QPR Snippets

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As QPR fans await announcement of the club's new manager with various board posters confidently saying: "It's definitely Ian Dowie" while another says "It's definitely Not Ian Dowie" while a third says "It's definitely an Italian manager." The wait goes on!


"Where Are They Now?" Donovan Ricketts: QPR's almost-signing (as opposed to almost QPR goalie Stefan Postma or briefly QPR goalie, Matt Pickens) Donovan Ricketts: "While waiting on another UK work permit to resume his professional football career in England, first-choice national goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts has been keeping in form by working out with the national U-20 team, which is preparing for World Cup qualifiers in July. Ricketts, who has been in the island since coming for the March 26 friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, was denied re-entry to England. According to the immigration office in Sheffield, Ricketts had not got the necessary stamp in his documentation to meet UK employment laws.
Failed transfer
The office was also reluctant to renew his work permit as he was no longer the first-choice goalie at Bradford City after a failed transfer to Queens' Park Rangers left him in limbo. Jamaica's fall in the world rankings to 105th isn't helping matters either..."Jamaica


Birthdays for two former QPR Midfielders: John Gregory and Mark Bircham

John Gregory: Turned 54 yesterday: Born May 11, 1954
Signed from Brighton, by Terry Venables in 1981 as a defender/midfielder (around the same time that Clive Allen was re-signed from Crystal Palace). Gregory (previously with Northampton and Aston Villa) was a prolific goalscorer for QPR as they reached Wembley and almost got promotion, in his first season; won the 2nd Division Championship in his second season; and got into Europe in his third season. (Gregory also played several times for England, while at QPR). Gregory was sold by Jim Smith to then Third-Division, Derby County in November 1985.
And for 20 years, that was the QPR component to John Gregory's career. Then in September 2006, Gregory was appointed to replaced Gary Waddock as QPR Manager (after having being linked a few times in the past year, to the position). QPR stayed up. Gregory was given a new contract before before being axed a few months later.
See also: John Gregory/Wikipedia


Birthday also for Marc Bircham who turned 30 yesterday: Born May 11, 1978. QPR fan. QPR player. Now with Yeovil. Best of luck to him. See also: Bircham/Wikipedia


Another former QPR midfielder and manager, Ian Holloway could be in trouble today as he is set to meet with Leicester owner, Milan Mandaric (who has already shown himself willing to dismiss Leicester managers. . As the messageboards make clear, opinions vary over Holloway as manager. But best of luck to Ian Holloway, who did an awful lot for QPR.


Tommy Doherty: Supposedly had some good moments yesterdayfor Wycombe in their first leg 1-1 draw at home to Stockport. "Playmaker Tommy Doherty showed some early glimpses of the class that earned him a move to QPR three seasons ago when his superbly struck drive forced a good save from John Ruddy on five minutes, which he then followed by a delicate lob from the subsequent corner that landed just over the bar...." Report


Not such a great day for Danny Shittu, whose Watford lost 0-2 at home to Hull and went off injured. Hull had Simon Walton as a non-playing substitute on the bench).


Robert Earnshaw: May not be QPR, but reportedly Derby County have accepted an offer for their striker Robert Earnshaw. QPR were reportedly interested in him (as were Cardiff).


Dropping Down: Ex-QPR Chairman, Chris Wright From a couple of weeks ago: "The Sunday Times Rich List has been published, revealing the wealthiest 1,000 people in the UK, and our area is well-represented......THE LOSERS - "This year has seen three big names drop out of the top 1,000 richest people. ...Chris Wright, born in Louth, was worth £95-million last year thanks to his stake in music company Chrysalis...." Grimsby Telegraph

The Earl of Yarborough, who inherited 28,000 acres of Lincolnshire countryside, was last year worth a tidy £70-million.