QPR Year in Review - October 2006

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OCTOBER 2006

Overview: On the field: 3 Draws and two defeats...Off the Field: Jimmy Smith makes his debut. The Paladini-Gregory Fan Forum was held. Gary Waddock Departs. QPR publishes the AKUTR "Apology." Story in The Evening Standard about owing the police. QPR open their training ground to fans. Mancienne joins on loan from Chelsea but Portsmouth defender, Richard Duffy does not. Bircham wants to stay. Richard Hill and Joe Dunbar joining the coaching staff. And QPR1st's Tracy Stent's long-awaited/anticipated TRIAL Report come outs Trial Report

ON THE FIELD
October
H Norwich City 3-3
H Derby County 1-2
A Sheffield Wed 2-3
H Leicester City 1-1
A QPR WBA 3-3

OFF THE FIELD WADDOCK DEPARTS
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have parted company with Gary Waddock.
Waddock was named as manager on June 28 after a spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Ian Holloway.
The former Rangers midfielder moved into a coaching role when John Gregory was then appointed at the end of last month.
QPR would like to thank Gary and wish him every success in the future. QPR

QPR OFFICIAL SITE RE AKUTR - AN APOLOGY
The Editor and proprietor of the fanzine 'A Kick Up The R's' today agreed to publish the following retraction and apology to QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini:
In the September edition of the newsletter 'A Kick Up the R's', we published a series of articles by Cos Atiolis about Mr Paladini, the Chairman of Queen's Park Rangers football club.
In these articles we falsely suggested that Mr Paladini was involved in fraud, corruption, malpractice and dishonesty, and made a number of other serious false, misleading and defamatory statements about him.
We now fully accept that there is no truth whatsoever in these allegations and we are extremely sorry for the distress and embarrassment caused by the articles.
The newsletter containing the articles has been withdrawn from sale and we have offered Mr Paladini a full right of reply to the articles, which will appear in the next edition.
Paladini said: "I am delighted that the fanzine has withdrawn the untrue and unfair allegations it made against me, and that it was possible to resolve this without legal action.
"Although everyone has a right to free speech, and I welcome constructive criticism, I take my professional reputation very seriously and will not stand by whilst I am accused falsely.
"I find these allegations distressing, not just because they damage me, but also because of the distress they cause to my family and to QPR fans.
"I would never want to fall out with any of our fans. The way to move this club forward is to be united.
"Fortunately, AKUTRs has accepted there was no truth to the serious allegations it published and has retracted them. I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition, and I hope that is then the end of the matter." QPR

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - Bircham comes off the transfer list. BIRCH IS BUZZING
Marc Bircham has been removed from the transfer list at his own request.
The Rangers midfielder came off the list after reporting for training at Harlington on Sunday morning.
"I'm obviously really pleased,'' Birch told qpr.co.uk.
"The last few months have been a bit up and down for me, but this is a huge pick-me-up.
"I've always stated that I didn't want to leave the Club. I'm happy with my form but there is still a lot more to come from both myself and the rest of the lads.''
Bircham - who has led the R's to back-to-back wins since John Gregory's arrival as QPR boss - paid tribute to the 'amazing impact' made by the new gaffer.
"The buzz is back at QPR. We've won two on the bounce since the new gaffer has come in and the future suddenly seems a lot brighter.
"Success breeds confidence and the atmosphere in the squad is fantastic. We're determined to put our poor start to the season behind us and yesterday's result speaks volumes for the amazing impact John has made since he came in.
"The lads are all pulling in the right direction and we're all buzzing in training and, as the last two results prove, especially on match days.''
Birch reserved a final thought for the fans: "They were magnificent at St Mary's.
"They packed out the away end and from the moment we equalised they were different class. The reception we got at full-time was unbelievable!''QPR

QPR OFFICIAL - No Portsmouth Defender, Richard Duffy
Queens Park Rangers have pulled out of the race to sign Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy.
The 21 year-old Welsh international was due to put pen to paper on a one month loan deal at Loftus Road this morning, but as gaffer John Gregory explained, the deal is now dead in the water.
"It's simple - the deal is off. We couldn't agree terms" QPR

