...I managed to drag myself off the golf course and kick-off season 2009/10. A bit of a bland list of pre-season friendlies so far and I finally made the decision to get out and see how Queen of the South's numerous new signings were shaping up. It was good to see the First Division club looking after their local neighbours Gretna 2008 and today's crowd of 683 was the largest in the clubs year long history.
As I arrived at around 1.50 the car park was already pretty full and it was good to be able to park for free. Admission was maintained at East of Scotland levels and I paid my £4 before picking up a copy of the excellent Gretna programme priced £2.
After a couple of years lying largely unused, Raydale Park is once more home to a team representing the village. Having based themselves initially at Everholm in Annan, Gretna 2008 made a return to the ground at the end of last season. Raydale Park was purchased by a company called 'Sawtry Limited' who have agreed for the time being to allow the club to use the ground. The clubs dedicated band of volunteers have set about restoring it and it looked pretty good on a glorious summers day. There were many reminders of the latter stages of the Brookes Mileson era with large signage along the car park side of the ground and a temporary seated stand behind the opposite goal.
The game itself was awful. The only highlight of the first half was a cracking cheeseburger from the van parked at the side of the pitch. Queens were expected to take a few goals off their lesser opposition however it never materialised. Stewart Kean came closest when he hit the bar with a scissor kick but the majority of the crowd went home pretty unimpressed with what they saw. It's very early days though and the team will need time to gel. Gretna on the other hand will take great heart from a fantastic result and their young side will surely have a great chance of gaining promotion from the EOS First Division.
It was a busy day of action in Dumfries & Galloway and I made a sharp exit on the final whistle and headed along the A75 to catch the second half of Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton. I was more than happy to get in for free and finally managed to see a goal when the home side bagged an equaliser.
The third division club have now enjoyed league status for just over a year and Galabank has been fully upgraded with floodlights and turnstiles. 525 was the official crowd today although I don't think that will have included myself or the Queen of the South officials who had the same idea!
So that's the new season underway, look out for reports from new grounds visited. I will endeavour to put up photos and information from trips still to be reported on from last season and also a few other bits and bobs I have seen along the way.
As I arrived at around 1.50 the car park was already pretty full and it was good to be able to park for free. Admission was maintained at East of Scotland levels and I paid my £4 before picking up a copy of the excellent Gretna programme priced £2. 
After a couple of years lying largely unused, Raydale Park is once more home to a team representing the village. Having based themselves initially at Everholm in Annan, Gretna 2008 made a return to the ground at the end of last season. Raydale Park was purchased by a company called 'Sawtry Limited' who have agreed for the time being to allow the club to use the ground. The clubs dedicated band of volunteers have set about restoring it and it looked pretty good on a glorious summers day. There were many reminders of the latter stages of the Brookes Mileson era with large signage along the car park side of the ground and a temporary seated stand behind the opposite goal. 
The game itself was awful. The only highlight of the first half was a cracking cheeseburger from the van parked at the side of the pitch. Queens were expected to take a few goals off their lesser opposition however it never materialised. Stewart Kean came closest when he hit the bar with a scissor kick but the majority of the crowd went home pretty unimpressed with what they saw. It's very early days though and the team will need time to gel. Gretna on the other hand will take great heart from a fantastic result and their young side will surely have a great chance of gaining promotion from the EOS First Division.
It was a busy day of action in Dumfries & Galloway and I made a sharp exit on the final whistle and headed along the A75 to catch the second half of Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton. I was more than happy to get in for free and finally managed to see a goal when the home side bagged an equaliser. 
The third division club have now enjoyed league status for just over a year and Galabank has been fully upgraded with floodlights and turnstiles. 525 was the official crowd today although I don't think that will have included myself or the Queen of the South officials who had the same idea! 
So that's the new season underway, look out for reports from new grounds visited. I will endeavour to put up photos and information from trips still to be reported on from last season and also a few other bits and bobs I have seen along the way.
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