QPR REPORT

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Sporting Life: SANTOS HEADS TO CHESTERFIELD
Chesterfield have signed experienced defender Georges Santos on a non-contract basis for one month.
The 37-year-old Frenchman started his career in England with Tranmere and took in spells at WBA, Sheffield United, Grimsby, Ipswich, QPR and Brighton.
Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson said: "This arrangement is of mutual benefit as Georges was looking for a footballing opportunity and we need some more defensive cover, especially in the short-term whilst Aaron Downes is on international duty with Australia under-23s.
Sporting Life

YEOVIL OFFICIAL SITE Glovers Announce Cochrane Signing
Yeovil Town have this afternoon announced that Midfielder Justin Cochrane has signed a short term contact with the club.
Cochrane arrived at Huish Park in pre-season and impressed on his debut in the 2-2 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Justin Cochrane started his career with Championship club Queens Park Rangers, where he progressed through their youth system and into the reserves, but unfortunately not the first team.
He was later sold to non-league Hayes, and then in July 2003 he signed for Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer.
In February 2006, Cochrane was loaned out to Gillingham to gain first-team experience, and in April 2006 had a trial with Luton Town where he scored a goal for the reserves.
He was released by Crewe at the end of the 2005-06 season, where he then signed for Rotherham United.
Having been released upon the Millers' relegation to League Two last season, Cochrane arrived at Huish Park July, and has been ever present either in the starting line up or bench since then.
He has made an impressive start to his Yeovil Town league career, scoring two goals in his first two full appearances.
Russell Slade has been impressed with the 24 year old, and has now made his tenure at the club more permanent.
"Justin has worked hard since his arrival at the club, and has done well," Russell said.
"He has really earned his contact, and I am delighted that he has decided to join us.
"He has a very good work rate and plenty of ability.
"I have been pleased with his performances since coming into the side, and his goalscoring has so far proved invaluable...". Yeovil

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BBC - IanHolloway column
MARTIN ALLEN SACKING
We've got Leicester on Saturday and they've sacked their manager, which was a bit of a strange state of affairs - especially after they'd just beaten Watford 4-1. That'll teach him!
The honeymoon's over
Let's hope everything is worked out financially. As far as I'm concerned there should be a rule that no football manager should ever be replaced without his own contract being sorted out first.
Maybe that would sort out these chairman who chuck you on gardening leave, which is totally unjust and unfair. Our contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on but they would be if that rule was brought in...

TRAGIC DEATH OF RAY JONES
He signed while I was still manager at QPR. He was a wonderful kid, irrespective of what he could do on a football pitch.
Ray Jones was tragically killed in a car crash
He was someone I would have been proud to call my son. He was very respectful, a wonderful lad with a brilliant smile.
The room lit up when he came into it, he was one of those people.
My heart bleeds for his parents. He's going to be sorely missed to the world, not just his mum and dad. The world was a better place with him in it....

MY SPACE IMPOSTOR
Someone's got a whole website about me and they're claiming to be me. Apparently you can go somewhere to get on Ian Holloway's MySpace - which I haven't got.
People send in questions and somebody's answering them - but it's not me, it's an impostor. People are being duped - IT'S NOT MY SITE...! BBC

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As first reported by Dave McIntire in the Ealing Gazette, QPR have now apparently signed Sheffield United's Mikele Leigertwood.

BBC - QPR complete Leigertwood transfer
Mikele Leigertwood has strugged for action at Sheffield United
Queens Park Rangers have signed Sheffield United midfield man Mikele Leigertwood in a £900,000 deal, reports BBC Radio Sheffield.
The 24-year-old joined the Blades last summer but struggled to hold down a regular first team place.
He arrived at Bramall Lane from Crystal Palace after a £600,000 development compensation package was agreed.
Leigertwood's versatility will appeal to QPR boss John Gregory as he builds his squad. BBC

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - LEIGERTWOOD SIGNS
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Sheffield United star Mikele Leigertwood for an undisclosed fee.
The 24 year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, has penned a three-year deal in W12.
Leigertwood, who joined the Blades in July 2006 and has featured in four of United's five League and Cup fixtures so far this season, could be in line to make his QPR bow against Southampton on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, gaffer John Gregory expressed his delight at Leigertwood's arrival: "Since the unfortunate injury to Simon Walton, the midfield area is one we have been trying hard to fill.
"Mikele is an outstanding athlete and footballer who can come straight into the team in that position and I think he is a real quality acquisition for the Football Club."
Leigertwood, who began his career with Wimbledon before later joining Crystal Palace, said: "QPR only contacted me on Wednesday. I had a word with John Gregory and a look around the place on Thursday and I was very impressed with what I saw.
"I'm happy with the ambitions of the Club and hopefully we can all progress together.
"I'm hardworking, honest, and I am never one to shy away. Hopefully, I can bring some steel into the centre of the park."
Leigertwood will wear squad number 32. QPR

See Also
Playing Details http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=27945

Signing for Sheff United
Sheffield United

Sheffield United

Wikipedia/Leigertwood

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Guardian - Stuart James and David Hytner Friday August 31, 2007
"...Flavio Briatore is set to announce that he has purchased a majority stake in Queens Park Rangers, together with Bernie Ecclestone, his fellow formula one powerbroker, after a final round of talks in London last night.
The Championship club are carrying debt of £21m, including a £10m loan from the Panama-based ABC Corporation at an annual interest rate of 10%. But Briatore, the Renault principal, in tandem with Ecclestone, the formula one rights holder, who has changed his mind from three weeks ago and clambered on board, intend to pay off ABC.
Their takeover is estimated to be worth £25m but they will also back John Gregory, the manager, with funds in the transfer market. QPR's board resigned last week to clear the way for the new investors. Guardian

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Many, many months after reportedly having left QPR, QPR's goalkeeping coach (and current Dagenham first team goalie) Tony Roberts has finally ceased - without comment - to be listed on the QPR Staff Directory. QPR Staff Directory

See Tony Roberts/Wikipedia

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BBC - Formula 1 bosses agree QPR deal
Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore have agreed a deal to buy a majority stake in QPR, the BBC understands.
Major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers have agreed to sell their shares in the Championship club.
Briatore heads a group which had been talking over a plan to inject new funds to secure the club finances.
QPR's board resigned on Monday 20 August ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited. BBC

Also: Earlier Reports from Today re Ecclestone-Biatore Takeover - Takeover Reports

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Dunstable News -Paul Furlong I've got plenty of life left in me yet!

38-year-old veteran on the secrets of his longevity
Eyebrows were raised by one or two Hatters supporters when Luton signed 38-year-old Paul Furlong during the summer.
But three goals in two games from the evergreen forward in excellent wins against Gillingham and Sunderland have more than won over the fans.
The former QPR, Watford and Chelsea man enjoys an ice bath after each game as part of his fitness regime.
And the hit-man, who put in a man-of-the-match display in Tuesday's 3-0 midweek Carling Cup win over Sunderland, says he has plenty of life left in him yet.
Furlong told Luton Today: "It was a great night. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but we acquitted ourselves well and thoroughly deserved to win the game.
"It wasn't about me scoring goals it was more about the team doing well and winning the game.
"I'm here now to help the youngsters with my experience and I think I managed to do that against Sunderland.
"I've played at the top level, but I'm coming down the leagues now and this is the next stage for me.
"I've always wanted to get into coaching and I'm getting the chance to do that here now."
Far from being just an impact substitute, Furlong has started four out of five of Luton's game so far this season and came on as a first-half substitute in the other match in the first round of the Carling Cup against Dagenham & Redbridge.
Asked about what keeps him on top of his game just a month ahead of his 39th birthday, Furlong replied: "It's just a willingness to want to play and still being able to enjoy my football.
"I do feel the bumps and bangs a bit more now than I used to, I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I know how to look after myself.
"With Sam Parkin unfortunately getting injured I've probably played a bit more than I expected, but I just say 'bring it on'.
"I want to get out there and play and if the manager picks me, there's no way I'll turn a game down."
Furlong has helped to bring on the game of the likes of young Town strikers Drew Talbot and Calvin Andrew.
And he is set to play a vital role when Hatters visit Leeds for what is sure to be a lively encounter on Saturday.
Furlong said: "These are the sorts of games everyone wants to play in. It will be a 30,000-plus crowd and a great atmosphere.
"It's a massive game and a big one for the gaffer. He'll be determined to win it, but so will we and after the performance against Sunderland we'll go there full of confidence." Dunstable Today

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[No longer listed as Directors of QPR: Antonio Caliendo, Olga Paladini, and Franco Zanotti. Akin Yilmaz is also no longer listed as Financial Controller.] (Last week, On Monday, three board directors, Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele departed]/

QPR Official Site - Staff Directory
Chairman - Gianni Paladini
Club Secretary - Sheila Marson
Financial Controller - Mark Cooke
QPR

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Call ups for Michael Mancienne, Dexter Blackstock and Damion Stewart (along with Nardiello announced a couple of days ago). Meanwhile Dean Parrett scored for England U-17s in their 6-1 win against Northern Ireland. - FA Report

Update: QPR Official Site "Double Call Up"

Michael Mancienne and Dexter Blackstock once again called up by Stuart Pierce for the England U-21 Squad for Montenegro v England - Friday 7 September 2007
City Stadium, Podgorica
Bulgaria v England Tuesday 11 September 2007
Bulgarska Armia Stadium, Sofia FA - England

STEWART Called up again by Jamaica
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
"....The 27 year-old will link up with the Reggae Boys for a friendly on Wednesday 12th September, where the opponents are yet to be confirmed, but are expected to be a highly-ranked Central American Team.
Since making his Jamaica debut in 1999, Stewart has amassed 42 caps his country, scoring twice. QPR Official Site

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David McIntyre - Ealing Gazette - Deadline signing for Rs

QPR are set to sign Sheffield United's Mikele Leigertwood once a takeover of the club is rubber-stamped later today.
London-born Leigertwood, 24, will cost Rangers around £800,000.
The player can operate in either defence or midfield and was a very highly-rated youngster at Wimbledon before joining Crystal Palace last year.
He has played in the top flight with both Palace and Sheffield United.
Rangers are also hoping to sign striker Kevin Gallacher, 23, from Blackburn before the transfer window closes on Friday.
But a bid to sign West Ham's Hayden Mullins has been rebuffed and hopes of capturing Chelsea's Scott Sinclair appear to be receding. Ealing Gazette

See Also: Wikipedia/Leigertwood

Also:
Rovers to snub late bids - By Andy Neild
" BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is ready to resist any late bids for Jason Roberts and Morten Gamst Pedersen....
One player who could be on the move, though, is Paul Gallagher as a number of Championship clubs, including Stoke and Queens Park Rangers, have expressed an interest in taking him on loan.
Rovers do not want to sell Gallagher but they may consider a loan deal until January. Blackburn Citizen

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UPDATE: 2:30pm really Nice Act by Arsenal's Robin Van Persie

QPR Official Site -RSENAL'S GESTURE
The Club today received a personal message from Arsenal striker Robin van Persie following the untimely death of Ray Jones.
The Dutchman sent a signed shirt to the Harlington Training Complex this morning, with the note: 'In memory. A sad loss to football.'
Jones, who was tragically killed in a car accident on Saturday morning, was a boyhood fan of the Gunners.
R's skipper Adam Bolder accepted the shirt on behalf of the Club, and told www.qpr.co.uk: "At a difficult time like this, it's nice to see the footballing world come together in the way it has.
"We have all been really heartened by the tributes that continue to flow in, and this shirt and message from van Persie is a lovely gesture."
QPR would like to place on record its thanks to Arsenal Football Club and, in particular, Robin van Persie QPR

Mark Bircham Icons
QPR needs to be taken in a new direction

It was shock to hear about the death of Ray Jones in a car accident. He was a lovely lad and obviously I knew him quite well at QPR. There are some real flash young boys in football but Ray was the opposite of that. He was such a nice lad, relaxed, laid back and really popular.
It's just another terrible tragedy for everyone at QPR and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

As a QPR fan I hope some sort of takeover does happen soon because the club really needs to be taken in a new direction. Of course there has been loads of takeover talk recently, but as with anything at Loftus Road you don't believe it until it happens.
I'm not getting my hopes up until somebody comes in, pays off the £20 million debts and comes up with a plan for the future. At the moment I'm just happy so long as the club keeps its head above water.
QPR deserves to have someone in charge who cares about the club and the fans and I'm hoping that person comes along some time soon. Icons

JOHN CURTIS - ICONS - Subdued Week at QPR

As you can imagine everything is very subdued at QPR this week after the tragic death of young Ray Jones.
The fitness coach and kit man came to our rooms individually before the Burnley game to tell us what had happened and everyone was simply devastated. We all just got straight on the bus and came home.
It was the longest bus journey I've experienced in football. Normally there's loads of banter and laughs, but obviously we were all just very quiet, thinking about what had happened.
As Ray had been injured recently he wasn't training a lot with the rest of us, but he used to get changed opposite me in the locker room and he seemed like a really nice guy. He was quite quiet and was a real gentle giant.
He was a very popular lad with his team mates and it was easy to see why. He was committed and simply a good bloke. He was also a very talented player who had great touch for a big lad.
It's awful that something like this should happen so soon after the death of Kiyan Prince as well. They are two terrible tragedies that have hit young players at this club and we all feel so sorry for their families.
The only thing we can do now is push on. We won't forget these guys and I'm sure they will be everyone's thoughts at QPR, but we know we have games coming up and we have to be prepared.
Southampton come here on Saturday and because the Burnley game was called off we haven't played for two weeks. We need to get back on the pitch and play some football.
We've only had two games and I thought we did really well in our first match against Bristol City. We were really unlucky to come away with only a 2-2 draw from a match we definitely deserved to win.
Cardiff at home was a disappointment. We lost 2-0 and simply didn't play well at all. It was just an off day. We want to put things right against Southampton on Saturday. They may not have had a great start but they are still one of the fancied sides in this league so I'm sure they will be dangerous.
We do want to put the trials of last season behind us and to some extent we feel we are turning a corner. But this is a difficult league and we can't afford to relax for a moment.
There may be talks of takeovers but that isn't something that affects the players at all. There is nothing we can do about it so we don't think about it. If a takeover happens then we hope it will be in the best interests of the club, but all we can do is go out and try to win on the pitch.
I also heard that QPR had been warned about our disciplinary record and that we could be fined if it doesn't improve. But nobody at the club has said anything to us about that and it's not something we are conscious of.
I'm sure nobody here goes out to be dirty. We just get on with trying to play football and win games. I have no idea why we got so many cards next year but it won't affect how we approach the game. We will always go out to compete fairly. Icons

Paul Parker Bromley Times - 30 August 2007
"IT was a terrible shame to hear what happened to young QPR player Ray Jones, who tragically died in a car crash before the club's game against Burnley on Saturday.
I haven't had many experiences of this sort of thing, though I can remember - when I was about 17 - the former QPR keeper Dave Clement took his own life because of depression.
It only came back to me later on in my career when his son Neil, who now plays for West Brom, asked me about his dad when he was an apprentice at Chelsea.
It is always particularly poignant when it happens to someone so young - regardless of the fact it looked like he was going to be a good player - and that he is never going to fulfil his potential in life. Bromley Times

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QPR Official Site August 30 - PLAY YOUR PART
R's gaffer John Gregory has called on all QPR fans to turn out in force to pay their respects to Ray Jones on Saturday afternoon.
Rangers lock horns with Southampton at Loftus Road, in their first fixture since the tragic death of the young QPR striker.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this morning, Gregory said: "I think there will be a mixture of people at Loftus Road on Saturday - regular fans who come here week after week, and others who will make that extra effort to be here to pay their respects to Ray.
"It would be fantastic to have a full house. I'm sure the fans will shout that little bit louder for Ray and for the team.
"The events of the last seven days have united the QPR family and in the long term we will all be stronger together - both fans and players."
Gregory added: "In many ways, on this particular weekend, football takes a back seat.
"That's honestly how it feels, but come 3.00pm, we've got the chance to put the events of the last week to the back of our minds for 90 minutes.
"Every member of our squad is still hurting, but maybe they'll just run that one per-cent more and chase every ball down that little bit harder than before - and they'll be doing it all for Ray.
"We want to celebrate his life by putting in a winning performance." QPR

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Just brief links to profiles of Bernie Eccelstone and Flavior Briatore!

Profiles
Bernie Eccelstone - Wikipedia

Recent stories re Eccelstone and Arsenal:
The Times, August 11 "Ecclestone on verge of launching Arsenal bid"

The Times, August 11: "Celebrated money man joins race to gain control of Emirates"

The Times, July 23 - "Dein driving Ecclestone's Arsenal plan"

1997 Telegraph Profile/Interview with Ecclestone

Flavio Briatore - Wikipedia

Flavio Briatore Own Website

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[To be updated!] UPDATED 1:30 pm

DAILY MAIL - QPR set to confirm Briatore's takeover
Queens Park Rangers are expected to announce today that they have been taken over by a consortium headed by Renault Formula One racing team boss Flavio Briatore and the sport's billionaire supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
The takeover of the club is expected to be worth about £25m - including taking on a debt of about £21m.
And manager John Gregory has been promised a war chest of £10m to spend on players in January, though he will hope for a quick injection of funds to do deals before the transfer window closes tomorrow night. Mail

SkyNews Bernie Set To Join In For QPR Bid

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone looks set to be part of the team that is going to snap up Queens Park Rangers football club.
He is understood to have teamed up with Renault racing chief Flavio Briatore to buy the Championship club in a deal that could be announced as early as today.
Mr Ecclestone - who is worth around £2.2bn - is also linked to a possible £780m offer for Arsenal.
He apparently decided against going for this deal when his Italian colleague initially approached him but has since changed his mind.
Both men are businessmen, rather than keen football fans.
It is expected that they will bring their business acumen to play in the football arena, having transformed Formula One from a minority interest into a multi-billion pound industry employing tens of thousands of people around the world.
Flavio Briatore, meanwhile, has great taste in drivers - he spotted the talent of former world champions Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso among others.
The Italian tycoon has only seen Loftus Road, QPR's stadium, by air from a helicopter on his way from Chelsea to Oxfordshire.
Any new partnership is expected to repay a £10m loan owed by QPR six year ago and which has been responsible for the heavy burden of interest payments. Skynews

The Sun - August 30 - F1 chiefs win race for QPR - By BOB HAYES
FORMULA ONE bosses Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore have won the battle to take over QPR.
The duo’s successful 50-50 bid for the Championship club is expected to be announced today.
The deal means the club will pay off an outstanding £3million tax bill to the Inland Revenue.
A further £10m budget will be available to Rangers boss John Gregory for the January transfer window.
The new owners will also repay a £10m loan taken out by the club six years ago to get out of administration. That debt has been costing the club £1m in interest a year.
Chairman Gianni Paladini will stay in day-to-day control of the club.
Ecclestone has a £2.2billion fortune after turning Grand Prix racing into a massive money-spinner.
Briatore, the Renault team chief, is the man who spotted a young Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. The Sun

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The Business Aug 29 - Ecclestone says he will consider QPR bid Rupert Steiner

"Bernie Eccelstone, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Formula One racing, says he is one of the mystery investors who have been approached to join a consortium mounting a bid for Queens Park Rangers (QPR), the troubled London football club.
It is the first time Ecclestone, who has also been linked with a £780m (E1.1bn, $1.5bn) bid to buy Arsenal, has confirmed he is considering joining Flavio Briatore, the Renault F1 boss, who is in informal talks to buy QPR.
“Briatore would like me to join him,” Ecclestone told The Business. “I am not sure what I am going to do at the moment. It depends how much it is. If it is sensible money then maybe yes, why not.”
Last weekend Briatore, speaking at the Turkish grand prix, said: “We have a bunch of friends together. We’ve been talking for the past month but I’ve no idea where we are. QPR are talking to a lot of people.” He refused to name the “friends” involved.
Ecclestone said that any investment would be a private venture rather than take place though his family trusts or the many holding companies connected with F1: “I am looking at it. It would be me personally – nothing do with the trusts. They could never get involved in this sort of thing – it would be more a hobby. It’s a lot smaller than Arsenal. It can only go up, it can’t go down because it is just about the bottom of everything.”
The club, which is owned by a Monaco-based consortium led by Antonio Caliendo, the club chairman, survived administration six years ago and has debts of £21m. A £10m loan to ABC Corporation of Panama is secured against the Loftus Park Stadium in Shepherd’s Bush, which is worth more than £20m.
The board of QPR, currently in talks with three separate parties, expects to have identified a preferred bidder by the end of September." The Business

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The Times - August 30, 2007 - Ecclestone chooses QPR over Arsenal
Gary Jacob and Edward Gorman

Bernie Ecclestone will acquire a majority stake in Queens Park Rangers as part of a takeover that is expected to be announced today, but he has not ruled out bidding to take over at Arsenal at a later date. The Formula One rights holder is joined in a con-sortium by Flavio Briatore, the principal at the Renault Formula One team and one of his closest allies, whose interest was reported by The Times this month.

Ecclestone ruled himself out of the deal when first approached by Briatore, but he has since changed his mind. They could offer a solution for fans desperate for their club to return to their former glory — they finished eighth in the top flight as recently as 1995, but were relegated a season later. They have since spent three seasons in the third tier of English football, beset by financial problems.

Neither businessman is known for a love of football — although they are friendly with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, and have been to matches at Stamford Bridge — but their sharp thinking has gained a unique place in Formula One. Ecclestone transformed Formula One into a multibillion-pound industry that employs thousands of people in Britain alone, while Briatore helped to master-mind the transfer of a little-known Michael Schumacher and spotted Fernando Alonso, both of whom he helped to turn into world champions.

Briatore, the flamboyant Italian who is thought to be worth about £70 million, has admitted that he has seen Loftus Road, the club’s stadium, only from the air, en route by helicopter from his home in Chelsea to his team’s headquarters in Oxfordshire. Ecclestone, whose fortune is valued at £2.2 billion, would have to sell most of his stake in QPR, the Coca-Cola Championship club, if he wanted to complete the bid for Arsenal that he has said that he is interested in pursuing. The directors of the Barclays Premier League club have agreed not to sell their shares until at least April.

The takeover of QPR will be worth about £25 million, including taking on the debt of about £21 million. John Gregory, the QPR manager, has been promised about £10 million to spend on players in January, but he will hope that there may be funds to bring in some players before the transfer window closes tomorrow night.

The new owners will repay the £10 million that is owed to the ABC Corporation, a company registered in Panama, which provided a loan that helped the club to exit administration six years ago. The interest payments of 10 per cent have been a considerable burden.

The club borrowed a further £1.3 million from the same company to stave off the threat of administration this summer, money that was used to pay Revenue & Customs. QPR still owe the taxman about £3 million and their directors, including Antonio Caliendo, the chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, and Gianni Paladini, the club chairman, are owed £7 million in loans.

The new owners will probably look at whether it is feasible to continue playing at Loftus Road. Despite its position in West London, the stadium has been estimated by property experts to be worth about £24 million because covenants on the site limit the housing that can be built. QPR officials have previously considered building a joint stadium in West London with Fulham, who would sell Craven Cottage. The officials have looked at a site near the BBC headquarters in Wood Lane, White City.

Other consortiums, including one involving Ronny Rosenthal, the former Liverpool forward, were entertained by QPR this summer, but the business-men felt that the sums could not add up unless the club went into administration to restructure the debt.

Dual control

— Bernie Ecclestone’s involvement in the deal to buy Queens Park Rangers could prevent the Formula One ringmaster from taking over Arsenal.

— Ecclestone would not be allowed to own more than 9.9 per cent of the shares in another club. David Sullivan, the Birmingham City co-owner, owned about 5 per cent of the shares in West Ham United until he sold up to Eggert Magnússon last season. The Times

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Latest Update August 29:

PFA Q&A with Ian Holloway
"Q: WE WERE ALL SADDENED BY THE DEATH OF QPR'S RAY JONES - WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER OF HIM? "
A "He was a great kid and a wonderful talent. It's unbelievable. Unbelievable. All my love goes out to the family. It's heartbreaking. You expect to be buried by your children. There's no worse thing for a parent than to bury your child. I feel so sorry for them. It's a tragedy." PFA's Give Me Football

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Mourning a star

"Ray Jones would have gone on to become a full England international, according to the coaching staff who nurtured him at QPR.
Jones, who died in a car accident in east London in the early hours of last Saturday, had already represented his country at under-19 level and had been tipped to win further international honours.
Joe Gallen, who managed Rangers' Centre of Excellence until the end of last season, has no doubt that the young striker was destined to reach the top level.
Spotted playing for Sunday League side Redwood FC by QPR's youth development officer John O'Brien, the 15-year-old Jones was offered an apprenticeship almost immediately.
Gallen recalled: "As soon as we'd seen him play, we offered him a two-year deal straight away. I was sure then that Ray was going to become not only a QPR player, but a top-class Premiership player as well.
"I also thought he had the potential to be a full international player, in time. He was often compared to Peter Crouch and I remember ringing Ray after watching a World Cup game last summer."
"I told him 'When Crouch came back to QPR, he was 19 and people said he was a bit gangly and lethargic. But once he got into his 20s and got a bit more strength, look at what he's done.
'You're only 17 - think what you can do'. Between Ray Jones and Dean Parrett, we had on our hands two of the outstanding young players in the country.
"Everyone at the club knew Ray's potential. He was the best prospect we'd had at this club since Nigel Quashie and I can't believe he is no longer with us."

Gallen's sentiments were echoed by former QPR boss Gary Waddock, who managed Jones at every level up to the first team and handed the striker his senior debut at the end of the 2005-06 season.
Waddock, now the manager of Aldershot Town, told the Times: "I put him on in the last game of the season, at Reading and the lads went to clap the fans at the end of the game.
"As they were walking off the pitch, Ray thanked me for giving him the opportunity. I told him 'you deserve it' and it was typical of him - he was such a nice, nice lad, genuine and honest.
"He was very down to earth and happy. Everybody liked him - he always wanted to listen and learn, he took everything in his stride and he had the world at his feet.
"Ray was a very talented player and he could have gone on right to the top. He'd already made a name for himself and people were aware of his ability.
"I was absolutely shattered when I heard the news on Saturday. It's such a tragedy and I keep thinking about the lad and his family."

Jones went on to make his first start against Southend at the beginning of last season and netted his maiden goal to win a Carling Cup tie against Northampton, almost exactly a year ago.
He also gained his first international call-up, making his England under-19 debut as a substitute against Holland at Walsall's Bescot Stadium in front of his mother, Lorraine.
Gallen added: "I can't say enough good things about Ray and his family. I took his mum and sister up to see Ray make his England debut and they were so proud of him.
"He adored his mum and she adored him back - I had to literally force him to move into digs nearer the training ground because she wanted him at home in East Ham.
"Ray got on with everybody at the club as well - he loved coming in to training and, in those first two years, we spent hours together out on the training ground.
"He was everyone's mate, really. We had such a strong group, people like Pat Kanyuka, Jake Cole, Shabazz Baidoo, Stefan Bailey, Kieron St Aimie and Andrew Howell, and those boys will be devastated."
Jones added five more goals to his QPR tally after John Gregory replaced Waddock, but his final appearance came in Rangers' pre-season game at Wycombe last month.
A foot injury had kept him out of action since then and was the reason for his absence from the Rs squad that travelled to Burnley last weekend.
The Football League agreed to postpone the match out of respect for the striker, whose death came just three days before he was due to celebrate his 19th birthday.
In tribute to Jones, Rangers will wear his name on the backs of their shirts in Saturday's game at home to Southampton.
The club have also decided to retire the number 31 shirt worn by Jones last season as a mark of respect. Kilburn Times

GARETH AINSWORTH, Kilburn Times Step on the Gaz

"I'M sure no-one will mind if I take this opportunity to pay a tribute to Ray Jones and share my memories of him with you.
The first time I ever saw Ray, my initial thought was that he was the tallest lad I'd ever seen. Even then people were talking about him and saying he had something special.
It was a real pleasure to see him come through the youth team and develop as a player. Ray had massive respect for his elders and, in my book, that was another plus point - you sometimes don't see that in younger players.
But there were never any airs and graces about Ray, even after he got his England cap. He just got on with his job and went about it quietly, a real gentle giant.
Never mind playing for England, one thing that stood out about Ray was his ability to sleep for England! He'd fall asleep on the coach going to away games and sometimes we used to find him asleep in the dressing room between training sessions too.
Recently, we both went up to hospital with Paul Hunter, the physio, to have injections on our respective injuries. We were waiting for around 10 minutes, then the nurse called my name and I went up with Paul. Ray didn't react at all, so I looked behind me and there he was, fast asleep!
Only a couple of weeks ago, we were both doing a bit of swimming with Mark Barry, our sports scientist. Mark and myself both jumped in the deep end, began treading water and were breathing quite heavily after about 30 seconds.
Ray didn't seem to be doing a lot, so Mark said: "Come on Ray, are you trying?" Ray just came out with a great one-liner: "It's all right, I can touch the bottom!"
Football is a macho world and sometimes it's difficult to show your emotions. But I can honestly say that these last few days have brought us closer as a unit and there's no need to say 'we're going to do this or that for Ray' - with the character we have at QPR, we'll do it anyway.
We want to remember Ray as he was. His locker's still got his name on it and it'll stay like that for a long time - he wrote his name into QPR history and he won't ever be forgotten.
I won't be playing against Southampton, but I'll be in the stand wearing a shirt with Ray's name on the back, just as the lads will on the pitch.
My thoughts are with Ray's family at this time and I know the rest of the lads are all thinking of them too. Kilburn Times

Ben Kosky Kilburn Times - Shocked fans pay their respects
EVEN before supporters' coaches had returned from their aborted trip to Burnley, many other stunned Rangers fans began gathering at Loftus Road to pay their respects.
A full-size action poster of the teenage star adorned the front of the club shop, while signed shirts, photographs and floral tributes festooned the players' entrance.
Supporters seemed unable to comprehend how Rangers could have been robbed of another bright young talent, barely a year after the tragic death of youth team striker Kiyan Prince.
Season ticket holder Jill Ellacott, who travelled from Edgware with her five children, also QPR fans, said: "Tragedy has hit twice and taken away two lovely lads.
"Speaking to Ray Jones at the Player of the Year do, he seemed a lovely young man. He took all the time in the world for the younger supporters, to stand there and chat and have photos taken.
"It's unbelievable - such a terrible shock. Out of anybody, I would have said he had a bright future. I feel so sorry for his family and I know every QPR supporter will feel the same."
Her sentiments were echoed by Tony Duffy, an Rs supporter since 1964, having come down from Amersham, Bucks, to pay his respects to Jones outside the ground.
"When does it stop, for God's sake? Everyone was looking forward again this year, but for something like this to happen is a terrible loss," he said.
"It won't be easy, but all I can hope for is that we come back stronger and bring back some happy times instead of tragedy."
Like most fans, Jason Coker, from Holland Park, was taken aback when he received the shocking news of the young striker's death on Saturday morning.
"I was out and one of my mates texted me. I didn't honestly believe it was true, but then my dad rang me and told me it was and I felt I had to come down to the ground.
"One of the best moments I remember from last year was him scoring that winning goal at Cardiff. He was one of the best youngsters we've had at QPR for a long, long time.
"A lot of Premiership clubs were looking to buy Ray Jones last year and that shows you how good he was. He was the future of QPR and he'll be missed big time. Kilburn Times

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QPR Official Site - MINUTE'S APPLAUSE
Ray Jones will be remembered prior to kick-off against Southampton on Saturday with a minute's applause.
Following discussions between the Club and the striker's family, it has been agreed that a period of applause would be more suitable as we look to remember his life with fondness.
Tickets are still available for the game at Loftus Road and can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on 08444 777 007. QPR

QPR Official Site - FIFA PAY TRIBUTE
Chairman Gianni Paladini today (Wednesday) received the following message from FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
It is with sadness in my heart that I write to you, having learned of the tragic passing of striker Ray Jones, an 18 year-old England youth international.
On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our condolences to you, to everyone at Queens Park Rangers and, most importantly, to Mr Jones' family, friends and loved ones.
Please let them know that today the worldwide football community stands by their side. We hope that in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness. QPR

Also: Another nice piece on Ray Jones by Benjie Goodhart, Guardian Blog
Guardian Blog

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[The interview was conducted/the article was written prior to the Ray Jones tragedy]

strong>Yaan Tear/Easling Gazette August 23, 2007 - Dex told to bide his time

Dexter Blackstock has been urged by Stuart Pearce not to fret about being overlooked for the U21s in midweek, and told: 'Your time will come!'
Blackstock's delight at being selected for young England's friendly against Romania on Tuesday night was tempered by his failure to get off the bench.
He watched as QPR teammate Michael Mancienne earned his first cap as a half-time substitute in the 1-1 draw in Bristol and was not given the chance to duplicate his goal for Rangers on the opening day of the season on the same Ashton Gate turf.
But the talented 21-year-old has been urged to bide his time by Pearce, who is now in full-time charge of the U21s.
"It would have been nice to get on but it was a good experience all round," Blackstock told the Gazette.
"Hopefully he'll give me another chance.
"To call me up into the squad and then not involve me or call me up again would be a bit strange, but you never know. I just hope I do finally get the chance to prove myself on the pitch.
"There's qualifiers coming up at the beginning of September [against Macedonia and Bulgaria] and basically he said my time will come and that I should be patient - which was what I've been doing.
"I heard I was in the squad last Thursday when the manager came in before training and said that me and Michael had been called up.
"I hadn't been expecting it, even if it's something I've been aiming for as a long-term goal. I didn't expect the call to come when it did.
"Lee Camp played for the U21s last season and said it was a good experience. He told us to just go and enjoy it and we did. I really wanted to get out there, but it was still good to be with the lads and get to know a few of them a bit better. Most of them I knew anyway from youth or club level."
Blackstock will mothball his new England tracksuit for now and concentrate on helping Rangers earn their first win of the campaign.
But in common with most Rangers fans, he would prefer it if the off-field uncertainties were sorted quickly.
"I'm not too sure what's happening with this takeover," he said. "If we are being taken over, then the sooner the better.
"It's not an excuse for performances but we could do with knowing where we all stand and getting assurances that we're moving in the right direction.
"It's not something we talk about in the dressing room really, but we know it's in the background. There's no point in trying to guess what's going on, we will have to be guided by what the club tells us."We won't be thinking about any of that this Saturday though - only about putting right last week's result.
"We started so well against Bristol City that the Cardiff result came as a big blow.
"We just didn't play well and it was just one of those days. We should have won in Bristol but against Cardiff, we have no excuses.
"Everyone wants to get back on track now and prove everyone wrong and Burn-ley's definitely a winnable game.
"We haven't done too well there down the years but I wouldn't take a point now if you offered it to me. In fact there's no game I'd go into thinking like that.
"We can beat anyone at any given time and we want that first one under our belts as soon as possible.
"I want to improve on my 14 goals last season and if I do that, it will be a good season for me and the team and might help us get into the top half of the table.
"I don't mind having the responsibility of being the main man for goals - I think all strikers are the same.
"But it won't just be down to me and as long as other players are chipping in with goals as well, we should be all right." Gazette

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August 29th, 1967 QPR 3 Bristol City 1
Goals from Ian Morgan, Roger Morgan and Les Allen
Goalkeeper Mike Kelly made his league debut for QPR (having previously played in the cup) the precedeing season.
Newly promoted QPR after drawing their opening game, were in the midst of a five game winning streak. And at the end of the season: Another promotion, up on goal aggregate!
QPR's Team vs Bristol City
Kelly
Clement Harris Hazell Hunt
Morgan Keen Morgan
Lazarus Leach Allen
Sub: Ian Watson

And Twenty years later (and twenty years ago)
August 29, 1987: Southampton 0 QPR 1
Jim Smith's QPR were top!
Seaman
Dawes Mcdonald Parker Fereday
Allen Brock Fenwick
Bannister Coney Byrne

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Newham Recorder - Three die in horror crash
29 August 2007

THE lives of three young men have been tragically cut short - with a fourth fighting for survival and a fifth injured - following a horrific road accident in East Ham.

