Queen’s Park FC have officially confirmed that major investor Willie Haughey will withdraw his financial backing from the club in June 2026, and that their prestigious youth academy is at risk of closure.
In a statement released on Friday, the club addressed the reports and outlined plans for a revised operating model amid financial challenges.
The news comes at a time of on-field struggles for the Spiders. Queen’s Park, who had aspirations of cementing themselves as a major force in Glasgow football's landscape, have endured a torrid run of results.
They have suffered seven consecutive defeats across league and cup competitions, including heavy 5-0 losses to Livingston in the Challenge Cup final and Airdrieonians in the Scottish Championship.
Well-respected manager Callum Davidson was axed last month and interim boss Steven MacLean is now tasked with stopping the club’s alarming slide, with fans increasingly worried about relegation.
The Spiders currently sit seventh in the Championship, nine points above bottom-placed Airdrie but only four points clear of the relegation play-off spot occupied by Hamilton Academical.
“Queen’s Park FC can today confirm reports in the media that our sponsorship agreement with City Facilities Management (‘City’) will end in June 2026,” the statement read. “The club would firstly like to place on record our sincere thanks to City for their significant support over the last five years. Since turning professional in 2019, the backing of City has seen the club promoted twice and come within 45 minutes of achieving Premiership status.
"The current sponsorship agreement will continue until June 2026 with City stating the club will be debt free at that stage. This gives the club 14 months to review all aspects of club operations and to identify and implement a revised operating model. This will involve a root and branch review of all operations and for difficult decisions to be made to ensure the club continues to prosper and play a prominent role in Scottish Football."
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The statement also acknowledged the potential closure of the club’s renowned youth academy, which has produced stars such as Scotland and Liverpool hero Andrew Robertson and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.
The statement also acknowledged the potential closure of the club’s renowned youth academy, which has produced stars such as Scotland and Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.
“One such difficult decision concerns the future of the club’s Elite Academy going forward based on the recent announcement on funding," they noted.
"The Academy is actively pursuing and exploring alternative funding opportunities, and the outcome of this activity will be made known in the near future once communicated to Academy staff, players, parents, and carers of the players.”
Haughey, knighted in 2012 and made a life peer in 2013, has played a crucial role in Queen’s Park’s recent transformation. His investment allowed the club to move from an amateur setup to a full-time professional operation in 2020. He also poured millions into redeveloping Lesser Hampden, now known as the City Stadium, and modernising the club’s Lochinch training base.
Currently playing home matches at Hampden Park, Queen’s Park will return to Lesser Hampden for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the looming financial changes, Haughey has reassured fans that the club would remain financially secure after his departure.
The club statement concluded, saying: "Over the coming weeks, the fans backing for the team is vital to maintain our Championship status and is much appreciated in these current circumstances."
