-
The Evening Standard "The London Football Report: 2007"
The Football Fans Census
The Questions Posed
Q1. Given the resources at his disposal, how would you rate the performance of your club's current manager?
Q2. How do you rate the performance of your club chairman and board of directors this season?
Q3. Including ticket, transport, merchandise and refreshment costs, how much on average does it cost you, as an individual, to watch a home game?
Q4. How did your the levels of your match attendance for the 2006-2007 season compare to your levels of match attendance for the 2005-2006 season?
I went to more games during 2006-2007 season
Q5. Have you witnessed any football hooliganism at your club this season?
Q6. Have you witnessed any incidents of football-related racist abuse at your club this season?
Q7. How many times this season can you recall an incident when you believe a player from your club has deliberately taken a dive to win a free kick or penalty?
Q8. How do you rate your club's home ground?
Q9. Will the price of tickets at your club put you off going to games or renewing your season-ticket next season?
Q10. Which other English club do you dislike the most?
RESULTS BY CLUB
Q1. Given the resources at his disposal, how would you rate the performance of your club's current manager?
QPR
Very Good -- Good -- Ok -- Bad -- Very Bad
2007 38 46 12 4 0
2006 0 2 64 30 4
Q2. How do you rate the performance of your club chairman and board of directors this season?
QPR
2007 8 27 30 27 8
2006 0 4 28 47 21
Q10. Which other English club do you dislike the most?
QPR fans
Chelsea 58%
Arsenal 8%
Brentford 4%
[QPR as "most disliked" only for Brentford fans]
Brentford fans
Fulham 24%
Chelsea 22%
QPR 22%
Rest of the Answers at Census
The survey of football fans following teams in the capital was conducted online by the Football Fans Census on behalf of The Evening Standard between 21st and 25th May 2007.
2,013 fans from the 13 London based league clubs completed the survey.
Fan Census
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Ex-QPR Related News Snippets
-
Oxford Mail - FOOTBALL: Brock quits Banbury -By Nick Farrant
Banbury United boss Kevin Brock has quit following a bust-up over the club's finances.
The former Oxford United star, 44, has resigned following eight years at the helm after chairman Dave Bennett informed him that his playing budget would again be cut for next season.
The ex-Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers midfielder fought his corner, but with Bennett unwilling to back down, Brock handed in his notice.
"I had a meeting with the chairman and I wasn't happy with what was said," Brock said.
"So I thought it would be better to move on."
Brock has steered Banbury to their highest-ever league placing, winning two promotions during his spell at the club.
He admitted that he contemplated his future when his budget was cut before last season, but this latest news was the final straw.
"Since I've been here it's always been tough - always a bit of a scrap," he said.
"And I felt it was going to be very difficult next season.
"We had quite a few cutbacks last season and everyone stuck with it.
"No-one left the club and that was down to the players staying loyal to me and I'll always appreciate that.
"It would be stretching it a bit to ask them to do it again."
Brock joined Banbury in 1999 as a player, and took over as manager next year.
"I had a meeting with the chairman and I wasn't happy with what was said, so I thought it would be better to move on."
His appointment proved an immediate success, leading the club to promotion out of the Hellenic League Premier Division at the first attempt.
After a couple of seasons in the Dr Martens Eastern Division, Brock led Banbury to promotion via the play-offs into the Southern League Premier Division in 2003-4, where they are now firmly established.
Banbury have also won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup three times in the last four years.
"We did OK last season," he said.
"We finished halfway up the league, got to the semi-finals of the League Cup and won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.
"I think that was a good effort."
Brock said he had many highlights during his time at Spencer Stadium, but says he has no regrets.
"Winning the Hellenic League in the first season was a great achievement," he said.
"From that point it was always a bit of a struggle. We got stuck in the Dr Martens League and had to spend a lot of money getting the ground and pitch right.
"We then went up via the play-offs into the Premier Division and beat Oxford United in the Senior Cup.
"We have established ourselves in the last few years, but we have always been up against it financially.
"I really enjoyed my time at Banbury. What's happened is not great, but that's football." Report
The Times
Pearce vows to return stronger as first spell in exile loomsMatt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent
When Stuart Pearce took the England Under-21 coaching job on a part-time basis in January, Manchester City were worried that their manager might be stretching himself too thin. “They wanted assurances I wasn’t going to take the job permanently and they lose a manager,” he said yesterday. “They didn’t tell me they were going to sack me.” ....
Success at the tournament in the Netherlands will surely bring an offer from the FA to take charge of the under-21s on a permanent basis, but Pearce, as is his manner, is not taking anything for granted. Questions remain about his calibre as a Barclays Premiership manager, but one thing he will never be accused of is self-pity.
He was released by Queens Park Rangers at 13 and spent five years in non-League football, working as an electrician, before making his name with Nottingham Forest and England. “I don’t think I’ve ever been one of the golden children, like the Glenn Hoddles of the era,” he said. “I’ve always had to get myself there by hook or by crook. Losing my job will act as a spur and make me stronger as a manager. I think you learn lessons very, very quickly through adversity.”
Pearce, 45, declined to speculate whether the Under-21 job would suit him better than running a club – “I think football management is football management; you’ve got to win,” he said – but it would spare him from working in the transfer market, where the likes of Bernardo Corradi and Georgios Samaras failed to justify his valuation.
It would also allow him to build on his good work with younger talents such as Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards. Seeing players coming through the academy system was one of his pleasures at City, although he also argues that he did well with his player trading considering his budget. “Six months before I took the job they sold Nicolas Anelka, then Shaun Wright-Phillips went that summer,” he said, “but in my first season we were a penalty kick away from getting into Europe. The following two seasons we have recouped £13.5 million.
“I feel as though I probably did a lot of good at the club over a difficult period, when there was no finance at all. The squad now has got a much bigger resale value than it had two years ago. There’s more emphasis on young players.”
Pearce will have the chance to work with more bright young individuals such as David Bentley, James Milner, David Nugent and Nigel Reo-Coker next month. Success would guarantee at least one job offer, with the FA eager to make the under-21 manager’s job a full-time position. The Times
Former QPR Player Richard Ord (at least technically!) on Roy Keane as Manager
Roy will demand moreMay 31 2007 - By Nick Purewal, The Evening Chronicle
Roy Keane has his sights set higher than any previous Sunderland manager. That's the view of former Black Cats defender Richard Ord, who believes the duo of Keane and Niall Quinn will bring unparalleled success to Wearside.
Ord made 256 appearances for Sunderland between 1987 and 1998, before leaving for QPR in a £1m-plus deal.
A serious knee injury ended his career in his first training session at his new club, but he still cherishes his 1996 First Division championship winners medal.
Forming an integral part of Peter Reid's defence, Ord is well-placed to compare this latest Premiership adventure with his personal experience and subsequent events.
Hailing Keane's immediate impact, Ord said: "Keane is without doubt the most ambitious manager the club has ever had, and he will want to do a whole lot more than just see Sunderland survive in the Premiership..."Report
And as noted earlier: John Spencer's Houston Dynamos Visited the White House and met the President. Spencer
Tim Sandercombe has been released by Plymouth - Plymouth
Glentoran's almost manager talking, including re Alan McDonald
BBC - Thursday, 31 May 2007,
Walker offered Glens board role
Roy Walker has been offered a position on the Glentoran board in the wake of the managerial shambles at the club.
Walker was appointed as Glens boss last Thursday but then lost the job two days later because he does hold the required Uefa coaching licence.
He said that he would consider a boardroom role if director for football Tom Dicks quits his position.
Walker claimed that new boss Alan McDonald has made clear he does not want Walker involved with the club.
"I would consider taking a look at it should some pre-conditions be in place," said Walker of the offer.
"I do feel that Tom Dick, a man I have no problem with whatsoever, he's his own man, but I feel for Tom's own sake and in the interests of the football club, he needs to step down.
"Alan McDonald has stated that he wants no involvement with me at the club. So it would be very difficult for me to find a rule with the current situation."
Walker is convinced that that the Uefa licencing issue could have been overcome to ensure that he took the job later this summer.
I feel I've been a pawn in a very messy game and that there's another agenda on the go
"It didn't need to be an issue if Alan McDonald, who is an A licence holder, had stayed on in the capacity that he had agreed to, as caretaker manager.
"Certainly the B licence would have been completed by the first week of July and I was scouring Europe for the best available A licence course.
"The IFA has a letter dated the same day I was appointed (24 May), confirmed McDonald as caretaker, unbeknownest to me and I suspect unbeknownest to him (Alan McDonald).
"Then, the IFA received a letter confirmed Alan McDonald as manager until May 2008. That was the very next day.
"This letter stated that it was signed by the chairman (Stafford Reynolds) on behalf of the board but I can confirm that several board members were not aware of this."
Walker insists that there were "a lot of options that would have made this an easy fit".
"This did not need to be the debacle that it turned out.
"I feel I've been a pawn in a very messy game and that there's another agenda on the go." BBC
Oxford Mail - FOOTBALL: Brock quits Banbury -By Nick Farrant
Banbury United boss Kevin Brock has quit following a bust-up over the club's finances.
The former Oxford United star, 44, has resigned following eight years at the helm after chairman Dave Bennett informed him that his playing budget would again be cut for next season.
The ex-Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers midfielder fought his corner, but with Bennett unwilling to back down, Brock handed in his notice.
"I had a meeting with the chairman and I wasn't happy with what was said," Brock said.
"So I thought it would be better to move on."
Brock has steered Banbury to their highest-ever league placing, winning two promotions during his spell at the club.
He admitted that he contemplated his future when his budget was cut before last season, but this latest news was the final straw.
"Since I've been here it's always been tough - always a bit of a scrap," he said.
"And I felt it was going to be very difficult next season.
"We had quite a few cutbacks last season and everyone stuck with it.
"No-one left the club and that was down to the players staying loyal to me and I'll always appreciate that.
"It would be stretching it a bit to ask them to do it again."
Brock joined Banbury in 1999 as a player, and took over as manager next year.
"I had a meeting with the chairman and I wasn't happy with what was said, so I thought it would be better to move on."
His appointment proved an immediate success, leading the club to promotion out of the Hellenic League Premier Division at the first attempt.
After a couple of seasons in the Dr Martens Eastern Division, Brock led Banbury to promotion via the play-offs into the Southern League Premier Division in 2003-4, where they are now firmly established.
Banbury have also won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup three times in the last four years.
"We did OK last season," he said.
"We finished halfway up the league, got to the semi-finals of the League Cup and won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.
"I think that was a good effort."
Brock said he had many highlights during his time at Spencer Stadium, but says he has no regrets.
"Winning the Hellenic League in the first season was a great achievement," he said.
"From that point it was always a bit of a struggle. We got stuck in the Dr Martens League and had to spend a lot of money getting the ground and pitch right.
"We then went up via the play-offs into the Premier Division and beat Oxford United in the Senior Cup.
"We have established ourselves in the last few years, but we have always been up against it financially.
"I really enjoyed my time at Banbury. What's happened is not great, but that's football." Report
The Times
Pearce vows to return stronger as first spell in exile loomsMatt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent
When Stuart Pearce took the England Under-21 coaching job on a part-time basis in January, Manchester City were worried that their manager might be stretching himself too thin. “They wanted assurances I wasn’t going to take the job permanently and they lose a manager,” he said yesterday. “They didn’t tell me they were going to sack me.” ....
Success at the tournament in the Netherlands will surely bring an offer from the FA to take charge of the under-21s on a permanent basis, but Pearce, as is his manner, is not taking anything for granted. Questions remain about his calibre as a Barclays Premiership manager, but one thing he will never be accused of is self-pity.
He was released by Queens Park Rangers at 13 and spent five years in non-League football, working as an electrician, before making his name with Nottingham Forest and England. “I don’t think I’ve ever been one of the golden children, like the Glenn Hoddles of the era,” he said. “I’ve always had to get myself there by hook or by crook. Losing my job will act as a spur and make me stronger as a manager. I think you learn lessons very, very quickly through adversity.”
Pearce, 45, declined to speculate whether the Under-21 job would suit him better than running a club – “I think football management is football management; you’ve got to win,” he said – but it would spare him from working in the transfer market, where the likes of Bernardo Corradi and Georgios Samaras failed to justify his valuation.
It would also allow him to build on his good work with younger talents such as Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards. Seeing players coming through the academy system was one of his pleasures at City, although he also argues that he did well with his player trading considering his budget. “Six months before I took the job they sold Nicolas Anelka, then Shaun Wright-Phillips went that summer,” he said, “but in my first season we were a penalty kick away from getting into Europe. The following two seasons we have recouped £13.5 million.
“I feel as though I probably did a lot of good at the club over a difficult period, when there was no finance at all. The squad now has got a much bigger resale value than it had two years ago. There’s more emphasis on young players.”
Pearce will have the chance to work with more bright young individuals such as David Bentley, James Milner, David Nugent and Nigel Reo-Coker next month. Success would guarantee at least one job offer, with the FA eager to make the under-21 manager’s job a full-time position. The Times
Former QPR Player Richard Ord (at least technically!) on Roy Keane as Manager
Roy will demand moreMay 31 2007 - By Nick Purewal, The Evening Chronicle
Roy Keane has his sights set higher than any previous Sunderland manager. That's the view of former Black Cats defender Richard Ord, who believes the duo of Keane and Niall Quinn will bring unparalleled success to Wearside.
Ord made 256 appearances for Sunderland between 1987 and 1998, before leaving for QPR in a £1m-plus deal.
A serious knee injury ended his career in his first training session at his new club, but he still cherishes his 1996 First Division championship winners medal.
Forming an integral part of Peter Reid's defence, Ord is well-placed to compare this latest Premiership adventure with his personal experience and subsequent events.
Hailing Keane's immediate impact, Ord said: "Keane is without doubt the most ambitious manager the club has ever had, and he will want to do a whole lot more than just see Sunderland survive in the Premiership..."Report
And as noted earlier: John Spencer's Houston Dynamos Visited the White House and met the President. Spencer
Tim Sandercombe has been released by Plymouth - Plymouth
Glentoran's almost manager talking, including re Alan McDonald
BBC - Thursday, 31 May 2007,
Walker offered Glens board role
Roy Walker has been offered a position on the Glentoran board in the wake of the managerial shambles at the club.
Walker was appointed as Glens boss last Thursday but then lost the job two days later because he does hold the required Uefa coaching licence.
He said that he would consider a boardroom role if director for football Tom Dicks quits his position.
Walker claimed that new boss Alan McDonald has made clear he does not want Walker involved with the club.
"I would consider taking a look at it should some pre-conditions be in place," said Walker of the offer.
"I do feel that Tom Dick, a man I have no problem with whatsoever, he's his own man, but I feel for Tom's own sake and in the interests of the football club, he needs to step down.
"Alan McDonald has stated that he wants no involvement with me at the club. So it would be very difficult for me to find a rule with the current situation."
Walker is convinced that that the Uefa licencing issue could have been overcome to ensure that he took the job later this summer.
I feel I've been a pawn in a very messy game and that there's another agenda on the go
"It didn't need to be an issue if Alan McDonald, who is an A licence holder, had stayed on in the capacity that he had agreed to, as caretaker manager.
"Certainly the B licence would have been completed by the first week of July and I was scouring Europe for the best available A licence course.
"The IFA has a letter dated the same day I was appointed (24 May), confirmed McDonald as caretaker, unbeknownest to me and I suspect unbeknownest to him (Alan McDonald).
"Then, the IFA received a letter confirmed Alan McDonald as manager until May 2008. That was the very next day.
"This letter stated that it was signed by the chairman (Stafford Reynolds) on behalf of the board but I can confirm that several board members were not aware of this."
Walker insists that there were "a lot of options that would have made this an easy fit".
"This did not need to be the debacle that it turned out.
"I feel I've been a pawn in a very messy game and that there's another agenda on the go." BBC
Ex-QPR John Spencer's Houston Dynamos Visit The White House/Meet The President
-
MLS Champions, Houston Dynamos , where former QPR forward John Spencer is Assistant Coach, visited the White House and met President Bush, Tuesday. Dynamo meet Bush at White House ----- Photos of the White House Visit ---- Player's account of Meeting.
MLS Champions, Houston Dynamos , where former QPR forward John Spencer is Assistant Coach, visited the White House and met President Bush, Tuesday. Dynamo meet Bush at White House ----- Photos of the White House Visit ---- Player's account of Meeting.
QPR Transfer Gossip 'Snippets'
-
From BBC Gossip
Lee Camp's move to QPR is in doubt because of Derby's promotion to the Premiership, with the keeper - who had been on loan at Loftus Road - entitled to a pay rise if he stays with the Rams and the Championship side unable to match such terms. (The Sun)
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has told Fulham it will take a bid of about £5m to land winger Lee Cook. (Daily Star)
Reading want Watford defender Danny Shittu. (Daily Star) BBC
The Sun - LEE CAMP’S move to QPR is in doubt because of Derby’s promotion to the Premiership.
Rangers hoped to bring the England Under-21 keeper to Loftus Road permanently after a second successful loan spell.
But Camp, 22, is now entitled to an £8,000-a- week pay rise if he stays at Derby and wants some compensation for the wage cut he would take with Rangers.
The Championship side are willing to pay up to £500,000 for Camp but can afford to pay him no more than £4,000 a week. The Sun
Clubcall - Wycombe boss pesters Gregory
Wycombe boss Paul Lambert says he is 'pestering' John Gregory on a daily basis about signing Tommy Doherty from QPR.
Lambert wants to turn Doherty's highly-successful loan spell at Adams Park into a permanent transfer.
But the Chairboys manager has been made aware of other clubs interested in Doherty which may reduce his chances of pulling off a deal.
And Lambert told Wycombe's official website: "I am as keen to get Tommy back here as any of our supporters, but there is plenty of interest in him from other clubs.
"He is a terrific player at this level and was very popular, so if we land him it will be a great signing. Clubcall
From BBC Gossip
Lee Camp's move to QPR is in doubt because of Derby's promotion to the Premiership, with the keeper - who had been on loan at Loftus Road - entitled to a pay rise if he stays with the Rams and the Championship side unable to match such terms. (The Sun)
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has told Fulham it will take a bid of about £5m to land winger Lee Cook. (Daily Star)
Reading want Watford defender Danny Shittu. (Daily Star) BBC
The Sun - LEE CAMP’S move to QPR is in doubt because of Derby’s promotion to the Premiership.