The young men who lost their lives, all former or current pupils of East Ham's Langdon School, were in a black VW Golf which was involved in the accident with a double decker bus on Saturday.

Fire brigade crews, police officers and London Ambulance Service staff got to the scene and found two young men in the VW had suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

They began the grim task of removing their bodies and rescuing the others, while they also had to free the trapped bus driver.

One of those who died was brilliant young QPR footballer Ray Jones, 18, who moved to Manor Park two weeks ago, and who would have been 19 yesterday. The former Langdon pupil, who had played more than 30 games for the QPR first team last season, was said to be a "lovely guy" by local people.

Ray, who was the driver of the car, had only recently passed his driving test and bought his first car within the past fortnight. Before moving to Manor Park, he lived with his nan in a block of flats in Folkestone Road, East Ham.

The second young man to die at the scene was Idris Olasupo,17.

Three other young men in the car were taken by ambulance to The Royal London Hospital.

The third to die on Saturday morning was the best friend of Idris, Jess Basilva, 17.

A fourth car occupant, Arthar Alfred Conrad, 17, is critically ill at The Royal London. His brother Mark, 16, was injured and recovering in the same hospital.

All lived in East Ham.

Scores of floral tributes, written messages and candles were placed at the accident scene on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

It is understood firefighters had to cut the number 474 bus driver from his cab after the accident. But he was not seriously hurt and there were only a few passengers on the bus, who escaped injury.

Police are still appealing for witnesses following the accident which happened at 12.20am Saturday outside East Ham fire station in High Street South. An investigation is being led by the Collision Investigation Unit at Chadwell Heath Traffic Garage.

Three pages of photos and exclusive reports in this week's Recorder - Recorder

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Daily Mail - The Screamer ... It's the talk of football

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed he is prepared to join forces with Flavio Briatore in the planned takeover of Queens Park Rangers.
The Formula One boss and Britain's 20th richest man had initially denied any interest in QPR when the story was first revealed by Sportsmail, saying only if Arsenal were up for sale would he invest some of his £2.25billion fortune in football.
But yesterday Ecclestone admitted that he had indeed discussed the takeover at Loftus Road with Renault boss Briatore and 'might get involved'.
He said: 'Flavio has asked me about it and I'm giving it some thought. I'm just doing my day job at the moment but I might get involved.' Daily Mail

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From the BBC "Joe Gallen was talking to David McIntyre "
BBC - Remembering Ray Jones
By Joe Gallen Former QPR youth coach

The first time I saw Ray Jones, I knew there was something very special there.

He was playing park football when myself and John O'Brien, who was the recruitment officer at QPR, came across him. I said to John: 'Just look at that kid. He's 15 years old, he's huge and plays like a 24-year-old. We've got to sign him.'

Ray had such natural ability, great touch and great strength.

I knew it would take a while for a boy of that size to grow into his body but there was no doubt in my mind I was looking at a star in the making.

I was always convinced that once he got through the teenage years he'd be absolutely unstoppable

Joe Gallen

And I knew for sure that he could go right to the top when I met his mum. She was such a superb mother. She was so level-headed and so dedicated to Ray, and determined for him to do well.

I thought at that point we had things sewn up at both ends. I'd look after him at QPR, and away from the club we'd have no worries because he was in great hands.

He played for us in an Under-18s game against Swindon. He was still only 15 then. He scored and was outstanding.

We wouldn't usually have signed a player after just one game but we signed Ray after that. We'd seen more than enough.

In the next game he scored two superb goals and I was thinking to myself we had one hell of a player on our hands.

I got really close to Ray after that. We spent loads of time together and he was fantastic. He trained hard and would always be coming to me and saying 'Joe, let's do more training. Let's practise finishing.'

Gary Waddock gave Ray his first-team debut when he was still a second-year apprentice. When he scored his first senior goal, I said to Ray afterwards that it'd be the first of many. I was totally convinced it would be.

And when he made his international debut for the England Under-19s, when he was still just 17, I looked at him and felt I'd be seeing a lot more of him in an England shirt.

I took his mum to that game. I was so proud of him and so proud of her.

Ray Jones died in a car crash last week

I'll never forget that night. Everything was moving so fast for Ray. In a short space of time he'd gone from playing in the park to scoring goals for QPR and getting international recognition.

Make no mistake about it, before he signed a pro contract last summer there were Premiership clubs interested in signing him. More recently, he hadn't been playing so much. That was partly down to an injury.

It also takes a while for young players with Ray's physique to grow into themselves, adapt and find their feet as a player.

I was always convinced that once he got through the teenage years and into his early 20s, he'd be absolutely unstoppable.

And I know others in football felt the same. Compare Ray at 17 or 18 with Peter Crouch at 19. When Peter first came back to QPR from Tottenham he struggled a bit.

Ray was stronger than Peter at a younger age, had a brilliant touch for such a big guy and was scoring goals at an even younger age for QPR than Peter did.

I used to say to Ray he was better than Crouch was at his age. And look at Crouch now - playing for Liverpool and England.

Ray was on the same career path. No doubt about it. He had the attitude and ability to reach the very top. There was never any doubt in my mind that Ray was destined for the top. Not just the Premier League, but the international stage as well. That's how good he was.

He was the most outstanding striker of his type out there. Show me another player of that age, of that size with the natural attributes of Ray's.

Ray would have added his name to the list of great players QPR have had down the years, and he would have achieved many great things in his career.

That makes his death even more of a tragedy. I just can't believe it. I spoke to Ray about 10 days ago and I can't take in what's happened.

And it comes after the tragic death of Kiyan Prince, who I also worked with. It's very difficult to accept.

When I got the call on Saturday telling me what had happened to Ray, it was like the similar, terrible call I received about Kiyan last year. It knocked me for six.

Ray was a credit to himself and his family, and he will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. I was so, so proud of him.

Joe Gallen was talking to David McIntyre BBC

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From Teamtalk - Briatore to bring F1 to football
Flavio Briatore intends to bring his experience of running successful F1 teams into English football if he completes his takeover of QPR.Briatore, head of the Renault F1 team, is heading a consortium who have made an offer to buy the cash-strapped Coca-Cola Championship club.
"A group of friends and I made an offer because there was an opportunity," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.
"It was an opportunity to do something in football, as I believe that Formula One, from the paddock to the hospitalities, can teach a couple of things to football."
Briatore does not intend throwing money around should he eventually take over at Loftus Road, however, as he insists spending big does not guarantee success in the sporting world.
"The proof of this from the opposite side is that Toyota, considering all the money they have spent, should have won World Championship by now," he added. Teamtalk

Spanish Newspaper Marca can be read at Marca

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Gazette - Tragic Ray nearly started out with the U's
By Jonathan Waldron
Tragic Queens Park Rangers player Ray Jones came very close to signing forms for Colchester United.
The talented England youth international, who would have celebrated his 19th birthday today, was killed in a car accident on Friday evening in East Ham.
Jones was the subject of two official bids by the U's during the summer and the Layer Road club were known admirers of the youngster.
But less than three years earlier, it seems only a last-minute hitch put paid to the young striker signing for Colchester.
Jones (pictured) played for the U's in a trial game at Essex University when he was 16.
He impressed the then youth-team manager Joe Dunne and the club's former youth development officer Adrian Webster, so much so that they invited him to play in a reserve-team game.
Dunne and former Colchester boss Phil Parkinson watched Jones play as a substitute at a Combination fixture at Reading.
They made up their minds to sign him but the deal fell through at the 11th hour and he signed for QPR in July, 2005.
Dunne told the Gazette: "Ray played for 15 minutes against Reading reserves and we offered him a scholarship.
"But we found out that his birth date was not spot on and that he was a year ahead of what we had believed him to be.
"That meant he would have only been a one-year scholar, which is not something we offered players at the time." Gazette

Colchester Official Site - COLCHESTER MANAGER ON ALMOST SIGNING JONES IN THE SUMMER Geraint's Sympathy For R's
The weekend may have seen the U's win at Preston, but the attentions of the Championship were on West London on Saturday.
Fans travelling to games around the country were shocked to hear the news of the death of QPR striker Ray Jones, killed in a car crash in the early hours of the morning.
And boss Geraint Williams admitted that it was a sad day for football at the weekend.
"We have picked up a fantastic result at Preston, but the news of Ray's death puts things into perspective really," he told the U's local press after the game.
"It is no secret that we were looking to sign Ray over the summer and he was a hugely talented footballer who was destined for big things in football.
"Our sympathies go out to Ray's family and the families of the others involved in the accident at the weekend."
As well as the mooted summer transfer, Jones also had a brief trial spell at Layer Road before opting to sign for the R's two years ago.
Everyone at Colchester passes on their sympathies to QPR and the Jones family at this time. Colchester

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Gazette - Tragic Ray nearly started out with the U's
By Jonathan Waldron
Tragic Queens Park Rangers player Ray Jones came very close to signing forms for Colchester United.
The talented England youth international, who would have celebrated his 19th birthday today, was killed in a car accident on Friday evening in East Ham.
Jones was the subject of two official bids by the U's during the summer and the Layer Road club were known admirers of the youngster.
But less than three years earlier, it seems only a last-minute hitch put paid to the young striker signing for Colchester.
Jones (pictured) played for the U's in a trial game at Essex University when he was 16.
He impressed the then youth-team manager Joe Dunne and the club's former youth development officer Adrian Webster, so much so that they invited him to play in a reserve-team game.
Dunne and former Colchester boss Phil Parkinson watched Jones play as a substitute at a Combination fixture at Reading.
They made up their minds to sign him but the deal fell through at the 11th hour and he signed for QPR in July, 2005.
Dunne told the Gazette: "Ray played for 15 minutes against Reading reserves and we offered him a scholarship.
"But we found out that his birth date was not spot on and that he was a year ahead of what we had believed him to be.
"That meant he would have only been a one-year scholar, which is not something we offered players at the time." Gazette

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UPDATE 4:00 PM :

QPR Official Site - SHIRT GESTURE
In memory of Ray Jones, QPR players involved in this weekend's home fixture against Southampton will all carry the name 'Ray Jones' on the back of their shirts, following clearance from the Football League.
The talented striker, who would have been 19 today (Tuesday), was tragically killed in a motor accident last Saturday morning.
As a way of remembering their team-mate, the players have come up with the idea of donning shirts with the youngster's name on their backs.
Manager John Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk: "In conjunction with the players, we have decided that this would be an appropriate way of publicly remembering Ray."
Following Saturday's fixture against Southampton, the number 31 shirt will be officially retired in memory of Jones. QPR
QPR Official Site - REMEMBERING RAY - NUMBER 31
At the request of John Gregory and the entire QPR first team squad, the number 31 shirt has been selected to honour the life and times of Ray Jones.
Jones, who died tragically in a motor accident on Saturday, was handed the number 16 jersey at the start of the season by Gregory, but owing to injury, never had the opportunity to wear it.
As such, it is the number 31 shirt that Rangers fans most associate him with.
Jones scored six goals with the number 31 on his back last season and Gregory believes it is a fitting tribute to retire the shirt in his honour.
"The number 31 shirt was synonymous with Ray Jones," he said, "and we feel it is only right that no-one else will ever wear it again for QPR.
"That was the number he wore when he scored those crucial goals for QPR last season and that is the number we will want to remember him by."
Jones was due to celebrate his 19th birthday today (Tuesday).
May he rest in peace. QPR

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Players Football Association (PFA) - August 28, 2007
The PFA pays tribute to Ray Jones who died tragically at the weekend

Ray Jones, the young Queen's Park Rangers striker, was killed in a car accident in the early hours of Saturday morning. The teenager, on the threshold of his career, had already shown bags of potential and had made a substantial impact during his time at Loftus Road.

Born in East Ham, London, on 28 August 1988, Ray joined Rangers' Centre of Excellence at the age of 15, progressing to become a trainee on leaving school. He was still a trainee when he made his bow in senior football, coming off the bench for the final two games of the 2005-06 campaign.

Ray graduated to the professional ranks last term and despite being hampered by injuries featured regularly in the first team squad, scoring six goals from a total of 35 appearances in all competitions. One of his most memorable contributions came at Cardiff in November when he netted a last-gasp winner against the then Championship leaders. He had yet to appear in the first team this season, being absent due to a foot injury. A tall, skilful front man who used the ball intelligently, Ray had attracted attention from other clubs and Rangers were reported to have turned down a substantial offer for him at the end of the season.

Ray was also a member of the England Under 19 squad last term, gaining a cap when he came on as a substitute in the fixture with the Netherlands in September.

The club skipper Adam Bolder expressed the feelings of the squad when he said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened. Ray was one of us. A footballer with a passion to succeed for himself and for QPR.

"He had fantastic raw ability, and was destined for a very bright future, both at club and international level. He was a great character, a very popular figure in the dressing room, and he will be sadly missed. "

Rangers' fixture at Burnley on Saturday was postponed as a mark of respect.

All at the PFA send their condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. PFA

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UPDATE: See Also: QPR America and QPR USA


Toronto Star - Dichio starting to feel at home in Toronto
Richard Lautens/Toronto Star
Toronto FC star forward Danny Dichio, with sons Franco, left, and Luca, is known as a hard-nosed player on the pitch and devoted family man at home.

BORN: Oct. 19, 1974 Hammersmith, London, England
HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 209 lbs.
Year/Team
1993-97: QPR (1994 – Barnet on loan)
1997-8: Sampdoria (1997 – Lecce on loan)
1998-01: Sunderland
2001-04: West Brom (2003 – Derby on loan)
2004-05: Millwall
2005-07: Preston North End
2007-present: Toronto FC
Source: Soccerbase.com

English soccer veteran has found new life in Canada and the MLS

Aug 25, 2007 Cathal Kelly Sports Reporter
Off the field, the most frightening thing about Danny Dichio is his Canadian accent.
The lanky, English-born Toronto FC forward is recounting the latest unfortunate intersection of his new home and his west London upbringing.
"I was in a restaurant the other day and I asked, `Can I have some water?' The waitress, she's just lookin' at us. She said `Pardon?' So I started repeatin' meself – `Water. Water. Water.'"
Dichio mimes picking up a glass and drinking. No luck. Of course, what Dichio is saying is not `water'. It's `wah-uh.' Finally, he sighs deeply to indicate total surrender.
"So I tried it like a Canadian. `Waaah-turrr.'"
This comes out somewhere between Father Guido Sarducci and Sgt. Sam Steele – a flat nasal whine with a strange lilt at the end.
"She says, `Ooooh, WA-ter.' My kids started laughing at me. `Say it again, Dad' they were saying."
Having seen Dichio's uncommonly menacing style of play, it's surprising he didn't leap to his feet and knock a few diners out of the way in a bull's rush to the water station.
"Guys don't like to play him," his coach, Mo Johnston, said. "With very, very good reason."
"Kicking, shoving, biting," teammate Carl Robinson summarizes Dichio's hierarchy of violence. "But at the end of the game, he'll shake your hand. He's a gentleman. He's actually quite timid, a family man."
A long-time husband to Claire, a father of three, a 32-year-old suburban soccer dad. A gentle soul hidden behind a malevolent, on-field glare.
"It's been blown up a little out here, the physical stuff, because obviously they haven't seen that side of how I play," said Dichio, who is starting his first game since July 29 tonight against D.C. United after recovering from a hip injury. "Maybe they've put two and two together and got six."
There is also much more to Danny Dichio than sharp elbows on the pitch. He has featured on top sides alongside the best players in Europe. But over a 15-year career, he's been on a long search for a home. He feels he's found it in Toronto. Listen to the fans howl whenever he touches the ball at BMO Field and you know the feeling is mutual.
Dichio was raised near London's posh Portobello Road ("more to the grimy side"), the son of an Italian immigrant and an English mother.
He first learned the game from his father, a centre back straight out of the Bill Shankly school.
"A hatchet man, a WWF wrestler," Dichio remembers with a wry smile. "Back when clotheslines were still standard practice in football."
As a 9-year-old, the lanky kid was invited to join the youth academy of his local rooting interest, Queen's Park Rangers.
At 16, he left school and took a full-time scholarship with QPR. Two years later, he was invited to join the senior team.
"The club I grew up with, the one I supported," Dichio said. "It was a dream come true."
Over four years at QPR, he developed into a dependable target man.
In 1997, he walked out of his comfort zone and into a huge opportunity. Dichio was invited to join Sampdoria, at the time an Italian powerhouse.
But only weeks after Dichio's arrival, Sampdoria coach Sven Goran Eriksson left for Lazio. The big Englishman was soon loaned to Lecce, a smaller town where Dichio's young family could not settle. By 1998, they were back in England.
He caught on with Sunderland, more a religion than a team in northeast England, and helped them gain promotion to the Premiership. Then it was on to West Bromwich Albion. Once again, he was part of their promotion push.
However, his family was back living in London while Dichio drove two hours each way to the Midlands to practise each day.
His dissatisfaction was growing. As early as 2001, he began thinking about a move to Major League Soccer. By 2004, he was ready to go.
"My agent said I was stupid to do it so soon, because we could still do a lot more over (in England). I said it's not just about the football for me at the moment. It's about getting away," Dichio said. "I was kind of pissed off with life in that country at that time and the way that footballers were getting portrayed. There was a lot of stuff going on in the papers with footballers and rapes and drink stuff and drug stuff and I didn't want that for my kids."
Instead, a friend from the old neighbourhood, Dennis Wise, lured Dichio to another working-class London club – Millwall.
Dichio helped spearhead the team's improbable run to 2004 FA Cup final against Manchester United. But he missed the big game after being red carded in the semis – "a crushing disappointment." Millwall lost 3-0.
Once more, the urge to cross the ocean was calling him.
He was convinced to move north one more time, to Championship side Preston North End, in 2005. That move sealed his desire for new surroundings. Dichio changed agents and began to plan his departure.
Dichio's first choice was Chicago. The feeling was mutual. But once he arrived for talks, problems cropped up. Green cards, immigration forms.
Meanwhile, Johnston was lurking. When he found out the Fire could not seal the deal with Dichio, he swooped.
"Coming home from Chicago, I got a call from Mo. He said there's no green card problem out here. We'll have you straight away," Dichio said.
Johnston offered Dichio a sight-unseen contract. Dichio accepted a handshake deal. He's never had cause to regret it.
"It's a whole different league. There's not as much off-the-field pressure – media-wise, fan-wise. I came here, loved the field. And I thought, `This is where I can enjoy my football again,'" Dichio said.
There was still the problem of adapting to a new team in mid-season. FC had played three miserable games when Dichio arrived and hadn't managed to score a goal.
Dichio debuted April 28 against the Kansas City Wizards, FC's first home game. Twenty minutes in, the ball flew past him at midfield. He gave chase and touched it on. But before he could latch on to it again, an opponent drifted into his sights. Dichio gave up his pursuit of the ball, chased his target upfield and clotheslined him. Shades of dad. While his man crumpled to the ground, Dichio veered back toward the ball.
It was a brash and roughhousing display. Nasty, even. The stands erupted. The fans had found their man.
"It was just a fantastic atmosphere," Dichio said after the game, somewhat awestruck.
In their next match two weeks later, Dichio scored the first goal in franchise history. Twenty minutes later, he got the team's first straight red card. A hockey player on grass. Now they sing his praises in the 24th minute of each game to commemorate the instant when he marked the club's first tally.
He's notched four more times, making him the club's leading scorer. Injuries have slowed him, but the fight is still there.
Before the club's big game against the L.A. Galaxy, Dichio offered to take cortisone injections so he could suit up and help the team.
"I would not take that sort of risk with him, but that is the sort of player I want," Johnston said.
In the winter, Dichio plans to help out at the field coaching kids. He'd like to move it to coaching full-time some day.
He'd also like to do it in Canada. He, Claire and the kids have already started the process to obtain Canadian citizenship.
"I have wanted to play in this league for a long, long time. I wanted to bring my family out here to enjoy this lifestyle," Dichio said. "There have been many great experiences since coming here – match days, coming to the ground, seeing the fans. But just settling as we have in a country that's miles and miles from home ... that's been the most pleasing for me." The Star

Western Daily Press - COCHRANE: DEAL ME IN By Nathan Jones
Justin Cochrane is hoping to win a contract so he can help Yeovil Town match their form of last season.
Defeat in the opening game of their League One campaign - which was followed by a 4-1 Carling Cup hammering at League Two Hereford - had made another promotion push appear unlikely.
But consecutive victories - 1-0 at home to Port Vale and 2-1 away to Northampton Town - have raised new hope.
Fewer than half the current team were at Wembley when Yeovil lost last season's play-off final to Blackpool - but they have helped lift the Glovers to sixth place in the table.
"The standard has been set high from last year," said Cochrane, who set Yeovil on the way to victory at Northampton on Saturday with a well-taken goal.
"We want to reproduce that same sort of form, so we need to be winning at places like Northampton."
The short-term deal Cochrane agreed with the club just before the season opener at Huddersfield Town is due to run out before Tranmere Rovers visit on Saturday.
"I am hoping to win something longer," said the 25-year-old midfielder. "I will just have to wait and see. Northampton was the last game (of the deal) so if I am going to be eligible for next week I will have to sign something in the week - we will see what happens."
Cochrane has already made a strong case, having got the only goal of the game against Vale. On Saturday, Yeovil were pegged back by Poul Hubertz's equaliser but Lloyd Owusu got the winner in stoppage-time.
Glovers manager Russell Slade will continue his efforts to sign another forward before Friday's transfer deadline.
With Terry Skiverton still sidelined and Darryl Knights on compassionate leave, Slade was down to 17 players on Saturday.
"There are one or two irons in the fire and there is still the loan system you can use after August," said the manager. Western Daily Press

YEOVIL OFFICIAL SITE - MARK BIRCHAM's RECOVERY
"...Finishing off, Jim discussed the latest on Marc Bircham, who is still having problems getting over a hamstring problem.
"As we said last week he'd been doing quite well," Jim said.
"However, he felt some tightness last Thursday.
"That has settled down now, but we did a repeat ultrasound scan on the hamstring.
"That's shown that the small tear he suffered just over three weeks ago is healing, but it's not quite there yet, so we have to take a bit of a step back with him.
"He's back working in the gym at the present time, and we will get him back into running next week,
"But because of the little set back, I think we really need to get him absolutely fully fit, then give him a week of full training before he starts to think about playing games.
"So we are probably looking at a minimum of two, possibly as much as three weeks, before he's in contention to play matches." Yeovil

Yahoo- CHRIS DAY UPDATE - Day hoping to keep Lions place
Millwall's Chris Day is hoping his good early-season form will help him keep his place in the side when Lenny Pidgeley returns to fitness.Day, who had been out for 11 months with injury himself, has been in inspired form this season with former Chelsea stopper Pidgeley sidelined with a toe injury.
And now the 32-year-old former QPR stopper is hoping to use his opportunity to cement his place in Willie Donachie's side.
"It's been good for me to get a few games under my belt, and I've enjoyed that," Day told the South London Press.
"Everyone wants to play but you know in a squad of 22, that not everyone can be on the park. But now I need to take my chance." Report

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Very sadly, today would have been Ray Jones 19th birthday. August 28, 1988 - RIP. Jones. Very, very, very young.

[On the eve of Ray Jones's birth: August 27 1988, Jim Smith's QPR drew their opening game at Old Traford: Man United 0 QPR 0.
QPR's team that day: Seaman
Fereday McDonald Parker Dennis
Ardilles Allen Brock Barker
Falco Francis - Sub: Stein

[NB: This was QPR Chairman David Bulstrode's last game as Chairman as he sadly died shortly after.]

Memory - From November 2006 - Very Nice Profile of Ray Jones & His Pre-QPR Days

Thursday, November 23, 2006 - Ilford Recorder/Luke Wilson -Profiles Ray Jones
"...[Ray Jones] hails just a stone's throw from Upton Park. Born and raised in East Ham,....
It has been a meteoric rise for the former Langdon School pupil who just 18 months ago was playing Sunday League football for Redwood FC.
His talent caught the eye of QPR's youth development officer John O'Brien, who offered him a trial and the rest, as they say, is history.
"At the moment it's still sinking in that in just 18 months I've gone from playing parks football to being in the QPR first team!" Jones admitted.
"At Sunday league level my team was pretty good and we used to play against academy teams from several professional clubs and so initially playing for QPR's youth team was not much of a step up.
"However when I started training with the first team it was a massive change.
"The physical aspect was the biggest difference as I was playing against much stronger and more experienced players and it seemed to just get harder and harder.
"There's a lot of players at the club that have been there and done it and played at the highest level but they've been very encouraging to me and have helped me settle into the first team."
Things could have been a lot different for the target man, who made his Championship debut against Watford back in May, for at the age of 12 he decided to quit playing 'serious' football....
"Basically I stopped playing youth league football because I wasn't enjoying it as much as I used to," he revealed.
"I was still playing nearly every day in the playground and, without wanting to sound big-headed, I used to run past people for fun!
"However my shooting was a little all over the place and so I thought to myself 'I need to get back to playing regularly'!"
One thing that you certainly could not accuse Jones of being is 'big-headed'.
Having made his full debut for the R's at the start of the present campaign, the striker was subsequently handed his first opportunity to represent his country when he came on as a substitute in the England under-19s' clash with Holland in September.
Such moments in the limelight would have undoubtedly inflated the egos of more impressionable characters but not Jones.
His down-to-earth demeanour will certainly keep his feet on the ground along with the help of his highly supportive family, who have served as an inspiration for the young goal-getter.
"My family have all been amazing and they're just over the moon for me," he beamed. "They're all really proud of what I've achieved and they've all really supported me.
"Everyone has been over to see me play for QPR - my mum, my nan, my uncle, aunt, sister and cousins - it's been amazing."
One person who Ray is certainly indebted to is his grandma Maureen, who has watched with pride as her grandson has matured into a Championship footballer.
She, like many of his family, has been there since his humble beginnings in youth football, even making a scrapbook with her daughter (Ray's mother) of all the appearances that their boy has made in the press from a young age.
"My nan used to make all my sandwiches and wake up at the crack of dawn to take me to games," he recalled.
"She even used to make sandwiches for my team-mates and that just sums up the type of amazing person she is!
"The people on our street have all been amazing as well and when I came back home after scoring my first goal for QPR (the winner against Northampton in August), everyone was telling me that they'd just seen my goal on Sky Sports News, that was really weird!"
Jones it seems has the perfect entourage to remain focused on realising his dreams and his humility stands out when posed the question of what the future might hold for him.
"I just want to be the best player I can," he replied. "I hope that I will play at the highest level and hopefully that will be with QPR."
One thing that is for sure though is that in allowing a player like Jones, whose physical presence and eye for goal look set to make him a force to be reckoned with in the future, to escape their grasp, the Hammers may regret the fact they failed to unearth such a hidden gem. Ilford Recorder.

Also birthday today: Ex-QPR, Jamie Cureton Turns 32- Born August 28, 1975
The ex-Norwich/Reading striker was signed by QPR at the end of our Division 2 Promotion race. Unfortunately, at QPR for the most part, it didn't quite work out as many hoped. QPR Record: 20+ 23 as sub - 6 goals (including a hatrick). Last season, Cureton had a brilliant season for Colchester. And he joined Norwich in the summer and is again scoring. Details See Wikipedia

And one other birthday from a couple of other days ago:

DON MASSON - Turned Sixty-One Born August 26, 1946
Midfielder, Don Masson, bought by Dave Sexton in December 1974 from Notts County for 100,000 pounds. Playing alongside Gerry Francis, Masson played an integral part in QPR's 1975/1976 "Championship side." Scottish International, Masson also played an integral part in QPR's European campaign and League Cup the following season. In October 1977, new manager Frank Sibley sold Masson to Derby County in a straight swop for Derby's winger, Leighton James.

See: Don Masson/Wikipedia

Masson's Playing Record

QPR Net's Ron Norris Interview with Don Masson - Masson Q&A

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Nardiello again named to the Welsh squad. Wales squad to play Germany on 8 September in Cardiff and Slovakia on 12 September in Trnarva: Hennessey (Wolves), Price (Derby), Coyne (Tranmere), Bale (Spurs), D Collins (Sunderland), J.Collins (West Ham), S Evans (Wrexham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Morgan (Peterborough), Nyatanga (Barnsley), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham), S Davies (Fulham), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), M Jones (Wrexham), Koumas (Wigan), Ledley (Cardiff), Parry (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Bellamy (West Ham), Earnshaw (Derby), Eastwood (Wolves), Nardiello (QPR). BBC

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Many, many tributes and kind words from across the football world, from managers; players; fans. See Tributes and comments including from Ian Holloway, Joe Gallen, Ainsworth, Bolder, John Gregory and Gianni Paladini

Lancashire Evening TelegraphClarets wait on re-arranging QPR clash
BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill says the club cannot look into re-arranging Saturday's postponed game against Queens Park Rangers until later this week.

The Championship match was cancelled following the death of young QPR striker Ray Jones in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.

On hearing the news, Rangers contacted the Football League and Burnley FC to request that the game should not go ahead.

However, due to the Clarets' involvement in the Carling Cup this week, a new date for the Rangers game is largely dependent on the outcome of tomorrow night's second round clash with League One Oldham Athletic at Turf Moor (kick-off 7.45pm).

"We haven't had a chance to look at (a re-arrangement)," said Cotterill.

"What throws us a little bit at the moment is the Carling Cup really. It would certainly be a lot easier to have pencilled in maybe in a couple of days' time or in a couple of weeks, but because of the Carling Cup and our involvement in that we don't know at the moment yet, so we really haven't had an opportunity to look at that yet.

"We won't look at it, probably before tomorrow's game. But afterwards we can plan certrainly a little bit more for the next six to eight weeks."

Meanwhile, Cotterill revealed that the Clarets had no qualms about agreeing to QPR's request to postpone Saturday's game.

And he paid tribute to 18-year-old Jones, who played against the Clarets on the opening day of last season. The England youth international was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in east London, in which two other teenage passengers were killed and two more were injured, one seriously, when a car and a bus were involved in a collision shortly after midnight on Saturday.

"It has been a difficult day all round and certainly more so for Queens Park Rangers then ourselves," said Cotterill after the postponement was announced.

"It's a very, very sad day in football. He was a nice young man and budding young footballer who I am sure had a good career ahead of him.

"I spoke to John Gregory (QPR manager) and Mick Harford (assistant manager) this morning, we've liaised with Queens Park Rangers all along and they have our deepest sympathy.

"It was never a problem to call the game off. Sometimes football is put into perspective and whilst we were looking forward to the game, we were more than happy when we knew that QPR perhaps weren't in the right frame of mind."

QPR chairman Gianni Paladini said: "We are all shocked and saddened by the news. It is a huge loss for this football club.

"Ray had the world of football at his feet and he will be sorely missed by everyone connected to Queens Park Rangers.

"Our thoughts at this time are with his family and friends and we will be doing everything we can to help them through this terrible time."

