Queens reveal player departures

After talks with current manager Gary Naysmith, Pickard requested his release for the chance to pursue first team opportunities elsewhere.
Naysmith thanked the midfielder for his service to the club and said: “He came to me during the week and indicated after being at the club for three years, that he felt it was time for him to move on.
“He is a young player, so when they come to you with the request it would be unfair to stand in their way.”
He added: “Jake has now had his contract terminated early, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Originally from Newcastle, Pickard joined the club in the summer of 2013, making the breakthrough into the first team under then boss James Fowler in 2014 in a 2-0 victory at Palmerston against Raith Rovers.
Fowler described Pickard’s performance that day as ‘different class’, but the 19-year-old had found gametime scarce in recent times.
Grant Anderson has also left the club by mutual consent, and Scott Hooper has been informed that he is free to find another club.
Naysmith said: “It’s one of the hardest parts of being a manager, when you have to tell players their services are no longer required.
“But as we build for the future, neither Grant or Scott feature in my long-term plans and therefore it’s only fair that when the transfer window is open for business, that we let them look at other opportunities.
“We will support them as much as we can and help them find other clubs, and once again they will move on with our best wishes.”