Rangers hoped to bring the England Under-21 keeper to Loftus Road permanently after a second successful loan spell.
But Camp, 22, is now entitled to an £8,000-a- week pay rise if he stays at Derby and wants some compensation for the wage cut he would take with Rangers.
The Championship side are willing to pay up to £500,000 for Camp but can afford to pay him no more than £4,000 a week. The Sun
Clubcall - Wycombe boss pesters Gregory
Wycombe boss Paul Lambert says he is 'pestering' John Gregory on a daily basis about signing Tommy Doherty from QPR.
Lambert wants to turn Doherty's highly-successful loan spell at Adams Park into a permanent transfer.
But the Chairboys manager has been made aware of other clubs interested in Doherty which may reduce his chances of pulling off a deal.
And Lambert told Wycombe's official website: "I am as keen to get Tommy back here as any of our supporters, but there is plenty of interest in him from other clubs.
"He is a terrific player at this level and was very popular, so if we land him it will be a great signing. Clubcall
Past Statements About QPR's ABC Loan
-
In May 2002 (long before the present Board took over at QPR), QPR took 10 million pound loan at 10% per annum from the "mysterious" ABC Lenders. For more re ABC Loan, see QPR Report re ABC and QPR Report
This week, an article by Ben Kosky in the Kilburn Times "ABC spells trouble for five more years"
"QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has revealed that the club could be saddled with their crippling ABC loan until 2012 - unless new investors come forward within weeks.
Rangers have been struggling to pay off the Panamanian-based company for the last five years, when a loan of £10m enabled the club to come out of administration.
But, after the collapse of a proposed deal with Oldham chairman Simon Blitz, Paladini has issued a desperate plea for alternative finance to help him renegotiate the ABC payments.
"Time is very short," the Rs chairman told the Times. "The conditions with ABC are that if we don't do anything in one month, the deal is set for another five years.
"The rate of interest is going up to 11.59 per cent. We need somebody with a lot of money, who can buy off the ABC loan - if anyone is capable of rearranging the deal, I want to hear from them.
"The door is open and this is the time, if there's anybody out there with QPR at heart, to come in. The club is in better condition now than it's been for a long time.
"I've tried, the rest of the board have tried, shareholders have tried and Bill Power tried when he was here - it's not easy. We need people who are serious, not a waste of time...."
"Cook was never an issue," stressed Paladini. "We had an agreement with the Americans that they would buy the ABC loan, plus put another £3m into the club.
"It was a fantastic deal for us, everything was set for them to come in and I asked them to put down a deposit. I was trying to protect the deal for QPR and I asked them to make sure everything was above board. "It was nothing to do with selling Cook. I could easily have balanced the books by selling Cook and [Dexter] Blackstock, but I don't want to do that..." Kilburn Times
SOME PAST STATEMENTS RE ABC LOAN Loan
May 2007 - QPR OFFICIAL SITE - CLUB STATEMENT
The Board have today (Sunday) issued the following statement with regards to on-going speculation in the national press.
Queens Park Rangers FC have been involved in discussions with Simon Blitz about possibilities of re-financing the ABC loan at a better interest rate for QPR.
As part of those negotiations, and by way of a down-payment to demonstrate his interest in assisting with this in the future, Mr Blitz agreed to loan QPR £500,000.
It was agreed that the loan was not in violation of the Football Association or Football League rules.
Mr Blitz, as the lending party, assured QPR that he was satisfied, having received his own legal advice, that the loan did not violate any football rules.
The loan, and the security for the loan was not hidden and was made public by the registration of the security at Companies House.
Contrary to press reports, the loan was not made to help QPR with its payroll, but was made in the context of the ABC re-financing discussions.
Having taken further advice, and having discovered that Simon Blitz did not have the prior written authorisation of the F.A. to make this loan, QPR has agreed to pay the loan back forthwith.
QPR would like to assure its supporters that it has no intention of selling Lee Cook, and the fact that the proceeds of any future sale was offered as a security does not suggest this.
Mr Blitz had no say in any potential sale of Lee Cook, and now it is agreed to repay the loan he will not have a security over him.
QPR will continue to work hard to try and re-finance the ABC loan in the near future.
The contents of this statement have been shown to Simon Blitz and agreed by him. It will also been sent to the Football Association.QPR
April 12 2007 QPR Fans Consultative Group Minutes
6. ABC Loan Update
[Director Kevin Steele] KS spoke/updated about this; saying that the ABC loan as we all know came via an offshore company and that there are regulations protecting their confidentiality; that the interest rate of 10% is crippling and that the board are looking at ways of getting it refinanced/paid off.
He went on to say that there are discussions ongoing currently with three banks - one German and two well known banks - and that they are trying to negotiate a 7%- 7.5% rate of interest. Not only that but also looking at the possibility of incorporating some way of starting to pay off the capital. Talks are ongoing, but obviously due to the confidential nature of the discussions, they cannot say too much at the moment. QPR
June 6, 2006 - Chairman Paladini on ABC - QPR Official Site
"...As I still get asked about the ABC loan I would like to tell the fans and shareholders that we are hoping to replace the ABC loan in the near future with a cheaper loan from a more reputable financial institution.
What do we know about the ABC Corporation? Unfortunately very little, we have suspicions, but we can't prove who the controlling interest behind the ABC Corporation is.
The ABC Corporation's lack of transparency means that the Board must question their motives and their attitude towards the club which is why the Board wish to refinance the ABC loan. We will be reviewing the legality of the ABC loan. QPR
May 2, 2006 Clive Whittingham QPR Rivals Q&A with Paladini:
Q: "Five years until the ABC loan expires - should we be worried yet?
Paladini It is my mission to stop that. I didn't create that situation and it's a difficult one to deal with but while I'm here it is my mission to get rid of it. The more people who see we're doing a good job the better the chance is that they'll help us out and work with us on this. We were very close to doing a deal with the Lloyds bank but then there was all that stuff in the Evening Standard and they pulled out, didn't want to know any more. When I took over here, the VAT man, the tax man, the creditors - none of them trusted QPR, and we've had to catch up with payments. People were queuing up for money here in September. We have to put forward a united front and look like a secure option for people to come and help us out. We're working hard on this, Antonio is in Milan today talking to banks and potential lenders. I am confident we'll be rid of the loan within the five years. Whatever happens I'm sure we'll do it...
Q: Do we even know who ABC Corporation are?
Paladini No, no idea. They're based in Panama with a Swiss bank account I think but we just don't know. Ross Jones does though - "I know who's behind it all but I gave my word that I wouldn't reveal who it is so that's that. I'm a man of my word."
QPR Rivals
QPR 1st AGM April 2006
"...When asked to elaborate a little upon the groups, GP started to become a tad defensive, saying that himself and AC had put so much into the club, and then mentioned that at that very time, whilst he cannot say too much, AC was currently away in Milan attempting to see if he could find a solution to being able to refinance the ABC loan, saying “I realise what you Tracy, and others are talking about today about paying off the loan, but we need to try to look at ways of refinancing it, and getting it away from ABC when the 5-year term is up”. He then went onto mention that whilst he appreciated people’s concern, he wanted to give an example of how gossip on messageboards does have the potential to scupper possible commercial deals, citing how they had apparently verbally agreed with a High Street bank a renegotiation of the loan, only for them to pull out due to lack of confidence following rumours of the company going into administration. QPR1st
March 17, 2006 - QPR 1st Report QPR Holdings Ltd AGM
Whilst talking about loans, CP went on to mention the ABC loan, saying that the interest was 10% on it for 5 years, after 5 years (Spring of next year) there is a break clause, however the clause is not to our benefit because if we cannot find a way out of the loan, then ABC can up the interest should they so wish.
Antonio Caliendo then expressed a wish to speak and with the translation skills of Paolo Mina, we learnt that according to AC, the Board wishes to reach an agreement with ABC before the 5 year period and that they hope to present better results next year in order to hopefully be able to do this..... QPR1st
December 2005 QPR Official Site Q&A -
it appears to me very easy and without access to the financial side at QPR, I guess I can only make assumptions. Are there negotiations taking place with solicitors, lenders and ABC in order to either re-negotiate with ABC or a high street lender?
Paladini: We are arranging a new loan with the Lloyds TSB. The directors will give their personal guarantee on the loan. We hope to get an interest rate between 5.75% to 6%. Depending on the final interest rate we will save between £400-425k per year. QPR
LSA- November 2005
"... LSA reps asked whether there was any progress on renegotiating the loan. GP said that talks are underway with a UK bank to try and get them to take over the loan at a rate of 6.5% instead of the 10% that we currently pay. We are also in negotiations with ABC Corporation to try and reduce the lump sum we will have to pay them if the bank takes over the loan.
GP said: “The loan was not the immediate problem – the biggest problem here was getting running costs back under control and avoiding administration, which we have done.” He said the club has saved £160k a year, for example, just by not replacing Mark Devlin and Mark Austin.
Despite that, our outgoings are still phenomenal. GP said that in the last 18 months our income has been £18m but this has all been spent. In one month alone we paid out £1.2m on bills, “but we still have money in the bank”.
A Member asked whether we are doing anything about the way the ABC loan was taken out. GP said there is nothing we can do, so it is not worth pursuing." LSA
October 2005 - Ron Norris/QPRNet Interview with Paladini QPRnet.com:
Is it true that we are behind on our payments to many suppliers?
Paladini: I tried to renegotiate the ABC loan and then some rubbish goes in the paper saying I was this and I was that, saying I was robbing the club and then they say we are going to go into liquidation. If while this is all going on you go to the bank to borrow ten million pounds that doesn’t do you any favours. I got an email from the bank and they didn’t want to take it any further because of these rumours. Never mind, we’ll carry on and eventually we’ll get rid of the ABC loan. QPR Net
October 2005 - QPR1st Minutes/Report from Meeting with QPR Board reps Friday 21st October 2005
ABC loan
We asked the question if The ABC Corporation are connected with any of the Monaco consortiums or the investors behind them. GP and AC seemed to find this amusing and stated categorically that ABC and the Monaco groups are not the same!
GP and CP explained they had no more clue than us as to who was behind ABC. There is very little copy correspondence in the QPR offices in relation to the loan. CP advised that he did not know if any arrangement fee or commission was paid on the loan when originally set up. CP also stated that at the beginning of each financial year on 1st June the figures showed a £1million loss. It is hoped that ABC may accept early repayment of the loan, which will be re financed with a more traditional identifiable lender.
We asked GP if there were any update on this, and if so would he be able to tell us with which banks the club are hoping to renegotiate with. GP stated that so far there have been talks with two banks, one of which would offer an interest rate of 6.5, whilst the other would offer 7%. He is unable to inform us at the time being as to which banks they have been talking to but CP said if they could get the loan renegotiated with a traditional institution, they would feel safer. He also said that on such a renegotiated deal, £300,000 per year in interest charges could be saved which could be directed to repaying the £10 million originally borrowed.
When asked about any fee charges for early repayment by ABC and CP said it would be negotiable.
And what about any new bank, what kind of security would they look at in order to protect their money? It was stated that any bank would secure a charge on the assets i.e. the ground.
And is there any truth in the rumour that the club have been behind in its payments to the ABC Corporation we asked? Absolutely not replied GP. QPR1st
September 8, 2005 - LSA - REPORTED STATEMENTS FROM LSA & QPR 1st
".....This Thursday GP is going to meet some bankers to try and borrow money at an interest rate of 6% in order to pay off ABC. If he is successful that would save QPR £400k a year..." QPR1st
September 2005 QPR 1st 0 Minutes/Report from Meeting with Club/Board Thursday 15th September 2005 -
ABC Loan – GG asked for some clarification regarding the ABC loan and the Board's thoughts regarding it and if whether there had been any recent news relating to the comments made by GP about the possibility of the renegotiating of it? GP responded by saying that he/they “are currently in negotiations with a top bank looking at the possibility of getting it renegotiated at a rate of 6.5%”. GG spoke about the early redemption penalties and asked if GP could give any hints as to the terms, conditions and how long a period we would be talking about regarding a possible renegotiated deal, but GP said he couldn't comment but hoped to have some good news soon. GP stated that he felt the extra 2% (i.e. from 8% to 10%) was the fault of Ross Jones who he understood agreed to the change of rate at the last hour. QPR1st
In May 2002 (long before the present Board took over at QPR), QPR took 10 million pound loan at 10% per annum from the "mysterious" ABC Lenders. For more re ABC Loan, see QPR Report re ABC and QPR Report
This week, an article by Ben Kosky in the Kilburn Times "ABC spells trouble for five more years"
"QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has revealed that the club could be saddled with their crippling ABC loan until 2012 - unless new investors come forward within weeks.
Rangers have been struggling to pay off the Panamanian-based company for the last five years, when a loan of £10m enabled the club to come out of administration.
But, after the collapse of a proposed deal with Oldham chairman Simon Blitz, Paladini has issued a desperate plea for alternative finance to help him renegotiate the ABC payments.
"Time is very short," the Rs chairman told the Times. "The conditions with ABC are that if we don't do anything in one month, the deal is set for another five years.
"The rate of interest is going up to 11.59 per cent. We need somebody with a lot of money, who can buy off the ABC loan - if anyone is capable of rearranging the deal, I want to hear from them.
"The door is open and this is the time, if there's anybody out there with QPR at heart, to come in. The club is in better condition now than it's been for a long time.
"I've tried, the rest of the board have tried, shareholders have tried and Bill Power tried when he was here - it's not easy. We need people who are serious, not a waste of time...."
"Cook was never an issue," stressed Paladini. "We had an agreement with the Americans that they would buy the ABC loan, plus put another £3m into the club.
"It was a fantastic deal for us, everything was set for them to come in and I asked them to put down a deposit. I was trying to protect the deal for QPR and I asked them to make sure everything was above board. "It was nothing to do with selling Cook. I could easily have balanced the books by selling Cook and [Dexter] Blackstock, but I don't want to do that..." Kilburn Times
SOME PAST STATEMENTS RE ABC LOAN Loan
May 2007 - QPR OFFICIAL SITE - CLUB STATEMENT
The Board have today (Sunday) issued the following statement with regards to on-going speculation in the national press.
Queens Park Rangers FC have been involved in discussions with Simon Blitz about possibilities of re-financing the ABC loan at a better interest rate for QPR.
As part of those negotiations, and by way of a down-payment to demonstrate his interest in assisting with this in the future, Mr Blitz agreed to loan QPR £500,000.
It was agreed that the loan was not in violation of the Football Association or Football League rules.
Mr Blitz, as the lending party, assured QPR that he was satisfied, having received his own legal advice, that the loan did not violate any football rules.
The loan, and the security for the loan was not hidden and was made public by the registration of the security at Companies House.
Contrary to press reports, the loan was not made to help QPR with its payroll, but was made in the context of the ABC re-financing discussions.
Having taken further advice, and having discovered that Simon Blitz did not have the prior written authorisation of the F.A. to make this loan, QPR has agreed to pay the loan back forthwith.
QPR would like to assure its supporters that it has no intention of selling Lee Cook, and the fact that the proceeds of any future sale was offered as a security does not suggest this.
Mr Blitz had no say in any potential sale of Lee Cook, and now it is agreed to repay the loan he will not have a security over him.
QPR will continue to work hard to try and re-finance the ABC loan in the near future.
The contents of this statement have been shown to Simon Blitz and agreed by him. It will also been sent to the Football Association.QPR
April 12 2007 QPR Fans Consultative Group Minutes
6. ABC Loan Update
[Director Kevin Steele] KS spoke/updated about this; saying that the ABC loan as we all know came via an offshore company and that there are regulations protecting their confidentiality; that the interest rate of 10% is crippling and that the board are looking at ways of getting it refinanced/paid off.
He went on to say that there are discussions ongoing currently with three banks - one German and two well known banks - and that they are trying to negotiate a 7%- 7.5% rate of interest. Not only that but also looking at the possibility of incorporating some way of starting to pay off the capital. Talks are ongoing, but obviously due to the confidential nature of the discussions, they cannot say too much at the moment. QPR
June 6, 2006 - Chairman Paladini on ABC - QPR Official Site
"...As I still get asked about the ABC loan I would like to tell the fans and shareholders that we are hoping to replace the ABC loan in the near future with a cheaper loan from a more reputable financial institution.
What do we know about the ABC Corporation? Unfortunately very little, we have suspicions, but we can't prove who the controlling interest behind the ABC Corporation is.
The ABC Corporation's lack of transparency means that the Board must question their motives and their attitude towards the club which is why the Board wish to refinance the ABC loan. We will be reviewing the legality of the ABC loan. QPR
May 2, 2006 Clive Whittingham QPR Rivals Q&A with Paladini:
Q: "Five years until the ABC loan expires - should we be worried yet?
Paladini It is my mission to stop that. I didn't create that situation and it's a difficult one to deal with but while I'm here it is my mission to get rid of it. The more people who see we're doing a good job the better the chance is that they'll help us out and work with us on this. We were very close to doing a deal with the Lloyds bank but then there was all that stuff in the Evening Standard and they pulled out, didn't want to know any more. When I took over here, the VAT man, the tax man, the creditors - none of them trusted QPR, and we've had to catch up with payments. People were queuing up for money here in September. We have to put forward a united front and look like a secure option for people to come and help us out. We're working hard on this, Antonio is in Milan today talking to banks and potential lenders. I am confident we'll be rid of the loan within the five years. Whatever happens I'm sure we'll do it...
Q: Do we even know who ABC Corporation are?
Paladini No, no idea. They're based in Panama with a Swiss bank account I think but we just don't know. Ross Jones does though - "I know who's behind it all but I gave my word that I wouldn't reveal who it is so that's that. I'm a man of my word."
