Snippets: Almost-QPR Goalie Refused UK Entry...Cullip's Team of Week...Maguire to Wimbledon....Two Ex-QPR Birthdays...Dean Parrett

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Bradford Telegraph/Argus - Simon Parker - Ricketts may have played last game
Donovan Ricketts was not allowed back into England after international duty
City are unlikely to see Donovan Ricketts again after immigration officials blocked him from coming back into the country.
Ricketts, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is stuck in Jamaica - and looks to have played his final game at Valley Parade.
The 30-year-old keeper, one of the highest earners in the squad, would also be in breach of contract if he is unable to turn up to work for training.
Ricketts was stopped at Heathrow Airport on Friday as he returned with Omar Daley from international duty.
An official noticed that although he had a valid passport and work permit, Ricketts had not got the necessary stamp in his documentation to meet UK employment laws.
He was promptly refused entry and put back on a plane to New York, where he hoped to get the passport stamped at the British Embassy.
advertisementBut when City contacted the immigration agency in Sheffield, they were told that Ricketts had not completed the paperwork within the six-month deadline of the work permit being issued - and therefore it was viewed as invalid.
City could have applied for a new work permit but that would have been turned down because his contract is up in three months; Jamaica are outside FIFA's top 70, so he does not meet the international requirements; and he is no longer the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
"We tried everything we could to get Donovan back in but rules are rules," said City boss Stuart McCall.
"I like the fella and I'm disappointed that he's back in Jamaica. I would love him to get back but the longer things go on, it doesn't look good."
Ricketts, who last played for City at Wrexham in January, saw a move to QPR collapse in the transfer window because of work-permit problems.
McCall brought in Scott Loach on loan to replace him and the Watford youngster has appeared in every game since. Bradford Argus


Danny Cullip: - Gillingham Official Site reports that Gillingham's recently-released QPR defender Danny Cullip Makes Sun's League One Team of the Week. Gillingham


AFC Wimbledon - Monday 31 March 2008
Last day signings
"Terry Brown has been busy today bringing in the players who are intended to take the team through to the play offs and, hopefully, to promotion....
"Finally, we have signed QPR's Danny Maguire, another work experience player. Danny is a very promising central midfielder who is returning from a long term injury. When QPR are satisfied that he is back to full fitness (and he played last Saturday) then he will be made available to us..." AFC Wimbledon


April 1 Birthdays for ex-QPRs Andy Thompson turning 37 and Gordon Hill turning 54


Ex-QPR Dean Parrett: Played the first half of last week's England U-17 3-2 loss Russia in Israel in the UEFA U17 Elite Round Tournament. Stayed on the bench in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Israel.


QPR Reserves with Youths and Trialists (and coach in goal) Lose to Watford

QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE - QPR Reserves succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against local rivals Watford at Borehamwood FC tonight (Monday).

The R's, who are currently languishing at the wrong end of the Pontins Holiday's Combination League table, fielded no fewer than six trialists, from an array of Clubs including Portsmouth and West Ham United.
Furthermore, with goalkeeping duo Matt Pickens and Reece Crowther picking up minor knocks in training earlier in the day, and Jake Cole still sidelined with a thumb injury, R's First Team Coach David Rouse was forced into action between the sticks.
The former Manchester United coach was a virtual spectator early on though, as Rangers dominated the opening exchanges.
Steve Brown's side were rewarded for their fast-paced opening in the fifth minute, when Chris Arthur's free-kick was deflected past Mart Poom in the Watford goal.
Watford responded well though and they drew level on the half hour, when R's trialist Joe Ostler was adjudged to have sent Billy Gibson sprawling to ground inside the box and Liam Henderson stepped up to convert from the spot.
The experimental R's - and Angelo Balanta in particular - continued to impress, but buoyed by their equaliser, it was the hosts who took the lead on the stroke of half-time, when Gibson coolly slotted the ball into the left hand corner after neat approach play from Lloyd Doyley.
In a second half of few clear-cut chances, Balanta went closest to drawing the R's level when his powerful drive from close range was tipped wide by Poom.
At the other end, Lionel Ainsworth's dipping volley from fully 25-yards was well saved by Rouse, as Watford edged home.
QPR Reserves: David Rouse, Emmanuel Ugo Udoji, Joe Ostler, Elliott Braithwaite, Femi Kesanmi, Romone Rose, Matt O'Brien, Andreas Govas, Chris Arthur, Ben Hunt, Angelo Balanta.
Subs: Lee Brown, Danny Maguire, Aaron Morgan-Cummings, Josh Ford, Terry Smith. QPR


