QPR News Roundup

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First contract for Youth Player, Kieron St Aimie and words of praise from QPR Manager, John Gregory...Remembering QPR Youth Player, Kiyan Prince, who was killed a year ago today...Press reports of QPR interest in Luton's Finish Defender, Markus Heikkinen - Clubcall and Derby's Ryan Smith.
Still waiting for news about pre-season friendlies: Reports of a game against Celtic and against the Arsenal and a brief tour of Ireland; but nothing announced. No date announced yet for the AGM but presumably in June....No further updates re the ABC Loan or Oldham Chairman Simon Blitz...or a date for QPR (and at the time QPR coach, Richard Hill)meeting with the FA re the "China Brawl".
Football League attendances were up this year (but unfortunately, not for QPR!) Championship Attendances by Club League Crowds Reach 47-Year High
"The Football League has recorded its highest set of attendance figures in the modern era. In total, more than 16.4m supporters attended matches during the 2006/07 season - a rise of 1.6% and 250,000 admissions on last season.
Crowds are now at their highest levels since the 1959/60 season (18.1m) and have more than doubled in the last two decades, confirming The Football League's position as the best-attended sporting competition in Europe.
Additionally, total gates in the Coca-Cola Championship have broken the 10m barrier for the first time since 1950/51. Crowds in The League's top division averaged 18,221 fans per match, a rise of 3.5% on 2005/06. The Coca-Cola Championship is the 4th most watched League in Europe with its total audience only bettered by the Premiership, Germany's Bundesliga and Spain's La Liga. League Crowds Reach 47-Year High

QPR Youth Player, Kieron St Aimie Signs Professional Contract
Youth starlet Kieron St Aimie has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the R's.
The Brent-born teenager, who celebrated his 18th birthday on May 4th, today (Thursday) dotted the i's and crossed the t's on a one year deal at Loftus Road.
St Aimie, who featured for Joe Gallen's all-conquering Under-18 side towards the latter end of the season, has had to overcome a series of serious injuries since signing as a Scholar in June 2005.
Cartilage defects in both knees sidelined him for 18 months, yet having overcome one injury nightmare after another, his performances at Reserve team level in the last few months caught the eye of Manager John Gregory, who including him in his first team squad for the R's final away game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"He's a bright young talent,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We don't want to heap too much pressure on him because of his age, but it was vitally important we got him on professional forms sooner rather than later.
"He's a nice kid, he's very level headed, and he has earned this contract with the attitude and ability he has shown in the last few months.''
St Aimie scored three goals in nine appearances for the Under-18's last season, as well as featuring in seven Reserve matches.... QPR

QPR Official Site - Gregory on Kieron St Aimie - TEENAGE KICKS
John Gregory believes teenager Kieron St Aimie has all the attributes to make it to the very top of his profession.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk on the day the 18 year-old put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Club, the R's gaffer talked in glowing terms about the youngsters future.
"First and foremost, he's a very good footballer,'' said Gregory.
"He's got great versatility, a very good footballing brain and a first class attitude. He's an intelligent kid; very level headed and has an excellent physique.
"He's got great versatility, a very good footballing brain and a first class attitude.''
"He has earned this contract with the attitude and ability he has shown in the last few months.''
Although a right midfielder by trade, Gregory is in two minds about whether the wide role gets the best out of St Aimie.
"It's difficult to establish what his best position is,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He can play across the midfield and he doesn't look out of place playing behind a lone front-man either.
"He's got very good feet and can score goals too, but we'll just have to wait and see how he improves over the next 18 months or so before we make a decision. With the right kind of coaching and tuition, he's got a very bright future.''
Despite including him in the squad for the trip to Molineux in the R's final away fixture of the season, the Rangers gaffer doesn't expect St Aimie to be knocking on the first team door on a regular basis just yet.
"We're not expecting too much from him at this stage,'' said Gregory.
"I can't see him banging on the door just yet, but this is a fantastic opportunity for him.''
"We'll leave him alone and nurture him through gradually. This season will be key in both his development and education.
"I can't see him banging on the door just yet, but this is a fantastic opportunity for him to establish himself as a first team squad member.'' QPR

QPR Official Site -KIYAN REMEMBERED
Today (Friday) marks the first anniversary of the sad and untimely death of R's youth team player Kiyan Prince. Prince, 15, was stabbed to death following an altercation with another boy outside the gates of the London Academy in Edgware on May 18th 2006.
Everyone at Queens Park Rangers Football Club extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Kiyan at this sad time. May he rest in peace QPR