QPR Rivals
QPR 1st AGM April 2006
"...When asked to elaborate a little upon the groups, GP started to become a tad defensive, saying that himself and AC had put so much into the club, and then mentioned that at that very time, whilst he cannot say too much, AC was currently away in Milan attempting to see if he could find a solution to being able to refinance the ABC loan, saying “I realise what you Tracy, and others are talking about today about paying off the loan, but we need to try to look at ways of refinancing it, and getting it away from ABC when the 5-year term is up”. He then went onto mention that whilst he appreciated people’s concern, he wanted to give an example of how gossip on messageboards does have the potential to scupper possible commercial deals, citing how they had apparently verbally agreed with a High Street bank a renegotiation of the loan, only for them to pull out due to lack of confidence following rumours of the company going into administration. QPR1st
March 17, 2006 - QPR 1st Report QPR Holdings Ltd AGM
Whilst talking about loans, CP went on to mention the ABC loan, saying that the interest was 10% on it for 5 years, after 5 years (Spring of next year) there is a break clause, however the clause is not to our benefit because if we cannot find a way out of the loan, then ABC can up the interest should they so wish.
Antonio Caliendo then expressed a wish to speak and with the translation skills of Paolo Mina, we learnt that according to AC, the Board wishes to reach an agreement with ABC before the 5 year period and that they hope to present better results next year in order to hopefully be able to do this..... QPR1st
December 2005 QPR Official Site Q&A -
it appears to me very easy and without access to the financial side at QPR, I guess I can only make assumptions. Are there negotiations taking place with solicitors, lenders and ABC in order to either re-negotiate with ABC or a high street lender?
Paladini: We are arranging a new loan with the Lloyds TSB. The directors will give their personal guarantee on the loan. We hope to get an interest rate between 5.75% to 6%. Depending on the final interest rate we will save between £400-425k per year. QPR
LSA- November 2005
"... LSA reps asked whether there was any progress on renegotiating the loan. GP said that talks are underway with a UK bank to try and get them to take over the loan at a rate of 6.5% instead of the 10% that we currently pay. We are also in negotiations with ABC Corporation to try and reduce the lump sum we will have to pay them if the bank takes over the loan.
GP said: “The loan was not the immediate problem – the biggest problem here was getting running costs back under control and avoiding administration, which we have done.” He said the club has saved £160k a year, for example, just by not replacing Mark Devlin and Mark Austin.
Despite that, our outgoings are still phenomenal. GP said that in the last 18 months our income has been £18m but this has all been spent. In one month alone we paid out £1.2m on bills, “but we still have money in the bank”.
A Member asked whether we are doing anything about the way the ABC loan was taken out. GP said there is nothing we can do, so it is not worth pursuing." LSA
October 2005 - Ron Norris/QPRNet Interview with Paladini QPRnet.com:
Is it true that we are behind on our payments to many suppliers?
Paladini: I tried to renegotiate the ABC loan and then some rubbish goes in the paper saying I was this and I was that, saying I was robbing the club and then they say we are going to go into liquidation. If while this is all going on you go to the bank to borrow ten million pounds that doesn’t do you any favours. I got an email from the bank and they didn’t want to take it any further because of these rumours. Never mind, we’ll carry on and eventually we’ll get rid of the ABC loan. QPR Net
October 2005 - QPR1st Minutes/Report from Meeting with QPR Board reps Friday 21st October 2005
ABC loan
We asked the question if The ABC Corporation are connected with any of the Monaco consortiums or the investors behind them. GP and AC seemed to find this amusing and stated categorically that ABC and the Monaco groups are not the same!
GP and CP explained they had no more clue than us as to who was behind ABC. There is very little copy correspondence in the QPR offices in relation to the loan. CP advised that he did not know if any arrangement fee or commission was paid on the loan when originally set up. CP also stated that at the beginning of each financial year on 1st June the figures showed a £1million loss. It is hoped that ABC may accept early repayment of the loan, which will be re financed with a more traditional identifiable lender.
We asked GP if there were any update on this, and if so would he be able to tell us with which banks the club are hoping to renegotiate with. GP stated that so far there have been talks with two banks, one of which would offer an interest rate of 6.5, whilst the other would offer 7%. He is unable to inform us at the time being as to which banks they have been talking to but CP said if they could get the loan renegotiated with a traditional institution, they would feel safer. He also said that on such a renegotiated deal, £300,000 per year in interest charges could be saved which could be directed to repaying the £10 million originally borrowed.
When asked about any fee charges for early repayment by ABC and CP said it would be negotiable.
And what about any new bank, what kind of security would they look at in order to protect their money? It was stated that any bank would secure a charge on the assets i.e. the ground.
And is there any truth in the rumour that the club have been behind in its payments to the ABC Corporation we asked? Absolutely not replied GP. QPR1st
September 8, 2005 - LSA - REPORTED STATEMENTS FROM LSA & QPR 1st
".....This Thursday GP is going to meet some bankers to try and borrow money at an interest rate of 6% in order to pay off ABC. If he is successful that would save QPR £400k a year..." QPR1st
September 2005 QPR 1st 0 Minutes/Report from Meeting with Club/Board Thursday 15th September 2005 -
ABC Loan – GG asked for some clarification regarding the ABC loan and the Board's thoughts regarding it and if whether there had been any recent news relating to the comments made by GP about the possibility of the renegotiating of it? GP responded by saying that he/they “are currently in negotiations with a top bank looking at the possibility of getting it renegotiated at a rate of 6.5%”. GG spoke about the early redemption penalties and asked if GP could give any hints as to the terms, conditions and how long a period we would be talking about regarding a possible renegotiated deal, but GP said he couldn't comment but hoped to have some good news soon. GP stated that he felt the extra 2% (i.e. from 8% to 10%) was the fault of Ross Jones who he understood agreed to the change of rate at the last hour. QPR1st
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
High Ranking for QPR's Official Website for Online Audiences
-
Nielson Netratings
The ‘Online Premiership’ - England’s 20 most popular clubs online by UK audience
The ‘Online Premiership’ comprises 11 clubs from the current Premiership, seven from the Championship and one each from League One (Nottingham Forest) and League Two (Bristol Rovers) The current top four Premiership clubs also account for the four most popular clubs online...
Top 20 English Football Club Websites by UK Audience – March 2006
Online
Position Club Unique Audience (000s) Current League Position Current Division
Internet vs. League position
1 Liverpool 393 3 Premiership 􀃒2
2 Manchester United 385 1 Premiership 􀃔1
3 Arsenal 290 4 Premiership 􀃒1
4 Chelsea 215 2 Premiership 􀃔2
5 Tottenham Hotspur 153 9 Premiership 􀃒4
6 Everton 114 6 Premiership 􀃎
7 Wolves 101 25 Championship 􀃒18
8 Leeds United 90 42 Championship 􀃒34
9 Sunderland 83 22 Championship 􀃒13
10 Charlton Athletic 77 19 Premiership 􀃒9
11 Nottingham Forest 75 47 League One 􀃒36
12 Manchester City 67 13 Premiership 􀃒1
13 Queens Park Rangers 63 39 Championship 􀃒26
14 Bristol Rovers 62 75 League Two 􀃒61
15 Newcastle United 61 12 Premiership 􀃔3
16 Leicester City 56 37 Championship 􀃒21
17 Sheffield Wednesday 54 30 Championship 􀃒13
18 Southampton 51 26 Championship 􀃒8
19 West Ham United 50 18 Premiership 􀃔1
20 Blackburn Rovers 48 10 Premiership 􀃔10
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, NetView UK, home & work data, including Internet applications
E.g. In Mar 06, 393,000 Britons online visited the Liverpool website. Liverpool is currently 3rd in the league meaning they are two places higher in the ‘Online Premiership’ compared to their current league position
“It’s interesting, but perhaps not surprising, to see the monopoly of the four most dominant clubs in England on the pitch replicated on the web. It seems the rest are as unlikely to catch them online as they are in the league.
However, it’s encouraging to see the strong online performance of clubs much lower down the league, showing that the depth of the fan-base isn’t always aligned with how successful a club is on the pitch.”
ENDS
EDITOR’S NOTES
Please source all information to Nielsen//NetRatings or NetRatings
Please note that ACNielsen and Nielsen are both separate, unrelated companies and should NOT be quoted
when sourcing the attached data. If an abbreviated name is required then please use NetRatings
For further information, please contact:
Alex Burmaster, European Internet Analyst: Tel: 020 7014 0597 / 0780 3131144 / aburmaster@netratings.com
Link
[QPR's Official Website can be viewed at QPR
Nielson Netratings
The ‘Online Premiership’ - England’s 20 most popular clubs online by UK audience
The ‘Online Premiership’ comprises 11 clubs from the current Premiership, seven from the Championship and one each from League One (Nottingham Forest) and League Two (Bristol Rovers) The current top four Premiership clubs also account for the four most popular clubs online...
Top 20 English Football Club Websites by UK Audience – March 2006
Online
Position Club Unique Audience (000s) Current League Position Current Division
Internet vs. League position
1 Liverpool 393 3 Premiership 􀃒2
2 Manchester United 385 1 Premiership 􀃔1
3 Arsenal 290 4 Premiership 􀃒1
4 Chelsea 215 2 Premiership 􀃔2
5 Tottenham Hotspur 153 9 Premiership 􀃒4
6 Everton 114 6 Premiership 􀃎
7 Wolves 101 25 Championship 􀃒18
8 Leeds United 90 42 Championship 􀃒34
9 Sunderland 83 22 Championship 􀃒13
10 Charlton Athletic 77 19 Premiership 􀃒9
11 Nottingham Forest 75 47 League One 􀃒36
12 Manchester City 67 13 Premiership 􀃒1
13 Queens Park Rangers 63 39 Championship 􀃒26
14 Bristol Rovers 62 75 League Two 􀃒61
15 Newcastle United 61 12 Premiership 􀃔3
16 Leicester City 56 37 Championship 􀃒21
17 Sheffield Wednesday 54 30 Championship 􀃒13
18 Southampton 51 26 Championship 􀃒8
19 West Ham United 50 18 Premiership 􀃔1
20 Blackburn Rovers 48 10 Premiership 􀃔10
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, NetView UK, home & work data, including Internet applications
E.g. In Mar 06, 393,000 Britons online visited the Liverpool website. Liverpool is currently 3rd in the league meaning they are two places higher in the ‘Online Premiership’ compared to their current league position
“It’s interesting, but perhaps not surprising, to see the monopoly of the four most dominant clubs in England on the pitch replicated on the web. It seems the rest are as unlikely to catch them online as they are in the league.
However, it’s encouraging to see the strong online performance of clubs much lower down the league, showing that the depth of the fan-base isn’t always aligned with how successful a club is on the pitch.”
ENDS
EDITOR’S NOTES
Please source all information to Nielsen//NetRatings or NetRatings
Please note that ACNielsen and Nielsen are both separate, unrelated companies and should NOT be quoted
when sourcing the attached data. If an abbreviated name is required then please use NetRatings
For further information, please contact:
Alex Burmaster, European Internet Analyst: Tel: 020 7014 0597 / 0780 3131144 / aburmaster@netratings.com
Link
[QPR's Official Website can be viewed at QPR
QPR's ABC Loan Problem
-
ABC spells trouble for five more years
By Ben Kosky - Kilburn Times - May 30, 2007
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has revealed that the club could be saddled with their crippling ABC loan until 2012 - unless new investors come forward within weeks.
Rangers have been struggling to pay off the Panamanian-based company for the last five years, when a loan of £10m enabled the club to come out of administration.
But, after the collapse of a proposed deal with Oldham chairman Simon Blitz, Paladini has issued a desperate plea for alternative finance to help him renegotiate the ABC payments.
"Time is very short," the Rs chairman told the Times. "The conditions with ABC are that if we don't do anything in one month, the deal is set for another five years.
"The rate of interest is going up to 11.59 per cent. We need somebody with a lot of money, who can buy off the ABC loan - if anyone is capable of rearranging the deal, I want to hear from them.
"The door is open and this is the time, if there's anybody out there with QPR at heart, to come in. The club is in better condition now than it's been for a long time.
"I've tried, the rest of the board have tried, shareholders have tried and Bill Power tried when he was here - it's not easy. We need people who are serious, not a waste of time."
As proof of the club's financial recovery, Paladini points to the figures recently released in the annual report of QPR Holdings Ltd, showing a £636,000 increase in turnover for the 2005-06 season.
Also, Rangers anticipate an increase of at least 1,000 on last year's season ticket sales, and have made significant savings after the exits of higher wage earners such as Marc Bircham, Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.
Most importantly, perhaps, the QPR chairman insists that selling star man Lee Cook - inaccurately reported as a condition of the intended Blitz deal - is in no way a financial necessity.
"Cook was never an issue," stressed Paladini. "We had an agreement with the Americans that they would buy the ABC loan, plus put another £3m into the club.
"It was a fantastic deal for us, everything was set for them to come in and I asked them to put down a deposit. I was trying to protect the deal for QPR and I asked them to make sure everything was above board.
"It was nothing to do with selling Cook. I could easily have balanced the books by selling Cook and [Dexter] Blackstock, but I don't want to do that.
"It would weaken the team. I'm trying to build a team that can take us forward and, with John Gregory, we're going in the right direction. The only way we'll sell Cook is to have an offer we cannot refuse."
He added: "If we were in a dangerous situation financially, we'd be forced to sell him, but we're not in that situation.
"The expenditure on players was killing us, but now we'll have 24 or 25 on the books instead of 40."
With eight players released at the end of last season, Paladini expects four or five signings to be made this summer, ideally English-based players with previous experience of Championship football.
Last summer Rangers brought in largely untried overseas players such as Armel Tchakounte, Adam Czerkas and Egutu Oliseh - none of whom made any significant impact in their brief stays at Loftus Road.
Paladini conceded: "We've learnt from that experience and we're now looking at players who are established in this division, maybe some that have been in the Premiership too.
"To be successful in the Championship, you've got to have some younger players mixed with some who are experienced in this division, like [Danny] Cullip.
"We finished last season in high spirits and if John can bring in the right players, I think we can have a team to be proud of and one that can compete with anybody."
QPR'S pre-season programme is beginning to take shape, with their home game against Scottish double winners Celtic on Sunday July 15 to be followed by a trip to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday July 28.
The club are also hoping to finalise a Loftus Road clash with neighbours Fulham, likely to be played on August 3 or 4. Kilburn Times
ABC spells trouble for five more years
By Ben Kosky - Kilburn Times - May 30, 2007
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has revealed that the club could be saddled with their crippling ABC loan until 2012 - unless new investors come forward within weeks.
Rangers have been struggling to pay off the Panamanian-based company for the last five years, when a loan of £10m enabled the club to come out of administration.
But, after the collapse of a proposed deal with Oldham chairman Simon Blitz, Paladini has issued a desperate plea for alternative finance to help him renegotiate the ABC payments.
"Time is very short," the Rs chairman told the Times. "The conditions with ABC are that if we don't do anything in one month, the deal is set for another five years.
"The rate of interest is going up to 11.59 per cent. We need somebody with a lot of money, who can buy off the ABC loan - if anyone is capable of rearranging the deal, I want to hear from them.
"The door is open and this is the time, if there's anybody out there with QPR at heart, to come in. The club is in better condition now than it's been for a long time.
"I've tried, the rest of the board have tried, shareholders have tried and Bill Power tried when he was here - it's not easy. We need people who are serious, not a waste of time."
As proof of the club's financial recovery, Paladini points to the figures recently released in the annual report of QPR Holdings Ltd, showing a £636,000 increase in turnover for the 2005-06 season.
Also, Rangers anticipate an increase of at least 1,000 on last year's season ticket sales, and have made significant savings after the exits of higher wage earners such as Marc Bircham, Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.
Most importantly, perhaps, the QPR chairman insists that selling star man Lee Cook - inaccurately reported as a condition of the intended Blitz deal - is in no way a financial necessity.
"Cook was never an issue," stressed Paladini. "We had an agreement with the Americans that they would buy the ABC loan, plus put another £3m into the club.
"It was a fantastic deal for us, everything was set for them to come in and I asked them to put down a deposit. I was trying to protect the deal for QPR and I asked them to make sure everything was above board.
"It was nothing to do with selling Cook. I could easily have balanced the books by selling Cook and [Dexter] Blackstock, but I don't want to do that.
"It would weaken the team. I'm trying to build a team that can take us forward and, with John Gregory, we're going in the right direction. The only way we'll sell Cook is to have an offer we cannot refuse."
He added: "If we were in a dangerous situation financially, we'd be forced to sell him, but we're not in that situation.
"The expenditure on players was killing us, but now we'll have 24 or 25 on the books instead of 40."
With eight players released at the end of last season, Paladini expects four or five signings to be made this summer, ideally English-based players with previous experience of Championship football.
Last summer Rangers brought in largely untried overseas players such as Armel Tchakounte, Adam Czerkas and Egutu Oliseh - none of whom made any significant impact in their brief stays at Loftus Road.
Paladini conceded: "We've learnt from that experience and we're now looking at players who are established in this division, maybe some that have been in the Premiership too.
"To be successful in the Championship, you've got to have some younger players mixed with some who are experienced in this division, like [Danny] Cullip.
"We finished last season in high spirits and if John can bring in the right players, I think we can have a team to be proud of and one that can compete with anybody."
QPR'S pre-season programme is beginning to take shape, with their home game against Scottish double winners Celtic on Sunday July 15 to be followed by a trip to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday July 28.
The club are also hoping to finalise a Loftus Road clash with neighbours Fulham, likely to be played on August 3 or 4. Kilburn Times
Ex-QPR News and ""Flashback/"On This Day"...Chris Wright's Takeover Bid
-
Former QPR Youth Team Goalie, Tim Sandercombe has been released by Plymouth - Plymouth
Former QPR (and Chelsea and Sunderland) winger, Clive Walker who spent a season at QPR 20 years ago, 1986-1987, turned 50. Walker profile
On This Day....
Six years ago, Nigel Blackburn was appointed QPR Chairman
BBC Blackburn takes charge at QPR
Nick Blackburn has been installed as the new chairman of QPR, following the club's exit from administration last week.
Blackburn was vice-chairman to Chris Wright, and then acting chairman following Wright's resignation last year.
