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Tuesday, October 31, 2006

QPR Come from Behind to Draw 3-3 at WBA - Reports & Comments

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>[Table: Bottom Eight]
Stoke 15 18
Crystal Palace 15 18
Sheff Wed 15 17
QPR 15 15
Leeds 15 13
Hull 15 12
Barnsley 14 12
Southend 15 10
BBC

John Gregory's Comments - Official Site - BETTER THAN THAT
John Gregory was full of praise for Rangers, but believed his side didn't show their full potential.
The gaffer believed Derby were the best side he had seen all season and due to that fact, was even more pleased with how Rangers faired against them.
However, JG felt that Rangers could have easily won the game had they performed to their full potential.
He said: "They are the best side that I've seen so far this season, even the games that I've watched on TV.
"You're almost looking at a Premiership side and they should get automatic promotion.
"I thought they were tremendous, we just couldn't get close to them in the first 25 minutes.
"Just in the way that they moved the ball around in the first half, which thankfully we stopped in the second half.
"The first goal was crucial and at 1-0 it was a killer. We managed to nick the goal just before half time and we needed it.
"We are better than we played tonight. We gave the ball away too easily when under pressure and conceded poor goals.
"We gifted goals to the opposition tonight, I wouldn't have minded if they had created them.
"If we can go about our jobs in the right manner we'll be ok. It's easy to fall back into old habits and I don't want them to do that.
"There is still a lot of work to do and that's my job, that's my bread and butter.
"Kev and Gareth went in with a chance to impress tonight and I think they did that - when you get the chances in life you have to take them and I've got a nice choice to make on Saturday
Comments

Mowbray & Gregory Comments - PA Sports/Sporting Life
MOWBRAY UNHAPPY WITH DEFENDING

By Brendan McLoughlin, PA Sport
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray was left wondering how his side failed to claim three points after their 3-3 draw with QPR.
The Baggies held onto their unbeaten league record at The Hawthorns but Marc Nygaard's 83rd-minute strike denied them victory after two goals from Diomansy Kamara and a Nathan Ellington effort had looked to be enough.
Mowbray said: "It's disappointing for us all. We dominated from start to finish and threw away two points. It was poor defending - you can't get away from it. If you score three at home you expect to win the game.
"We created plenty of chances which was pleasing but it's probably the first time I can say since I've come that we weren't solid at the back. I have felt very safe at the back over the last three or four weeks but I couldn't say that on this occasion."
Goals either side of half-time from Damion Stewart and Kevin Gallen pulled Rangers back into it and Mowbray admitted defensive lapses cost them dearly.
"We conceded the goals at very poor times - we conceded one on 47 minutes in the first half and then after the restart," he said.
"Whether we didn't work hard enough to stop them putting balls in or didn't defend the ball better in the box I don't know. That's football. I like to look at the positives, I am very aware of the negatives and I will be looking to address that.
"This game is about scoring goals at one end and keeping them out at the other and we have achieved half of that. We're obviously disappointed - it will be interesting to see what John (Gregory) makes of it. I think they'll be pretty happy to get a point."
JOHN GREGORY
Rangers manager John Gregory was the first to admit his side had been fortunate to escape with a point.
"The spirit has been first class really - it has kept us going. I think we have scored 13 goals in seven games and conceded 12. They did not lack fight.
"They (West Brom) are the best side by a long, long way that I have seen in this division. I think that's my seventh game in charge but I've seen lots of games on the TV.
"You are almost looking at a Premiership side and quite frankly they should get automatic promotion with the team they have got. If they don't then they are selling everyone short. They were tremendous for the first 20-25 minutes.
"I feared the worst. To be perfectly honest I thought they should have killed us off but they didn't and to be fair that's a testament to the group of lads I've got. We are better than we played tonight, we gave away silly possession and gave away poor goals."
Sporting Life

QPR OFFICIAL SITE REPORT
It was a Halloween thriller at the Hawthorns as Rangers stole a share of the points from a dominant and attacking Albion
West Brom had strolled to a 2-0 lead through Ellington and Kamara, but Damion Stewart's injury time strike just before half time gave Rangers hope.
Gallen's second half strike gave Rangers yet more reason to believe there was something to be gained from this tie, but Kamara's second strike restore the Albion's lead.
But it was Marc Nygaard's 77th minute strike which gave Rangers a share of the spoils.
John Gregory was able to return Gareth Ainsworth to the starting line up and also opted to start with Michael Mancienne and Kevin Gallen.

From the off the game had a relaxed tempo about it. Neither side hurried their game as Rangers were slowed to West Brom's former Premiership pace.

Simon Royce was called into action first however when Zoltan Gera's crossed was skewed wide by Steve Watson.

Rangers fought back though as Gareth Ainsworth hooked the ball into the box for Dexter Blackstock and Jimmy Smith to charge at, only for West Brom to clear.

Not exactly fazed, the Albion proceeded to cut through the Rangers defence like a hot knife through butter to go a goal up when Diomansy Kamara fed Jason Koumas.
The Albion front man saw his effort saved by Royce, but with Nathan Ellington following in on the rebound, the Rangers stopper was unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line despite his best efforts.

Once again Rangers fell victim to the early goal and found themselves with an uphill struggle.

Not resting on their laurels, West Brom surged forward again, this time resulting in Royce fumbling Koumas' shot before recovering.

Rangers were unable to penetrate into West Brom's box, but Lomas fancied his chances from outside of the area, forcing Pascal Zuberbuhler to parry away his fizzing shot.
Royce had to be on his toes again on the half hour when Watson's effort dipped towards goal after originally looking to not cause any problems.

But as it neared its target, Royce sprung up to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

Despite the game being fairly end to end, the Albion seemed to have the breed of dangerous attack which led you to believe that every occasion would result in a goal.

Yet another of those events then followed when Kamara crossed for Gera and his first time effort, which had looked every inch a goal, had to be saved by a diving Royce.

With five minutes to go before half time, West Brom doubled their lead when Koumas' cross was chested down by Kamara and in one fell swoop, he looped it over Stewart's head and hit it first time past Royce.
Rangers fought their way back into contention in injury time however when Cook delivered into the box for Damion Stewart to smash the ball home from close range at the far post.

Suddenly, Rangers were back in the game with a life line.

With the second half just two minutes old, it was officially 'game on' as Gallen enjoyed his first goal since August.

Steaming into the box, Gallen diverted Blackstock's cross into the back of the net and reeled away to celebrate in front of the jubilant travelling fans.

Five minutes later however and West Brom were back on top in this end to end thriller.
Ellington slid the ball through for Kamara and the front man had time for a quick look at the linesman before steaming clear with just Royce to beat for the last 30 yards of his journey.

Picking his spot was just too easy and the danger man sent the ball crashing into the back of the net.

The Albion could have been out of sight twice within the sake of a few minutes as the chances rained in. Kamara having the best opportunity when the ball fell to him at the far post, but pressure from the Rangers defence saw him unable to divert the ball goalwards.

Stewart had previously lunged in and just steered the ball wide of the post, narrowly escaping the embarrassment of an own goal.

Lee Cook then went ever closer with one of his specialist free kicks.

This time his effort narrowly missed the upright and sank into the side netting.

The game ceased to stop providing goals and Rangers were now well and truly back in the game thanks to Marc Nygaard's close range strike.

The Rangers faithful were on their feet when the Dane converted Cook's cross to once again throw the game completely open.

Positioned in the centre of goal, Nygaard was never going to waste this opportunity and his strike completely befuddled the West Brom team who had been comfortable throughout.

When the whistle finally blew there can't have been a fan of the beautiful game who begrudged parting with their ticket money.

Especially if they were travelling back home down the M40.

WBA: Zuberbuhler, Watson, Perry, Davies, Greening, Ellington (Phillips 72), Gera, Albrechtsen, Kamara, Koumas, Wallwork (Hartson 85)
Subs: Chaplow, McShane, Hoult
Bookings:
Scorers: Ellington 8, Kamara 40, 54
Rangers: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Gallen, Ainsworth, Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Blackstock (Nygaard 62), Smith, Mancienne
Subs: Milanese, Ward, Rowlands, Jones
Bookings: Smith
Scorers: Stewart 45, Gallen 47, Nygaard 77
Ref: L Mason
Att: 17,417
QPR Official Site

WBA OFFICIAL SITE
ALBION threw away two leads - and two vital points - on a frustrating night at The Hawthorns.

Everything looked rosy for the hosts when goals from Nathan Ellington and Diomansy Kamara gave them a deserved 2-0 lead inside 40 minutes.

But QPR stunned the Baggies by clawing themselves level with strikes either side of the break from Damion Stewart and Kevin Gallen.

Kamara put Tony Mowbray's side back in front by grabbing his eighth goal in just five-and-a-half games in the 54th minute.

But there was to be another, final twist when Rangers sub Marc Nygaard earned John Gregory's never-say-die side a point with an 82nd-minute header.

Albion were left scratching their heads at the final whistle as to how they had failed to win a game they dominated from start to finish.

As well as scoring three times, they created countless other chances but were ultimately undone by a rare display of slack defending.

Mowbray made two enforced changes from Saturday's first league defeat in seven games at Blues.

With Paul Robinson starting a three-game ban, Steve Watson was recalled at right-back, with Martin Albrechtsen switching to left-back.

Central midfielder Ronnie Wallwork also earned his first start for seven matches in place of ankle-injury victim Nigel Quashie, while Kevin Phillips made a welcome return to the bench following a calf injury.