It is the second tragedy to befall Rangers in 15 months. In May 2006, 15-year-old youth team player Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death outside his school.
By Suzanne Geldard - Lancashire Evening Telegraph

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Mail - QPR fans fearworst if Flavio moves in

The price of Flavio Briatore — of Formula One fame — saving Queens Park Rangers seems likely to be a move from Loftus Road, the club's on-off home since 1917. Sean Mulryan, boss of the Ireland-based Ballymore property development group, is involved in Briatore's international rescue team.
Mulryan was among the Irish businessmen who backed the Drumaville Consortium which installed Niall Quinn as chairman at Sunderland as part of last year's takeover.
Mulryan's interest is said to be in the redevelopment of Loftus Road and the construction of a new stadium. The old Unigate site in nearby Wood Lane remains a possible destination, but Rangers fans fear having to journey further afield to see their team in future. Mail

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[UPDATED: 3:30pm

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION - Tributes to Jones
Tributes have been paid following the tragic death of 18-year-old QPR and England footballer Ray Jones who died in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A forward with a promising future for both club and country, Jones played 35 times for QPR last season and earned several call ups to the England U19 squad although injury restricted him to just one cap last term.
FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick sent his deepest sympathies to the family: "It is absolutely tragic news to lose someone so young with such a bright future.
"Ray was a fantastic lad and a player with great potential, he proved that last season with QPR and in earning his place in the England U19 squad. The coaches in our youth setup always enjoyed working with him - it's devastating news.
"On behalf of The FA I would like to send my deepest condolences to all the family and friends of Ray and everyone at Queen's Park Rangers." FA

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - JOHN GREGORY A BEAUTIFUL BOY'
John Gregory has described the late Ray Jones as 'a beautiful boy, who had the potential to become a QPR legend.'
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this afternoon, Gregory said: "Ray was a beautiful boy. He was a fantastic person, with a big, big heart.
"He was only 18 years of age and had his best footballing years in front of him. He was already a hero amongst QPR supporters and he had the potential to go on and become a legend.
"I remember he was the star of the show in my first few weeks here.
"He scored the first goal of my reign against Hull City and then notched a typical Ray Jones goal against Southampton a week later.
"He really did have the footballing world at his feet and the fact he can't go on and fulfil the undoubted potential he had is a tragedy in itself.
"It's hit everyone at the Football Club really hard. The players are absolutely devastated.
"Ray was one of the most popular figures in the dressing room. No-one ever had a bad word to say about him and that for me says everything you need to know about Ray Jones, the person and the footballer.
"It's a tragic loss and our sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends at this awful time." QPR


Ray Jones RIP in Wikipedia - Wikpedia Profile

Sunday People -News FLASH - Crash victim Ray 'a tragic loss' to QPR
Midfielder Gareth Ainsworth led the tributes for his QPR team-mate Ray Jones, who was tragically killed in a car crash yesterday.
Ainsworth said: "This is just unbelievable news. I spent a lot of time with him and he had what it takes to go right to the top. He was a fantastic lad.
"He worked hard at his game and had a smile for everyone. My condolences and those of everyone at QPR go to his family. He will be terribly missed."
Rangers cancelled yesterday's match at Burnley and chairman Gianni Paladini said: "We are all shocked. It's a huge loss - Ray had the world at his feet."
The talented England Under-19 forward was due to celebrate his 19th birthday on Tuesday.
Former QPR Head of Youth Joe Gallen, who signed Jones for the Loftus Road academy, said: "This is absolutely tragic. Ray was the real deal.
"We found him playing in a youth league in Essex and he hit six goals in 18 games last year." People

BBC - "Former QPR manager Ian Holloway, who is now at Plymouth, added his own tribute: "It's a terrible tragedy. A young life taken away. A young talent gone.
"I knew him, he was a great kid and a fantastic talent as well, so my heart bleeds for all of them. For me there's no worse thing than to have to bury your child and I'm so sorry for them." BBC

Sunday People England ace Jones killed in car smashBy Tom Carlin
England youth soccer star Ray Jones died with two pals in an horrific car smash yesterday.
The Queens Park Rangers striker, 18, is thought to have been at the wheel when a VW Golf crashed into a double-deck bus.
Qpr postponed yesterday's match with Burnley as tributes flooded in for Jones. The Championship club's chairman Gianni Paladini said: "Ray had the world of football at his feet and will be sorely missed."
The other youths who died in the early-hours crash in East Ham, east London, were named as Jess Basilua and Adris Olasupo, both 17.
Brothers Mark and Arthur Conrad were injured. The five had been school pals in East Ham.
Team-mates said Jones, who would have been 19 on Tuesday, was "a fantastic lad". People

SUNDAY MIRROR - MATCH ABANDONED AS SOCCER STAR DIES
By Grant Hodgson
Devastated footballers called off a Championship game yesterday after a teammate was killed in a horror smash.
Talented England under-19 and Queens Park Rangers striker Ray Jones, 18, died when his VW Golf hit a double-decker bus.
Two 17-year-old passenger pals also died while two others, also 17, were injured in the East London pile-up in the early hours yesterday.
QPR's game at Burnley later yesterday was scrapped after teammates told bosses they were too upset to play. A QPR source said: "The club is in mourning following the tragic news."
The mum of Ray's injured pals, Miriam Magambo, said: "Ray died instantly. The whole thing is terrible." And family friend Yomi Onimole, 32, said: "He lived for football. Everyone is devastated."
Ray, who would have turned 19 on Tuesday, was at home in London because a foot injury had ruled him out of the Burnley clash.
The 6ft 4ins striker first signed for QPR at 15 and was called up to the England under-19 squad after scoring six goals last season. Sunday Mirror


The Observer - QPR mourn death of striker Jones
Match at Burnley postponed after promising teenager dies in accident
Jason Tomas Sunday August 26, 2007
QPR's match at Burnley was postponed after the death of their teenage striker Ray Jones - one of the most exciting young players outside the Premiership - in a car accident in east London on Friday night.
Jones, who was due to celebrate his 19th birthday on Tuesday, was a product of QPR's youth system. After his first-team debut in April 2006, against Watford, he made 35 appearances for them in all competitions last season - scoring six goals - and earned a call-up to the England Under-19 squad.
He was strongly tipped to move to a Premier League club, after turning down a number of new QPR contract offers, and of those keeping close tabs on his performances, Fulham, were known to have made a firm bid for him. The bigger clubs linked with him also included Derby County, who offered £5.75 million for Jones and left-winger Lee Cook (who has since left for Fulham).
However, Jones, apparently influenced by the QPR view that he would develop more quickly in their first team than in reserve team football elsewhere, signed a new three-and a-half-year agreement with them in January. He had not played this season because of a foot injury.
Despite yesterday's postponement, Burnley held an open training session at Turf Moor at 3pm as a mark of respect to Jones. Though the session was free to all supporters, there were collection points inside the ground for fans to make a donation to a nominated charity of QPR's choice. QPR, in a statement on their website, said: 'Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time. The club will be making no further comment at this stage and we ask you to respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker.'
Jones' death is the second tragedy to hit QPR recently. Last year their 15-year-old youth team player Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death outside his school. Observer

REPOSTS

Very Nice Profile of Ray Jones & His Pre-QPR Days

Thursday, November 23, 2006 - Ilford Recorder/Luke Wilson -Profiles Ray Jones
"...[Ray Jones] hails just a stone's throw from Upton Park. Born and raised in East Ham,....
It has been a meteoric rise for the former Langdon School pupil who just 18 months ago was playing Sunday League football for Redwood FC.
His talent caught the eye of QPR's youth development officer John O'Brien, who offered him a trial and the rest, as they say, is history.
"At the moment it's still sinking in that in just 18 months I've gone from playing parks football to being in the QPR first team!" Jones admitted.
"At Sunday league level my team was pretty good and we used to play against academy teams from several professional clubs and so initially playing for QPR's youth team was not much of a step up.
"However when I started training with the first team it was a massive change.
"The physical aspect was the biggest difference as I was playing against much stronger and more experienced players and it seemed to just get harder and harder.
"There's a lot of players at the club that have been there and done it and played at the highest level but they've been very encouraging to me and have helped me settle into the first team."
Things could have been a lot different for the target man, who made his Championship debut against Watford back in May, for at the age of 12 he decided to quit playing 'serious' football....
"Basically I stopped playing youth league football because I wasn't enjoying it as much as I used to," he revealed.
"I was still playing nearly every day in the playground and, without wanting to sound big-headed, I used to run past people for fun!
"However my shooting was a little all over the place and so I thought to myself 'I need to get back to playing regularly'!"
One thing that you certainly could not accuse Jones of being is 'big-headed'.
Having made his full debut for the R's at the start of the present campaign, the striker was subsequently handed his first opportunity to represent his country when he came on as a substitute in the England under-19s' clash with Holland in September.
Such moments in the limelight would have undoubtedly inflated the egos of more impressionable characters but not Jones.
His down-to-earth demeanour will certainly keep his feet on the ground along with the help of his highly supportive family, who have served as an inspiration for the young goal-getter.
"My family have all been amazing and they're just over the moon for me," he beamed. "They're all really proud of what I've achieved and they've all really supported me.
"Everyone has been over to see me play for QPR - my mum, my nan, my uncle, aunt, sister and cousins - it's been amazing."
One person who Ray is certainly indebted to is his grandma Maureen, who has watched with pride as her grandson has matured into a Championship footballer.
She, like many of his family, has been there since his humble beginnings in youth football, even making a scrapbook with her daughter (Ray's mother) of all the appearances that their boy has made in the press from a young age.
"My nan used to make all my sandwiches and wake up at the crack of dawn to take me to games," he recalled.
"She even used to make sandwiches for my team-mates and that just sums up the type of amazing person she is!
"The people on our street have all been amazing as well and when I came back home after scoring my first goal for QPR (the winner against Northampton in August), everyone was telling me that they'd just seen my goal on Sky Sports News, that was really weird!"
Jones it seems has the perfect entourage to remain focused on realising his dreams and his humility stands out when posed the question of what the future might hold for him.
"I just want to be the best player I can," he replied. "I hope that I will play at the highest level and hopefully that will be with QPR."
One thing that is for sure though is that in allowing a player like Jones, whose physical presence and eye for goal look set to make him a force to be reckoned with in the future, to escape their grasp, the Hammers may regret the fact they failed to unearth such a hidden gem. Ilford Recorder.


Guardian Blog - Guardian Unlimited January 5, 2007 - Football League Spy: 10 to watch in 2007
Ten of the best prospects outside the Premiership to keep a close eye on during the next 12 months.
Barely a day goes by without David Nugent, Gareth Bale and Freddie Eastwood being linked with a big-money move to a Premiership club. But the lower leagues are awash with talent beyond these obvious names, as our following list shows. Please feel free to add your suggestions below.
8) Ray Jones (QPR) A rare reason to be cheerful at Loftus Road this season, the young striker's scoring record - five in 14 games - still isn't the greatest. But at 18, he already stands 6ft 4in and weighs in at 14½st, and defenders across the country must be wondering how they'll handle him once he bulks out. His manager John Gregory is confident that, with a bit more experience, Jones can play at the highest level. "He could be in a position where he is ready to go into Arsenal's or Manchester United's first team at the age of 23," he admits. Guardian Blog

January 2007: Ray Jones Extends His QPR Stay Signing 3 1/2 Year Contract

Friday, January 05, 2007 QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE REAL DEAL
QPR hot-shot Ray Jones has ended speculation about his future by signing a three and a half year contract with the R's.
The teenage front-man - who has notched six goals so far this season - today (Friday) put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk moments after the ink dried on a deal which ties him to the club until the summer of 2010, the 18 year-old said: "I've always stated that my intentions were to stay at QPR, so I couldn't be more delighted.
"I'm just glad it's all sorted and I can get back to doing what I love more than anything else - playing and scoring goals for Queens Park Rangers.''
Jones continued: "John Gregory has played a big part in my decision to stay here and now it's up to me to repay both him and the board for the faith they've shown in me.
"I'm here to score goals and hopefully that will go hand in hand with helping QPR progress in the Championship.''
Gaffer John Gregory also revealed his delight at the news, adding: "I'm delighted that this long term saga has finally ended on a positive note.
"The board and myself have worked tirelessly to keep Ray at Loftus Road.
"He could have moved elsewhere for more money, but he's made the choice to remain at QPR which I think is a massive compliment to everybody at this football club.
"It's a three and a half year deal and I think we'll see the best of him over the next few years. There's still a long way to go, but I believe it was crucial in his development as a player to remain at QPR.''
Chairman Gianni Paladini told www.qpr.co.uk: "It's been hard work, but it's a great day for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
"We've given him a three and a half year contract and it signals our intentions in terms of the squad we're trying to build here.
"We've got Ray, Blackstock, Cook and Rowlands all on long term deals and the future of this football club is very bright.''
Jones joined QPR in February 2005 at the age of 16 after he was spotted playing local Sunday football in East London.
He made an immediate impact on his arrival, scoring seven goals in 15 appearances for Joe Gallen's Under-18 side and in the same year, made three appearances for the Reserves, finding the back of the net once.
His impressive displays led to a first team call-up at the end of the 2005/06 campaign, where he featured in the R's final two games of the Championship season against local rivals Watford and Champions Reading. QPR

December 21, 2006 - Skysports - JONES TO SIGN NEW QPR DEAL -By Mike McGrath, PA Sport
QPR striker Ray Jones admits it is a "buzz" to be linked with a move to the Premiership but remains confident his contract dispute at Loftus Road will be resolved next month.
The 18-year-old's current deal with the Championship club expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a move to Fulham and Charlton when the transfer window opens next month.
But Jones, speaking at the launch of the Wickes Young Apprentice award, said: "I think by January we'll have that sorted out and I'll just concentrate on my football.
"It's flattering to get linked with clubs in the Premiership, it's a big buzz, but I'm at QPR and do what I'm doing at the moment for QPR, whatever happens in the future will happen."
Jones has scored five goals this season and has made an impression with his frame causing defenders problems, despite QPR struggling at the wrong end of the Championship.
"I've got a few goals this season and want to get a few more," Jones added.
Veteran QPR striker Kevin Gallen, who was also at the launch of the Wickes Young Apprentice award, believes it is important for the club to secure Jones' signature.
"Ray's a good player and we need to keep our good players at the club and not give them away, so it's important he signs," said Gallen.
"First and foremost we need to get out of trouble then we can bring more young players through - Sporting Life

June 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007

QPR Announce Rejected Colchester's Jones Bid
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QPR Official Site - JONES BID REJECTED

The Club have rejected a £200,000 offer from Colchester United for teenage striker Ray Jones.
The R's received a formal offer from the U's this morning for the 19 year-old's services, but Chairman Gianni Paldini was quick to rebuff the approach.
Commenting on the derisory bid, Paladini said: "There's no way we're going to sell our best players unless the price is right and Ray Jones has a very big part to play in our future.'' QPR

June 2007 - QPR Reject Increased Colchester Bid for Ray Jones
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - QPR Official Site - NO DEAL!
The Club have today (Tuesday) rejected an improved six figure offer from Colchester United for teenage hot-shot Ray Jones.
Rangers Chairman Gianni Paladini knocked back an initial £200,000 offer from the Layer Road outfit yesterday morning and has also rebuffed the U's improved offer, made at lunchtime today.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Paladini reiterated his desire to keep his best players at Loftus Road: "Unless the price is right, we won't be selling our best players.
"We've rejected offers for a few of our players in the last 24 hours and I'll say it again, we're not willing to let our best players leave the Club on the cheap.''
Paladini continued: "We're building for the future here and that means keeping our best players.
"Ray has a very bright career ahead of him and he's an integral part of our first team squad.'' QPR

Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ray Jones (& Loanee Mancienne) Back in the England U-19 Squad-
The FA.Com England U19 v Switzerland
International U19 Friendly
7.30pm, 14 November 2006 Gresty Road, Crewe Alexandra FC
Brian Eastick has confirmed his 18-man squad to take on Switzerland on 14 November, with the core of the team remaining from their recent trip to Austria for the UEFA Preparatory Tournament.
Liverpool's FA Youth Cup winning trio of Paul Anderson and Craig Lindfield, who scored three goals between them against Austria, and Adam Hammill retain their places as does Derby County's Giles Barnes.
Queen's Park Rangers' forward Ray Jones also returns to the squad after missing the visit to Austria through injury and Eastick is keen to take another look at many of the players who accquited themselves well against Spain and Italy.
...Ray Jones Queens Park Rangers 18 28.08.1988
.....Michael Mancienne Chelsea (on loan to QPR ) 18 08.01.1988....

QPR's First Win last Season Versus Southend - Reports/Comments

John Gregory's First Game As Manager
September 2006 - BBC - QPR 2-0 Hull
John Gregory's reign as QPR boss got off to a winning start as goals from Ray Jones and Dexter Blackstock earned a deserved win over struggling Hull.
Hull were under pressure, but could have led but for QPR keeper Paul Jones' fine save from Michael Turner's header.
Rangers broke through on the hour as Jones tapped in his first league goal after being set up by Damion Stewart.
And Blackstock sealed the victory as he headed home after Lee Cook supplied a superb curling cross. BBC

QPR's following Win at Southampton- Reports/Comments

From yesterday:<

Expressions of Condolences

Initial Reports re Jones RIP

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UPDATED:

Besides the outpouring of statements by QPR fans, also expressions of sympathy are being offered by numerous fans of various clubs

QPR Official Site - FAN TRIBUTES Sent to QPR - Read QPR Tributes


LSA - Ray Jones - RIP
Heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and team mates of Ray Jones. Thank you Ray for the wonderful times you gave us, you will always be remembered in our hearts as part of the QPR family.
May you Rest In Peace.
John Reid, Secretary
QPR LSA LSA

QPR1st Ray Jones R.I.P
August 25, 2007
QPR 1st would like to extend its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ray Jones. We mourn the loss of a bright talent at such a young age. We also send our condolences to the families of the other victims of this terrible tragedy. QPR1st

QPR Official Site - Profile of Ray Jones: Ray Jones RIP

IAN HOLLOWAY
BBC - Former QPR manager Ian Holloway, who is now at Plymouth, added his own tribute: "It's a terrible tragedy. A young life taken away. A young talent gone.
"I knew him, he was a great kid and a fantastic talent as well, so my heart bleeds for all of them. For me there's no worse thing than to have to bury your child and I'm so sorry for them." BBC

BURNLEY - A sad day in football: Cotterill
The Citizen - Suzanne Geldard
"..Clarets boss Cotterill said: "It has been a difficult day all round and certainly more so for Queens Park Rangers then ourselves.
"It's a very, very sad day in football. He was a nice young man and budding young footballer who I am sure had a good career ahead of him.
"I spoke to John Gregory (QPR manager) and Mick Harford (assistant manager) this morning, we've liaised with Queens Park Rangers all along and they have our deepest sympathy.
"It was never a problem to call the game off. Sometimes football is put into perspective and whilst we were looking forward to the game, we were more than happy when we knew that QPR perhaps weren't in the right frame of mind..." News

UPDATED
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - BOLDER HE WAS ONE OF US
QPR captain Adam Bolder has issued the following statement on behalf of the entire QPR first team squad.
Statement
We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news regarding the untimely death of Ray Jones.
Ray was one of us. A footballer with a passion to succeed for himself and for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
It goes without saying that Ray was the most gifted player at the Club. He had fantastic raw ability and was destined for a very bright future, both at Club and international level.
He was a great character, a very popular figure in the dressing room and he will be sadly missed.
Words can't really express how we all feel at the moment, but our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.
It is a tragedy that we are all struggling to come to terms with, but we will pick ourselves up and play our hearts out for Ray.
Every kick, every shot, every tackle will be for him. He was one of us and he will never be forgotten.
May he rest in peace. QPR

QPR Official Site - 'A HUGE LOSS'
Gianni Paladini has expressed his shock and sadness at the untimely death of QPR player Ray Jones.
Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Paladini told www.qpr.co.uk: "We are all shocked and saddened by the news. It's a huge loss for this Football Club.
"Ray had the world of football at his feet and he will be sorely missed by everyone connected to Queens Park Rangers.
"Our thoughts at this time are with his family and friends and we will be doing everything we can to help them through this terrible time.'' QPR

FOOTBALL LEAGUE
" Breaking News - Burnley v QPR postponed
Queen's Park Rangers' match at Burnley this afternoon has been postponed following the death of Rangers' striker Ray Jones in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Football League Head of Communications, John Nagle, said: "This is tragic news. Ray Jones was just at the start of his playing career but he had already shown tremendous potential.
"The thoughts of everyone at The Football League and its member clubs are with Ray's family and friends, as well as all his colleagues at QPR." Football League

BURNLEY FOOTBALL CLUB - Open Training Session & Collection
Following the tragic death of Queens Park Rangers player Ray Jones earlier today, the Championship game has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
Instead, Burnley Football Club will be holding an open training session on the pitch at Turf Moor, at 3.00pm.
This will be free to all supporters, who will be asked to honour a minute's silence in memory of Ray Jones.
Supporters will also be asked to contribute to a collection, with all proceeds raised going to a nominated charity of Queens Park Rangers... Burnley

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Updated:

BBC -QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
"QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident...
...The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in High Street South, East Ham.
Police confirmed Jones was one of three people to have been killed in the collision between a black Volkswagen Golf and a double-decker bus.
One of the two other fatalities was also pronounced dead at the scene, while the third was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
The car's two remaining occupants were also taken to hospital and one is in a serious condition and the other is described as walking wounded.
Police are awaiting details on whether anyone on the bus was injured and are appealing for any witnesses...."BBC

BBC - QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
QPR striker Ray Jones, who has died in a car crash
The club has postponed Saturday's match away to Burnley after the young forward was killed.
A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning."
The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in the High Street at South East Ham.
The statement added: "Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
"The club will be making no further comment at this stage and we ask you respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker."
Jones, who last season earned a call-up to the England Under-19 squad, was set to miss the match with a foot injury.
He joined the club at the age of 15 and made his professional debut against Watford in April 2006.
The striker went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions last term - scoring six goals.
QPR rejected a £200,000 bid from Colchester for Jones at the end of last season.
He had yet to feature this season but was highly-rated by the club and had also attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
Jones would have been 19 on Tuesday.
Last year QPR were struck by tragedy when youth team player Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death outside his school at the age of 15. BBC

QPR Official Site - Ray Jones
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is in mourning today following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 18 year-old was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The collision occurred at approx 00:20am on Saturday August 25 in High Street, South East Ham, E6.
Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
The Club will be no making no further comment at this stage and we ask you respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker.
Ray Jones - R.I.P QPR Official Site

BBC - QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident.
The club has postponed Saturday's match away to Burnley after the young forward was killed.
A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
More to follow. BBC

BBC QPR player dies in car accident
QPR's have postponed their match at Burnley after one of their players was killed in a car accident on Friday.
The name of the player has yet to be revealed by the Loftus Road club.

The Football League has urged fans not to travel to Turf Moor for the scheduled 1500 BST game and a new date for the fixture has not been finalised.
More to follow.

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The Guardian - Briatore says he and his secret friends are one of many suitors of QPR - Richard Williams
F1 boss has only ever seen ground from a helicopter
Decision on bid expected in the next two weeks

Flavio Briatore, the flamboyant boss of the Renault formula one team, spoke yesterday for the first time about his plan to take over Queen's Park Rangers, and admitted that has seen the club's Loftus Road stadium only from the air, en route by helicopter from his Chelsea home to his team's Oxfordshire headquarters.
"We are talking but nothing formal has been done," Briatore said in the paddock at Istanbul Park, where his team are competing in Sunday's Turkish grand prix. "We have a bunch of friends together. We've been talking for the last month but I've no idea where we are. QPR are talking to a lot of people."
Last week the board of QPR Holdings Ltd resigned en bloc in order to make way for new investors, who will need to put around £25m into a club which avoided going into administration six years ago only thanks to a loan of £10m from a company registered in Panama. QPR's debts are currently said to stand at around twice that figure.
Briatore refused to identify the "friends" involved. Bernie Ecclestone, with whom he enjoys a close relationship in formula one but who has previously been linked with a bid to buy Arsenal, yesterday declined to confirm that he was among those behind the QPR offer. Neither, according to Briatore, do they include Antonio Giraudo, the disgraced former chief executive of Juventus, who is now believed to live in London. Briatore said that he had met Gianni Paladini, the club's chairman, only once.
"They need to make a decision as soon as possible because they need financial support," he said. "I don't think the financial issue is a big problem. There's something else we need to discuss. Let's see what they decide and what happens in the next two weeks. If it goes well, I am very happy."
The 57-year-old Briatore is a lifelong Juventus fan. He entered formula one almost 20 years ago and guided Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to the world championship. Alonso is one of several drivers whose careers are handled by his management company, and Briatore's many other business interests include a holiday resort in Kenya, a night club in Sardinia, a small chain of expensive menswear stores, and restaurants in London and New York. His past girlfriends include the supermodels Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum, and he is currently engaged to another mannequin, Elisabetta Gregoraci.
The club he plans to buy was founded in 1882 and came second in the league in 1975-76, only a point behind Liverpool. They dropped out of the Premier League in 1996, and narrowly avoided a return to the third tier last season. Under John Gregory, their current manager, they stand 20th in the Championship, with one point from the season's opening two matches.
"I don't want to say anything about the potential of the club," Briatore responded, when asked if his ambitions for QPR included European football. "At this moment it [the takeover] is not reality. If it happens, we have a programme for the next four or five years of what we want to do."
He dismissed the notion of selling the ground and moving the club to a new location and denied that he would be playing a hands-on role, comparing his involvement with QPR to his restaurant interests. "I opened the Cipriani, which is one of the most successful restaurants in London," he said, "but I'm not in the kitchen to cook. I go there sometimes for dinner. I love football. But formula one is my priority, 100%." Guardian
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2155856,00.html

THE TIMES - QPR confirm takeover discussions
Formula One chief Flavio Briatore in pole position as football club reveals talks with a 'number of parties'Steve Hawkes and Agencies
Flavio Briatore, the multi-millionaire businessman who is head of the Renault Formula One team, has confirmed he is interested in buying debt-riddled Coca-Cola Championship club Queens Park Rangers but warned he would not “go crazy” to complete the sale.
Briatore today said he is involved with “a bunch of friends” in looking to acquire the Coca-Cola Championship club. However, the Italian has conceded the consortium is one of several parties looking to take over the troubled Loftus Road outfit.
“We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR at the moment,” said Briatore ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
“We have not put in any offer. Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working. We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club.”
QPR board resigns ahead of proposed takeover
Cardiff expose vulnerable QPR flaws
Flamboyant Briatore on track to take over at QPR
Briatore concedes the closest he has come to the ground is when he has flown over it in his helicopter en route to Renault’s base in Oxfordshire. However, he has met current QPR chairman and fellow Italian Gianni Paladini, albeit that was a chance encounter.
Should Briatore and his group gain control of the club, he insists his involvement will be strictly behind the scenes. “My business is in Formula One,” he said. “It is 100 per cent. The focus for me is next year because we need to be competitive again. It’s like Cipriani (a restaurant he owns in Mayfair). I don’t go in the kitchen to cook the food. I occasionally go there to eat, and with QPR I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more.”
Briatore has confirmed the present management, with John Gregory in charge, would remain unchanged if his takeover succeeds, adding: “Everything is perfect.”
He declined to comment on his plans for QPR, although he remarked: “It is like with anything I am involved with - I want to be successful.” Briatore masterminded Renault’s rise to dominance in Formula One, with the team winning the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2005 and 2006. The 57-year-old also created and runs fashion brand ’Billionaire’, while he owns pharmaceutical company Pierrel.
Queens Park Rangers have made a short stock market statement which said: “Following the recent comments in the press, the board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.
“The board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.”
Paladini had described Briatore’s interest last week as a “dream come true”. He said: “Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR Mohammed Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club.”
He had warned that the club faced administration and a 10-point fine unless a rescue package could be found.
QPR is thought to be £17 million in the red and needs to pay a £1.3 million bill to the Inland Revenue by September 1.
On Monday, all three board directors, Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele, resigned.
In a statement on the club’s official website, they said: “We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years.
“It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.” The Times

The Sun - Flavio in fight to seal QPR deal
By JANINE SELF August 25, 2007
The multi-millionaire Renault team boss and his associates are in discussions to buy the Championship club for £22million.
The deal was scheduled to have been completed before the end of this week.
But now Rangers, currently facing liquidation, have announced fresh interest from other parties.
A club statement said: “The board is engaged in discussions with a number of parties, which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.”
Briatore, 57, in Istanbul for the Turkish Grand Prix, said: “We know where we are and what we want to do.
"If it happens, I will be very happy. But we are not going to go crazy to have this club.” The Sun

Reuters
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Reuters) -- Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed on Friday that he is part of a group interested in taking over English club Queens Park Rangers.
Briatore confirmed that Foruma One was still his priority despite his interest in Queens Park Rangers.
However, the flamboyant Italian said he was only one of those involved in the talks. No offer has been made for the Championship club and nothing has yet been signed.
"We are talking, we are a bunch of friends together," he said at the Turkish Grand Prix, while declining to name any of his associates.
"If it happens I am very happy, if not I am very happy as well."
The West London club, who have debts of £17 million ($34 million) and need considerable new investment, said in an earlier statement that they were in talks with various parties.
"The board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company," it said.
Briatore, a multi-millionaire and close associate of billionaire Formula One s upremo Bernie Ecclestone, said he had never been to QPR's Loftus Road ground.
"The history behind it (the club) is great. And I pass the stadium every time I go to Oxford by helicopter and so I become friendly with the stadium," he said.
Briatore added that if his group were successful, Formula One would remain his priority. Renault have been champions for the past two seasons.
"The idea is like any other," said Briatore, whose other business interests include nightclubs and exclusive fashion shops. "I opened the Cipriani (restaurant) in London but I am not in the kitchen to cook. I have the people managing it.
"Formula One is my priority 100 percent, anything else we are doing in a professional way but as a group of friends. Nothing dramatic."
Briatore, a lifelong supporter of Italian club Juventus, said he had met QPR chairman Gianni Paladini only once: "After that it was the normal talking with my people and the people from the board." Reuters

NASADQ Company News
QPR Holdings Limited Confirms Offer Talks
Edited Press Release
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- QPR Holdings Limited ("QPR") said Friday following the recent comments in the press, the Board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company.
The Board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 08-24-070417ET Nasdaq

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Daily Mail - Sports Agenda: Briatore and his racy QPR suitors

The 'bunch of friends' with whom Formula One boss Flavio Briatore is exploring the possibilities of buying Championship club Queens Park Rangers should be of some concern to the Football League.
Briatore, who confirmed his currently informal interest in QPR yesterday before the Turkish Grand Prix, has some controversial associates involved with him in the project.
These include former Juventus chief executive Antonio Giraudo, banned from football in Italy for five years following the match-fixing scandal with the recommendation from Italian football's governing body that it should be a lifetime penalty.
Other members of the Briatore consortium are father and son team of Arrigo and Giuseppe Cipriani, who own a chain of restaurants in Europe and the US, including the London Mayfair flagship in which Briatore is an investor.
Briatore and his racy QPR suitors
The two restaurateurs pleaded guilty last month in Manhattan Supreme Court to evading 10 million dollars of New York taxes after submitting fraudulent tax returns in 2003 and 2004.
Briatore compared his passive investment in the Ciprianis' London restaurant to what would be his behind-the-scenes style at QPR.
He said: 'I occasionally go there to eat, but I don't go in the kitchen to cook the food. And with QPR, I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more.'
A Football League spokesman said: 'Any new directors will have to comply with our fit-andproper person regulations.' Mail

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Caldwell Looking To Return To Face R's - Posted on: Fri 24 Aug 2007
Burnley hope to have skipper Steven Caldwell fir to return to face QPR at Turf Moor tomorrow.
The Clarets captain has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained the thrilling opening day Championship victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Burnley have an injury doubt over goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who suffered a dead leg in last weekend's defeat away at Scunthorpe.
And Cotterill is looking for his players to bounce back against Rangers, who are yet to pick up a victory in three league and cup attempts this season.
The gaffer said: "Sometimes a little short, sharp shock can help. We must not be disrespectful to Scunthorpe, but when you win against WBA then you hope you may go on and win the next game.
"That's not always the case in football though and you have to move on from any defeat and take any positive out of the game.
"The great thing is we have an immediate chance to put things right, whatever the last result.
"We will not be underestimating QPR though. We know they are decent club and have some good players and an experience manager.
"We mustn't get sucked in by league tables because they mean nothing (yet).
"There are no easy games in this league and Saturday will be no different. We don't have any divine right to turn anyone over - we have to earn that right."
Don't forget that every Burnley supporters will receive a FREE copy of the Clarets Magazine ahead of Saturday's game.
Fans attending the game can get their copy of the 80-page magazine as they enter the turnstiles.
Can't get to the game? Then why not tune in to Clarets World. Phil Bird will be on air at 2.50pm with full 90 minute coverage of the Championship game.
For more details on subscribing to Clarets World, please click here. Burnley

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BURNLEY
Rangers travel to Turf Moor, home of a Burnley side buoyed by an opening day victory, on Saturday.
Ade Akinbiyi came off the substitutes' bench to inspire an opening-day win for Steve Cotterill's side against West Bromwich Albion on the first day of the season.
The visitors took the lead on 18 minutes when Kevin Phillips curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner.
But Burnley drew level when Michael Duff rose highest to head home from a corner just after half-time.
And substitute Akinbiyi's strong running forced Neil Clement into a handball which allowed Andy Gray to score the winner from the penalty spot.
It was a result which left Cotterill purring: "It's very difficult to keep a clean sheet against West Brom and they made it even more awkward by playing a diamond in midfield.
"But I felt we not only matched them but we went on and won the game. All credit to the players because they were absolutely first class."
But Burnley were brought back down to earth with a bump last weekend, as Cotterill's side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Championship newcomers Scunthorpe United.
Understandably, the Clarets boss was not so complimentary of his players: "We could have had three or four goals in the first 20 minutes, but failed to find the back of the net and were made to pay for it.
"Hats off to Scunthorpe, it was their day. They are a team who are not used to losing games and they did much better at keeping the ball out of their net than we did keeping it out of ours.
"I was disappointed with the way we faded after that bright start. In the end, Scunthorpe ended up doing well all the things that we should have been doing."
A typically tough place to travel to, Rangers succumbed to an opening day defeat at Turf Moor last season.
A Steve Jones double put Gary Waddock's new-look side to the sword that afternoon and history suggests the Hoops will have their work cut out when they make the long trip to Lancashire.
Man to watch: Kyle LAFFERTY
After a successful loan stint at League Two outfit Darlington, Kyle Lafferty capped a sensational first season in the Clarets first team fold with an international call-up for Northern Ireland.
The teenage striker, who was only promoted as an apprentice to the first team squad during the 2005/06 pre-season campaign, signed his first professional contract around Christmas - a deal which keeps him at Turf Moor until the summer of 2008.
Lafferty has been the subject of constant transfer speculation this summer, but he remains a firm favourite with the Turf Moor faithful.
In's
Robbie Blake (Leeds - £250,000)
Stephen Jordan (Manchester City - free)
David Unsworth (Wigan - free)
Clarke Carlisle (Watford - £200,000)
Out's
Graham Branch (Accrington - free)
Wayne Thomas (Southampton - £1,000,000)
Head-to-head:
Burnley wins: 12
Draws: 3
QPR wins: 9
Match odds:
Burnley 10/11
Draw 9/4
QPR 13/5 QPR