Richard Hill and Joe Dunbar Join QPR's Training Team
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to welcome Richard Hill and Joe Dunbar to the Club.
Hill joins John Gregory's backroom staff as a coach, while Dunbar is employed as a Sports Performance Manager.
The pair will work closely alongside the new gaffer, who was understandably pleased with their appointments: "Joe was Lennox Lewis' personal trainer. When Lennox was getting ready for a fight, he had a ten week period where Joe was the guy who had to get him up to speed.
"Since Lennox has retired, Joe has had a bit more time on his hands and has been working for me here at the Club on a semi-part-time basis.
"Hilly worked with me at Wycombe between 1996 and 1998. When I went to Aston Villa he went to Gillingham, so he knows this division very well and knows how to survive in it. He will be working alongside me.''QPR OFficial

QPR OPEN THEIR TRAINING GROUND TO FANS -QPR OFFICIAL SITE - OPEN INVITATION
John Gregory has made Harlington an open house and is encouraging Rangers fans to come along and watch training
ohn Gregory has made Harlington an open house and is encouraging Rangers fans to come along and watch training.
From now on, supporters will be allowed to turn up to see the Superhoops going through their daily routine.
Gregory said: "I'd be delighted to see as many fans as possible here. I don't have a problem with them being there watching their heroes and during school holidays bring the kids along as well.
"Providing supporters stick to the training ground regulations and behave themselves then I see no reason as to why this can't continue."
Fans are asked to gather in front of the pitch on the left as you enter Harlington and not congregate on the balcony of the pavilion.
Harlington is located on Sipson Lane, Harlington, Middlesex, UB3 5AQ Directions are shown below.
QPR

STEFFAN MOORE STAYS ON LOAN AT PORT VALE
Latest MONTH MOORE FOR STEF Out of favour front-man Stefan Moore has extended his loan spell at Port Vale by a further month QPR


QPR OFFICIAL - Mancienne on LoanLOAN RANGER
QPR have completed the one month loan signing of Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne.
The 18 year-old put pen to paper at Harlington on Monday morning, ahead of the Championship fixture against Derby County on Tuesday (8.00pm).
"He is a fantastic prospect,'' gaffer John Gregory told qpr.co.uk.
"Michael will go straight into the squad on Tuesday and it's a great chance for the QPR fans to see one of Chelsea's - and England's - brightest young talents in action.''
The teenager, who is a product of the Chelsea academy scheme and has captained England at Under-18 level, joined Frank Lampard, John Terry et al on the Blues' first team pre-season tour of the United States.
Mancienne was an unused substitute for Chelsea in the 2006 Community Shield match versus Liverpool and the first two Premiership games of the season versus Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers. QPR

FAN FORUM with Gregory & Paladini

WHAT THEY SAID

There was talk of finances, transfers and even tears at Thursday evening's Fans Forum. Hosted by BBC London's Tom Watt, Chairman Gianni Paladini and gaffer John Gregory answered a series of questions in front of an audience of 100 QPR fans.Here's a selection of what they said...

JG on his group of players: I really couldn't have asked anything more from them. They've worn the shirt with pride and they've done themselves and the Club very proud indeed so far. Without wanting to get carried away, I'd say they've been first class.

GP on the John Gregory appointment: We were in a desperate situation after the defeat to Port Vale. I was looking for a reaction from the players at Vale Park but there was nothing, so we needed to make a change. I've known John for years and I'm convinced it's a fantastic appointment for the Club and for him. The two results since he arrived have been fantastic and the morale within the whole Club has lifted.

GP on the gaffers tears: I walked into his office an hour or so after the Hull victory and he was sitting in his office in pitch dark with a bottle of beer. There were tears rolling down his face and that's when I realised just how much this Club meant to him.

JG on his tears: That afternoon was a two finger salute to the rest of the footballing world bar QPR. It was me saying 'go and do one the lot of you.' It was a huge day for me and things have gone from strength to strength ever since.

JG on the future: I honestly believe that the 24 Club's in this division are fighting a relegation battle. I spent the day with Dave Jones (Cardiff manager) on Wednesday and even though they're riding high at the top of the table, he's still focused on getting to the magical 52 point barrier. No Club can afford to go down - the financial implications are just too great. There's no reason why can't dream of a return to the Premiership, but it's just a question of time. With the right kind of infrastructure we can achieve our goals.

GP on finances: Since this board took over here last September we've paid £14m of bills, creditors and loans to the club. The directors, they will take no interest back on this until the club can afford it. If things go badly then we lose our money. When we first took over last September we paid £4.9m to creditors straight away - we county courts, winding up orders and creditors that I didn't know about left right and centre. Without the directors we'd have gone into administration right then. This summer we've got some money from Danny Shittu and another £600k coming from that in August next year. We got £750k from Danny to spend on £500k on Blackstock, £200k on Rehman, Stewart and Nicky Ward. Then we paid £250k to Charlton as part of their, you know, and 5% to the Football League and the rest went straight to the tax man. The problem is, if you say to people we desperately need this money they won't give you a million, they won't even give you half a million. We're £1.2m down on season tickets which hasn't helped cash-flow, but I'm not worried. If we can be successful under John people will come back and the cash-flow will increase.