Albion started brightly and almost snatched a fifth-minute lead.

Watson exchanged a clever one-two with the twinkle-toed Zoltan Gera before firing a first-time effort just wide from 15 yards.

QPR soon hit back and only Wallwork's vital interception inside the Albion box denied Dexter Blackstock the simplest of chances from Gareth Ainsworth's low cross.

However, the home hordes were soon 'boing boinging' when Ellington fired the hosts into an eighth-minute lead.

Diomansy Kamara slipped Jason Koumas through in the box, only for Rangers keeper Simon Royce to parry the Welsh wizard's first-time effort wide.

But the alert 'Duke' was the first to the rebound and drilled the ball in off Royce from an acute angle.

Koumas was proving a real handful for the West Londoners' defence and ended a surging 14th-minute run by firing straight at Royce from 20 yards, with the Rangers keeper gathering at the second attempt.

The early goal had failed to dampen QPR's spirits and, moments later, Pascal Zuberbuhler did well to keep out Steve Lomas' stinging 20-yard drive from Gallen's pull back.

Back came Albion and, after a lengthy spell of keep ball, Royce did brilliantly to tip over Watson's header from fully 18 yards after the ex-Everton man had been picked out by Albrechtsen's diagonal centre.

From Koumas' ensuing corner, Curtis Davies will feel he should have done much better after directing a free header over from ten yards.

Albion looked dangerous every time they attacked and Royce again kept the deficit down to one goal when he denied the unmarked Gera with a stunning reaction save from Kamara's pinpoint pass.

But it was to be a momentary reprieve as the buoyant Baggies secured a deserved 2-0 lead in the 40th minute.

Kamara superbly controlled Koumas' diagonal ball with his chest before shrugging off the attentions of Rangers centre-half Stewart and drilling past Royce from eight yards.

But Albion's joy was somewhat tempered two minutes into stoppage time when the visitors pulled a goal back.

After a short corner, Cook swung in a sublime centre and Stewart ghosted in to stab the ball home from six yards.

Incredibly, Rangers clawed themselves level three minutes after the re-start.

Blackstock burst into the Baggies box before squaring for Gallen who stabbed home from close range.

Albion regrouped and only Ainsworth's stunning last-ditch tackle denied Ellington what looked a certain goal following Kamara's neat run and pass.

Stewart then had to make a vital clearance inside his own six-yard box after Greening had jinked his way into the box and cut the ball past Royce.

But the pressure finally paid off as Albion edged back in front in the 54th minute.

Ellington did well to win a loose ball and thread Kamara through and the Senegal pace ace clinically fired into the bottom right-hand corner of Royce's net.

Albion created another gilt-edged chance in the 58th minute when Gera raced on to Koumas' sublime through-pass and pulled the ball back.

Stewart's slip gave Ellington a clear sight of goal but the former Wigan striker fired straight at Royce.

Albion continued to press for a fourth and Ellington's dink header from Watson's pinpoint crossfield pass put Koumas in the clear.

However, Royce was alert to Koumas' intentions and stood tall to catch the ex-Tranmere ace's attempted lob at point-blank range.

Albion continued to pile on the pressure and Kamara was only a whisker away from converting Davies' head back across the face of goal from Greening's centre.
Koumas then saw a 20-yard curler deflect off Michael Mancienne and fly inches wide.
With Albion still only leading by the odd goal, the points were by no means safe.
Zuberbuhler first showed a safe pair of hands to hold onto Cook's close-range effort before the same player curled the ball just wide from a 20-yard free-kick.
But Rangers silenced the home hordes by equalising eight minutes from time when sub Nygaard headed home Cook's left-wing cross.
Albion laid siege to the Rangers goal in the dying minutes in a desperate search for a winner.
But they ultimately ran out of time as the Hoops became only the second team this season to leave The Hawthorns undefeated.
WBA

Birthday: Tommy Docherty's First & Shortest-Term QPR Signing, Peter Davidson, Turns 50

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Peter Davidson Turns 50: Born October 31, 1956.
Winger, Davidson, was signed by new manager Tommy Docherty, from Berwick in July 1979 for 40,000 pounds: The first of a considerable number of players signed by Docherty. Davidson made one appearance for QPR as substitute and rejoined Berwick in December 1979.

WBA vs QPR - Previews

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Phillips and Hartson and Ellington and Quashie and Koumas and...: Could be a tough night!

West Bromwich Albion - Official Site
TV NEWS Mowbray calls for fear factor
Baggies boss wants Albion to enhance their reputation as a goalscoring outfit when QPR visit Hawthorns....

WBA Official Site - Phillips boost for Baggies
Mowbray: "Kevin's trained today and if there is no reaction he should be involved in some capacity."
TONY Mowbray has been given a timely fitness boost with the news Kevin Phillips could play a part in tomorrow's (Tuesday) clash with QPR (ko 7.45pm).
The Baggies striker has not figured in the last four games after sustaining a calf injury in training in the wake of his stunning Portman Road hat-trick more than a fortnight ago.
But he returned to full training today (Monday) and the Albion chief is keeping his fingers crossed Phillips suffers no adverse reaction.
"We hope Kevin is very, very close," said Mowbray.
"He's trained today and if there is no reaction he should be involved in some capacity."
The Hawthorns boss also expects John Hartson to be available for selection despite suffering a wrist injury.
Although Darren Carter (hamstring) is out of the running to face John Gregory's men, he is edging closer to fitness.
"Darren isn't too far away," Mowbray added.
"John has trained today and is fine.
"The protection on his wrist is precautionary after he felt some soreness and stiffness.
"We're hopeful John will be involved again tomorrow night."
With Neil Clement (knee) still on the long-term injury list, Mowbray does have a quandary over who to play at left-back in the absence of the suspended Paul Robinson.
"We don't have a natural left-back as a replacement," he admitted.
"But I'll discuss it with the staff, chat it through with the players and we'll hopefully pick a team that can win tomorrow night."
WBA

Matchday betting guide,,,Nigel Quashie
MEMORY LANE...Quashie 10/1 with Baggiesbet to score first or last against former club QPR
NIGEL Quashie made his professional debut as a 17-year-old at QPR.
And he is set to face his former club in tomorrow's (Tuesday) Hawthorns clash (ko 7.45pm).
The Albion midfielder is priced at 50/1 with Baggiesbet to score first in a 2-1 win for Tony Mowbray's men.
Quashie is also 10/1 to notch first or last and 11/4 to bag at anytime.!...
WBA

WBA's Squad

QPR Official Site -BAGGIES
The R's face arguably their toughest away test of the season to date, when they travel to The Hawthorns on Tuesday evening.
Three different manager's before the end of October is hardly the recipe for a successful season, yet few would bet against the Baggies being there or thereabouts come the business end of the Championship campaign.
Bryan Robson and Nigel Pearson have already departed The Hawthorns this term - the latter albeit only in a caretaker capacity - which leaves new gaffer Tony Mowbray with the seemingly thankless task of impressing the Baggies board.

Surely only promotion will suffice for the former Hibernian boss, who made a stunning start to life at The Hawthorns.

Goals from Jonathan Greening, in-form front-man Diomansy Kamara and John Hartson helped clinch a 3-0 victory against West Country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers - a win which, thanks in part to Pearson, extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.

Indeed Pearson - who has now joined Newcastle United as their assistant manager- could count himself extremely unfotunate not keep the job on a full-time basis, after guiding the Baggies to three victories and one draw in his four-match stint in charge, including a stunning 5-1 win at Ipswich and a 4-2 triumph against Leeds.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray

But the past is the past and with Mowbray at the helm, Baggies Chairman Jeremy Peace is confident his new man can guide the Club back to the top-flight.

Peace is anxious to get back to the top tier of English Football before West Brom's Premiership parachute money runs out.

"It is very important we try and take the opportunity, hopefully this season, to get out of this division," he said.

"We believe with Tony, we will optimise the opportunity."

Saturday provided a brief setback to Peace and his fellow board members, however, when local rivals Birmingham City inflicted a 2-0 defeat on the Baggies at St Andrews....

Top scorer: Diomansy Kamara 6 (pictured, below)

Last league game:
Birmingham City, 2, West Bromwich Albion 0.
Coca Cola Championship.
October 28th 2006.
WBA: Zuberbuhler, Albrechtsen, Davies, Perry, Robinson, Gera, Greening, Quashie (Hartson 67), Koumas, Kamara, Ellington.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Watson, Chaplow, McShane.

Mowbray on Blues: "I was tempted to say we could have scored 14 goals today and we had plenty of opportunities. That's football.
"But I was generally happy with the performance of the team.
"You can't win every game but I've said to the players if they perform like that for the remaining games they will win a lot more than they lose."

Superhoopsbet.co.uk match odds:
WBA 2/5
QPR 7/1
draw 11/4

Zoltan Gera (left) celebrates after scoring
against Crystal Palace

Key player: Zoltan GERA
THE 'Magic Magyar' joined Albion from Ferencvaros in a £1.5million deal in July 2004, fresh from winning the domestic league and cup double with his former club.
The Baggies beat off competition from several top European clubs to land the attacking midfielder, who penned a three-year Hawthorns contract, with a further year's option in the club's favour.
Gera was a revelation in his first season in English football during 2004/05. His all-action displays on the right wing caught the eye and his six Premiership goals helped the Baggies pull off the Great Escape.
Gera also skippered his country under former Hungary coach and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.

