Queen's Park are building for the future on a foundation of youth development, even as they handle a difficult start to the Scottish Championship season. Manager Sean Crighton points to the club's exceptional facilities and proven academy pathway as the bedrock for a long-term project at Lesser Hampden.
"One thing we've got here is a great training centre," Crighton said. "And, obviously, at Lesser Hampden, the pitch is unbelievable. We've got the facilities - we need to be a good Championship team." This philosophy is central to the club's identity, which has helped launch the careers of Scotland captain Andy Robertson and Rangers' Lawrence Shankland. The full squad, sitting 9th with four points from seven games, is a young group learning on the job. The team has scored just three goals this season, conceding eleven for a minus eight goal difference.
The Academy Edge
The club's commitment to youth is reflected in recent success, with the under-17s and under-19s sides winning their respective leagues last season. That production line continues to feed the first team, with players like Ross McLean progressing well after making his initial appearances last year. The club has also seen academy graduates move on to other Scottish Premiership clubs, including Josh Fowler to St Johnstone, Seb Drozd to Partick Thistle, and Henry Fieldson to St Mirren.
Central midfielder Scott Martin, 29, praised the level of emerging talent. The club's model aligns with the Scottish FA's vision for developing homegrown players, a strategy they are fully committed to despite the challenges of a competitive league. Co-operation loans from Rangers, Aiden McCallion and Lewis Stewart, have also been described as positive additions, with the latter noted for his pace.
Current Challenges
On the pitch, the Spiders have found consistency hard to come by this term. Their recent form reads one win, one draw and three defeats from the last five outings. A 0-0 draw against Partick Thistle in late August was seen as a turning point, but back-to-back losses since, including a 2-0 home defeat to Ayr United last week, have left them second bottom. The immediate aim is clear: stay in the division and build more consistent performances. Crighton believes the young squad is close to being a strong side again, but the learning curve in the Championship is steep. The work continues off the pitch too, with Lord William Haughey's City Charitable Trust helping to transform the Lochinch training ground in Pollok Park, ensuring the infrastructure matches the ambition.
Attention now turns to the next fixtures, an away trip to face Arbroath this Friday. Arbroath currently sit 7th, providing another tough test for Crighton's side. The club's history is built on player development, and the current project aims to add another successful chapter, starting with securing their status in the league.
First reported at bbc.com
