QPR REPORT

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England U-21 squad announced for the May 15 England U-21 games against Wales: Matt Connolly and Dexter Blackstock named to the squad. Also Michael Mancienne and Cranie and Martin Cranie - Full England U-21 Squad

QPR Official SiteYOUNG LIONS
Rangers trio Dexter Blackstock, Matt Connolly and Michael Mancienne have been called up to the England Under-21 squad for the forthcoming friendly international against Wales.
Following the draw with Poland in Wolverhampton in March, the Young Lions will be hoping to taste victory at The Racecourse Ground on Thursday 15th May, as they continue their build up towards the last European Championship qualifier against Portugal in September.
Former R's loanee Martin Cranie has also been named in Stuart Pearce's squad, after missing the majority of the season owing to the injury he sustained against Coventry City in November.
The squad in full is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Hart, Heaton, Lewis.
Defenders: Connolly, Cranie, Dann, Fox, Mancienne, Shawcross, Taylor, Wheater.
Midfielders: Cattermole, A Johnson, M Johnson, Kightly, Leadbitter, Muamba, Noble, O'Hara.
Forwards: Agbonlahor, Blackstock, Campbell, Walcott
QPR

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Gavin Mahon: "Gav can get back on that bus"

GAVIN Mahon believes QPR need a change of attitude next season to meet the expectations that will be heaped upon the club.
Rangers' owners have made clear their ambition to oversee a promotion challenge from a club who have floundered in the lower regions of the Championship - and below - for most of the last decade.
Mahon is familiar with the sudden transformation in a club's fortunes, having spent three years battling relegation with Watford prior to the arrival of Adrian Boothroyd.
"I remember Adie's first words were 'get this season out of the way, then we'll get promoted next year'," Mahon recalled. "Everyone thought 'hang on a minute!'
"I'll never forget the first day we came back for pre-season, he had a room at the back of the training ground with 30-odd chairs in two or three lines and one at the front.
"He sat at the front and said 'this is the bus to the Premiership, does anyone fancy getting on board?' He gave us that belief, even though we didn't have the best players and we had the confidence to keep doing what we were doing.
"As the season went on, we realised we could achieve something special. That's what we need at QPR - we've definitely got the talent, we just need to have that belief.
"We all know what needs to be achieved at this club and I've said the squad of players we've got here is better than the squad when Watford got promoted."
And since his move to Loftus Road at the turn of the year, the combative midfielder has noticed a mental fragility that manifests itself all too often in the QPR side.
Rangers have surrendered a total of 10 points through last-minute goals since Luigi de Canio took charge and, but for their inability to defend a lead, might well have been able to mount a genuine play-off challenge.
"Half-time in the game against Burnley summed it up for me," said Mahon. "We were 2-1 up at home and the lads' heads were down. I was thinking 'this shouldn't be happening after we've played 40 minutes of good football'.
"We've talked about fitness levels and concentration, which maybe we need to work on, and belief we can pull a result through. Even when you're not playing so well, you have to be hard to beat.
"We want teams coming off the pitch knowing they've been in a game and maybe that means experienced players taking more responsibility to keep the youngsters going.
"Whether it's ugly or scrappy, just see the game out and move on to the next one. If we go one down, it's not the end of the world and that's the mentality we need to get through to all the players."
If Mahon can help to bring that change about, his one-season love affair with the Premier League could yet be rekindled in a Rangers shirt. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Mikele Leigertwood -Mikele aims to match Baggies next year
MIKELE Leigertwood believes QPR can set down a marker for next season by ending the campaign on a high against promoted West Brom this weekend.
Three points for the Baggies at Loftus Road on Sunday would clinch the Championship title, but Rangers are anxious to bounce back from the disappointment of a 3-0 thumping at Norwich.
That defeat ended Rangers' seven-game unbeaten run and midfielder Leigertwood told the Times: "We wanted to stay undefeated for the rest of the season, but that's gone now.
"West Brom will be looking to win the league, but we're at home and we've got to give a good account of ourselves against the top players and in front of our own fans.
"We need to show that we can be up there next season. We haven't got anything to play for apart from our pride, but everyone's passionate about putting on the shirt and giving their best."
Leigertwood was serving a suspension when the Rs last met West Brom, but the embarrassing memory of a 5-1 defeat that prompted the dismissal of manager John Gregory still rankles.
And the former Crystal Palace and Sheffield United man has no doubts about the positive transformation Rangers have undergone since that miserable September afternoon.
He added: "We owe West Brom one after getting beaten heavily at their place, so we'll be looking to turn that around on Sunday and end the season on a high.
"From that day, we've come a long way, with a change of management and changes in the playing staff, and of course we've had our ups and downs.
"We've been on a few unbeaten runs and probably haven't got as many points as we'd have liked overall, but we're going to stay positive and I hope next season we can really push for the top."
QPR will be without defender Damion Stewart for their final game of the season after their appeal against his red card at Norwich was turned down by the FA.
Referee Phil Joslin sent Stewart off after a minor challenge on Norwich's Ched Evans, who was then sent flying by what looked a much more forceful one from Lee Camp.
But the decision was upheld and Stewart will also be banned for the first game of next season as the red card was his second this campaign. Kilburn Times


Kilburn Times - Gareth Ainsworth
WEST Brom might be going for the title on Sunday, but we don't want to give them anything - instead we want to send out a message to the entire Football League.
Our opponents are on their way to the Premier League, but we want to be in their shoes this time next year. It's a great opportunity to look at West Brom, respect what they've achieved and think about where we want to be.
It's only seven months since the last time we played West Brom, but it feels like an eternity because so much has changed since then.
This is the new QPR and we want to be successful. I believe we've got even more potential than West Brom and the key to realising it, in my eyes, is desire more than skill.
Congratulations to West Brom, though. There are one or two aggressive, long-ball merchants in the top six this season, but Tony Mowbray's boys have consistently been the best footballing side and it's one of the rare occasions when the cream has risen to the top.
Whoever else goes up this season, I'd say West Brom are the most likely to survive because of their style.
We've played some good football ourselves since the gaffer arrived and one thing I'm certain of is that you'll see a different game from the one at the Hawthorns.
Of course, it'd help if we can keep 11 men on the pitch - a problem that made life very difficult at Norwich last Saturday.
Like thousands of others, I couldn't understand why Damion was sent off - he did push the guy, but surely the referee couldn't construe it as a professional foul.
I don't understand why we lost the appeal either. Maybe it's a case of not wanting to undermine the referee, but I really feel for Damion.
I feel for Reece Crowther as well - he was getting ready to come on for his debut because we all assumed it was Campy who'd be off.
It also meant I broke a personal record when myself and Hogan were sacrificed - that's certainly the quickest I've ever been substituted!
The supporters deserve a mention for the way they sang all afternoon despite the way the game was going.
I take my hat off to them - it's easy to go and see your team just round the corner, but travelling long distances is another matter and I can't wait for us to give those fans something to really cheer. Kilburn Times

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Yet another very fine profile and interview from the QPR Official Site. This time, QPR's Championship Winning (almost) Defender Frank McClintock.
Signed by Gordon Jago after we won promotion, McClintock helped QPR consolidate in the (old) First Division, and then under Dave Sexton, almost win the Championship, and almost win in Europe. A sign of how much on-the-field leadership, QPR in those days had, was that Mclintock was not actually captain of QPR (That was Terry Venables and then Gerry Francis)

QPR Official Site BLAST FROM THE PAST - Frank McClintock
In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, former R's legend Frank McLintock comes under the spotlight.
Few players achieve legendary status at more than one Football Club - Frank McLintock is the exception to the rule.
When McLintock arrived at Loftus Road in 1973, he was already a legend of the beautiful game on the back of his memorable nine-year spell with North London giants Arsenal.
When he retired from professional football in 1977, his glowing reputation had reached arguably even greater heights in W12.
Described by former R's boss John Gregory as 'the first player I'd buy if I had the pick of any QPR players past and present,' McLintock joined Rangers for a paltry £20,000 in the summer of 1973.
"Bertie Mee (the Arsenal Manager) didn't think I was capable of playing in the top flight any more, but I knew I could still produce the goods at the highest level,'' McLintock told www.qpr.co.uk.
"It (joining QPR) was a simple choice to make - I didn't want my family to leave London.
"I knew very little about QPR as a Club, but they'd recently got promoted so I saw it as a great opportunity, a great challenge if you like.
"I didn't go there expecting much, but I received one of the biggest surprises of my life.''
Indeed, having carved out a successful playing career down the road at Highbury, many viewed McLintock's move to Loftus Road as a step in the wrong direction.
However, in a QPR side full of flamboyance and guile, McLintock embodied the desire and will-to-win that saw Rangers - in Frank's own words - emerge as one of the 'greatest teams in the land.'
"The quality within the QPR squad was something else. It took me totally by surprise,'' he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Gordon Jago was a real gentleman and Bobby Campbell the coach made me feel really welcome.
"I arrived at QPR intent on proving a point to Bertie Mee and as it contrived a few years later, Arsenal dropped down the table and we were up there competing for the title.''
After finishing eighth and eleventh respectively in McLintock's first two seasons in W12, Rangers mounted a serious charge for title in the 1975/76 campaign.
"We were the best football team in the country that year, probably in the whole of Britain. It was a magnificent team to play for.
"There was a great spine to the side. Phil (Parkes) was probably the number one keeper in the land at the time, up there with (Gordon) Banks as the best ever.
"Myself and Webby (Dave Webb) formed a nice little partnership at the back and Don Masson and Dave Thomas were class too. Don made the step up from division three side Notts County look so simple - it was amazing.
"And then we had Gerry (Francis) and Stan (Bowles) - two of the best players ever to have graced the game. Gerry was just a fraction behind Stan, but they were both absolute class - a joy to play with.
"It was a joy to behold playing in that team and the team spirit at the time was as good as I'd known throughout my playing career.''
With just three matches of the season remaining, Rangers held a slender one point advantage over fellow title contenders Liverpool.
Victory in all three fixtures would guarantee them the coveted Championship - but as fans of the beautiful game know only too well - football is anything but straightforward.
Easter Saturday 1976 presented Rangers with a tricky away trip to Norwich City - and as R's fans now know - it was an afternoon which saw their title dreams all but evaporate.
"We just made a mistake against Norwich in our final away game,'' recalled McLintock.
"Dave Clement didn't get enough weight on his header back to Phil (Parkes) and their striker nipped in to score.''
For the record, Norwich ran out narrow 3-2 victors, while Liverpool thumped Stoke City 5-2 at Anfield.
Rangers now had to win their last two matches and hope that Liverpool lost one of their two remaining away games.
The R's did all they could by beating Arsenal on Easter Monday, but the Reds also produced the goods, scoring three without reply against Manchester City.
On the last Saturday of the season, QPR were at home to Leeds United and in front of their largest gate of the season - 31,002 - eased to a 2-0 win.
Unbelievably though, Liverpool weren't playing their all-important final match of the season until ten days later due to international commitments. The wait was almost unbearable: "It was a crazy situation really - the type that wouldn't happen in the present day,'' recalled McLintock.
"I owned a pub at the time. There were about 35-40 journalists down there for Liverpool's final game of the season against Wolverhampton. They'd all come along to get my reaction to winning another piece of silverware, or so I hoped!
"We were all listening to it on the radio. They were one down with 15 minutes to go, but scored three to win the Championship and the rest is history.
"It was such a disappointment, but so typical of that Liverpool side.''
Despite that setback, McLintock insists he has nothing but fond memories of his time in W12.
"They were four of the best years of my life,'' he said.
"I was so happy during my time at QPR and that's me speaking straight from the heart.'' QPR

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With one game remaining , QPR are "chasing" Coventry and Plymouth to be the "baddest" club in the Division. Plymouth are currently leading QPR with 647 fouls to QPR's 642. And Coventry have 88 yellow cards and 4 to QPR's 86 Yellow and 5 red. (Given that Coventry are striving to avoid relegation, one would think that would ensure a number of additional yellow cards in their final game!) Burnley have 83 Yellow and 8 Red. And a special place for Scunthorpe who "earned" only 64 yellow cards but have a division record 10 Reds. Given that promoted West Bromwich Albion have 53 yellow cards and 3 red and a couple of other promotion chasers also have a comparatively low number of yellow cards, clearly fouls and yellow cards are not necessary to win promotion.

QPR's record is actually a vast improvement over last season. In the last few seasons, QPR have consistently ranked near the top in having a poor disciplinary record. Last season, in 2006-2007, QPR had 105 yellow cards and 3 Reds. In 2005-2006, QPR had 79 Yellow and 8 Red cards In 2004-2005, QPR's disciplinary Record: 71 Yellow, 3 Red - Disciplinary Stats


Football League Club Discipline

Club F Y R P

Coventry City 622 88 4 6
Plymouth 647 73 2 3
Sheffield Utd 592 74 4 6
Leicester City 616 71 4 5
Charlton 613 75 6 4
QPR 642 86 5 3
Burnley 611 83 8 6
Barnsley 565 80 6 4
Hull City 592 73 4 1
Wolves 563 62 0 7
Stoke City 577 79 2 4
Crystal Palace 593 68 1 3
Norwich City 547 78 7 5
Scunthorpe 581 64 10 6
Southampton 554 54 3 3
Watford 529 67 4 2
WBA 462 53 3 3
Preston 529 76 4 5
Bristol City 538 63 3 4
Cardiff City 468 55 3 5
Ipswich Town 502 54 5 6
Sheffield Wed 468 72 3 3
Blackpool 461 48 4 7
Colchester 482 55 5 6
Football League


INDIVIDUAL QPR PLAYERS DISCIPLINARY RECORD
Martin Rowlands 10 Yellows and Mikele Leighterwood 8 Yellow and 1 red battling it out. (Rowlands of course having played more games!) Adam Bolder with 7 yellows from 20 games + 4 as sub gets special mention. QPR

Player F Y R P F Y R P F Y R P
Martin Rowlands 72 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 73 10 0 0
Mikele Leigertwood 68 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 68 8 1 0
Dexter Blackstock 61 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 61 2 1 0
Rowan Vine 53 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 53 6 0 0
Damion Stewart 50 7 2 1 1 0 0 0 51 7 2 1
Michael Mancienne 37 5 0 1 1 0 0 0 38 5 0 1
Adam Bolder 36 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 7 0 0
Akos Buzsaky 33 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 6 0 0
Marc Nygaard 29 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 32 3 0 0
Gareth Ainsworth 23 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 2 0 0
Damien Delaney 19 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 5 0 0
Chris Barker 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 3 0 0
Zeshan Rehman 15 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 17 2 0 0
Hogan Ephraim 15 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 16 1 1 0
Gavin Mahon 15 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 16 0 0 0
Matthew Connolly 15 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 4 0 0
Fitz Hall 13 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 15 3 0 0
Patrick Agyemang 13 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 15 0 0 0
Robert Malcolm 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1 0 0
Stefan Moore 10 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 12 0 0 0
F = Fouls Commited
Y = Yellow Cards
R = Red Cards
P = Penalties Conceded
FLC = Coca-Cola Football League Championship
CUPS = The FA Cup,Carling Cup

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Aldershot Official Site Date: Fri 25 Apr 2008.
Congratulations to the Bull Family
Congratulations to Nikki and Rebekah Bull after the safe arrival of their daughter and first child Darcy Rose on Friday. The new born baby weighed 7lbs 8oz.

{Perhaps that's why Bull was on the Aldershot bench for their last game!} Aldershot


[We knew him - in his very brief period at QPR - as Egutu Oliseh]

Nigerian Daily Sun - REBUILD EAGLES
•Oliseh tasks Amodu By COSMAS OMEGOH Saturday, April 26, 2008

Nigerian-born Montpellier Sports Club of France midfielder, Egwuatu Oliseh has charged Super Eagles new Head Coach, Shuaibu Amodu to rebuild the team.

While commending Amodu’s recent appointment, he said the Edo-born tactician must take a cue from other Africa’s indigenous coaches that featured at the last Nations Cup in Ghana, and pull the Eagles out of the woods.

"I wish to commend the NFA for their recent appointment of Shuiabu Amodu as Eagles chief coach,” Oliseh who is the younger brother of Azubuike and former Super Eagles’ captain, Sunday Oliseh said.

"Amodu is coming at a time there is increasing call for an indigenous coach for the national team. I think his appointment was appropriate. An indigenous coach is sure to do his best to rebuild the team.
"I watched the last Nations Cup in Ghana, and was pleasantly surprised that the Egyptian team that lifted the tournament’s trophy had an indigenous coach. Even countries like Sudan and Angola came to the championship with indigenous coaches, and they played excellent football.

In fact, what we all saw at that championship was an eye opener that football in other lands is on the up swing. And we cannot which that away. If that feat could be achieved by indigenous coaches, one only hopes that our own coaches can do better, if they are encouraged.