Head to head:
WBA wins: 10
QPR wins: 10
Draws: 6

Last meeting:
QPR 2 (Plummer, Koejoe), West Bromwich Albion 0.
Football League Championship.
January 13th 2001.

Latest News:
Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson has learned that he suffered a fractured jaw after a challenge by West Brom defender Paul Robinson on Saturday.
Robinson was shown a straight red card for elbowing in the dying minutes of Birmingham's 2-0 win at St Andrews - although he protests his innocence.
Johnson will now see a specialist to determine whether he needs surgery.
But Robinson insisted: "It was a 50-50 ball and I actually pulled out of the tackle because I saw Damien coming in with his foot up. I jumped out of the way to protect myself. That's the only reason my feet left the ground.
"The linesman, who was close to the incident, did not even flag for a foul and I was astonished when the ref showed me a red card.
"I hear that Damien has come off worse but there is absolutely no way I would deliberately hurt or 'do' a fellow professional."
(Source: BBC News)
QPR

Also:

QPRnet/Ron Norris & Simon Skinner - Preview WBA vs QPR

QPR RIVALS/Clive Whittingham: Previews WBA vs QPR

Monday, October 30, 2006

Clarke Carlisle on his Former Addiction Problems

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Updated: Hear the BBC Broadcast
Premier League Addicts - A Five Live Sport special
The programme hears from Peter Kay, who runs Sporting Chance, the clinic which treats sportsmen and -women with addiction problems. He says 70 per cent of footballers who contact him now do so because of gambling problems, which are costing them tens of thousands of pounds.
Mr. Kay also reveals a worrying new link between gambling and pornographic websites. Players are going to their hotel rooms with their laptops and logging on to gambling websites. After losing a fortune, they then go on to porn websites to make themselves feel better. This might take them through to 5 or 6am and has obvious consequences for their performance on the pitch. Violence and aggression on the pitch can often be traced back to addiction problems.
Clip from our interview with Peter Kay (1 min)
Full interview with Peter Kay (14 min)
Sporting Chance offer to give talks to the apprentices and young players at every Premiership club, some of whom are supportive. But others deny they have a problem and refuse to co-operate. One club told Peter not to bother coming, even though two of their players were undergoing treatment for addictions without their manager's knowledge.
Kay says that despite the fat paypackets, fast cars, adulation etc, most young footballers lead a very solitary life. They're often away from their home town, very few close friends, a lot of time spent alone in hotel rooms.
The programme also hears from the Watford defender Clarke Carlisle, who admits that he had severe alcohol and gambling problems, which he has now managed to overcome. He speaks frankly about his slide into alcoholism, which culminated in him turning up drunk at the team bus on the day of a match. His manager at the time refused to let him on the bus and ordered him to train with the reserves - he went back to the pub.
Carlisle's gambling losses were close to six figures and he admits that his whole life was hanging by a thread. He says he wishes he'd had more education from someone like Peter Kay when he was younger.
Clip from our interview with Clarke Carlisle (1 min 30s)
Full interview with Clarke Carlisle (30 min)

We'll also hear from Paul McGrath, the former Man United, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland defender, whose alcoholism drove him to attempt suicide four times.
Clip from our interview with Paul McGrath (2 min 15s)
BBC Broadcast
Listen

The Times - October 30, 2006
Secret vices of laptop stars By Brian Alexander


"...SOME PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS ARE being treated for a double addiction to gambling and pornography. There is growing evidence that the lifestyle of the modern-day wealthy footballer is unhealthy, unmanageable and out of control. Too much money and insufficient “life skills” to use their free time constructively are being blamed by experts and players.
This latest trend is revealed by Peter Kay, the chief executive of the Sporting Chance Clinic, established in Hampshire by Tony Adams, the former Arsenal defender and a reformed alcoholic, five years ago, in a special programme for BBC Radio 5 Live this evening. Kay has overseen the treatment of dozens of high-profile players with alcohol and gambling problems, but the addition of porn will cause huge concern to the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association, which fund and support Sporting Chance...
Kay, known as “Chef” by his clients after spending years working in top London hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, works from two properties tucked away in a wooded hideaway at Forest Mere Country Club near Liphook. Four players at a time can use the main cottage, which is functional rather than luxurious. And one reformed alcoholic, Clarke Carlisle, who plays for Watford, said that Kay and his team saved his life.
“Two or three years ago I had gambling debts approaching six figures, I had almost lost my job at Queens Park Rangers and had a daughter I didn’t see much of,” Carlisle said. “I was on the sauce 24/7. My whole life was hanging by a thread.”

He was given the Sporting Chance phone number by his manager at the time, Ian Holloway, and has been one of the clinic’s many successes.
An addiction to alcohol usually means that there is a secondary problem. In Carlisle’s case it was not porn, it was internet gambling. “I was losing thousands,” he said. “It’s not reality. You click a button and your money’s gone. These lads are locked in their hotel rooms before a match for hours on end with nothing to do. It’s a terrible cycle. If you lose money then you have to make yourself feel better. I needed to train in the morning, so I could go out and drink again.”
Kay believes that education is the key, giving young players as much information as possible about using their time properly and organising their lives. The player with the porn addiction said: “It must be drilled into players by their clubs that off the pitch they need to use their spare time well. It all stems from how much they get paid. If you lose a grand gambling or on porn sites what does it matter? If they don’t listen to advice then that’s their prerogative.”
Carlisle added: “Clubs need to groom their players and make sure they use all that free time constructively. They get taken from their home environment at a very young age and suddenly become a role model for the nation’s youngsters. How do they play that role when they’re youngsters themselves?” ...
The Times

Ex-QPR's John Hollins Leaves Crawley

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UPDATED: October 30: Crawley Town Official Statement
John Hollins & Alan Lewer depart Club
The Directors of Crawley Town Football Club have announced that Manager John Hollins and Assistant Manager Alan Lewer have parted company with the club.
Crawley Town FC has had a difficult year both financially and on the pitch and the decision to find a new management team has not been taken lightly.
The Club is pleased to announce that Captain Ben Judge and player David Woozley will take the reigns of Crawley Town FC for the foreseeable future. Former Millwall and Fulham Coach, John Yems has been appointed Coach of the team.
Crawley Town Football Club would like to thank both John Hollins and Alan Lewer for all their hard work with the club and wish them the very best for the future.
It has been a tough year for the club and its directors are determined to strive forward after some disappointing results on the pitch and having the constant pressure of administration.
The Directors would like to thank the Reds Fans for their support through these tough times and would like to assure them everything is being done to push the club to new heights.
Crawley Town

BBC -Manager Hollins departs Crawley
Crawley Town have parted company with manager John Hollins and his assistant Alan Lewer, reports BBC Southern Counties Radio.
Hollins had been in charge for just under a year, since November 2005.
His last game in charge was Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Lewes in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.
The Red Devils began the season on minus 10 points after entering administration, but are now second from bottom with 12 points from 17 games.
Hollins had previously managed Chelsea, Swansea and Rochdale.
BBC

CRAWLEY Town Football Club

Mancienne on Gaining Experience at QPR to help him at Chelsea

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Mirror - Chelsea's Michael mancienne

MICHAEL MANCIENNE hopes to be as good as Chelsea team-mate John Terry, with the help of Championship experience at QPR.
The 18-year-old defender is on a one-month loan at Loftus Road from Stamford Bridge and made his home debut for Rangers as a first-half substitute against Leicester.
Mancienne admits his next step is to emulate his idol Terry in QPR's centre-back role after replacing injured Patrick Kanyuka at right-back in the game.
The England Under-19 international is yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea, but hopes that regular games with Rangers will catch boss Jose Mourinho's eye.
..Mancienne said: "Hopefully I can be compared to John Terry because he's an idol of mine and a quality defender.
"I've learned the most from John and all the English lads like Frank Lampard. They're good role models to have around and watch every day.
"But Chelsea encouraged this loan move because QPR is a good club and plays good football.
"I was excited when I got the call because I've been waiting for something to happen so I can push myself to the next level."
Mancienne is confident there is a future for him at Stamford Bridge if he can prove himself during his Championship spell.
He added: "It is difficult but if you're good enough you can make it at Chelsea. I don't think you'll break in at a young age, but maybe when you're older with a bit more experience.
"You've got to keep the faith and stay strong. When you see foreign players come in it just makes you work harder and want to be better than them."
But Rangers have now gone four games without a win after Saturday's draw as they sit two points away from the Championship drop zone.
It needed a 68th minute Martin Rowlands penalty to cancel out Patrick Kisnorbo's seventh-minute opener.
And John Gregory's men did not make the most of Leicester finishing the game with 10 men following Gareth McAuley's sending-off for the handball on the line
Mirror

Ex-QPR Birthdays: Lee Harper & Colin Clarke

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Lee Harper Turns 35: Born October 30, 1971.
Goalie signed by Stuart Houston from Arsenal in 1997 for approaching half a million pounds, Harper played four seasons (over 100 games) for QPR until was released after QPR's relegation to the old Third Division. Harper is currently on loan at Milton Keynes.
Harper

Colin Clarke Turns 44- Born October 30, 1962.
Northern Ireland Internation forward played for a number of clubs. Signed by Trevor Francis from Southampton for a then QPR record, 800,000 pounds in March 1989.Joined Portsmouth in the summer of 1990 for 400,000 pounds. Making his debut for Southampton, Clarke got a hattrick - against QPR!
Clarke

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Death Announced of Former QPR Player, Barry Wallace

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News of the death of former QPR player, Barry Wallace was reportedly in yesterday's QPR Programme. Wallace played for QPR between 1977 and 1980. He was 47.

