152 years of tradition on the line on Thursday
The Secretary of Queen’ s Park’ s Supporters’ Club, Keith Mcallister – who has not missed a Spiders game in 40 years – is ruing the “perfect storm” that has caused Scotland’s oldest club to look into ending its amateur status and turning professional.
The 152-year-old institution is holding an EGM on Thursday, where members will decide if their tradition of “ludere causa ludendi” – “to play for the sake of playing” – should end.
Mcallister believes that two decisions from the SFA, as well as the introduction of pyramid football, has brought about a vote that he had never envisaged happening. The SFA’S purchase of Hampden, which will be completed next year, and the governing body’s interpretation of a Uefa rule over compensation for player development, together with the emergence of well-funded clubs determined to attain senior status, has caused, what was once thought unthinkable, to be presented on a ballot paper.
Mcallister said: “Hampden has been taken at a price lower than it is worth, and one that does not represent the revenue that can be generated from non-football activities.
“It is not worth going through why that is again, other than to stay it is a major factor which will change the club’s financial model.
“We are also not being recompensed for the hard work put into our legendary playing development, as the SFA interpret Uefa’s ruling over amateur clubs receiving compensation differently to other national associations.
“Queen’s would be better pushing players to English clubs, as we would receive compensation. If they stay in Scotland, we do not. That does not feel right.
“We will no longer have the lure of Hampden to attract players to compensate for not paying them.
“Add the real threat of dropping out of senior football, and these decisions have made it a perfect storm.
“I feel for the club and members as they have been placed in a very difficult position.”
A 75% majority will be required on Thursday to make the drastic change.
Mcallister added: “My heart is telling me one thing, but my head is telling me that we have to go professional.
“My head looks to be winning.”