Scotland’s oldest football club is set to vote on a historic decision to revoke its amateur status after more than 150 years.
Queen’s Park will consult members over a landmark decision to turn the League Two club professional on Thursday, allowing them to begin signing players on full-time contracts for the first time since they were formed.
The club adopted the motto ‘Ludere Causa Ludendi,’ translated from Latin as 'To Play for the Sake of Playing' after their formation at 3 Eglinton Terrace on July 9, 1867.
READ MORE: SFA agree to buy Hampden Park from Queen's Park for £5m after current lease expires in 2020
They remain the last fully amateur side in the Scottish league system, despite their ten Scottish Cup wins putting them behind only Celtic and Rangers in the all-time rankings.
However the lack of compensation gained from players such as Scotland captain Andy Robertson and recent cap Lawrence Shankland leaving the club has forced them to reconsider the decision.
Due to the Spiders’ amateur status, they are unable to receive transfer fees for players when they move on to clubs further up the league system.
They are due to relocate to Lesser Hampden in August next year after agreeing a deal to sell their current home to the SFA.
The governing body agreed to buy the stadium for £5 million when the existing lease of Hampden expires in summer 2020.
It means Queen’s will not receive any income from events at Hampden, denying them another lifeline in the costly world of lower league football.
Liverpool and Scotland full back Andy Robertson began his career at the Spiders
Last season, the club’s youth side defied expectations with a run to the Scottish Youth Cup final, eliminating then-holders Hibernian on the way.
But in July, president Gerry Crawley spoke of the harsh realities facing the squad as a number of players were allowed to leave for no fee.
He said: "We are spending vast amounts in youth development and not seeing any fruits."
"If we are unable to offer them a professional contract when they turn 18, they are free to go to a professional club.
READ MORE: FIFA President congratulates 'immense' Queen's Park on 150th anniversary
"Four of our squad that reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Youth Cup last season went to Aberdeen, Hibernian, Ross County and St Mirren and we got no compensation for them.”
"It is a difficult time for the club and if there is a real feeling that they don't want to do this, there has to be a collective responsibility for what might follow and some idea of how we remain competitive as amateurs."
A decision on their professional future will be agreed if 200 club members vote for the proposals.
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