Former QPR Player Barry Wallace Died

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News of the death of former QPR player, Barry Wallace was reportedly in yesterday's QPR Programme. Wallace played for QPR between 1977 and 1980. He was 47.

Oklahoma Soccer
Tulsa Roughneck Barry Wallace Loses Battle With Cancer

Former Tulsa Roughneck fan favorite lost a terrible battle with cancer on October 17. According to teammate Victor Moreland, Barry had been hospitalized for several weeks in Kansas City. Barry requested not to have contact, but all Oklahoma soccer fans who watched Barry play will want to send thoughts and prayers to his family.
The funeral was held in Lenexa, Kansas, where Barry had established residency after playing soccer with the Kansas City Comets until 1990. Barry was a member of the Tulsa Roughneck Soccer Bowl champions in 1983 and also played for Wichita, Minnesota, and Tacoma.
A member of the Queens Park Rangers of the English First Division, Barry arrived in Tulsa in 1980 and became friends with Moreland. After retiring from professional soccer, Barry became a youth coach for his daughter and son’s teams.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made for his daughter’s college fund. Address checks to: In Memory of Barry Wallace, Premier Bank, 15301 W 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66219.
Oklahoma

Wallace Profiled

Saturday, October 28, 2006

QPR Held at home by Leicester - Reports & Comments

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QPR drew 1-1 at home to Leicester City and are now just two points away from being in the bottom three.
League Table

John Gregory - QPR Official Site "MAKING A POINT"
John Gregory praised the resilience and character of his players after the 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
"I think we more than deserved the point. We know we should have come off the pitch with a victory, but it just wasn't to be.
"Rob Kelly and his players will be delighted to be leaving West London with a point.''
Having taken a first half lead courtesy of Patrick Kisnorbo's early header, the Foxes were reduced to ten men midway through the second half when Gareth McAuley saw red for deliberate handball.
Martin Rowlands scored from the resultant spot-kick, but the R's failed to make their numerical advantage count in the closing stages.
"When you are playing against ten men it is still two banks of four, so it's not always easy to break a team down.
"Credit to Leicester, they came here witha game plan, did their homework and they've left with a point.''
Gregory also stated he'll be in a better position to assess his start as Rangers boss after the trip to Cardiff City on November 17th.
"After Cardiff we'll be in a better position to see where we are at.
"The stats say everything. We've got two wins, two draws and two defeats since I arrived, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives.''
Gregory did however bemoan the R's defending: "We keep handicapping ourselves by conceding sloppy, early goals.
"There's little I can do when that happens. It's the old adage of when the players cross the white line, it's up to them to lay down a marker and we're not doing that at the moment.''
QPR

Leicester Official Site - Managerial Comments
Kelly Content With Draw

Leicester City manager Rob Kelly said he was satisfied to leave Loftus Road with a point after his side battled out a 1-1 draw with QPR on Saturday afternoon.

The Foxes took the lead with seven minutes on the clock - Patrick Kisnorbo heading home for his fourth of the season from a Danny Tiatto free-kick.

But the game turned on its head in the 68th minute when Gareth McAuley was adjudged to have handled inside his own area. The defender was sent off for his troubles - and Martin Rowlands made no mistake from the resulting penalty kick.

Kelly said: "We always set out to win games, but in the context of this match we have got to be pleased to get a point. It was a real battling performance from our players in difficult circumstances on the back of the week that we have had.

"We started the game well and scored early. That is something that we work quite hard on.

"But I thought that we had quite a few tired players out there today. We couldn't really change it because we just don't have the personnel to do that at the moment.

"John (Gregory) has got it going here. They are a bit different now and they are really up and at you.

"That's seven league games unbeaten now, and that's a base for us to build from.

"Until their penalty I just thought that we were going to see it out. We had just weathered it and it had gone a bit quiet. But we've made a mistake for the goal.

"We showed spirit. We've played 20 minutes at the end with 10 men on the back of 120 minutes on Tuesday night. I don't think the supporters could have asked of any more of the players."

Kelly finally gave an update on the fitness of James Wesolowski, who was forced from the field at half time through injury.

He added: "James took a bit of a kick during the first half and following the game against Villa on Tuesday we thought it best to take him off. It's too soon at the moment to be able to tell whether or not he'll be available for the Stoke game."
Leicester

QPR Official Site
Ten-man Leicester held on for a share of the spoils, at the end of an absorbing contest in W12.
The Foxes survived a second half onslaught from the R's to leave West London with a point, after Gareth McAuley saw red midway through the second half for deliberate handball.
Martin Rowlands stuck away the resultant spot-kick to set up a grandstand finish, but the Foxes survived and thanks to Patrick Kisnorbo's early header, made the trip back up the M1 with a plucky point.
Leicester led at the break, despite the R's creating a flurry of golden opportunities in an end-to-end first half.
Rangers' inability to keep their concentration in the opening exchanges came back to haunt them yet again, as Patrick Kisnorbo coasted into the box unchallenged to head past Simon Royce.

It was the fifth match in succession in which the R's have given conceded inside the opening quarter of an hour - a stat that will no doubt concern gaffer John Gregory.

Undeterred, Rangers went on to orchestrate proceedings for the remainder of the half, with Dexter Blackstock the chief destroyer.

On another afternoon, the R's summer signing could have bagged a first half hat-trick, but Conrad Logan was in inspired form for the Foxes.
Gregory made three changes to the side which succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.

Royce, Pat Kanyuka and Marc Nygaard all returned to the starting XI, while Steve Lomas was handed the captain's armband, with injury ruling out Marc Bircham.

Rangers made a promising start, yet despite an early rendition of 'Pig Bag' over the PA system, Dexter Blackstock's stunning second minute volley from Lee Cook's cross finished the wrong side of the post.

But it was Leicester who opened the scoring on six minutes, when Tiatto's sublime free-kick was glanced home by Kisnorbo.

The returning Royce appeared to be in control of the situation, but a slight moment's hesitancy allowed the Leicester captain the time and space he needed to finish in style.

The R's should have been on terms five minutes later, but after an almighty goalmouth scramble, Blackstock somehow scooped the ball over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

The better opportunities continued to fall the hosts' way and after Cook's free-kick was only half-cleared, Damion Stewart's close-range effort was superbly tipped round the post by Foxes custodian Conrad Logan.

Play quickly switched to the other end, with Royce on hand to palm away Iain Hume's effort from an acute angle.

The returning Kanyuka was soon forced from the fray with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, with Michael Mancienne coming on for his home debut.

Royce had to be at his agile best again in the 25th minute - this time on hand to save Elvis Hammond's 20-yard pile-driver.

Blackstock was leading the Foxes defence a merry dance and when the inspirational Steve Lomas fed a neat pass into his path, the former Southampton ace was unfortunate to see his looping effort finish inches over.

The same player forced Logan into another fine save on the half hour, as Rangers' superiority slowly but surely showed signs of paying dividends.

The outstanding Cook signalled Rangers' second half intentions inside the opening seconds, leaving three defenders in his wake, only to be hacked to ground by Tiatto.

Martin Rowlands' resultant free-kick flew high and wide, before the same player lobbed over from an impossible angle two minutes later.

Rowlands was like a man possessed at the start of the second half and when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box in the 53rd minute, only the width of the post denied him the goal his performance undoubtedly deserved.

Mancienne was growing in stature as the match evolved and when he was gifted the freedom of the final third, only another solid stop from Logan prevented him from opening his account for the R's.

However, despair turned to joy for the home crowd on 66 minutes, when referee Mr Stroud pointed to the spot and dismissed Gareth McAuley for deliberate handball after he palmed away Blackstock's goal-bound strike on the line.

Rowlands stepped up from the spot and made no mistake from 12-yards, sending Logan the wrong way to spark scenes of mass celebration amongst the home faithful.

The Blackstock-Logan battle showed no signs of easing up and when the former got goal-side of his marker at the back post, Logan produced more heroics, grasping the ball on his line.

Sensing the three points were there for the taking, Gregory introduced Gareth Ainsworth at the expense of the fatigued Rowlands - the fans' favourite returning after a 10-week lay-off due to a hamstring injury.

Yet despite their numerical advantage, the R's only had a weak Zesh Rehman header and a Jimmy Smith strike to show for their late efforts.

And their inability to create in the final third almost proved costly three minutes from time, when Hume fired at Royce and Matty Fryatt somehow fluffed his lines from six-yards.

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Stewart, Kanyuka (Mancienne 22), Rehman, Cook, Lomas, Smith, Rowlands (Ainsworth 74), Blackstock (Gallen 57), Nygaard.

Subs: Jones, Rose.

Scorers: Rowlands (pen) 67

Bookings: Lomas 21, Smith 88
Leicester City: Logan, Kisnorbo, Kenton, Hume, Tiatto, McAuley, Johansson, Stearman, Hammond (McCarthy 68), Wesolowski (Maybury 46), Welsh (Fryatt 74).
Subs: Henderson, Sylla.
Scorers: Kisnorbo 6
Bookings: Hume 89
Red Cards: McAuley 66
Attendance: 12, 340
Referee: Mr K P Stroud
QPR Official Site

Leicester Official Site
Ten-men Leicester City made it seven games unbeaten in the Championship after battling out a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

Patrick Kisnorbo's fourth goal of the season after just seven minutes handed the hosts an early advantage.