"And for Amodu, the onus is on him now to rebuild the team. He needs to work hard now so that the Super Eagles can take their rightful place on the continent. If he is able to achieve that within a short time, that will go a long way to show that the Ghana 2008 debacle was indeed a mistake," he said.
He told Saturday Sunsport that sad memories of Super Eagles outing at Ghana 2008 still hunts him. He said he could not see major reasons for Eagles quarter final ouster by Ghana. He noted that the Super Eagles were always a star-studded side, but regretted that the team paraded in Ghana lacked cohesion.

"As a Nigerian, I follow every game involving the Super Eagles. I watched every game played by the team at the last Nations Cup. What can anyone say about a defense that featured Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu, Taiye Taiwo with Austin Ejide in goal. What about the midfield where Mikel Obi played and the attack involving Obafemi Martins, Nwankwo Kanu and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. All these are tested and talented players. But one thing that let them down was cohesion. This is very important in the success of every team," he noted.

As Amodu steps forward to rebuild confidence in the team, he said team work was a vital aspect he must work on.
"One of the big tasks before Amodu now is to work on team spirit. That is the strength of any team," he said.
Commenting on the recent 27players invited by Amodu to face Austria in an international friendly match, Oliseh said that was good but tasked the coach to look further and see more Nigerians doing well in other leagues across the world.

"Nigeria is a big country with so many talented players within and outside. Such players need to be invited to fight for shirts and prove themselves. They need to show what they can do, and where they impress, they can contribute to the good of the team."

The former Queens Park Rangers of England player further tasked Amodu to investigate why some players refuse to honour national call-up. He said it was the desire of every player to play for his country, but if the contrary was the case, it meant that there was something wrong.

"Every player enjoys playing for his national team. When you are ill-treated in your club, there is always a place to return to and that is your national side. But if we have players refusing national call-up, that means there is something wrong somewhere. Perhaps, they are not treated well. That is what the coach needs to find out," he concluded. Sun


Gretna's Ex-QPR Paul Murray, still recovering from broken Ribs.

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Today marks the six months point since Luigi De Canio was officially announced as QPR's new manager (rather than the reported to be Francesco Guidolin), replacing Caretaker Manager Mick Harford (who himself replaced John Gregory who in turn had replaced Gary Waddock who had replaced Ian Holloway who had replaced...and so on!) At the time of the appointment, there were a number of messageboard posters expressing discontent that Harford had not been given a longer period to prove himself.

De Canio's record thus far (taking over a relegation-doomed looking team): is 47 points from 33 league games. With one game remaining QPR currently have 58 points from 45 games (Home: 10 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats. Away 4 wins 10 draws, 9 defeats - League Table - Also: QPR Stats in 2007-2008

SITUATION AT THE TIME of De Canio's Appointment
When De Canio took over, QPR had 11 points from 12 games, one place off the bottom and 9 points away from the playoff spot - 15 points behind second place Bristol City (Home: 1 win out of 6; away: 1 win out of 6). But for the last unbeaten 4 games under Mick Harford (2 wins and 8 points) the situation would have looked even worse. 1 point from 2 games in August; 2 points from 5 games in September; 8 points from 5 games in October. Rowlands was QPR's top scorer with 2 goals.

Flashback QPR's team for their opening game at Bristol City, back in August:
QPR: Camp, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Curtis, Rowlands, Bolder, Bailey, Moore, Blackstock (Nygaard 69), Nardiello (Ephraim 59). Subs: Bignot, Cullip, Cole.
[Ben Sahar had appendicitis just prior to the game.)

And QPR's team for Harford's game in charge: Their win at Charlton:
QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Mancienne, Bolder, Rowlands, Ephraim, Vine, Nygaard, Leigertwood, Cranie. Subs: Cole, Bignot, Ainsworth, Sahar, Moore

League Table
P GD Points
1 Watford 13 12 32
2 Bristol City 13 8 26

3 West Brom 13 12 23
4 Ipswich 12 5 21
5 Wolverhampton 13 2 21
6 Stoke 13 2 20

7 Plymouth 13 2 20
8 Charlton 13 2 19
9 Scunthorpe 13 0 19
10 Southampton 13 -3 19
11 Coventry 13 -3 18
12 Burnley 12 1 17
13 Barnsley 13 -3 17
14 Hull 13 2 16
15 Leicester 12 3 15
16 Colchester 13 0 14
17 Cardiff 13 -1 14
18 Preston 13 -1 14
19 Sheff Utd 13 -2 14
20 Blackpool 13 -3 13
21 Sheff Wed 13 -9 12
22 Crystal Palace 13 -4 11
23 QPR 12 -11 11
24 Norwich 13 -11 8

Since De Canio took over, QPR, blessed with their new money, have brought in a number of players who obviously weren't available to previous manager John Gregory. But the style of football has vastly improved. A considerable number of players have left the club including Curtis, Bolder, Moore, Nygaard, Nardiello, Bignot, Cullip, Ben Sahar, Sinclair.
The first De Canio era signing: October 30, 2007 (although obviously the signing itself was not made by De Canio as may be true of all the signings) - Buzsaky Signs for QPR...Given #10 Shirt Others who have joined either permanently or on loan: Delaney, Connolly, Agyemang, Hall, Mahon, Pickens, Lee, and Vine and Ephraim signing permanently.
Already in this first six month period, there have been media reports - denied by the club - questioning the length of De Canio's stay at QPR.


Monday, October 29, 2007: Luigi De Canio Appointed Manager of QPR- Official Announcement
-De Canio has been officially appointed QPR manager on a 2 1/2 year contract. Mick Harford leaves QPR immediately. And theQPR Directory is already updated.

QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: DE CANIO APPOINTED
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Luigi De Canio as First Team Coach.
The contract period runs until the end of the 2009/10 season.
The 50 year-old has an extensive coaching pedigree having taken charge of Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and most recently Siena in Serie A - who he helped keep in the top-flight for two consecutive seasons before leaving.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, De Canio said: "I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity to join Queens Park Rangers as their First Team Coach.
"For me, it will be an honour to work for Queens Park Rangers, a Club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track-record of success in sport and other fields.
"I would like to thank them and tell them I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our forthcoming home fixture against Hull City on Saturday."
On behalf of the new management of QPR, Chairman Gianni Paladini expressed his delight at the capture of De Canio, commenting: "The Club is going through a phase of total restructuring and for us the appointment of Luigi De Canio is the first important step ahead in our long-term strategy.
"De Canio is a highly motivated professional, whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new Management."
Paladini added: "De Canio is fully aware of the high standards and objectives that the new Management has set for the future of the Club, and he is ready and eager to take up the challenge"
Mick Harford, who has acted as Caretaker Manager since the departure of John Gregory in early October, has left the Club with immediate effect.
Paladini added: "We offered Mick a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed that he has turned this down. He has done a fantastic job since he arrived here in the summer and his contribution will never be forgotten.
"We all wish him the very best for the future."
*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR


De Canio Profiled - QPR Official Site
After a ten year playing career in the Italian lower leagues, Luigi De Canio started his coaching career in the late nineties with Pisticci, who he guided to Serie D.
He spent four more seasons with the Club, before joining Serie C outfit Savoia during the 1993/94 campaign.
De Canio enjoyed a successful start to life at his new Club, leading them to promotion, albeit via the play-off's, in his first season in charge.
A switch to Serie C1 side Siena followed in 1995/96, with De Canio achieving an eighth place finish in his first season in charge of the Robur.
Short stints at Carpi and Lucchese followed, before De Canio showed his undoubted managerial credentials at Pescara.
He led the Club to the brink of promotion to Serie A, which led to interest from a number of top-flight Clubs in the Italian league, including Udinese, who secured his services in 1999/2000.
De Canio adjusted to life in the top-flight accordingly, guiding the Biaconeri to an eighth place finish and a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
UEFA Cup football duly followed after a successful Intertoto campaign, but despite an encouraging start to the new season, a dreadful run of form, which culminated with a home defeat to Parma, resulted in his departure in March 2001.
Napoli swooped to secure his services in 2001/02, but a fifth place finish in Serie B was deemed a failure and De Canio consequently parted company with the Azzurri.
Serie A Club Reggina was his next port of call, before De Canio replaced the legendary Roberto Donadoni at the helm of Serie B side Genoa.
Despite staving off the ever-looming threat of relegation with a 16th place finish, De Canio was sacked on the eve of the 2004/05 campaign.
He spent six months out of the game before re-joining Siena, whom he managed a decade earlier. Fourteenth and seventeenth placed finishes followed, prior to the appointment of Mario Beretta for the start of the 2006/07 season.
Today, in his 28th season in the professional game, he joins Queens Park Rangers as First Team Manager, succeeding Caretaker Manager Mick Harford. QPR

See Also: Wikipedia Profile of De Canio Wikipedia on Luigi De Canio
Teams managed
Savoia
Siena
Carpi
Lucchese
Pescara
Udinese
Napoli
Reggina
Genoa
Siena
QPR Report


Warren Neil Leaves QPR
QPR Official Site - BACKROOM CHANGES
Italian duo Iuri Bartoli and Paolo Pavese have joined the QPR backroom team.
Bartoli, 37, and 50 year-old Pavese met the Rangers first team squad this morning, ahead of Luigi De Canio's first training session in the QPR hot-seat.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, De Canio welcomed his two new coaches to Loftus Road, commenting: "I'm very happy to have them both with me.
"I've worked with them both before and I know they are both very capable coaches.
"They are very enthusiastic and looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."
Former Rangers defender Warren Neill, who joined the R's coaching staff midway through the 2006/07 campaign, has followed in Mick Harford's footsteps by leaving the Club. QPR

Also: Photos from the First Day of the New "regime" - QPR Training Photos


How De Canio's Appointment was Announced and Reported at the Time (Six Months Ago!)
Guardian "Former Napoli and Siena manager Luigi De Canio has been given the laughably easy task of doing a better job at QPR than his predecessor, John Gregory. "For me, it will be an honour to work for QPR, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields," said De Canio with one eye on his Christmas bonus. Caretaker manager Mick Harford has left after turning down a coaching role at the club. Guardian


TELEGRAPH - De Canio steps in as QPR look to future
By Jeremy Wilson
Queens Park Rangers hope the "dynamic and aggressive approach" of new manager Luigi de Canio will help lift the club from the bottom three of the Championship.
De Canio has spent almost 20 years as a coach in Italy, most recently in Serie A with Siena, whom he helped keep in the top flight for two consecutive seasons before leaving last year. The 50-year-old former Udinese, Napoli, Reggina and Genoa manager yesterday agreed a contract with QPR until the end of the 2009-10 season.
"For me, it will be an honour to work for Queens Park Rangers, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields," De Canio said.
"I would like to thank them and tell them I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players."
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini believes De Canio will fit in with the club's ambitions and new management structure. "The club is going through a phase of restructuring and the appointment of De Canio is the first important step in our long-term strategy," he said.
"De Canio is a motivated professional, whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management.
"He is aware of the high standards the new management has set for the future, and he is ready to take up the challenge."
Mick Harford, caretaker manager since the departure of John Gregory four weeks ago, turned down a role with De Canio and has left the club.
"We offered Mick a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed that he has turned this down," Paladini said. "He has done a fantastic job since he arrived in the summer."
Gregory was sacked after QPR picked up only three points from seven league matches. Harford has since gained two draws and two wins.
Briatore and Ecclestone have had a £14 million takeover bid recommended and hope to take QPR into the Premier League within four years. Telegraph
QPR Report


Mail -QPR ditch Harford and give job to De Canio
QPR have appointed former Napoli and Siena boss Luigi De Canio as their new first-team coach, according to the club's website.
Caretaker manager Mick Harford has left the Championship club.
The 50-year-old succeeds John Gregory, who was sacked four weeks ago today, and has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to guide them off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship table, turned down a coaching role at the club and has left with immediate effect. Mail


Goal.com - Luigi De Canio Takes Charge At QPR
Former Siena and Napoli manager Luigi De Canio has been named as the new boss of English second-tier outfit Queen's Park Rangers...
Queen's Park Rangers have announced that Luigi De Canio has taken over as first team manager.
The Loftus Road club confirmed this morning that the ex-Napoli coach will take immediate charge of the struggling outfit, with the Italian boss eager to get started.
He remarked to the official club website, "I am very excited to have this fantastic opportunity - it will be an honour.
"I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our game against Hull on Saturday."
The Championship strugglers are currently second bottom of the table with 11 points from 12 games, although a win against Hull City could potentially lift them into the safety zone.
John Gregory was fired as boss at the Shepherd's Bush team earlier in the season, with Mick Hartford now leaving the club after being relieved of his caretaker managerial duties in favour of De Canio.
The experienced 50 year old has penned a three year deal at Loftus Road for his first management job since leaving Siena in 2006.
Previously, he served clubs including Genoa, Reggina, Napoli and Udinese as boss, having had an undistinguished career as a player with clubs ranging from Serie C2 to Serie B.
The Italian connection at QPR runs as far as presidential level, the current club chief being Gianni Paladini. Goal.com


BBC - Former Napoli boss takes QPR role
De Canio is the new first-team coach at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Italian Luigi de Canio as first team coach.
The 50-year-old has led Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and more recently Siena. He has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road.
Mick Harford, who had been in caretaker charge following the recent sacking of John Gregory, has left the club.
"I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity. It will be an honour," De Canio told QPR's website.
"I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our game against Hull on Saturday."
The incoming new owners at QPR - a group fronted by Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone - were keen to appoint an Italian.
They turned to De Canio after a bid to install former Palermo and Monaco boss Franceso Guidolin stalled.
"De Canio is fully aware of the high standards and objectives that the new management has set for the future of the club," said chairman Gianni Paladini.
"He is ready and eager to take up the challenge."
Paladini added: "We offered Mick Harford a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed that he turned it down.
"He has done a fantastic job and his contribution will never be forgotten.
"The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and for us, the appointment of Luigi de Canio is the first important step ahead in our long-term strategy." BBC


The Times - October 29, 2007 Luigi De Canio confirmed as QPR coach Times Online and Agencies
Queen's Park Rangers have appointed Luigi De Canio as their new first-team coach.

The former Napoli and Siena manager succeeds John Gregory and has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until the end of the 2009-10 season. Gregory was sacked a month ago.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to guide them off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship, turned down a coaching role at the club and has left with immediate effect.
De Canio has also managed Udinese, Reggina and Genoa and notably kept unfashionable Siena in Serie A for two seasons before leaving last summer.
"I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity to join Queens Park Rangers as their first-team coach," De Canio said.
"For me it will be an honour to work for QPR, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields.
"I would like to thank them and I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our forthcoming home fixture against Hull City on Saturday."
Gianni Paladini, the QPR chairman, said: "The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and the appointment is the first important step in our long-term strategy.
"De Canio is a highly-motivated professional whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management."
Harford left his role as assistant manager at Colchester in the summer to become Gregory's No 2, and had expressed his desire to take on the permanent job. "We offered Mick a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed he has turned this down," Paladini said. "He has done a fantastic job since he arrived and his contribution will never be forgotten." The Times


Telegraph - Luigi De Canio named as new QPR coach By Patrick Nathanson and agencies
QPR have appointed former Napoli manager Luigi De Canio as their new first-team coach.
De Canio, 50, succeeds John Gregory, who was sacked four weeks ago today, and has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to guide them off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship table, turned down a coaching role at the club and has left with immediate effect.
De Canio has also managed Reggina and Genoa and notably kept unfashionable Siena in Serie A for two seasons before leaving last summer.
"I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity to join Queens Park Rangers as their first-team coach," he said.
"For me it will be an honour to work for QPR, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields.
"I would like to thank them and I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our forthcoming home fixture against Hull City on Saturday."
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini said: "The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and the appointment is the first important step in our long-term strategy.
"De Canio is a highly-motivated professional whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management." Telegraph


AP - Queens Park Rangers appoints Luigi de Canio as coach on contract until 2010
LONDON: Queens Park Rangers appointed Luigi de Canio as its first team coach on Monday on a contract until 2010.
De Canio replaced John Gregory who was fired a month ago by the League Championship side.
De Canio, 50, has coached Italian clubs Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and Siena. He left Siena at the end of the 2005-06 season — after twice helping the club avoid relegation from the Serie A — and hasn't coached since.
De Canio said he was lured to QPR by new owners, Formula One heavyweights Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
"I would like to thank them and tell them I will not disappoint their expectations," De Canio said. "I am fully committed to the project and am looking forward to getting to work with the players."
De Canio's first game in charge is against Hull on Saturday.
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini said De Canio's appointment was part of a total restructuring of the west London club.
"De Canio is a highly motivated professional whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management," Paladini said.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager, left the club Monday after turning down a coaching role.
QPR is in 23rd place out of 24 teams in the League Championship — the division below the Premier League — with 11 points from 12 games. AP
QPR Report

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As the season comes to an end, clubs are announcing the names of players being retained or being released