And the Watford Perspective
WATFORD Official Site

WATFORD came from a goal behind to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Boreham Wood FC this evening (Monday) - the night was topped off with the return to action of midfielder Gareth Williams.
The Scotsman came on with just over 20 minutes remaining - his first competitive football after a year out on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury.
The visitors took an early lead when a Chris Arthur deflected free kick spun in past Mart Poom. It marked a strong start by the Hoops but the 'Orns more than played their part too in an entertaining open affair throughout.
QPR lost defender Elliott Brathwaite after five minutes with a facial injury - and he was replaced by Josh Ford.
Watford came out on top in the 4-3 reverse fixture at Loftus Road earlier this season and the hosts recovered after the early set-back to gain all three points this time round too. The visitors had ex-Hornet Aaron Morgan amongst their ranks although the wide man didn't get a chance to step off the bench for the west Londoners.
The Hornets became more confident as the game went on with winger Billy Gibson in fine form alongside Liam Henderson and Lewis Young in attack.
The Golden Boys equalised through a Henderson penalty after Gibson was dragged down in the area. QPR defender Joe Ostler brought Gibson down and received a yellow card for his troubles.

Just two minutes after equalising the hosts had a superb chance to go ahead but 'keeper David Rouse had a relatively easy save to make after Henderson controlled from a Lionel Ainsworth shot - but he could only produce a relatively weak shot.
Then before half time the Golden Boys took the lead thanks to Gibson. His quick feet in the penalty box had Rangers mesmerised and with a flash the ball was nestling in the back of the net.
Rangers lost another player through injury just before the break when Andreas Govas trudged from the field, his place being taken by Danny Maguire.
During the second half the Superhoops came out fighting and in Arthur, Angelo Balanta and Ben Hunt - they had three pacy players with quick feet and an eye for goal.
Balanta looked confident following his first team experience and was a handful after the break. Arthur also gave stand-in right back Ross Jenkins a tough time during the second period - although Jenkins was controlled throughout as he had to move to accommodate Aaron Beech's enforced substitution.
With more space on offer after the break, Ainsworth saw more of the ball and started to stretch the QPR defence.
Williams made his return with just over 20 left and he played a deep role, sitting in front of the back four which allowed Douglas Rinaldi and substitute Santiago Aloi further freedom to roam forward.
Rinaldi drove a shot wide of Rouse's post before the final whistle while QPR sub Danny Maguire also slipped a shot clear of Poom's woodwork.
For all their quick breaks the visitors couldn't get past Lloyd Doyely and his colleagues in the Watford defence as the second string registered their first win since early February.
WATFORD: Poom; Doyley, Hodson, Beech (Clarke 54), Avinel; Jenkins, Ainsworth, Rinaldi, Gibson; L Henderson (Williams 68), L Young (Aloi 68). Subs not used: Antal (gk), Sordell.
QPR: Rouse; Ugo Udoji, Kesanmi (Brown 78), Ostler, Brathwaite (Ford 5); O'Brien, Rose, Govas (Maguire 45+2), Arthur; Hunt, Balanta. Subs not used: Smith, Morgan.
SCORERS: WATFORD; Henderson (26), Gibson (38). QPR; Arthur (3).
BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Avinel (24), QPR; Ostler (26).
REFEREE: Mr I J Cooper. Watford