But Gareth McAuley's second half sending off, for a handball on the line, which resulted in Martin Rowlands drawing his side level from the penalty spot ensured the hosts a share of the spoils.

Iain Hume, Elvis Hammond and substitute Matty Fryatt also came close for the Foxes but Rob Kelly's men showed all their fighting qualities to keep Rangers at bay for the final 22 minutes and take home another vital point.

The hosts almost opened the scoring inside three minutes when Lee Cook's cross from the left was turned goalwards by Dexter Blackstock but his effort spun narrowly wide with Conrad Logan beaten.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead on seven minutes thanks to Kisnorbo's second goal in a week.

After Iain Hume had been fouled on the right flank, Danny Tiatto delivered a dangerous inswinging free-kick which was met by the head of his fellow Australian, who planted his effort past former Fox Simon Royce and into the back of the net for the opener.

But Rangers almost immediately hit back when Marc Nygaard's attempt from close range looped over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

The hosts continued to pour forward in search of the equaliser and were only denied by the athleticism of Logan on 16 minutes.
Cook's free-kick from the edge of the area fell at the feet of Patrick Kanyuka, via a deflection, and his snap-shot from six yards out was brilliantly palmed away by the young Irishman.

It was end-to-end action and, after latching on to a neat ball up the left flank by Nils-Eric Johansson, Hume's first time volley forced Royce into a diving save at his near post.

Steve Lomas was booked for a foul on Andy Welsh in the 22nd minute before the injured Kanyuka made way for substitute Michael Mancienne a minute later.

Hume just failed to connect with Welsh's low cross from the left soon after then Elvis Hammond forced Royce into a fine save after unleashing an effort from the edge of the area.

The striker was again involved moments later but this time his shot failed to trouble a back-tracking Royce.

Blackstock put his shot on the turn narrowly over on the half-hour before Gareth McAuley cleared off the line with Logan beaten after Jimmy Smith's pull-back from the left-hand by-line.

QPR continued to search for a first-half leveller but the Foxes were equal to the task and soaked up the pressure.

However, they were handed a let-off in first-half stoppage time when Nygaard's header from Cook's free-kick flew over the bar.

That was the last meaningful action of the first 45 minutes as the visitors went into the break a goal to the good.

Alan Maybury replaced James Wesolowski for the start of the second half with Richard Stearman moving into the centre alongside Tiatto.

Martin Rowlands fired his free-kick high over the bar on 46 minutes then Blackstock lobbed his effort over Logan but the ball dropped the wrong side of the woodwork.

City were handed a huge let-off on 52 minutes when Rowlands' follow-up effort from a Cook free-kick ricocheted back off the post and away to safety.

Kevin Gallen replaced Nygaard in the 57th minute before Hammond almost latched on to Hume's flick but the assistant referee had already raised his flag for offside.

Logan got down well to save Mancienne's shot from 18-yards out just after the hour.

However, the hosts drew level in the 68th minute through Rowlands' penalty.

Blackstock's goalbound effort was handled on the line by McAuley and as a result the referee had no alternative but to award Rangers a penalty and dismiss the defender.
Rowlands stepped up and sent Logan the wrong way for the equaliser.

Before the re-start, club captain Paddy McCarthy, complete with face-mask to protect his broken nose and damaged eye-socket, came on for Hammond as City were forced to reshuffle their pack.

Both sides then made another change on 75 minutes with Matty Fryatt, back after injury, replacing Welsh and Gareth Ainsworth coming on for goalscorer Rowlands.

Blackstock shot wide 10 minutes from time before the visitors should have restored their advantage in the dying moments.

Hume's long range effort was only parried into the path of Fryatt by Royce but the ball would not sit down for the striker and he could only place it into the arms of the keeper much to his own disappointment.

Smith was booked for a foul on Stearman on 88 minutes then Hume followed suit for dissent soon after.

After five minutes of stoppage time, the referee finally blew his whistle to call a halt to proceedings with the two teams finishing level at 1-1.
Leicester

Ex-QPR Goalie, Lee Harper Joins MK Dons on 3 Month Loan

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MK Dons Official Site - HARPER JOINS ON LOAN
Earlier today, MK Dons manager Martin Allen secured the loan signing of Northampton Town goalkeeper Lee Harper, who joins the club on a three month loan and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's game with table-topping Walsall.
Goalkeeper Harper joined the Sixfields club in the summer of 2002 on a free transfer from tomorrow's opponents Walsall. The former Gunner stands six feet tall and is a goalkeeper of undoubted ability.
Born in London, Lee started out at non-league Sittingbourne Town before being plucked out of non-league football by Arsenal who paid £150,000 for his services in 1994. He spent time as understudy to David Seaman at Highbury, before he moved to Queens Park Rangers for £125,000 in 1997.
In four years at Loftus Road he made 132 appearances and established himself as Rangers' number one. In the summer of 2001 he moved to Walsall but only made five appearances for the Saddlers as he battled with James Walker for the goalkeeper's shirt.
Was named both the Northampton Town and the PFA Division 3 Player of the Year for 2003/2004. Signed a new 1 year contract at Sixfields in the summer of 2006
MK Dons

NORTHAMPTON OFFICIAL SITE
Northampton Town goalkeeper Lee Harper has joined Milton Keynes Dons on a 3 month loan.

Harper will join up with the Dons in time for this weekend's game with Walsall.
Youth team goalkeeper Chris Dunn is available to deputise for Mark Bunn, while the Cobblers also have the option to sign a goalkeeper themselves on an emergency loan basis, should circumstances dictate.
"MK Dons came in and expressed an interest in taking Lee," said boss John Gorman.
"Hopefully the move will benefit all parties. We hope he will have a successful time there and we wish him well."
Northampton Official Site

FA Cup Final Star, Peter Hucker Turns 47

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Peter Hucker Turns 47: Born October 28, 1959
Peter Hucker was a QPR Reserve until John Burridge (who himself had been bought only a few months earlier by Terry Venables to replace Chris Woods - who went on to play for England! - decided he didn't want to play on QPR's "controversial" artificial pitch!)
Hucker came into the QPR team in 1981-1982, and for the next 4 seasons was the QPR regular goalie. Then for whatever reason he was replaced, first by Paul Barron, and more long-term by David Seaman). Hucker joined Oxford in 1986-1987.
Hucker

Peter Hucker Profiled - 2000 The Sun


Hucker now runs Peter Hucker Soccer Schools Ltd.

Six Months Since QPR Announced Eight Players Transfer-listed & Six Others Released

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Six months ago since QPR announced:
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - April 28, 2006: PLAYERS RELEASED
Today, following talks with Gary Waddock, several players have been released from Queens Park Rangers.
Those who still have contracts outstanding will be placed on the transfer list and those who have come to the end of their deals will be released.

Georges Santos, Richard Langley, Sammy Youssouf, Marcin Kus, Ryan Johnson and Luke Townsend will not be offered new deals by the club.
Stefan Moore, Tommy Doherty, Ian Evatt, Ugo Ukah, Marcus Bignot, Steve Lomas, Matthew Hislop and Marc Bircham will all be placed on the transfer list.

Waddock said: "Undoubtedly this is the part of management that no one in charge of a football club ever wants to do.
"But these decisions have to be made for the sake of the club as a whole.
"After the summer, I want this to be a new era, not just a new season and I have to start planning for that now.
"I felt that those who I have released don't fit in with my plans for next season, but I would like to thank them for their efforts and hard work throughout their time at QPR."
QPR

Friday, October 27, 2006

Looking Back: QPR Go Into Administraton

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APRIL 2001: QPR Go Into Administration
BBC - Monday April 2, 2001 - QPR put into administration
Troubled Queens Park Rangers plight worsened when the club were put into administration on Monday.

A statement on the club's website read: "The decision has not been taken lightly and is a direct result of the losses incurred by the Group, currently running at £570,000 per month, over a sustained period of time."
The club is owned by Loftus Road plc and shares in the company have been suspended.
This move comes after chairman Chris Wright failed to find a buyer for the club.
Hopefully the day to day impact on the operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams will be negligible
QPR chairman Chris Wright
Wright was believed to be in discussions with former director Andrew Ellis, but those talks seem to have broken down.
QPR share their Loftus Road ground with Wasps and Wright says he will continue to finance the day-to-day running fo the club until the end of the season.
The London club's problems could further deteriorate if they lose their battle against relegation.
Wright said: "It is a very sad day for everyone involved in Loftus Road.
"The last six months have been a real struggle financially and although my intention was to secure a sale to the right buyer before having to take this decision, it has not been forthcoming.
"I will continue to fund the day to day running of the Group until the end of the season and help to find a purchaser for QPR and Wasps.
"Hopefully the day to day impact on the operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams will be negligible, at least in the short term, and will in fact make the longer term more viable."
BBC

BBC -April 3, 2001 Rangers safe, say administrators
The newly-appointed administrators of Queens Park Rangers have insisted the First Division club's future is not under threat.
Ray Hocking and Simon Michaels, of BDO Stoy Hayward Business Recovery Services, have been appointed joint administrators to holding company Loftus Road plc and their wholly-owned subsidiary QPR.
The administration was applied for by directors of Loftus Road plc as the best course of action for their long-term survival. The company have amassed debts of up to £11m.
"I don't see it as an existence-threatening position. I see it as a necessary step to ensure in the future there will be a Queens Park Rangers," said Hocking.
"Our priority is to secure a buyer for the company and the club and to ensure that creditors receive their monies."
There's no panic to dispose of this in the next few days or the next few weeks
Ray Hocking, QPR administrator
Chris Wright, majority shareholder and chairman of Loftus Road plc, will continue to fund the club and Hocking confirmed that rugby union club Wasps - another subsidiary of Loftus Road plc - has not been put into administration.
Hocking insisted he was in no rush to find a buyer for the company and the club and said: "It could take a couple of weeks and it could take a season or more. It really does depend on who comes along.
"We will wait until we get the right offer. There's no panic to dispose of this in the next few days or the next few weeks. We are looking at a long-term survival programme here, not a quick fix."
Hocking also stressed the club's assets were worth more than their liabilities. "The club owns its ground and its training ground and they are worth considerable sums of money," he said.
I think it's fair to say that the atmosphere among the players is pretty good

David Davies, chief executive of Loftus Road plc
"Any offers that include those have got to be considerable. We have got to be looking well above the £15-20m mark."
David Davies, the newly-appointed chief executive of Loftus Road plc, said the players, currently battling against relegation, remained positive.
"I think it's fair to say that the atmosphere among the players is pretty good," he said. " I see it as the beginning of a new era for QPR.