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Updated:
SEAN JOINS STONES
R's goalkeeper Sean Thomas has joined Wealdstone on a one month loan deal.
The 20 year-old custodian will remain with the Ryman League premier division side until Saturday 22nd September 2007.
Thomas signed a two year professional contract with the R's midway through the 2005/06 season.
However, his opportunities have been scarce since then, with the young goalkeeper spending time on loan at Bristol City last season. QPR
This is Local London - Lambert still chasing the Doc
WYCOMBE want to sign QPR midfielder Tommy Doherty before the transfer window closes on August 31.
The midfielder was Wanderers' Player of the Year last season while on loan at Adams Park and Lambert is keen to get him back.
Rangers are still demanding a transfer fee for the former Northern Ireland international, who has a year left on his contract.
Blues boss Paul Lambert said: "It's certainly not dead yet."
Rangers are currently in the middle of a takeover and any deal could go right to the wire.
Lambert said: "The goalposts have changed a little, but I still want him and if we could do it before the deadline I would.
"He was brilliant when he was here before. I've spoken to John Gregory Rangers' boss a couple of times."
Doherty has only just returned to training after having an emergency appendix operation.
Lambert said: "Talks are ongoing. He's just getting back into training at QPR after his operation. That appendix problem was a disaster for him." This is Local London

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REUTERS - UPDATE 2-Soccer-Briatore confirms interest in taking over QPR Fri Aug 24, - By Alan Baldwin
ISTANBUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed on Friday that he was part of a group interested in taking over second division English soccer club Queens Park Rangers.
However, the flamboyant Italian said he was only one of those involved in the talks. No offer had been made and nothing signed.
"We are talking. we are a bunch of friends together," he told reporters at the Turkish Grand Prix while declining to name any of his associates. "If it happens I am very happy, if not I am very happy as well."
The West London club, who have debts of 17 million pounds ($34 million) and need considerable new investment, said in an earlier statement that they were in talks with various parties that could lead to a takeover bid.
"The board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company," it said.
Briatore, a multi-millionaire and close associate of billionaire Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, said he had never been to QPR's Loftus Road ground.
The history behind it (the club) is great. And I pass the stadium every time I go to Oxford by helicopter and so I become friendly with the stadium," he said.
Briatore added that if his group were successful, Formula One would remain his priority. Renault have been champions for the past two seasons.
"The idea is like any other," said Briatore, whose other business interests include nightclubs and exclusive Billionaire fashion shops. "I opened the Cipriani (restaurant) in London but I am not in the kitchen to cook. I have the people managing it.
"Formula One is my priority 100 percent, anything else we are doing in a professional way but as a group of friends. Nothing dramatic."
Briatore, a lifelong supporter of Italian club Juventus, said he had met QPR chairman Gianni Paladini only once: "After that it was the normal talking with my people and the people from the board." (Additional reporting by Jonathan Cable) Reuters


SPORTING LIFE - BRIATORE CONFIRMS QPR INTEREST
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Istanbul
Multi-millionaire Flavio Briatore has confirmed he is interested buying Queens Park Rangers but warned he would not "go crazy" to complete the sale.
Briatore, team boss of Formula One marque Renault, is involved with "a bunch of friends" in looking to acquire the Coca-Cola Championship club.
However, the Italian has conceded the consortium is one of several parties looking to take over the troubled Loftus Road outfit.
"We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR at the moment," said Briatore ahead of this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
"We have not put in any offer. Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working.
"We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club."
Briatore concedes the closest he has come to the ground is when he has flown over it in his helicopter en route to Renault's base in Oxfordshire.
However, he has met current QPR chairman and fellow Italian Gianni Paladini, albeit a chance encounter.
Should Briatore and his group gain control of the club, he insists his involvement will be strictly behind the scenes.
"My business is in Formula One," confirmed Briatore.
"It is 100%. The focus for me is next year because we need to be competitive again.
"It's like Cipriani (a restaurant he owns in Mayfair). I don't go in the kitchen to cook the food.
"I occasionally go there to eat, and with QPR I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more."
Briatore has confirmed the present management, with John Gregory in charge, would remain unchanged if his takeover succeeds, adding: "Everything is perfect."
Briatore declined to comment on his plans for QPR, although he remarked: "It is like with anything I am involved with - I want to be successful."
Briatore masterminded Renault's rise to dominance in Formula One, with the team winning the drivers' and constructors' championships in 2005 and 2006.
The 57-year-old also created and runs fashion brand 'Billionaire', while he owns pharmaceutical company Pierrel. Sporting Life

BBC - Briatore cools QPR takeover talk
Flavio Briatore has played down reports linking him with an imminent takeover of QPR, saying he has not made a bid.
The Renault Formula One team boss heads a group talking over an offer to take control of the Championship club.
It comes after QPR's board resigned on Monday, ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited.
However, the Italian said: "We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR now. We have not put in any offer."
A statement on QPR's website had earlier read: "The board announces it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to an offer."
Major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers have agreed to sell their stake in the club - but Briatore insists he will not be held to ransom.
"Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working," he said.
"We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club." BBC

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AutoSports.com - Briatore says fully committed to F1
By Jonathan Noble Friday, August 24th 2007,
Renault boss Flavio Briatore insists that he remains fully committed to Formula One, despite his interest in a takeover deal of football club Queen's Park Rangers.
Briatore is part of a consortium looking at taking over the London club, and it comes amid speculation that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is also looking at buying into Arsenal.
But while Briatore's talks continue, he has made it clear that even if a deal with QPR is successful he will not be diverting any of his attention away from F1.
"It is like any other business," he said in his office at the Renault motorhome on Friday. "I opened (restaurant) Cipriana in London, but I am not in the kitchen cooking. I have people managing it. It is possible to have different businesses and not be involved.
"My business is F1. Formula One is my priority 100 percent. Everything else we do in a professional way, but we are a group of friends. It is more a bit of fun.
"My focus is F1, especially next year because next year for us we need to be competitive again. This year we are a bit on holiday and next year we need to get back to business."
Briatore denied that a QPR deal had been completed and said he was surprised that his bid had generated so much interest.
"We are talking," he said. "We are a bunch of friends together. I don't think it is such a big issue.
"There are a lot of people talking at this moment with QPR and we are talking like that. I know the guys involved and it is like that, but it is nothing formally done. Absolutely nothing." Auto

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BBC - Briatore to make statement on QPR
Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore is expected to make a statement on Friday regarding his possible takeover of QPR.
Briatore heads a group assembling a bid to take over the Championship club.
QPR's board resigned on Monday, ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited.
A statement on QPR's website said: "The board announces it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to an offer."
The news comes after major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers agreed to sell their stake in the club. BBC

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[According to posters on various messageboards, it was reported that Flavio Briatore will be talking to the press today re QPR at 1pm (London time)]


QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT Posted on: Fri 24 Aug 2007

QPR Holdings Limited - Statement in respect of a possible offer
Following the recent comments in the press, the Board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company.
The Board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.
For enquiries, contact: QPR Holdings Limited, Gianni Paladini, Director, 020 8743 0262 / 020 8740 2525. QPR

OFFICIAL SITE STATEMENT UPDATED TO INCLUDE
Relevant Securities in Issue

In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, QPR confirms that as at the close of business on 23 August 2007 it had 100,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in issue.

Dealing disclosure requirements

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1 per cent. or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of QPR, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which any offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of QPR, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of QPR by QPR or by the potential offeror, or by any of their respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk

'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. QPR Official Site

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On this day....

One Year Ago Today: QPR Announced the Appointment of Graham Mackrell as Chief Operating Officer. [Three months later, Mackrell was no longer at QPR - Mackrell/QPR -]

August 24, 2006: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - GRAHAM MACKRELL APPOINT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
QPR are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer.
A qualified accountant, Mackrell will offer assistance to the board, with the focus on improving the Club's off-the-field activities.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead,'' Mackrell told qpr.co.uk.
"QPR is a club with fantastic tradition and I'm excited about the prospect of working with the strong team we already have in place here.
"I'm here to add professionalism and my aim is to ensure the Club's off-the-field ambitions match those on it.''
Mackrell has worked in professional football for 25 years, including spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United.
He is also a Venue Director for UEFA.
Chairman Gianni Paladini is delighted to have Mackrell on board, commenting: "Graham will raise our profile within football thanks to his extensive work with UEFA and the League Managers Association.
"He is extremely well-known and respected within the game and also benefits from being a qualified accountant.
"I would like to wish Graham all the best and welcome him to QPR.'' QPR

TWO YEARS AGO: August 24, 2005: BBC- Power is removed as QPR chairman
-Gianni Paladini has taken control at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers chairman Bill Power has been removed and chief executive Mark Devlin sacked.
Director Gianni Paladini, backed by Monaco-based groups that bought shares in Rangers last year, moved to oust Power at a board meeting on Wednesday.
Power, who was a close ally of the Italian before their relationship turned sour, was voted out and Devlin told he was being fired.
But Power and his supporters are likely to challenge the legality of the move.
Both Power and the Monaco groups were keen to increase their shareholding.
Power's camp were undone by former Brazil captain Carlos Dunga unexpectedly flying in from Japan to vote with Paladini.
Dunga represents one of the Monaco groups but little has been heard of him since he was made a director last summer.
Wednesday's board meeting was the first the World Cup winner has attended.
Power and Paladini joined forces to topple the previous board 14 months ago, but there have been bitter divisions since.
Paladini is now in control at Loftus Road and is likely to take over Devlin's duties.
A new chairman is expected to be named shortly. BBC

[Also: Sporting Life - QPR POWER STRUGGLE GOES ON
QPR manager Ian Holloway has attacked the boardroom chaos threatening to derail the club - and admitted his future is uncertain.
Bill Power and Mark Devlin were ousted as Rangers chairman and chief executive respectively in a boardroom coup earlier this week, allowing director Gianni Paladini to seize effective control of the club.
Power continues to fight his demotion and is expected to mount a legal challenge, but manager Holloway could now be under pressure - former Rangers player and Aston Villa manager John Gregory was in the directors' box for Friday's home match against Sheffield Wednesday.
"We've had two bad results [at Coventry and Northampton], but whether I remain here is another matter," Holloway said.
"If they want me, great, if they don't then that's life.
"Hopefully the people in the boardroom can sort our their squabbles. They need to sort it out. They are directors - they need to direct the club."
Paladini attracted two Monaco-based groups of investors to the club when it was in dire financial straits last summer and one of their number - fellow Italian Gualtiero Trucco - has been installed as interim chairman.
Holloway led Rangers to 11th place in the Championship last term following their promotion from the old Division Two the previous season.
But Holloway has had to deal with boardroom instability throughout his reign - and he hinted he was growing tired of it.
"The supporters don't know the facts," he told BBC London 94.9 FM.
"It's not a nice situation to be in. I've been through three boards since I've been here and I'm not happy about that.
"We don't want to wash our dirty linen in public. QPR is a baton that's been handed around.
"When the board get fed up, when the supporters get fed up, they can get someone else."
QPR Power Struggle Goes On

QPR Statement at the time
The Board of QPR Holdings Ltd has decided that Mr Mark Devlin's position as Chief Executive Officer is to be made redundant with immediate effect.
Mr Bill Power is no longer Chairman of the Board but remains as a Director.
Mr Gualtiero Trucco has been appointed interim Chairman of the Board.
Bill Power and Director Kevin McGrath do not recognise the validity of these decisions which were taken at yesterday's Board meeting in their absence.
They are currently seeking legal advice with regards to these decisions. QPR

Thirty-nine years ago today: August 24 1968, Barry Bridges makes his QPR Debut: QPR's record 50,000 pound signing from Birmingham, former England International (and ex-Chelsea) forward Barry Bridges made his QPR debut at home to the Champions, Manchester City. (QPR drew 1-1 with Bridges of course scoring). Bridges ended up joint top scorer (along with Mick Leach) with 8 goals in 27 appearances. In our first season back in the second division, Bridges scored 21 goals in 38 games, in a dynamic forward line of Marsh, Clarke and Bridges with Venables in midfield.
Then the following season, Bridges was sold to Millwall. His last QPR game was in September 1970: QPR's 6-2 defeat at Middlesbrough in which QPR were 2-0 in the first five minutes! Bridges is now 66! See Bridges/Wikipedia Bridges Remembered

Ex-QPR forward, Leroy Rosenoir Turns 43 - Born August 24,1964
Signed by Jim Smith from Fulham in 1985, Rosenoir was with QPR for two seasons, playing 38 games scoring 7 goals. Was sold back to Fulham in 1987. Now currently manager at Brentford.Sporting See Also Rosenoir/Wikipedia

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Danny Nardiello came on as a sub for Wales in their 1-0 win in Bulgaria - Report

Free Programme on Saturday...If you're a Burnley supporter! (If you're a QPR fan, seemingly you have to pay!) - Burnley Official Site

Two Years ago today, August 23, 2005: a QPR team which included Ugo Ukah, got knocked out of the "League" Cup losing 0-3 to Northampton: QPR's Team that night: QPR Royce, Ukah, Evatt, Shimmin, Milanese, Miller, Bircham (Baidoo 59), Bean, Brown (Bignot 46), Gallen, Moore. - Subs Not Used: Cole, Hislop, Bailey. Sent Off: Evatt (45). Booked: Miller, Bean, Moore, Ukah. Match Report

And 32 years ago today: August 23, 1975: Derby 1-QPR 5 - One of QPR's Greatest ever games: QPR travelled to then Champions Derby County and won 5-1 away with a Stan Bowles hatrick and goals by Dave Thomas and Dave Clement. Making the result even more impressive, QPR had an inexperienced reserves cental defenders: Ron Abbott and Tonny Tagg.
QPR's team:
Parkes
Clement Abbott Tagg Gillard
Masson Francis Leach
Thomas Bowles Givens
Sub: Beck

Also on this day: August 23, 1986: Dave Seaman made his QPR debut on opening day, as QPR lost 5-1 at Southampton (Colin Clarke hatrick for Southampton)
QPR's team include Alan Brazil as sub.
Seaman
Neil McDonald Chivers Dawes
Fereday James M. Allen Robinson
Byrne Bannister
Sub: Brazil

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Gareth Ainsworth Column/Kilburn Times - August 22

"I Feel sorry for our fans at the moment - and not just because they've seen us lose two home games in a row.
They're being dragged through a rollercoaster of emotions with all the takeover talk and, it has to be said, that's pretty much par for the course at QPR.
Every few months there's a lot of rubbish being written in some papers about how the club's either going to be bought by someone or go into administration. I get people stopping me in the street and asking what's going on.
I can only say the same as I did last season when they all thought we were going down - until something happens, don't give it a thought.
As a professional, I intend to get on with my job no matter whether there's £10m being invested or no money at all.
Let's hope by the time you read this there's some good news, but the fans should know that the majority of players don't let the talk get to them.

Unfortunately, having seen the way we played against Cardiff last weekend, they might not believe that. When Cardiff scored their second goal, we seemed to drop our heads and that's not at all like QPR.
A lot of the lads were below par and they know it. Cardiff just went from strength to strength - at times they were passing it around us.
I think they're going to be one of the top teams this year, but we should still have shown more fight. The good thing is that it's come early in the season and the gaffer will come down like a ton of bricks to make sure it doesn't happen again.
He's drummed it into us that you've still got to be the same player whether you've scored or conceded. Losing is not the end of the world if you lose in the right manner.

Everyone's trying to stay positive and put it right when we go to Burnley on Saturday. I've played in teams that have won at Turf Moor and, as a Blackburn fan, there's no better feeling!
In a way, Burnley are like us - a big club who haven't quite got back to where they should be. They've brought in a few new faces, but maybe they haven't gelled yet and I think they're beatable.
One of them, of course, is Clarke Carlisle, who I know very well, and I'm sure he'll be fired up to turn in a good performance against us.
We're about due for a good result up there, though, and I feel confident the lads can come back unbeaten, at least, this weekend. Kilburn Times

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Article possibly outdated since its writing?

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Under New Management? 22 August 2007

QPR were on the verge of new ownership this week as directors met to finalise the club's sale to Renault Formula One boss Flavio Briatore.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini met with Briatore's representatives on Tuesday night to iron out details of the takeover, which will stave off the looming threat of administration.
As of Wednesday morning, the deal had not yet been completed, but Paladini was confident of a smooth handover after a dispute between himself and fellow director Antonio Caliendo had delayed matters....
It is understood, though, that Paladini will remain as chairman...The new investment will relieve Rangers of the crippling ABC loan that has blighted the club's finances ever since they exited a period of administration five years ago.
Prior to the Briatore deal, the club were faced with the grim likelihood of a return to administration - and an automatic 10-point deduction by the Football League...
. Kilburn Times

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QPR's on loan Defender, Michael Mancienne made his England U-21 debut, coming on as substitute. Dexter Blackstock remained on the bench as England drew 1-1 versus Romania. BBC Also: QPR Official site re Mancienne/Blackstock

A strong QPR Reserves team lost to Brighton 2-1 (Baidoo scoring for QPR)
QPR: Cole, Bignot, Barker, Maguire, Shimmin, Cullip, Baidoo, Bailey, Nygaard, Rose, St Aimie. Subs: Timoska, Crowther, Goode, Howell, Arthur

QPR Official Site BAIDOO'S STRIKE IN VAIN -

A controversial goal midway through the second half ensured Rangers' Pontins Holidays Combination League campaign began with defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Worthing FC.
The Seagulls triumphed 2-1, when Joe Gatting - who bagged five goals when these two sides met last season - ignored the injured Romone Rose and raced clear of the R's back four to slot home the winner.
Earlier, Nathan Elder opened the scoring early on for the hosts, only for Shabazz Baidoo to equalise on the stroke of half-time.
After a keenly contested opening, Rangers went close in the ninth minute, when Kieron St Aimie cut in from the left and saw his shot smothered by Brighton custodian John Sullivan.
But it was the hosts who opened the scoring 60 seconds later, when Elder smashed a low drive past Cole from the edge of the penalty area.
The R's responded positively though, with Marc Nygaard unfortunate not to find the back of the net on three separate occasions.
The Danish front-man went close with two headers and saw a further effort cleared off the line from a perfectly flighted Chris Barker set-piece.
Rangers grew in stature as the half wore on and their improved display was rewarded on the stroke of half-time, when Baidoo slotted home at the second attempt, after seeing his initial effort parried by Sullivan.
The second half flattered to deceive for long periods and Brighton's winner, midway through the second half, proved to be the only effort of note in a disappointing 45 minutes.
With Rangers appealing for the ball to be kicked out of play so Rose could receive treatment, Gatting seized on a long diagonal ball out of defence and beat Cole when faced one-on-one with the R's keeper.
Nygaard went close late on, but this effort from close range was smothered by Sullivan, with the assistant referee's flag later being raised for offside.
QPR Official Site

QPR OFFICIAL SITE TEAM - RESERVES READY
First Team coaches Mick Harford and Warren Neill have named a strong Reserve side for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion this evening.
Jake Cole starts in goal, while the back four consists of skipper Marcus Bignot, Danny Cullip, Dominic Shimmin and Chris Barker, who is free to make his long-awaited R's debut at Burnley this weekend following a three match suspension.
Stefan Bailey partners Under-18 skipper Danny Maguire in the heart of the R's engine-room, with Kieron St Aimie and Shabazz Baidoo occupying the wide berths in midfield.
Marc Nygaard is joined in attack by Under-18 starlet Romone Rose, while the bench consists of Sampsa Timoska, Reece Crowther, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell and Chris Arthur.
The R's kick-off their Pontins Holidays Combination League campaign at Worthing FC's Woodside Road ground (7.00pm kick-off).
QPR: Cole, Bignot, Barker, Maguire, Shimmin, Cullip, Baidoo, Bailey, Nygaard, Rose, St Aimie.

Subs: Timoska, Crowther, Goode, Howell, Arthur. QPR

BRIGHTON ARGUS Albion's fringe strikers on target By Andy Naylor
Albion Reserves 2, QPR Reserves 1.
Albion's fringe strikers served notice last night that they are still around fighting to regain a first team place.
Nathan Elder and Joe Gatting were both on the score sheet at Woodside Road, Worthing.
Bas Savage also figured prominently as the Reserves opened their combination campaign with a commendable victory.
Elder, signed from Billericay at Christmas, finished last season with a goal on his full debut at Cheltenham.
Savage had already been Albion's goalscoring saviour by that stage after moving from Gillingham.
The pair, together with youth team product Gatting, have lost out so far to summer capture Nicky Forster and Alex Revell in the congested battle to play upfront.
It took Elder only nine minutes to put Albion ahead.
Savage played him through a square Rangers defence with a delightful pass and he tucked the ball through the legs of advancing keeper Jake Cole.
Elder almost scored again in the 21st minute. He got in behind former Albion captain Danny Cullip to meet Tommy Fraser's inswinging free-kick at the far post with a firm header which Cole kept out in acrobatic fashion. Savage, operating again on the right flank, also tested Cole with shots from outside the box twice in the first half as Albion acquitted themselves well against an experienced Rangers line-up.
Along with Cullip, returning from injury, the Londoners included the likes of Marcus Bignot, Chris Barker and Marc Nygaard.
The Seagulls' young defence, marshalled at centre half by Kerry Mayo, were rarely troubled in the opening 45 minutes, although the giant Nygaard should have done better with a couple of headers wide of the target.
They looked sure to be in front at the interval when Nygaard's glancing header from a corner was nodded off the line by first-year scholar Ruben French.
But Shabazz Baidoo scored a flattering equaliser for Rangers in first-half stoppage time, slotting the rebound after keeper John Sullivan blocked his initial drive.
It was a bad time to concede but Albion refused to be shaken by the setback. They came close to regaining the lead early in the second half when Savage's hooked volley across the face of goal was almost turned into his own net by Dominic Shimmin, who was grateful to see the ball flash just wide.
Shimmin volleyed over from a corner before Gatting put Albion ahead once more in slightly controversial circumstances with 20 minutes remaining. Several Rangers players stopped, rather than playing to the referee's whistle, when Romone Rose was down with cramp on the edge of the Albion box and Sullivan launched a long clearance upfield.
Gatting strode on to beat Cole with a well-placed shot into the far corner.
Youth chief Vic Bragg took charge of the team, with boss Dean Wilkins, assistant manager Dean White and coach Ian Chapman all on scouting missions.
Albion Reserves (4-4-2): Sullivan; Cook, Pearson, Mayo, French; Savage, Fraser, Reid, Loft; Gatting, Elder. Subs: Beda, Pelling, Louis, Wills, Foreman. Brighton Argus

BRIGHTON OFFICIAL SITE Reserves Off To Winning Start By Tim Dudding, at Woodside Road
Nathan Elder and Joe Gatting were on target as the reserves got off to a winning start with a 2-1 win over QPR tonight.
Albion romped to an 8-2 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, but this was a much tighter affair as the visitors fielded an experienced line-up, including former Seagulls skipper Danny Cullip, striker Marc Nygaard and defender Marcus
By contrast, Albion fielded a back four that with the exception of Kerry Mayo, was made up of youth team scholars.

With Ian Chapman and Martin Hinshelwood both scouting at other games, Vic Bragg took charge, and he was delighted with second years Ruben French and Andy Pearson, and in particular first year Steve Cook.

Bragg said "I was pleased with Steve. He's only 16 and he told me he was a bit nervous before the game, but he worked his way through it.

"I told him that if couldn't get forward then he should just defend - learn to do that first and then you can get forward later. He did really well.

"It's a learning curve for all of the them. These sorts of games where they're playing against one or two seasoned pros are invaluable."

QPR had the first sight of goal, but John Sullivan dived bravely at the feet of Romone Rose as he snaked his way into the box.
Bas Savage then forced a good save from Jake Cole after turning inside, before threading the ball through to Elder moments later for the striker to break the deadlock with a clinical finish.
Elder almost doubled Albion's lead when he got on the end of Tommy Fraser's free-kick, but again Cole saved well.
But with half-time approaching, Sullivan could only parry Shabazz Baidoo's shot, and the midfielder was first to the rebound to poke QPR level.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, but Albion kept plugging away and Cullip almost sliced the ball into his own net as he tried to cut out a Savage pull-back.
The Seagulls finally regained the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Sullivan pumped the ball forward, but with Rose on the floor with cramp, the visitors hesitated and Gatting raced clear through unchallenged to slot the ball past a helpless Cole.
Albion: (4-4-2) Sullivan; Cook, Pearson, Mayo, French; Savage, Fraser, Reid, Loft; Gatting, Elder. Subs not used: Pelling (GK), Louis, Wills, Beda, Foreman.Brighton

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Lee Camp Turns 23...Marcus Bignot Turns 33...

Marcus Bignot Turns 33 - Born August 22, 1974
Holloway's first signing from Bristol Rovers when he took over from Gerry Francis in QPR's 2000-2001 relegation season. Played in our first season in Division "Two." Then went to Rushden Diamonds for a couple of seasons, before being signed back on Deadline eve, in our 2002-2003 Promotion season. Birthday See Also Bignot/Wikipedia

Lee Camp Turns 23 - Born August 22, 1984
After two periods on loan, Goalie Lee Camp joined QPR from Derby in the summer. Played in 2002-2003 Promotion season. Played in our last 12 games which saw us gain promotion. Birthday See Also: Lee Camp/Wikpedia

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Daily Mail
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete his takeover of Queens Park Rangers within the next 24 hours. ...
Three of Rangers' four main shareholders have signed documents selling their shares to Briatore and the fourth, Franco Zanotti, is expected to follow suit this evening.
Club chairman Gianni Paladini, plc chairman Antonio Caliendo and Brazil manager Dunga, who with Zanotti make up the Monaco-based consortium that own 62 per cent of the club, have sold their holdings to the Italian businessman over the past few days.
"There is only Zanotti left and then the deal is complete," said Paladini. "It will either be tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest."
A press conference is likely to be scheduled for early next week to unveil Briatore, who is in Istanbul preparing for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.
Briatore will clear Rangers' £17million debt and will hand manager John Gregory around £10m, which will allow him to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes....Daily Mail

The Briatore Approach/Philosophy (to Racing)
A Recent Interview with QPR's purportive new owner, Flavio Briatore. None of it is to do with football (soccer) but maybe a few indicators of his approach.

August 1 - Formula 1 Exclusive interview - Renault’s Flavio Briatore

Renault team principal Flavio Briatore is one of the paddock’s most colourful characters but under the flamboyant surface lies an analytical mind worthy of his team’s two consecutive constructors’ titles.
Speaking to Formula1.com, Briatore tackles the thorny issue of Formula One racing’s future, as well as reviewing his squad’s performance this season…

Q: You have always been an advocate of change in Formula One racing. Are you satisfied with the planned revisions for 2008 and the FIA’s proposals for 2011? Do you think the new regulations will deliver?
Flavio Briatore: We are currently engaged in a very good discussion with the FIA about the rules for 2011. There is a good dialogue between the teams and the federation, and some very interesting proposals are being discussed. We don’t agree with all of them, and the teams have different opinions on certain issues. But that is to be expected. There are four major goals that we need to achieve with these new rules - to make sure Formula One stays at the pinnacle of motorsport; to reduce costs; to become more environmentally aware; and to improve the show. That is what we are working towards at the moment.

Q: You recently said that progress in Formula One racing is handicapped by ‘too much democracy’. What would be your ideal?
FB: The need for unanimous agreement to make decisions is very frustrating. I think majority decision-making would help us get a lot more things done, faster and more efficiently.

Q: You have long argued that races have to become more exciting. The European Grand Prix showed just what excitement a little rain can muster. Aside from relying on the forces of nature, what can be done?
FB: At the moment, the model of a Formula One weekend is simple. We spend two days sorting out the cars, putting the quickest ones at the front and the slowest ones at the back through qualifying. Then we send them out to race, and magically hope for the slower ones to become faster, and vice versa, to produce overtaking! Even if we make it easier to overtake, we still need something else to shuffle the order of the cars to create a really exciting racing. When the rain comes, it introduces that little bit of chaos you need to jumble things up. Perhaps we should look at other ways of achieving that on a more regular basis.

Q: Is the GP2 model feasible for Formula One racing?
FB: If you mean in terms of everybody using the same car, then no, because Formula One needs to keep the high technology appeal it has at the moment. If you mean in terms of thinking in a new way about how to run the races, and being open-minded in how we approach the structure of the race weekend, then absolutely. For example, they reverse the grids in GP2 for the second race, and it means that the quick drivers have to fight past the slower ones. Or what about having two races per weekend, instead of one? Some aspects of Formula One are essential parts of its DNA, but perhaps not as many as people think…

Q: Formula One racing has one foot firmly placed in the sporting world and the other in entertainment. How could these two elements be better combined?
FB: I don’t believe we can focus only on car design to help improve the racing, we need to think more about the entertainment. That means bringing more of a marketing approach to the sport, firstly to tell people what the plans are to use advanced technology and to show our environmental awareness, but also in how we package and present Formula One. Improving the racing is only one aspect of that. In the modern world, people want to get closer to the stars, to be able to have contact with them and to see behind the scenes. We need to reach out to the fans and start getting them closer to the sport.

Q: As for Renault - ten races down - how would you sum up the team’s season so far?
FB: A bad start to the year. A lot of hard work. Concrete improvements. And the proof that this is a champion team even when we are not winning races. It has been a test of character this year, and I think we have passed it. Now we are on the way back.

Q: Renault won two championships with a comparatively lean budget. Looking at the standings this season, do you think we are witnessing the renaissance of big budgets?
FB: Not from my point of view. We won the last two championships on a sensible budget. Although we have dropped back this year, that is not because of a lack of resources. There were other mistakes that we made, nothing to do with the amount of money we spend. And now, we have shown that we can respond and start closing the gap. We have the resources we need to do the job.

Q: Heikki Kovalainen has made less of an impression than fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton. But there is no doubt he is improving with every race. Are you satisfied with his performance?
FB: The team let him down at the start of the year, giving him a car that was very difficult to drive. For a rookie, that is a tough situation to be in, and I think he felt it. But if the start was disappointing, he has responded since then. He has listened to the feedback he was given, he carried on working all the way through, and he has driven some very strong races since Canada. Maybe it has taken half a season, but he is starting to demonstrate his talent now - and showing why we believe in him.

Q: At six teams the driver line-up for 2008 is already settled. What is the state of affairs at Renault?
FB: We are in no rush. At the moment, we are working to make sure we are on the right track with the car for 2008. That is the priority for next year in order to achieve our target of winning races again. This year has shown that having the right car is the key to being competitive. Formula1

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Football League - Teams of the Week - August 20

" Each week the Official Football League website will bring you the Teams of the Week. Produced by the Press Association, the Teams of the Week feature the eleven top performing players from each division from this weekend's matches."

In the Championship, Two Cardiff, Paul Parry and Stephen McPhail
were named in the "Team of the Week" for their performance against QPR. Meanwhile Ex-QPR Jamie Cureton was also named to the Championship Team of the week. Championship
In League One: Terrel Forbes and Paul Furlong were both named. League One

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Three very disparate articles about three people very differently involved with QPR. In the case of Ian Watson and Ian Holloway: Long-time club staffers. And also financial news re ex-QPR's Chris Wright!

Daily Sun (Nigeria) GRAND CONSPIRACY! By EMMA NJOKU
"You may call it a campaign of calumny but Lobi Stars Football Club boss, Dominic Iorfa, says his detractors are bound to fail from their devilish plot to pull him down from the football Olympian height, which he had attained through dint of hardwork and undiluted transparency.
Reacting to a sponsored story on the internet, which was inadvertently published by Daily Sunsport, the former Super Eagles lethal striker said that most of the people behind the story could not pass the test of public scrutiny as he had done.
"It’s green envy," Iorfa said. "I did not speak with any reporter where I said I was untouchable. It is a grand conspiracy against me. I was furious with the Sunsport when people called me to tell me about the story. The Sunsport is one newspaper I hold in high esteem. I would have expected you to call me for my own side of the story."
That the Internet story was written in bad taste is to stand before the Eiffel tower in Paris and exclaim that this building is tall. That’s re-echoing the obvious. But the man that has risen to become one of the best football administrators in Nigeria – coming after Enyimba and Dolphins – said no amount of blackmail and intrigues can derail him from the target he has set for Lobi Stars.
A man who was miffed by the story spoke from Makurdi, saying Iorfa remains the golden man of the North, as he’s the only chairman who can match Felix Anyansi of Enyimba and the spending spree of Dolphins, even though he has little resources at his disposal.
"Those who want to drag our chairman down are mere name droppers," the man, who spoke under anonymity, said. "Iorfa is our pride in the North. Before the emergence of Gombe United in the soccer fray, only Lobi was able to match teams from the South.
"Our new governor is a man who loves football with absolute passion. He was at the FA Cup final in Lagos recently because of his love for the game. He has absolute confidence in Iorfa. "Our governor believes so much in him because he’s transparent and accountable in all his dealings. Why should anybody want to drag him down!"
Iorfa also stated that no amount of blackmail by the name-droppers and desperadoes would deter him from his resolve to ensure that the team remain one of the best in the country.
The former Queens Park Rangers of England and Super Eagles fiery forward, who was reacting to the sponsored story that he is running Lobi Stars Football Club like his personal estate, among other allegations, dismissed the report as wicked, malicious, baseless and unfounded, adding that it was a calculated attempt by self-seeking detractors to tarnish his hard-earned integrity.
"Nothing can stop me from pursuing my vision for football in Benue State," the former prolific forward said in a telephone chat with Daily Sunsport.
"Those who are after me have nothing to offer Benue State and Nigerian as a whole. I have built an enviable reputation in the game of football over the years, both as a player and as an administrator. Nobody can wish that away, no matter how hard such a person tries.
"They have tried everything to pull me down to no avail. Now they have resorted to dragging the name of Governor Gabriel Suswan and that of the Commissioner of Sports in Benue State into the mud, all in a bid to actualize their selfish ambitions. But God will frustrate all their plans.
"I have justified my position as the chairman of Lobi Stars in the last five years by ensuring that the team remains the toast and favourite club in the Northern part of Nigeria. Lobi Stars remain the only club that have competed favourably with the Southern-based giant clubs such as Enyimba, Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Dolphins among others.
"I led the team (Lobi) to win the national Challenge Cup in 2003 and, two years later, precisely in 2005, we also played in the final and lost to Enyimba on penalties.
"Till today, everybody is still talking about the 2005 FA Cup final match as the best in the last 10 years because of the quality of play by Enyimba and Lobi Stars. For a club to play in the continent twice in five years is no mean achievement.

