Flashbacks: Walton and Camp Sign for QPR...Then QPR's Chairmen Caliendo was Speaking on QPR Matters

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One year ago, considerable fan optimism as QPR were splashing the cash (by their standards) by signing two young players with some pedigree: Lee Camp and Simon Walton. Should be an interesting season for the two of them, as Camp fights for that #1 spot and Walton sees if he can get into the QPR squad. (He was previously signed by Dowie to Charlton). And two years ago, other issues. Puts everything into perspective after QPR's first pre-season defeat and the club's "failure," thus far, to sign any multi-million pound players!. [As an illustration of how far QPR have come, it's just under four years ago since QPR signed George Santos on a free and Santos played a short-term, crucial role for the club. Santos Remembered]


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ADDICKS ACE SIGNS
QPR are delighted to announce the £200,000 signing of Charlton Athletic ace Simon Walton.
The 19-year-old midfielder has penned a three-year deal at Loftus Road and, in doing so, becomes John Gregory's seventh arrival of the summer, following in the footsteps of Chris Barker, Danny Nardiello, John Curtis, Michael Mancienne, Ben Sahar and Lee Camp.
"I'm glad it is all sorted out,'' Walton told www.qpr.co.uk. "I've already played five full games during pre-season with Charlton, so I feel fresh and I'm raring to go.
"I like to put my foot in as a player, and give my all for the team. I'd run through a brick wall if asked to.
"I might not play well every week, but I will always give 100 per cent. That's probably one of the main pluses of my game.
"Now I can't wait for the first game of the season against Bristol City on 11th August."
A product of the Leeds United academy, Walton made his professional debut at the tender age of 16.
He went on to make 37 appearances in all competitions for the Whites, before joining Charlton Athletic for a fee of £500,000 at the start of the 2006/07 season.
Iain Dowie's surprise early sacking at The Valley disrupted Walton's progress though, and he spent time on loan at Ipswich Town and Cardiff City.
The tough tackling midfielder, who can also play in defence, scored against the R's last season, in the Tractor Boys' 3-1 win at Loftus Road in August.
Gaffer John Gregory believes he can get the best out of a player once likened to Leeds United and England international David Batty, commenting: "Simon has been a victim of circumstance in the last 18 months or so.
"I think that we will benefit greatly from the fact that Iain Dowie signed Simon at Charlton and Alan Pardew's arrival has meant that Alan wants his own players in his team.
"Consequently, Simon has become surplus to his requirements.
"Simon is 19 years old but his presence on the field belies his age.
"I think he is going to quickly become a fans' favourite with his no-nonsense approach and 100% commitment to wearing the blue and white hooped shirt."
Walton will wear the No.19 shirt. QPR

CHARLTON OFFICIAL SITE - Walton joins QPR
Simon Walton has left The Valley to join Charlton's Championship neighbours Queens Park Rangers.
The versatile defender-cum-midfielder, who spent two spells away from SE7 on loan last term, has sealed a permanent £200,000 switch to Loftus Road.
Walton, 19, was the first signing of the Iain Dowie era last summer, but spent most of the campaign plying his trade for both Ipswich Town and Cardiff City in the second tier.
And he actually netted against the Hoops in the second match of his initial spell as a Tractor Boy, converting a 62nd-minute penalty as Ipswich came from behind to win 3-1 in West London.
Former boss Dowie initially paid Leeds United £500,000 for his services, though Walton spent time East Anglia and South Wales while the dramatic events unfolded at The Valley.
Having taken the plunge and moved south, the former England U19 international was a regular fixture in Charlton's pre-season campaign, but having played just five games for Leeds the previous campaign, a move to Ipswich Town was seen as a handy step in his route to the Addicks first team.
Immediately catching the eye for the Tractor Boys, his one-month loan was quickly extended to four months and Walton's arrival at Portman Road coincided with a five-match unbeaten run that saw him score two penalties as well as a deflected effort against Birmingham City.
Combative by nature, Walton's no-nonsense presence in the middle of the park saw him collect six yellow cards and a suspension before he was sent off in a 2-1 defeat at Derby County.
Such competitiveness is a trait that has followed Walton throughout his career from the moment he volunteered to take - and score - a penalty in his first Leeds United outing in pre-season, before being later dismissed for two bookings.
And he would go on to feature 38 times for Leeds, netting three goals until his Valley switch.
Meanwhile, after 19 appearances for Ipswich, Walton returned to The Valley and played his one and only reserve-team fixture, skippering the second string to a 1-0 reserve win at Chelsea on January 22nd....

