ALL three board members of Queen of the South will be stepping down this summer.
Chairman Billy Hewitson, vice chairman Craig Paterson and director Mark Blount – above – will all leave their posts at the end of the season, after a combined 57 years on the board.
This was the bombshell news that came out of the Dumfries club’s AGM on Wednesday night with Mr Hewitson telling shareholders: “I am here to inform you that the current board will be stepping down at the end of the season.
“After service of a combined 57 years, we feel it is time to allow for new direction and fresh blood to continue propelling the football club forward.
“The club is in a healthy financial position, with key capital projects not needing to be undertaken for several years.
“We will work with the new board to ensure a smooth transition and will remain in place until the end of the season.”
The shock announcement was met with differing views by the shareholders and fans.
When asked by shareholders about the next steps, Mr Hewitson said: “We’ll go through a process. There has been interest locally and outside interest over the years, keeping it local would be the ideal situation. But further announcements will depend on the individuals involved in the process. We will help make it a smooth transition and help them as much as we can.
“We’re not running away, we’ll be there every week.”
Meanwhile, the club announced another six figure loss – £190,000 net loss – and warned they expect to lose at least the same again in the current financial year.
The board said it’s the plan for the team to remain full time but money will be tighter for next season.
When asked by a shareholder what the financial difference is for the club to play in the Championship than where they currently are in League One, Mr Hewitson said: “£300,000 is the difference from being in the Championship to League One which is a mixture of income and from crowd revenue.
“If we’re playing in the Championship then the club would be self-efficient, all the number add up.”