Harriers offer six new deals
HARRIERS are waiting for six players to sign new deals after offering them contracts for the 2008-2009 season in the Blue Sqaure Premier.
Manager Mark Yates has offered Iyseden Chrstie, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Brian Smikle, Simon Russell, Andy Ferrell and keeper Dean Coleman new deals to stay at Aggborough.
The sextet have yet to put pen to paper as Harriers try to rebuild the squad for next season.
Yates is also still in talks with defender Gavin Hurren and keeper Chris MacKenzie about new deals.
Former Queens Park Rangers defender Jon Munday and left-back Johnny Harkness have been released by Harriers.
Northern Irish born Harkness has joined Irish League side Linfield.
Michael Blackwood, who has spent the last four months on loan at Oxford United, has also left the club.
"We wish these players good luck in their future careers," said Yates.
"We'd like to thank them for all their efforts during their time with the club...."
. Report


WATFORD OFFICIAL SITE SHITTU IN TEAM OF THE YEAR
DAN Shittu has capped his impressive season by making it into the PFA Championship Team of the Season.
The defender has also enjoyed his best season to date in front of goal with a staggering nine goals to his name so far.
With 37 appearances so far this campaign, Shittu has been a man mountain at the back for the Hornets.
He was also recently instilled into the Show Racism the Red Card Hall of Fame for his work with the organisation. Shittu is in the team alongside ex-Hornets Kevin Phillips and Paul Robinson. Watford


QPR Official Site - APPEAL LODGED
QPR have formally lodged an appeal to the Football Association following Damion Stewart's sending off against Norwich City on Saturday.
The Jamaican international was giving his marching orders inside the opening five minutes at Carrow Road, as ten-man Rangers slumped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat.
Speaking after the defeat, R's First Team Coach Luigi De Canio bemoaned the decision to send Stewart off, commenting: "I didn't think Damion deserved to go.
"Referees have to make split-second decisions, and it can be difficult for them, but I feel we were unlucky." QPR

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BBC - Still hails Daggers 'fairytale'
Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still says the feeling of surviving relegation from League Two on Saturday was even better than winning promotion.
The Daggers came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Darlington to ensure safety.
Still told BBC London 94.9: "They've been fantastic all season, and the achievement of staying up far outweighs coming up last year.
"The boys that came up were legends last year, and the boys that have kept us up are even bigger legends."
He added: "On our resources, we are a million miles behind the worst off club in this league, it's an absolute fairytale." BBC

See also Dagenham Official Site


Wales on Sunday/Lisa Jones - Legend Robbie’s bust is unveiled
A BRONZE bust of former Wales and Swansea football legend Robbie James was yesterday unveiled to a crowd of the city’s faithful.
The midfielder’s teenage son Luke did the honours at the club’s Liberty Stadium, surrounded by many of his dad’s team-mates from the late 1970s and early 1980s, ahead of the Swans’ last home match of the season against Leyton Orient.
James, who won 47 Welsh caps, collapsed and died while playing for Llanelli in 1998, aged 40.
The bronze bust (right) was the brainchild of his son Luke and will stand near the stadium’s ticket office.
He said: “I just wanted something so everyone would remember him. At the start I did not know how it would go but many people have really helped and I would like to say a big thank-you to them.
“I’ve seen it (the bust) and I’m really pleased with it. When I saw it I was gobsmacked – it looks exactly like him.”
Swansea-born James played almost 400 games for Swansea and did stints with Cardiff, Stoke, QPR, Leicester and Bradford.
He’s contributed to Swansea’s rise from the Fourth to the First Division between 1978 and 1981. Wales on Sunday

Swansea Evening Post - ROBBIE TRIBUTE IS JUST SPOT ON, SAYS SON LUKE
The son of Swansea and Wales soccer legend Robbie James said he just could not get over the likeness to his father of a bust unveiled at the Liberty Stadium this weekend. ..... The bust, which was unveiled before the Swans thumped Leyton Orient 4-1, is a fitting tribute to the sporting legacy left by one of Vetch Field's all-time greats, a man who played in all four divisions of the Football League during the Swans' epic rise to the heights of the old Division One during the glory years of the 1980s.
Kind-hearted fans, including some who were too young to be among those who were thrilled to witness Robbie's surging runs and rocket shots, raised around £7,000 for the unique memorial..... Report


Simon Royce - Gillingham Official Site - Royce Wins Sponsors' Player Of The Year
Gillingham goalkeeper Simon Royce has won the 2007/08 Sponsors' Player of the Year award.
The 36 year old beat off the challenge of defender Simon King and midfielder Adam Miller for the award chosen by the staff of KRBS.
Gillingham Official Site


Four Years Ago, today came the announcement: Gianni Paladini Bought into QPR

BBC - Paladini buys stake in QPRItalian businessman and agent Gianni Paladini has bought a 22% stake in Queens Park Rangers.
Paladini, who has represented Fabrizio Ravanelli and Benito Carbone, has invested around £650,000 and more cash may follow in the future.
QPR have been seeking investors since coming out of administration in 2002....
. BBC

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Congratulations to Danny Shittu! Linked on the messageboards to a return to QPR.

PFA - "...DAN SHITTU - WATFORD
"When you've had a fans' song penned in your honour, you know you're on the way. 'Chim chimeny, Chim chimeny Chim, chim, cher-oo, who needs Sol Campbell, when we've got Shittu? - the chant of the Watford fans say it all about the player who made his name at QPR."

Players Football Association (PFA) -
In addition to voting for the Players' Player and Young Player of the Year, PFA members are also asked to select their star performers in each of the four divisions of the best league in the world. Here are the players the pros have named in their Divisional Teams of the Year....

WAYNE HENNESSEY - WOLVES
For the second season in a row a Wolves' keeper has made the Championship team of the year with brilliant, young Welsh international Wayne Hennessey unseating Matthew Murray at club and divisional level alike. Made his name on loan at Stockport, and now doing likewise back at Molineux.

BRADLEY ORR - BRISTOL CITY
Bradley has had a few scrapes, on and off the field, during his career so far but, having established himself as first choice right back at Bristol City, he is enjoying his best footballing spell ever. City are on course for promotion and the former Newcastle player is now an award winner.

RYAN SHAWCROSS - STOKE CITY
Having spent the early part of his career at Manchester United and, having had a successful loan spell at Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Ryan is now making great strides with promotion-chasing Stoke City - and in January of this year he also celebrated winning his first England Under 21 cap.

DAN SHITTU - WATFORD
When you've had a fans' song penned in your honour, you know you're on the way. 'Chim chimeny, Chim chimeny Chim, chim, cher-oo, who needs Sol Campbell, when we've got Shittu? - the chant of the Watford fans say it all about the player who made his name at QPR.

PAUL ROBINSON - WEST BROM
Albion fans love 'Robbo' for his 'never-say-die' attitude and he has been a key figure in the Baggies' push for promotion after a £1.5million possible move to Wigan fell through. He has learned to add discipline to his endeavour and will be a big player during the run-in.

BRIAN HOWARD - BARNSLEY
Whatever he achieves in the rest of his career, Barnsley skipper Brian will always be remembered as the man who scored the dramatic late, winning goal at Anfield to beat Liverpool in the FA Cup, so setting up a quarter final showdown with Chelsea the Tykes also won.

MARVIN ELLIOTT - BRISTOL CITY
As a Millwall player, Marvin appeared in the 2004 FA Cup Final team that lost to Manchester United before moving on to Bristol City at the start of what is proving to be a memorable one for the Robins - he's chipped in with a few goals too!

LIAM LAWRENCE - STOKE CITY
Having started his career at Mansfield and developed his talent at Sunderland, Liam has become a firm favourite at the Britannia Stadium, winning over the fans with his committed, determined style - and an eye for scoring the odd spectacular goal or two.

JONATHAN GREENING - WEST BROM
The Albion midfielder has been described as 'a player who can spray the ball around like a quarterback' and that ability has made him a popular and influential figure at both West Brom and Middlesbrough, who he joined from Manchester United. A former England Under 21 international with 17 caps at that level.

RICARDO FULLER - STOKE CITY
Crystal Palace, Hearts (loan), Preston, Portsmouth, Southampton and Ipswich (loan) have all been on the Jamaican international's ports of call, but he seems pretty settled at Stoke where his goals have helped fire the club into promotion contention.

KEVIN PHILLIPS - WEST BROM
They don't call him 'Super Kev' for nothing and the former England striker who broke the Sunderland record for most post-war goals - including 30 in one Premier League season - is still doing the business for the Baggies with a goal-every-two-games ratio. - PFA

Also: PFA Players of the Year for All Four Divisions - PFA Teams of The Year

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Obviously not! But the wealthiest person in England, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List" is the part-owner of QPR, Lakshmi Mittal and Family. (#2 is Chelsea Roman Abramovich) Same #1 and #2 as last year. Slipping to #24 (last year #20) is another part-owner of QPR, Bernie and Slavica Ecclestone.

Sunday Times Rich List 2008 - Top 150

Sunday Time


And the Mittal Family stands at #6 in the "WORLD's Richest List" - World Richest List

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Reports on QPR's 0-3 loss at Norwich. QPR have 58 points with one game remaining. Updated Table


Sunday Mirror/Dave Smith - Canaries get safe

Norwich preserved their Championship status thanks to a spirited display, a passionate home crowd - and a helpful referee.
Rangers were unlucky to have defender Damion Stewart sent off after just five minutes and Norwich took full advantage.
Two minutes later, man-of-the-match Ched Evans scored from an unmarked position - where Stewart might have been - and there was no way back for the Luigi De Canio's side.
Norwich skipper Mark Fotheringham made it 2-0 and, with other results going their way, it was celebration time for the Carrow Road faithful.
Darel Russell made sure of the win with a clever lob from some distance as QPR keeper Lee Camp went on a kamikaze mission.
Norwich boss Glenn Roeder said: "We don't really want to be celebrating just staying in the Championship, but it is a great achievement.
"To have had eight points on the board in November and be where we are today is unbelievable."
Rangers must have known it wasn't going to be their day when a series of early incidents went against them.
Just moments after Angelo Balanta had seen his shot saved by David Marshall, the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
Stewart was adjudged to be the guilty party following a three-man collision also involving Camp and Evans. But it was no more than a tangle of bodies, and Rangers were rightly aggrieved.
Evans quickly piled on the agony when he volleyed home in stunning fashion.
Darren Huckerby, Ryan Bertrand and Evans then went close and it was only a matter of time before the Canaries struck again.
The second goal finally came on 56 minutes when Fotheringham fired home with the aid of a kind deflection. Then Russell but the icing on the cake seven minutes from time.
Qpr boss De Canio said: "To lose a player so early on was always going to make it difficult, but I have to accept the referee's decision."
The Norwich fans paid special tribute to veteran Dion Dublin, who came off the bench for a late cameo on his last home game before retiring.
Roeder said: "It has been an honour to be Dion's manager. Our fans voted him their player of the year, and rightly so."
HOW THEY RATED
NORWICH
Marshall 6, Otsemobor 7, Shackell 6, Huckerby 7, Cureton 6 (Dublin 5), Fotheringham 7, Gibbs 6 (Russell 6), Bertrand 7, Pattison 6 (Chadwick 4), Doherty 6, EVANS 8.
Manager Roeder 8
QPR
Camp 5, Delaney 6, Mahon 6, Stewart 4, Mancienne 7, Blackstock 6, Ainsworth 4 (Leigertwood 5), Rowlands 6, Connolly 6, Ephraim 4 (Rehman 5), Balanta 6.
Manager De Canio 6
Referee P Joslin 5
MAN OF THE MATCH .
CHED EVANS
A class act up front Sunday Mirror


SUNDAY PEOPLE - Mel Henderson ROEDER'S RIGHT TO KNEES UP

Glenn Roeder hailed his fine achievement of keeping Norwich in the Championship as the highlight of his managerial career.

Ten-man Rangers, one defeat in their previous 12 games, got off lightly.

Goals by teenager Ched Evans, skipper Mark Fotheringham and substitute Darel Russell made it mission accomplished.

Roeder, who took charge six months ago with the Canaries four points adrift at the bottom of the table, said:

"We don't want to celebrate because we've stayed up. But such was the position we found ourselves in when I came here, it's only right that we do.

"You tell me the last team to have just eight points in November and stay up.

I've had good and bad days in football management but this is probably the best of the lot."

Rangers looked in the mood from the kick-off as Colombian youngster Angelo Balanta forced Canaries keeper David Marshall into a fine one-handed save.

But the Londoners never recovered from the fifth-minute dismissal of Jamaican international defender Damion Stewart for a professional foul.

Boss Luigi De Canio said: "The referee only has a split second to decide and therefore we accept it. It's not my job to judge the referee - my thoughts on him I will keep to myself.

"Being a man down and a goal down, the task ahead was really hard."

The Hoops could have suffered a real drubbing. Norwich missed a host of chances after Evans, on loan from Manchester City, fired them in front in the seventh minute. But Matty Pattison, Darren Huckerby, Kieran Gibbs, Jamie Cureton and Evans were all off target as Rangers looked in complete disarray.

The one-way traffic continued after the restart when Matt Connolly's goal-line clearance denied Evans a second.

But Norwich eventually extended their lead when Fotheringham's low shot struck the heel of sub Zeshan Rehman to wrong-foot Lee Camp.

And then keeper Camp made a suicidal dash from his area to gift the Canaries one of the most bizarre goals of this, or any other season. He made three fruitless attempts to win the ball before it ran free for substitute Russell to float it 40 yards into an empty net.

Norwich: Marshall 7 - Otsemobor 7, Doherty 6, Shackell 6, Bertrand 7 - Huckerby 7, *FOTHERINGHAM 8, Pattison 7, Gibbs 6 (Russell, 78mins) - Evans 7, Cureton 6.

Qpr: Camp 5 - Delaney 5, Mancienne 5, Stewart 4, Connolly 5 - Ainsworth 4 (Leigertwood, 8mins, 5), *ROWLAND 6, Mahon 5, Ephraim 4 (Rehman, 8mins, 5) - Balanta 5, Blackstock 5. Ref: P Joslin 6.
Sunday People



SUNDAY TIMES/Ian Joseph Norwich City win to secure safety


DION DUBLIN narrowly missed out on providing the ultimate fairytale finish to his career – but Norwich supporters will have happily settled for the victory that secured their Championship status for another season.

The Canaries had this match by the scruff of the neck as early as the seventh minute. By that time they were one up, courtesy of Ched Evans’s 10th goal of the season, and were also playing against 10 men after the dismissal of Rangers defender Damion Stewart.

Glenn Roeder’s side, who were bottom of the table when he took over six months ago, went on to win at a canter, with second-half goals from captain Mark Fotheringham and substitute Darel Russell completing the job after a string of missed chances.

By then the stage was set for Dublin, who entered the fray to a rapturous reception with a little under 15 minutes remaining to make his final appearance at Carrow Road.

The 39-year-old striker, who will retire at the end of the season, almost made it a sensational finale when he tried his luck from inside his own half with as cleanly a struck volley as you are ever likely to see. Sadly for his adoring fans, QPR keeper Lee Camp, who had gone walkabout to give Norwich their third goal, saved it.

Norwich did not look back from the moment Stewart saw red in the fourth minutes for a shove on Evans as the Welshman chased a clearance from goalkeeper David Marshall. Camp also clattered into the on-loan striker, but referee Phil Joslin decided it was Stewart who had to go and the Rangers back four was still at sixes and sevens a few minutes later when Darren Huckerby’s cross fell for Evans to volley home.

As has been the case so often this season, Norwich were wasteful in front of goal after that, with Matty Pattison, Huckerby and Jamie Cureton all failing to hit the target and Ryan Bertrand firing against the upright.

Any possibility of a nervous finale for Norwich disappeared 11 minutes after the restart when Fotheringham tried his luck from outside the area and was delighted to see a deflection off substitute Zesh Rehman divert the ball into the net past the wrong-footed Camp.

The Rangers keeper had no chance with that one, but he was at fault with City’s third goal in the 82nd minute. He had raced out of his area and Russell was on target with his 40-yard effort to make Camp look rather stupid.

Star man:
Ched Evans(Norwich)

Player ratings.

Norwich City:
Marshall 7, Otsemobor 7, Shackell 7, Doherty 7, Bertrand 8, Huckerby 7, Pattison 6 (Chadwick 63min), Fotheringham 7, Gibbs 7 (Russell 77), Cureton 6 (Dublin 77min), Evans 8.

QPR:
Camp 5, Mancienne 6, Stewart 5, Connolly 5, Delaney 7, Ephraim 5 (Rehman 28min 6), Mahon 6, Rowlands 7, Ainsworth 5 (Leigertwood 32min, 6), Balanta 5, Blackstock 5

Scorers:

Norwich:Evans 7, Fotheringham 55, Russell 83 Sunday Times


De CANIO - QPR OFFICIAL SITE
EF JUSTICE
Posted on: Sat 26 Apr 2008
Luigi De Canio was left ruing referee Phil Joslin's fifth minute decision to dismiss R's defender Damion Stewart as QPR went down 3-0 at Norwich City.

Stewart's sending off stunned the Rangers First Team Coach, who told www.qpr.co.uk afterwards: "The referee made some crucial errors, and that cost us today.

"Maybe Norwich would have won the match even if the sending off hadn't happened.

"They had far more to play for than we did, but we will never know that now because of that early decision."

"We have to accept the judgement of the referee, even if we don't necessarily agree with it.

