Queen’s Park offer pro contracts to squad

Queen’s Park created history last night by offering their entire first-team squad professional contracts to officially end over

152 years of being an amateur club. Members of Scotland’s oldest club voted to move away from their motto of ‘Ludere Causa Ludendi’ – ‘To Play for the Sake of Playing’ in November due to a number of factors including the sale of their 117-year-old Hampden Park ground to the Scottish FA, the lack of compensation payments for the young players the club develops and the looming threat of relegation from the Scottish League via the pyramid play-offs.

The Spiders have opted to make their existing players their first professionals as opposed to recruiting from outside. Club president Gerry Crawley said: “This is indeed a historic moment for everyone who holds Queen’s Park close to their hearts. The January transfer window meant it was likely new players would arrive at the club.

“However, we value greatly the commitment, attitude and footballing ability that our existing squad has displayed this season.

“To that end, we are delighted to have signed our current first-team squad on professional terms. Football is a team game, and the club felt it would be the right thing to do at this historic moment.

“As with any other club, our head coach Ray Mckinnon, pictured, will shape his squad for the future as we continue our exciting journey in Scottish football.”

Mckinnon, the former Raith Rovers, Dundee United, Morton and Falkirk manager took over last month after the club parted company with Mark Roberts.

Queen’s Park are currently sixth in League Two, 10 points off bottom place.