Rangers chief executive David Davies had been strongly tipped to take on the role of chairman, having helped steer the club through its crisis period.
However, Davies will be staying in his current job, while director Ross Jones has taken over as chairman of parent company Loftus Road plc. BBC
pounds 10m offer to link QPR with Wasps - Independent, The (London), May 30, 1996 by STEVE BALE
Combining football and rugby clubs, much touted since rugby union went professional nine months ago, will become reality if Queen's Park Rangers and Wasps accept bids from a music magnate who intends to bring them together at Loftus Road.
Chris Wright, majority shareholder of the television and entertainment group Chrysalis, yesterday tabled an pounds 8m offer to buy the recently relegated football club from Richard Thompson. At the same time he proposed paying pounds 1.75m for a 49.9 per cent stake in Wasps, with another pounds 1m available for players' contracts.
Rangers director Alan Hedges said that Wright's was just one of three offers for the football club. One is fronted by the former Guinness chief, Ernest Saunders.
"I have been a supporter at Loftus Road for 20 years. That's why I want to get involved - because I am a fanatic," Wright said yesterday. He said that Ray Wilkins would definitely continue as manager, and would have money to buy new players.
Wright believed he had the deal "in the bag" two days ago but said that Thompson "changed the parameters - and that usually means asking for more money".
Wasps have asked for 21 days to consider Wright's offer, which is contingent on their playing first-team matches at Loftus Road and using their present facility at Sudbury near Wembley for second-team fixtures for both the football and rugby clubs, though Wright is reportedly interested in developing Sudbury if his QPR interest goes unrequited.
Wright's plan received the immediate endorsement of their captain, the England flanker Lawrence Dallaglio, and the Wasps players.
"The QPR link-up would undoubtedly be good for Wasps," Dallaglio said yesterday. "It would provide us with the best stadium facilities in the country and help us go into the new era of professional rugby in the right environment to produce a trophy-winning side."
He added: "The surface is like a bowling-green and would be fantastic to play on." Quite how long it would stay in such pristine condition is arguable, though, remembering the experience of Cardiff City when the Cardiff rugby league side played at Ninian Park in the early 1980s. Then, the rugby, even without union's churningly intensive scrummaging, rucking and mauling, played havoc with the turf.
That would be just one of the implications that the Football League would want to investigate. "Any member club wishing to share its ground with another sporting activity would need our permission," League spokesman Chris Hull said.
"There would be obvious concerns as to the standard of pitches for League matches if another sport were to be staged on the same ground."
There are also potential problems with the pitch size. On the few occasions rugby has used football facilities - for instance, when the North played New Zealand at Anfield in 1993 - the pitch has had to be shortened in order to accommodate even a truncated in-goal area.
"These proposals not only offer both clubs financial security but also the chance to establish London's premier sporting venue at Loftus Road," Wright said. "We would ensure that Wasps and QPR retain their individual identities but are able to benefit from the huge marketing and commercial opportunities that the joint organisation would provide." Standard
Wigan link, page 27
Former QPR Youth Team Goalie, Tim Sandercombe has been released by Plymouth - Plymouth
Former QPR (and Chelsea and Sunderland) winger, Clive Walker who spent a season at QPR 20 years ago, 1986-1987, turned 50. Walker profile
On This Day....
Six years ago, Nigel Blackburn was appointed QPR Chairman
BBC Blackburn takes charge at QPR
Nick Blackburn has been installed as the new chairman of QPR, following the club's exit from administration last week.
Blackburn was vice-chairman to Chris Wright, and then acting chairman following Wright's resignation last year.
Rangers chief executive David Davies had been strongly tipped to take on the role of chairman, having helped steer the club through its crisis period.
However, Davies will be staying in his current job, while director Ross Jones has taken over as chairman of parent company Loftus Road plc. BBC
pounds 10m offer to link QPR with Wasps - Independent, The (London), May 30, 1996 by STEVE BALE
Combining football and rugby clubs, much touted since rugby union went professional nine months ago, will become reality if Queen's Park Rangers and Wasps accept bids from a music magnate who intends to bring them together at Loftus Road.
Chris Wright, majority shareholder of the television and entertainment group Chrysalis, yesterday tabled an pounds 8m offer to buy the recently relegated football club from Richard Thompson. At the same time he proposed paying pounds 1.75m for a 49.9 per cent stake in Wasps, with another pounds 1m available for players' contracts.
Rangers director Alan Hedges said that Wright's was just one of three offers for the football club. One is fronted by the former Guinness chief, Ernest Saunders.
"I have been a supporter at Loftus Road for 20 years. That's why I want to get involved - because I am a fanatic," Wright said yesterday. He said that Ray Wilkins would definitely continue as manager, and would have money to buy new players.
Wright believed he had the deal "in the bag" two days ago but said that Thompson "changed the parameters - and that usually means asking for more money".
Wasps have asked for 21 days to consider Wright's offer, which is contingent on their playing first-team matches at Loftus Road and using their present facility at Sudbury near Wembley for second-team fixtures for both the football and rugby clubs, though Wright is reportedly interested in developing Sudbury if his QPR interest goes unrequited.
Wright's plan received the immediate endorsement of their captain, the England flanker Lawrence Dallaglio, and the Wasps players.
"The QPR link-up would undoubtedly be good for Wasps," Dallaglio said yesterday. "It would provide us with the best stadium facilities in the country and help us go into the new era of professional rugby in the right environment to produce a trophy-winning side."
He added: "The surface is like a bowling-green and would be fantastic to play on." Quite how long it would stay in such pristine condition is arguable, though, remembering the experience of Cardiff City when the Cardiff rugby league side played at Ninian Park in the early 1980s. Then, the rugby, even without union's churningly intensive scrummaging, rucking and mauling, played havoc with the turf.
That would be just one of the implications that the Football League would want to investigate. "Any member club wishing to share its ground with another sporting activity would need our permission," League spokesman Chris Hull said.
"There would be obvious concerns as to the standard of pitches for League matches if another sport were to be staged on the same ground."
There are also potential problems with the pitch size. On the few occasions rugby has used football facilities - for instance, when the North played New Zealand at Anfield in 1993 - the pitch has had to be shortened in order to accommodate even a truncated in-goal area.
"These proposals not only offer both clubs financial security but also the chance to establish London's premier sporting venue at Loftus Road," Wright said. "We would ensure that Wasps and QPR retain their individual identities but are able to benefit from the huge marketing and commercial opportunities that the joint organisation would provide." Standard
Wigan link, page 27
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Glentoran's New Manager, Alan McDonald: "I will do the job on my terms and do it my way"
-
BBC - McDonald installed in Glens job
Glentoran have appointed former Northern Ireland captain Alan McDonald as their new manager.
McDonald was assistant to previous boss Paul Millar and had been expected to be part of Roy Walker's backroom team.
Walker was unveiled as the club's new manager last week but was unable to take up the post as he did not hold the required Uefa A Coaching Licence.
Glentoran director of football Tom Dick described the events of recent days as an "absolute unmitigated disaster".
Dick was speaking after McDonald had been given a two-year contract by the Oval board.
The Glentoran official added that he was "very sorry" about how the "board misjudgement" had impacted on Roy Walker.
Dick acknowledged that he was fearful that his friendship with Walker had been affected by recent events.
"It's totally embarrassing and totally disappointing that a football club with the fan base like ours can't come up with a better way of appointing a manager," said the Glentoran official.
"It was allowed to happen because people didn't actually stop and take breath and realise what they were actually doing.
"Roy Walker made the interview panel aware that he didn't have the necessary qualifications but they believed that there was a way of getting around those qualifications. It turned out that there wasn't.
"Roy was a good friend of mine. I hope he'll realise somewhere along the line that no-one set out to personally upset or annoy him.
"I have a lot of respect for Roy and I just think today, if Roy speaks to me again, well, that will show the character of the man."
Dick said that lessons had to be learned but he denied that heads should roll within the Oval boardroom.
New boss McDonald told the assembled media that he had personally asked for Tuesday's press conference to be called.
"I want to put to bed all the negativity that has gone out from this football club over the last eight or nine days," said McDonald.
"I'm the manager of this football club. I'm going away today (with the Northern Ireland Under-21s) and the dust will settle and I will start my job on Monday.
"I will do it on my terms and do it my way. There will be nobody in the background."
Walker is understood to have held discussions with Glentoran officials on Monday.
When contacted on Monday evening, Walker said that he was "considering" his response and would release a statement to the media later this week. BBC
See Also: QPR Report "For Glentoran's ex-QPR Alan McDonald an Eventful Year"
BBC - McDonald installed in Glens job
Glentoran have appointed former Northern Ireland captain Alan McDonald as their new manager.
McDonald was assistant to previous boss Paul Millar and had been expected to be part of Roy Walker's backroom team.
Walker was unveiled as the club's new manager last week but was unable to take up the post as he did not hold the required Uefa A Coaching Licence.
Glentoran director of football Tom Dick described the events of recent days as an "absolute unmitigated disaster".
Dick was speaking after McDonald had been given a two-year contract by the Oval board.
The Glentoran official added that he was "very sorry" about how the "board misjudgement" had impacted on Roy Walker.
Dick acknowledged that he was fearful that his friendship with Walker had been affected by recent events.
"It's totally embarrassing and totally disappointing that a football club with the fan base like ours can't come up with a better way of appointing a manager," said the Glentoran official.
"It was allowed to happen because people didn't actually stop and take breath and realise what they were actually doing.
"Roy Walker made the interview panel aware that he didn't have the necessary qualifications but they believed that there was a way of getting around those qualifications. It turned out that there wasn't.
"Roy was a good friend of mine. I hope he'll realise somewhere along the line that no-one set out to personally upset or annoy him.
"I have a lot of respect for Roy and I just think today, if Roy speaks to me again, well, that will show the character of the man."
Dick said that lessons had to be learned but he denied that heads should roll within the Oval boardroom.
New boss McDonald told the assembled media that he had personally asked for Tuesday's press conference to be called.
"I want to put to bed all the negativity that has gone out from this football club over the last eight or nine days," said McDonald.
"I'm the manager of this football club. I'm going away today (with the Northern Ireland Under-21s) and the dust will settle and I will start my job on Monday.
"I will do it on my terms and do it my way. There will be nobody in the background."
Walker is understood to have held discussions with Glentoran officials on Monday.
When contacted on Monday evening, Walker said that he was "considering" his response and would release a statement to the media later this week. BBC
See Also: QPR Report "For Glentoran's ex-QPR Alan McDonald an Eventful Year"
Ian Evatt on QPR (and what Evatt Was Saying a Few Months Ago)
-
Interview on the QPR Official Site with former QPR defender, and now Blackpool stalwart, Ian Evatt.
(And what Evatt was saying about QPR and John Gregory back in January.)
QPR Official Site - EVATT'S REUNION
"...Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this morning.... Evatt was released from QPR by mutual consent at the turn of the year, but he's settled into life well with the Seasiders ...."I struggled to settle in London, but QPR are a good Club and I'm looking forward to returning to Loftus Road with Blackpool next season,'' he said.
"John Gregory obviously made a big impact there last season and although things didn't work out for me, I don't hold any grudges and I wish the Club all the best.
"I'm still very good friends with Cooky (Lee Cook) and I know Bolds (Adam Bolder) quite well through my time at Derby, so it will be nice to see those two again.''
"I struggled to settle in London, but QPR are a good Club and I'm looking forward to returning to Loftus Road with Blackpool next season.''.....'' QPR
What Ian Evatt was saying in January:
IAN EVATT The Times Evatt proves to be Wise signing Ian Whittell
Blackpool 1 Norwich City 1
".......“QPR bought my contract out at the start of January, I’d had a good loan spell here and was more than happy to sign,” Evatt said. “But I was disappointed and felt let down a bit by how QPR treated me, especially towards the end.
“You just have to hold your head up and keep battling away and I’ve proved today I can play at Championship level, most of the lads have done. Going for promotion, as we are, that has got to give you confidence...” Times
Dail Mail Leveller Evatt sends message to Gregory - By COLIN WOOD - Blackpool 1 Norwich 1
Ian Evatt clearly hopes his rescue act for Blackpool will come to the attention of Queens Park Rangers manager John Gregory and everyone at Loftus Road....
The tall, 25-year-old central defender feels he has no cause to be grateful to Gregory and QPR, who paid him off before he made his loan to Blackpool a permanent move this month.
Evatt played under Gregory for more than a year at Derby and admitted that he felt his old boss had treated him with "a lack of common courtesy".
Speaking of the latest parting, Evatt said: "He got sacked at Derby while I was there. Having known him a while it's disappointing that I didn't even get a phone call. I felt let down, the way I was treated at QPR towards the end. A few players will say the same thing. I did not speak to John Gregory, full stop."
But after netting his first goal for Blackpool - "the most important I've ever scored" - he doesn't intend to let that bitterness stop him enjoying his time ahead.His sights are set on promotion to the Championship and a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup - a stage the club last reached 17 years ago..."
Mail
Guardian -Evatt settles the scores of a season Louise Taylor at Bloomfield Road
"... afterwards Blackpool's villain-turned-hero displayed greater enthusiasm for deconstructing Gregory than discussing the rematch. "I was bitterly disappointed by the way it ended at QPR; I felt a bit let down," said Evatt, who joined Blackpool, where he spent the early part of the season on loan, for nothing this month after QPR terminated his contract. "I didn't get one phone call from anyone at QPR to explain what was happening. And John Gregory didn't speak to me, full stop. That hurt but I've just got to hold my head up and try and get back into the Championship with Blackpool," added the 25-year-old who, although already borrowed by Grayson when Gregory took charge at Loftus Road, believed their earlier association at Derby County entitled him to a debrief, if not a second chance.
Things went badly wrong for the centre-half almost from the moment QPR's former manager, Ian Holloway, paid Chesterfield £150,000 for him and said he was the club's "new Glenn Roeder". Evatt's decent distribution failed to compensate for a lack of pace and a string of mishaps. Grayson, though, detected potential and Evatt has vindicated this by playing an important role in Blackpool's emergence as promotion contenders...." Guardian
Also: Evatt - Telegraph Evatt proves worth to Blackpool peers - By Peter Gardner Telegraph
Interview on the QPR Official Site with former QPR defender, and now Blackpool stalwart, Ian Evatt.
(And what Evatt was saying about QPR and John Gregory back in January.)
QPR Official Site - EVATT'S REUNION
"...Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this morning.... Evatt was released from QPR by mutual consent at the turn of the year, but he's settled into life well with the Seasiders ...."I struggled to settle in London, but QPR are a good Club and I'm looking forward to returning to Loftus Road with Blackpool next season,'' he said.
"John Gregory obviously made a big impact there last season and although things didn't work out for me, I don't hold any grudges and I wish the Club all the best.
"I'm still very good friends with Cooky (Lee Cook) and I know Bolds (Adam Bolder) quite well through my time at Derby, so it will be nice to see those two again.''
"I struggled to settle in London, but QPR are a good Club and I'm looking forward to returning to Loftus Road with Blackpool next season.''.....'' QPR
What Ian Evatt was saying in January:
IAN EVATT The Times Evatt proves to be Wise signing Ian Whittell
Blackpool 1 Norwich City 1
".......“QPR bought my contract out at the start of January, I’d had a good loan spell here and was more than happy to sign,” Evatt said. “But I was disappointed and felt let down a bit by how QPR treated me, especially towards the end.
“You just have to hold your head up and keep battling away and I’ve proved today I can play at Championship level, most of the lads have done. Going for promotion, as we are, that has got to give you confidence...” Times
Dail Mail Leveller Evatt sends message to Gregory - By COLIN WOOD - Blackpool 1 Norwich 1
Ian Evatt clearly hopes his rescue act for Blackpool will come to the attention of Queens Park Rangers manager John Gregory and everyone at Loftus Road....
The tall, 25-year-old central defender feels he has no cause to be grateful to Gregory and QPR, who paid him off before he made his loan to Blackpool a permanent move this month.
Evatt played under Gregory for more than a year at Derby and admitted that he felt his old boss had treated him with "a lack of common courtesy".
Speaking of the latest parting, Evatt said: "He got sacked at Derby while I was there. Having known him a while it's disappointing that I didn't even get a phone call. I felt let down, the way I was treated at QPR towards the end. A few players will say the same thing. I did not speak to John Gregory, full stop."
But after netting his first goal for Blackpool - "the most important I've ever scored" - he doesn't intend to let that bitterness stop him enjoying his time ahead.His sights are set on promotion to the Championship and a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup - a stage the club last reached 17 years ago..."
Guardian -Evatt settles the scores of a season Louise Taylor at Bloomfield Road
"... afterwards Blackpool's villain-turned-hero displayed greater enthusiasm for deconstructing Gregory than discussing the rematch. "I was bitterly disappointed by the way it ended at QPR; I felt a bit let down," said Evatt, who joined Blackpool, where he spent the early part of the season on loan, for nothing this month after QPR terminated his contract. "I didn't get one phone call from anyone at QPR to explain what was happening. And John Gregory didn't speak to me, full stop. That hurt but I've just got to hold my head up and try and get back into the Championship with Blackpool," added the 25-year-old who, although already borrowed by Grayson when Gregory took charge at Loftus Road, believed their earlier association at Derby County entitled him to a debrief, if not a second chance.