BBC


BBC
Tuesday, 3 April, 2001, 17:35 GMT 18:35 UK
QPR fans hopeful for future
David Davies and Ray Hocking say QPR is safe
By BBC Sport Online's Adrian Harte
Queens Park Rangers supporters have given the appointment of an administrator a cautious welcome.
Administrator Ray Hocking painted a bullish picture of the club's future on Tuesday.
And Joe English of the QPR Loyal Supporters Association concurs.
He told BBC Sport Online: "Administration is not necessarily a bad thing.
"The club has been run appallingly in the past few years - it's gone down the tubes."
He has not ripped the heart out of the club. But he has been naïve. For a top businessman, he has really got his fingers burnt
Joe English on Chris Wright
"The most important thing is that the club survives. What division we are in next season is irrelevant," said English.
"Other clubs like Crystal Palace and Portsmouth have come out of administration in a better position than us."
Hocking said there would be an end to the "economics of the madhouse", promising that he would "run the club in a proper way."
English said there was no questioning the commitment of the club's owner Chris Wright.
"He has not ripped the heart out of the club. But he has been naïve. For a top businessman, he has really got his fingers burnt," he said.
However, QPR supporters blame the club's demise as much on the players as on mismanagement.
English said: "We've had players with huge contracts and players who have badly underperformed.
"One good thing is that this summer we have so many players - and I use that word advisedly - out of contract. The sooner they are out the better."
Hocking, of BDO Stoy Hayward Business Recovery Services, disclosed that he has already received two written offers, as well as "half a dozen expressions of interest".
Moving ground
Amid rumours of a sale of Loftus Road and a move to a new ground near Heathrow, Hocking assuaged supporters' fears.
"Offers from property developers will be lowest on my list, " he added.
English, the secretary of the Loyal Supporters' Association, said that while the club should come through administration, moving ground would kill it off.
But he said the supporters would continue to follow the team.
"We will get one of our biggest crowds of the season on Saturday against Blackburn. We have continued to come out and show our colours, and more so now," he concluded.
BBC

INDEPENDENT - Football: QPR go into administration
Independent, The (London), Apr 3, 2001 by Nick Harris

QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS went into administration last night after the struggling First Division club's parent company announced its losses are running at pounds 575,000 a month. "This decision [to put QPR into administration] has not been taken lightly and is a direct result of the losses incurred by the group," a statement from Loftus Road plc, which also owns Wasps rugby club, said last night.

Wasps have not been put in administration because a takeover by an unnamed buyer is understood to be imminent. It has been reported that a former director of QPR, Andrew Ellis, is considering a takeover of the football club but negotiations are understood to be in their infancy.

Chris Wright, who stepped down as QPR chairman earlier this year, seems destined to lose the majority of the pounds 20m investment he has put into the football club. He said last night, however, that he would continue to fund both QPR and Wasps until October or until buyers for them are found, whichever comes sooner. "Hopefully the day- to-day impact on the operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams will be negligible, at least in the short term, and will in fact make the longer term more viable," he said.
INDEPENDENT

QPR1st Releases from May & June 2001

Monday 4th June 2001: In depth status report from Dave Thomas

June 1st - Response to the "Standard" Loftus Road sale article and news of this weeks activities


Various Other QPR 1st Releases
Scroll Down to May-June 2001
The rest of the news from June

Tuesday 5th June 2001 Update on today's press release

Monday 4th June 2001 In depth status report from Dave Thomas

Friday 1st June 2001 Response to the "Standard" Loftus Road sale article and news of this weeks activities

Tuesday 29th May 2001 Update on the meeting with the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium

Thursday 24th May 2001 QPR1st statement regarding the sale of Loftus Road plc

Wednesday 23rd May 2001 Statement regarding the "buy back deadline"

Friday 18th May 2001 EGM special report
Extensive report on the EGM at Loftus Road

Thursday 17th May 2001 Pre EGM QPR1st statement

Wednesday 16th May 2001 Update

Tuesday 15th May 2001Update

Saturday 12th May 2001 Meeting with the administrators

Friday 11th May 2001 Update and share pooling information

Thursday 10th May 2001 Update - meeting with local MP

Wednesday 9th May 2001 Update

Thursday 3rd May 2001 Merger off - Report by Dave Thomas

Tuesday 1st May 2001 Statement about importance of 'controlled delivery'

QPR's ABC Loan: What's Known #1

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As there has been some recent increased fan focus on the issue of QPR's 10 million pound, 10% Loan from the "msterious" ABC Corporation, first some links to some previous QPR Report "Focus" on QPR's ABC Loan and who may be behind it. With just over six months to go till the halfway mark to the loan's repayment date, and with certain things possibly eligible to happen at the loan's half way mark, some a compilation might be useful..


May 27, 2006 Marking Four Years Since QPR Got Out of Administration...and entered into their ABC Corporation Loan

September 3, 2006 - Refocusing on QPR's Mysterious ABC Loan

July 5, 2006 QPR's Ongoing 10% per-annum ABC Loan & QPR's Efforts to Deal with it

August 27, 2006: Buying QPR: The Various Efforts Five Years Ago During Administration

April 14, 2006 ABC, QPR & Derby County - Looking Back


Also see Boardroom Blues
QPR1st Statements
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QPR1st

Departing Swindon Manager, Dennis Wise "It was also a pleasure to work with Mark Devlin and Bill Power.”

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As "almost" ex-QPR player, Dennis Wise departs Swindon for Leeds:
Swindon Advertiser - Why Wise quit?
EXCLUSIVE: DENNIS Wise admits off-the-field issues played a role in his sudden departure from the County Ground as he looks ahead to a new chapter at Elland Road.
Speaking exclusively to the Swindon Advertiser in his first interview since quitting Town on Monday, the former Swindon boss revealed influences away from the pitch helped him on his way....
Wise said: “A small factor in my departure was that I found it difficult to work with an unnamed individual connected with Town.
“I will say no more than that.
“I'd like to say thanks to the fans who made me feel so welcome during my time there.
“It was also a pleasure to work with Mark Devlin and Bill Power.”...
This is Swindon

Looking at QPR vs Leicester

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QPR vs Leicester at Loftus Road: Been some momentous games over the years between the two clubs: QPR's 1966/67 League Cup Quarter Final Win against Leicester...QPR's first-ever game in the (old) First Division: Leicester at Loftus Road, with an unfinished new stand and Alan Clarke making his Leicester debut. A Rodney Marsh QPR vs a Peter Shilton Leicester in the (old) Second Division...A shock home defeat in the FA Cup in 1973/74 with two goals by Leicester's debutant, Joe Walters..Several QPR home defeats. Over the years two comparable teams: Frequent promotion and relegation, playing attractive football, making good lower division buys, etc.

Leicester Official Site - Boss Looking For Repeat
City boss Rob Kelly will be hoping for a similar performance to that which he saw at Loftus Road nine months ago when his Foxes take on Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday.
Kelly began his league management career in west London back in January earlier this year following the departure of Craig Levein from the club.
And his new side gave him just the start he required - ending a baron run of six straight Championship defeats to post a 3-2 away victory against all the odds.
He said: "It was a very exciting game which seems a long, long time ago now. It's amazing to think that it was only last January.
"We went a goal down very early in the game, but the players showed the resilience and character that they have certainly shown in all my time here to compete and give it a go.
"It was a difficult time for everyone. The good thing was that we all came back to what was important - and that was trying to win football matches. It was great credit to the players and their professionalism that despite everything else that was going on they were able to shut it all out and get on with it.
"We went into the match on the back of a cup defeat to Southampton and we hadn't won for a number of league games. But the players shut all that away, remained focussed and ended up putting in a good performance and getting a good result. That game kick started us."
And Rangers themselves now have a new man at the helm.
Kelly added: "They have got a good manager there in John Gregory who I think will eventually, given the right tools, lead them out of trouble. But we have got to make sure that doesn't start on Saturday.
"We are in the middle of a decent little run and over 90 minutes we are unbeaten in eight games.
"But Loftus Road is a difficult place to go. They are the home side and it will be a difficult game for us. But if we apply ourselves then I believe we can get a result against anyone in this division."
Kelly again looks to be down to the bare bones through injury for the game, but he did admit to having an embarrassment of riches in at least one area of the pitch at the moment.
He said: "We have got three very good goalkeepers here and that is very much the type of problem that you don't mind having. Conrad Logan and Paul Henderson have both been playing well and Rab Douglas has also looked good in training.
"But we know here that we are going to need everyone. There is no sulking and there are no primadonnas. There is nobody who struts around the place. We are in it togethe
Leicester

Leicester Official Site - Head To Head: QPR
We take a look back at previous fixtures between the two clubs and reveal all the facts and figures ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two clubs have met 47 times previously in all competitions, 44 of which have come in the league. Leicester have won just 18 of the clashes, and have only managed 5 wins and 4 draws in 25 visits to London.
EARLY MEETINGS
The first meeting came in Division Two as recently as 1948-49. Rangers completed the double over City that year. City had to wait until 1970-71 before recording a win at Loftus Road, when they triumphed 3-1 in what was their eighth attempt to wrest the spoils in Shepherd's Bush.
RECENT HISTORY
Last season, City produced a dramatic win at Loftus Road - the first under the management of Rob Kelly - to get the march to safety underway. At the end of January, goals from Matty Fryatt, Richard Stearman and Stephen Hughes eased the Foxes to a vital 3-2 victory under the floodlights.
BIGGEST WINS
Only once has either team hit six goals in this fixture, a feat achieved by City in a 6-2 home win in 1950-51. QPR's best was a 5-2 win at Loftus Road in an F A Cup tie in 1986-87, when Terry Fenwick scored twice for the Londoners.

