Graeme Shields has officially resigned from his position as president of Scottish Championship club Queen's Park, attributing his decision to 'personal and online abuse'. This development comes at a turbulent time for the Glasgow-based team, which is struggling to find its footing in the new season.

A Challenging Season Start

Queen's Park has faced a rocky start to the season, failing to secure a win in their first two league games. The team suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss at home against Arbroath, a newly promoted side, last Saturday. This performance has only added to the mounting pressure on the club and its management.

Shields' Tenure and Resignation

Shields, who assumed the role of president in January 2024, has also stepped down from his position on the club committee. In a statement on the club's website, Shields expressed his reasons for leaving:

'I have taken this decision after much deliberation, particularly having experienced an increased level of personal and online abuse towards myself and others associated with the club in recent months.'

Despite the challenges, Shields highlighted some of the positive milestones achieved during his tenure, including the successful completion of the safety certificate at The City Stadium and the SFA annual club licensing audit.

Looking Ahead

Shields concluded his statement by wishing head coach Sean Crighton and the entire team success for the remainder of the season. Queen's Park has announced that the club's committee and staff will collaborate to manage the club in the wake of Shields' departure.

This resignation underscores the growing issue of abuse in football, both on and off the field, and raises questions about the support systems in place for those in leadership roles within the sport.