"I have put Lobi Stars on the map of Nigerian football as well as the continent. In 2004, when the team played in the CAF Confederation Cup, I recalled that when we arrived the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, people were asking which national team was coming to play in their country. This was because all the players and officials were dressed in complete suits with shoes to match.
"Lobi Stars were the first team in Nigeria to be so kitted. Not even the Super Eagles have dressed like that to any championship.
"I will not submit to any cheap blackmail by those who do not mean well for Benue State. I am ever determined to make Lobi Stars the best team in Nigeria and Africa. Thank God I have the full backing of Governor Suswan, who has toed the footsteps of our former sports-loving governor, Senator George Akume.
"At the moment, we have a formidable technical crew and we have assembled a crack squad ahead of the new season. We are working assiduously to ensure that Lobi Stars grab a ticket to the continent at the end of the coming season," Iorfa said.
Iorfa regretted the recent malicious publication against his person, even as he advised journalists to always crosscheck their facts before going to the Press.
"I am always available and willing to volunteer any information to the Press at any time, because journalists have been my friends right from my active days as a player. But I would have no option than to seek legal action against any malicious and damaging reports against my person.
"I have no problem with the Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Benjamin Vembeh. We have a cordial working relationship. The recent report to the contrary was only a figment of the imagination of those behind the story. They are enemies of Benue State, who are pursuing their personal agenda," Iorfa said. Daily Sun

NEWS ABOUT EX-QPR DEFENDER, IAN WATSON
Just a brief, non-football reference to an old QPR player - Ian Watson - from the mid-60s to early 70s which evoked nice memories: Watson was a classy fullback (and sometimes center half; and briefly our captain - and part of the 67 non-playing squad). [To remind what he looked like Photo from 1967: Middle row, on the end, next to Mick Leach ]
Ian Watson Bio info: Born January 7, 1944
Joined QPR from Chelsea for 5,000 pounds in Summer of 1965 (Possibly the first Jim Gregory era signing, Watson was one of a number of Chelsea "rejects" who did a great job for QPR). Played some 200 games primarily wearing #2 shirt but also #3 shirt and also a few games as center back. He briefly captained QPR. Wastson Did NOT play in the 1967 League Cup Final. Tony Hazell had his spot.)
Watson was our only "ever-present" in the calamatous 1968/1969 Relegation season (which shows how good he must have been). Some seasons he played few games. Others he played the majority. He played 35 games in our 1972/73 promotion season. He played the first six games of our 1973/74 season back in the return. And then he retired."

Eastern Daily Press - "Royal bids to extend festival domination 21 August 2007
Four weeks of intense seafront action get underway on Sunday with the start of the 62nd annual Great Yarmouth festival of bowls.
There are two new tournaments this year - an open over-60s pairs and an over-60s singles - which have caused the showpiece event to be extended for a further week.
England star Mark Royal, from Stowmarket, will be bidding to win Yarmouth's blue ribbon men's singles, which has a prize fund of £1000 for the fourth successive year while North Walsham's Liz Shorter will be back to defend her ladies' singles title.
Dave Nurse, one of the dedicated small band of officials who make the event run like clockwork for the estimated 1,500 contestants, said that one of the many attractions was the chance to find yourself up against one of the many internationals who take part.
....Meanwhile, Wymondham Dell's Adrian Fox and Kevin Guy fell victim to Sussex's David Richardson and former QPR footballer Ian Watson in another first round encounter.
Fox and Guy were just 13-9 adrift after 13 ends, but, summoning up a powerful finish Watson netted a six in an 11-shot charge to romp home 24-14.
Hingham Short Mat Bowls Club, who meet at Hingham Sports Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, has been awarded £1,721 from the Awards for All lottery fund.
The money is to be used to supply every member with clothing to form a club image while playing league matches and all friendly fixtures.
Anyone interested in joining the club (no experience necessary) should contact Roy Naish on 01953 852575. News

IAN HOLLOWAY RECOVERED

Plymouth Official Site - OLLIE BACK ON FORM - by Chris Parsons

IAN Holloway today returned to Home Park in triumphant form after his weekend health problems.

Ollie demonstrated that he was feeling fine following his Saturday lunchtime collapse by knocking in a couple of goals in a hectic morning training session.

He said: "We were one short because Marcel Seip had to go in with a sore ankle so I just joined in. I felt a lot better and I scored two goals. I enjoyed it. It's nice to be back."

The Argyle manager had been rushed to hospital before the Pilgrims' 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday with pains in his back and side.

Holloway was taken to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital where it was revealed that he was suffering from a kidney stone. He was discharged later that evening and today relived his agonizing experience.

He said that the pain began when he woke up on Saturday morning and then got worse as the day went on.

"I got up to do my normal routine, have a shave, and I thought 'What's that?' I had pain coming round my side and through my back in a wave. Then it got worse and worse.

"I rang my doctor and he said he'd be at the ground when I got here. I thought, if I got here, then there are probably some first-aid people here so I could be sorted out, get some relief and maybe carry on and do the game.

"After I got here and got into my office, I was on the floor trying to get rid of what was going on. As I was rolling around on the floor in my office, I noticed I need a new carpet and I must paint the skirting boards - that is not premiership quality!

"I stood up and I had all this rubbish over me! So, I said to the chairman last night that I need new carpets and he said he'd check the budget for me. I can't accept shoddy standards the next time I need to roll around on my floor!"

Ollie was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he remained while the game went on.

"It was very surreal," he said. "I arrived at the ground for a game I was really looking forward to the next thing I know, some bloke is sticking his head through the curtains.
"I haven't even been told why I'm in so much pain and he says 'You're one down.' The last thing I needed to hear. To be fair to the fella, he came back with a bit of paper that said [Sylvan] Ebanks-Blake had equalised.
Ollie blamed the stone on a recent fitness regime he has been working on.
"I probably haven't re-hydrated myself as well as I should have done after running into work from Mount Batten the other morning and doing weights."
All jokes aside, Ollie said how great it was to be back.
"I was very thankful to wake up and not have anything hurt this morning," he said. "It was great. It's a horrendous thing for anybody to go through."

Daily Telegraph Longacre reviews 26pc stake for Chrysalis founder
By Dominic White and Ben Harrington
Chrysalis founder and chairman Chris Wright is working with Longacre Partners on a review of his 26pc stake in the music publisher, whose extensive library includes songs by David Bowie and Gnarls Barkley.
Longacre is advising the 62-year-old on various options, including taking the company private, or else selling, or maintaining his stake.
The corporate finance boutique advised Mr Wright during Chrysalis' recent £170m sale of its radio business to Global Radio.
Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort this month said the Chrysalis' music business could be worth more than £170m, and would attract widespread interest from the likes of Warner Music, Universal, Sony/ATV and private equity.
However, signals suggest Mr Wright is unlikely at this point to sell the music business he formed in the late Sixties after graduating from Manchester University where he booked acts such as Cream and The Yardbirds.
One banker was told Mr Wright would be loathe to sell to a rival music group and would be more inclined to mount a bid himself, despite his age.
Dresdner analyst Richard Menzies-Gow has forecast that Mr Wright will exit within four years. ''There seems little logic for this music business to retain a public quote and we believe there are numerous interested suitors ready to offer an attractive price for the business, more than is currently implied in the share price.
''However, with a 26pc stake, the chairman still has the ability to influence this decision, and to date his intentions remain unclear," he wrote in a recent note to clients.
Mr Wright, whose fortune has been estimated at £95m, also owns Wasps rugby club and the Stratford Place racing stud farm in Gloucestershire.Chrysalis declined to comment. Telegraph

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Daily Mail - Mancienne: QPR will be revitalised by takeover
Michael Mancienne has welcomed Flavio Briatore's impending takeover at Queens Park Rangers, insisting the Italian's investment can take the club back into the Premier League.
Mancienne is on a season's loan at QPR from Chelsea, but he believes the arrival of new funds could ensure they play against his parent club in the top flight next season.
Briatore, who is best known as the managing director of the Renault team in Formula One, is on the verge of securing a £20million buy-out of the club and will clear their £17m debt.
The move looks set to bring an end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the club for the past few years with chairman Gianni Paladini, who is set to stay on in his role, fearing they were heading towards liquidation.
Mancienne admits the worries over QPR's future had affected the dressing room, but now feels the club will be able to challenge at the top rather than the bottom of the Championship.
He said: “There have been a lot of rumours around the club, so it will be great that they can get out of debt and sign a few players now.
“There has been a bit of talk in the dressing room about whether a takeover would happen so now we can concentrate on the football.
“We haven't got off to the best of starts, but I am sure we can bounce back. QPR are a big club and if they have a bit of money to spend on players they can challenge at the top of the Championship.
"I have been at QPR for nearly a year now as I was on loan for seven months last season and while my heart is at Chelsea, I do feel part of the club.
“They have given me my chance and I want to repay them.”
The good news just seems to keep coming this month for the 19-year-old, who started it with signing a new threeyear contract at Chelsea and then received his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad.
Mancienne is in line to win his first cap against Romania tonight, but it was meeting his idol and Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce that caused him to be most nervous.
The defender was only eight-years-old when he saw just why Pearce earned the nickname of 'psycho' after seeing his mad celebration when he scored in a penalty shoot-out against Spain in Euro 96.
He added: “I had my first training session yesterday and it was the first time I met Stuart Pearce and I couldn't believe it.
“He was one of my idols when I was growing up and I used to watch how he played for England.
“He is a legend in my eyes and I looked up to the way he played the game, his passion and desire.
I will never forget seeing him score that penalty against Spain in Euro 96 and I was only young then so I thought he was a bit scary. Obviously he had the nickname of psycho, but when I met him he wasn't too much of a psycho to me. He was really calm so there was nothing to be worried about!
“I want to match his passion on the pitch, though. There is no greater boost than having a legend like that tell you he likes the way you play.”
He also hopes to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who developed into a top-class defender by playing for the Under-21s.
He said: “A number of great players have come through the Under-21s to the full national team.
“Obviously John Terry is one of them and he is the England captain now. He benefited from playing international football at a young age and it helped him in his Chelsea career.
“I want to follow in his footsteps, not just at Chelsea but with England too.
“QPR offer me great experience of first-team football in the Championship, but to play against the best European youngsters can only take me on to another level.” Mail

Also: QPR Official Site on Mancienne's (and other QPRs) callup

Also Blackstock Talking re International Duty with England U-21

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[Last season, QPR "led" the Championship with the most yellow cards - 95 yellow (but "only" two Red cards) Records

August 20, 2007 : Football Association - Club fines issued

At a series of Disciplinary Commissions held during July and August, fines have been issued against a number of League clubs for their poor on-field disciplinary records during the 2006/07 season.
Several clubs had suspended fines from the 2005/06 season invoked. The Commissions decided that the clubs had failed to show an acceptable improvement in their record last season.
Blackburn Rovers were fined £100,000, of which £70,000 had been suspended from 2005/06. In addition, a further £50,000 fine will remain in place for the 2007/08 season.
Millwall were fined £30,000 in total including a suspended fine of £20,000 being invoked from 2005/06. A suspended fine of £30,000 will be in place for the forthcoming season.
Chester City were fined £13,000 including a £10,000 suspended fine from 2005/06 and a further £10,000 suspended for next season. A suspended fine of £5,000 issued to Barnet was invoked with a further £5,000 being carried forward to the forthcoming season.
The Commissions also dealt with other clubs whose poor disciplinary records during the 2006/07 season warranted consideration. The clubs were fined with further suspended fines for the forthcoming season issued pending significant improvement in their disciplinary records.
Bolton Wanderers were fined £20,000 with a further £40,000 suspended while Leeds United were fined £15,000 (£30,000 suspended) and West Bromwich Albion were fined £10,000 (£30,000 suspended). The following clubs were also fined: Huddersfield Town £7,500 (£20,000 suspended), Accrington Stanley £5,000 (£5,000 suspended), Wycombe Wanderers £5,000 (£5,000 suspended).
Warning letters were issued to the following clubs: Chelsea, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town, Queens Park Rangers, Brentford, Bradford City, Macclesfield Town and Swindon Town. FA

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Today's Daily Mail says Bernie Ecclestone is involved. (Dave McIntyre's article yesterday spoke of 'Three new companies will now similarly own a majority stake as part of the takeover agreement." Yesterday's BBC reported "Briatore may be set to be part of the QPR takeover
QPR's board of directors have resigned ahead of an expected takeover by a group that includes Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore. "


Daily Mail - QPR Takeover is Near - 20th August 2007
Bernie Ecclestone's takeover of Queens Park Rangers moved a step nearer on Monday when the board of directors of QPR Holdings Ltd resigned from their posts, claiming that major new investment was imminent.
As the Formula One chief and Renault team boss Flavio Briatore prepared to complete a joint £22million deal for the Championship club, as first revealed in Sportsmail, outgoing board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement saying: 'We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years.
'It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and put the club in an excellent position to move forward.' Daily Mail

DAILY MIRROR - Briatore's QPR wow - By Lee West 21/08/2007
Qpr fans have reacted with delight to the news that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Renault boss Flavio Briatore are on the verge of investing in the Loftus Road club.
The entire board of QPR Holdings Ltd - who have been financing the club - resigned yesterday, claiming that 'major investment is imminent', with Ecclestone and Briatore set to hand boss John Gregory a transfer war-chest running into millions of pounds.
Paul Finney, from QPR Independent R's Supporters Club, said: "This is superb news. It amounts to a new start for the club and it means that the fans could finally get the club we deserve. Mirror

See Also: Dave McIntyre's article with additional information re Takeover from yesterday. Also Yesterday's Statement on the QPR Official Site re Board Resignations

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David McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - August 20,2007
Caliendo paves way for new Italian regime Rangers all set for change of ownership

Major shareholder Antonio Caliendo has finally agreed to sell his stake in QPR to a group that includes Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore.
The proposed deal ran into serious trouble last week when Caliendo released a statement saying the club was not for sale following a furious row with Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini prior to Tuesday night’s Carling Cup game against Leyton Orient.
Talks resumed the next day and the buy-out looked to be back on.
Yet even as Paladini and his allies were celebrating, Caliendo was talking to other interested parties about a possible alternative deal.
But Caliendo is now ready to sell to the new Italian regime and is due to formally sign over his shares on Tuesday.
Paladini, who is selling most of his share, is to stay on as chairman but - at the request of the incoming new owners – the rest of the QPR board of directors have resigned.
Kevin Steele, who did much of the work to secure the takeover, is stepping down along with Nick De Marco and recently-appointed director James Ferrary.
Caliendo and his Monaco-based backers have been involved with QPR since 2004.
Former Brazil captain Dunga was part of the group as were a number of other individuals, including former Argentina international Ramon Diaz.
At one stage, Diaz was in line to take over as manager before a winning run saw Ian Holloway cling onto the job.
Paladini and the Monaco-based groups collectively owned a majority of shares in QPR under the guise of companies Moorbound, Barnaby and Wanlock.
Three new companies will now similarly own a majority stake as part of the takeover agreement.
One of the first tasks facing the new owners will be to rid Rangers of the troublesome £10million loan arranged prior to the club coming out of administration in 2002.
The interest rate of around 11 per cent has been a major burden and the terms of that deal were changed when a recent additional £1.3million loan was agreed.
ABC Corporation can now acquire the freehold on Loftus Road if the original £10million loan is not resolved by August next year.
The new owners plan to take on this loan themselves at a much more favourable interest rate – probably around 6.5 per cent. Ealing Gazette

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Ian Holloway speaks about still wanting to sign Chelsea's Scott Sinclair (who has been strongly linked - at least on QPR boards) to QPR

Plymouth - OLLIE TARGETS SINCLAIR
Posted on: Mon 20 Aug 2007
ARGYLE manager Ian Holloway has again spoken of his determination to secure the services of Chelsea's Scot Sinclair, should young Westcountry winger become available on loan.
Scotty spent a successful three-month loan spell here last season and Ollie would like to have him back at Home Park if the Bath-born midfielder cannot break into the Stamford Bridge first team.
"Is Scott Sinclair going to play for Chelsea, with Florent Malouda and all of them?" asked Ollie, rhetorically.
"I can't see it myself, so am gonna be desperately trying for that again."
Plymouth

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Thus far, basically just quoting what the QPR statement on the QPR official Site said.

TIMES ONLINE August 20, 2007
QPR board resigns ahead of takeover
Times Online and Agencies

The board of directors at Queens Park Rangers have resigned from their posts with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment in the club.
Flavio Briatore, the Renault Formula One team boss, has been widely tipped to complete a £22 million takeover at Loftus Road this week.
The outgoing board members of QPR Holdings Ltd Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement saying: "We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years. It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.
"We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as chairman of the club.
The Times

PA Sports - BOARD RESIGN AT QPR

The board of directors of QPR Holdings Ltd have resigned from their posts with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore has been widely tipped to complete a £22million takeover of the Championship club this week. And ahead of the expected announcement, outgoing board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement on the club´s official website.
"We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years. It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward," read the statement. PA Sports

BBC - QPR move step closer to takeover

Briatore may be set to be part of the QPR takeover
QPR's board of directors have resigned ahead of an expected takeover by a group that includes Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore.
It comes after major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers agreed to sell their stake in the club.

Gianni Paladini will stay on as chairman, but James Steele, Nick De Marco and James Ferrary are leaving.

"The new investment will be the most important for years," said a statement from the trio of ex-board members.

The statement continued: "It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.

"We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as chairman of the club.

"We are certain the new investors and the new board will get behind manager John Gregory and give him the support he needs." BBC

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QPR Official Site - BOARD CHANGES
Posted on: Mon 20 Aug 2007

The Board of Directors of QPR Holdings Ltd have tendered their resignations with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk earlier today, out-going Board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued the following statement.
"We are delighted to be able to tender our resignations from the Board of Queens Park Rangers Football Club in order to assist in the changes set to take place this week.
We believe the new investment coming into the Club will be the most important for years; will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in over the past years; and should put the Club in an excellent position to move forward.
We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as Chairman of the Club. Gianni has had a difficult job keeping the Club going but he has pulled off a master-stroke in bringing in this new investment.
We are also deeply grateful to Antonio Caliendo and Franco Zanotti for both financing the Club over the past years and for the terms upon which they have agreed to assist with the new investment.
We are certain the new investors and the new board will get behind John Gregory and give him the support he needs. We are also positive that the fans can get behind a new board and continue in their loyal and unrivalled support for the team.
It has been an honour for all of us to serve this great Club, and we are grateful to all the staff and supporters we have had the pleasure to work with."
*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR

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QPR with an away draw and a home loss (and also a Carling Cup home loss) play at Burnley on Saturday. Burnley after beating WBA in the opening game at Burnley (and getting through to the next round of the Carling Cup), on Saturday lost at Scunthorpe.

Making his Burnley debut against Scunthorpe: Clarke Carlisle. Among their various players, include experienced forwards, Robbie Blake and Ade Akinbiyi. Burnley Squad Burnely have just sold defender, Wayne Thomas to Southampton for around 1 million pounds. Sale

Scunthorpe vs Burnley Match Report
Burnley Manager Steve Cotterill Post Match Comments


Lancashire Telegraph/Suzanne Geldard - Cotterill impressed with Carlisle debut
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill was pleased with the performance and attitude of new signing Clarke Carlisle, despite the Clarets slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Championship newcomers Scunthorpe United.
The 27-year-old, who signed a three-year deal from Watford for £200,000 last week, on the day that Wayne Thomas moved to Southampton for £1.2million, made his debut at Glanford Park alongside new defender David Unsworth.
And Cotterill said he provided a good example to his team-mates, both on and off the pitch.
"I thought he had an excellent debut," the Burnley boss said.
"He would be one of our shining lights out there.
"It was good, as well, because he came in (after the game) and had something to say straight away, which I thought was good.
"Quite man-like, good leadership and at the risk of embarrassing him, I actually said that agreeing with the new boy is what I would probably do."
Carlisle made some important contributions at both ends of the pitch on Saturday.
The 6ft 3ins former Blackpool and Leeds stopper got on the end of a well executed Robbie Blake free kick but side-footed over the bar from close range.
Then, as Scunthorpe ended the first half on top, he kept out Martin Paterson's goalbound effort by flicking a header back over the bar off the line.
Meanwhile, fellow new signing Unsworth was handed the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Steven Caldwell, who limped off with a hamstring problem in last week's win over West Bromwich Albion.
"Steven Caldwell was touch and go, to be honest, and I didn't want to be risking him and then finding that we would be even lighter over the next month if he went out there and pulled it," Cotterill said.
"For someone to come off with a pulled hamstring last week, to try to play this week, I think that might have been just a week too early."
Cotterill has a portion of the £1million profit of the sale of Thomas at his disposal to further strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
The Burnley boss has previously admitted his search for a right back, but added: "If we were strengthening a right back area that means we would be leaving Michael Duff out, who also has been arguably one of our best players in two (league) games. So I don't want to keep harping on about that one.
"The players that were out there today, I felt certain individuals would escape a little bit in the dressing room but there were too many that I was unhappy with." Lancashire Telegraph

Cotterill on Burnley Loss to Scunthorpe Lancashire Telegraph

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As did a number of other clubs who issued apologies re their World service, QPR have now posted an apology on their official site re QPR World.

UPDATE: PTV Apologize to Clubs
August 20, Bristol City - PREMIUM TV ISSUE WORLD APOLOGY
Premium TV (PTV) has today issued an apology to clubs following its server failure on Saturday.
The problems at their headquarters in Feltham, London, resulted in 'World' services being knocked out across all 78 clubs on the PTV network.
PTV have this morning issued a statement saying: "We apologies for any issues this may have caused."
The company also assured the club that a resolution has been put in place to ensure a similar fault does affect services in the future.
The club has been asked to advise subscribers wishing to complain should e-mail PTV directly on customerservices@premiumtv.co.uk.
"We will deal with [the complaints] immediately," added the PTV statement. Bristol City [Nothing as of now on the Premium TV site]

QPR Official Site, August 20, 2007 - QPR WORLD
www.qpr.co.uk would like to apologise for problems accessing the site during Saturday afternoon's game against Cardiff City.
A server failure at Premium TV in Feltham resulted in 'World' services being knocked out across all 78 Clubs on the PTV network.
Supporters across the country were left without commentary on only the second Saturday of the season.
These circumstances were beyond the club's control and extremely frustrating for all concerned.
Paul Morrissey, the Club's New Media Manager, said: "It was incredibly annoying for all of us, but none more so than the subscribers to QPR World who rely on our service to be kept informed about how the team are getting on.
"We have already been in contact with PTV, and have provided them with links to a number of the popular fans' messageboards, to give them a taster of just how let down our supporters feel.
"They have assured us that this will not happen again, and we will be doing our level best to see that is the case.
"Our apologies to everyone who was affected by this."
If you would like to contact PTV directly to voice your displeasure, you can e-mail them using customerservices@premiumtv.co.uk QPR

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Souith Wales Echo/Terry Phillips - Victorious Bluebirds hint at better times ahead
John Gregory was brutally honest about Cardiff City’s dominance in this Coca-Cola Championship match at Loftus Road.
The former Derby County, Aston Villa and Portsmouth manager, who has been in charge of 400-plus matches, said: “Cardiff City have a wealth of experience.
“Everybody contributes. There are no weak links.
“Cardiff kept the ball so well. They tackled, headed and challenged to get it and then simply didn’t give it up easily. They were first to react in every area of the pitch.
“We know they have an exceptional squad, but what really disappointed me was that Cardiff worked harder as a team than my players.
“They harassed my player at every opportunity. My Rangers teams have always worked harder than the opposition even if we have not been the prettiest to watch.”
The Bluebirds kept a second successive clean sheet, having earned Carling Cup victory against Brighton in midweek, and were excellent value for all three points.
The only criticism can be that City should have scored four, maybe five goals, such was their superiority.
QPR, it has to be said, were poor. They look a team destined to struggle unless Gregory can strengthen his squad.
He has Chris Barker and Gareth Ainsworth, both former Cardiff players, to step back in, but his team simply could not match City.
At one stage, when Rangers realised they were going to be second best, they even resorted to bullying tactics.
There were some big, physical challenges as QPR decided rough-house tactics might work.
They didn’t. Cardiff, to their credit, stood tall, held their ground and maintained their discipline.
The Bluebirds kept standards high, kept things simple and tight at the back, kept the ball with great ease and launched attacks which created loads of chances.
Steve MacLean scored one and should have had a second, while Parry headed the other. There were plenty of other chances and QPR must have been relieved to be beaten by only two goals by the end.
For Cardiff, Gavin Rae produced his best performance so far. He is strong, good in possession and those driving runs had QPR stretched to the limit.
Stephen McPhail, captain and fellow central midfielder, has been in exceptional form so far. He continued to impress, a player who can keep possession under pressure and has a range of passing that many in his position can only dream about.
On the left Joe Ledley ran at the QPR defence and pinned his man back, while Trevor Sinclair looks a quality signing. He helps those around him, links up in triangles which leave the opposition gasping and gets stuck in, earning a booking for a thumping, mistimed tackle. There will be far tougher tests this season and Rangers rarely looked like scoring, but City do look solid as a defensive unit.
New signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink watched from the directors’ box. He must have been delighted to see Cardiff serve up so many chances.
Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler must feel they will gobble them up if the Bluebirds continue to play in this style.
Gregory, though, is not so sure, saying: “Signing Fowler and Hasselbaink will cost Cardiff a lot of money.
“We can’t compete with that. Neither of them have played yet and we will have to wait and see whether they prove to be big signings or not.”
While Gregory ponders his own problems, though, City are showing signs they are developing a belief and ability to launch a challenge.
They went ahead after 30 minutes. Ledley and Rae combined and it was Rae who slid a defence-splitting pass through for MacLean.
Rangers’ goalkeeper Lee Camp was out quickly to save, but he merely delayed MacLean’s first goal.
From the resulting corner by Sinclair the ball fell short, but was helped on by Roger Johnson. MacLean was on hand to thump his shot home from 12 yards.
MacLean should have made it 2-0, but the ball skidded off his head as he tried to steer a header into a gaping net after a build-up involving McPhail, Parry and Sinclair had ripped the home side apart.
Sinclair just missed from a delightful McPhail chip, while Parry made it 2-0 after 59 minutes.
Man of the match Rae was again involved, picking out McPhail’s run down the right. When the City skipper whipped the ball across goal it was Parry, outpacing a defender, who timed his run well to head home from close range.
There were appeals for a penalty when MacLean was brought down, while the Scottish striker also went close with a fierce shot which flew over.
Parry, too, might have scored as Cardiff eased to a win – ending a run of three successive 1-0 defeats at Loftus Road – that will lift confidence ahead of Saturday’s home clash with fourth-placed Coventry City. terry.phillips@wme.co.uk IC Wales

See also Gregory's comments on QPR Official Site

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Birthdays Today:

Former Manager, Stewart Houston Turns 58 - Born August 20, 1949.
Houston was appointed QPR Manager exactly a decade ago. Took over from Ray Wilkins and was QPR Manager for just over a year, forming a partnership with Bruce Rioch. Among the players he signed for QPR: John Spencer, Gavin Peacock, Matt Rose, Steve Morrow, Lee Harper and Mike Sheron. Houston/Wikipedia

Lee Charles Turns 36 - Born August 20, 1971...
Charles was signed by Ray Wilkins from non-League. Charles made a few appearances in QPR's relegation season and the following season, before moving on to Barnet.
Charles Also: Lee Charles Profiled/Interviewed
Q: ".... What is the most memorable moment of your career?
A: Signing for QPR. As a kid I always supported Liverpool but my best mate's granddad used to be chief steward at QPR. Signing pro was what I always wanted to do.

Recent Birthday: Ex-QPR winger, Michael Meaker Turned 36 - Born August 18, 1971
Meaker, for the most part a reserve while at QPR, played for QPR from 1989-1994 before being sold to Reading (valued at 250,000 pounds) as part of the deal that brought Simon Osborne to QPR (for a few months!)
Meaker See Also: Michael Meaker/Wikipedia

Elaborating on Former Manager Ian Holloway's Kidney Stones - Kidney Stones

Paul Murray played the first 69 minutes as Gretna drew 1-1 at Hearts BBC

CLARKE CARLISLE - Smarter than the average player
By Suzanne Geldard
CARLISLE 6, Brazil 5 is likely to be a unique scoreline. But Clarke Carlisle is a unique kind of footballer.
Whereas Alan Brazil left school at 15 to spend two years sweeping floors at Portman Road, conducting the chores that were once customary for young apprentices while also laying the foundations for a football career, Carlisle gained straight As at GCSE level - including five A-stars.
He pipped Brazil in the final of television programme Britain's Brainiest Footballer' in 2002..... Carlisle, a defender for QPR at the time, claimed Rangers' first major trophy since 1967 when he lifted the Britain's Brainiest Footballer crown.
Now with Burnley, the 27-year-old could be the brains behind a real drive for success this season.
"He might get a bit of stick off the lads if he starts bringing broadsheets onto the team bus," quipped Clarets boss Steve Cotterill on the day Carlisle's £200,000 move from Watford was completed.
As well as an experienced defender, and intellect, it seems Cotterill is also getting a good character - a key component for the Burnley boss when it comes to new signings.
Indeed, Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd couldn't speak highly enough of the former Blackpool stopper.
"Clarke is a brilliant guy and if his football ability matched his personality he would be captain of England," he said.
"I know that he will be sorely missed around the club and people will be genuinely sad to see him go because the human qualities that he brings to wherever he works are invaluable. Therefore, I would like to wish him all the best for his future career."
Watford's loss surely seems to be Burnley's gain.
Many have expressed their surprise at the Hornets' decision to allow Carlisle to leave for a Championship rival.
Soon after returning from a loan spell with Luton Town, he put in a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final, but in pre-season he was dropped for the penultimate fixture against Willem II and then asked to play for the reserves against Lincoln.
A plethora of central defenders at Watford meant something had to give.
Boothroyd added: "I feel that the transfer is a good piece of business for the club as the fee we'll get is double what we paid for him two years ago, and we are well covered at centre back.
"It is also important for Clarke to get the opportunity to play as many games as he can at his age and I couldn't guarantee him that if he stayed at Vicarage Road." Lancashire

New Zealand HeraldEx-QPR Richard Johnson
Soccer: Freedom a big chance to make a difference
Sunday August 19, 2007 By Michael Brown
When the Wellington Phoenix make their A-League debut against Melbourne next weekend, Richard Johnson might have to content himself with a place on the bench. It's a lot better than jail.
The 33-year-old midfielder has just returned from an Achilles injury and has yet to stake a claim for a starting spot but a place in the squad seemed a distant dream just five months ago.
On March 18, Johnson made the biggest mistake of his life when he tried to outrun police in a drunken car chase around Newcastle, NSW. He was soon handed an eight-month jail sentence, including a six-month non-parole period, that would have almost certainly signalled the end of his football career.