Things went badly wrong for the centre-half almost from the moment QPR's former manager, Ian Holloway, paid Chesterfield £150,000 for him and said he was the club's "new Glenn Roeder". Evatt's decent distribution failed to compensate for a lack of pace and a string of mishaps. Grayson, though, detected potential and Evatt has vindicated this by playing an important role in Blackpool's emergence as promotion contenders...." Guardian
Also: Evatt - Telegraph Evatt proves worth to Blackpool peers - By Peter Gardner Telegraph
QPR Seasonal Review - September 2006
-
SEPTEMBER 2006
The month began with Waddock in charge and ended with John Gregory in control. Inbetween there was the "grudge" match against Ian Holloway's Plymouth; the disappointment of a loss at Colchester and the cup loss at Port Vale. With QPR at the very bottom of the Championship table, John Gregory came in to replace Gary Waddock who was initially demoted to Gregory's Assistant. Waddock's QPR Managerial Record: 3 wins in 22 games in charge (and 1 win in last 19 games in charge.) Meanwhile assistant manager, Alan McDonald with a long QPR history, was "terminated." The season ended with John Gegory winning his first two games. Jimmy Smith joined QPR from Chelsea, initially on a month loan. Rowlands signed a new contract. Tommy Doherty went out on loan to Wycombe. And Chairman Paladini made a statement about - and demanded action from - the fan magazine, 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
[See Also: QPR Report - Season in Review - August 2006]
SEPTEMBER 2006 RESULTS
09-Sep-06 A Plymouth Argyle D 1-1 (1-1) Blackstock
12-Sep-06 H Birmingham City L 0-2 (0-1)
16-Sep-06 A Colchester United L 1-2 (0-2) Brown(og)
+ CUP GAME: PORT VALE 3 QPR 2
23-Sep-06 H Hull City W 2-0 (0-0) Jones 60; Blackstock 80
30-Sep-06 A Southampton W 2-1 (2-1) Blackstock 34; Jones 40
RESULTS
At the beginning of the month, there were press reports about Premiership Teams wanting QPR's Nick Ward.
QPR's Ward cools Fulham talk tribalfooball.com - September 04, 2006
QPR midfielder Nick Ward has played down talk of a move to Fulham.
Fulham boss Chris Coleman is already tracking the young Aussie after he only joined QPR over the summer.
"I haven't heard anything official so I've just got to keep playing well," he told the Daily Telegraph."If I was in a little town it would be a bit harder to adjust, I think it's good being in London it's not too lonely, there's always something to do to keep yourself busy and you're in a shop window.
"Us and Luton Town are the only London clubs that aren't in the EPL."
Tribal Football
The month began with a draw at Plymouth and a number of rememberances by Ian Holloway about his time at QPR and the circumstances under which he left (along with Tim Breaker and Gary Penrice, both subsequently at Plymouth.)
The Plymouth game was followed by a 0-2 home defeat to Birmingham, leaving Waddock's QPR near the bottom.
League Table
Leeds 6 7
Sheffield Wed 7 7
Colchester 7 7
Leicester 7 7
Sunderland 6 6
QPR 7 6
Hull 7 4
The Birmingham defeat was then followed by a 2-1 loss at Colchester (at the time not knowing how well "Little" Colchester would end up doing this season). QPR sank to the bottom of the table and Waddock was highly critical:
lchester 2 QPR 1...QPR Bottom
Waddock's Comments - Official Site
Gary Waddock didn't mince his words and called on his men to show pride and passion.
Rangers found themselves 2-0 down at half time and pulled a goal back thanks to a Colchester own goal, and Waddock was not a happy man.
Harking back to his days as a player, the Rangers manager asked his men to take a good look at themselves in the mirror tonight.
"I don't know where to start, where was the pride? Where was the passion?
"I wasn't the best player, but in mine and Alan McDonald's day we knew what it meant to wear the shirt.
"I'm getting sick of coming out here and talking about good football, and I'm sure the fans are as well. I'd rather play the sort of football that wins games.
"All I know is, we're bottom of the table and I don't like it one bit.
"We didn't improve in the second half in my opinion; we were bad from start to finish.
"We had injuries and that's not what this performance was down to. All that proves to me is that those who filled in didn't do enough to nail down a spot.
"Myself and Alan McDonald both said the same thing to the players after the game, they need to take a long, hard look at themselves."
QPR Official http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~898396,00.html
The Colchester game was followed by the Port Vale cup debacle, with QPR knocked out of the cup by Port Vale, 3-2 in what turned out to be Waddocks final game in charge of QPR. The next day (although the job was supposedly decided before the Port Vale game), Waddock was out (actually reassigned to assistant manager) and John Gregory was in.
Waddock's Managerial Record-
Garry Waddock's Managerial Record in the Championship since he took over at QPR - First as Acting/Caretaker manager and then in the summer as permanent manager.
3 wins in 22 games. One win in the past 19 games.
2005/06 Played 14: 2 wins 5 draws 7 Lost
2006/2007: Played 8: 1 Win, 3 Draws, 3 Losses
2005/2006
W - QPR 1-0 Millwall 11-02-2006
L - C Palace 2-1 QPR 14-02-2006
W - Sheff Utd 2-3 QPR 25-02-2006
D - QPR 0-0 Wolves 04-03-2006
D - Sheff Wed 1-1 QPR 11-03-2006
D - QPR 1-1 Brighton 18-03-2006
D - Cardiff 0-0 QPR 25-03-2006
L - QPR 1-2 Stoke 29-03-2006
L - QPR 1-2 Crewe 01-04-2006
L - Burnley 1-0 QPR 08-04-2006
D - QPR 1-1 Derby 15-04-2006
L - Norwich 3-2 QPR 17-04-2006
L - QPR 1-2 Watford 22-04-2006
L - Reading 2-1 QPR 30-04-2006
2006/2007
L - Burnley 2-0 QPR 05-08-2006
D - QPR 2-2 Leeds 08-08-2006
W - QPR 2-0 Southend 12-08-2006
D - Preston 1-1 QPR 19-08-2006
L - QPR 1-3 Ipswich 25-08-2006
D - Plymouth 1-1 QPR 09-09-2006
L - QPR 0-2 Birmingham 12-09-2006
L - Colchester 2-1 QPR 16-09-2006
QPR OFFICIAL SITE John Gregory Takes Over at QPR
-OFFICIAL SITE - GREGORY APPOINTED
John Gregory has been appointed as QPR First Team Manager with immediate effect.
Gary Waddock will now work under the former Aston Villa boss in an Assistant Manager's role.
In an exclusive interview with www.qpr.co.uk, Chairman Gianni Paladini revealed his delight at the appointment: "It's a fantastic scoop for the Club.
"John is a proven manager at the highest level and is very eager to get back in to the managerial game.
"He's sat down with Gary and talked everything through and the situation is perfect as we look to climb the Championship table.
"I'd like to wish the pair of them the very best in their new roles.''
Gregory - who has been out of the game since leaving Derby County in 2003 - commented: "I'm back in the hot-seat and it's a huge challenge.
"QPR are very close to my heart and it's a fantastic opportunity for me.
"This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
"Winning matches is what matters most in the business and we aim to do that, starting Saturday.''
Waddock said: "It's the right decision for the club, I'm just thankful that Gianni thinks enough of me to keep me here as Assistant Manager.
"I look forward to working with John, we both played together under Terry Venables and have the same work ethic.
"I'll learn a lot from him and I'm sure that this appointment will benefit the club I love."
QPR Official Site
BBC - Gregory appointed as new QPR boss
Gregory makes his return after three-and-a-half years
Queens Park Rangers have unveiled John Gregory as their new manager, with former boss Gary Waddock handed the job of first-team coach.
Former Aston Villa boss Gregory, 51, returns to management three-and-a-half years after leaving Derby.
Waddock replaced the sacked Ian Holloway in February and was handed the position full-time in the summer.
But the former QPR midfielder has struggled and Gregory takes over with the club bottom of the Championship.
QPR have won just one league game this season and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale on Tuesday evening.
Gregory, a close friend of Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini, began his managerial career at Portsmouth and he also had a spell at Plymouth.
He took over at Wycombe Wanderers in October 1996, where he helped the team avoid relegation and remained in charge for two years.
The former England midfielder took over at Villa in the 1997/98 season and during the four years under Gregory's management Villa never finished outside the top eight in the Premiership.
He has also managed Derby and has been out of management since leaving the Rams in March 2003.
Gregory Warns of Relegation Fight & Notes Finances-
TEAMTALK Gregory warns of tough times ahead
John Gregory has warned QPR they face "a serious relegation threat" after succeeding Gary Waddock as manager at Loftus Road.
The former Aston Villa and Derby boss has signed a contract until the end of the season with Rangers, with the option of a one-year rolling contract to follow if he does well.
Gregory takes over with Rangers bottom of the Championship and out of the Carling Cup - and he urged the players to show more heart in the battles that lie ahead.
"There is a serious threat of relegation at this club," Gregory said. "I saw them knocked out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale last night.
"Some of the players turned up - but quite a few of them did not bother going.
"Every player will have a fresh chance to impress me, and that is what they are here to do.
"I still have lots of points to prove to myself - although not to anyone else. I hope I can improve the fortunes of the team."
Waddock was relieved of his duties after meeting Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini - a close friend of Gregory - after the 3-2 defeat at Vale Park.
During the reigns of Ian Holloway and Waddock, there was considerable speculation regarding how much influence Paladini exerted over team selection and transfer policy - but Gregory made it clear he would tolerate no such interference.
The 51-year-old continued: "The training ground is the one place where I do not want anyone to interfere with my work.
"That is my domain. Having success is about keeping good habits, working hard and getting things right.
"In terms of transfers, we will work with what we have, although there is the opportunity to make loan signings, which has been a blessing for Championship clubs."
Gregory's friendship with Paladini is likely to raise some eyebrows among Rangers fans, with whom the Italian former agent has never been wholly popular.
Backed by a consortium of Monte Carlo-based businessmen, Paladini took control from former chairman Bill Power in a boardroom coup in September 2005.
Rangers have suffered considerable financial problems in recent seasons and spent the 2001-02 season - before Paladini had become involved with the club - in administration, but Gregory was quick to defend Paladini and fellow director Antonio Caliendo.
He added: "I have known Gianni for some time, and, were it not for he and Antonio, the club might not be here today.
"Our results can dictate the direction of the financial side of things.
"If we can improve on the pitch, more supporters will start coming to watch us, and it will help everything."
Teamtalk
SKYSPORTS
Gregory happy to be back
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 20 Sep 2006
John Gregory has expressed his delight at returning to management with Queens Park Rangers.
Gregory has been away from football since being sacked by Derby in 2003, but QPR decided to bring him in following a disastrous start to the season.
Having played for QPR in the past Gregory admits he is pained to see the club bottom of The Championship, and he is determined to guide them clear of relegation.
He also explained that his history at the club had been a factor in his decision to return to Loftus Road.
"It feels very good," he told Sky Sports News. "I'm ready to come back to work.
"It (news of the appointment) kind of broke towards the end of the weekend. I spoke to the chairman and the board of directors and we sorted things out very quickly.
"You can start romancing about the past and what it was like during my time here.
"I was here for four-and-a-half seasons and we won almost every week. We had a tremendous success rate, so they were very happy times.
"So that did influence me but it wasn't the overriding issue.
"From a geography point of view it is ideal for me, and just knowing that there is an opportunity here to improve the team, to get us back up the table, and look for Championship safety."
Gregory's predecessor Gary Waddock, who played alongside the 51-year-old at QPR, is to remain at the club as assistant manager.
"It's been a tough time for Gary but he'll cope. He's a really strong personality and I want him to continue to be part of my staff," said Gregory.
"We'll work together and I hope the next time he sits in the big chair he'll be a lot more experienced and he'll have learned from his time in charge here."
Skysports
McDonald Departs QPR: "Given Notice to Terminate his Employment"
-
-
Best of luck to Alan McDonald who deserves a lot of gratitude for his current time of QPR - regardless of whether it may not have worked out as wishes; and for his previous QPR playing career.
QPR Official Site - MACCA DEPARTS
Alan McDonald has been given notice to terminate his employment at Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
After making 483 appearances for the Hoops in a successful 16-year spell as a player, McDonald joined the R's as Caretaker Assistant Manager in February 2006, prior to taking up the position of Assistant Manager towards the end of June.
Chairman Gianni Paladini told qpr.co.uk: "I'd like to thank Alan McDonald for all the hard work he's done here since February.
"He's been a great servant for this Club, both as a player and in his role as Assistant Manager, and I wish him all the best for the future.''
GREGORY'S FIRST GAME: VICTORY AT HOME TO HULL
QPR: P Jones,Bignot, Rehman, Stewart, Rose (Kanyuka 46), Rowlands, Bailey (Lomas 64), Bircham (Ward 64), Cook, R Jones, Blackstock.
Subs: Royce, Baidoo.
Scorers: R Jones 60, Blackstock 80
Bookings: R Jones 30, Rehman 72, P Jones 85
Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Ashbee, Turner, Parkin, Bridges (Forster 66), Collins, Livermore (Marney 74), Mills, Fagan, France (Yeates 66).
Subs: Duke, Thelwell.
Bookings: Collins 53, Mills 62, Livermore 68
Referee: D Deadman
Attendance: 11,381
In the aftermath of the Hull victory came:Paladini Taking Legal Action re "A Kick Up The Rs" Publication
-
Official Site-CLUB STATEMENT
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 http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~902567,00.html
Friday, September 29, 2006
Two Supporters Groups Issue Statements re AKUTRs & Club's Response-
In mid-September, the fanzine, AKUTRs came out with its latest issue in which a number of assertions were made. After remaining silent on the matter, for about two weeks, on September 25 the club issued:
QPR Statement - Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
In reaction to the Club's statement, two Fan organizations, first QPR1st and then LSA issued statements:
-
QPR1st - September 27th Statement - AKUTR's and The Club
September 27, 2006
"QPR1st supports the right of supporters to express their views in a variety of ways including fanzines and message boards.
We acknowledge that the Club also has the right to challenge what it considers to be unfair or inaccurate comments in fanzines through the official site, the programme, fans forums or by requesting a 'right to reply' within the fanzines themeselves.
Nevertheless fanzines have limited resources with which to defend themselves against legal action and therefore 'threats to sue' can be perceived as an act of intimidation. We would urge the Club to withdraw such threats and to seek to redress what they regard as a wrong through other less confrontational means. The Trust would be happy to act as a mediator between the Club and AKUTRs in the belief that QPR is at its strongest when it is united"
QPR1st
LSA SECRETARY'S STATEMENT - September 29, 2006
The LSA offers wholehearted support for Dave Thomas and AKUTR's right to freedom of speech. We deplore the actions of the club in taking legal action which could kill off one of the most respected fanzines in England.
AKUTR's has played a crucial role in keeping our club alive in difficult times and we would be poorer without it.
We agree that a right of reply should be given to the club to answer the points raised in the last issue. We would be happy to play a role in ensuring that these matters are dealt with without recourse to legal action against one of the most respected supporters of our beloved club.
However if the club pursues with legal action against Dave we will offer wholehearted support in any manner we deem fit, including publishing material and raising a financial fighting fund to defend AKUTR's in court.
JOHN REID
SECRETARY
LSA
LSA Site
Staff Changes at QPR-
[At the current time, despite the reported coaching staff departures, the official site's club directory continues to reflect no changes other than Gregory in; Waddock Assistant Manager and Mcdonald departed.]
Waddock role remains uncertain
27 September 2006
By Ben Kosky Wembley & Kingsbury Times - 27 September 2006
NEW QPR boss John Gregory admits he has yet to decide exactly what role his predecessor Gary Waddock will fill at Loftus Road.
Officially, Waddock has been appointed Gregory's number two - but the incoming manager has hinted that he may shake up the coaching structure during the coming weeks.
Alan McDonald, who had been assistant manager under Waddock, left the club within 24 hours of Gregory's appointment and the Rangers boss said: "I don't work with friends, I work with people who are good at what they do.
"Gary's going to be part of my staff, which means he'll work with me on the training ground on a daily basis and he'll be in the dugout on Saturday afternoon, unless I decide to use him somewhere else in the coaching set-up where he's more suitable.
"I think it's got to be like that - I've never worked with Gary before as a coach and I want to find out his strengths, harness those strengths and use them in the right areas.
"I want to assess what everybody here does, but I haven't dismissed the fact that I might want to bring in three or four of my own people."
Reserve team manager Justin Skinner - appointed just three months ago - and assistant physio Bobby Bacic have also left the club.
And Gregory hopes that Waddock, who spent just under eight months in charge of the first team, can take heart from his own initial experience of management - an unsuccessful year with Portsmouth and an even shorter stint at Plymouth.
The QPR manager returned to coaching with Leicester before resuming his managerial career at Wycombe Wanderers, followed by four years at Aston Villa.
He recalled: "I was 34 years of age and thought I had all the answers, but I failed miserably as a manager, got sacked and was out of work for six or seven months.
"Brian Little took me to Leicester as a coach and I sat and watched him for five years. I learnt so much from him and by the time I left to manage Wycombe I was confident in my own ability.
"I hope Gary will stay on and learn. It's a painful experience, what he's been through and it will hurt - but he's basically got a second chance.
"Even though things didn't work out the way he wanted, he can take a back seat and maybe take things in. He's QPR through and through and I want people like that alongside me."
Whether or not he initiates further changes to the coaching staff, Gregory has already outlined his intention to stamp his mark on Rangers' training ground culture - with the emphasis on winning.
And the manager will even be happy to see training ground punch-ups on a regular basis, explaining: "I love to see people that want to punch each other on the training ground and I don't mind players getting into a ruck.
"If you've not had a fight on the training ground in a month, you've got a problem - either you're too nice or they're too nice. If people want to win badly, that's infectious - having a fall-out in the dressing room is because you care.
"It's all about winning habits and, if I say so myself, that's what I'm good at - getting people into good habits.
"I don't want mobile phones going off all the time and people getting off the bus with a headset on. I don't have ghetto blasters or any of that in the dressing room - you're here to play football and win matches, so get switched on.
"That needs a drastic tidy-up. I like everything just so - if all the chairs aren't facing the same way, it irritates me."
Gregory has signed an initial nine-month contract at Loftus Road and added: "I want to stay as long as it takes, but if I'm not successful, Gianni [Paladini] probably won't want me around and that's fine - I like working with a challenge.
http://www.wktimes.co.uk/content/brent/wembleychronicle/sport/story.aspx?brand=WKCOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportwkc&itemid=WeED27%20Sep%202006%2011%3A27%3A57%3A390
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
QPR's New Loan Signing from Chelsea, Teenage Midfielder, Jimmy Smith
QPR Official Site QPR are delighted to announce the one month loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith.
The 19 year old today (Wednesday) met up with his team-mates for the first time and is expected to be involved in the first team squad for the trip to St Mary's on Saturday.
