THE fact that it's been said before doesn't make it any less relevant, or true - all good things must come to an end.

Make no mistake about it, today saw the end of a very good thing for supporters of Queen's Park.
We've been privileged to watch a crop of talented youngsters mature on and off the park. Apart from giving us some wonderful moments to savour, they've also conducted themselves in a way that does them, their parents - and the club proud.
No matter how many of this year's first team squad remain, things will be different next term. There will be new faces brought in, more kids will be battering on the first team door, and we'll do it all over again.
That's the essence of Queen's Park, and it's served us well for 141 years.
Another seeming constant has been our ability to confound the pundits. We can delight when least expected, and disappoint when we seem set for success.
Last week against Ayr was certainly a case of the latter. Everybody in Black and White at Central Park today was hoping the boys would do justice to themselves as they said farewell to season 2007-08 ... and possibly to this club as well.
One familiar face has already played his last game for Queen's. Steve Canning is off to Brechin, but was unavailable for today because of work commitments. Last Saturday was not the way such a stalwart should have bowed out; no doubt Gardner Speirs told his troops in the dressing room today that they shouldn't end their season on a similar sour note.
The boss was also without long-term absentees Richard Sinclair, Robert Dunn, Paul Ronald, Mick Dunlop and Steve Reilly. Reilly in particular has had a nightmare couple of seasons with injury, and has now torn a knee ligament. The good news is that he doesn't have to go under the knife - at the moment - but it will be months before he's back kicking a ball. Gulliver is sure everybody will join him in wishing Steve a complete recovery. The young man deserves a good break.
The absence of Canning left the boss with at least one spot to fill, and the news that Mark Ferry had tonsillitis made that two changes. Kettlewell came into the starting line-up, while Shaun Molloy replaced Canning at left back.
We hoped for a fitting send-off, and the sun that bathed Central Park raised hopes of a pleasant afternoon. How wrong can you be?
This was as bad a performance as we have suffered in many a year. All right, it was windy, OK, the surface was fiery. But that didn't excuse what we witnessed.
From the start, the passing was slack, and that gave the home side the chance to take the initiative.The only saving grace for Queen's was that they weren't good enough to take full advantage.
After five minutes, O'Neil shot over, and Kettlewell shot wide minutes later.
After 11 minutes, McLauchlin was inches away from the end of a cross by McQuade, and the striker should have scored after 17 minutes when McBride set him up. Thankfully, his finish matched most of what had gone before and sailed past the post.
To say we were struggling would have been the understatement of the year, and had it not been for Big D, we could have found ourselves on the wrong end of an embarrassment.
It took 34 minutes before we got a real sniff of goal, but Tony Quinn's swing failed to connect with the ball, far less trouble the keeper.
Ten minutes later we had a chance from a corner, but skipper Kettlewell couldn't hit the target. when the ball broke to him.
That believe it or not was all there was to report on a hugely disappointing first period.

Half-Time Cowdenbeath 0, Queen's Park 0

We hoped it would get better after the break, and for a couple of minutes it looked promising. We actually strung a few passes together, and almost resembled the team we have come to admire so much this term.
But two minutes in, all the good work was undone. We were on the attack and Hay was forced to hump the ball up the park. Young Brough, who until then had seemed comfortable, let the ball bounce, and was then muscled out of it by McLauchlin, who kept his cool to poke the ball past Cowie.
The goal provoked a response of sorts from Queen's as we started to exert some pressure. Just before the hour, Tony Quinn headed on a Trouten corner, and only the post denied John Neill.
Two minutes later, Big  Quinno had the ball in the net, but the linesman's flag ruled out the effort.
We were vulnerable on the break, and just minutes later O'Neil had the chance to bury us, but although he beat Cowie, the bar came to our rescue.
A Cairney effort that was blocked, and a fine save by Cowie to deny Ferguson ensured that Gulliver at least had to stay awake, but that was an effort.

It's not often you're glad to hear the final whistle when your team is behind, but that was almost the case today.
This was as bad as it gets, and when Mr Boyd finally brought things to an end, there was almost palpable relief all round the ground.

So that's that, then. The Billy Stark era is officially over.
It's been a special one, and deserved a better finish than it got today. Too many players in the Queen's ranks looked as if their minds were elsewhere, and next season they no doubt will be.
But it's now time for us all to look forward.
Some are full of doom and gloom at the prospect of the changes that lie ahead; and there's no doubt next season will be a huge challenge. But Gulliver is looking forward to it
Gardner Speirs is a man who has already shown willing to embrace the ethos of this club. He's also shown at other clubs that he can get results.
He'll keep the faith with the traditions that make Queen's Park unique, and no matter what the pressures may be, the XI who start next season will indeed be playing for nothing other than the love of the game.
We might buy new kit over the summer, but the motto on the badge will still be Ludere causa ludendi. That's one good thing Gulliver hopes will never end!
On that note, it's time to say goodbye for the season. But don't despair - unless we're released by the club, Homer and Gulliver will be back at the keyboard come the end of July.
Now, in another fine tradition, your scribe is off to the club to sample the wares on offer at the bar.
Keep the faith!

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