"Referees have to make split-second decisions, and it can be difficult for them, but I feel we were unlucky with an important one today."

Moments after Stewart's departure, Ched Evans opened the scoring for the hosts, forcing De Canio into a double substitution in the eighth minute.

Hogan Ephraim and Gareth Ainsworth were replaced by Mikele Leigertwood and Zesh Rehman.

"We needed to keep two up front to give us any chance," De Canio explained, "but when the deflected effort gave them their second goal in the second half, we ran out of options.

"The red card and the deflected goal rather summed up our day.

"We did what was possible. The task was really difficult after the sending off, but I am pleased with the players' efforts.

"They never stopped running and we kept fighting until the end." QPR



NORWICH OFFICIAL SITE - ROEDER PROUD OF TEAM

PROUD City boss Glenn Roeder today saluted the collective effort by everyone at the Club to battle to secure Championship status for next season.

The comfortable 3-0 win over Queen's Park Rangers at Carrow Road means City are mathematically safe from the threat of relegation to League One - and Roeder said this was a magnificent achievement considering the situation he inherited when he took over in November.

"I can't think of too many other teams who have had eight points in November and managed to achieve safety at the end of the season. At times we were one defeat away from needing snookers!


"All of the lads and the staff deserve so much credit for ensuring we stayed up this year, they really do. What they have achieved is magnificent taken in the right context. I'm not saying we should celebrate staying up in the grand scheme of things for this Club because we should be aiming a lot, lot higher than that.

"But in the context of where we were in November I think the fans, who were wonderful again today by the way, are entitled to spend a couple of days celebrating today's result and what that means.

"I thought they played superbly well under pressure today. Don't forget we had three teenagers out there today and they will have learned a lot from the experience of playing in such a massive, massive match for this football club."

Roeder also saluted Dion Dublin, the subject of emotional support from City's biggest crowd of the season before, during and after the game when the players walked around Carrow Road to acknowledge the best supporters in the Championship.

"I have known Dion since '97 and he is a fantastic player and a wonderful human being. I just don't think there is another Dion Dublin out there, just as there isn't another Alan Shearer out there. These kind of players are different class and it's been a real pleasure to work with Dion," he commented.

Finally asked to comment on speculation regarding Darren Huckerby's contractual situation, Roeder said: "It would be totally wrong for me to start talking to the media about players' futures before I've sat down and talked to them about it. When the time is right we'll talk to the media about it, but not now." Norwich


Also: QPR OFFICIAL SITE MATCH REPORT - Report

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Sunday Mirror Rory Smith - Exclusive Football: Real deal to boost Rangers

Real Madrid are set to help turn Queens Park Rangers from Championship also-rans into Champions League material.
The Spanish giants have agreed to send youth team players and reserves to the Loftus Road outfit on loan after a meeting between club co-owner Flavio Briatore and Real supremo Ramon Calderon.
But there is just one catch - QPR have to be promoted to the Premier League before the deal kicks in.
Calderon met Briatore - as well as partner Bernie Ecclestone and chief executive Alejandro Agag - at the start of qualifying for today's Spanish Grand Prix.
He visited the Renault base in the paddock at Montmelo and then had lunch with Agag and the Italian.
And it is thought they have agreed in principle a deal which would allow Real to blood their prospects in the hurly-burly of English football whhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifile giving QPR use of some of the best young talent in Europe.
Real would allow QPR first refusal on stars of the Madrid side's feted youth teams or senior players who find themselves surplus to requirements.
That would mean QPR having access to players of the quality of ex-Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek, Argentine international Javier Saviola or Italian striker Antonio Cassano.
Briatore sees the deal as the perfect way to boost QPR's chances of becoming a side capable of challenging for the Champions League places. Sunday Mirror

Also This from Yesterday re QPR and Real Madrid QPR-Real Madrid

Note: Get Familiar with Real Madrid!
Real Madrid's English language Website

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Defensive subs bench!

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim, Balanta. Subs: Barker, Lee, Rehman, Leigertwood, Crowther

Norwich City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Huckerby, Cureton, Fotheringham, Gibbs, Bertrand, Pattison, Doherty, Evans. Subs: Croft, Dublin, Chadwick, Pearce, Russell.

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AFP - Renault chief Briatore in talks with Real Madrid over QPR

Renault team chief Flavio Briatore and his fellow-director of English soccer club Queens Park Rangers, Bernie Ecclestone, the ring-master of Formula One, held two hours of talks with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon late Friday.
The trio, all friends and fans of twice Formula One drivers world champion Fernando Alonso and major investors in modern European sport, were locked in the upstairs office of the Renault F1 team motor home at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Sources close to the Renault team said the three men are believed to have discussed possible cooperation between Real Madrid and Queens Park Rangers, an English league club, relating to the loan of players and exchange of technical information and possibly coaching staff.

Briatore and Ecclestone took over as owners of QPR three months ago and after clearing the club's debts declared an ambition to gain promotion to the English Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League by 2012.

Calderon's Real Madrid are the most successful club in the history of the European Cup and not only have a huge squad of international players, but are also very influential in Spanish soccer.

A tie-up between the two clubs in which they help each other with player loans - young Madrid players being loaned to QPR and developed in London in readiness to force their way into the star-studded Real first team - is widely expected.

Briatore, one of the richest men in Formula One, has operated as the chairman of QPR since their takeover along with Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. The director general of QPR is Alejandro Agag, a close friend of Alonso who is a football fan and a life-long supporter of Real Madrid.

Calderon stayed at the Renault motor home and then joined Briatore in the Renault garage for most of the practice sessions while multi-billionaire Ecclestone busied himself with his 'day job' in the paddock at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"We had a nice meeting," was the only comment Briatore would make. Report

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One year ago today, April26, 2007, a QPR Fan Forum was held with Chairman Paladini, Manager Gregory and Captain Bignot which was broadcast live on BBC London and QPR World.

QPR OFFICIAL SITE -FORUM SUCCESS
Last night saw another successful Fans Forum take place at Loftus Road.
Chariman Gianni Paladini, Manager John Gregory and Captain Marcus Bignot fielded a host of questions from supporters on a variety of topics, ranging from out-of-contract players to the new pricing structure for season tickets."

Two very comprehensive reports/transcripts of the Fan Forum were posted:

- Dave's Queens Park Rangers Site Dave's Queens Park Rangers Site - Fan Forum Report

Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals - Fan Forum Report/Transcript on Rivals is no longer operative. But the Official Site also posted Clive Whittingham Forum Transcript (with a few minor edits and without the commentary) - QPR Official Site

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Mirror - ON THE UP.. AND UP YET AGAIN -WEST BROM DEFENDER NEIL CLEMENT

Promotion hat-tricks in football are as rare as bus passengers with the correct change, but Neil Clement is on the brink of a unique treble. By tonight, West Bromwich Albion defender Clement could be celebrating his third elevation to the PremierLeague in five years with the same club under different managers....
In a nostalgic twist, Clement could clinch the Championship title in his 300th game for Albion next Sunday at Queens Park Rangers, where Clement's late father Dave is still a Hoops legend, with his five-year-old daughter Olivia as mascot.
Dry your eyes, settle down and pay attention. The Baggies are not there yet. But even chocoholic manager Tony Mowbray knows only the crumbliest, flakiest defence would blow it now. The only player who comes close to matching Clement's achievement is Malky Mackay, who went up to the Premier League three years running with Norwich, West Ham and Watford. But Clement's feat would be something special for a footballing family in which his brother, Paul, is academy coach at beaten FA Youth Cup finalists Chelsea.
Neil, 29, said: "This time promotion would mean more to me, simply because I've had to come through a serious injury and some difficulties off the pitch. I would love to seal the title at QPR because of the emotional aspect. I hope my little girl will come out on the pitch with me because I have pictures on the wall at home of me running out at Loftus Road when I was only three years old.
"It would be nice if we could make it three generations of the Clement dynasty who have kicked a ball on that pitch. If my dad's looking down onus, I hope the last two games of the season will make him proud. He's sorely missed by the whole family, but his name lives on.
"Even 25 years later, QPR fans come up to me and say: 'Your old man was a legend' - which is a great tribute to him in itself. But what makes it even more special is when people tell me what a nice fella he was.
"People say his QPR team of 1975-6, who were pipped to the title by Liverpool, were the best side never to be champions so I'm just proud to be following in those footsteps.... Mirror


Times- Neil Clement hoping to celebrate two promotions in one season
Peter Lansley
"...Talking of going back home, Clement can envisage clinching a first title medal next week away to Queens Park Rangers, for whom his father, Dave, played for 14 years before his career ended in tragic fashion. Having moved on to Wimbledon, he broke a leg and, believing that his career was over, fell into depression and committed suicide.
“Of course it would be nice to put the seal on it at QPR because of the emotional aspect,” Clement said. “I hope my little girl [Olivia, 5] will come out on the pitch with me because I have pictures on the wall at home of me running out at Loftus Road when I was only 3. It would be nice if we could make it three generations of the Clement dynasty who have kicked a ball on that pitch.
“If my dad's looking down on us, I hope the last two games of the season will make him proud. He's sorely missed by the whole family, but his name lives on. Even 25 years on, QPR fans come up to me and say ‘your old man was a legend' - which is a great tribute in itself - but what makes it even more special is when people tell me what a nice fellow he was.”
Clement is relishing playing for such high stakes again and he believes that another promotion would be all the sweeter for the period he spent out of the game. “It was a tough time,” he said. “Some days were gruelling and it was tough to stay mentally focused. I never thought I couldn't do it. The loan period at Hull really made it strong and good. I worked hard in the gym...The Times

Also yesterday's QPR Report re Neil Clement

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According to today's Mirror (Of course every QPR fan has already heard this very strong rumour - often reported as fact. Until his signing is actually announced, it remains in the air.)
Update: Today's BBC Gossip has "Midfielder Lee Cook is set for a return to QPR after failing to settle at Fulham. (Various)" BBC Gossip

Daily Mirror - Fan Cook returns to Rangers
Lee Cook is set for a quick return to QPR after a failed move to Fulham.
Cook (above) has been a flop at Craven Cottage after joining for £2.5m last summer before quickly getting injured.
Qpr now have cash, but were penniless when Rangers fan Cook moved in July and gave his £250,000 signing-on fee to the club. - Mirror

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There is an obvious special place in the heart of QPR fans for Dave Clement.

Express and Star Clem set for emotional milestone

Neil Clement is hoping to complete a “dream” return from injury hell by making his 300th Albion appearance next week at the footballing home of his father.

And the Baggies’ longest-serving player is hoping to make next Sunday’s emotional trip to QPR a real family affair – by persuading young daughter Olivia to become a mascot.

The defender is in line to reach his Albion triple century at Loftus Road, where his father Dave spent 14 years as a player.

Tragically, Dave took his own life in 1982 believing his career was over after suffering a broken leg.

Neil was just three but he still feels the emotional ties to Loftus Road, where his last appearance coincidentally came on the 25th anniversary of his dad’s death. And he is acutely aware of the potential significance of reaching a career milestone at Loftus Road, hopefully having clinched an unprecedented third promotion with Albion and helped the club to the Championship title.“Hopefully I can make all of this come true because it is almost like a dream,” he said.

“If I stay fit and stay in the team it would be my 300th game at my old man’s old club. I am trying to get my little girl to be mascot but she is a little bit nervous at the moment. It would be a proud moment.”

Clement has played at QPR just three times before as an Albion player, and he revealed in the past how special it is to return to the former stomping ground of his father, who won five England caps.

“I love going to QPR and trying to do my best,” he said. “The fans remember my dad very well at Rangers and I hope some of that comes out whenever I play there. I’m proud of what he achieved.”

A triple-century of Albion appearance is not the only piece of history that beckons for Clement. He is on the brink of becoming the first player ever to win promotion three times in Baggies colours. And he reckons this promotion would trump his previous successes.

“This time would cap it all. The team has played some smashing football,” he added. Express and Star

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QPR Official Site EXCLUSIVE: SIR ALEX ON QPR
Sir Alex Ferguson believes QPR have a 'great opportunity' to realise their dream of returning to the top tier of English football.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk earlier today, Ferguson - whose charges were training at Loftus Road ahead of their crucial Premiership showdown against Chelsea tomorrow lunchtime - spoke in glowing terms of the new 'feel-good' factor that exists in W12.
"The takeover has caught everyone's eye," he said.
"You (QPR) have great financial backing behind you and that can only bode well for the future.
"This is a Club with great purpose and a very strong structure.
"Ambition is a wonderful thing and an admirable quality to have."
Ferguson, who appeared relaxed and determined ahead of the Champions' trip to Stamford Bridge, added: "I love Loftus Road - it's a fantastic ground.
"I've got very fond memories of the Club.
"We've had some great battles here over the years. Big Les was always a handful for us and Alan McDonald and Darren Peacock gave us all sorts of problems."
QPR

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Eurosport - Championship - QPR bosses 'demand promotion'

Exclusive! Queens Park Rangers and Hungary midfield star Akos Buzsaky has told Eurosport that the club's new owners will expect promotion next season - and that the players in the squad are capable of achieving it.

Buzsaky has been a sensation since arriving from Plymouth Argyle on loan in October, joining Rangers permanently in January and notching 10 goals to guide the Hoops from the relegation zone to safety.

Buzsaky revealed that he owes a debt to the west London club after they showed more faith in him than his previous employers in the west country.

"Here they believe in me more than at Plymouth," he told us. "I had a good time there but there always comes a time when you need a change and a new challenge. Then I just got in some good form and started scoring goals.

"I came to QPR because there is a good chance of going up. The club has a future and more chance of reaching the Premier League than Plymouth.

"I am 25 years old and in two or three years I want to go up. I think we will because I always try to do my best and so do the team, which is already better than when I arrived.

"My season with QPR has been great. I have enjoyed it."

Buzsaky said that the squad will be added to in the close season, which will lead to higher expectations from powerful owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, of Formula One fame.

"In the summer of course I expect new players to arrive," he continued. "The squad is only 20 players, a little bit short; but I don't expect massive changes.

"The players who were bought in January are in the starting line-up. Perhaps they will strengthen in two or three other places.

"I think the owners will probably demand promotion because of the money they have put in. They will want to go up because they are successful businessmen. However in football money is not always the most important thing.

"The owners are normal people. They are famous people, but still people! They come into the dressing room and talk to the players and have been really helpful."

Buzsaky is also confident that Italian manager Luigi de Canio will remain in the hot-seat for the next campaign.

"I cannot see why he will not be manager next season," he asserted. "He has done well with the team and everything bodes well for a good future here."

The Hungarian international added that he enjoys his status with the fans and looked ahead to a difficult away match at Carrow Road this weekend after QPR sealed its Championship status for 2008-09.

"I'm glad that the fans liked me in Plymouth and now like me at QPR. Perhaps it is because I am something a little different from the British players. They have a song about me - but I don't know what it is they sing!

"Football is much better in England than in Portugal, even in the second division - apart from the three big teams: Sporting, Porto and Benfica. The stadiums are better and there are more fans watching.

"Norwich is a tough place to go. They can beat anyone at home." Eurosport

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The Times/Kevin Eason - April 25, 2008 Insider: April 25 - Cristal and caviar at QPR

As Bernie Ecclestone surveys his domain today, he can be content that his business model is working at full power, no matter how many times it has almost been derailed by events away from the Formula One track. Ecclestone pioneered the concept of corporate hospitality with his Formula One Paddock Club, which attracts well-heeled patrons prepared to pay as much as £1,000 a head.

That idea could be translated to football and Queens Park Rangers, the club he co-owns with Flavio Briatore, the Renault Formula One team principal. If the Coca-Cola Championship club are to spin money like the top sides and push for promotion to the Barclays Premier League, the problem of Loftus Road, QPR's cramped home on and off for about 90 years, will have to be solved. Ecclestone has not identified a potential alternative ground and a capacity of fewer than 20,000 is too small for the top flight.

But Ecclestone and Briatore plan to drive the QPR audience upmarket with more and better corporate seats. There are rumours that the price of hospitality boxes will soar, but Ecclestone is anxious to get the product right first. “We are not going to drive out the existing fans, but we need to generate more income,” he said. “We did it in Formula One and we can do it in football.”

The QPR directors' box is already a repository for famous visitors such as Naomi Campbell, the supermodel. With Ecclestone (worth £2.5billion) bringing in Lakshmi Mittal (worth £14.5billion) as an investor, the pies and Oxo could soon be replaced by champagne and caviar. QPR

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Norwich Official Site recalls QPR's previous meeting with Norwich this season, back in October, when QPR picked up their first win of the season under caretaker manager, Mick Harford at a time when the takeover had just been completed, and Francesco Guidolin was supposedly set to be named as QPR's new manager.
Norwich also recalls, as well QPR's last visit to Norwich at the end of December 2006, which Norwich won 1-0. All QPR fans need no reminding of their terrible April 1976 loss to Norwich.
QPR won the earlier encounter this season 1-0. (QPR's team included some players no longer with the club: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Bolder, Ainsworth (Jarrett 85), Rowlands, Sahar (Moore 69), Ephraim (Timoska 90), Vine, Leigertwood, Cranie SUBS NOT USED: Cole (GK), Bignot).
See also Match reports of QPR's First Win of the seasonreports and comments
The table, a week after their Norwich win:
Crystal Pal 11 11
Sheff Utd 11 10
Preston 11 10
Sheff Wed 11 9
Norwich 11 8
QPR 10 7

QPR's team for their December 2006 game at Norwich: Royce, Bignott (c), Milanese, Gallen (Blackstock 78), Rowlands (Ward 42), Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Furlong, Jones, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Baidoo, Kanyuka, Blackstock.


