QP's in my DNA

As an old timer, I can remember the "good old days" when. as a wean, your Dad lifted you over the turnstiles at Hampden and many other grounds. I even remember, on the occassions when my Dad was working, when the gates got opened for the last 20 minutes and all us Mount Florida "tykes" got in for free to see the end of a game. I remember explaining to my Dad my recollection's about going to an away game on the supporter's bus, and his amazement that I was only 5years old then. I reckon that's why I've got QP in my DNA, I got hooked early doors With our forthcoming move to the "farmhouse" and the various suggestions on how to appeal to a wider homebase, it seems recent "soundings" from the chairman and committee have been encouraging. For example last weekends tickets to Alex and his/her 90 something year old Dad. Why don't we have a trial policy of giving "complimentary" tickets to every Primary School within a couple of mile radius, enough to cover their own Primary Fitba team, even if they don't have one, say mibbe 20 freebies. If it was me I'd let every Primary School age kid in for free. I reckon that way there would be more kids like me, still coming back after 70+ years. When you think of our catchment area, the potential is huge. Govanhill (has 5 Primary Schools), Mount Florida(1), Battlefield(2), Castlemilk(8), Toryglen(5), Shawlands/Giffnock(5), Cathcart/King'sPark(5). And that's only those a mile or so away, we then could spread the net slightly further afield. Most of these kids would probably bring an adult, they would spend money in the "souvenir/tuck shop", and just think of the positive publicity the club would get in the community news outlets. There will be a fair bit of publicity when we finally open the "new ground" for business, what a buzz there could be if we handle it properly.

After Saturday's weather, that's a great idea MIck1867. I thought great credit to both teams for their perseverance in trying conditions. I was happy to see both Slater and MacLean start the game, and perhaps no co-incidence that their quick feet and quick thinking helped us gain our first half advantage. It's a pity both aren't 100% fit, but it's surely more important that we make best use of them, and keep them uninjured, now that the play-offs are on the horizon, and RayMac's decision to take both off to save them from futrher injury makes a lot of sense. Thought Galt and Salim were my two shouts for MOM. Galt was tireless throughout, and Sal ran up and down that park from one end to the other non-stop. His defensive qualities are often overlooked, hope both Galty and Salim are 2 of the first to be offered extended contracts for next season. The team seems to be gelling well given the short time since they got together,and given their different backgrouds. As we all know football is a game of opinions, and although young Adam King got the sponsors MOM, and afew on here thought he played well. For me he's still got a lot to learn, when every corner or free kick he took hit the first defender. To me, it seems a poor use of a dead ball situation with it's possibility of puting pressure on the opposition making them defend the ball, rather than giving them the easy option of clearing a badly placed cross. At a corner, we usually send up all our big guys into the box, they're then out of position, and we hit the first defender. It seems a key part of any training routine, just like penalty taking, find your best crosser of the ball, practice makes perfect. Sorry about the bee in my bunnet. Given I never wear a bunnet, I've still got plenty of bees hovering around But a big well done to all the playing squad and staff, for getting us into a position we could only dream about a few months ago.

I thought it was a game that if you compared it with our last visit here in August when we ran out 3-0 winners, it made you wonder if we we're moving in the right direction. Either Brechin had got remarkably better since then, or we had got much worse. Yet here they were still at the bottom of the league and we had climbed to the heady heights of the play-off spots, a win would even have put us 3rd. We even had the same front 3, of Moore/Sal/Galt, who ran Bexhin ragged on our last visit, and on Wednesday all 3 had powderpuff shots at goal. It's easy to be critical of players who maybe are having an off night, but in all honesty Brechin were streets ahead of the team we beat 3-0, and we were having one of those nights where it looked as if we could have played all night and not scored. Must admit, I think on Wednesday's showing, Brechin will avoid bottom spot, and hopefully take points off some of the teams around us, starting with their next two games against Stirling tomorrow and Annan next week. I would start the Annan game, with Slater and McLean in the lineup, both good with their feet and a possibilty to create goal scoring chances, it just remains to be seen if we have anyone on the day good enough to take them. Hopefully Big Nicky Jamieson is fit to play and I'm a bit puzzled that given that RayMac has given most of the old squad a run out, young James Grant has been warming the bench these last few games. Must admit I'm not a big fan of Finnie, his distribution and decision making , get it wrong quite often. Can't call tomorrow's game, as so often we fail to turn up against Annan. But ever hopefull of continuing Ray Mac's good start.

This photo of my brother getting "huckled" by the Heid Frisker was taken 5 years ago, some things never change. At least he had a smile on his face back then.

Hi folks, just like to say hello, having finally made it into the online QP family after 70+ years. I've read the forum regularly, feeling it's by far, the best way to keep up with what's happening at the club, but without contributing so far. As I mentioned I'm in my 70's, and with my Dad and Grandad both from Mount Florida, with QP in our all DNA, it takes us collectively back 125 years. I live quite a distance from Hampden now, so not so able to attend socials and meetings with the president , but still manage all the home games and around half of the away games. I was at Brechin on Wednesday, but will post on that topic separately. As one of the Auld Support , l like many others young and old, was pretty torn about giving up our amateur status. But the reality of the present Hampden financial situation being untenable, and the prospect of dropping through the trapdoor into oblivion, I really believe the present committee have done a grand job in moving the club in the right direction to keeping our Club alive and it's history intact. Whether being able to purchase players, with all the pitfalls involved, will be any more successful than recruiting from the juniors and growing our own, only time will tell.