McIntyre and Dodds Say Their Farewells
Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds were at Palmerston at lunchtime to say their goodbyes in person to club officials and staff before they take up the reins at Ross County later today. They took training at Broadwood this morning and said their goodbyes to the players before driving down the road.
Speaking to the Queen's Official Website McIntyre said "I'd like to express my thanks to everyone for the support I`ve had in my time at Queens. It`s been very enjoyable. Firstly I`d like to thank the Board of Directors who have been nothing but supportive and backed me on everything we asked for, enabling us to build a great squad here. Without the Board and players Billy and I would never have been in the position to get this oppportunity. The Board allowed me to bring in a goalkeeper coach and sports scientist to take the club on another level and the players bought in to our ideas and were able to maximise the potential of the club.
I`d like to thank the fans for their support of myself and the team and I would of course like to thank all the background staff who have worked quietly behind the scenes to help us along the way.
Whoever gets the job as the next manager of Queen of the South will get a great job with a good club who support their manager without interference and a fine group of players who give their all for the cause.
It goes without saying that I wish the club all the very best for the future and I am sure that with the players you have the playoffs can be achieved again. I will be watching the results with interest."
Billy Dodds has also left his voluntary coaching role at the club and will be joining Ross County formally as Jim McIntyre`s assistant.
Ross Hughes, Queen's Sports Scientist over the last 15 months has also chosen to follow his manager to pastures new and will be going to Ross County along with Jim and Billy.
There is no news if any of compensation due to Queens and it has been confirmed that James Fowler has been asked to take charge of team affairs whilst the search goes on for a new manager.
Queens Mad is disappointed that McIntyre has decided to move to Dingwall along with his backroom staff however we wish him luck and he will certainly need it in his Higland venture.
Queens Mad resident Stats gurus have informed me that Queens have had 40 managers over their 95 year history and McIntyre'S record during his stay with Queens - Games won 50%.
There will be the expected rush of applicants with Danny Lennon the ex St Mirren manger one of the favourites. However an interested party has thrown his cap into the ring - Ian McCall - there was never a dull moment when he was at Palmy.