MARKSMEN
Rangers' Bert Addinall and City's Arthur Rowley are the only players to have registered hat-tricks in clashes between the two clubs, and neither more recently than 1951. Addinall is the leading overall scorer in the series, with 9 counters against the Foxes, whereas City's top marksman is none other than Gary Lineker, who has pierced the Rangers' defence 6 times.

DEBUTANTS
Just 3 players have made their Leicester bow when QPR provided the opposition, but what a trio: British record signing Allan Clarke in 1968, young Joe Waters in that sensational F A Cup quarter-final in 1974, and teenager Emile Heskey, currently City record outgoing transfer holder, in 1995.

FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
The smattering of players to have represented both clubs over the years includes Arthur Chandler, Peter Eastoe, Terry Fenwick, Les Ferdinand, Bob Hazell, Andrew Impey, Robbie James, Eddie Kelly, Frank Large, Frank McLintock, Stefan Moore, John O'Neill, Simon Royce, Dean Sturridge and David Webb.
Leicester

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - Looking at Leicester
Injuries apart, the Foxes have enjoyed a fine start to the new Championship campaign.
Rob Kelly - in his first full season at the Leicester City helm - has largely had his hands tied in terms of team selection, with no fewer than eight first team squad members currently sidelined through injury.

Master-poacher Matty Fryatt (ankle), skipper Paddy McCarthy (facial) and influential midfielder Gareth Williams (ankle) have all missed large chunks of the season so far, meaning Kelly has had to mix and match his starting XI.
Consequently, the Foxes made a slow start to the season, succumbing to back-to-back defeats against Luton Town and Burnley in the opening four days of the new campaign.
Undeterred, Leicester eventually broke their duck against Ipswich four days later, with goals from Patrick Kisnorbo, Stephen Hughes and Iain Hume clinching a morale-boosting 3-1 victory at the Walkers Stadium.
Buoyed by that win, the Foxes enjoyed a mini four match unbeaten run in August, which included a 2-0 League Cup victory against League Two strugglers Macclesfield.
But September was less than kind to the Foxes, with Kelly's men picking up just three points from a possible 15 - a run which saw them plummet towards the foot of the table.
Foxes gaffer Rob Kelly
However, instead of feeling sorry for themselves, Kelly's injury ravaged squad have rolled up their sleeves and got on with the job in hand.
And as a consequence, three fixtures which on paper looked as tough as any, have yielded three fantastic results.
An Iain Hume brace helped see off in-form Southampton in a five-goal thriller, before the Foxes heaped further woe on struggling Leeds United with a 2-1 victory at Elland Road.
A 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out extended their unbeaten run and at the time of writing, the Foxes lie just five points adrift of the play-off's.
...Top scorer: Iain Hume 6
Last league game:
Leicester City 1, Crystal Palace 1.
Coca Cola Championship.
October 21st 2006.
Leicester City: Logan, Stearman, McAuley, Kisnorbo, Johansson, Low (Sylla 64), Hughes, Tiatto, Welsh, Hume, Hammond.
Subs Not Used: Henderson, Maybury, O'Grady, Wesolowski......
Superhoopsbet.co.uk match odds:
QPR 13/10
Leicester City 7/4
draw 9/4
Key player: DANNY TIATTO
A firm favourite with the Foxes fans, Danny Tiatto took over the captain's armband from Matt Elliott and was voted Player of the Season by City supporters at the club's 2005 awards ceremony.
The Australian international, capped 25 times by his country, joined Leicester on a free transfer in the summer of 2004.
Head to head:
QPR wins: 19
Foxes wins: 17
Draws: 8
Last meeting:
QPR 2 (Ainsworth, Shittu), Leicester City 3 (Fryatt, Stearman, Hughes).
Football League Championship.
January 31st 2006.
Latest News:
Leicester chief executive Tim Davies has revealed the club made a profit of £1.6m in the 2005-06 season.
That marks a significant turnaround for the club after they reported a £3.5m loss for the 2004-05 campaign.
Davies attributed most of the profit to the £3m sale of striker David Connolly to Wigan and the sponsorship deal with Alliance & Leicester.
However, a fall in attendances saw gate receipts slump by almost 25% to £4.82m while broadcasting receipts also fell.
(Source: BBC Sport)
Leicester Official

Three Months Ago: Statement about QPR Finances from QPR Holdings Chairman, Antonio Caliendo

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[Three months ago, QPR were finishing up their pre-season, Italian "tour" and Dunga had just resigned to take over Brazil and the Chairman of QPR Holdings issued the following statement about QPR.

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - July 27, 2006 STatement for Antonio Caliendo
In the wake of widespread and further inaccurate reporting, Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, Antonio Caliendo, would like to issue the following statement:
"Despite Carlos Dunga tendering his resignation as a non-executive director on Tuesday, he will continue to support the Club financially.
"The Board's objective remains the same as it always has been - to get QPR back on a sound financial footing and in time, a return to the Premiership.
"I want to reassure the shareholders and supporters that we are doing everything possible to achieve that goal.
"We have invested wisely in the squad this summer and I believe we are in a fantastic position to challenge in the top half of the Championship.
"Last season was a very difficult time for the Board. Since September, we've put in over £4million to ensure the Club's finances are in a stable position to build for the future.
"As a Board, we aim to keep our promise of not selling our best players. Obviously there are certain clauses in players' contracts which means we have to allow them to speak to other Clubs, but our aim is the Premiership and to achieve this we need to keep all our best players.
"The Dan Shittu situation is a perfect example. The bottom line is that we want to keep Danny at the Club. He's a fantastic professional and a tremendous player, but if we receive a £3million bid then he has the freedom to talk to whoever comes in for him.
"We love Queens Park Rangers and we are doing everything possible to safeguard the prestige of this wonderful Club.
"Together, there is only one voice - We Are QPR.''
QPR

Thursday, October 26, 2006

"An Apology" from AKUTRs - AKUTRs Statement

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE: AN APOLOGY
"The Editor of the fanzine 'A Kick Up The R's' today agreed to publish the following retraction and apology to Gianni Paladini"
Official Site

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - 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 OFficial Site

NB: Paladini's September 25, 2006 Statement on the Offficial Site
Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'


The publication 'A Kick Up The Rs' has recently published a deeply misleading, inaccurate and scandalous article about myself and Queens Park Rangers FC.
A number of serious allegations have been made in that publication which are not true. The publication failed to contact myself or anyone else at the Club to verify their allegations.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, I have been reluctantly forced to take legal action. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.
I expect a comprehensive retraction and apology from the publication for publishing these falsehoods. If they are not prepared to provide that, the matter will be dealt with by the courts.
I am sorry it must come to this, but in order for me to be able to defend myself from such blatant and hurtful untruths, I have no alternative than to take this action.
I shall make no further comment on this matter until either the apology and retraction has been received or legal proceedings are concluded.
QPR Official Site

Nostalgia! Ian Holloway's Q&A From a Year Ago

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QPR Official Site - October 25, 2005 - "Ollie Answers"
Ian Holloway spent Tuesday afternoon answering your questions in a live Q&A session on QPR World....Here is a brief rundown of the topics covered.

What's going on with Richard Langley?
I didn't want to lose him and I'm the one who brought him back because I believe he will be, in the future, a fantastic ball playing midfielder.
I want him to be able to go forward and back as I want the right balance. Chelsea have got people like Frank Lampard who can do both jobs.
Richard isn't as fit as he should be both physically and mentally. Sometimes he can be a bit hesitant and that's not the Richard I know.
He had a slight calf strain before the Preston game so he couldn't take part, but he had been involved before then and has been on the bench since.

Can you play Langley and Rowlands together?
There's no reason why I can't see it in the future. I think Rowlands is sadly missed at the moment. He gives us balance and closes better than anyone I've got when we haven't got the ball. Sometimes my other midfielders don't do that.
My choices in midfield are something to be proud of. As long as I've got one or two of them on the bench they will put pressure on those out there.