QPR OFFICIAL SITE THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: CANARIES
Whilst they are by no means favourites to occupy the third and final spot in the Championship relegation zone, the threat of demotion to League One continues to loom large for Norwich City.

Glenn Roeder's men currently lie just three points clear of 22nd place Sheffield Wednesday, but with a run-in that includes tomorrow's potentially tough home clash against in-form Rangers, as well as a trip to fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season, the work is far from complete for the Carrow Road outfit.

Experienced front-man Darren Huckerby, who is nearing the conclusion of his fifth campaign at the East Anglia Club, certainly believes at least one more victory is required before they can start look ahead to next season in the second tier.

"We still definitely need a win," he said following the Canaries' recent 2-1 defeat to local rivals Ipswich Town.

"I'm confident we'll stay up, yes, but we still definitely need a win."

Confidence is one thing, but if Norwich's below-par display against the Tractor Boys in the East Anglia derby is anything to go by, relegation could yet be a serious issue.

Victory in their biggest away date of the season would have all but guaranteed Championship survival. Instead, City suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat and the scoreline didn't tell the whole story.

City were second best throughout, yet while former R's hero Roeder was honest enough to concede bragging rights to the Tractor Boys, he insisted he was staying positive ahead of the all-important run-in.

"I have always believed the greater the challenge, the greater the response and that's what we've got to think in the next few games," he said.

Defeat against West Bromwich Albion last time out hardly helped matters, but Roeder is adamant City will convert 'some of the numerous chances that came their way' when Rangers come to town on Saturday.

Speaking after the 2-1 reverse, Roeder said: "We had at least four glorious chances and we didn't take them and that has been a feature of this season for us.

"All we can do now is try to play like we did today against QPR next week and hopefully the chances will go in."
QPR


Earlier this season: October 8, 2007 Norwich Official Site QPR 1 Norwich 0

A JUBILANT Loftus Road celebrated Queens Park Rangers' first win in any competition as Martin Rowlands' 66th minute penalty was enough to clinch a bottom of the table Championship clash.

The Canaries' horrible goal drought extended to six games and over nine hours of open play - and although the award of the penalty against Ian Murray for a foul on Rowan Vine may have been debatable, Rangers also hit the woodwork and were only stopped from winning by a wider margin thanks to an excellent display from David Marshall in City's goal.

For their part City simply failed to threaten former Canary Lee Camp's goal enough and can have few complaints about the result.

With Gary Doherty injured, City skipper Jason Shackell returned to the starting line-up after serving his three-match suspension and was joined in the heart of the Canaries' defence by Dion Dublin.

Up front young striker Chris Martin, who struck the woodwork against Scunthorpe last Tuesday night, was partnered by Darren Huckerby. In midfield Rossi Jarvis started in the centre with Darel Russell, with Lee Croft on the right and Simon Lappin on the left.

Ian Murray shrugged off a foot injury suffered in the Scunthorpe game to join Gilks, Chadwick, Brown and Strihavka on the City bench.

For QPR loanees Rowan Vine, former City player Jason Jarrett and Martin Cranie were all making their home debuts.

Although Sky were naturally focussing on a big game for both clubs in their pre-match build-up, for the newspaper photographers the excitement before kick-off centred around the appearance of glamorous celebrities Naomi Campbell and Tamara Beckwith in the directors' box.

With both sides eager to win there was some crisp passing in the opening exchanges with neither 'keeper troubled as players for either side found their feet.

The first threat to the City goal came in the ninth minute, Vine cutting the ball back from the byeline to tee up Leigertwood who drilled his low shot wide of the post from 16 yards.

Two minutes later Sahar picked the ball up and ran at the City defence after Russell lost possession in the centre circle, but his shot was eventually blocked by a superb block from Dublin at full stretch.

In the 16th minute Adam Drury was left prone on the pitch apparently clutching his shoulder after competing for a header and received lengthy treatment but thankfully was able to get to his feet and continue after a couple of minutes.

Lee Croft nearly cut in behind the Rangers defence in the 21st minute to pick up a clever pass from Chris Martin but just couldn't find the time and space to get a shot off and was eventually forced wide and away from danger by good QPR defending.

Dion Dublin received the game's first yellow card from referee Mr P.Walton in the 27th minute after a tussle for the ball in the centre of the pitch with Adam Bolder.

Just after the half-hour Huckerby and Otsemobor combined well but the City right-back seemed caught in two minds as he found himself carving into the Rangers box and eventually drilled a shot from tight angle straight at former Canary 'keeper Lee Camp.

Play switched to the other end and Hogan Ephraim warmed the palms of David Marshall with a fierce drive from 25 yards which the City custodian palmed away well.

In the 36th minute after Shackell conceded a corner, Marshall was again alert to palm away Ephraim's in-swinging flag kick from under the crossbar and away to safety.

In the closing seconds of first-half injury time Lappin's corner from the right was met by the towering figure of Dublin but he planted his header well over the bar.

Half-time: QPR 0, Norwich City 0

City made a change at the break, Ian Murray coming on for Dion Dublin - Manager Peter Grant perhaps conscious of the yellow card Dublin picked up in the first half.

But it was QPR who looked the more dangerous in the opening exchanges of the half - and they were centimetres away from breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute. The City midfield and defence seemed almost to stand off as Martin Rowlands arrowed forward from defence and he had time to blast a low shot from 25 yards which cannoned off the foot of the far post with Marshall beaten.

It was a let-off for City who had started the period firmly on the back foot - and within a couple of minutes they had another scare as they survived loud claims for a Rangers penalty after Vine went down under Shackell's challenge.

In an effort to change the balance of the game, Grant made a tactical shift on 52 minutes with Huckerby slotting in on the left of a five-man midfield and Martin left as lone striker.

Rowlands was having a lively second half and on 59 minutes he forced a smart reaction save from Marshall with a curling free kick from 30 yards which was arrowing towards the top corner.

Four minutes later with Norwich now firmly on the back foot Grant made his sceond change of the evening, striker David Strihavka replacing Lappin and joining Martin up front as the Canaries reverted to 4-4-2 once again.

On 65 minutes Lee Croft was booked for a foul on Ephraim - but if that looked harsh there was worse to come a minute later as Ian Murray was controversially adjudged to have brought down Vine in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Martin Rowlands capped a great personal performance by stepping up to ram a perfect spot kick low and to Marshall's left, giving the City keeper no chance whatsoever.

Rangers caretaker boss Mick Harford immediately made a substitution, Stefan Moore replacing Sahar.

The home side was definitely on top at this stage - two chances in the space of 60 seconds coming on 70 minutes as first Ainsworth's acrobatic volley was deflected inches wide by the head of Drury and then Stewart's powerful header from the resulting corner was saved at full stretch by Marshall.

A minute later Rowan Vine was the next to test Marshall's reflexes, forcing yet another excellent save on the line from the Canary keeper.

Somehow City needed to find a way back into a game in which they had failed to significantly threaten the Rangers goal. Grant responded by bringing on Chris Brown for Martin with 15 minutes to go.

Almost immediately there was a slight improvement as Russell hit a half-volley from 22 yards which Camp saved comfortably. It was City's first shot in anger of the second half but did at least give the City fans behind the goal something rare to cheer about.

The Canaries once again had Marshall to thank for keeping them in the game in the 82nd minute when he stuck out a leg to deny Ephraim's blast from eight yards.

Two minutes later a long raking ball forward from Otsemobor was nodded down well by Strihavka, but Brown got under his shot and sent it well over from 25 yards.

QPR then made their final change, another former City man Jason Jarrett coming on for Ainsworth with five minutes of normal time to go. Rangers were understandably happy to try and run the clock down as they closed in on what would be there first win in any competition - and Ephraim took his time leaving the pitch as he was replaced on 90 minutes by Sampsa Timoska.

The referee duly awarded five minutes of injury time

NORWICH: Marshall, Otsemobor, Drury, Shackell, Huckerby, Croft, Dublin (Murray 46), Lappin (Strihavka 63), Russell, Rossi Jarvis, Martin (Brown 75)
SUBS NOT USED: Gilks (GK), Chadwick.

QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Bolder, Ainsworth (Jarrett 85), Rowlands, Sahar (Moore 69), Ephraim (Timoska 90), Vine, Leigertwood, Cranie
SUBS NOT USED: Cole (GK), Bignot. Norwich


QPR's Last Visit to Norwich

Norwich Official Site - Norwich 1 QPR 0 30/12/2006
THE Canaries got back to winning ways at Carrow Road, ending 2006 with a win over QPR thanks to a single goal from Dion Dublin.

Dublin pounced midway through the second half to end City's festive blues, latching onto a great ball from Robert Earnshaw to slot home from 12-yards.

It was no more than the Canaries deserved for a vastly improved display after the bore-draw against Southend on Boxing Day, and their victory could have been greater had it not been from a combination of wasteful finishing and good defending.

As expected, Youssef Safri was restored to the starting line-up in the absence of the suspended Carl Robinson.

Also returning to the line-up was skipper Adam Drury, passed fit after missing the draw with Southend due to a hip injury. Jurgen Colin also returned to the side at the expense of Andy Hughes, who was given a place on the bench.

In attack manager Peter Grant kept faith with the partnership of Dion Dublin and Robert Earnshaw.

City got off to a lively start, enjoying the bulk of possession inside the first five minutes without creating a clear-cut chance.

Indeed, the first clear chance arrived on nine minutes. Huckerby's cross from the left was headed back across goal to the unmarked Earnshaw by strike partner Dublin.

And even though the Welshman missed from just six yards out with his stooping header, the assistant referee had already flagged for offside.

QPR registered their first shot on target three minutes later. Croft's attempted cross-field ball was easily cut-out by Martin Rowlands, and with Drury back-peddling furiously, he shaped to bend a left foot shot inside Gallacher's right post.

But he miscued his effort, with the ball bobbling well wide.

But they came closer to grabbing the first goal on 17 minutes, with only the alertness of Norwich 'keeper Gallacher denying them.

Rowlands flighted a ball over to the far post from the right and found veteran striker Furlong unmarked.

He connected well with his downward header, but the Scottish international did well to push the ball away at his near post, with his defenders eventually hacking the ball to safety.

On 26 minutes City came within inches of winning a penalty. Defender Damion Stewart - sporting a protective face mask - dallied on the by-line as he tried to shield the ball and allow it to run behind for a goal kick.

But Earnshaw had not given up on it, scooting round the big defender, leaving the Rangers man with little choice but to haul him down. Earnshaw fell in the box, but referee Phil Dowd awarded a free kick just outside, which promptly came to nothing.

Stewart's clumsiness should have earned him a booking, but his skipper Marcus Bignott was not so fortunate a minute later, given a yellow for dragging down Huckerby in full flight on the left.

On 34 minutes there was a stoppage after Drury took a boot to the face stretching for a 50-50 ball with Rowlands down on the left 20 yards inside the Rangers' half.

He certainly looked to be in some discomfort, but after treatment from physio Neal Reynolds was able to continue.

On 38 minutes visiting goalkeeper Simon Royce was forced into action for the first time in the half.

Croft swung a cross over from the right which was brilliantly headed back into Earnshaw's path just inside the area by Dubling.

Earnshaw's shot was struck sweetly, but Royce was able to parry the ball up and away and over the line for a corner.

And as the rain began to fall at Carrow Road, that was to be the last of the action of the first half as both sides entered the break honours even.

Half time: Norwich City 0-0 QPR

There were no changes for either side at the break, with City returning to the pitch looking to turn their possession into clear scoring chances.

And City had a clear site of goal within the first two minutes of the second period.

Norwich won a corner in front of the N&P Stand, and Safri delivered an excellent out-swinging ball which found Shackell's head.

Unfortunately the young defender could not keep his effort down, powering his attempt yards over.

Seconds later and City were behind the QPR defence once more. This time Colin played a nice one-two with Croft before darting into the area at an angle.

But his final product was found wanting, shooting wastefully into the side-netting at the near post when a pass or a shot across goal might have reaped more reward.

City were competing well, but were still lacking the kind of invention needed to break the stubborn visitors down as the game went past the hour mark.

Of course, QPR were also looking for three points to arrest their own recent slump, and on 66 minutes midfielder Steve Lomas gave Norwich a warning when he flashing a right foot shot just wide of Gallacher's left post from 25 yards out.

But any nerves were finally settled on 69 minutes when Norwich took the lead.

QPR were slack at the back, gifting the ball to Earnshaw just outside the area. And he showed great vision to loft a ball into the box to find Dublin completely unmarked to side-foot past the exposed Royce from 12 yards out.

It was a cool finish and a deserved goal for the 37-year-old, who had been outstanding all game once again.

On 75 minutes City had a great chance to double their lead amid the downpour.

A good positive run from Colin took him deep into QPR territory before sliding a pass into Huckerby's stride in the area.

But the winger could not sort out his feet in time, taking too heavy a touch and allowing Royce to gather comfortably at his feet.

Two minutes later and Grant made his first chance of the match, replacing Croft with Andy Hughes on the right side of midfield.

With the game in the final 10 minutes, City were good value for their lead, with only good defending from Mancienne preventing Earnshaw connecting with a great ball from Dublin.

With five minutes left City should have put the game out of the visitors' reach. Hughes played a great one-two with Dublin just outside the area before finding Huckerby unmarked on the far side of the area. But the winger could only slice his shot horribly over the bar.

And with the game in stoppage time City again had a clear chance to end matters - Earnshaw put in the clear by Hughes' astute through-ball. But as the Weldshman pulled the trigger just inside the area, Stewart did brilliantly to recover his ground and divert his goalbound shot over the bar.

Full time: Norwich City 1-0 QPR

Norwich City: Gallacher, Drury (c), Shackell, Huckerby, Croft (78), Dublin, Earnshaw, Safri (McVeigh 88), Etuhu, Colin, Doherty. Subs: Lewis, Fleming, Ryan Jarvis.

QPR: Royce, Bignott (c), Milanese, Gallen (Blackstock 78), Rowlands (Ward 42), Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Furlong, Jones, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Baidoo, Kanyuka, Blackstock. Norwich

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QPR's former Midfielder, Martin Allen who had been reportedly been interested in the Huddersfield Managership, misses out. The new manager is Stan Ternent. Huddersfield Appoint Ternent

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Lee Cook has returned to Fulham, with strong messageboard rumours that he'll be signing for QPR in the summer.

Charlton Official Site

Alan Pardew's focus on next season was further demonstrated on Thursday when he allowed Lee Cook to return to Fulham.

With Charlton's hopes of involvement in the end-of-season play-offs now over, Pardew is already looking ahead to the 2008/09 Championship campaign.

Cook, who limped out of Saturday's 1-0 loss at former club Queens Park Rangers after just 20 minutes with a dead leg, had forced his way into Pardew's first team in recent weeks.

But, following the end of Charlton's promotion bid, Pardew felt it was in both the club's and Cook's best interests for the player to return to Fulham.

Pardew told the official website: "Lee was brought here to try and help us gain promotion, and that chance has now gone.

"He's a Fulham player and I didn't feel we had any chance of signing him permanently. There's no point keeping him here so I've sent him back and his position will be taken by one of the players who will be here next year and who is looking to make an impact."

With Jerome Thomas (hamstring) and Lloyd Sam (thigh) sidelined by injury, Cook's place for Saturday's clash with Barnsley at Oakwell is up for grabs, so the likes of Luke Varney and youngster Scott Wagstaff will both be pushing to start on the left flank.

Pardew added: "Unfortunately, we do have a couple of injuries to wide players in JT and Lloyd Sam, which is a bit of a blow, but it can be cushioned by one or two of the youngsters."

The Addicks clinched a loan deal for Cook just five hours before the January transfer window closed.

The capture of the 25-year-old, who was purchased by the Cottagers from Queens Park Rangers for £2.5m in July, followed the departure of midfielder Andy Reid to Sunderland earlier the same day.

Hampered by a series of injuries this term, Cook has yet to make his debut for Fulham. But he earned plenty of plaudits during his time at Loftus Road. A boyhood QPR fan, Hammersmith-born Cook made 137 appearances for the R's, scoring 10 goals, from 2004-07.

He started his career at Aylesbury United and moved to QPR from Watford, going on to be named Rangers' young player of the year in his first season, followed by both the supporters' player and players' player of the year awards in subsequent campaigns.

Cook made his Addicks debut in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in February and went on to make eight further appearances in a red shirt. Charlton

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Yet another fine profile and interview on the QPR Official Site. This time, Mike Flanagan: One of Terry Venables' signings from Crystal Palace and half of the "Flanagan and Allen" pairing. (Although perhaps his success at Charlton might have been mentioned.)