The England Under-19 international - who is an attack-minded midfielder - made his first team debut for the current Premiership Champions in the final game of the 2005/06 season...
Official Site
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ROWLY'S DELIGHT
Martin Rowlands has put pen to paper on a two year contract extension with the R's.
Rowlands - whose current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2006/07 campaign - is now contracted to the Club until the summer of 2009....
To date, he's made 106 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the 27 year-old revealed his delight at securing his long term future: "I've signed for a further two years and I couldn't be more delighted. "I feel at home here and with John Gregory coming in, it's great to be part of a new era. "The new gaffer was keen for me to put pen to paper as soon as possible, so now it's up to me to repay the faith he's shown in me.''
R's Chairman Gianni Paladini was equally as ecstatic with the news, telling qpr.co.uk: "It's fantastic. The negotiations took a while, but it was certainly worth the wait. "He is a key player here and has a huge part to play in our future. Yet again, it signals the Board's intentions of securing the long term future of one of our star players. Official
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - STEWART CALLED UP BY JAMAICA
Damion Stewart has been called up by Jamaica for their forthcoming friendly international against Canada. The 26 year-old defender ...is in line to earn his 37th cap for his country when the Reggae Boyz line up against Canada in Kingston on Sunday 8th October.... Official
Second Victory: Southampton 1 QPR 2
SOUTHAMPTON Davis 5, Makin 6, Baird 6, Pele 6 (Jones 5), Bale 7, Wright 6 (Dyer 6), Licka 5, Viafara 7, Skacel 6, Rasiak 5, Wright-Philips 6 (Sermon 6).
QPR Jones 7, Bignot 6, Rehman 7, STEWART 8, Rose (Kanyuka 6), Rowlands 7, Bircham 6 (Lomas 6), Bailey 6 (Smith 6), Cook 6, Jones 7, Blackstock 7.
DAMION STEWART
For Complete Archive re September 2006, see QPR Report Postings: September 2005
SEPTEMBER 2006
The month began with Waddock in charge and ended with John Gregory in control. Inbetween there was the "grudge" match against Ian Holloway's Plymouth; the disappointment of a loss at Colchester and the cup loss at Port Vale. With QPR at the very bottom of the Championship table, John Gregory came in to replace Gary Waddock who was initially demoted to Gregory's Assistant. Waddock's QPR Managerial Record: 3 wins in 22 games in charge (and 1 win in last 19 games in charge.) Meanwhile assistant manager, Alan McDonald with a long QPR history, was "terminated." The season ended with John Gegory winning his first two games. Jimmy Smith joined QPR from Chelsea, initially on a month loan. Rowlands signed a new contract. Tommy Doherty went out on loan to Wycombe. And Chairman Paladini made a statement about - and demanded action from - the fan magazine, 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
[See Also: QPR Report - Season in Review - August 2006]
SEPTEMBER 2006 RESULTS
09-Sep-06 A Plymouth Argyle D 1-1 (1-1) Blackstock
12-Sep-06 H Birmingham City L 0-2 (0-1)
16-Sep-06 A Colchester United L 1-2 (0-2) Brown(og)
+ CUP GAME: PORT VALE 3 QPR 2
23-Sep-06 H Hull City W 2-0 (0-0) Jones 60; Blackstock 80
30-Sep-06 A Southampton W 2-1 (2-1) Blackstock 34; Jones 40
RESULTS
At the beginning of the month, there were press reports about Premiership Teams wanting QPR's Nick Ward.
QPR's Ward cools Fulham talk tribalfooball.com - September 04, 2006
QPR midfielder Nick Ward has played down talk of a move to Fulham.
Fulham boss Chris Coleman is already tracking the young Aussie after he only joined QPR over the summer.
"I haven't heard anything official so I've just got to keep playing well," he told the Daily Telegraph."If I was in a little town it would be a bit harder to adjust, I think it's good being in London it's not too lonely, there's always something to do to keep yourself busy and you're in a shop window.
"Us and Luton Town are the only London clubs that aren't in the EPL."
Tribal Football
The month began with a draw at Plymouth and a number of rememberances by Ian Holloway about his time at QPR and the circumstances under which he left (along with Tim Breaker and Gary Penrice, both subsequently at Plymouth.)
The Plymouth game was followed by a 0-2 home defeat to Birmingham, leaving Waddock's QPR near the bottom.
League Table
Leeds 6 7
Sheffield Wed 7 7
Colchester 7 7
Leicester 7 7
Sunderland 6 6
QPR 7 6
Hull 7 4
The Birmingham defeat was then followed by a 2-1 loss at Colchester (at the time not knowing how well "Little" Colchester would end up doing this season). QPR sank to the bottom of the table and Waddock was highly critical:
lchester 2 QPR 1...QPR Bottom
Waddock's Comments - Official Site
Gary Waddock didn't mince his words and called on his men to show pride and passion.
Rangers found themselves 2-0 down at half time and pulled a goal back thanks to a Colchester own goal, and Waddock was not a happy man.
Harking back to his days as a player, the Rangers manager asked his men to take a good look at themselves in the mirror tonight.
"I don't know where to start, where was the pride? Where was the passion?
"I wasn't the best player, but in mine and Alan McDonald's day we knew what it meant to wear the shirt.
"I'm getting sick of coming out here and talking about good football, and I'm sure the fans are as well. I'd rather play the sort of football that wins games.
"All I know is, we're bottom of the table and I don't like it one bit.
"We didn't improve in the second half in my opinion; we were bad from start to finish.
"We had injuries and that's not what this performance was down to. All that proves to me is that those who filled in didn't do enough to nail down a spot.
"Myself and Alan McDonald both said the same thing to the players after the game, they need to take a long, hard look at themselves."
QPR Official http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~898396,00.html
The Colchester game was followed by the Port Vale cup debacle, with QPR knocked out of the cup by Port Vale, 3-2 in what turned out to be Waddocks final game in charge of QPR. The next day (although the job was supposedly decided before the Port Vale game), Waddock was out (actually reassigned to assistant manager) and John Gregory was in.
Waddock's Managerial Record-
Garry Waddock's Managerial Record in the Championship since he took over at QPR - First as Acting/Caretaker manager and then in the summer as permanent manager.
3 wins in 22 games. One win in the past 19 games.
2005/06 Played 14: 2 wins 5 draws 7 Lost
2006/2007: Played 8: 1 Win, 3 Draws, 3 Losses
2005/2006
W - QPR 1-0 Millwall 11-02-2006
L - C Palace 2-1 QPR 14-02-2006
W - Sheff Utd 2-3 QPR 25-02-2006
D - QPR 0-0 Wolves 04-03-2006
D - Sheff Wed 1-1 QPR 11-03-2006
D - QPR 1-1 Brighton 18-03-2006
D - Cardiff 0-0 QPR 25-03-2006
L - QPR 1-2 Stoke 29-03-2006
L - QPR 1-2 Crewe 01-04-2006
L - Burnley 1-0 QPR 08-04-2006
D - QPR 1-1 Derby 15-04-2006
L - Norwich 3-2 QPR 17-04-2006
L - QPR 1-2 Watford 22-04-2006
L - Reading 2-1 QPR 30-04-2006
2006/2007
L - Burnley 2-0 QPR 05-08-2006
D - QPR 2-2 Leeds 08-08-2006
W - QPR 2-0 Southend 12-08-2006
D - Preston 1-1 QPR 19-08-2006
L - QPR 1-3 Ipswich 25-08-2006
D - Plymouth 1-1 QPR 09-09-2006
L - QPR 0-2 Birmingham 12-09-2006
L - Colchester 2-1 QPR 16-09-2006
QPR OFFICIAL SITE John Gregory Takes Over at QPR
-OFFICIAL SITE - GREGORY APPOINTED
John Gregory has been appointed as QPR First Team Manager with immediate effect.
Gary Waddock will now work under the former Aston Villa boss in an Assistant Manager's role.
In an exclusive interview with www.qpr.co.uk, Chairman Gianni Paladini revealed his delight at the appointment: "It's a fantastic scoop for the Club.
"John is a proven manager at the highest level and is very eager to get back in to the managerial game.
"He's sat down with Gary and talked everything through and the situation is perfect as we look to climb the Championship table.
"I'd like to wish the pair of them the very best in their new roles.''
Gregory - who has been out of the game since leaving Derby County in 2003 - commented: "I'm back in the hot-seat and it's a huge challenge.
"QPR are very close to my heart and it's a fantastic opportunity for me.
"This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
"Winning matches is what matters most in the business and we aim to do that, starting Saturday.''
Waddock said: "It's the right decision for the club, I'm just thankful that Gianni thinks enough of me to keep me here as Assistant Manager.
"I look forward to working with John, we both played together under Terry Venables and have the same work ethic.
"I'll learn a lot from him and I'm sure that this appointment will benefit the club I love."
QPR Official Site
BBC - Gregory appointed as new QPR boss
Gregory makes his return after three-and-a-half years
Queens Park Rangers have unveiled John Gregory as their new manager, with former boss Gary Waddock handed the job of first-team coach.
Former Aston Villa boss Gregory, 51, returns to management three-and-a-half years after leaving Derby.
Waddock replaced the sacked Ian Holloway in February and was handed the position full-time in the summer.
But the former QPR midfielder has struggled and Gregory takes over with the club bottom of the Championship.
QPR have won just one league game this season and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale on Tuesday evening.
Gregory, a close friend of Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini, began his managerial career at Portsmouth and he also had a spell at Plymouth.
He took over at Wycombe Wanderers in October 1996, where he helped the team avoid relegation and remained in charge for two years.
The former England midfielder took over at Villa in the 1997/98 season and during the four years under Gregory's management Villa never finished outside the top eight in the Premiership.
He has also managed Derby and has been out of management since leaving the Rams in March 2003.
Gregory Warns of Relegation Fight & Notes Finances-
TEAMTALK Gregory warns of tough times ahead
John Gregory has warned QPR they face "a serious relegation threat" after succeeding Gary Waddock as manager at Loftus Road.
The former Aston Villa and Derby boss has signed a contract until the end of the season with Rangers, with the option of a one-year rolling contract to follow if he does well.
Gregory takes over with Rangers bottom of the Championship and out of the Carling Cup - and he urged the players to show more heart in the battles that lie ahead.
"There is a serious threat of relegation at this club," Gregory said. "I saw them knocked out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale last night.
"Some of the players turned up - but quite a few of them did not bother going.
"Every player will have a fresh chance to impress me, and that is what they are here to do.
"I still have lots of points to prove to myself - although not to anyone else. I hope I can improve the fortunes of the team."
Waddock was relieved of his duties after meeting Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini - a close friend of Gregory - after the 3-2 defeat at Vale Park.
During the reigns of Ian Holloway and Waddock, there was considerable speculation regarding how much influence Paladini exerted over team selection and transfer policy - but Gregory made it clear he would tolerate no such interference.
The 51-year-old continued: "The training ground is the one place where I do not want anyone to interfere with my work.
"That is my domain. Having success is about keeping good habits, working hard and getting things right.
"In terms of transfers, we will work with what we have, although there is the opportunity to make loan signings, which has been a blessing for Championship clubs."
Gregory's friendship with Paladini is likely to raise some eyebrows among Rangers fans, with whom the Italian former agent has never been wholly popular.
Backed by a consortium of Monte Carlo-based businessmen, Paladini took control from former chairman Bill Power in a boardroom coup in September 2005.
Rangers have suffered considerable financial problems in recent seasons and spent the 2001-02 season - before Paladini had become involved with the club - in administration, but Gregory was quick to defend Paladini and fellow director Antonio Caliendo.
He added: "I have known Gianni for some time, and, were it not for he and Antonio, the club might not be here today.
"Our results can dictate the direction of the financial side of things.
"If we can improve on the pitch, more supporters will start coming to watch us, and it will help everything."
Teamtalk
SKYSPORTS
Gregory happy to be back
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 20 Sep 2006
John Gregory has expressed his delight at returning to management with Queens Park Rangers.
Gregory has been away from football since being sacked by Derby in 2003, but QPR decided to bring him in following a disastrous start to the season.
Having played for QPR in the past Gregory admits he is pained to see the club bottom of The Championship, and he is determined to guide them clear of relegation.
He also explained that his history at the club had been a factor in his decision to return to Loftus Road.
"It feels very good," he told Sky Sports News. "I'm ready to come back to work.
"It (news of the appointment) kind of broke towards the end of the weekend. I spoke to the chairman and the board of directors and we sorted things out very quickly.
"You can start romancing about the past and what it was like during my time here.
"I was here for four-and-a-half seasons and we won almost every week. We had a tremendous success rate, so they were very happy times.
"So that did influence me but it wasn't the overriding issue.
"From a geography point of view it is ideal for me, and just knowing that there is an opportunity here to improve the team, to get us back up the table, and look for Championship safety."
Gregory's predecessor Gary Waddock, who played alongside the 51-year-old at QPR, is to remain at the club as assistant manager.
"It's been a tough time for Gary but he'll cope. He's a really strong personality and I want him to continue to be part of my staff," said Gregory.
"We'll work together and I hope the next time he sits in the big chair he'll be a lot more experienced and he'll have learned from his time in charge here."
Skysports
McDonald Departs QPR: "Given Notice to Terminate his Employment"
-
-
Best of luck to Alan McDonald who deserves a lot of gratitude for his current time of QPR - regardless of whether it may not have worked out as wishes; and for his previous QPR playing career.
QPR Official Site - MACCA DEPARTS
Alan McDonald has been given notice to terminate his employment at Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
After making 483 appearances for the Hoops in a successful 16-year spell as a player, McDonald joined the R's as Caretaker Assistant Manager in February 2006, prior to taking up the position of Assistant Manager towards the end of June.
Chairman Gianni Paladini told qpr.co.uk: "I'd like to thank Alan McDonald for all the hard work he's done here since February.
"He's been a great servant for this Club, both as a player and in his role as Assistant Manager, and I wish him all the best for the future.''
GREGORY'S FIRST GAME: VICTORY AT HOME TO HULL
QPR: P Jones,Bignot, Rehman, Stewart, Rose (Kanyuka 46), Rowlands, Bailey (Lomas 64), Bircham (Ward 64), Cook, R Jones, Blackstock.
Subs: Royce, Baidoo.
Scorers: R Jones 60, Blackstock 80
Bookings: R Jones 30, Rehman 72, P Jones 85
Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Ashbee, Turner, Parkin, Bridges (Forster 66), Collins, Livermore (Marney 74), Mills, Fagan, France (Yeates 66).
Subs: Duke, Thelwell.
Bookings: Collins 53, Mills 62, Livermore 68
Referee: D Deadman
Attendance: 11,381
In the aftermath of the Hull victory came:Paladini Taking Legal Action re "A Kick Up The Rs" Publication
-
Official Site-CLUB STATEMENT
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 http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~902567,00.html
Friday, September 29, 2006
Two Supporters Groups Issue Statements re AKUTRs & Club's Response-
In mid-September, the fanzine, AKUTRs came out with its latest issue in which a number of assertions were made. After remaining silent on the matter, for about two weeks, on September 25 the club issued:
QPR Statement - Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
In reaction to the Club's statement, two Fan organizations, first QPR1st and then LSA issued statements:
-
QPR1st - September 27th Statement - AKUTR's and The Club
September 27, 2006
"QPR1st supports the right of supporters to express their views in a variety of ways including fanzines and message boards.
We acknowledge that the Club also has the right to challenge what it considers to be unfair or inaccurate comments in fanzines through the official site, the programme, fans forums or by requesting a 'right to reply' within the fanzines themeselves.
Nevertheless fanzines have limited resources with which to defend themselves against legal action and therefore 'threats to sue' can be perceived as an act of intimidation. We would urge the Club to withdraw such threats and to seek to redress what they regard as a wrong through other less confrontational means. The Trust would be happy to act as a mediator between the Club and AKUTRs in the belief that QPR is at its strongest when it is united"
QPR1st
LSA SECRETARY'S STATEMENT - September 29, 2006
The LSA offers wholehearted support for Dave Thomas and AKUTR's right to freedom of speech. We deplore the actions of the club in taking legal action which could kill off one of the most respected fanzines in England.
AKUTR's has played a crucial role in keeping our club alive in difficult times and we would be poorer without it.
We agree that a right of reply should be given to the club to answer the points raised in the last issue. We would be happy to play a role in ensuring that these matters are dealt with without recourse to legal action against one of the most respected supporters of our beloved club.
However if the club pursues with legal action against Dave we will offer wholehearted support in any manner we deem fit, including publishing material and raising a financial fighting fund to defend AKUTR's in court.
JOHN REID
SECRETARY
LSA
LSA Site
Staff Changes at QPR-
[At the current time, despite the reported coaching staff departures, the official site's club directory continues to reflect no changes other than Gregory in; Waddock Assistant Manager and Mcdonald departed.]
Waddock role remains uncertain
27 September 2006
By Ben Kosky Wembley & Kingsbury Times - 27 September 2006
NEW QPR boss John Gregory admits he has yet to decide exactly what role his predecessor Gary Waddock will fill at Loftus Road.
Officially, Waddock has been appointed Gregory's number two - but the incoming manager has hinted that he may shake up the coaching structure during the coming weeks.
Alan McDonald, who had been assistant manager under Waddock, left the club within 24 hours of Gregory's appointment and the Rangers boss said: "I don't work with friends, I work with people who are good at what they do.
"Gary's going to be part of my staff, which means he'll work with me on the training ground on a daily basis and he'll be in the dugout on Saturday afternoon, unless I decide to use him somewhere else in the coaching set-up where he's more suitable.
"I think it's got to be like that - I've never worked with Gary before as a coach and I want to find out his strengths, harness those strengths and use them in the right areas.
"I want to assess what everybody here does, but I haven't dismissed the fact that I might want to bring in three or four of my own people."
Reserve team manager Justin Skinner - appointed just three months ago - and assistant physio Bobby Bacic have also left the club.
And Gregory hopes that Waddock, who spent just under eight months in charge of the first team, can take heart from his own initial experience of management - an unsuccessful year with Portsmouth and an even shorter stint at Plymouth.
The QPR manager returned to coaching with Leicester before resuming his managerial career at Wycombe Wanderers, followed by four years at Aston Villa.
