QPR's Harlington Training Ground & QPR Controversy

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QPR's Training ground - Imperial College's Harlington training ground, near Heathrow airport has twice prominently in the news regarding QPR this season. One occasion of course, was the recent alleged "brawl" between QPR and "Team China" which has been in newspapers and TV across the globe.
The other instance was just before the start of the season, when there were allegations - which were strongly denied by the club - that the training ground was closed to the players one day because of unpaid bills.
QPR STATEMENT
Queens Park Rangers Football Club would like to issue the following statement to clear the air over yet more wildly inaccurate reporting in the press and on various message boards.QPR staff were admitted to the training ground on Monday. No players were refused admittance to the ground yesterday. This is because no players turned up as it had been decided to give them an extra day off after their pre-season tour to Italy. The players are back at the training ground today (Tuesday) working hard for the opening match of the season at Turf Moor on Saturday. We can confirm that there was no Portsmouth player on trial with the Club either yesterday or today. It should also be noted that the items printed in the press had not been checked with either QPR or Imperial College before being published.And remember... www.qpr.co.uk is the R's official website - where all the breaking news comes first and fastest. QPR
Chairman Paladini in a seperate Statement on the Official Site:
"....[T]he absurd rumour suggested on a message board that the players were locked out of the Harlington training ground, when in fact Gary Waddock had just given them the day off as they had only recently arrived back from a busy schedule in Italy.
"The same newspaper that had to apologise for a series of inaccurate stories about me last season, the Evening Standard, then chose to repeat this wholly false rumour as fact without even checking with me, the coaching staff, or even Imperial College - the owners of the training ground.
"In an article by a journalist named Wayne Vesey, under the headline 'Locked-out Rangers are unable to train' the Standard claimed that the Club was locked out of the training ground on Monday. Such a clearly false statement damages the reputation of the Club, and the morale of the players and supporters. I have been advised it is libellous and our lawyers will be contacting the Standard immediately to demand a retraction....
"Just yesterday they claimed we were locked out of the training ground because we could not afford the rent; but today, as scheduled, our players are training at the training ground. On each and every occasion their rumours have been proven false. Roll on New Season"
The training ground's gymnasium even rated a mention at "The Trial" - TRacy Stent's Trial Report
Gregory's Invitation to the Training Ground
Ironically, shortly after taking over as manager, new manager John Gregory invited fans to come watch the team train at the Harlington ground.
"QPR OfFICIAL SITE - ...OPEN INVITATION
John 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

When QPR Moved into Harlington - From the Evening Standard
QPR take over Chelsea training ground
By Wayne Veysey
Queens park Rangers have reached an agreement to move to Chelsea's old training ground at Harlington.
The Loftus Road club, who at present share the Twyford Avenue facility in West Acton with London Wasps, will take over the lease of the site, which is owned by Imperial College. Rangers hope to confirm contractual details by early July.
The site, which is under the flight path of Heathrow, will be home to the club's academy as well as the firstteam squad. Chelsea moved to a new state-of-the-art £20million complex at Cobham shortly before Christmas.
QPR chief executive Mark Devlin said: "This is an outstanding sporting facility and we are thrilled to be on the verge of moving the club's training set-up to Harlington.
"We are not surprised that we faced competition to secure the venue. It's a million miles away from the facilities we are using at Twyford Avenue." Standard


Imperial College Announcement re QPR
Imperial college fc score their way to the top with qpr coaching
The start of 2007 marks the first full year of the partnership between Imperial College Football Club and QPR Football Club, as part of which QPR pledged to provide professional coaching to the Imperial teams.
Queens Park Rangers FC moved into Imperial College's sports ground at Harlington, Middlesex in July 2005, following Chelsea's departure, and continue to use the ground for training on a daily basis.

The Imperial sides have been able to take advantage of regular training sessions with QPR coaches, making a very positive impact on results for Imperial so far.