QPR Official Site BLAST FROM THE PAST: Mike Flanagan

In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, R's legend Mike Flanagan comes under the spotlight.
Mike Flanagan (1980-1984)
Mike Flanagan made an incredible impact on his debut for Rangers by scoring the winner from 50-yards!
It came in a 2-1 victory at Bolton Wanderers in December 1980. Flanagan had just completed a £150,000 move from Crystal Palace and got off to an audacious start with
He recalls: "The move began with a clearance by their goalkeeper Terry Poole from the edge of his penalty area. Poole then fell over after colliding with QPR striker Simon Stainrod and he was a little bit slow in getting back on to his feet.
"I saw that the keeper and two Bolton defenders were running back towards their own goal. So I chested the ball down on the halfway line and I thought 'I'll go for it!'
"I hit it with my left foot and the shot flew in just under the crossbar, which was nice to see. I scored a few special goals in my time and that's one I will always remember."
Flanagan was a versatile striker who made a total of 93 appearances for the R's and scored 22 goals. He was part of our side that reached the FA Cup Final in 1982 and won promotion to Division One a year later.
"I had a spell with Crystal Palace under Manager Terry Venables and when he moved to QPR I was one of the players he brought with him," said Flanagan.
"Terry put a decent squad together at Loftus Road. He had a lot of belief in our ability and so that filtered through to the players.
"It all came to the fore in our FA Cup run. The further we went in the competition, we got more confidence that we could go on and win it.
"The semi-final against West Brom at Highbury was fantastic. It could have gone either way. It was decided late on when a clearance from one of the Albion defenders was blocked by Clive Allen and the ball ricocheted into the net. So we were through to Wembley to face Spurs!
"Not too many players get to appear in an FA Cup Final. We saw it as a lovely bonus at the end of a great season for us - and it was such an amazing occasion. I spoke to a few former professionals beforehand and they said 'Just go out and enjoy the day. Everything is over before you know it.' And that was certainly true!
"We held Spurs to a 1-1 draw. Then we had goalscoring opportunities to win the replay, although you have to put them away in those sort of games.
"Glenn Hoddle was the difference for Tottenham and he scored the penalty that won the Cup. But had we taken our chances, then who knows what might have happened.
"We were a good team without any real outstanding stars. We all played for one another and I think that is what brought us the fine results we had as we went on to win promotion in 1983.
"Personally, it was a nice spell in my career. I joined Rangers as a centre-forward and I always thought that was my best position. But Terry Venables put me out on the left wing. He realised that I could still get 14-15 goals a season playing wide. I had a successful time at QPR and I loved every moment of it."
Now aged 55, Flanagan lives in Essex and is no longer involved in football. But like all past players, he looks out for the results of his former Clubs.
"I have a varied lifestyle at the moment. I worked for a swimming pool company for the past eight years. They install pools and do all sorts.
"More recently, I've moved into the City. I undertake maintenance up there for the Corporation of London. In fact, I am doing this programme interview from the top of a ladder!
"Meanwhile, I keep an interest in all the teams I played for. Looking at QPR, I know a great deal of new investment has arrived this year and they are a Club who are big enough to be able to compete in the Premier League. I wish everyone at Rangers well."QPR

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Best of luck to those players released
"Danny Maguire, Romone Rose, Matt O'Brien, Reece Crowther, Josh Ford and Chris Arthur were all retained, but Lee Brown, Billy Coyne, Aaron Morgan-Cummings, James Folkes and Chris Goodchild have been told they won't be offered deals by QPR.

[For Profiles of the youth players - Youth Profiles]

QPR Official Site " HARD SIDE OF FOOTBALL

Last Friday was a day of celebration for some, but an afternoon of disappointment for others, as QPR's Second Year Scholars discovered whether they had done enough to earn themselves a one-year professional contract.

Danny Maguire, Romone Rose, Matt O'Brien, Reece Crowther, Josh Ford and Chris Arthur were all retained, but Lee Brown, Billy Coyne, Aaron Morgan-Cummings, James Folkes and Chris Goodchild have been told they won't be offered deals by QPR.
Youth Team Manager Steve Brown was handed the onerous task of letting the lads know their fate, and he admitted: "It's not easy, but it's part of football unfortunately.
"People often talk about the good side of the game we're involved in, but not a lot of people mention the horrible side of it, which is telling a young lad that he hasn't quite made it.
"When kids are given a two-year Scholarship, it is up to them to work hard, develop and take on board all the information they're given.
"Unfortunately, some of them fall short. That doesn't mean they're not going to bounce back, but QPR is a Championship club with aspirations of getting into the Premiership very shortly.
"As such, the selection process is very rigid.
"We've looked at the whole football scenario here," Brown explained.
"The difficulty is that there is no Reserve set-up. Yes, there are Reserve matches, but there isn't a group of Reserve players.
"At this stage of their development, the youngsters aren't ready to train with the first team, they've still got work to do before they are ready for that. So they could do with having a Reserve 'group' to work within.
"If we can set that up, it means we could also look at other teams who have released players that they feel aren't ready for their first-team, and haven't got a Reserve 'group' in place.
"It would give us a great opportunity to work with players who may have the potential to progress and improve between the ages of 18 and 21.
"It's worth noting that players don't tend to make their debuts at the age of 17 or 18 these days, it's now between 19 and 21.
"Angelo Balanta is the exception to that. He has made a seamless transition from the youth team to the first team, but it is unfair to expect the same of everyone else.
"Angelo has fantastic potential, and just like you don't expect every 16-year-old at Everton to be a 'Wayne Rooney', you can't expect every Second Year at QPR to be an 'Angelo Balanta'. He's a one-off.
"But the players we have kept on have got definite potential, they just need to develop their strengths further.
"At the moment, the Reserve fixtures we play aren't at a sufficient level to really test our youngsters.
"There's been talk of a Championship Reserve League, and if that happens, then the whole Reserve aspect becomes more of a worthwhile exercise for the Football Club." QPR


Also: From last week: QPR Official Site on Championship for U-18s

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Setanta/Toby Davis - Exclusive Interview with Gary Waddock

With only one automatic promotion place on offer, guiding a club into the Football League is one of the toughest jobs in club management.

When Hercules completed his twelfth labour, he might just have fancied doing another. But if someone suggested he take on the task of getting promoted from Blue Square Premier, he would probably have called it a day.

But Aldershot, under the stewardship of boss Gary Waddock, have made this ultra-Herculean task look rather easy.

The Shots have waltzed to the title amassing an astonishing tally of 100 points – a Conference record – with one game still to play.

Waddock arrived at the club last summer - after an unsuccessful spell in charge at QPR - with one thing on his mind.

“Promotion was the target from day one,” he told setantasports.com in an exclusive interview.

“I told the players as soon as I got here that it was what we were going for and they have done a fantastic job to achieve that.

“When I arrived I knew we had a good group of players, I knew they were talented and had a lot of ability, but they have worked extremely hard. Hard work is the starting point in football, then you can show your ability and they have done just that.”

Waddock was thrust into football management when QPR decided then boss Ian Holloway’s fingers were not as green as they could be and sent him on gardening leave in 2006.

He had been on Holloway’s coaching staff, but took up the reins and initially brought success, keeping the club in The Championship.

But the following season, results did not go their way and Waddock was replaced by John Gregory.

But he bears no ill-will towards the club where he spent nine years as a player, before becoming manager.

“Things didn’t go according to plan at QPR,” he added. “But I learnt a hell of a lot in a short period of time and I have put it into good use here at Aldershot. It didn’t work for me, but it wasn’t for want of trying and I’m better for the experience.”
“I wasn’t disappointed to drop down to the Conference. It was a new challenge, a new opening.

“The Aldershot job just came about. Terry Brown (former boss) left for family reasons. I applied for the job, went through the interview stage and they offered me the position. They gave me the opportunity to get back into the game.”

The rest, as they say, is history. Aldershot were top of the table by November and gradually built up an assailable lead.

But despite their dominance, Waddock was keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground.

A repetitive feature of post-match interviews became his reluctance to accept what was blindingly obvious to all – Aldershot were going to win the title at a canter.

“As we got closer, people were saying you’ve won it,” he added. “But you haven’t won anything until you cross that finish line. I have been in football for quite some time and it has a habit of slapping you in the face when you haven’t achieved anything.

“If I am being honest, it wasn’t hard to keep the players grounded either. They are a young group, but we asked them to take it one game at a time and to their credit, that’s what they have done.”

The champagne finally flowed when Aldershot wrapped up the title down in Devon with a draw at Exeter City.

But with the celebrations over and done with, the business of planning for next season is already underway.

“I have started thinking about next year,” Waddock added. “You have to enjoy the moment which we have, but you also have to plan for the future.

“The Blue Square is a really difficult league. There are a lot of good players and managers there. So we have done well to get out. And if we can get off to a good start next season, then hopefully the lads will feel comfortable playing at that level; we are looking forward to it.”

Although Waddock remains undaunted by the prospect of moving into The Football League, the task of improving the squad has already begun in earnest.

He is confident his players can cut the mustard in League Two, but hinted that, with the board’s backing, there could be one or two new arrivals over the summer.

“I hope the chairman’s going back me with some cash this summer, but you will have to ask him. We have spoken about budgets so I am fully aware of what I have got due to me.

“I have got to deal with the players who are out of contract first, and if they commit to the club then great, but if they don’t then I will have to look elsewhere.”

But even if personnel change, one thing will remain the same. Few people would think of the Conference as easy on the eye, but Aldershot have played an open, expansive brand of football that has seen them hit 81 goals on their way to the title.

“We won’t change the way we play,” Waddock added. “It’s bought success. If we need to, I will have a look at it, but we have got players that play that way and we can’t all of a sudden change our style.”

Perhaps the biggest fear for Aldershot fans is that Waddock’s success may lead him to pastures new. But while he remains at the club, the future looks bright and the celebrations will continue. Setanta

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Daily Mail - QPR chief Briatore hails Loftus Road teenager Balanta as 'the new Michael Schumacher'

Flavio Briatore has hailed Queens Park Rangers teenager Angelo Balanta as "the new Michael Schumacher."
The Rangers chairman identified the 17-year-old striker as the jewel in the crown of a young squad primed with the task of restoring the glory days to Loftus Road.
Briatore masterminded Formula One team Benetton's transformation from down-grid also-rans into a motor-racing powerhouse with Schumacher the catalyst on the track.
Now he has earmarked Colombian-born Balanta for stardom. The teenager, who hopes to make only the fifth start of his brief career against Norwich on Saturday, recently claimed he will have more of an impact on English football than former Newcastle icon and fellow countryman Faustino Asprilla.
"Balanta is the new Schumacher," said Briatore. "He is very young, strong, talented and confident. Look at Alexandre Pato in Italy [with AC Milan]. He is a teenager and very confident but if you are talented like Balanta you can be.
"In Formula One now, all the drivers are young but when Schumacher came in he was 19 and drivers like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Ricardo Patresi were in their thirties.
In the briefings, Schumacher looked like a baby but on the track, he fought with his heroes.
"When you are talented you feel confident and I see that in Balanta."
Briatore sees many parallels between Benetton and Rangers, not least in terms of recruitment and the nurturing of young talent. The Italian added: "When I helped create Benetton I knew I didn't have the possibility to take Senna or Alain Prost because I didn't have the credibility in Formula One.
"We needed somebody to go with us, so we took Schumacher. QPR are the same. We will be very prudent. We have a young squad and they can grow together.
"Its easy to come into football with a big fortune and leave with a small fortune. I will not sit back at all. I have a responsibility and a respect for my shareholders.
"I am very busy with F1 but I am sure I have one hour a day for QPR."
Talk of wholesale change — from moving grounds to changing managers — is unavoidable where a man with Briatore's power and financial standing is concerned.
Billionaire co-owners Lakshmi Mittal and Bernie Ecclestone represent a wealth of ruthless business acumen, but Briatore insists the club will not be transformed into something the fans would not recognise.
"QPR are very sexy — the tradition, the history of the club," said Briatore. "It is very fashionable and the last thing I want to lose is the history of the club.
"We have plenty of time to talk to the council about the stadium. We want to stay there. The location is one of the things that made QPR attractive. I don't want a stadium for 40,000 at the moment. 30,000 is plenty for now. Let's build up the club.
"With the manager, Gigi is a super professional guy. He is a transparent guy, very honest and he is working very hard. For the project we have at QPR, I feel he is the right guy to start it. I judge anyone by the results.
"For the moment, I don't have any worry because he has done a great job."
With a new Platinum club and an exclusive 100-seater restaurant also planned for next season, the future looks bright. The club recently announced a £20million shirt sponsorship with Lotto Sport Italia and Briatore revealed that particular club record deal is just a sign of things to come.
"We have more deals but we don't want to announce everything together," said the QPR chief, before cryptically adding: "Summer is very long — sometimes it is better to have good news every couple of weeks." Daily Mail


Mail - Loan Rangers clinch the Real deal - but miss out on the Raul deal
Some of Real Madrid's top youngsters could be on their way to Queens Park Rangers thanks to a friendship between Flavio Briatore and the Spanish club's president.
Ramon Calderon was the Rangers co-owner's guest for their 3-2 win over Blackpool at Loftus Road last month and QPR are looking to establish links between the clubs.
Raul won't be coming to Loftus Road unless Real Madrid draw QPR in the InterToto Cup
A Rangers source said: "QPR won't be getting the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy or Raul in any loan deals but they could get others who might fit the bill.
"Madrid's facilities are among the best in the world, so maybe some of our youth players might benefit from a training spell there as well.
"Calderon is a big F1 fan, which is how he knows Flavio."
Any Spanish imports would be joining a club who are on the verge of great things, according to manager Luigi De Canio.
The Italian, whose team are unbeaten in seven games, said: "The spirit of the squad is excellent. We need to become a team that is hard to beat, and we are making great strides." Daily Mail

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From a year ago: April 24, 2007. What a year!

QPR Official Site -GAFFER STAYS ON
The Club are delighted to announce that John Gregory has agreed a two year extension to his current contract.
In the wake of the R's guaranteeing their Championship status with victory against Cardiff City on Saturday, Gregory has activated a clause within his existing contract that will see him remain at Loftus Road until the end of the 2008/09 campaign.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory said: "I'm delighted to accept the offer made to me by Chairman Gianni Paladini.
"I feel very honoured to have been the Manager of QPR for the last seven months and to have been given the task of keeping us in the Championship. Now that has been secured, the rebuilding has to begin.
"We need to put some concrete in the foundations to make sure the Club does not sink to the appalling depths that it has done this season. That means making changes throughout the Club, which will not always be popular ones.
"I personally have never been happier. I look forward to working alongside Gianni, as we strive to build a better future for our loyal fans. All you need is love.''
Gregory joined the R's on September 20th 2006, replacing Gary Waddock, whose ten games in charge in all competitions at the start of the season heralded just two victories.
His impact was immediate, as the R's clinched back-to-back wins in his first two games, before four wins in five outings, culminating in Saturday's 1-0 win against the Bluebirds, confirmed the R's place in the second tier of English football.
Chairman Gianni Paladini expressed his delight at the news, commenting: "John Gregory has done a fantastic job in his short time in charge here and we are all delighted that he has agreed to be part of our future.
"The impact he has made since he arrived here in September has been quite staggering. The signings he has made have been inspirational and he's proven what a top Manager he is.
"He has our one hundred per-cent backing and he is most definitely the right man to lead us to what we hope will be a very bright future.'' QPR


April 24, 2007 - Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Carry on John
JOHN Gregory has been given the green light to strengthen his squad for next season after QPR ensured their place in the Championship.
Gregory's relegation-haunted team finally clinched survival with a 1-0 win over Cardiff last weekend and the manager immediately signed a new two-year deal to stay at Loftus Road.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini told the Times: "It's up to John what players he wants to bring in. He knows the budget for next season and I will back him 100 per cent.
"It's not easy to find the right replacement when you change managers after five years and we believed Gary Waddock was the right one and gave him the chance to sign the players he wanted.
"Unfortunately it didn't work out, but we asked John to come in and I'm completely confident that QPR have a bright future with him as manager.
"If you look at our form in the last two months, that's what we're capable of doing. There will be a big clearout and, if we have the right players next season, we can be much higher up the table."
Gregory has already offloaded eight players permanently and sent six others out on loan since he succeeded Waddock as Rangers boss seven months ago.
And the manager vowed to make further changes in personnel when the season ends, saying: "There's a lot of hard work to be done in terms of who's going and who's staying.
"I had too many losers at the club and it took me a while to get them off our backs. There was too much laughing after we got beaten on the coach on the way home.
"Some of them forgot the score at 6pm on a Saturday night and they're not here any more. The ones that were hurting, they're still here.
"People who were employees at the club were glad to see us losing, but they've gone and if there's anyone like that here now, they'll be gone in the summer."
But Gregory paid tribute to the efforts of the players who hauled Rangers to safety with two games remaining, especially some of those who have arrived since the turn of the year.
He declared: "The day I signed Danny Cullip was the day this club started to move forward. Adam Bolder's been great for us, so has Lee Camp and [Sami] Timoska will get better as time goes on.
"It wasn't just the players I brought in, though, some of those I inherited have worked so hard too and what they've achieved this season has been incredible.
"The players have been under pressure from the first day and they've shown an unbelievable amount of courage, effort and enthusiasm on the training ground.
"The spirit in the dressing-room has got us out of trouble. I'm delighted for everyone connected with this club, now I'd like to celebrate and have a bloody good time."
Once the celebrations have died down, Gregory's task will be to keep his squad focused on their two remaining games, beginning with play-off hopefuls Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.
Meanwhile, QPR have announced a 10 per cent reduction on season ticket prices in a bid to raise attendances at Loftus Road next season.
Rangers have averaged crowds of less than 13,000 this season, compared to close on 16,000 before steep price rises were introduced two years ago.
Chairman Gianni Paladini hopes the new pricing scheme - which keeps the cost of a season ticket for under-16s at £70 and allows under-eights in for free - will help bring back the missing supporters.
Current season ticket holders have until May 31 to renew with a further reduction and Paladini stressed: "The 10 per cent discount is across the board, so there will still be a discount on the early bird rate.
"One of the main reasons we stayed up was because the fans turned out in force. Loftus Road must be a fortress next season and I want to see an extra two or three thousand people for each game.