Johnson had his sentence suspended on appeal, citing mitigating circumstances like his mother's battle with cancer.
It would be wrong to call it an epiphany but a remorseful Johnson has a new outlook on life. Facing up to the prospect of time in jail can do that to people.
"It's something I reflect on quite often and I have had many a sleepless night thinking about it," the former Watford player says after another long day training in Wellington. "I now have a greater appreciation for what I have because I realise how quickly you can lose it all.
"The thing is, I'm a pretty quiet and private person. It was a ridiculous thing I did and I get embarrassed talking about it but I just hope I can repay the club for sticking by me."
The Phoenix would have been within their rights to tear up Johnson's contract but they stuck by him. Ironically, coach Ricki Herbert moved to make Johnson one of his first captures because he had been so impressed with the midfielder's professionalism during Herbert's short stint as Knights manager at the end of last season.
"The reason Richard is here is that I thought he was very professional in everything he did last year, and he's continued that," Herbert says.
"People might judge him but he wants to make a difference at this club."
Johnson made the biggest difference with Watford, where he played 242 games over 12 seasons before short stints with Northampton, Colchester, Stoke, QPR and Milton Keynes. He then spent one year with Newcastle in the A-League's inaugural season before crossing the Tasman to team up with the Knights.
It's fair to say that wasn't the best season of his career, with the club lurching from defeat to defeat before falling over financially, but he brightens immeasurably when talking about the Phoenix.
"It's totally different," Johnson says. "And it starts from the owner [Terry Serepisos]. He has a passion for the football club and where he sees it going. At the Knights, that wasn't the case.
"Wellington's a bit different to Auckland, where there wasn't much publicity and no one really cared about the club. Here in Wellington, there seems to be a tight-knit sporting community.
"Ricki's coaching, and the team he has built up, make me think that we will be challenging for the top four."
Their pre-season form, when they toppled both Melbourne and Sydney away from home and played an attractive, attacking style of football, suggests they could do well. But the Phoenix will be coming up against sides that have had three years together, not three months, and they will need to hit the ground running.
"Because it's such a short season, 21 games, it's really important we get off to a good start and get the buzz going around the city," Johnson says.
He already feels the buzz.
He has felt it since being granted his freedom. New Zealand Herald

Danny Dichio Returned from Injury for MLS Team Toronto.Unfortunately didn't score and they lost.
Toronto Star
"..Twelve minutes from the end of Toronto FC's 2-0 loss to Chivas USA, Danny Dichio had a head of steam and a Chivas player in his crosshairs.
As Lawson Vaughan dribbled just outside Toronto's 18-yard box, Dichio, out since late July with a bad back and sore hip flexor, loped towards him, then launched himself at the ball feet first, his 6-foot-4 frame nearly parallel to the ground.
Vaughan toppled, the ball popped free and Dichio, whistled for a foul, hopped to his feet and lined up to defend the free kick.
Guess his back's feeling better.
"I felt okay. Better than I thought I'd feel," Dichio said. "It's still hampering me a bit but I'm just happy to be back out there."
Physically, Toronto FC is healthier than it's been in weeks, with first-stringers Dichio, Marvell Wynne and Jeff Cunningham all playing in the second half yesterday.
But on the field the team continues to limp. Toronto hasn't won since July 4. With nine games to go they remain in 11th place in the 13-team league. (Eight teams make the playoffs – the top two from each conference and four more regardless of conference.)
Dichio says Toronto can't depend on coach Mo Johnston and his staff to rally them into the playoffs.
"The buck stops with us 11 players that goes out there," said Dichio, who played for the first time since a July 25 friendly against Aston Villa. "We've got to start standing up as men. That's the only way we're going to dig ourselves out."
Along with Wynne and Cunningham, Dichio was listed as doubtful heading into yesterday's game, and all three remained on the bench as Toronto and Chivas drifted through a listless first half. The loudest cheers from the 20,178 fans came in the 36th minute, when the three players and Toronto's other reserves left the bench to warm up.
Dichio replaced Andrea Lombardo at the half, while Wynne replaced Andy Welsh, who suffered a charley horse after creating several first-half scoring chances. By the 70th minute, when Cunningham took the field, Toronto's returning starters had energized the game, both on the pitch and in the stands...
till, the short-term future for the three men isn't clear. While Wynne felt no pain in the hamstring he pulled three weeks ago, Dichio says he'll play through the soreness lingering in his lower back....
Tonto is now five minutes away rom claiming the MLS record for longest goalless streak Toronto Star

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Photos from QPR vs Cardiff - Photos

Mirror - PARRY'S HAVING A PARTY
But Fowler's not on guest list QPR 0 Cardiff City 2 20/08/2007
Birthday Boy Paul Parry showed Cardiff's new stellar recruits Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank that they won't be gif ted a starting place.
Parry, who turned 27 yesterday, swopped his normal midfield habitat for a striking role. And he kicked off his celebrations by making the first goal and scoring the second to seal a well-deserved against hapless Rangers.....
First Parry cleverly flicked on a Trevor Sinclair corner for Steve MacLean to sweep the ball home in the 29th minute, then he bulleted in a 56th minute header.
But Parry isn't convinced he'll quickly add to his six caps. "Toshack seems to have his squad settled, so I am just going to have to concentrate on Cardiff City and hope to fight my way back in," he added.
Unless QPR are quickly rescued from the financial precipice by Renault's Formula One boss Flavio Briatore, John Gregory's men could be facing a fight of their own ... to stay in the Championship.
Billionaire Briatore is in takeover talks which could wipe out the club's £17million debt along with the threat of administration.
There is also talk of a further £100m investment.
But defender Michael Mancienne - on a season's loan from Chelsea - insists there is already enough quality in the Rangers team to avoid another hairraising flirtation with relegation.
"We'll bounce back from this," said Mancienne, whose disappointment was tempered by his call-up for the England Under-21 squad to face Romania tomorrow.
"It was just one of those games. We'll do well this season.
"Coming here isn't a step back for me, it was a step forward. I certainly see myself as a Premiership player in the future."
England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce was at Loftus Road and the 19-year-old added: "It was an aim of mine to get a call-up but it's come earlier than expected.
"If I get the chance I'm sure I can do a job for England." Mirror

Western Mail, Steve Tucker - MacLean provides Jones with food for thought
CARDIFF CITY striker Steven MacLean fired his first goal for the Bluebirds in this impressive win and then warned, “I’ve got the jersey, Robbie and Jimmy are going to have to take it off me!”....
MacLean teamed up here with Paul Parry, moved from the wing in what turned out to be a tactical masterstroke by Bluebirds boss Dave Jones.
The pair ran riot all afternoon. MacLean smashing home just before the half-hour from a corner, before Parry headed home on the hour-mark following a delightful cross from the influential Stephen McPhail.
MacLean, who might have had a first-half hat-trick with a little more composure, admitted afterwards that the shadow of two striking legends looming over him was a motivating factor. .....
Indeed there was a lot to admire in a Cardiff display of smooth efficiency and unflinching commitment. Right throughout the side there was a marked improvement.
Goalkeeper Russ Turnbull seemed to have put his tentativeness and lapses in concentration behind him and centre-half pairing Glenn Loovens and Roger Johnson were impressive against a Rangers side whose physicality bordered on the kung fu.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect was Gavin Rae in the heart of midfield showing the sort of poise and drive we’d been promised since his move from Rangers. The only concern from a Cardiff point of view was the loss of both full-backs to injury.
Tony Capaldi was driven off by a dead-leg, inflicted by an over-enthusiastic Loovens, but should be OK for the weekend if doubtful for Northern Ireland’s clash with Liechtenstein in midweek.
Of far more concern is the hamstring injury to Kevin McNaughton, which, on early examination, Jones feared might see the Scot sidelined for up to two months.
It is a blow as McNaughton is one of the Bluebirds’ most vital cogs, his absence will put a lot of pressure on the shoulders of teenager Chris Gunter, though it is apparent that the 18-year-old can handle it.
In fact, the way Gunter played when he came on and the manner in which Joe Ledley slotted back into defence in place of Capaldi, with Peter Whittingham coming on in midfield, perhaps shows City do have that extra little bit of depth they lacked last season.
Time will tell, after all.
It is, as Jones never tires of telling us, a very long, hard season.
One thing we know for sure from this match is that QPR look an awfully poor side. Boss John Gregory kept his charges in the dressing room for almost an hour afterwards and he wasn’t reading Harry Potter to them, you can be sure of that.
Centre-halves Damion Stewart and Michael Mancienne seemed at a loss to deal with Cardiff’s directness, Parry in particular was having a field day, at times looking like Carl Lewis in his prime compared to the laborious duo.
Up front, Rangers were just as clueless. Most attacks ended in some of the worst delivery into the box since the last postal strike.
Indeed, apart from a 20-minute spell at the start of the second half, during which a Stefan Moore shot clipped Turnbull’s post, they barely troubled the Bluebirds at all.
For Jones it was a satisfying afternoon’s work with his only major headache (McNaughton excepted) that most delightful of ones, who to play up front in the next match?....“. IC Wales

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For those who listen to match commentary over the web, an explanation for the problems. (Was not QPR specific)

Bury - Website Problems - Aug 2007
Buryfc.co.uk would like to apologise to supporters logging on, or trying to logon on during Saturdays game
A server failure at Premium TV resulted in World services being knocked out across all 78 clubs on the PTV network.
Supporters across the country were left without commentary on only the second Saturday of the season.
These circumstances were beyond the web team's control, and have left everyone frustrated and angry.None more so than the club web site manager, and speaking this morning, Gordon Sorfleet said:
"Bitterly disappointed is not a phrase I like to use often, but after seeing the problems first hand on Saturday, I can only apologise to those subscribers who were unable to listen to Saturday's game."
I am extremely angry at the technical problems which dogged World today and there is no excuse.Shakers World subscribers have given Bury FC their valuable support and as far as I am concerned they have been let down by Premium TV today."
"I will not be letting this issue drop and will be pursuing it at high levels within the Football League -- who have the contract with PTV -- on Monday.PTV has assured all webmasters that this will not happen again and they will be taking steps to make sure this is not an issue in future.We will be monitoring this closely to ensure World subscribers receive the service to which they are entitled."
Should you wish to complain about the service on Saturday, or in this case, the lack of it, please email Gordon at the club using Gordon@buryfc.co.uk and the club can assure you that all emails will be sent onto the people that matter within FLi/PTV Bury Official Site

BRISTOL CITY WORLD PROBLEMS: CLARIFICATION
bcfc.co.uk would like to apologise for problems accessing the site during this afternoon's game at Blackpool.
A server failure at Premium TV in Feltham, London, resulted in 'World' services being knocked out across all 78 clubs on the PTV network.
Supporters across the country were left without commentary on only the second Saturday of the season.
These circumstances were beyond the club's control and extremley frustrating for all concerned.
Adam Baker, press officer for the club, said: "Bristol City World subscribers have given the club their valuable support and as far as I am concerned they have been let down today.
"This issue will not disappear and I will be pursuing it at high levels within the Football League, who have the contract with PTV, at the earliest possible stage."
Bristol City

GILLINGHAM - Gills World - An Apology
Gillinghamfootballclub.com would like to apologise on behalf of Football League Interactive for problems accessing the site during Saturday's game against Tranmere Rovers at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium.
The problem occurred at around 2.45pm on Saturday, and was down to a major fault with the Football League Interactive servers at Premium TV in Feltham, London. The situation, which resulted in World services being knocked out across all 78 clubs on the PTV network, was totally beyond the club's control.
Supporters across the country were left without commentary on only the second Saturday of the season.
Gillinghamfootballclub.com once again apologise and would like to advise fans they will be taking this issue up with the Football League and Premium TV. Gillingham

NORTHAMPTON - COBBLERS WORLD; AN APOLOGY
Northampton Town Football Club would like to sincerely apologise to any supporter logged on to Cobblers World and who experienced a loss of commentary during Saturday's game at Brighton.
The problem occurred at around 2.45pm on Saturday, and was down to a major fault with the Football League Interactive servers, totally beyond the club's control.
On behalf of Football League Interactive, we would like to offer our sincerest apologies for this. Northampton

OLDHAM OFFICIAL SITE WORLD PROBLEMS: CLARIFICATIONPosted on: Sat 18 Aug 2007

Oldhamathletic.co.uk would like to apologise for problems accessing the site during this afternoon's game at Carlisle.

A server failure at Premium TV in Feltham, London, resulted in World services being knocked out across all 78 clubs on the PTV network.

Supporters across the country were left without commentary on only the second Saturday of the season.

These circumstances were beyond the web team's control, and has left everyone furious.

Website manager Stu Vose said:
"I am extremely upset at the technical problems which dogged World today and there is no excuse.

"The club's World subscribers have given Oldham Athletic their valuable support and as far as I am concerned they have been let down by Premium TV today.

"I will not be letting this issue drop and will be pursuing it at high levels within the Football League -- who have the contract with PTV -- on Monday.

"PTV have assured me this will not happen again and they will be taking steps to make sure this is not an issue in future.

"I will be monitoring this closely to ensure World subscribers receive the service to which they are entitled." Oldham

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Edit/Update: As was pointed out, omitted from this compilation: A certain former QPR winger returned was playing in the Championship this weekend: Trevor Sinclair returned to Loftus Road with Cardiff. BBC

Marcus Bean played for Rotherham in their 3-1 victory over Peterborough yesterday. BBC

Ian Holloway was taken to hospital with kidney stone problems. Tim Breacker and Des Bulpin took charge of the team's 1-1 draw with Ipswich BBC

Lee Cook was not involved in Fulham's 1-2 loss to Middlesbrough - BBC

Justin Cochrane got the only goal for Yeovil in their 1-0 win against Port Vale. Cochrane played the entire 90 minutes - as did ex QPRs Rose and Forbes. (Mark Bircham was injured) BBC

Chris Day kept a clean sheet for Millwall in their 1-0 win versus Cheltenham - BBC

Gillingham with Royce, Lomas and Brown lost 0-2 at home to Tranmere - BBC

Jamie Cureton scored another two for Norwich in their 2-1 win over Southampton - BBC

Victory for Gary Waddock's (and Bull's) Aldershot against Droylesdon. BBC

Tony Roberts conceded a last minute penalty in their 2-2 versus Wycombe. BBC

Kevin Gallen played the first 69 minutes for MK Dons in their 3-3 Draw at Macclesfield vs BBC

Danny Shittu played in Watford's 1-0 win against Sheffield United BBC

Clarke Carlisle made his Burnley debut as Burnley lost 0-2 at Scunthorpe - BBC

Ian Evatt was injured/missed Blackpool's 1-1 draw with Bristol City - BBC

Ian Dowie's Coventry drew 1-1 vs Hull - Report

Martin Allen's Leicester drew 2-2 at Crystal Palace (with press reports re unhappiness between owner and manager) BBC

Alan McDonald's Glentoran won 2-1 at Lisbon Distillery - BBC

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Sunday Times - Peter Boyle - Football Shorts - Briatore on fast track at QPR
Renault F1 owner Flavio Briatore’s takeover of QPR will be completed this week. Should Rangers’ fans be worried to hear chairman Gianni Paladini say: ‘Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed al-Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club’? Sunday Times

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Sunday Telegraph
QPR manager John Gregory refused to blame Flavio Briatorie's pending takeover at the club for their poor showing at Loftus Road.
Gregory instead lambasted his players after the game. "Our performance was poor. We were second to the ball all over the pitch. We looked timid and well below par."
Cardiff eased to victory courtesy of goals from striker Steven MacLean and Wales midfielder Paul Parry. Sunday Telegraph

SUNDAY TIMES - Cardiff expose vulnerable QPR flaws
QPR 0 Cardiff 2Barry Flatman at Loftus Road

ON THE basis of his summer investments, Cardiff City manager Dave Jones would certainly seem to believe that there is no substitute for experience. While Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Jones’s new recruits, are still short of match fitness, the available senior members of the Welsh lineup made the difference between the sides.

Though Cardiff’s goals came from Steven MacLean and Paul Parry, players whose presence in the team must be dubious once the two veteran strikers are fit, there was enough know-how in the Cardiff ranks to sink Rangers, who are reportedly on the brink of going into administration unless the takeover by Renault Formula One owner Flavio Briatore takes place this week.

Briatore was not at Loftus Road to see Trevor Sinclair, no stranger to the flanks of the Shepherds Bush ground, and Gavin Rae drive Cardiff on to a deserved victory against a QPR side who looked ponderous and pedestrian.

Clearly, the midweek Carling Cup defeat at home against Leyton Orient had not sufficiently embarrassed QPR’s defence into becoming a little more cohesive. Damion Stewart’s vulnerability when dealing with high crosses was glaringly apparent even from the early exchanges and his uncertainty led to one or two anxious moments.

Cardiff’s previous three trips to Loftus Road had resulted in 1-0 defeats, and despite the continued absence of Fowler, and Hasselbaink’s lack of sufficient match fitness, the visiting attack always looked capable of causing problems to QPR’s back line.

With former Cardiff left-back Chris Barker serving the last of a three-match ban carried over from last season, QPR were forced into playing the predominantly right-footed John Curtis as a stop-gap. Former England winger Sinclair, a Rangers player for four-and-a-half years in the 1990s, was quick to capitalise.

QPR keeper Lee Camp’s heroics stopped Sinclair from close range after he swapped flanks to raid from the left and connected perfectly with Rae’s cross. But there was nothing Camp could do with the resultant corner and MacLean was sufficiently acrobatic to escape Stewart’s attentions to head in his first goal since his summer arrival from Sheffield Wednesday.

He wasted an even better chance five minutes later, failing to connect with a free header when he seemed certain to score from five yards.

The basis of QPR boss John Gregory’s half-time address to his team was obvious. Teams that are ponderous never succeed, and directly from the restart there seemed far more purpose in the hosts’ approach play. Indeed, Stefan Moore, largely anonymous for the first 45 minutes on the right side of the West Londoners’ midfield, almost scored an immediate equaliser when the perception of the tenacious Martin Rowlands sent him clear to graze the far post with an almost perfectly judged effort.

Cardiff, who rapidly lost the services of both their first-choice full backs, McNaughton and Tony Capaldi, suddenly seemed beset by concern, and both Joe Ledley and Sinclair found their way into the referee’s notebook; the latter was cautioned for the most ungainly of tackles on the unfortunate Daniel Nardiello.

Such a clumsy challenge might dent the progress of many but Nardiello, clearly QPR’s most industrious forward, seemed to shrug off any ill-effects and prompted action from Cardiff’s on-loan goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, who was forced to act quickly when Roger Johnson hesitated in clearing a speculative forward probe from Hogan Ephraim.

However, QPR’s intense attacking laid them susceptible to the counter attack and so it proved as Cardiff pushed forward once again to go further in front in the 56th minute and again it resulted in a cross from the right. This time Stephen McPhail surged down the flank to aim in a low centre and Parry gratefully clipped the ball past a helpless Camp.

Star man: Gavin Rae(Cardiff City) QPR:Camp 6, Rehman 5, Mancienne 6, Stewart 4, Curtis 5, Moore 5 (Ward 64min), Rowlands 7, Bolder 6, Ephraim 5, Nardiello 6 (Nygaard 64min), Blackstock 5.

Cardiff City:Turnbull 6, McNaughton 6 (Gunther 40min, 6) , Loovens 6, Johnson 6, Capaldi 6 (Whittingham 49min, 5), Sinclair 7, Rae 8, McPhail 7, Ledley 6, Parry 7, MacLean 7 (Feeney 90min) Sunday Times

The People - 19 August 2007 - RANGERS PIT SLOP! - Dave Lewis
Formula One boss Flavio Briatore's mooted rescue package can't come quickly enough for debt-riddled QPR - because they were the pits yesterday.

John Gregory's men were left stalled on the starting grid at Loftus Road by a Cardiff City side so dominant they looked like a fleet of Ferraris against a clapped-out collection of Ford Fiestas.

Billionaire Briatore, the 57-year-old Italian Renault F1 guru, is due to liberate Rangers from their £17million black hole - and inject a further £100m - when he takes control of the club as early as this week.

And how they need their sugar daddy after a disjointed and dispiriting display left the faithful praying for money to be made available to add some class to a lineup high on work ethic but devoid of quality.

An afternoon of frustration left rickety Rangers with just one point this season and staring down the barrel of another year of struggle unless their mega-rich saviour steps forward.

Cardiff, who have heavy-hitters Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd- Hasselbaink waiting in the wings, still possessed enough weaponry to blow holes in Rangers and claim their first league win of the new season.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones said: "I thought we were outstanding today. They never really threatened us at any time.

"I think their plan was to bully us into submission but it never looked like working."

The writing was on the wall for Rangers when Cardiff City midfielder Trevor Sinclair, lining up against the club he left a decade ago, swung over a near-post corner in the 29th minute.

It was touched on by Paul Parry and as the Rangers defence dithered, summer signing Steven MacLean turned unchallenged to lash the ball low past keeper Lee Camp.

Seconds earlier, Camp had pulled off a stunning reaction save to deny the former Sheffield Wednesday striker but this time he was left without an earthly.

It could have been far worse as Jones's men set about exposing Gregory's toilers.

It should have been two for the classy visitors after 36 minutes but hard-working MacLean - he missed a penalty in the defeat against Stoke on the opening day of the season - fluffed his lines after Parry had set him up.

Then Sinclair, whose 34-year-old legs are still chugging, headed wide after Tony Capaldi had dinked over a cross that invited a better finish. It was all over as a contest when Parry added a second, meeting Stephen McPhail's 58th-minute cross to double Cardiff's lead with a neat header.

Clueless and out-manoeuvred after a buccaneering beginning, Rangers looked like flyweights against heavyweights until a brief rally after the break when with better luck they might have equalised.

A flowing 46th-minute move set Stefan Moore free on the right side of the box but his crisply struck drive cannoned back off the foot of a post.

Cardiff, with pretensions to be among the pacemakers, had their own financial scare during the week with the club hit by a £31million lawsuit from their main backers.

But chairman Peter Ridsdale moved quickly to allay fears, insisting the money isn't due until 2016. Nothing could stop Cardiff cashing in yesterday.

There were fears they would struggle when they sold star striker Michael Chopra to Sunderland during the summer but yesterday they gave every indication that a push for promotion is firmly in their sights.

Qpr: Camp 6 - Rehman 5, Stewart 5, Mancienne 6, Curtis 4 - Moore 5 (Ward, 64mins), *ROWLANDS 7, Bolder 5, Ephraim 6 - Nardiello 6 (Nygaard, 64mins) - Blackstock 5.

Cardiff: Turnbull 6 - McNaughton 5 (Gunter, 40mins, 5), Loovens 6, Johnson 4, Capaldi 6 (Whittingham, 49mins) - *SINCLAIR 8, Rae 7, McPhail 6, Ledley 5 - Parry 7, MacLean 7. Ref: P Joslin 5. People


SUNDAY MIRROR
Football: GREGORY: WE GOT A LESSON!
Coca Cola CHAMPIONSHIP
Graham Otway At Loftus Road 19/08/2007
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Have your say: Football forum
QPR 0

CARDIFF 2

McLean 29, Parry 59

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Qpr manager John Gregory admitted that Cardiff had given his team a lesson.

"We were second to the ball over the pitch," he said. "Cardiff have a wealth of experience and I have to say they were on the front foot throughout.

"We looked timid and well below par. I can't find a smile after that."

Paul Parry must be fearing for his future in the Cardiff side after Dave Jones's recent foray into the big-name striker market.

However, with City fans looking forward to seeing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler teamed up in attack, the Welsh winger is determined not to be overlooked.

With Hasselbaink watching from the sidelines, Parry turned in a five-star display to earn Cardiff their first victory of the season.

And boss Jones was impressed enough to suggest his two new men will have to fight their way into the side.

"I told the strikers that if they keep scoring I won't mind having Robbie and Jimmy sitting in the dug-out," said Jones.

"We have picked up two prolific scorers, but now that Jimmy has seen what we can do, he knows he's got to fit in with that.

"Jimmy and Robbie have sat on benches before and they know if they get the chance to play they have got to grasp it."

And Parry may take some dislodging - along with his co-striker yesterday, Steve McLean, signed from Sheffield Wednesday.

McLean, who missed a late penalty against Stoke on the opening day, scored his first goal for Cardiff in the 29th minute, converting a flick-on from Parry at close range. But he was also guilty of a bad miss minutes later when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Parry showed him the way in the 59th minute when he raced in to head home a Steve McPhail cross.

Rangers might have had an early penalty when Daniel Nardiello's shot clearly struck Glenn Loovens' hands but referee Phil Joslin rightly ruled there was no intent. And just after the interval Stefan Moore beat Ross Turnbull with a low shot, only to see it bounce to safety off a post.

But while Cardiff should now look forward to a strong run once their new recruits are blooded, the future for Rangers looks bleak.

They desperately need a cash injection from F1 boss Flavio Briatore if their season is not to be spent in the Championship basement.

HOW THEY RATED

QPR Camp 7, Rehman 5, Mancienne 6, Stewart 5, Curtis 5, Moore 5 (Ward 5), Bolder 5, Rowlands 4, Ephraim 4, Nardiello 4 (Nygaard 5), Blackstock 5.

Manager Joslin 6

CARDIFF
Turnbull 6, McNaughton 5 (Gunter 5), Johnson 5, Loovens 5, Capaldi 5 (Whittingham 5), Sinclair 5, Rae 7, McPhail 6, Ledley 5, McLean 6, Feeney 5) PARRY 8.
Manager Gregory 5

Referee D Jones 7

MAN OF THE MATCH Paul Parry Always creative and a clinical finish Sunday Mirror

MAIL - Warning for Cardiff superstars

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler have been warned not to expect an automatic ride into the first team at Cardiff.
Steve MacLean and Paul Parry scored the goals that overcame a pathetic QPR side and Dave Jones assured the pair their efforts would not go unrewarded.
The Cardiff manager said: "I told the strikers that if they keep scoring I won't mind having Robbie and Jimmy sitting in the dugout.
"We have picked up two prolific scorers, but now Jimmy has seen what we can do, he knows he got to fit in with that."
Rangers manager John Gregory said: "Our overall team performance was well below par." Mail


http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2007/08/19/football-gregory-we-got-a-lesson-98487-19658814/

See Also Earlier Reports re QPR lossto Cardiff - Match Reports and Comments

Official Site:

Queen's Park Rangers Football Club
0 - 2
Cardiff City Football Club

Goals from Steven MacLean and Paul Parry gave Cardiff a 2-0 victory at Loftus Road, on a frustrating afternoon for the hosts.

The Bluebirds made the most of a below-par performance from the R's to leave W12 with maximum points.

MacLean opened the scoring on 29 minutes, when he capitalised on hesitancy in the Rangers penalty area to smash the ball past Lee Camp from close range.

Rangers started the second period encouragingly, but just as it did seven days earlier, the woodwork thwarted their efforts.

Stefan Moore's shot bounced back off the post, before Danny Nardiello was denied at point-blank range by Ross Turnbull.

The all-important second Bluebirds goal arrived moments after Nardiello's chance, as Parry headed home from the edge of the six-yard box to all but clinch the result.

Both sides made one change from their opening day fixtures in the Coca Cola Championship.

R's boss John Gregory handed Hogan Ephraim his full debut in place of Stefan Bailey, while Parry replaced Warren Feeney for the Bluebirds.

There was no place in the Cardiff 16 for either Robbie Fowler or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The R's link up play in the opening exchanges was impressive.

The lively Nardiello was the first to test Bluebirds custodian Ross Turnbull, when he took one touch to control Dexter Blackstock's knockdown before firing a half-volley wide in the sixth minute.

Moments later, Parry forced Camp to shepherd the ball wide of his left hand post, when he let fly from 22-yards.

Rangers had vocal appeals for a spot-kick turned down midway through the half.

Nardiello and Blackstock combined effectively yet again and when the former curled an effort on target from the edge of the penalty box, the ball clearly struck Glenn Loovens' hand, only for referee Mr Joslin to wave away the appeals.

Adam Bolder's late tackle on Parry resulted in the first yellow card of the game and from Tony Capaldi's resultant free-kick, Camp was forced to tip the ball round.

Former R's great Trevor Sinclair, on his return to W12, was next to test Camp, volleying straight at the R's number one on 28 minutes.

Seconds later, MacLean opened the scoring, when he made the most of some hesitant defending in the Rangers rearguard, to smash the ball past an exposed Camp from close range, after the unmarked Parry flicked on Sinclair's corner.

Galvanised by their lead, MacLean should have doubled his tally for the afternoon on 35 minutes, but he inexplicably headed wide from six-yards with the goal at his mercy.

The Bluebirds were forced into a change seven minutes before the break, when Kevin McNaughton appeared to tweak a hamstring and was replaced by Chris Gunter.

Rangers were struggling to find the fluency that graced their impressive performance at Ashton Gate seven days earlier - and they very nearly paid the ultimate price on 41 minutes.

MacLean and Sinclair were gifted the freedom of the 18-yard box and when the latter reacted quickest to meet Capaldi's searching cross, Camp was grateful to see the ball fade less than a yard wide of his right hand post.

Four minutes of added time to a stop-start first period failed to produce any further chances, leaving Rangers with it all to do in the remaining 45 minutes.

Buoyed by Gregory's half-time team talk, the R's were on the front foot straight from the kick-off.

Rowlands fed an inviting through ball into the path of the roaming Moore, who took one touch to set before thrashing a fearsome drive off the outside of Ross Turnbull's right hand post.

The bustling nature of Rangers' play clearly worried the visitors, with Joe Ledley and Sinclair each picking up bookings for mistimed tackles in a rip-roaring start to the second period.

The R's should have been level on 56 minutes, when Danny Nardiello nipped in behind the sleeping Loovens, only to see Turnbull parry the ball to safety from point-blank range.

But they were left wondering what might have been seconds later, when fantastic wide play from Stephen McPhail saw him send in an enticing cross, which the unmarked Parry headed home with ease from six-yards.

Rangers continued to force the initiative, but when substitute Nicky Ward squandered a golden opportunity from eight yards seven minutes from time, you knew it wasn't their day.

QPR: Camp, Stewart, Mancienne, Bolder, Nardiello (Nygaard 63), Blackstock, Rowlands, Moore (Ward 63), Curtis, Ephraim, Rehman.

Subs: Cole, Bignot, Cullip.

Scorers:

Bookings: Bolder 26, Rehman 44

Red Cards:

Cardiff City: Turnbull, McNaughton (Gunter 38), Capaldi (Whittingham 48), Rae, Loovens, MacLean (Feeney 91), McPhail, Parry, Johnson, Ledley, Sinclair.

Subs: Oakes, Purse.

Scorers: MacLean 29, Parry 58

Bookings: Ledley 51, Sinclair 52

Red Cards:

Referee: Mr P J Joslin

Attendance:

[QPR]


Cardiff City Official Site:

QPR vs Cardiff City
Queen's Park Rangers Football Club
0 - 2
Cardiff City Football Club
Date:
18/08/2007
Venue:
Loftus Road
Attendance:
12596
Referee:
P Joslin

Chronological Report: When Saturday comes the butterflies that start and the anxiety of what is going to unfold are all emotions that we can all relate too. This game against QPR was certainly no different. A good performance against Stoke a week prior that unfortunately left us pointless after a share of the spoils looked on as MacLean stepped up from 12 yards - well, we all know the rest of the script on that one.

The Bluebirds have plenty of firepower, but the two main gunmen are currently just outside the squad in terms of fitness, so Dave went with a MacLean and Parry combination. That was the only change from the opener against Stoke.

Loftus Road looked in fine fettle as the travelling City army took their seats behind the goal and again made their presence know with a superb vocal display.

The Bluebirds took an early grip of the game and it wasn't long before Paul Parry unleashed a shot from the edge of the box that fizzed just wide of Camps left hand post. The shot was a product of good work between the ever willing MacLean and the impressive Sinclair.

After 20 minutes the Bluebirds stepped up the pressure and it paid off. A long free kick from McNaughton evaded everyone and Camp had to scamper across to tip the ball wide.

From the corner Johnson, who had been a nuisance throughout headed back across goal and Sinclair forced another save from Camp. Sinclair then took the corner and it found Parry who helped it across the box for MacLean to swivel and fire home to open up his account.

GOAL: QPR 0 - 1 CARDIFF. MacLean

It was MacLean who then should have doubled the lead and his personal account - an exquisite ball from McPhail to Parry allowed the Welsh winger to get to the by-line before crossing. MacLean's diving header came close but spun wide in front of an open net.

Kevin McNaughton left the game after 39 minutes after picking up what looked like a hamstring injury; Chris Gunter replacing the tenacious full back.

Sinclair who was retuning to his old stomping ground again could have added to the City tally - a great ball in from McPhail found the former England International and his header flashed wide.

Half Time: QPR 0 Cardiff City 1

A real explosive opening to the second half saw Rae break clear, but a last ditch tackle from Stewart stopped QPR falling behind further. Before you could catch your breath Stefan Moore nearly brought the Hoops level with a shot from the angle that crashed against the post.

More forced changes for the Bluebirds came as Capaldi slumped off injured as City lost both full backs and Peter Whittingham slotted in.

Paul Parry put the Bluebirds 2-0 up after a great move down the right culminated in McPhail putting an inch perfect cross into the six yard box and Parry headed home.

GOAL: QPR 0 - 2 CARDIFF. Parry

The game was a very physical encounter and the Bluebirds stood up to the challenge. They did this with the help of the travelling City fans who were magnificent all afternoon and were really on this occasion the 12th man.

'Jimmy do the ayatollah' rang out from behind the goal and the new signing duly obliged. 'Jimmy is a Bluebird' came next from the faithful.

The MacLean and Parry combination caused problems all afternoon and it was again MacLean who broke free and Parry put his header wide. This was a great all round performance in terms of quality and commitment - and yes, our two front men got on the score sheet.

Final score: QPR 0 - 2 Cardiff City

Turnbull, Capaldi, McNaughton, Loovens, Purse, Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Sinclair, MacLean, Parry.

Subs: Oakes, Purse, Whittingham, Feeney, Gunter.

[Cardiff]


John Gregory's Comments:

SECOND BEST
Posted on: Sat 18 Aug 2007

John Gregory bemoaned his side's performance after the 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City at Loftus Road.

As always, Gregory was brutally honest in his assessment of the R's display, telling www.qpr.co.uk: "I'm not smiling tonight.

"We were second best all over the pitch. They played very well - they've got a wealth of experience and they performed far better than us.

"Cardiff's two defenders were no-nonsense and ours were anything but. I could have played against our two today - they weren't good."

Gregory added: "Cardiff dominated the game; they kept it better; passed it better; and reacted to every loose ball quicker than we did.

"Manager's can often pick up the odd bit of belief from performances, but I can't honestly say that I did today."

Rangers travel to Turf Moor next weekend and Gregory knows he needs to pick his players up quickly: "The first 10-15 minutes of the second half was the QPR I know, but we didn't produce the performance I expected for the remaining minutes.

"We need to pick ourselves up again and make sure we get some points pretty quickly."

[Link]


Dave Jones' Comments:


DAVE'S RANGERS VIEW
Posted on: Sat 18 Aug 2007

Dave took three Loftus Road points as a belated birthday present on Saturday, telling the press afterwards of his admiration to the team's effort against a physical QPR.

"The lads worked hard today and everyone was on top of their game, which is what I was looking for from them," he said. "My lads put in a good shift and they needed to, because if they hadn't then QPR would have beaten us. They tried to beat us into submission but it didn't work.

"Any win is satisfying and we played pretty well. QPR tried to beat us up and the lads stood up firm and never folded against a big, physical side. The two up front did well and Paul Parry gave them problems and something to think about. It was also good to see Steven MacLean score. I'm pleased for him and he could and should have scored another one as well.

"It was important to get a result here, because otherwise the temptation might have been to put the new signings in before they're ready. That's the kind of thing I've never done and wouldn't want to do now. The new players have got to be fully fit and right to play.

"I don't mind putting Jimmy and Robbie in the dugout, but the other lads have got to do the business. I've left out big players before as a manager - and Jimmy and Robbie have been on the bench before in their careers. As a manager you just make the decision you believe is right. If you're banging the goals in, how can you leave your strikers out?

"We've worked hard this week after the defeat last weekend. We are in the first throws of the start of a very long campaign. Everyone stood up to be counted and we never gave up."

[Link]

-
From last week's Ealing Gazette (prior to the Bristol City and Orient games or the latest "developments" in the QPR takeover saga: A very detailed look at QPR's prospects this season:


Ealing Gazette, August 9, 2007 - Who will do what?

A BIG season awaits Dexter Blackstock, who must now step out of the shadows of Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen and earn the tag of indispensable striker.

There were times last season when he showed he is more than ready to assume that key role and Rangers need the player to be injury-free and firing towards 20 goals if they are to avoid another flirtation with relegation and harbour more ambitious thoughts.

But the man who increasingly makes Rangers tick is Adam Bolder - who is an even better harrier and passer than Marc Bircham.

The untimely injury to another midfielder, Simon Walton, has upset John Gregory's best laid plans. The midfielder had settled in well and was a likely starter. Now Stefan Bailey and Stefan Moore could enjoy an unexpected new lease of life.