Also: Walton Profiled - and what others said


QPR OFFICIAL SITE IN PROFILE: SIMON WALTON
Simon Walton began his career with Leeds United at the tender age of 16.
His first ever senior appearance for the Elland Road outfit arrived against Spanish giants Valencia in a pre-season friendly in 2004, where he scored a penalty - and received his marching orders for two bookable offences!
Disciplinary problems hardly hindered the England Under-16 international's progress though, and in his first full season as a professional, he racked up an impressive 32 appearances in all competitions, weighing in with priceless goals against Reading, Preston North End and Cardiff City..... QPR
Report


Lee Camp Signs for QPR
-QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: CAMP PENS DEAL
The Club are delighted to announce the signing of England Under-21 goalkeeper Lee Camp from Derby County for a fee of £300,000.
After two successful loan spells with the R's, Camp, 22, has finally made his switch to W12 a permanent one, after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
The transfer represents somewhat of a coup for gaffer John Gregory, who has always stated his intentions to reunite Camp with the current R's squad, with whom he made such a notable contribution during the latter stages of last season.
The Rangers manager said: "It feels like an absolute eternity since I started competing for the permanent transfer of Lee Camp.
"I have finally managed to get my number one priority of the summer in, and I couldn't be more delighted.
"For the first time as manager of QPR I have found myself in a position where I can pay a transfer fee.
"I have been given a small transfer kitty so I have to spend the money very wisely.
"Lee played an integral part in helping us maintain our Championship status last season. He is an outstanding goalkeeper and his arrival is a massive boost, not only to the squad but also to our supporters.
"Somehow we have managed to put together the £300,000 it has cost us in bringing Lee to Loftus Road, which has been paid directly by QPR and not by any other outside sources.
"When we sold Lee Cook, Chairman Gianni Paladini promised me there would be a percentage of Cookie's fee that I could spend in the market this summer, and he has been true to his word." Camp will wear the No.1 shirt.QPR

DERBY OFFICIAL SITE - CAMP MAKES RANGERS SWITCH
Goalkeeper Lee Camp has completed a permanent move to Coca-Cola Championship side Queens Park Rangers for a £300,000 fee.... - Report


And two years ago: July 27, 2006: QPR's Antonio Caliendo and Gianni Paladini were speaking:

QPR Official Statement QPR Holding Chairman, Antonio Caliendo Statement re QPR Post-Dunga-
In the wake of widespread and further inaccurate reporting, Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, Antonio Caliendo, would like to issue the following statement:
"Despite Carlos Dunga tendering his resignation as a non-executive director on Tuesday, he will continue to support the Club financially.
"The Board's objective remains the same as it always has been - to get QPR back on a sound financial footing and in time, a return to the Premiership.
"I want to reassure the shareholders and supporters that we are doing everything possible to achieve that goal.
"We have invested wisely in the squad this summer and I believe we are in a fantastic position to challenge in the top half of the Championship.
"Last season was a very difficult time for the Board. Since September, we've put in over £4million to ensure the Club's finances are in a stable position to build for the future.
"As a Board, we aim to keep our promise of not selling our best players. Obviously there are certain clauses in players' contracts which means we have to allow them to speak to other Clubs, but our aim is the Premiership and to achieve this we need to keep all our best players.
"The Dan Shittu situation is a perfect example. The bottom line is that we want to keep Danny at the Club. He's a fantastic professional and a tremendous player, but if we receive a £3million bid then he has the freedom to talk to whoever comes in for him.
"We love Queens Park Rangers and we are doing everything possible to safeguard the prestige of this wonderful Club.
"Together, there is only one voice - We Are QPR.''


SkySport/Chris Stanton - July 27, 2006 - Paladini on Shittu & WBA:
Queens Park Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has hinted that West Bromwich Albion are close to meeting his side's asking price for Danny Shittu.
Rangers have been vehement in their insistence on recouping a £3 million fee for Shittu this summer - a price stipulated in the player's contract.
Premiership new boys Watford fell short in their bid to land the 25-year-old Nigerian, who also interests Birmingham, but Paladini admits Championship side Albion could be about to succeed where The Hornets failed.
"This has taken so much of my time, it has to be finished off now," said Paladini.
"If we have to wait for the money in instalments, then that's fine, but I always said the fee would be £3 million.
"When you see other players of similar talent going for more, you realise that what we want for Danny is more than reasonable."