Gorkss Training With QPR...Flowers High Spirits at QPR...Ex-QPR's Ron Springett and Gary Bannister Birthdays...Jake Cole Recovery

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BBC - Flowers says spirits high at QPR
Queens Park Rangers assistant manager Tim Flowers says the spirit is great at the club at the moment.
QPR are approaching their first season since new owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and the Mittal Family completed their takeover of the club.
And Flowers told BBC London 94.9: "The spirit is very, very good. We're delighted with the squad we've got.
"We're not going to shout from the roof-tops, we're going to get on with it nice and quietly and see how we go."
The former England goalkeeper is aware of the expectations on the club after its high-profile takeover and the arrival of new manager Iain Dowie and several summer signings.
"There's one or two new faces coming in, some young players as well that have come over from Italy and Ledesma from Argentina," he said.
"It takes a while for people to bed in but we're okay, we're happy with the way it's gone," Flowers added after QPR's 3-1 win against Stevenage on Saturday. BBC


As has been noted on various QPR messageboards
Blackpool Gazette - Seasiders star "training with QPR"
KASPARS Gorkss is understood to be training with QPR ahead of the new season.
The Latvian's transfer from Blackpool to Rangers has yet to go through but dialogue between the clubs is ongoing and it is thought that a deal will be agreed before the new campaign begins.
When the squabbling is sorted out, the Seasiders will receive £250,000 for Gorkss and will probably get striker Daniel Nardiello as part of the deal.
Gorkss scored seven goals for Pool last year and was a dominant figure in the back four.
He was also a target for Burnley and Preston North End but was swayed by the big wages on offer at QPR, Britain's richest club after being taken over by Formula One's Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone last year.
There has been no word of where Gorkss is in the build-up to the new campaign but The Gazette now understands he is with QPR, albeit in a training-only capacity: until his transfer has been rubber-stamped he will not be allowed to feature in Rangers' pre-season games. Blackpool Gazette


Jake Cole: Injury Update
Oxford Mail: "..And the news on keeper Jake Cole's groin injury is encouraging, with U's boss Darren Patterson hopeful that the on-loan QPR stopper will be fit to face a Man Utd XI on Saturday..." Oxford Mail


Two Ex-QPR Birthdays: Ron Springett and Gary Bannister
When QPR fans talk on the boards "Who Was QPR's goalie", Ron Springett's name doesn't always come up; but it certainly should. Started and ended his professional career with QPR. Springett turns 73 today. Meanwhile one of Alan Mullery signings, Gary Bannister turns 47.

Ron Springett Turns 73 - Born July 22, 1935 Started with QPR. Was transferred to Sheffield Wednesday in 1958 (while continuing to train with QPR). Rejoined QPR in 1967, while his goalkeeping brother, Peter Springett (RIP) joined Sheffield Wednesday. Retired in 1969. While with Sheffield Wednesday, capped 33 times for England. - Photos of Ron Springett

Sheffield Wednesday Profile
Ron Springett's achievements during his nine years at Hillsborough earned him the tag of the greatest goalkeeper in SWFC history.
His 33 England caps between 1959 and 1966 made him the most-capped player in the Clubs' history - a record which he held for 26 years. He also represented the Football League on nine occasions.
Springett joined Wednesday from Queens Park Rangers in March 1958, and it could be argued that had he been recruited a little earlier in the campaign, the Club could have avoided relegation. However, he was influential as the Owls bounced straight back up the following year.
His form was a stabilising influence as the team performed impressively on their return to the top flight, finishing fifth in 1959/60 and runners-up the following season.
Ron continued to impress as both Wednesday and England number one as the Club consistently finished in the top half of Division One. In 1966, Springett was a senior member of the side which reached the FA Cup Final. Although he remained first choice goalkeeper throughout his stint at the club, it is of interest to note that he was never actually an ever-present during that time. Springett is famed for the fact that he continued to live in London after his transfer to Wednesday, training with QPR during the week and travelling to games at the weekend. Ever the model professional, Ron's performances were always immaculate despite the extra travelling.
Springett returned to Loftus Road in June 1967 as part of a unique deal which saw his younger brother Peter, also a goalkeeper, move in the other direction.

Springett Wikipedia Profile
England Profile of Springett -- Springett England Stats


Gary Bannister Turns 48
Born July 22 1960 -Alan Mullery's first signing for QPR after taking over from Terry Venables: The former Coventry striker was signed from Sheffield Wednesday for 200,000 pounds in August 1984 as a replacement for Clive Allen who was then sold to Spurs. Bannister had a great goalscoring record, scoring 56 goals in 136 games.
Jim Smith sold him to his original club,Coventry in the middle of the 1987-1988 season (the Parker/Coney/Pizanti/Brock/Falco/Francis season!) for 300,000 pounds. Bannister Profile. See Wikipedia/Bannister...Also good profile of Bannister at QueensParkRangersFC.com