JG three weeks in: The last three weeks have been a dream. I've lad to pinch myself at times. All the staff are pulling together in the right direction, yet despite two wins on the spin, we need to keep our feet on the ground.

JG on transfers: I've looked at the squad and we've got 35 players, which is far, far too many. It's not there fault but we need to make some drastic changes. The playing staff needs to be reduced as soon as is possible and we need to improve the strength in depth in terms of our overall quality. Maybe if we can get one or two out on loan - to join the three already of course - then we can do a few deals in January. There are 16 or 17 lads here that are more than good enough to not only keep us in this league but to push on and finish in the top half of it. Keeping them fit isn't easy of course - we've got eight games in 30 days coming up. We may have a little money to spend in the transfer window and we are targeting Premiership clubs in the vicinity for loans

GP on AKUTR'S: I didn't take this man to court. People think I take people to court because the coffee is too cold. There was nothing in the Evening Standard about our win at Southampton, not one line, but there was a big report on the police. We took action against them last season and won and they don't like us because we beat them. The magazine, I never said I would take them to court, I wanted a chance to respond to serious things that were said about me in that magazine, he never had the decency to get in touch with me for a discussion and my side, I'm talking about the journalist here not the man who edits the magazine. If you don't do anything about this, you're guilty. The allegations he made against me are wrong. If they are true then I shouldn't be the chairman. If they are right I'd resign tomorrow. QPR

Forum Highlights Video - Video

Fan Forum Audio - PartI - Forum

Fan Forum Audio- Part II


RE THE POLICE PAYMENTS QPR Supposedly Owe The Police 100,000 Pounds
Evening Standard story, as reposted on several QPR fan Sites (Official site, Rivals and LSA): "Evening Standard QPR owe £102,176 in unpaid police bills.

QPR could face a winding up order in the High Court for failing to pay their policing bill.The club owe more than £100,000 to the Metropolitan Police,according to official documents seen by the Evening Standard.The trail of unpaid invoices,totalling 28 separate bills,goes back to the beginning of last season.The Metropolitan Police Authority last week served the club with a final demand for £102,176 giving it three weeks to pay.
In an official statutory demand, solicitor sacting for the police warn the club "This is an important document.This demand must be dealt with within 21 days after its service upon the company or a winding-up order could be made in respect of the company".The demand has been issued against QPR Holdings Ltd,formerly QPR Holdings plc,the limited company which now owns the club.The unpaid invoices 'in respect of the 'special services of police at Loftus Rd Stadium' began with a demand for £5,778.18 dating back to 18 August 2005,while the most recent unpaid bill is for £1,332.51 dated 31 August 2006.The club paid £10,000 on 16 June- the only sum the Met appears to have received in more than a year.The unpaid bills will fuel fears Rangers, who are struggling in 16th place in the Championship are still having financial problems following administration in 2001.A spokesman for the club said today :"The bill will be paid in the next week or so".The spokesman refused to comment further....


COOK on WADDOCK
Lee Cook on QPR's Prospects & Waddock as Coach & Manager
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Lee Cook
....Cook has blossomed under Gregory and his predecessor, Gary Waddock, and the current Rangers boss admitted on Saturday that the 24-year-old winger might prove 'difficult to hang on to'."Everyone wants to do well and play at the highest level - and I want to do that with QPR," Cook declared.
"I think we've got the right manager to take us there - he's a Premiership manager and he brings that mentality to us.
"Over time we're going to be a very good team and one that's horrible to play against - teams are not going to want to come to Loftus Road."
Waddock, who did stay on as a coach during Gregory's first month in charge, finally left Loftus Road last week and Cook admitted his departure was probably inevitable.
"Waddo's a great coach, his training sessions were always high tempo and everyone felt they were getting something out of it. He'll move on and get another coaching job, I'm sure of that.
"It's a shame to see him go, but he'd been relegated from management and no-one really expected he'd still be at the club after a new manager came in.
"I don't think he felt right at the club after that. You could tell it was a bit difficult for him, but all the players understand that and we hope he does well
Kilburn Times

Complete QPR Report for October 2006