All the Imperial football teams have improved on last year's performances, in particular the Men’s 1st team, currently competing in the BUSA South East Conference 3A league. They have a great chance of gaining promotion within the BUSA this year and are unbeaten in the University of London Division 1 after 11 games, leaving them 3 points clear at the top.

Steve Quashie, QPR Football Development Coach says: “The partnership is proving to be a great success. Following our initial trial days, the students are always open to new ideas during training sessions, and the teams have adapted to new playing styles. All the teams currently play passing/possession football, which has given the students the confidence to express themselves on the pitch and has resulted in much improved performances. The students are always approachable, enthusiastic and hardworking. It is a pleasure to work with them”.

The partnership with the professional Championship club has helped to significantly raise both the morale and the profile of Imperial Football. Patrick Farr, captain of the Imperial College Mens 1st Team said: "Imperial College FC and particularly the Mens 1st team have really benefitted from excellent coaching we have been receiving from the QPR coaching team. Players feel more confident and able and the results are speaking for themselves. We are grateful for the support received so far and look forward to working with QPR for the rest of the season."

Nick Gore
Sports Development Officer Imperial


queens park rangers make harlington their new training home
Queens Park Rangers FC moved into Imperial College's sports ground at Harlington, Middlesex in early July, following Chelsea's departure. They have been slowly settling into their new training home and had their first training session there on 19th July in preparation for the 2005/06 season in the Championship.
The club continues to play home fixtures at Loftus Road but will use Harlington sports ground for training on a daily basis. QPR Childrens Soccer Schools and development initiatives will also be based at Harlington. The Club has also pledged professional coaching to Imperial students as part of this exciting new partnership, which will no doubt help to raise the profile of Imperial's own football club.
Nick Gore, Sports Devel opment Officer says "this is a great opportunity for us to forge partnerships with QPR to enhance the standard of football within the College through professional coaching provision and improved facilities. The future of football at the College is looking positive thanks to this new venture, and I would like to wish both QPR and Imperial football clubs well for the new season." Imperial


Facilities - Harlington
The ground at Harlington, conveniently located near Heathrow Airport, is open seven days a week and supports a heavy programme of matches involving Imperial College teams. It is also available for casual bookings by student and staff groups within the College, and by members of the public. Additional pitches are being re-established on the south side of Sipson Lane and they will be available in the near future.
The Harlington ground is also home to Queens Park Rangers FC’s training centre. QPR took the ground over from Chelsea FC in July 2005. Follow this link to find out more about this exciting new partnership with QPR....

Imperial

Directions to Harlington Training Ground - Directions

QPR - "We hold regular press days at our Harlington training ground on Fridays. Here press are welcome to interview the management, coaching staff and players. Please contact jackieb@qpr.co.uk for more details." [Jackie has recently left QPR] - QPR

News - sport imperial hosts busa football finals
Sport Imperial hosted the BUSA Championship Football Finals at Loftus Road Stadium, home of Queens Park Rangers FC on Wednesday 3rd May
Sport Imperial has been working in partnership with QPR FC since July 2005. QPR FC use Imperial's sports ground at Harlington as their training venue, and as a result Imperial's football clubs have been benefitting from professional QPR coaches. Sport Imperial also benefits from selective use of Loftus Road Stadium and were able to secure use of this fine stadium to host the BUSA Championship Men's and Women's Football Finals.


On what was a warm, clear day, an impressive number of spectators, including BUSA management and Directors of Sport from other universities, turned up to watch.

The Women's final, at 1:00pm, saw Loughborough and UWIC going head to head in an excellent display of football. Loughborough played every minute in outstanding fashion and deserved their 3-1 win.



The Men's final took place at 5:00pm with Loughborough and Bath battling it out. In what was a rougher and more agressive match, Loughborough again came top beating Bath 2-1.



Visit the BUSA website for more details on the Women's Final and the Men's Final.
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/sports/news/footballfinal.htm