Rangers should be more solid at the back this season with Danny Cullip, Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne, John Curtis, Dominic Shimmin and Pat Kanyuka sharing the central defensive duties and the full-backs look OK

Up front, Ben Sahar probably did enough against Fulham last week to earn a starting role alongside Dexter Black-stock, so Danny Nardiello may have to bide his time for a while.

Ray Jones and Marc Nygaard are useful alter-natives but neither can be classed as consistent.

It goes without saying that Rangers will miss a stack of goals which originated from Lee Cook's sweet left foot and nobody appears as equally adept at finding an extra yard of pace. Gareth Ainsworth can on his day, but we must assume he will have cameo roles, given an all-action style that invites injury.

Martin Rowlands needs to stay fit so he can provide the bullets from setpieces if nothing else.

In actual fact, he is rather more important than that and his form seems inextricably bound to Rangers' fortunes. If he plays well, Rangers are always that much more likely to win. Ealing Gazette


EALING GAZETTE - August 9, 2007 - {Gregory] I won't let us repeat last year's failing- QPR News by Yann Tear

JOHN Gregory has vowed to steer QPR to safer pastures this season and is convinced his team will show signs of vast improvement.

The Rs were too close to the relegation trapdoor for comfort last season and only a late burst of form took them clear of danger.

But Gregory has had time to shape the squad in his image now and says he has a totally different animal under his wing than he did last September when he took over from Gary Wad-dock.

"It can't be any worse than last year. It was an awful time for us and as long as I'm here, we'll never drop to those depths again," the Rangers boss said.

"It feels a little bit more like my team now. It's slowly coming and I've been able to pick up one or two bargains on the way.

"There's a really professional feel about the place in the way the boys go about their training.

"We've come a long way since last September. We've got a long, long way to go and there's a lot better teams than us in this division. But one thing you'll get off this bunch of lads is total commitment."

Outlining his reasons for thinking far better times are ahead this term, Gregory continued: "I think the players I inherited are better now than they were last September when I came in.

"Damion Stewart is a better player now, Zesh Rehman is a better player than he was when we came in. Marcus Bignot too.

"All the people who were here when we came in have improved. They've worked hard on their games and listened carefully to the coaching staff.

"On the medical side, our play-ers are exceptionally fit. We've got a fantastic medical set-up here with Joe Dunbar our performance manager and Mark Barry our fitness coach.

"Right the way through with physios and masseurs, remedial therapists, I feel I've got a really good back-up team. Mick Har-ford and Warren Neil on the coach staff.

"The fitness levels that they've got is probably the biggest single feature of how things have changed over the last nine months.

"Mick Harford's only been here a month and it's the one thing that's really hit him, how hard everybody works on the training ground Monday to Friday.

"If you work well Monday to Friday, you take it into the game on the Saturday. Hopefully we can get off to a reasonable start and do better than last year."

Rangers are among the teams expected to struggle this season, if the bookmakers are to be believed, but victory over Premier League neighbours Fulham last week added to the wave of optimism. Ealing Gazette


EALING GAZETTE -August 9, 2007 - Sahar adds to optimism -Gregory's View By Yann Tear

THERE is no pressure from Chelsea for QPR to play Ben Sahar, John Gregory has said - but if the loaned striker can fulfil the hints of promise shown in last week's friendly win over Fulham, it will be impossible to leave him out.

The teenager turns 18 today (Friday) but appears to have a far older head on his shoulders.

He showed the right mix of robust desire and calmness in bagging his second half goals in the 2-1 win over the Whites and already the hope must be that his three-month stay can be extended to the New Year at least.

"Ben could certainly play a big part for us this season," Gregory said. "He's quick and clever and makes lots of good runs which sometimes don't get picked out by us because we are not as good as he is sometimes.

"Hopefully we can give him a good education here over the next six months.

"We are looking to keep him until the January window when he might be recalled to Chelsea because of the African Nations Cup.

"We will do our very best to look after him and he will certainly improve us."

Gregory added: "If there is such a thing as trying too hard, probably Ben was doing that in the first half.

"It was his home debut and he wanted to just settle down, but the sign of a good goalscorer is when you're one on one against the goalkeeper when you've got time to think about it.

"So many people fluff it. He just set himself up and slotted it like a 32-year-old. Like a Shearer, like a Bergkamp, or an Henry. It was a great finish.

"He earned the first goal himself with his attitude to nick the ball and he thumped it home with tremendous authority for somebody so young."

Rangers have three Chelsea players on loan, with James Simmonds joining Sahar and Michael Mancienne at Loftus Road this month, but that does not mean the Blues will dictate the line-up, Gregory insists, even though he has made no secret of his will-ingness to become a quasi-feeder club for the Premier League neighbours.

"I didn't want to waste Ben Sahar's time by playing him in the reserves or he might as well have stayed at Chelsea," the Rangers boss said.

"But I'm under no pressure from Chelsea to start their players in every match, they are always very good about that, although they would obviously be concerned if either of them [Sahar or Mancienne] ended up not playing in the first team for a long period."We had Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne last year and at certain stages, both of them came out of the team and had a little breather because the intensity of the Championship was enormous pressure on the young boys."

Basing your hopes around a raw teenager who may not be around for long is not normally the sign of stable outfit, but Sahar's performance tapped into a well of optimis. The belief at the club is that it can't be as bad as last year and that Gregory is beginning to assemble a sturdier team.

But the foundations remain rocky. The club is looking for new investors and there is every indication that Gianni Paladini and the Monaco group will be happy to jump ship if the price is right.

There is no money to bail Rangers out of trouble, should the going get tough, hence a groundswell of opinion outside W12 that they will struggle to beat the drop.

The loans at the club are not just on the pitch but off it too and as long as debts are dragging the club down - especially alleged rulebending ones with chairmen of other clubs - the optimism can never come without an asterisk.

Recent years have been marked by a strange mix of high farce and thuggery which have done the club no favours - the gun-toting episode at Loftus Road, the brawl at Harlington with the Chinese Olympic team and the pre-season plastic-pitch farce in Italy last year.

They could do without such distracting controversies again.

Gregory is aware of the optimism but knows there is no mileage in milking it too much. An injury here or there, as happened last week to unlucky new signing Simon Walton, who fractured his left leg, shows how fragile this season's journey could be.

"I'm sure that after beating Fulham, all the QPR fans will be expecting me to win the league by 20 points, otherwise I'll get the sack," Gregory joked.

"A realistic target for us is to be above half way, I think.

"Losing Simon Walton is a big blow because we'd earmarked him to play in that central midfield role. He's a really solid, dependable player and person who's taken to this place like you wouldn't believe.

"We are going to have to make one or two adjustments and we might have to go out and bring one more in, although I don't think we've got any money left.

"It was a big fillip for us winning against Fulham. A lot of kudos goes with it. It doesn't count for anything, but it still sends us into good spirits next week."

Gregory added: "We want to get off to a good start. If we do, it's great, if we don't, then we have to put it right.

"We will all be going into that first match full of the joys of spring and all wanting to give it our best shot. But you have to retain that enthusiasm in November when you're playing at Turf Moor on a wet and windy Tuesday night."

And you need to avoid injuries, off-pitch controversies and the loss of your best loan players, he might have added -Ealing Gazette


EALING GAZETTE -Nardiello admits he may have to bide his time a littleAug 9 2007

SUMMER signing Danny Nardiello could only admire from the bench as Ben Sahar stole the headlines in last week's thrilling win for QPR over Fulham, writesYann Tear.

And when he finally came on as sub in the 70th minute, the applause that rang out from the stands was for the two-goal hero from Chelsea rather than for the 24-year-old Wales international.

Nardiello was expected to start the season as Dexter Blackstock's strike partner, but Nardiello concedes now that he may have to be patient.

"It's going to be hard to get in the team but it's always good to have a bit of competition," he told the Gazette.

"If anything I like it because it makes we work harder.

"I always want to start but whether I do or not is up to the manager, obviously. If not, then I'll just have to fight for my place. It's the same any club you are at. As soon as I came here, I knew there was a good set of strikers. The main thing is I'm really enjoying it down here and feel I've settled in well.

"I've played all my football up north even though I'm from Coventry, but I was happy coming down to London and starting a new life down here and hopefully I'll be successful.

"There's a great set of lads and a good manager and I'm enjoying the football. Hopefully we can take the Fulham performance into the season."

Nardiello left under a cloud at Barnsley, where he was poised to sign a new contract before changing his mind.

"I don't think the manager would be too happy with me there, and I'm not too sure what the reception will be like when I go back, but we'll see when that happens." he said. "I'm still mates with all of the lads and a few of the staff at Barnsley.

"All I'm thinking about now is QPR's progress, and we've got to look to push up towards the top of the table.

You don't want to say you just want to stay up this season.

"The gaffer's brought in a lot of new players to improve the squad and there's no reason why we can't push for the top half of the table.

"With any luck it will be better for me than last year when I broke my collarbone near the start of the season and only got nine goals.

"I've played in midfield for Barnsley and my other clubs but I prefer to play up front and hope to be among the goals." Ealing Gazette

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[A Few "Intros" to Flavio Briatore, see

Flavio Briatore/Wikipedia

Flavio Briatore Personal Website


Grandprix Profile

Washington Post Profile

Forbes

Associated Press

Renault Formula 1


[Feel free to send any additional particular good profiles (substantive rather than "life style!" to QPRreport@hotmail.com

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According to Channel 4 re Italian soccer "Briatore closing in on QPR Friday 17 August, 2007" (which is mostly just a repeating of The Sun and Reuters story (which itself was from The Sun)
"....The 57-year-old businessman is expected to finalise the deal alone, without F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and ex-Juventus director Antonio Giraudo, who were initially paired with Briatore’s ambitious plans." Channel 4

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[In contrast to the speculation in the Daily Mail story re a possible ground move, today's London Paper reportedly has Chairman Paladini talking about plans to remain at Loftus Road and build up there to increase capacity!]

Daily Mail - Briatore buy-out keeps QPR going
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete a £19million deal for Queens Park Rangers next week, saving the club from going into liquidation.
Gianni Paladini, who will stay as chairman, said: "This saves the club from liquidation. Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Fayed has done for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club. It is a dream come true for all the fans."
Billionaire Briatore will wipe out QPR's debt of £17m and invest in the club that has been out of the top flight since 1996 and beset by debt and boardroom rows.
A spokesman for the Formula One giant said: "Mr Briatore is looking forward to being involved with English football.
"QPR are a club with a rich history and a fine future now."
The club, managed by John Gregory, are at home to Cardiff tomorrow. It is understood that one of the plans being discussed is a proposal to sell Loftus Road to property developers and move the club to a new site currently owned by the BBC at White City.
Paladini this year added Kevin Steele, a property lawyer from firm Mishcon de Reya, to the QPR board to advise on redevelopment options, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council believed to be in favour of the plans. Mail

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Essex Gazette - Tough choice for Hogan
By Jonathan Waldron

"Hogan Ephraim today revealed he found it very, very hard' to turn down a return to Layer Road.
Colchester United manager Geraint Williams was keen to bring the West Ham United youngster back to north Essex, following his impressive loan spell with the club last season.
Ephraim snubbed the U's to join their Coca-Cola Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers on a one-month loan and made his debut for the west London club on Saturday. However, he insisted it was a very tough decision to reject Colchester's overtures - and one that he did not make lightly.
Ephraim told the Gazette: "It was a very tough decision and it was very, very hard turning Colchester down.
"They are a team going places and the new chairman is very ambitious.
"The manager was unreal last season and I was able to talk to him about anything, not just football.
"Under him and Mick Harford, I improved both as a footballer and as a person and I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me." Essex Gazette

And reposting,
Hogan Ephraim Hoping For Extended QPR Loan (and Choosing QPR Over Other Teams)-
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Hogan hoping for a longer stay
HOGAN Ephraim has spent just a matter of days at QPR - but the young striker is already angling for an extended stay.
Ephraim has joined the Rs on a month's loan from West Ham and hopes he can convince John Gregory to keep him for longer before the August transfer window closes.
The 19-year-old north Londoner told the Times: "I think it's just a case of whether West Ham sign another player in my position - if they do, then the loan might be extended to January.
"If not, maybe I'd have to go back, but I've enjoyed it here so far. Last Thursday, I had to make a decision on where I wanted to go and there were three other Championship clubs, but I chose QPR.
"Then I came down on the Friday and I saw enough in that first training session to know it was the right decision - we had an eight-a-side and the quality was unbelievable."
Ephraim emerged through the Hammers' youth and reserve teams to make his full debut in a Carling Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday two years ago, but further first-team action has eluded him since then.
Last season, he was loaned to Colchester for six months, where he trained under Geraint Williams and Mick Harford and featured 21 times, mostly as substitute.
The presence of Harford, now Gregory's number two at Loftus Road, was a significant factor in Ephraim's move to Rangers and he added: "I was with Mick last year and the way I matured as a player and a person was there for all to see.
"Hopefully with him and the gaffer I can do the same this season. From speaking to them, it's clear they've got some good plans and I wanted to be part of that.
"I was pleased with my debut at Bristol City - we played well and were unlucky not to win. We could have scored four or five goals on another day, I thought.
"But we showed great character to come back and equalise in the last minute. If we keep going like that, we'll win many more games than we lose and do very well this year."
Although Gregory has labelled Ephraim as a wide midfielder who can play up front, he has been spent most of his career to date as a forward player.
Effectively, he is - at least during this initial month - a replacement for Ben Sahar, who was taken ill just before the game at Ashton Gate and is now sidelined after an appendix operation.
But, while Sahar has been earmarked as a future Chelsea star, Ephraim acknowledges that his long-term prospects at Upton Park look dim after Eggert Magnusson's summer spending spree.
"At the moment it looks hard," Ephraim admitted. "The club are aiming for the top four in the next three to four years and, when you're doing that, you're going to buy players.
"If people like Freddie Ljungberg and Craig Bellamy become available and you've got money, you've got to go for them. I'll just keep trying my best and if the chance comes along, it comes along. Kilburn Times

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UPDATE: 3:30 Am

QPR Official Site - Team News: Four Return Nardiello, Blackstock, Stewart, Curtis - QPR

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones has been forced to shuffle his pack over the summer months, in the wake of the high-profile departure of hot-shot Michael Chopra.

The 23 year-old striker joined big-spending Sunderland in a £5million move in mid-July and his potential has shone through already, with the diminutive striker notching two goals in as many games for the Black Cats.

Undeterred, Cardiff moved quickly to fill the void left by the former Newcastle United front-man.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler was brought in as a direct replacement, while Cardiff also added ex-R's midfielder Trevor Sinclair and more recently, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, to their squad.

Expectations have risen in South Wales as a result, but new signing Sinclair insists it's belief that will see them improve upon last season's 13th place finish.

"We need to follow Sunderland's example of last year, they went on a run and that brought belief," he said.

"With that belief came a winning mentality, and if we can get that same sort of belief we will do well."

But despite Sinclair's positivety, Cardiff got off to the worst possible start on day one of the new campaign.

Ryan Shawcross' debut goal and a superb penalty save from Steve Simonsen gave Stoke City maximum points at Ninian Park.

On-loan Manchester United defender Shawcross got on the end of a 27th minute Liam Lawrence corner to crash home a right-footed volley.

On 85 minutes Shawcross was adjudged to have pulled MacLean's shirt, but the striker saw Simonsen block his resultant penalty and miraculously parry the follow-up.

Man to watch: Gavin RAE

Dave Jones completed the noteworthy signing of Glasgow Rangers midfielder Gavin Rae in June.

The Scottish international joined as a free agent after his release from the Ibrox-based Club.

Rae began his career at Dundee, where he made over 200 appearances in an eight-year spell.

He was transferred to Rangers for £250,000 in January 2004, but despite captaining the Scottish giants in the SPL last season, he made the surprise switch to Ninian Park this summer.

Transfers

In's

Trevor Sinclair (Manchester City - free)

Robbie Fowler (Liverpool - free)

Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink (Charlton - free)

Ross Turnbull (Middlesborough - loan)

Tony Capaldi (Plymouth - free)

Steve MacLean (Sheffield Wednesday - free)

Gavin Rae (Glasgow Rangers - free)

Michael Oakes (Wolves - free)

Out's

Michael Chopra (Sunderland - £5,000,000)

Neil Alexander (Ipswich - free)

Scott Allison (Hartlepool - free)

Head-to-head:

QPR wins: 23

Draws: 9

Cardiff City wins: 20

Match odds:

QPR 6/5

Draw 9/4

Cardiff 19/10 QPR

CARDIFF OFFICIAL SITE - QPR PREVIEW

The Bluebirds move into their second fixture of the new season looking to get all three points from a tough clash at Loftus Road...

Our last encounter was a stormy affair where Michael Chopra saw red at the end of the game and six players were booked. It was a massive game for Rangers
as it meant the win would keep them in the Championship.

Cardiff line up v QPR: Forde ,Gilbert (Parry ,57 ) ,Johnson ,Gunter ,McNaughton ,Whittingham
,McPhail ,Ledley ,Flood (Blake ,75 ) ,Thompson (Feeney ,72 ) ,Chopra

Subs not used Alexander, Green,

Visiting Loftus Road hasn't been a very happy hunting ground for the City as on the last three occasions we have lost 1-0. The last time we beat the Hoops in their own back garden was back in November of 2002. A superb second half from the Bluebirds saw us run out 4-0 winners with a Earnshaw hat-tick.

This time round things are different both teams have a clean slate and are looking for a successful Championship season.

John Gregory has been busy during the summer and one of his additions who is unavailable for the game is Chris Barker. The former Bluebird picked up a red card at the end of last season and is serving a three game ban. Daniel Nardiello (Barnsley), Simon Walton (Charlton), Lee Camp (Derby), John Curtis (Nottingham Forest), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea, loan), Ben Sahar (Chelsea, loan).

Simon Walton another former Bluebird broke his leg in pre-season and is out of action for a while, we wish him well in his recovery. Ben Sahar is also out as he has had appendicitis.

The Hoops played in midweek and were knocked out strangely enough by Leyton Orient our opponents in round two of the cup.

Adam Boyd put QPR to the sword and knocked them out of the competition with the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 2-1 victory for the League One side.

Early team news:

The Bluebirds have Robbie Fowler, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Ricci Scimeca unavailable. Dave will pick his 18 to travel to London after the training session on Friday morning. Cardiff

QPR versus Cardiff - No Robbie Fowler or Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink versus QPR(unless there's a sudden change of plans!). Trevor Sinclair is coming!
IC Wales
Hopefully Cardiff will be to a small degree focused on financial issues.
Cardiff started the season with a 0-1 home loss to Stoke before winning in the Cup after extra time, against Brighton. (In the next round, Cardiff are at home to Orient!)
Cardiff's squad

SPORTING LIFEQPR welcome back Dexter Blackstock and Daniel Nardiello for the home clash with Cardiff.

The forward pair were left out of the midweek Carling Cup first-round defeat by Leyton Orient due to respective hamstring and back problems, but Rangers manager John Gregory expects them to recover in time for the visit of Dave Jones' men.

Gregory will also have Hogan Ephraim available again after the midfielder was denied permission to play against Orient under the terms of his loan deal from West Ham.

Defenders Marcus Bignot and Danny Cullip returned from injury for the Orient game, but it remains to be seen whether either player retains his place after the disappointing 2-1 home reverse against the League One side.

On-loan Chelsea forward Ben Sahar is still recovering after an appendectomy, while defender Pat Kanyuka (thigh), winger Gareth Ainsworth (ankle) and forward Ray Jones (foot) remain sidelined.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will play no part in Cardiff's trip to the capital.

The former Leeds, Chelsea and Middlesbrough forward, 35, had been tipped to join Cardiff's Coca-Cola Championship rivals Leicester.

But he opted to join the Bluebirds on Thursday, although he will not join up with his new team mates until Monday.

Hasselbaink's arrival is a boost to Dave Jones' men, who are still without Robbie Fowler as the former Liverpool striker battles to return to fitness.

The Bluebirds are still missing midfielder Riccardo Scimeca and striker Steve Thompson due to injury but Jones has no other injury or suspension concerns as his side go in their pursuit of their first points of the new season. Sporting Life


In an article on the QPR Official Site entitled "BOUNCEBACKABILITY" (a term from Ian Dowie?)
"Newly apponted R's skipper Adam Bolder is determined to put the wrongs of Tuesday night's Carling Cup defeat to right this weekend.
Rangers welcome Cardiff City to Loftus Road for their maiden home fixture of the new Championship campaign on Saturday and the ever-popular R's midfielder is desperate to bounce back after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leyton Orient.
"It goes without saying that we were deeply disappointed with Tuesday's Cup defeat," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We never really got out of first gear in the first half and it took them to open the scoring before we found our feet.
"We still had chances to force extra-time after Rowly got us back in it, but all in all, there can be no excuses for our below-par display."
Bolder believes a home fixture, in-front of a partisan R's crowd, presents Rangers with a perfect opportunity to register their first victory of the new season.
"The good thing about this stage of the season is that the games come thick and fast and we're determined to put the wrongs of Tuesday's display to right on Saturday.
"Cardiff will be up for it after losing on the opening day, but we're confident we can win the game and we'll be going all out to register the three points." QPR

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On This Day....

Eleven Years Ago: August 17, 1996: QPR's First Game After Their Relegation
A crowd of just under 15,000 sawnewly-relegated QPR started (what was thought would be) their instant return to the Premiership with a 2-1 home win against newly-promoted Oxford. Oxford took the lead before Gallen equalized and Dichio got the winner.
QPR's team against Oxford:
Sommer
Brevitt McDonald Yates Ready
Sinclair Barker WIlkins Brazier
Gallen Hateley -
Sub: Dichio
Photo from that day -

Five Years Ago: Second Division - Saturday August 17, 2002 - Barnsley 1- QPR 0
QPR's squad that day - Terrell Forbes, Matthew Rose, Doudou, Richard Langley, Steve Palmer, Marc Bircham, Nicky Culkin, Fraser Digby, Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen, Gino Padula, Daniel Shittu, Tom Williams, Karl Connolly - Guardian
Barnsley - Matthew Ghent, Andy Marriott, Chris Morgan, Dean Gorre, Dave Mulligan, Kevin Betsy, Mike Flynn, Paul Gibbs, Chris Lumsdon, Leo Bertos, Bruce Dyer, Isaiah Rankin, Mike Sheron

SIXTEEN YEARS AGO, TODAY: August 17, 1991
Gerry Francis started his QPR managership with a 1-1 draw at Arsenal (Arsenal equalizing in the last minute.) Ian Holloway made his debut coming on for Ray Wilkins. Unfortunately after that great result, QPR went several games before their first victory at Luton, in September.
QPR's team:
Steyskal
Bardsley Maddix Peacock Brevitt
Barker Wilkins Sinton
Bailey Ferdinand Wegerle
Sub: Holloway

FIFTEEN Years ago, 17 August 1992
QPR drew 1-1 at Manchester City followed by three successive victories that put QPR top of the First Division - The last time QPR headed Division One)

TWENTY TWO Years AGO; August 17, 1985: Jim Smith first gamme in charge; Beating Ispwich 1-0 at Loftus Road (sub Byrne scoring)
Hucker
Chivers McDonald Fenwick Dawes
Fereday Waddock Gregory James
Bannister Robinson (Sub Byrne).

39 Years Ago QPR played their 3rd game in Division one losing 3-1 to Wolves(Ian Morgan scoring)

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UPDATED:

[For more re Flavio Briatore, see Flavio Briatore/Wikipedia and Flavio Briatore Website.. }

The Sun - F1 chief Flavio is a Ranger
By PAUL JIGGINS -August 17, 2007

FORMULA ONE chief Flavio Briatore has won the race to buy QPR.
The Renault boss will complete a £22million deal for the Londoners early next week.
It follows three months of negotiations between the Italian tycoon and Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini.
Billionaire Briatore has agreed to wipe out Rangers’ £17m debt — saving the club from going bust.
He is also expected to give boss John Gregory cash to splash in January’s transfer window.
Paladini will stay on as chairman at Loftus Road.
And last night he said: “It’s a dream come true for QPR fans and saves this club from liquidation.
"Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club.”
Flamboyant Briatore, 57, is renowned for having a shrewd business brain.
He transformed the US operations of fashion firm Benetton and turned just five stores into 800.
In 1989 Luciano Benetton asked him to work his magic on his F 1 outfit — and two years later Briatore signed Michael Schumacher.
And in 2003 he promoted reigning Formula One champ Fernando Alonso — who was then Renault’s test driver — to the team.
Briatore has a lavish home in London and last night his spokesman said: “Mr Briatore is looking forward to being involved with English football.
“QPR is a club with a rich history and fine future now.” The Sun

Reuters - Renault chief to become QPR owner, report says
Fri Aug 17, 2007
Flavio Briatore, who runs the Renault Formula One team, is set to become the new owner of English second division club Queens Park Rangers.
"Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR what Mohamed Al Fayed has done for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club," Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini told the Sun newspaper on Friday.
"It is a dream come true for all the fans and saves this club from liquidation."
Billionaire Briatore, 57, will wipe out QPR's debt of 17 million pounds and invest an extra 100 million pounds over three years, the Sun reported.
Rangers were last in the Premier League in 1996. Reuters

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Nothing's been announced by QPR but the online Staff Directory: Jason Kallis is no longer listed as a board member and a name, James Ferrary is now listed.

QPR Staff Directory

NEW
Board of Directors
Chairman - Gianni Paladini
Non-executive Directors - Franco Zanotti, Olga Paladini, Antonio Caliendo, Nick De Marco, Kevin James Steele, James Ferrary
QPR

[Previously was: Chairman - Gianni Paladini "Non-executive Directors - Franco Zanotti, Olga Paladini, Antonio Caliendo, Nick De Marco, Kevin James Steele, Jason Kallis"

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David McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - August 16, 2007
Paladini hopes for Flavio takeover
But Caliendo keeps options open

Hopes of a takeover of QPR by a group which includes Renault boss Flavio Briatore have been raised – less than 24 hours after the deal seemed to be dead.
But major shareholder Antonio Caliendo, who will ultimately decide Rangers’ fate, is also in talks with three other interested parties.
A growing rift between Caliendo and QPR chairman Gianni Paladini descended into all-out war ahead of Tuesday night’s match against Leyton Orient.
The row has erupted as Rangers face meltdown unless a takeover or major injection of cash is agreed within weeks.
With Paladini trying to broker a buy-out by a group fronted by Briatore, and Caliendo unhappy with the proposed deal, a storm was brewing ahead of Rangers’ first home game of the season.
Two years after Caliendo and Paladini combined to take charge of the club, the pair were on course to fight each other for control at an all-important board meeting scheduled for later this month.
But the showdown took place earlier than expected, and on Tuesday, Paladini faced the prospect of being ousted.
Caliendo told his one-time ally that he was being dismissed as chairman and then released a terse statement on the club’s website declaring that QPR was not for sale.
Paladini is no stranger to this type of battle for control – it’s his third since he joined the board in 2004.
Later that year he teamed up with Bill Power to remove the then chairman Nick Blackburn, chief executive David Davies and company chairman Ross Jones.
But the Paladini-Power alliance descended into a bitter feud and a year later, Power, who had replaced Blackburn as chairman, was removed after losing a key boardroom vote.
Mark Devlin was promptly sacked as chief executive and Kevin McGrath, the largest shareholder outside the Italian group who collectively own Rangers, later resigned as a director.
That victory, and Power’s subsequent selling of his shares, gave Paladini and Caliendo ownership but their time at the helm has been blighted by problems on and off the pitch.
Earlier this year, Caliendo and his Monaco-based backers stopped covering Rangers’ ongoing losses.
They have loaned the club several million pounds, and repayment is a stumbling block to a possible takeover.
Paladini, who recently declared that he and his colleagues would sell their shares for the price they paid for them, wants Caliendo to agree to the Briatore offer.
Paladini is in line for a lucrative contract to run the club should the deal he favours go ahead, and he believes it will make Rangers one of the biggest clubs in London. Even Paladini’s enemies – and he has made several – who remain close to events at QPR privately admit that the Briatore-linked bid offers by far the best financial package for the club.
But it offers Caliendo and his backers relatively little, causing anger at the way negotiations have been conducted on their behalf.
There has also been anger among other interested parties, who say they have been given short shrift by Paladini despite him publicly declaring that the club may go bust inside a month if a takeover or fresh investment is not secured.
Scare stories about clubs possibly going under are common, and the threat to QPR’s existence has been exaggerated in the past. But now the threat is very real, and time is not on Rangers’ side.
A £1.3million bridging loan from ABC Corporation has been repaid, averting the immediate prospect of them acquiring the Loftus Road ground.
But around £1million must be paid to the Inland Revenue at the end of the month and as things stand, QPR have no ability whatsoever to make that payment and they face administration – or worse – unless a takeover is agreed.
So as Orient left west London on Tuesday hoping for a moneyspinning tie in the next round of the Carling Cup, Rangers’ future was in the balance.
An appparent breakthrough occurred on Wednesday afternoon, with Caliendo appearing to be willing to speak to the Briatore-linked group.
But while the champagne was back on ice within Loftus Road and hopes were again high that a deal may be imminent, Caliendo was in discussions with another interested party as he continues to consider his options.
A key issue for QPR is the troublesome £10million ABC loan, which a previous board secured prior to Rangers coming out of administration in 2002.
Interest payments of around 11per cent are a potential noose around the club’s neck and the terms of that deal were changed when the recent additional £1.3million loan was arranged.
Ominously, ABC can now acquire the freehold on Loftus Road if the original £10million loan is not resolved by August next year.
Briatore’s group plan to take on this loan themselves at a much more favourable interest rate – probably around 6.5 per cent.
One of the parties in talks with Caliendo has suggested they can refinance the loan at around 8.5 per cent.
But the immediate pressure on both QPR and Caliendo is the forthcoming tax bill.
It puts the pressure on QPR for obvious reasons but is also a bargaining chip for Paladini and the Briatore group, because it leaves Caliendo facing the possibility of the club going under, leaving him with even less than he could salvage from the current offer. Unless, that is, he finds an alternative buyer. Ealing Gazette

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Burnley Official Site

Clarke Carlisle Is A Claret!
Burnley have completed the signing of defender Clarke Carlisle from Watford.
The 27-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the Clarets for a fee of £200,000 and could now make his debut in Saturday's Championship game at Scunthorpe.
An imposing centre-half, Carlisle started his career with Blackpool, where his strong defensive performances attracted the attentions of QPR, who paid £250,000 for his services in 2000.
He enjoyed three seasons in London, helping the R's secure promotion to the Championship before joining Leeds United on a free transfer in summer 2004.
The former England Under 21 International made 38 appearances for the Yorkshire side, returning south after one season to join the Hornets in summer 2005 for £100,000.
Pitched straight into the defensive line in his first season at Vicarage Road Carlisle acquitted himself well, playing a key role as the Hornets finished in third place and gained promotion to the Premiership.
The Preston-born defender had a loan spell at Luton last season, playing against Burnley in the Hatters' 0-0 draw at Turf Moor back in March.
At 6' 3" Carlisle is a constant threat from set pieces and has scored over 20 career goals.
He has been allocated the number 5 shirt at Turf Moor. Burnley

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Even AP...So across the world people now know about QPR's status/situation!

LONDON (AP) — Queens Park Rangers may be forced into financial administration unless a takeover deal is revived.
The League Championship side must pay a 1.3 million pound (US$2.6 million; €1.9 million) tax bill to Britain's Inland Revenue by the end of August, but talks with Renault Formula One team principal Flavio Briatore over a 30 million pound (US$59.5 million; €44.4 million) takeover have stalled.
"There is now a huge concern over the club's future," QPR chairman Gianni Paladini was quoted as saying in Thursday's Daily Telegraph. "Flavio has made it plain that if one decimal point moves on the agreed price, he doesn't want to know. There is no one else ready to step in."
Football League rules mean any club entering financial administration — whereby a club can continue operations without selling off its assets to pay debts — is automatically deducted ten points from its league total. AP

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Daily Mail - Deal or no deal for Paladini

Another week of chaos at QPR, culminating with question marks over chairman Gianni Paladini's position.
The Italian was involved in heated discussions with parent company chief Antonio Caliendo ahead of Tuesday's defeat by Leyton Orient.
Caliendo had earlier released a statement insisting QPR was "not for sale", even though Paladini has spoken to at least two potential investors - Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore and former chairman Bill Power's consortium - and been talking up the possibility of a takeover.
Club sources say the statement from Caliendo - who represents QPR's Monaco-based major shareholders - is evidence of a rift with Paladini which has hit hopes of an imminent deal with Briatore. Mail

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BBC

... next week's friendly against Macedonia in Skopje. Mikel, who last played for the Super Eagles in March, is part of a 21-man squad for the game on 22 August...
Squad

Goalkeepers:
Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel)
Defenders:
Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Obinna Nwaneri (Sion, Switzerland), Danny Shittu (Watford, England), Mutiu Adegoke (Asec, Ivory Coast), Rabiu Afolabi (Sochaux, France)
Midfielders:
Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Seyi Olofinjana (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Onyekachi Okonkwo (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Paul Obiefule (Lyn Oslo, Norway)
Strikers:
Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), John Utaka, Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle United, England), Ayodele Makinwa (Lazio, Italy), Yakubu Ayegbeni (Middlesbrough, England), Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe, Spain). BBC


QPR's MARTIN ROWLANDS NOT Called up by Republic of Ireland!