Why do you make substitutions so late on in games?
I wanted to bring Georges Santos on the other day against Plymouth, but by the time I got him on there wasn't any time left as the fourth official had told me a bit of a porkie.
If we're getting back in the game and creating chances, then I like to change it and I've got good help in my coaches.
A lot of the team who is playing didn't have a complete full season. Dean Sturridge is trying to get fit by playing games, which isn't ideal.
I've never picked a team that I don't believe is right for the team we are playing against. If it doesn't work I have to sit back and put my hands up and take responsibility.

Has Georges Santos got a clause in his contract that says he has to play?

No he hasn't, he's a fantastic war horse for us. He's been a great player for us, for nothing, but I think that's very unfair and harsh.
He does make mistakes and when he does they are glaring. But I think he's performing above some of the others I've got here at the moment.

Do you get a stiff neck talking to all the tall players we've got now?

I make sure they all sit down first! But I am trying to increase the size of my players. Our back line used to be far too small. You've only got to look at the Premiership boys to see how big they are.
In the modern day game you have to win the ball in both boxes. Peter Crouch has proved that you can have the height and a great touch.

Is there a possibility that we could play a more attacking midfield?
It depends who we're playing, who's fit, the report I get on the opposition and it depends on the week we're having on the training ground. I need a creative midfield but they need to be able to defend as well.
You have to be fit to play the way I want, which is high tempo and a lot of closing down. Having just seen the video of our game against Norwich, I must say I thought our passing game was very good.
I think Tommy Doherty will get better, but this is all about having options and being unpredictable for your opposition.

What is your footballing philosophy and have you ever sent out a team to express it?

I'd want to play similar to Chelsea but in Arsenal's formation. Vieira used to go forward for them but they're lacking that now. I love the way they get the ball down and pass it.
You're only as strong as your weakest link and sometimes you break down, but I think we're getting better.

Paul Furlong hasn't really been on form, why are you persevering with him?
The fact is he hasn't scored as many, but his link play is still there. He was hated when he came here and then became a legend last season. But for me he's proving irreplaceable.
If Swansea can turn down £1m for Lee Trundell how am I going to replace Paul Furlong?
Yes we need to move past Paul Furlong eventually, but I need to have everybody fit. Have we got enough strength in depth? No, I don't think so.
Scott Donnelly shouldn't have to be playing on a regular basis at the age of 16, I'll bet there isn't someone that age anywhere else in the Championship playing at that age.
It's the most expensive place on the field and look at how much we've had to spend on it. If Furlong was still 26 how much would he be worth?
I'll drop players as I see fit, and I'll stand and fall on my decisions.

Do you feel under pressure?
That's part of the job, but I don't like it when I hear people saying not to believe me because I'm just trying to get a new contract. I don't control the board I just pick the side.
I've had four chairman, two Chief Executives and now I don't have one. But at the end of the day, QPR fans still have a club and that's one thing I'm proud of - totally.
I have got the hump from the weekend because I believe certain things aren't right, there are rumours. But this will all take care of itself. You'll all know what happened, it will all be there. All you have to worry about is judging our players fairly.
If I had to leave today I'd be very proud of what my team and staff, past and present, have achieved.

Who has been a major factor for this club? It's everyone who buys a ticket - so don't leave us. If you don't agree with team selection, no problem. But don't pick sides in an argument you don't know anything about.

Will we see any players coming in or out in the next transfer window?
The board are trying to sort out all the bills at the moment. But I've been told I can look for some signings in the January transfer window, I just don't know how much I've got.
As for letting people go, there are some who aren't happy and have been out on loan and might not like having to fight for a place here.

What is the situation with Shabazz Baidoo?
We had the chance to send him to Lincoln, but you can't loan scholars out. When he's 17 we can make him a pro and he can go out on loan then. He's working on his finishing and improving very quickly.
It's hard to say how close he is, but that's up to him. We nicked him from Arsenal but he's been brought up our way and he seems very positive.
There was a rumour that West Ham wanted him but that was just a rumour. I spoke to Alan Pardew and he assured me it wasn't the case.

What's the latest on your future with the club?
Gianni said he wanted to give some stability to the club, but I feel the most important thing is that the board get sorted and I get some direction regarding the future because that's what matters to the fans.
My focus is on the team more than myself. If the board wants to talk to my agent that's fine, but I want to put that on the back burner. I'm more than happy to work for the new board in the same way that I was happy to work for the last board.
As long as whoever is in charge is happy to pick up the baton and run with it, I'm happy to work for them.


Do you want to increase the size of the squad and in what position?
I've got some loan signings lined up if people get injured and we're also looking at some targets. The most I've ever spent was borrowed from a fan and that was £250,000

Do you think Marc Nygaard can be a replacement for Furlong eventually?
Well he's a different sort of player to Furs, it may be that I need two players to replace him when that day comes. But he's a great player, he's fresh and he's hungry.

What did you think of the booing directed at Georges Santos last Saturday?
Some players are liked and some aren't, but I don't understand it. If they were booing when he scored then they have a serious problem.

What's the latest with the loan signings?
Adam Miller and Aaron Brown have been sent back but Marcus Bean is still at Swansea and is doing very well. His contract is up at the end of the season but for now I think it's good for him to be there getting some experience.

Have you ever considered watching the game from the Director's Box to get a different view?I have done it before, but I'm a bit superstitious and we've never done well when I'm up there. Plus I feel that the team need the encouragement of the coaches being down there on the touch line.
QPR Official Site

Ian Evatt Currently in Top 5 for PFA Fans Player of the Month for League One

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PFA -Welcome to the 06/07 Season Fans Player Awards
"The PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards have kicked off for the 2006/2007 season and the top 5 in alphabetical order from each division are....for October are:

Coca-Cola Football League One
Billy Sharp Scunthorpe United FC
Caleb Folan Chesterfield Football Club
Ian Evatt Blackpool Football Club
Scott Brown Bristol City Football Club
Shaun Barker Blackpool Football Club

PFA

Comparing Championship Clubs' Attendances as Percentage of Ground Capacity

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[Not sure the origal source for this research, but extremely interesting]

Eastern Daily Press - "[Norwich] Supporters are top of the league"
"...Norwich City fans are top of the league when it comes to packing them in at home games...An average of 24,627 fans pack into Carrow Road for every home game - a staggering 96.5pc of the ground's capacity...That's way above nearest challengers Luton, who stand at 88.1pc, followed by Championship leaders Cardiff and then bottom club Southend..."

GROUND FILLERS
Team, Average crowd, Ground capacity, % of capacity

Norwich City, 24,627, 25,500, 96.5

Luton Town, 8,789, 9,975, 88.1

Cardiff City, 17,658, 21,432, 82.3

Southend , 9,810, 12,392, 79.1

West Brom, 20,855, 28,003, 74.4

Coventry City , 17,387, 23,633, 73.5

Ipswich , 21,617, 30,311, 71.3

Derby , 23,488, 33,597, 69.9

Southampton, 22,377, 32,551, 68.7

Birmingham, 20,512, 30,009, 68.3

Preston, 13,877, 20,600, 67.3

Wolves, 19,452, 29,400, 66.1

Hull City, 16,775, 25,404, 66.0

Colchester, 4,976, 7,556, 65.8

Leicester, 21,217, 32,500, 65.2

Crystal Palace, 17,121, 26,400, 64.8

QPR, 12,182, 19,148, 63.6

Sunderland, 29,179, 48,300, 60.4

Shefd Wed, 23,565, 39,859, 59.1

Plymouth, 11,788, 20,922, 56.3

Burnley, 11,403, 22,546, 50.5

Stoke City, 14,176, 28,384, 49.9

Leeds Utd, 19,074, 40,204, 47.4

Barnsley, 10,809, 23,186, 46.6


Report

Gino Padula - Q&A on QPRNet

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Ron Norris/QPRNet Interviews Gino Padula
THE GINO PADULA INTERVIEW

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Nick Ward on Playing/Not Playing for QPR & QPR Reserves and Australia at Loftus Road

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Nick Ward
".... Until a month ago, Nick Ward was virtually ever-present in the Rangers side and a strong candidate to play for Australia in their friendly against Ghana on November 14 [at Loftus Road].
But the midfielder has yet to feature in the starting line-up since John Gregory took over at Loftus Road and admitted: "It's definitely a concern that I haven't been playing for a while.
"I felt my form had been quite good, but the team weren't getting results. The upshot was that a new manager came in - and he doesn't really know me yet.
"It's frustrating at the moment but that's part of the ups and downs of football - you just have to wait for your chance and, when I get it, I want to show John Gregory what I can do
.....
"There's a great atmosphere at Loftus Road and I'd love to be involved. I received a text from the national team manager to say I was in contention to be selected and that's good to hear."
The 21-year-old - who narrowly missed out on a place in the Socceroos' World Cup squad last summer - was confident his international prospects would be boosted by moving to QPR from Perth Glory.
That belief seemed to be justified by Ward's inclusion on the substitutes' bench for Australia's 2-0 Asia Cup defeat in the 40-degree heat of Kuwait last month.
But, having started Rangers' first eight league games and then scored his first goal in a 2-0 win over Southend, Ward was surprised to find himself demoted to the reserves after Gregory replaced Gary Waddock.
"That's definitely something I hadn't planned for," said Ward. "I don't really feel I belong there and that level is a long way below where I'd like to be playing.
"The reason I came to QPR was because I felt the Championship was a good standard of football and I thought I'd have a good chance of playing week in, week out.
"
Ward was given a run-out in the second half of Rangers' 3-2 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and failed to shine, albeit in an unfamiliar role wide on the right....
Kilburn Times

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