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Daily Mirror - NO REAL POINT
QPR have abandoned plans for a glamour friendly against Real Madrid at Wembley - as it would have left them £500,000 out of pocket.
Rangers joint-owner Flavio Briatore is a friend of Madrid president Ramon Calderon and the pair had held talks about a high-profile preseason fixture.
But the game would have cost Rangers £1.2million to stage and the club were not confident of bringing enough fans through the gates to break even. Mirror

[Who we would have been playing: Real Madrid's Official Site (in English)]

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Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times - Step on the Gaz
WE saw a bit of an upset this week at QPR - and I'm not talking about our win against Charlton.
Damien Delaney's the new king of go-karting - he took Rowly's title off him when the lads all went down to the track on Tuesday and he'll be the man to beat next time.
But nobody should think that means we're easing up as far as football goes. We've got two massive games left and we can still have a say at both ends of the table.
We're playing with a lot of freedom, producing some good football and enjoying it - and I think everyone could see the contrast between us and Charlton last Saturday.
To be honest we expected more from them, but as soon as we got a goal they seemed to crumble and they looked like they all had a weight on their shoulders.
Charlton didn't offer a lot, but we were pleased to keep a clean sheet all the same and I felt we were looking more comfortable in the last 10 minutes than we have done for a while.
I'm pleased for Dexter as well - suddenly he's found a purple patch at the end of what's been a tricky season for him.
Maybe people forget how young Dexter is - he's still only 21 and, because of the way he finished last season, expectations and pressure were higher this time.
It's also worth pointing out that a cartilage injury can take some time to come back from - and, in a funny way, what may have helped him is the birth of his son Ramirez.
You wouldn't think that sleepless nights are the best backdrop to playing football, but when you've got a family to look after it can focus your head better.
Like Charlton, Norwich will be the team feeling the pressure when we go there this weekend. Everyone felt they'd already done enough to stay up and I have to say it'd be a travesty if they went down on 52 points.
But there's no reason why we can't go there and make them sweat a bit.
I played with Dion Dublin years ago at Cambridge United and this is going to be his last home game at the end of a fantastic career, but we aren't going to lie down out of sentiment.
As well as Dion, we've got our old friend Jamie Cureton to contend with, so it'll be a good test for our back four, but I'm confident we can come through that and keep our unbeaten run going. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Blackstock braced for a battle
QPR matchwinner Dexter Blackstock accepts he faces a fight to stay in the team next season despite his current rich vein of form.
Blackstock's goal against Charlton was the fourth time he has found the net in five games - his best scoring sequence since last season, when he headed Rangers' goal charts with 14.
With Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang out injured, Blackstock - still only 21 - is the only senior striker available for now, but knows that situation is almost certain to change during the close season.
He said: "Everyone wants to play for QPR at the moment and there's a lot of talk about money and the club going places with Flavio [Briatore] and Bernie [Ecclestone] behind us.
"The fans are seeing that. You can tell by the attendance against Charlton - over 17,000 - that the fans are coming back and getting excited about the future.
"That carries a lot more expectation, therefore better players have got to be brought into the club to take it forward.
"As a professional footballer, you have to accept players are going to come in and fight for your shirt.
"Everyone in our changing room wants to stay here and be part of what's ahead. We all want to achieve promotion in the long term and we'll need a big squad of players to do that.
"If I can get goals, then it's great to be helping the team perform and win games, that's the main thing."
The former Southampton forward was paired with 17-year-old Angelo Balanta, a product of Rangers' Centre of Excellence, on Saturday.
Balanta impressed in only his fourth start for the first team and Rs boss Luigi de Canio stressed afterwards that he plans to promote more players from the youth system long-term.
"Angelo's an excellent player," said De Canio. "He does want to learn and puts in a lot of effort. This has to go to the credit of the youth coaches who have worked with him.
"My dream is to have a QPR side in the Premier League with six or seven players in the squad who have come up through the youth set-up.
"We have just started on the project and the important thing is that we try and build gradually."
SATURDAY'S crowd of 17,035 was the biggest for a league game at Loftus Road in nearly three years.
Almost 18,000 watched Rangers beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the end of the 2004-05 season, but a hefty increase in ticket prices that summer led to a severe fall in attendances. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Call for community action gets Zesh's vote
QPR'S Zesh Rehman has backed the Times campaign for Londoners to 'Get out and VOTE' in the capital's elections next week.
The Rangers defender is one of just four British Asian footballers plying their trade in the professional game and is a leading supporter of anti-racism programmes run by the FA and PFA.
Rehman told the Times: "Football is the perfect vehicle to unite communities, to help bridge the gap between communities and create more harmony.
"If you don't go out and use your vote, you could be helping to cause distress for the whole community. I believe it's important for everyone to vote."
Rehman, who grew up in Birmingham but plays international football for his parents' native country, Pakistan, has recently set up a website to provide support and advice for youngsters trying to forge a career in the sport.
Asked why so few Asians have broken into the professional ranks to date, the Rangers centre-back observed: "I think we're at the stage where black players were in the 70s, but there are different stereotypes to deal with now.
"There are pre-conceived ideas that maybe they're scared of the weather, or they have the wrong diet and aren't strong enough - and if those keep being repeated then they're less likely to get a fair start in the game.
"There aren't enough role models and, if you're a young lad growing up, you need to see those. People will ask you 'who do you want to be like?' and there aren't many answers to give.
"As one of only four Asian footballers in this country, I see it as my responsibility to try and give something back and make a difference - not just to Asian youngsters but everyone."

Along with QPR team-mate Damien Delaney, Rehman recently attended the launch of a video for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign at Westminster Academy.

The event was organised by Rangers' Football in the Community department and was also attended by former Rs striker Leroy Rosenior and ex-Wimbledon and Sheffield United boss Dave Bassett.

You can visit Rehman's website and read his blog at www.zeshrehman.com Kilburn Times

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The excellent QPR Fan Site, QPR Net recently completed its season-by-season statistics for the past century and more of QPR's games. It makes interesting reading!

QPR Net - History: Season By Season
"The season by season stats section is now complete, you can view or download excel info sheets for every season from 1899 to the present day. ..."
"...The stats are held on excel files which are viewable online or downloadable if you prefer, each sheet covers one season and lists player appearances, stats, fixtures and results. We will be putting the sheets online in batches over the course of the year.
To access the files click on the link to the left and simply choose the year you wish to view to open the excel file, or right click on link and choose “save as” To download the file to your PC." QPR Net

- Download the Files: Season-by-Season

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FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

- Explanation: FILE CONTENTS AND EXPLANATIONS

VIEW FILES

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Good comeback for QPR Reserves against Southampton. [Pickens, who was not on the bench for QPR's game against Charlton, was not in QPR's goal for this reserve game]

Ex-QPR goalie, Frazer (or Fraser) Digby Turns 41. Digby played some 20 games for QPR between October 2001 and January 2003. - Wikipedia --- Digby

Steve Morrow's FC Dallas, only team remaining unbeaten in MLS! Unbeaten FC Dallas -- FC Dallas Report (and uniform!)


Another Ex-QPR day coming up in the MLS: Gino Padula (photo) vs John Spencer (Assistant Coach) -
COlumbus vs Houston Dynamos


Southampton Official Site - Reserves draw

Saints Reserves fielded a strong side as they went in search of the win which would clinch top spot in the Pontins Holidays Combination Central Division.

Marek Saganowski and Vincent Pericard were paired up front with Nathan Dyer and Alex Ostlund also given a match fitness run-out in readiness for the final two Coca-Cola Championship games of the season.

Saints Res: Pernecky, Ostlund, Lancashire, K Davies, Mills, Dyer (Thomson 87), Gillett, James, Lallana, Pericard (McGoldrick 45), Saganowski (Baseya 45). Subs: Hatch, Poke.

QPR Res: Crowther, Coyne, Barker, O'Brien (Smith 45), Rehman, Braithwaite, Kelly, Maguire, German (Morgan-Cummings 63), Arthur (Brown 63), Rose. Subs: Wright, Goodchild.

Referee: B Malone. Attendance: 728

Saints almost took the lead after just three minutes as James fed Lallana on the left and his delicate cross picked out the unmarked Saganowski who flicked a header inches wide of the far post from six yards.

James found Lallana again three minutes later but this time his chip was nodded away from Pericard by Rehman.

An 18-yard shot by James swung just wide of the left post following a lay-back by Pericard who then had a shot blocked by Rehman.

Ostlund's clever backheel and spin gave him space to hang up a cross for Saganowski at the far post. He met it well but the powerful header was well saved at almost point blank range by Crowther on 10 minutes.

Lallana dropped the shoulder and darted past three defenders in quick succession but his attempted lay-off for James was intercepted.

The lively Lallana then saw a 22-yard shot fly over and James was also off target with a blast from similar range on 25 minutes.

A minute later the visitors managed their first attempt on goal, a 30-yard drive by Arthur always rising.

Gillett threaded through for Lallana who turned well in the box but could only prod through to the keeper under pressure.

Ostlund shaped to cross on the run but instead cut in from the right to hit a low left-foot drive which was turned round the near post.

Saganowski fired a low 18-yard shot past the right post then Rose tried an ambitious 30-yard shot which took a deflection to win a corner.

Ostlund teed up Gillett whose powerful 20-yard left-foot blast was beaten away by Crowther to his left.

Dyer's deflected shot came to Lallana who reacted sharply but could not quite divert the header on target. Pericard blasted past the right post from 16 yards as Saints kept up the pressure.

Pernecky dived bravely at the feet of Maguire as he tried to pounce on a firm, low diagonal ball in from the right.

Half-time: Saints Res 0 QPR Res 0

Saints made two changes at half-time taking off Saganowski and Pericard to protect them for the league games and sending on Baseya and McGoldrick. QPR also made a switch replacing O'Brien with Smith.

It almost paid immediate dividends as McGoldrick broke down the right and put in a low centre but Baseya could only meet it straight on beyond the far post and put it wide.

Ostlund made a powerful driving run into the box but had to stretch for the shot and could only put it over the bar.

Lallana appeared to be taken out by a rash lunge from the keeper but with the ball already running behind, the referee gave only a goal-kick.

Saints went agonisingly close on 54 minutes when Gillett's powerful 22-yard central free-kick deflected off the wall and came back off the inside of the right post.

Mills made a superbly-timed lunge to rob Maguire as he was about to shoot from eight yards and with the goal seemingly at his mercy.

James curled a 20-yard shot past the angle of the far right post and bar on 57 minutes and Lancashire bravely hurled himself in the way of a long-range effort by Coyne.

QPR made a double switch on 63 minutes sending on Brown and Morgan-Cummings for Arthur and German.

Morgan escaped a booking after bringing down Ostlund in full flight just outside the box. James floated in the free-kick which dropped between the keeper and Braithwaite at the far post and hit the shins of Lancashire running in. It came at him too suddenly to direct it and he could only run it wide of the far post.

Dyer burst forward through the inside right position but could only fire over from 20 yards. Then he outsprinted a defender in pursuit of a James chip. Dyer tried to lob the keeper who made a fine save at full-stretch to tip behind.

McGoldrick clipped a 30-yard free-kick over the bar with 18 minutes on the clock. McGoldrick then collided with the keeper as he chased Ostlund's chip forward. Baseya followed up to head the ball over Crowther and towards the unguarded goal only for Rehman to get back and nod off the line.

MCGOLDRICK needed treatment and as he was summoned back onto the field he robbed Braithwaite on the edge of the area, rounded Crowther and slotted into the empty net from 10 yards to give Saints a deserved lead on 76 minutes.

Lallana and Coyne both needed treatment after a collision in the box and Davies intercepted well to stop Brown.

With three minutes on the clock, Saints sent on Thomson for Dyer who received a warm ovation as he went off.

Immediately he made a run down the right to win a corner which was cleared by Braithwaite as three minutes were added.

In the second of those, Brown was played in to the left of goal. He had time and space to measure a shot but drove wide of the far post.

In the dying seconds, Saints were rocked as a powerful low centre by Morgan-Cummings was turned in at the far post by BROWN with almost the last kick of the game.

It left Stewart Henderson's men still needing to win their final game of the season against Watford at Boreham Wood on May 1 to secure top spot in the Pontins Holidays Combination League as Charlton have a better goal difference.
P W D L GD Pts
Charlton 18 11 4 3 22 37
SAINTS 17 11 3 3 19 36
Watford 15 7 4 4 4 25
C Palace 16 5 8 3 1 23
Brighton 16 6 3 7 6 21
Leyton Orient 15 6 2 8 -4 20
Wycombe 17 5 2 10 -11 17
Aldershot 15 4 4 7 -12 16
QPR 16 3 5 8 -8 14
Millwall 16 3 5 8 -17 14


QPR OFFICIAL SITE

BROWN BAGS LATE LEVELLER
Posted on: Tue 22 Apr 2008

Substitute Lee Brown notched a last-gasp equaliser, as a young QPR Reserve side shared the spoils with title-chasing Southampton in the Pontins Holidays Combination League tonight (Tuesday).

David McGoldrick had earlier put Saints ahead in the 76th minute, only for Brown to level terms with almost the last kick of the game.

While Rangers included just two first team squad members in the shape of Chris Barker and Zesh Rehman, Southampton - chasing a victory that would take them to the summit of the division - named a strong starting XI.
Article continues
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Marek Saganowski and Vincent Pericard were paired in attack, while Nathan Dyer and Alex Ostlund also started for the South Coast outfit.

After a tight opening at St Mary's, Saints almost took the lead on three minutes, when Saganowski's glancing header fell inches wide of the far post.

The Saints front-man was proving a constant threat and when he met Ostlund's perfectly flighted cross seven minutes later, Reece Crowther was in the right place at the right time to tip the ball wide.

The R's first effort of note arrived on the half hour, but Chris Arthur's powerful drive from distance was always rising.

As the clock ticked towards the break, Adam Lallana diverted a header wide, before Pericard fired over on the stroke of half-time.

Southampton continued to ask questions of the R's rearguard after the interval, and their deserved breakthrough arrived 14 minutes from time.

Half-time substitute McGoldrick, who had twice gone close earlier in the half, rounded Crowther with ease before slotting into an empty net.

Rangers - to their credit - continued to chase the game, and they were rewarded in the second of three added minutes, when Brown tucked home Aaron Morgan-Cummings' low cross.

The draw left Saints requiring victory against Watford in their final fixture to secure the title. QPR

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BBC/Pete Oliver - Dons switch pays off for Gallen

Kevin Gallen could have been playing Championship football this season.

Instead, he joined the revolution at MK Dons and has been rewarded with only the second promotion of his career.

Gallen had the chance to sign for Plymouth Argyle last summer after ending the 2006/07 season on loan with the Pilgrims under his former manager at Queens Park Rangers, Ian Holloway.

But both have since taken different paths with Gallen's leading him to the top of League Two with the Dons.

"I have played at a number of different clubs but to get promoted, no matter what league it's in, is fantastic and I joined MK Dons for that reason," the striker told BBC Sport.

"I thought they had a great chance of getting promoted. I was going to go to Plymouth but I changed my mind at the 11th-hour and I have come here and got promoted so it was a good decision.

"I met the chairman [Pete Winkelman] before I signed. I had heard about the new stadium but once I got to the ground and saw it I was blown away. It's a great place to play every other Saturday.

The manager definitely wants us to win the league and he has been instilling that in us - Kevin Gallen

"His enthusiasm and the fact that the manager was Paul Ince were big factors in me coming."

The Dons had just lost in the League Two play-offs under Martin Allen when Gallen was persuaded to join a club looking to go one step further following the appointment of Ince and the opening of their new Stadium:mk.

It has proved a winning combination with the club, which was created from the former Wimbledon and relocated to Milton Keynes in 2003, clinching promotion for the first time in its current incarnation with two games to spare.