He recalled: "I was 34 years of age and thought I had all the answers, but I failed miserably as a manager, got sacked and was out of work for six or seven months.
"Brian Little took me to Leicester as a coach and I sat and watched him for five years. I learnt so much from him and by the time I left to manage Wycombe I was confident in my own ability.
"I hope Gary will stay on and learn. It's a painful experience, what he's been through and it will hurt - but he's basically got a second chance.
"Even though things didn't work out the way he wanted, he can take a back seat and maybe take things in. He's QPR through and through and I want people like that alongside me."
Whether or not he initiates further changes to the coaching staff, Gregory has already outlined his intention to stamp his mark on Rangers' training ground culture - with the emphasis on winning.
And the manager will even be happy to see training ground punch-ups on a regular basis, explaining: "I love to see people that want to punch each other on the training ground and I don't mind players getting into a ruck.
"If you've not had a fight on the training ground in a month, you've got a problem - either you're too nice or they're too nice. If people want to win badly, that's infectious - having a fall-out in the dressing room is because you care.
"It's all about winning habits and, if I say so myself, that's what I'm good at - getting people into good habits.
"I don't want mobile phones going off all the time and people getting off the bus with a headset on. I don't have ghetto blasters or any of that in the dressing room - you're here to play football and win matches, so get switched on.
"That needs a drastic tidy-up. I like everything just so - if all the chairs aren't facing the same way, it irritates me."
Gregory has signed an initial nine-month contract at Loftus Road and added: "I want to stay as long as it takes, but if I'm not successful, Gianni [Paladini] probably won't want me around and that's fine - I like working with a challenge.
http://www.wktimes.co.uk/content/brent/wembleychronicle/sport/story.aspx?brand=WKCOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportwkc&itemid=WeED27%20Sep%202006%2011%3A27%3A57%3A390
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
QPR's New Loan Signing from Chelsea, Teenage Midfielder, Jimmy Smith
QPR Official Site QPR are delighted to announce the one month loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith.
The 19 year old today (Wednesday) met up with his team-mates for the first time and is expected to be involved in the first team squad for the trip to St Mary's on Saturday.
The England Under-19 international - who is an attack-minded midfielder - made his first team debut for the current Premiership Champions in the final game of the 2005/06 season...
Official Site
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ROWLY'S DELIGHT
Martin Rowlands has put pen to paper on a two year contract extension with the R's.
Rowlands - whose current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2006/07 campaign - is now contracted to the Club until the summer of 2009....
To date, he's made 106 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the 27 year-old revealed his delight at securing his long term future: "I've signed for a further two years and I couldn't be more delighted. "I feel at home here and with John Gregory coming in, it's great to be part of a new era. "The new gaffer was keen for me to put pen to paper as soon as possible, so now it's up to me to repay the faith he's shown in me.''
R's Chairman Gianni Paladini was equally as ecstatic with the news, telling qpr.co.uk: "It's fantastic. The negotiations took a while, but it was certainly worth the wait. "He is a key player here and has a huge part to play in our future. Yet again, it signals the Board's intentions of securing the long term future of one of our star players. Official
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - STEWART CALLED UP BY JAMAICA
Damion Stewart has been called up by Jamaica for their forthcoming friendly international against Canada. The 26 year-old defender ...is in line to earn his 37th cap for his country when the Reggae Boyz line up against Canada in Kingston on Sunday 8th October.... Official
Second Victory: Southampton 1 QPR 2
SOUTHAMPTON Davis 5, Makin 6, Baird 6, Pele 6 (Jones 5), Bale 7, Wright 6 (Dyer 6), Licka 5, Viafara 7, Skacel 6, Rasiak 5, Wright-Philips 6 (Sermon 6).
QPR Jones 7, Bignot 6, Rehman 7, STEWART 8, Rose (Kanyuka 6), Rowlands 7, Bircham 6 (Lomas 6), Bailey 6 (Smith 6), Cook 6, Jones 7, Blackstock 7.
DAMION STEWART
For Complete Archive re September 2006, see QPR Report Postings: September 2005
For Glentoran's ex-QPR Alan McDonald an Eventful Year
-
It's been an eventful past fifteen month for ex-QPR Irish International Defender, Alan McDonald as he's gone from incoming QPR saviour to apparent incoming Glentoran saviour. QPR's most capped-international player with over 50 caps returned to QPR last February as Gary Waddock's assistant manager.
Then this past September, McDonald was fired along with Waddock. As the Official site opening sentence phrased it "Alan McDonald has been given notice to terminate his employment at Queens Park Rangers Football Club." Statement McDonald returned to Ireland, became coach at Glentoran. And now this.
Despite his time at QPR, McDonald proclaimed his continued affection for QPR "It hasn't changed my affection for QPR. That will never happen.
It was always the first result I looked for before I came back and will always be the first the result I look for." Interview
February 2006 - McDonald Returns to QPR
March 2006: McDonald Extends his QPR stay
Sept 2006: Terminated by QPR
October 2006: McDonald Interview - No hard feelings
January 2007: McDonald for Newry?
Feb 2007 McDonald appointed Coach Glentoran
May 2007 - McDonald Set to be Appointed Glentoran Manager
May 2007: McDonald at Glentoran
May 2007 - McDonald to stay under new manager as Coach
Wikipedia
SEE ALSO: RON NORRIS/QPRNet 2002 Interview with McDonald
Belfast Telegraph - Big Mac the man for Glens crisis
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 By Stuart McKinley
Alan McDonald will be unveiled as the new Glentoran manager at a press conference this lunchtime.
And straight away he will set about moving the club forward from the crisis that has surrounded the Oval for the last five days.
The east-Belfast outfit put themselves in the middle of a UEFA Licence problem when they named Roy Walker as successor to Paul Millar last Thursday.
In order to maintain that licence and play in Europe this summer the club has instead turned to McDonald, who is a fully qualified coach with the necessary badges, unlike Walker.
McDonald leaves Belfast with the Northern Ireland under-21 squad later today for Friday's European Championship clash in Moldova, but will put pen to paper on what is understood to be a two-year deal before he boards the plane.
He has been something of an innocent bystander while the managerial mess has been untangled by the club and on Friday he was asked if he wanted to take over the reigns.
Meanwhile, Walker held discussions with Glentoran officials yesterday but will not be making a statement until later this week.
The former Crusaders and Glenavon manager is "considering" his response. Belfast Telegraph
It's been an eventful past fifteen month for ex-QPR Irish International Defender, Alan McDonald as he's gone from incoming QPR saviour to apparent incoming Glentoran saviour. QPR's most capped-international player with over 50 caps returned to QPR last February as Gary Waddock's assistant manager.
Then this past September, McDonald was fired along with Waddock. As the Official site opening sentence phrased it "Alan McDonald has been given notice to terminate his employment at Queens Park Rangers Football Club." Statement McDonald returned to Ireland, became coach at Glentoran. And now this.
Despite his time at QPR, McDonald proclaimed his continued affection for QPR "It hasn't changed my affection for QPR. That will never happen.
It was always the first result I looked for before I came back and will always be the first the result I look for." Interview
February 2006 - McDonald Returns to QPR
March 2006: McDonald Extends his QPR stay
Sept 2006: Terminated by QPR
October 2006: McDonald Interview - No hard feelings
January 2007: McDonald for Newry?
Feb 2007 McDonald appointed Coach Glentoran
May 2007 - McDonald Set to be Appointed Glentoran Manager
May 2007: McDonald at Glentoran
May 2007 - McDonald to stay under new manager as Coach
Wikipedia
SEE ALSO: RON NORRIS/QPRNet 2002 Interview with McDonald
Belfast Telegraph - Big Mac the man for Glens crisis
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 By Stuart McKinley
Alan McDonald will be unveiled as the new Glentoran manager at a press conference this lunchtime.
And straight away he will set about moving the club forward from the crisis that has surrounded the Oval for the last five days.
The east-Belfast outfit put themselves in the middle of a UEFA Licence problem when they named Roy Walker as successor to Paul Millar last Thursday.
In order to maintain that licence and play in Europe this summer the club has instead turned to McDonald, who is a fully qualified coach with the necessary badges, unlike Walker.
McDonald leaves Belfast with the Northern Ireland under-21 squad later today for Friday's European Championship clash in Moldova, but will put pen to paper on what is understood to be a two-year deal before he boards the plane.
He has been something of an innocent bystander while the managerial mess has been untangled by the club and on Friday he was asked if he wanted to take over the reigns.
Meanwhile, Walker held discussions with Glentoran officials yesterday but will not be making a statement until later this week.
The former Crusaders and Glenavon manager is "considering" his response. Belfast Telegraph
ABCs - Derby County and QPR: Two Diverging Paths (Thus Far!)
-
For some QPR supporters (and probably some QPR Board Members) ABC has been on their mind this week.
A year ago, there were two struggling Championship sides, both with massive loans at high interest rates, from the mysterious "ABC Corporation." Over the past few years, both clubs' (varying) boards and their supporters spoke frequently about their debts to ABC and even about their "mystery" about who was behind the ABC Group.
And then the teams diverged both on and off the field. In 2005-06, the two teams struggled and both finished on 50 points (with Derby having a one goal better goal difference than QPR - 2005-06 Table This season, after last season's struggle, Derby County finished third and earlier this week won their playoff final at Wembley to reach the Premiership. Derby Count have thus won the sixty Million Pound "Jackpot" - See "The Times - Derby Gamble Hits the Jackpot"
QPR, for their part, struggled last season and they struggled even more this season, and just escaped the drop to "League One."
Off the field: Derby County got out of their ABC Loan, by getting new loans from more local sources and paying off the old ABC loans, while QPR supporters and board have spoken frequently about the ABC Loan (10 million pound at 10% payable 10 years after the loan was taken on), about trying to get new lenders, but at this writing remain in debt to ABC (and there remains a mystery about exactly who ABC are)
For QPR: the ABC is attaining is a certain urgency since according to "reports" and "common knowledge" at the five year mark of the loan (which has just been reached), there is supposedly an ability on the part of ABC to raise the interest rate on the loan; and an ability by QPR to pay off the debt (if they can get the loan from someone else at a lower interest rate).
The irony of course is that QPR are managed by the former manager of Derby County, John Gregory. And the Chairman of QPR, Gianni Paladini at one time (before buying into QPR), was interested in buying into Derby County.
The latest QPR pronouncement re ABC came earlier this month when the club made a statement re the ABC Loan and Oldham Chairman Simon Blitz
"...Queens Park Rangers FC have been involved in discussions with Simon Blitz about possibilities of re-financing the ABC loan at a better interest rate for QPR.
As part of those negotiations, and by way of a down-payment to demonstrate his interest in assisting with this in the future, Mr Blitz agreed to loan QPR £500,000.
It was agreed that the loan was not in violation of the Football Association or Football League rules.
Mr Blitz, as the lending party, assured QPR that he was satisfied, having received his own legal advice, that the loan did not violate any football rules.
The loan, and the security for the loan was not hidden and was made public by the registration of the security at Companies House.
Contrary to press reports, the loan was not made to help QPR with its payroll, but was made in the context of the ABC re-financing discussions.
Having taken further advice, and having discovered that Simon Blitz did not have the prior written authorisation of the F.A. to make this loan, QPR has agreed to pay the loan back forthwith.
QPR would like to assure its supporters that it has no intention of selling Lee Cook, and the fact that the proceeds of any future sale was offered as a security does not suggest this.
Mr Blitz had no say in any potential sale of Lee Cook, and now it is agreed to repay the loan he will not have a security over him.
QPR will continue to work hard to try and re-finance the ABC loan in the near future.
The contents of this statement have been shown to Simon Blitz and agreed by him. It will also been sent to the Football Association. QPR Report
See: QPR Report: May 2007: Almost Five Years Since QPR's ABC Loan, Exit Administration and Takeover Efforts Ended
October 2006: QPR Report: QPR's ABC Loan: What's Known #1
QPR Report - April 2004 re QPR and Derby's ABC Loan
Also: "Clubs in Crisis"
For some QPR supporters (and probably some QPR Board Members) ABC has been on their mind this week.
A year ago, there were two struggling Championship sides, both with massive loans at high interest rates, from the mysterious "ABC Corporation." Over the past few years, both clubs' (varying) boards and their supporters spoke frequently about their debts to ABC and even about their "mystery" about who was behind the ABC Group.
And then the teams diverged both on and off the field. In 2005-06, the two teams struggled and both finished on 50 points (with Derby having a one goal better goal difference than QPR - 2005-06 Table This season, after last season's struggle, Derby County finished third and earlier this week won their playoff final at Wembley to reach the Premiership. Derby Count have thus won the sixty Million Pound "Jackpot" - See "The Times - Derby Gamble Hits the Jackpot"
QPR, for their part, struggled last season and they struggled even more this season, and just escaped the drop to "League One."
Off the field: Derby County got out of their ABC Loan, by getting new loans from more local sources and paying off the old ABC loans, while QPR supporters and board have spoken frequently about the ABC Loan (10 million pound at 10% payable 10 years after the loan was taken on), about trying to get new lenders, but at this writing remain in debt to ABC (and there remains a mystery about exactly who ABC are)
For QPR: the ABC is attaining is a certain urgency since according to "reports" and "common knowledge" at the five year mark of the loan (which has just been reached), there is supposedly an ability on the part of ABC to raise the interest rate on the loan; and an ability by QPR to pay off the debt (if they can get the loan from someone else at a lower interest rate).
The irony of course is that QPR are managed by the former manager of Derby County, John Gregory. And the Chairman of QPR, Gianni Paladini at one time (before buying into QPR), was interested in buying into Derby County.
The latest QPR pronouncement re ABC came earlier this month when the club made a statement re the ABC Loan and Oldham Chairman Simon Blitz
"...Queens Park Rangers FC have been involved in discussions with Simon Blitz about possibilities of re-financing the ABC loan at a better interest rate for QPR.
As part of those negotiations, and by way of a down-payment to demonstrate his interest in assisting with this in the future, Mr Blitz agreed to loan QPR £500,000.
It was agreed that the loan was not in violation of the Football Association or Football League rules.
Mr Blitz, as the lending party, assured QPR that he was satisfied, having received his own legal advice, that the loan did not violate any football rules.
The loan, and the security for the loan was not hidden and was made public by the registration of the security at Companies House.
Contrary to press reports, the loan was not made to help QPR with its payroll, but was made in the context of the ABC re-financing discussions.
Having taken further advice, and having discovered that Simon Blitz did not have the prior written authorisation of the F.A. to make this loan, QPR has agreed to pay the loan back forthwith.
QPR would like to assure its supporters that it has no intention of selling Lee Cook, and the fact that the proceeds of any future sale was offered as a security does not suggest this.
Mr Blitz had no say in any potential sale of Lee Cook, and now it is agreed to repay the loan he will not have a security over him.
QPR will continue to work hard to try and re-finance the ABC loan in the near future.
The contents of this statement have been shown to Simon Blitz and agreed by him. It will also been sent to the Football Association. QPR Report
See: QPR Report: May 2007: Almost Five Years Since QPR's ABC Loan, Exit Administration and Takeover Efforts Ended
October 2006: QPR Report: QPR's ABC Loan: What's Known #1
QPR Report - April 2004 re QPR and Derby's ABC Loan
Also: "Clubs in Crisis"
Monday, May 28, 2007
Ex-QPR Rufus Brevett Retires From Football
-
[Rufus Brevett has announced his retirement from football. Brevett played for QPR from 1991-1998. Brevett was signed from Doncaster about the same time as Darren Peacock and Tillson were signed by Don Howe/Bobby Gould. Wikipedia
ConfGuide - Oxford's Brevett retires
Blue Square Premier side Oxford United have revealed that veteran defender Rufus Brevett decided to retire from football at the weekend.
Manager Jim Smith spoke with the well-travelled left-back on Saturday and said: "Rufus has told me he's packing in the game."
The 37-year-old has made nearly 700 league and cup appearances, most notably in the Premiership for QPR, Fulham and West Ham.
Smith brought him to the club in September last year as back up for Gavin Johnson and the Derby-born defender did well to make the left-back position his own in the absence of Johnson.
Brevett played a big part in the U's reaching the play-offs, although he missed the final two home games of the regular season because of suspension after getting sent off for retaliation in the 1-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.
He returned as a sub in the final game at York, and he went out on a high note for Oxford, coming off the bench in their 1-0 win at Exeter in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals. He didn't feature in the second leg. Confguide
Oxford Mail - FOOTBALL: Brevett announces retirement
By Jon Murray
THE curtain has come down on one of English football's famous left backs with Oxford United's Rufus Brevett announcing his retirement.
The 37-year-old is hanging up his boots after a magnificent career in which he has made nearly 700 league and cup appearances, most notably in the Premiership for QPR, Fulham and West Ham.
United manager Jim Smith said at the weekend: "Rufus has told me he's packing in the game."
Brevett was in the twilight of his career when Smith brought him to Oxford last September, as back-up for Gavin Johnson, and as someone who would challenge the former Ipswich and Northampton man - who was himself 35 - for the left back position.
Johnson was sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury in early September, and Brevett came in and made the position his own, soon showing quality with the simplicity of his passing and all his experience whenever quick right wingers were up against him.
Johnson did return later though there was little between them, with Brevett arguably the better left back, and Johnson better as a left wingback because he was used to a more forward midfield role.
advertisementBrevett played a big part in the U's reaching the play-offs, although he missed the final two home games of the regular season because of suspension after getting sent off for retaliation in the 1-0 defeat at Northwich on April 6.
He returned as a sub in the final game at York, and he went out on a high note for Oxford, coming off the bench in their 1-0 win at Exeter in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals. He didn't feature in the second leg.
Born in Derby and christened Rupis, though nicknamed Rufus, he was an outstanding and speedy left back when he burst on the scene with Doncaster, where he had been a trainee.