BBC - Squad for Friendly vs DenmarkRepublic of Ireland squad: Colgan (Barnsley), Doyle (Birmingham), Henderson (Preston), Carr (Newcastle Utd), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), McShane (Sunderland), O'Shea (Manchester Utd), Douglas (Leeds), Hunt (Reading), Ireland (Manchester City), Kilbane (Wigan), McGeady (Celtic), A O'Brien (Hibernian), Potter (Wolves), A Reid (Charlton), Doyle (Reading), Elliott (Sunderland), Keane (Tottenham), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland)
Republic of Ireland Squad

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QPR Official Site - COLE PENS EXTENSION

Goalkeeper Jake Cole has penned an improved one-year contract extension with QPR.
The 21 year-old stopper, who made five appearances in all competitions last season, has put pen to paper on a new deal which runs until June 2009.
Gaffer John Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk: "I have been immensely impressed by Jake's overall attitude and ability.
"He is still very young and I wanted to improve his contract, both financially and in length.
"He is a fantastic understudy to Lee Camp and I was keen to secure his services for at least the next two seasons QPR

Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times
The lads brought back two things from Ashton Gate last weekend - a welcome point and a bucketload of self-belief.
Everyone I've spoken to felt we should have won the game and the way we bounced straight back twice was an incredible positive. That old adage about being vulnerable when you've just scored was proved and it's made us more determined not to be caught out like Bristol City were.
Our fitness levels looked superior, higher than this time last year, and I think it was a good point to win away from home. I'll gladly take 23 points from our away games this season.
It was great to see Damion Stewart score because we need goals all over the park - and it shows how lethal he can be from five yards!
Everyone was talking about Rowly's performance as well and it came as no surprise to anyone who's watched him in pre-season. He's had two bad seasons with injuries, but you can really see the difference now, he's looked so intense and he's champing at the bit.
The gaffer feels Rowly can be dangerous on either wing and seeing him on the left brought back memories of our promotion season, when I was on the opposite wing - and hopefully it won't be long before that's the case again.
I was sitting in the stand on Tuesday and felt as frustrated as anyone watching us go out of the Carling Cup.
I really empathise with the fans and I was gutted for all the lads who came into the side against Leyton Orient, trying to show the gaffer what they could do.
But credit to Orient - they ran and chased everything and deserved the win. I hope they go on to do well in the competition - and, more importantly, that it proves to be just a minor blip for us.
The game against Cardiff is our chance to show that and I'm sure we'll see a postitive reaction from the lads.
I think Cardiff have to be one of the favourites this season - they've signed a few big names and it'll suit us to be underdogs on Saturday.
Having said that, we did the double against them last year and I'm sure that'll still be in Dave Jones' mind.
One of those big names is Trevor Sinclair, who's a bit of a legend at QPR, and he won't want to come back and lose in front of his old crowd.
I remember playing against Trevor years ago when I was at Blackburn and he was at Blackpool. I've got massive respect for him, but it'd be good to spoil his homecoming on Saturday. Kilburn Times

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QPR Official Site
R's duo Michael Mancienne and Dexter Blackstock have been called up to the England Under-21 squad.
Three Lions boss Stuart Pearce has called the pair up for the forthcoming international friendly against Romania at Ashton Gate on Tuesday 21st August.
Pearce has named 21 players in his first squad as full-time Under-21 Coach, with eight players new to this level.
One notable inclusion is Wolves winger Michael Kightly who, less than a year ago, was playing in the Football Conference with Essex club Grays Athletic.
However, he has had international experience before, earning call-ups to England's National Game XI, now called England C, under Paul Fairclough last term.
The only player in Pearce's squad who hasn't pulled on a shirt for the Three Lions is Craig Gardner, the Aston Villa defender, who has impressed in his 23 appearances for his Club. He links up with the Under-21s for the first time, as does Martin Cranie, Mancienne, David Wheater, Adam Johnson, Fabrice Muamba and Blackstock.
Experience is still present in the squad, with eight players from the summer's squad, including James Milner who is set to equal Scott Carson's Under-21 caps record, while Theo Walcott and Andrew Taylor also return after injuries kept them out of Holland.
England Under-21 squad: Ben Alnwick (Tottenham Hotspur); Joe Hart (Manchester City); Martin Cranie (Portsmouth); Craig Gardner (Aston Villa); Michael Mancienne (QPR); Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City); Andrew Taylor (Middlesbrough); Steven Taylor (Newcastle United); David Wheater (Middlesbrough); Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur); Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough); Michael Johnson (Manchester City); Michael Kightly (Wolverhampton Wanderers); James Milner (Newcastle United); Fabrice Muamba (Birmingham City); Mark Noble (West Ham United); Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa); Dexter Blackstock (QPR); Matt Derbyshire (Blackburn Rovers); Luke Moore (Aston Villa); Theo Walcott (Arsenal). QPR

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In today's Mirror, Sun, Star and Telegraph

Daily Mirror Threat to QPR 16/08/2007
Gianni Paladini has warned QPR will be forced into administration in two weeks unless a rescue package is agreed.
The cash-strapped club need to pay a £1.3million bill to the Inland Revenue by September 1.
Rangers could otherwise face a 10-point deduction and be plunged into a desperate relegation battle.
Chairman Paladini is furious with his fellow board members after talks with F1 racing boss Flavio Briatore over a £30m takeover stalled.
Paladini said: "There is now a huge concern over the club's future." Mirror

Telegraph
"...Queens Park Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has warned that the club could be forced into administration if a rescue package is not agreed. The club need to pay a £1.3 million bill to the Inland Revenue by the end of the month, and Paladini is disappointed that talks with Renault Formula One team principal Flavio Briatore over a £30 million takeover have stalled.
"There is now a huge concern over the club's future," Paladini said. "Flavio has made it plain that if one decimal point moves on the agreed price, he doesn't want to know. There is no one else ready to step in."
Antonio Caliendo, the chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, has denied that the club is up for sale Telegraph

The Sun
GIANNI PALADINI has warned QPR will be forced into administration in two weeks’ time unless a rescue package is agreed.
The Championship club must pay a £1.3million tax bill by September 1 or face a winding-up order.
Rangers, who are £21m in debt, would then be hit by a 10-point deduction by the Football League.
Talks with Renault racing boss Flavio Briatore over a £30m takeover have stalled after directors Franco Zanotti and Antonio Caliendo refused to accept an offer of 5.5p per share.
Chairman Paladini said: "There is now a huge concern over the club’s future. Flavio isn’t desperate to buy into QPR and there is no one else ready to step in." The Sun

The Star (via BBC Gossip) "QPR will go into administration in two weeks unless a rescue package is agreed. (Star) BBC

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The Guardian/John Doyle - Meanwhile in Canada ..
Their fledgling MLS team is still finding its feet, but that hasn't stopped Toronto FC's fans turning up to worship at the altar of ... Danny Dichio.

So David Beckham came to my town recently. He sat on the bench in a nice suit and watched LA Galaxy manage a 0-0 draw with Toronto FC. He chewed gum, walked gingerly along the edge of the artificial turf and waved to the sell-out crowd at BMO Field, home of what they call "The FC", hereabouts. The next day he went shopping and bought a vintage Iron Maiden T-shirt. The papers were full of news about the shopping. "Spend It Like Beckham," roared the inevitable headlines. In search of Beckham-mania, the Toronto Star discovered two fans waiting for an autograph outside the Galaxy team hotel. For this, Beckham had a bodyguard.

Here in Toronto, biggest city in Canada and the most ethnically diverse city in North America, some people were really disappointed that Beckham didn't actually play. Most disappointed were the hardcore Toronto FC fans, the thousands who populate the south end of BMO Field (sponsored by Bank of Montreal, see) and call themselves The Red Patch Boys, even though they're not actually all boys. A whole lot of women congregate there too.

They'd been waiting for months to greet Beckham. It's been known since January that the Galaxy's away game in Toronto would probably mark Beckham's first regular-season MLS game. They wanted Beckham to take a corner at the south end. Then, you see, he'd get what all opposing players get in Toronto when they take a corner there: 5,000 people screaming "Who are ya?" Instead, the tiny, whiny, baldy and snarky Landon Donovan was asked the question.

If Beckham paid attention while here - and nobody is sure he did because in press interviews he only talked about himself - he saw his own redundancy. This is the one MLS city that doesn't need David Beckham to sell soccer. No way.

Toronto FC, in existence for mere months and labouring through its first season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference of the MLS (tied, mind you, with Chicago Fire and with more points than the LA Galaxy), is an instant hit. BMO Field holds 20,000 people and every game is sold out. Yep, even the game against Real Salt Lake. There are 14,000 season ticket holders. After the first home game, every single Toronto FC scarf was sold out; they can't keep the merchandise coming fast enough to the FC store. Long before Beckham had been lured to the MLS, some genius figured that Toronto was soccer heaven in North America. All you had to do was build a stadium, create a team and show up. They were right.

Oh sure, like everyone across Canada and the US, we were impressed that Beckham was coming. But this is The Great White North. We are not America. We're different here. We have our own kind of heroes. Here, we know Beckham's supposed to be a beauty and all, but he's no Danny Dichio. Danny's our kind of guy. I spoof you not. Danny Dichio. The gangly, shaven-headed, former Sunderland and Preston striker who's all elbows and enthusiasm. In Toronto, he's a God.

He scored the first goal in Toronto FC history and about 20 minutes later received the first red card in Toronto FC history. It was a game against Chicago Fire and Toronto FC's fifth game ever. The first three were away games and TFC hadn't managed a goal, much less a point. Their fourth game was the first home game and gave a taste of what was happening here. It was on April 28, against the Kansas City Wizards. The noise from the FC fans was deafening. A showboater named Eddie Johnson scored the only goal in the 81st minute for the Wizards. Then he ran over to the south end to celebrate and was instantly drenched in beer.

The FC had the second-longest opening scoreless streak for a new club in Major League Soccer history when it played Chicago at home on May 12. Amazingly, Toronto won the game 3-1, with Dichio scoring first. That's when things got interesting. The game stopped for ages while the crowd went insane. They'd all been given seat cushions for the game and several thousand cushions rained down on the turf. Then streamers. Then a few guys leapt over the fence with the intention of kissing Dichio. It was bedlam, and it was beautiful. There were also FC goals by Maurice Edu and Kevin Goldthwaite, but Dichio's goal and the red card sealed it. He was the man. The Business. The face of Toronto soccer.

It was Mo Johnston who brought him here. Yeah, Mo Johnston, who played for both Celtic and Rangers, and who ended his career with the Kansas City Wiz (later wisely changed to Wizards) of the MLS. He ended up as manager of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, which became Red Bull New York. But he got fired. Never mind. He's here. He's ours now.

Likes to trade players, does Mo. Around the MLS he's known as Trader Mo because, in the first few weeks of the season, he traded nine of Toronto FC's permitted roster of 18 players. He's canny though and gives pithy interviews. Someone must have told him that this city, before it became ethnically diverse, had the largest July 12 Orange March outside of Belfast, and it's true. But Mo brought Danny Dichio here. That's fine in Toronto.

Dichio is not the only non-Canadian here, of course. Welsh international Carl Robinson was brought from Norwich and works tidily in midfield. Collin Samuel, the Trinidad and Tobago international, and SPL veteran, arrived a few weeks ago. Ronnie O'Brien, briefly one of the most famous Irish people on the planet, thanks to some Irish students' 1999 campaign to have the then Juventus reserve voted Time magazine's Person of the Century, came here from Dallas and played the first games wearing a knee brace.

After Dichio, he's the fan favourite because, well, he tears round in a knee brace. Canadian Jim Brennan, formerly of Norwich and Southampton, is the captain. But the local homeboy favourite among the Canucks is 19-year-old Andrea Lombardo who played briefly for Italian sides Perugia and Atalanta before coming back to his hometown. Why is he the favourite? Because he famously takes the bus to work, that's why.

In other MLS cities soccer barely registers. Here, there was immediate fanaticism. Nobody had to explain to the offspring of Italian and Portuguese immigrants - or those from England, Scotland, Ireland, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Poland ...keep going until you've got the most ethnically diverse city mix imaginable - what to do at a game and how to enjoy it.

A year before the team played its first game, potential fans gathered online, organised a fanbase and began creating terrace chants. Because this is Canada and officially bilingual, there's even a French chant: "Qu'est-ce que vous chantez?/ Nous chantons les rouges allez!" Nobody is sure how many Quebeckers show up, but they're welcome. And the small group of FC fans who travel to away games in American MLS cities get a real kick out of doing the French chant for the Yanks. Annoys the hell out of them.

Fans who couldn't get tickets for the first FC games had to watch on TV. Now, other MLS teams are lucky if a game is shown on the obscure cable channel ESPN 2. Here, Toronto FC had an immediate TV deal with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), an over-the-air channel, publicly-funded, available to anyone in Canada, free. During those early games, the CBC's camera-work was often shaky, because the entire stadium was vibrating from noise and foot-stamping. After a month, an army of workers had to tighten bolts throughout the stadium.

As I write this, Toronto FC is in a major slump. The team has gone 462 minutes without scoring a goal. Dichio and five other first-choice starters have been injured for weeks. Still, the momentum hasn't stopped. The faithful are truly faithful and fanatical and the atmosphere is electric. This is real. The only thing that's artificial here is the turf. David Beckham, who are ya?

John Doyle is the television critic for The Globe and Mail and the author of A Great Feast of Light: Growing Up Irish in the Television Age (Aurum Press). The Guardian

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Hogan hoping for a longer stay
HOGAN Ephraim has spent just a matter of days at QPR - but the young striker is already angling for an extended stay.
Ephraim has joined the Rs on a month's loan from West Ham and hopes he can convince John Gregory to keep him for longer before the August transfer window closes.
The 19-year-old north Londoner told the Times: "I think it's just a case of whether West Ham sign another player in my position - if they do, then the loan might be extended to January.
"If not, maybe I'd have to go back, but I've enjoyed it here so far. Last Thursday, I had to make a decision on where I wanted to go and there were three other Championship clubs, but I chose QPR.
"Then I came down on the Friday and I saw enough in that first training session to know it was the right decision - we had an eight-a-side and the quality was unbelievable."
Ephraim emerged through the Hammers' youth and reserve teams to make his full debut in a Carling Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday two years ago, but further first-team action has eluded him since then.
Last season, he was loaned to Colchester for six months, where he trained under Geraint Williams and Mick Harford and featured 21 times, mostly as substitute.
The presence of Harford, now Gregory's number two at Loftus Road, was a significant factor in Ephraim's move to Rangers and he added: "I was with Mick last year and the way I matured as a player and a person was there for all to see.
"Hopefully with him and the gaffer I can do the same this season. From speaking to them, it's clear they've got some good plans and I wanted to be part of that.
"I was pleased with my debut at Bristol City - we played well and were unlucky not to win. We could have scored four or five goals on another day, I thought.
"But we showed great character to come back and equalise in the last minute. If we keep going like that, we'll win many more games than we lose and do very well this year."
Although Gregory has labelled Ephraim as a wide midfielder who can play up front, he has been spent most of his career to date as a forward player.
Effectively, he is - at least during this initial month - a replacement for Ben Sahar, who was taken ill just before the game at Ashton Gate and is now sidelined after an appendix operation.
But, while Sahar has been earmarked as a future Chelsea star, Ephraim acknowledges that his long-term prospects at Upton Park look dim after Eggert Magnusson's summer spending spree.
"At the moment it looks hard," Ephraim admitted. "The club are aiming for the top four in the next three to four years and, when you're doing that, you're going to buy players.
"If people like Freddie Ljungberg and Craig Bellamy become available and you've got money, you've got to go for them. I'll just keep trying my best and if the chance comes along, it comes along. Kilburn Times

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Brief summary by the Kilburn Times Ben Kosky of "The Situation" and then a match report of QPR's loss to Orient.

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Something of a shambles
QPR were in turmoil on and off the pitch as a planned takeover collapsed on the night the club suffered yet another Carling Cup humiliation.
A deal for Renault Formula 1 chief Flavio Briatore to take control of the club appeared to have been scuppered on Tuesday night when Rangers director Antonio Caliendo insisted there would be no sale.
Just a few hours later, the club's Carling Cup hopes also lay in ruins after they crashed out to Leyton Orient - their sixth first round exit in the last decade, almost all of them to lower league opposition.
Rangers had been set to sign an agreement with Briatore later this week, but Caliendo, the chairman of parent company QPR Holdings Ltd, issued a rare public statement on the club's official website.
It read: "There have been many rumours spread in the newspapers recently about QPR. The club is not for sale."
Observers noted that Caliendo and QPR chairman Gianni Paladini, long-time friends and business associates, did not sit together in the directors' box during the Orient match... . Kilburn Times

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TEAMTALK Gregory: defends team selection
QPR manager John Gregory has defended his decision to field a weakened team against Leyton Orient in the Carling Cup.
And Gregory said: "The team we put out against Orient was basically all we had left but I am not going to bleat about it, we have to get on with it.
"We lost a Carling Cup tie and that hurt very badly, but Saturday's game against Cardiff is far more important so we wanted to protect players who picked up knocks last weekend.
"I would have loved to have had a full strength side out there against Orient but I just could not do that.
Last Saturday I had a real strong team out and a strong bench too, but I was not in a position to do that against Orient." Teamtalk

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From Former QPR Chairman Bill Power....- August 15, 2007

The glib curt statement on the offish site seems to have some lines missing. Because it was for sale for the last month.

GP has been to see me several times each month. More, very kindly, to discuss my health rather than that of our club.

During those get togethers' it became obvious that new money and impetus was needed.

I spoke to some friends [all qpr] who said they were willing to buy out AC at the price he bought in at. To be honest against my advice which was to argue the shares were not worth what he had paid, but....

A plan was put in action by them. ABC would have been gone and sort out what was needed to repay any loans AC had outstanding which would have meant he waited for several years to be repaid in full but would receive 2.5mill up front and monthly payments, heaven forbid we got to the promised land and he would receive whatever was then o/s and a bonus to show gratitude for helping our club. In principle I believed the deal was done, everyone will be glad to know it did not involve me returning as anything other than in an honorary position.

Before the Celtic game I met Gianni to shake on the deal, but found that another option had risen and to make this absolutely clear. Gianni said he was willing still to accept the offer I had proposed if I insisted.

He gave me the briefest details of another offer, that we both agreed he need expand no more to me on.

For the good of our club it was obvious that no one needed to look any further. FULL STOP. I was happy to wish Gianni and his other bid every possible success. My group disbanded and went on to something else and I sat back then and began to dream.

From my limited knowledge of the clubs finances we will either go into administration by the end of the month or we will survive because someone..

A. puts in a minimum 5 million immediately.

or

B. gambles the survival of our club in the belief that they can sweet talk several football clubs and the tax man to wait for installments of the installments we have as a club been offering installments offor years!!!.

I don't doubt prominent 'QPR' people will ask, what do I know and why didn't i do things differently. I wonder if anyone will see the irony of those comments when they come from whoever.

If anyone thinks this is not the 59th minute of the 11th hour let me warn, this is not Fulham P.R. again or some kind of MK Rs it will be the end of our club.

I hate writing this because I am aware this sort of statement does nothing to help the side so would ask that no matter what happens over the next few days you show 100% support to John Gregory and the team and by all means vent your anger at me for not achieving more and in as constructive a way as is possible at this time anyone else you feel is or has let the club down.

To the the people who think they have a better plan than the takeover we so nearly had prior to the statement last night come out and tell us about it.

Tell us you are paying off ABC.

Tell us you are paying off other football clubs.

Tell us you are paying off the taxman.

Tell us our club is debt free.

Tell us about your plans to improve the ground.

There is no need to be coy, the club is not for sale. You will not be giving away trade secrets that anyone else can use against us. You will just be confirming you can pay our debts and improve our club. Think how happy we will all be to hear that.

Bill Power

[Originally Posted on the Independent Rs Site, August 15, 2007 - Indyrs

And a subsequent slightly more optimistic post from the former Chairman

Lets get positive
Think we all may be guilty [me very much included] of dragging ourselves into a self fulfilling spiral of despair.
Things are never over till they are over.
I am sure, no matter what, there are enough good people out there to make things happen.
Certain.
COME ON U Rssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Indyrs

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QPR 1st - Response to "No Sale" club statement - August 15, 2007
"The Supporters Trust are extremely concerned and perplexed by the statement ...
Complete QPR1st Statement

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Twenty years ago, August 15, 1987: QPR under Jim Smith/Peter Shreeves, having survived/escaped from the proposed merger with Fulham, under the new ownership of David Bulstrode, kicked off their new season with a 3-0 win at West Ham. Making his QPR debut: Paul Parker. (Also Dean Coney, Kevin Brock and Mark Dennis).
QPR team that day against West Ham.
Seaman
Dennis Fenwick McDonald Fereday
Parker Brock Allen (M)
Banniser Byrne Coney

In the early weeks, QPR actually headed the First Division Table...and ended the season 5th with 67 points and top London Club.

Later that season, Bannister was sold; Mark Falco was bought and Trevor Francis joined as a player. A year later, Bulstrode was sadly RIP; Smith, Brock and Fereday were at Newcastle. And Trevor Francis was player manager.

QPR's 1987-1988 Season: Final League Table

QPR's 1987/1988 Results

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[Nick Ward played in yesterday's 1-2 Carling Cup defeat - Match Report on Ward's performance - Australia Four Four Two Report


Spiranovic added to Olyroos squad
German-based defender Matthew Spiranovic has been called up to the Olyroos squad for next week's qualifying group match against Iraq in Qatar.
.....side weakened by the loss of several A-League players.
Adelaide United midfielder Kristian Sarkies withdrew because of injury, while Sydney FC and Socceroos defender Mark Milligan and Newcastle striker Mark Bridge miss out because of suspension.
Coach Graham Arnold has named a 20-man squad for the match scheduled for next Wednesday - an Iraqi home game which will be played in Doha because of the domestic problems in war-torn Iraq.
Meanwhile, Gosford and Newcastle have been chosen to host the Olyroos' home group matches.
Australia will meet North Korea at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle on September 8, before further matches at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford against Lebanon on September 12 and Iraq on November 17.
Olyroos squad: Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Ersan Gulum (Vestel Manisaspor, Turkey), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City, England), Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), David Micevski (Perth Glory), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Steven O'Dor (Wellington Phoenix), Bradley Porter (Central Coast Mariners), Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Nick Ward (QPR, England), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC). The Age

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Orient Official Site

Ling - We Thoroughly Deserved The Win
Posted on: Wed 15 Aug 2007

MARTIN LING felt Orient showed an improvement on Saturday's victory over Southend in their Carling Cup success against QPR.

The O's performed encouragingly at Roots Hall, but they found another gear at Loftus Road on Tuesday to dump the Championship club out of the League Cup and maintain their perfect start to the season.

He said: "We've had two difficult games to start the season with, so it's very pleasing to have come away with two victories.

"I actually think we played better tonight than we did on Saturday and we thoroughly deserved the win.

"We lost Thornton, Saah and Purches from Saturday's winning team, but the players who came in did a great job and that's proven by the result. It gives me some interesting selection headaches for the Walsall game.

"Both Tam and Alton came through their fitness tests and both were probably at 90%, but they came through with flying colours and performed excellently.

"It wasn't a smash and grab kind of victory. We're a team who try to pass, and what's pleasing for me at the moment is that we've got nine new players who understand the way I play and what I want..

"I said to them at half time that we'd held them for 45 minutes, but that wasn't enough for me. I thought they were there for the taking if we continued in that matter and we did continue in that manner."

Orient secured victory with two goals in nine second half minutes and Ling was impressed with the contribution of his front two.

He continued: "The goals came in a good spell - Jason took his goal well and Wayne Gray created the penalty for Boydy to stick away.

"As a front two, Adam and Wayne were much better tonight. I felt that they looked like they were learning each other's games on Saturday but they were on the ball tonight.

"Boydy will be pleased with two in two, but Wayne Gray takes a lot of credit as well."

Whilst refusing to get carried away with Orient's early season success, Ling is pleased that his new players have been able to gel in a winning environment.

He added: "If we'd lost our first two games, people would have started talking about Lockwood, Alexander and those type of players.

"When they went I said that I would bring in some new players that the fans would enjoy watching and so far they can say that is the case.

"We can't get carried away as two games is just a snippet of the season - but it's a snippet I've enjoyed so far."
Orient

INDEPENDENT

Carling Cup round-up: Gregory vows to stay calm as Boyd knocks QPR out
By Kieran Daley

QPR manager John Gregory refused to criticise his side despite an abject performance as they went down 2-1 to Leyton Orient in the first round of the Carling Cup.

Rangers left the field to chants of "what a load of rubbish" after goals from Jason Demetriou and Adam Boyd secured victory for the League One side. "I'm not happy with the outcome. We didn't use the ball well and we gave it away too easily," said Gregory.

"But everyone ran around and tried their best. I don't get too excited when we win and I won't when we lose. There will be no knee-jerk reactions from me, although we have lost a Carling Cup match and it hurts." Independent

DAILY MIRROR - O'S MAKE IT SO GLOOMY FOR GREGORY

Qpr manager John Gregory refused to lay into his side despite an abject performance as they went down at home in the first round of the Carling Cup.

Rangers left the field to chants of "what a load of rubbish" after goals from Jason Demetriou and Adam Boyd secured victory for League One Orient. "I'm not happy with the outcome. We didn't use the ball well and we gave it away too easily," said Gregory.

"But everyone ran around and tried their best. I don't get too excited when we win and I won't when we lose. There will be no knee-jerk reactions from me, although we have lost a Carling Cup match and it hurts. We've got injuries but we should have had more than enough to win that tonight. I wanted to be in the hat and I'm disappointed."

Boyd chased down a hopeful up-andunder from defence on the edge of the Rangers box and his heavy touch fell to Demetriou, who made no mistake from 10 yards for the opener.

And the visitors went 2-0 up when Danny Cullip brought down Wayne Gray in the area and Boyd stepped up to send Lee Camp the wrong way for his second goal of the season.

Martin Rowlands, easily Rangers' best player on the night, slid in to pull one back after 68 minutes but the O's held out to spring a surprise.

Visiting boss Martin Ling, whose side won at Southend on the opening day, said: "That's two good performances now, and it's something to build on, but that's all.

"But it's pleasing so far, it's important to get off to a good start with so many new players and so far so good." Daily Mirror


Also: Simon Skinner/QPR Net - Match Report

Other QPR/Orient Reports and comments (earlier in QPR Report) = Reports/Comments

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QPR Official Site - John Gregory - 'IT HURTS'
Gaffer John Gregory bemoaned the R's below-par display as Rangers bowed out of the Carling Cup to League One side Leyton Orient.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk after the 2-1 defeat, Gregory said: "I'm not happy with the outcome.
"We lost the game - that's what went wrong tonight.
"We didn't pass the ball well enough and gave it away far too easily."
Gregory added: "I don't get too excited when we win and I'm not going to make any knee jerk reactions now we've lost this game tonight.
"It hurts a lot, because we didn't perform well enough.
"We had to make changes, but we should have had more than enough about us to win the tie.
"We didn't though and we go again at Harlington in the morning." QPR

QPR Official Site QPR 1 Orient 2

Rangers bowed out of the Carling Cup to League One side Leyton Orient at a rain-swept Loftus Road.

Two goals in a nine minute purple patch early in the second half gave Martin Ling's outfit the initiative, as the R's were left to rue a hatful of missed half chances in the first period.

Martin Rowlands provided brief hope with a quarter of the tie to go, but earlier strikes from Jason Demetriou and Adam Boyd (pen) ultimately proved to be enough for the O's to progress.

With one eye of the impending visit of Cardiff City to Loftus Road on Saturday, John Gregory made four changes to the side which drew 2-2 at Bristol City on the opening of the Championship campaign.

The fit-again Marcus Bignot and Danny Cullip returned in defence, while Nick Ward and Marc Nygaard were also recalled to the starting XI.

Orient included former Luton front-man Boyd, but there was no place in the squad for former Sunderland midfielder Sean Thornton.

Rangers were on the front foot from the first whistle and it was Saturday's man of the match Martin Rowlands who was at the heart of the action.

The in-form midfielder forced Stuart Nelson into a simple save from distance early on, before Ward's neat one-two with Stefan Moore resulted in him stinging the palms of the O's custodian from the edge of the box.

The lively Stefan Bailey was next to test the overworked O's keeper, when he thrashed wide after arriving bang on cue to meet Nygaard's cushioned header.

At the other end, Boyd forced Lee Camp to scramble across his goal and save at the second attempt, after the former Hartlepool goal-getter sent a skimming effort off the lush Loftus Road turf.

Boyd was proving a constant threat and he should have done better on 20 minutes, pulling his eight-yard effort inches wide of Camp's right hand post from an acute angle.

Orient grew in stature as the half progressed and with the clock showing 35 minutes, Wayne Corden tricked Zesh Rehman one way and then the other, before laying the ball off to JJ Melligan.

Gifted time and space 15-yards from goal, the O's midfielder squandered his golden opportunity, leaning back and firing high and wide.

Rangers ended the half in the ascendancy though, with Moore glancing wide Bignot's searching cross five minutes before the break and the impressive Ward seeing his goal-bound shot blocked after a jinking solo run.

Ward picked up where he left off at the start of the second half, firing another left footed effort just wide of the target after Bailey and Nygaard combined effectively.

Rangers were left to rue their missed opportunities though, when Orient opened the scoring on 54 minutes.

Boyd evaded the last line of a static R's defence and when his heavy touch fell into the path of the unmarked Demetriou, the midfielder took one touch to set before guiding the ball past the exposed Camp.

After being a mere spectator for much of the match, Camp was suddenly the centre of attention, as he pulled off a stunning save to deny Wayne Gray, as he stole a march on Mancienne to meet Corden's cross.

There was to be no reprieve though, as Cullip sent Gray tumbling to ground inside the box a minute later, leaving referee Mr Hall with little option but to point to the spot.

Boyd made no mistake from 12-yards, sending Camp the wrong way to compound Rangers' woes.

The two-goal buffer lasted just a matter of minutes though, as Rowlands got the Hoops back in the tie.

Ward appeared to be in a perfect position to apply the all-important touch to an innocuous looking through ball, but when he was denied at the last by a superbly timed challenge, the ball fell to Rowlands, who finished with aplomb.

Gregory rang the changes in an attempt to breath fresh life into the R's indifferent performance, but the second goal the Rangers' faithful so dearly craved proved to be beyond them.

QPR: Camp, Bignot (Curtis 81), Cullip, Mancienne, Bolder, Rowlands, Moore (St Aimie 64), Bailey, Rehman (Stewart 81), Ward, Nygaard.

Subs: Cole, Timoska.

Scorers: Rowlands 68

Bookings: Ward 45, Cullip 63

Leyton Orient: Nelson, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Melligan (Daniels 76), Chambers, Gray, Corden, Terry, Boyd (Echanomi 76), Palmer, Demetriou.

Subs: Morris, Sylvester, Shields.

Scorers: Demetriou 54, Boyd 63

Referee: Mr A R Hall QPR

ORIENT OFFICIAL SITE
Orient Match Report

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Sporting Life - QPR DENY TAKEOVER RUMOURS

QPR have scotched reports of an imminent takeover at the west London club by declaring they are "not for sale".
The cash-strapped Hoops have been linked with a takeover by the boss of the Renault Formula One team Flavio Briatore and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Chairman Gianni Paladini is thought to be willing to sell the Championship club, but has yet to find suitable investors.
But a statement from Antonio Caliendo, the chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, on the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk, has contradicted recent reports.
It read: "There have been many rumours spread in the newspapers recently about QPR. The club is not for sale.
"The club will be making no further comment at this stage. Sporting Life

DAILY MAIL - QPR insist they are 'not for sale'

QPR tonight scotched reports of an imminent takeover at the west London club by declaring they are "not for sale".

The cash-strapped Hoops have been linked with a takeover by the boss of the Renault Formula One team Flavio Briatore and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Chairman Gianni Paladini is thought to be willing to sell the Championship club, but has yet to find suitable investors.

But a statement from Antonio Caliendo, the chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, on the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk, has contradicted recent reports.

It read: "There have been many rumours spread in the newspapers recently about QPR. The club is not for sale.

"The club will be making no further comment at this stage." Mail

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QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT
Tue 14 Aug 2007

Antonio Caliendo, Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, has made the following announcement:
"There have been many rumours spread in the newspapers recently about QPR.
"The Club is not for sale."
Antonio Caliendo
Chairman, QPR Holdings Ltd
[* Subsequent added line] "*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage."
QPR Official Site

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South London Press - Taylor: Shefki going nowhere - Aug 14 2007 - By Richard Cawley
"...Meanwhile Taylor has admitted his disappointment at missing out on West Ham’s Hogan Ephraim, who joined Championship rivals QPR on loan last week.
I wanted Hogan to come in because he can play wide or up front," said Taylor. "But I’m interested in having him for longer than a month so I’m going to keep an eye on his situation. I wouldn’t rule out making a move for him later in the season." South London Press


From a couple of Weeks Ago: Crystal Palace's Interest in Hogan Ephraim (before Ephraim joined QPR on Loan)

This is Local London - Eagles step closer to Hogan swoop By Sami Mokbel

Crystal Palace target Hogan Ephraim has moved a step closer to a Selhurst Park switch after admitting his future lies away from West Ham.

Eagles boss Taylor revealed he is interested in acquiring the 19-year-old forward's services earlier this week and it now seems his chances of swooping for the Upton Park starlet have increased after Ephraim admitted he is likely to leave the Premiership big-spenders.

Ephraim has fallen down the pecking order at the Boleyn Ground after Alan Curbishley's summer acquisitions Craig Bellamy, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg - and it now seems the youngster has decided to cut his losses in search of first-team football.

However, Taylor will face stiff competition for his signature from fellow Championship rivals Colchester United where Ephraim made 21 appearances as part of a loan deal last year.

Ephraim said: "It doesn't look like I'll be in West Ham's first team now so I'm hoping for a loan move so that I can get regular football."

"There has been a few clubs interested but only one has made firm contact with West Ham."
He added: "I've asked the manager whether I can choose the club that is right for me to go on loan to but he may have a different preference and I would respect that." This is Local London

This is Local London - Eagles boss eyes Hogan swoop
Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor is eyeing a loan swoop for West Ham starlet Hogan Ephraim as he looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new season.

The 19-year-old, who made 21 appearances on loan at Championship rivals Colchester United last season, has been earmarked by Taylor as the man to add some spark to his forward line.

But the Eagles chief insists that any potential deal is still a long way from fruition.

Taylor said: "Hogan is a player I like and on my list - but nothing is happening at the moment. As far as I know, he is still playing and training with West Ham."

After the signings of defenders Jose Fonte - whose loan deal was completed yesterday - Jeff Hughes and Tony Craig, Taylor has made no secret of his desire to bring