Queen of the South directors set to step down

Queen of the South currently sit in eighth place in League 1

The directors of Scottish League 1 side Queen of the South are to stand down at the end of the season.

Chairman Billy Hewitson made the announcement at the Dumfries club's annual general meeting on Wednesday night.

He will leave his post along with fellow directors Mark Blount and Craig Paterson.

The Palmerston Park side is currently sitting in eighth place in League 1.

Mr Hewitson said the move had been "on the cards" for the last two years and had nothing to do with recent poor results.

"We always knew we needed a succession plan and we're just pushing it forward," he said.

"We are at an age where we think we can get younger people in with more energy and more drive, that may help drive the club in a different direction."

He said there was "never a right time" to go but it was an opportunity to "give someone the space to grow and do their own thing".

Results have been poor this season under manager Marvin Bartley

Now he said they would approach other people to run the club and hopefully others would approach them.

"We won't be running away , we're still fans, we'll still be coming to all the games and you'll be sick of the sight of us, probably," he said.

"But hopefully it'll be a smooth transition."

He said he hoped someone from the area would step forward to take over.

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"We've had a couple of foreign people interested, but I don't think it's right for the football club," he said.

"So, we haven't pursued it - it's not dead in the water, we could go back any time - but I think I would prefer it to stay local."

He said he wanted the Doonhamers to remain "a local club, a family club, a community club".

"It does a lot in the community, and I think that's where it should be," he said.

"We just need better results on the park and everything would be rosy."