Among his honours were a Division 2 championship medal under Kevin Keegan with Fulham in 1999 and a Division 1 championship medal at Craven Cottage two years later, when Jean Tigana was the manager. QPR
[Rufus Brevett has announced his retirement from football. Brevett played for QPR from 1991-1998. Brevett was signed from Doncaster about the same time as Darren Peacock and Tillson were signed by Don Howe/Bobby Gould. Wikipedia
ConfGuide - Oxford's Brevett retires
Blue Square Premier side Oxford United have revealed that veteran defender Rufus Brevett decided to retire from football at the weekend.
Manager Jim Smith spoke with the well-travelled left-back on Saturday and said: "Rufus has told me he's packing in the game."
The 37-year-old has made nearly 700 league and cup appearances, most notably in the Premiership for QPR, Fulham and West Ham.
Smith brought him to the club in September last year as back up for Gavin Johnson and the Derby-born defender did well to make the left-back position his own in the absence of Johnson.
Brevett played a big part in the U's reaching the play-offs, although he missed the final two home games of the regular season because of suspension after getting sent off for retaliation in the 1-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.
He returned as a sub in the final game at York, and he went out on a high note for Oxford, coming off the bench in their 1-0 win at Exeter in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals. He didn't feature in the second leg. Confguide
Oxford Mail - FOOTBALL: Brevett announces retirement
By Jon Murray
THE curtain has come down on one of English football's famous left backs with Oxford United's Rufus Brevett announcing his retirement.
The 37-year-old is hanging up his boots after a magnificent career in which he has made nearly 700 league and cup appearances, most notably in the Premiership for QPR, Fulham and West Ham.
United manager Jim Smith said at the weekend: "Rufus has told me he's packing in the game."
Brevett was in the twilight of his career when Smith brought him to Oxford last September, as back-up for Gavin Johnson, and as someone who would challenge the former Ipswich and Northampton man - who was himself 35 - for the left back position.
Johnson was sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury in early September, and Brevett came in and made the position his own, soon showing quality with the simplicity of his passing and all his experience whenever quick right wingers were up against him.
Johnson did return later though there was little between them, with Brevett arguably the better left back, and Johnson better as a left wingback because he was used to a more forward midfield role.
advertisementBrevett played a big part in the U's reaching the play-offs, although he missed the final two home games of the regular season because of suspension after getting sent off for retaliation in the 1-0 defeat at Northwich on April 6.
He returned as a sub in the final game at York, and he went out on a high note for Oxford, coming off the bench in their 1-0 win at Exeter in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals. He didn't feature in the second leg.
Born in Derby and christened Rupis, though nicknamed Rufus, he was an outstanding and speedy left back when he burst on the scene with Doncaster, where he had been a trainee.
Among his honours were a Division 2 championship medal under Kevin Keegan with Fulham in 1999 and a Division 1 championship medal at Craven Cottage two years later, when Jean Tigana was the manager. QPR
Alan McDonald to be Glentoran Manager
-
Update: Alan McDonald to be officially announced tomorrow (Tuesday)
McDonald appointed as Glens boss
Alan McDonald was on Paul Millar's coaching staff
Glentoran has appointed former Northern Ireland captain Alan McDonald as its new manager, BBC Sport understands.
McDonald, capped 52 times, was a coach at the Oval under previous boss Paul Millar and had been expected to form part of Roy Walker's backroom team.
Walker was unveiled as the club's new manager last week but was unable to take up the post as he did not hold the required Uefa A Coaching Licence.
McDonald is thought to have agreed a two-year deal with the Glens.
The Glens are expected to officially unveil McDonald at a press conference which has been called for Tuesday morning.
Walker is understood to have held discussions with Glentoran officials on Monday.
When contacted on Monday evening, Walker said that he was "considering" his response and would release a statement to the media later this week. BBC
Belfast Telegraph - Big Mac set for Glens job
By Stuart McKinley
The shambles surrounding Glentoran's appointment of Roy Walker as manager could have been avoided if the club had fully examined the UEFA Licence criteria before unveiling their new boss.
The east Belfast club thought that by appointing first-team coach Alan McDonald as caretaker manager would overcome the fact that Walker - who was then to be installed before the start of the domestic season - doesn't have the necessary coaching qualifications needed by a club seeking UEFA Licence status.
Indeed, Glentoran Director of Football Tom Dick told the Belfast Telegraph just hours after the appointment of Walker that the club was in the clear.
He said: "Alan McDonald is staying at the club and he has a UEFA 'A' Licence so nothing will be affected.
" Roy Walker won't be on duty in Europe anyway as he is away on a pre-booked holiday. His job doesn't start until the beginning of the season.
" It is not an issue and we wouldn't have appointed him if it had been an issue."
Now, however, it has turned into a serious issue and the Glens have been forced to make a decision, either appoint the manager that they wanted or play in Europe this summer.
In the end the UEFA Cup - or rather the hefty financial reward of at least £50,000 - won.
McDonald will be appointed as manager within the next 48 hours and he will then look to put the events of the last week behind him and lead the club forward.
Walker's lack of coaching badges was no mystery to the Glentoran board though, because he informed them himself in meetings before he accepted the post.
"Glentoran approached me about the position. I had to put some impediments down to the position, one of which was my lack of this UEFA 'A' badge," said Walker.
"The club were aware of that so the process was then for me to enlist in the B course with a view to then getting the A course.
"That didn't seem to be an impediment. It seemed to be that everything was fine and therefore we were able to proceed, so I said yes.
"It is fairly apparent now that because the club are UEFA Licence holders, then the head coach/manager needs to be - not just whilst the club is in Europe but for the duration of that season - an A licence holder."
The consequences for Glentoran if they had placed McDonald in caretaker charge and made Walker manager at a later date during or before the season could have been extremely serious.
UEFA reserve the right to impose whatever punishment they see fit, which can range from withholding all or some of the cash reward for competing in Europe to the extreme of banning a club from taking part in European competition.
Luckily for Glentoran they will never find out just how harsh the punishment could have been and for that they should be thankful. Belfast Times
Belfast Telegraph -Sort it out: Mac -Monday, May 28, 2007 By Stuart McKinley
Glentoran manager in waiting Alan McDonald is desperate to see an end to the mess surrounding the managerial position at the club.
Fans of the east Belfast side have endured a weekend of uncertainty with first Roy Walker being unveiled as the successor to the sacked Paul Millar last Thursday, before it emerged on Saturday that he was unable to take up the post because of UEFA Licence problems.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed last Friday - less than 24 hours after Walker's appointment - that Glentoran were in danger of being thrown out of Europe as Walker doesn't hold the necessary coaching qualifications for the club to maintain its status as licence holders.
Although the club thought they had worked a way around the licencing problems, they were later informed that they would face punishment from UEFA if Walker was brought in for the domestic campaign.
That has now forced them to turn to McDonald - who unlike Walker does possess the coaching qualifications necessary for the UEFA Licence - to lead the team.
Fifty-two times capped former Northern Ireland skipper McDonald has been offered the manager's job and will accept it once the conditions he has laid down are in place.
" There has been a lot going on over the last few days and this needs cleared up quite soon," said McDonald.
"It is an awful situation and has to be sorted out as quickly as possible."
McDonald acts as assistant manager to the Northern Ireland under-21 team and will be out of the country from tomorrow until the weekend as he joins up with the squad for their opening European Championship qualifier in Moldova on Friday.
He was yesterday working with the under-21 players ahead of their departure.
"It was good to get out on the pitch with the boys and clear my head," he said.
"All I had to worry about was coaching and I enjoyed our sessions." Belfast Times
Update: Alan McDonald to be officially announced tomorrow (Tuesday)
McDonald appointed as Glens boss
Alan McDonald was on Paul Millar's coaching staff
Glentoran has appointed former Northern Ireland captain Alan McDonald as its new manager, BBC Sport understands.
McDonald, capped 52 times, was a coach at the Oval under previous boss Paul Millar and had been expected to form part of Roy Walker's backroom team.
Walker was unveiled as the club's new manager last week but was unable to take up the post as he did not hold the required Uefa A Coaching Licence.
McDonald is thought to have agreed a two-year deal with the Glens.
The Glens are expected to officially unveil McDonald at a press conference which has been called for Tuesday morning.
Walker is understood to have held discussions with Glentoran officials on Monday.
When contacted on Monday evening, Walker said that he was "considering" his response and would release a statement to the media later this week. BBC
Belfast Telegraph - Big Mac set for Glens job
By Stuart McKinley
The shambles surrounding Glentoran's appointment of Roy Walker as manager could have been avoided if the club had fully examined the UEFA Licence criteria before unveiling their new boss.
The east Belfast club thought that by appointing first-team coach Alan McDonald as caretaker manager would overcome the fact that Walker - who was then to be installed before the start of the domestic season - doesn't have the necessary coaching qualifications needed by a club seeking UEFA Licence status.
Indeed, Glentoran Director of Football Tom Dick told the Belfast Telegraph just hours after the appointment of Walker that the club was in the clear.
He said: "Alan McDonald is staying at the club and he has a UEFA 'A' Licence so nothing will be affected.
" Roy Walker won't be on duty in Europe anyway as he is away on a pre-booked holiday. His job doesn't start until the beginning of the season.
" It is not an issue and we wouldn't have appointed him if it had been an issue."
Now, however, it has turned into a serious issue and the Glens have been forced to make a decision, either appoint the manager that they wanted or play in Europe this summer.
In the end the UEFA Cup - or rather the hefty financial reward of at least £50,000 - won.
McDonald will be appointed as manager within the next 48 hours and he will then look to put the events of the last week behind him and lead the club forward.
Walker's lack of coaching badges was no mystery to the Glentoran board though, because he informed them himself in meetings before he accepted the post.
"Glentoran approached me about the position. I had to put some impediments down to the position, one of which was my lack of this UEFA 'A' badge," said Walker.
"The club were aware of that so the process was then for me to enlist in the B course with a view to then getting the A course.
"That didn't seem to be an impediment. It seemed to be that everything was fine and therefore we were able to proceed, so I said yes.
"It is fairly apparent now that because the club are UEFA Licence holders, then the head coach/manager needs to be - not just whilst the club is in Europe but for the duration of that season - an A licence holder."
The consequences for Glentoran if they had placed McDonald in caretaker charge and made Walker manager at a later date during or before the season could have been extremely serious.
UEFA reserve the right to impose whatever punishment they see fit, which can range from withholding all or some of the cash reward for competing in Europe to the extreme of banning a club from taking part in European competition.
Luckily for Glentoran they will never find out just how harsh the punishment could have been and for that they should be thankful. Belfast Times
Belfast Telegraph -Sort it out: Mac -Monday, May 28, 2007 By Stuart McKinley
Glentoran manager in waiting Alan McDonald is desperate to see an end to the mess surrounding the managerial position at the club.
Fans of the east Belfast side have endured a weekend of uncertainty with first Roy Walker being unveiled as the successor to the sacked Paul Millar last Thursday, before it emerged on Saturday that he was unable to take up the post because of UEFA Licence problems.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed last Friday - less than 24 hours after Walker's appointment - that Glentoran were in danger of being thrown out of Europe as Walker doesn't hold the necessary coaching qualifications for the club to maintain its status as licence holders.
Although the club thought they had worked a way around the licencing problems, they were later informed that they would face punishment from UEFA if Walker was brought in for the domestic campaign.
That has now forced them to turn to McDonald - who unlike Walker does possess the coaching qualifications necessary for the UEFA Licence - to lead the team.
Fifty-two times capped former Northern Ireland skipper McDonald has been offered the manager's job and will accept it once the conditions he has laid down are in place.
" There has been a lot going on over the last few days and this needs cleared up quite soon," said McDonald.
"It is an awful situation and has to be sorted out as quickly as possible."
McDonald acts as assistant manager to the Northern Ireland under-21 team and will be out of the country from tomorrow until the weekend as he joins up with the squad for their opening European Championship qualifier in Moldova on Friday.
He was yesterday working with the under-21 players ahead of their departure.
"It was good to get out on the pitch with the boys and clear my head," he said.
"All I had to worry about was coaching and I enjoyed our sessions." Belfast Times
Lee Cook on Wanting to Move If Right Offer Gets Made
-
Football 365 - LEE COOK
"I spoke to my agent the other day and he is keeping me informed of what is going on. If a club comes in and offers the right amount of money, I am probably going to have to move on. It would be an opportunity I would not be able to turn down."
He added: "But if the money is not met and I am still at QPR next season, I am happy to stay here and try to help this team kick on into the Premiership." Soccer 365 and Teamtalk
Football 365 - LEE COOK
"I spoke to my agent the other day and he is keeping me informed of what is going on. If a club comes in and offers the right amount of money, I am probably going to have to move on. It would be an opportunity I would not be able to turn down."
He added: "But if the money is not met and I am still at QPR next season, I am happy to stay here and try to help this team kick on into the Premiership." Soccer 365 and Teamtalk
QPR's Nick Ward in Australia Olympics Qualifying Squad
-
Baan picks full-strength Olyroos squad
May 28, 2007 -
Olyroos coach Rob Baan has selected a strong Australian under 23s squad for their crucial final Group D Olympic qualifying match against Jordan in Amman next Wednesday.
Baan has included five overseas-based players in the squad and also welcomes back suspended duo Adrian Leijer and Ruben Zadkovich for the match.
Striker David Williams of Danish club Brondby has been included after missing recent matches due to club commitments and is joined by midfielder Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City), Nick Ward (Queens Park Rangers), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United) and Aaron Downes (Chesterfield).
The Olyroos will be missing A-League stars Mark Bridge and Nikolai Topor-Stanley through suspension, while Newcastle Jets midfielder Stuart Musialik is still out with a hip injury.
The Olyroos require one point from the match to ensure progression to the third and final stage of qualifying which commences in August.
Australia are three points ahead of Iran, who host Saudi Arabia, with the two matches being played simultaneously.
The Saudis have already qualified while Jordan are out of contention.
Olyroos squad: Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City, England), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (Queensland Roar), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Nick Ward (QPR, England), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC).
News
Baan picks full-strength Olyroos squad
May 28, 2007 -
Olyroos coach Rob Baan has selected a strong Australian under 23s squad for their crucial final Group D Olympic qualifying match against Jordan in Amman next Wednesday.
Baan has included five overseas-based players in the squad and also welcomes back suspended duo Adrian Leijer and Ruben Zadkovich for the match.
Striker David Williams of Danish club Brondby has been included after missing recent matches due to club commitments and is joined by midfielder Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City), Nick Ward (Queens Park Rangers), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United) and Aaron Downes (Chesterfield).
The Olyroos will be missing A-League stars Mark Bridge and Nikolai Topor-Stanley through suspension, while Newcastle Jets midfielder Stuart Musialik is still out with a hip injury.
The Olyroos require one point from the match to ensure progression to the third and final stage of qualifying which commences in August.
Australia are three points ahead of Iran, who host Saudi Arabia, with the two matches being played simultaneously.
The Saudis have already qualified while Jordan are out of contention.
Olyroos squad: Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City, England), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (Queensland Roar), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Nick Ward (QPR, England), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC).
News
2007-2008 QPR's Championship Title Odds
-
Early odds for 2007-2008 Championship
QPR's Championship Prospects for next season
SKY BET
Coca Cola Championship 07/08 - Win Outright (Saturday August 18th, 15:00)
Charlton 6/1 Coventry 16/1 Hull 40/1
Sheff Utd 8/1 C Palace 20/1 Burnley 40/1
Wolves 8/1 Cardiff 20/1 Colchester 40/1
Derby 10/1 Preston 20/1 Scunthorpe 50/1
Watford 10/1 Ipswich 20/1 Plymouth 50/1
Southampton 12/1 Sheff Weds 20/1 QPR 50/1
Leicester 14/1 Norwich 25/1 Barnsley 50/1
Stoke 16/1 Bristol City 25/1 Blackpool 50/1
http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvType&id=10003361
Blue Sq.com
Charlton Athletic 6/1 BET Norwich City 22/1 BET
Sheffield United 15/2 BET Plymouth Argyle 28/1 BET
Wolverhampton Wanderers 8/1 BET Burnley 28/1 BET
Watford Ipswich Town 33/1 BET
Southampton 10/1 BET Blackpool 33/1 BET
Leicester City 14/1 BET Bristol City 33/1 BET
Crystal Palace 18/1 BET Queen's Park Rangers 40/1 BET
Stoke City 18/1 BET Colchester United 40/1 BET
Sheffield Wednesday 20/1 BET Hull City 40/1 BET
Preston North End 20/1 BET Scunthorpe United 66/1 BET
Coventry City 20/1 BET Barnsley 80/1 BET
Cardiff City 22/1 BET
Blue Sq.com
Elaboration from Vital Football - Hull
Early odds for 2007-2008 Championship
QPR's Championship Prospects for next season
SKY BET
Coca Cola Championship 07/08 - Win Outright (Saturday August 18th, 15:00)
Charlton 6/1 Coventry 16/1 Hull 40/1
Sheff Utd 8/1 C Palace 20/1 Burnley 40/1
Wolves 8/1 Cardiff 20/1 Colchester 40/1
Derby 10/1 Preston 20/1 Scunthorpe 50/1
Watford 10/1 Ipswich 20/1 Plymouth 50/1
Southampton 12/1 Sheff Weds 20/1 QPR 50/1
Leicester 14/1 Norwich 25/1 Barnsley 50/1
Stoke 16/1 Bristol City 25/1 Blackpool 50/1
http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvType&id=10003361
Blue Sq.com
Charlton Athletic 6/1 BET Norwich City 22/1 BET
Sheffield United 15/2 BET Plymouth Argyle 28/1 BET
Wolverhampton Wanderers 8/1 BET Burnley 28/1 BET
Watford Ipswich Town 33/1 BET
Southampton 10/1 BET Blackpool 33/1 BET
Leicester City 14/1 BET Bristol City 33/1 BET
Crystal Palace 18/1 BET Queen's Park Rangers 40/1 BET
Stoke City 18/1 BET Colchester United 40/1 BET
Sheffield Wednesday 20/1 BET Hull City 40/1 BET
Preston North End 20/1 BET Scunthorpe United 66/1 BET
Coventry City 20/1 BET Barnsley 80/1 BET
Cardiff City 22/1 BET
Blue Sq.com
Elaboration from Vital Football - Hull
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)