would it be to be to be competing a that level again? There is no guarantee that we will achieve that if we go professional but I think we can safely say we will never achieve that if we remain amateur. I hope those of you who have a vote will take the plunge and vote to go professional. If you do, I will be relived but also a little sad, as I have always taken pride in our unique status as an amateur club in a big bad professional world, and I woudl love us to be able to carry on ... but sadly I think that is not a practical option.

Who are you calling a bastion?

There is no financial security in remaining amateur. There is no status quo.

Personally, I think it should be called Hampden Park & the SFA should change the name of their new ground.

Albion Q P. Cove Edinburgh City Stirling Elgin Stenousemuir Cowden Annan Brechin

As regards the pros & cons of going pro, I'm not over fussed how we get there and whether it needs votes or not, I think the writing is on the wall and it seems like the decision is inevitable. I remain to be convinced that we can survive financially as a pro club... but equally I am not convinced we can survive in our current form. I don't have any great enthusiasm for tuning pro but its worth noting that when i first watched QP over 50 years ago, only 2 of today's team would have been eligible to play (assuming they were alive!). So, in a way we've already completed a large part of the journey The big plus point for me is that we might be able to hold on to our better players - at least for a season or two longer than we do at present. There is much optimism about this year's squad. it may or may not be well founded, but let's allow ourselves the luxury of imagining it is & we win promotion. Surely the ability to offer the winning squad pro contracts would enable us to keep more of them than under the current system and who knows we might be able to last more than our standard 2 seasons in a higher league. Has the cost of upgrading lesser Hampden been revealed? - it would be nice to think we might be able to keep some of the SFA money back to fall back on if things don't work out. On a lighter note, has there been any discussion of a name for our new stadium. I don't want us to play a t anywhere that is "lesser." I woudl suggest we change it to Greater Hampden!. Alternatively, there is surely money to made form the naming rights. Anyone up for Camp Bru?

It's a shame, because being amateur is one of the things that makes us unique, but it looks as though we don't really have a choice. Without being able to cash in on players we have developed, it's hard to see how we can survive in anything like our current form. I do worry that we may not be able to generate enough new income to cover the cost of player wages & the loss of rental income on Hampden, but I don't think we have any choice. If we do decide to go pro, presumably at the end of this season, it will make the final match at Hampden doubly poignant.

Buses for the 2 "home games" at airdrie are now free.

You only sign when you're winning.

A slightly different spin on the same story... https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sfa-dismiss-fears-deal-buy-13939983

Rather have Barry Manilow.

Rather have Barry Manilow.

It appears that was not on offer from the SFA. I'm in two minds about it - Hampden is synonymous with QP but even its biggest fans would have to admit that with a few hundred fans in, it is somewhat lacking in atmosphere. How much we suffer from losing the attraction of playing at Hampden as a lure to attract new players remains to be seen. On the plus side Lesser Hampden could be a cracking wee stadium - as long as its not a one stand & 3 walls Bayview style design.

who would have thought a Clyde fa... ...oh , never mind

Clyde but what?

Naw! Just an arse. They are still a couple of league above you.