Finishing top and holding off the challenge of Peterborough United is now the target.

"We want to win the league," Gallen added.

"We have to match Peterborough's result on Saturday and then we will be champions so we have got a good chance of doing it.

"The manager definitely wants us to win the league and he has been instilling that in us.

"He wants us to go up as champions. He says we deserve it because we are the best team and hopefully we will prove that."

We have worked our behinds off right 'til the end and we have got our rewards
Kevin Gallen

Winning the title would add the gloss to a memorable season and give the Dons a notable double after they lifted the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in March to fulfil another ambition for Gallen.

"I played at the old Wembley for the [England] Under-15s but when the new one was opened I didn't think there was a much of a chance. I thought that might have passed me by.

"To play for the first time at the new Wembley was a great feeling," said the former QPR, Huddersfield and Barnsley frontman.

The Dons made the most of their Wembley experience but did not let it deflect them from their major goal.

"We didn't think about Wembley until three days before the game and then after it won our next two matches. We were always focussed on promotion," said Gallen.

"It's great that all our hard work through the season has paid off. We have worked our behinds off right 'til the end and we have got our rewards."

The league table reflects that and demonstrates the consistency Ince's side has shown with a mix of players inherited and signed by the former England international.

Gallen falls into the latter category and as well as his share of eight league goals has also lent crucial guile and experience, along with former Scotland international midfielder Colin Cameron, who is three years his senior at 35.

Gallen explained: "We try and help. Colin Cameron is a good player and he trains well. The younger lads can maybe see that me and Colin Cameron train to the maximum every day and they think if they are doing it, we should be doing it.

"I also give the lads bits of advice. I used to get that when I was a young lad from Ray Wilkins and Les Ferdinand. I had people like that to look up to and get advice from and I certainly appreciated it."

Gallen heeded it well as a near century of goals in two spells with QPR, making him the London club's sixth highest all-time goalscorer, proved.

Since the Dons clinched promotion at Stockport, twice coming from behind against the promotion challengers in a style which Gallen believes epitomised the togetherness which has been a big factor behind the team's success, he has also been offering further words of wisdom.

"I have said to the lads 'enjoy the good times because bad times might be just round the corner'," he added.

Not that Gallen - who despite his prolific career had previously tasted promotion only once before with QPR in 2004 - expects the Dons' success story to end here.

"I think we have got a good chance of doing well again next year. The crowds are getting bigger. We took 33,000 to Wembley which shows that there is support to tap into and the league crowd have doubled.

"Next year we will be playing bigger and better teams which should mean even bigger crowds and I think in the next 10 years MK Dons can be a force in English football.

"I am not talking about the Champions League or anything like that, but the club is at least set up for the Championship." BBC

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Football League THE GROUNDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The winners of the annual Groundsman of the Year award have been announced and this season Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury Town have picked up the divisional awards. All visiting managers and referees mark a pitch out of five after each game and at the end of February those marks are averaged out and the top three receive a close inspection by The Playing Surfaces Committee. Under the guidance of Dr Stephen Baker they will then judge the best pitches in each League and the winners receive a certificate, an engraved glass trophy and a cheque for £250.

Southampton's Andrew Gray and Graeme Mills were the winners in the Championship, picking up the accolade for the second time in four years albeit for the first time since their relegation from the Premiership.
Click here for reaction from Southampton's official website

In League 1 Ewan Hunter's work on the pitch at the City Ground was rewarded for the second season running, as well as winning it twice now, he was also the runner-up the year before that in his first season as Groundsman at Nottingham Forest.
Click here for reaction from Nottingham Forest's official website

Shrewsbury Town's Richard Barnett got the nod from the Sports Turf Research Institute in League 2, after his hard work tending to the needs of the pitch at the Shrews' New Meadow stadium.
Click here for reaction from Shrewsbury Town's official website
There was one extra award in League 1 this year, with his retirement approaching, Cheltenham Town's Mike Heather was awarded a certificate recognising the consistent quality of the playing surface at Whaddon Road over the last nine years.

WINNERS
Championship - Andrew Gray and Graeme Mills (Southampton)
League 1 - Ewan Hunter (Nottingham Forest)
League 2 - Richard Barnett (Shrewsbury Town)

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Championship - Andy Jackson (Stoke City) and Rob Lane (West Bromwich Albion)
League 1 - Mike Heather (Cheltenham Town) and Dave Brown (Hartlepool United)
League Two - Joe Aylett (MK Dons) and Mark Mathers (Macclesfield)
Football League


Also: No QPR players in this week's "Championship Team of the Week"

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[In the last paragraph]

Sue Mott/Daily Telegraph - Sugar daddies target the Premier League

There was a time when all you needed to attract a sugar daddy was a well-turned ankle, a bulging lingerie drawer and a set of morals necessarily loosened by the onset of diamond earrings.
Now, as with so many things, the situation is slightly more complex. Now the legs need to be muscled and hairy, the underwear is more likely to be a jockstrap and, as for morals, they lie there like football rattles, hopeless relics of football's past.
[Photo:] Money men: Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone joined up at QPR
Sugar daddies don't just want blondes any more (otherwise someone would have snapped up Robbie Savage), they want the big, blousy balance sheet figures involved in Premier League football clubs.
It is not in private life they seek their thrills but in the up-front, out-there public arena, flirting - positively fornicating - with fame. The flood of sugar daddies into the highest echelon of British football has been one of the most significant trends of modern sport, especially as the Premier League's 'fit and proper persons' test seems to involve a check on whether the potential new owners have a pulse and a bank account with nine noughts on the end.
This season just closing has provided a rich seam of intrigue on the sugar daddy front. If Liverpool do reach the Champions League final, despite the loud, public and destructive arguments raging at board level between two American millionaires scenting blood and profit in equal measure, it will be enormous credit to Rafa Benitez, their manager, who has endured the situation manfully.
Co-owner Tom Hicks is now a hate figure on the Wirral as he wrestles financially and verbally with co-owner II George Gillett jnr. Since Gillett lists turkey processing among his lucrative businesses, maybe he would be better off with Derby. As for the players, they are either saintly in their ability to tune out the violent static in the boardroom, or too thick and rich to care.
But the plague of plutocrats has not been a complete disaster and if there was a Premier League table - sugar daddy division - it would make interesting reading. Unarguably at the top would sit Aston Villa, a team who have scored nearly as many league goals this season as Manchester United, and whose owner, Randy Lerner, despite being American, a former lawyer and involved in equity investments, all social faux pas in current football circles, is actually popular.
Admittedly, he has no co-owner to fight, but there is clearly something decent about a guy who can donate $5million to the National Portrait Gallery out of his $1.6 billion fortune.
Maybe the deal is that a portrait of Martin O'Neill will be hanging in there soon alongside Cardinal Wolsey. Both operators at the highest level.
In second spot you could go for Portsmouth benefactor, Alexandre Gaydamak, who - whatever the alleged involvement of his father in running arms to Angola, according to the French authorities - has presided over a time of relative greatness on the south coast.
Harry Redknapp's team may have defended like transfixed rabbits on Sunday in their 3-1 defeat at Manchester City, but they are in the FA Cup final where they may very well beat Championship side Cardiff.
As for City, they will finish the season in their highest ever Premier League berth, thanks to the nous of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, and the cash of the Thai ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. That is the good news.
The bad news is that Shinawatra, accustomed to paying for results (in a good way - or maybe not, depending on Amnesty reports of human rights violations during his tenure as leader in his country) is cross that City did not cling to their early-season Champions League berth. The ex-England manager is clinging on to his job, or his redundancy package, depending on the outcome of projected talks next week.
Chelsea's place in the league is too hard to predict. There are two schools of thought. Either Roman Abramovich's man, Avram Grant, is a cruelly-maligned genius who will guide the Blues to a Champions and Premier League double or he is a monosyllabic gloom-monger out on his ear as soon as the trophy-less season draws to a close. Results against Liverpool tonight and Manchester United on Saturday will go some way to clearing the picture.
It may or may not be afflicting Abramovich that he is no longer Russia's richest man. He has been overtaken by two metals moguls. Note the names: Oleg Derpaska (£14.3 billion) and Alexei Mordashov (£12.25 billion). If one of them is not on the phone to Bolton before the season is out, it will come as a huge surprise to the fans and grim disappointment to the Premier League management.
Struggling to make ends meet on £12.25 billion, Abramovich would probably concede that Glazers United have had a better-looking year to date. But are they popular? Not really, just absent. The lure of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seems to be stronger to the Glazer family unless, funnily enough, they prefer the Florida weather to the more gushing micro-climate over Manchester.
Meanwhile, Mike Ashley's up with Newcastle, and Mohammed Al Fayed is down (more literally than he would like) with Fulham. Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has been static with West Ham since they decided their season was over last December. John Madejski is trying to sell Reading (lately plummeting through the sugar daddy league). As he says: "Millionaires need not apply". Too poor. You don't keep a troupe of luxury car-owning, offshore bank-accounting superstars happy on mere millions.
Finally, the greatest sugar daddy of them all is now playing footsie (index) with QPR along with his sugar uncle friends. The London-based, Indian billionaire industrialist worth £16 billion, Lakshmi Mittal, has bought into the west London club along with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and Renault owner Flavio Briatore and what has become of them? Fourteenth in the Championship. It is early days but while money buys you love, it definitely doesn't guarantee promotion. Telegraph

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[Note: This is neither a QPR Report endorsement nor a paid ad!]

Football Aid - Still time to Live the Dream with QPR!
You still have the chance to represent your team on Thursday 8th May at Loftus Road!
Those of you who haven’t secured your position this year have one last opportunity to grace the pitch at Loftus Road in our officially regulated 90 minute charity match. You'll experience exclusive behind the scenes access, a personalised shirt waiting for you in the changing room, the revered run through the tunnel onto the hallowed turf and the chance to play alongside Super Hoops legends, who in the past have included Gary Waddock and Clive Wilson.
All of this could still be yours, as 45 minute centre half position in the Home Team has just become available again. If you are interested in becoming a legend yourself, please visit our QPR homepage here - for full details, and to make an offer for one of the greatest footballing realities.
To secure your position and grab the chance to ‘live the dream’, just follow the instructions online or call our sales team on 0131 220 5999 NOW!
Alternatively if you would like more information before securing your position please just e-mail us at - barbara.davidson@footballaid.com
Thanks for your support
The Football Aid Team

- About Football Aid --- Football Aid Partners

From Football Aid - "Live their Dream at Loftus Road"
Queens Park Rangers - CLUB HISTORY & BACKGROUND
QPR joined the Football Aid family in 2001 and have hosted successful games at Loftus Road ever since with Club Legends like Clive Wilson and Wayne Fereday showing their support. Chairman Gianni Paladini even shocked fans by attending the Football Aid game at Loftus Road in 2006, cheering from the sidelines alongside the then management team of Gary Waddock and Alan McDonald. While both teams did themselves proud, there were no new signings announced for the Super Hoops the next day but maybe next year....
Read our article on the official QPR site!


UPCOMING EVENTS: EVENT NAME : GAME 1EVENT TYPE : LIVE THE DREAMVENUE : LOFTUS ROADDATE : 8TH MAY 2008 (ko 6:00pm)

ONE LAST "BUY NOW" POSITIONS AVAILABLE NOW!
There is now just one last positions available in this game, the 45 min Home No 5 CH available to Buy Now for £275. To Buy Now, simply login, select the position and follow the instructions online. If you would like to discuss purchasing a position further or wish to make an offer for this last available position please use the online form to Contact Us or call our Sales team on 0131 220 5999.

PLAYING LEGENDS & MANAGERS
Legends and Managers are still to be confirmed for this event., names will be displayed in the information box on the right hand side of the screen when confirmed.
SPECTATOR TICKETS
There are a limited number of spectator tickets available for players' friends and family and we will ask for a £5.00 donation per ticket. To order these tickets please follow the instructions in the "allocation" e-mail or use the order form in your player's pack. For this game the club has allowed 3 payable tickets for access to the hospitality areas, and an unlimited number of extra spectators can gain entry free of charge without a ticket to just watch the game from the stands without gaining access to the hospitality areas.
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING
Wherever possible, official match photographs and a match day DVD will be made available to be purchased on the day of the game. Players will receive a Final Details e-mail to confirm these details in the weeks leading up to your game. Examples of photos and DVD footage can be found in our Gallery page.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you would like to ask us any questions about this Club, please use the Contact Us form to get in touch. Games usually take place at the end of the season in the months of April - June, dates will be posted on this page as we get them confirmed by the Club.
EVENT PARTICIPATION
This is a male only event.
TICKET ALLOCATION
3 + Open House ...Football Aid


QPR Official Site -November 20, 2007 FOOTBALL AID
Sick of socks and swamped in smellies? Tired of ties and jaded by jumpers? Well, now is the time to speak out for what you really want for Christmas ? the chance to play for QPR at Loftus Road!
The Super Hoops have joined forces with Football Aid to host a charity match at the end of the current football season at Loftus Road.
It promises to be a day to remember, from seeing your shirt hanging up in the changing room; to the first step on the hallowed turf.
As well as pulling on your Club's colours, you'll play alongside and be managed by former QPR legends.
Founded in 2000, Football Aid raises money for a wide range of charities and voluntary organisations.
By hosting events at the UK's largest Clubs, they give fans the chance to take part in a range of unique football based experiential products, including their original 'Live the Dream' event allowing supporters to play an adrenaline fuelled 90 minutes on the pitch of the Club they support.
Positions in the exclusive event are available to buy now at www.footballaid.com and proceeds from the games will go to Football Aid's parent charity, Field of Dreams, towards diabetes research, education and management projects as well as a charity nominated for funding by QPR.
For further information, visit www.footballaid.com or call the Football Aid Sales team on 0131 220 5999. QPR

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Photos and rumours of QPR's New badge have been on the various QPR messageboard.
According to Vital QPR..."The prospective new logo has been filed for trademark as of 30th January 2008 by QPR Holdings Limited. It sports a royal crown, accompanied by blue and white hooped shield, depicting the words Queens Park Rangers...." Vital QPR

UPDATE
As noted by a poster on another QPR messageboard (QPR Fanzine), a link
to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) shows the QPR crest IPO
See - The logo/Crests I and Logo/Crests II

Trade mark details as at 22 April 2008
Case details for Trade Mark 2478532

"....Names and addresses

Proprietor:
QPR Holdings Limited
Loftus Road Stadium, South Africa Road, London, W12 7PA


Case History

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Flashback - Seven years ago today: April 21, 2001 - QPR's Relegation made certain with a 2-1 loss at Huddersfield.

One of the worst moments in QPR memory: And there have been more than one in the last few years!) QPR's relegation back to the old "Third Division" (in 2001 called the Second Division; and now called League 1) was made certain with a 2-1 loss at Huddersfield, who had Kevin Gallen playing for them. QPR were under the recently-appointed Ian Holloway. (And of course, off the field, the club was in some considerable turmoil, with the Chairman selling up and the club going into Administration - having just fought off a merger with Wimbledon.) Ironically, Huddersfield were also relegated at the end of the season.
The QPR team on that sad, sad day: Harper, Baraclough, Ready, Plummer, Perry, Knight, Bignot, Peacock, Darlington, Crouch, Thomson. Subs: Bull, Wardley, Paquette, Kulcsar, Kiwomya.

BBC - April 21, 2001 - Huddersfield 2 QPR 1
Striker Delroy Facey's injury-time tap-in condemned QPR to Second Division football next season.
Facey picked up his 10th goal of the season in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Andy Booth's shot was parried straight to him by the visitors' keeper Lee Harper.
Facey, who turns 21 on Sunday, wheeled away in celebration knowing that his goal also helped the Terriers in their own fight against relegation.
Huddersfield took the lead on 33 minutes when Dean Gorre's low, 18-yard drive took a deflection off Ian Baraclough, leaving Harper stranded.
Action-packed
Rangers hit back on 43 minutes when Marcus Bignot's long ball down the right was expertly controlled by Andy Thomson, who then lobbed advancing keeper Nico Vaesen from 10 yards.
In an action-packed first half, Huddersfield had three shots cleared off the line by Mark Perry (twice) and then Baraclough.
Andy Booth struck a fierce shot goalwards after rounding Harper on nine minutes, but Perry, at full stretch, denied the recent recruit from Sheffield Wednesday.
Booth turned provider on 28 minutes with a fine left-wing cross which Simon Baldry thumped goalwards only to see Perry block the effort.
Sterile second half
Town's Chris Lucketti followed up but Baraclough stuck his leg out and blocked the ball before Karl Ready hacked the ball to safety.
At the other end, 6ft 6in striker Peter Crouch seemed certain to put Rangers ahead on three minutes but he mishit a shot into the ground and saw the ball balloon high over Vaesen's right-hand upright despite having only the big Belgian to beat from just six yards.
The second period was a sterile non-event in which neither side produced much of note.
QPR substitute Chris Kiwomya had a late goal ruled out for offside, and Huddersfield's best chance came on 74 minutes when Lucketti headed unmarked straight at Harper from a Baldry free-kick.
Facey's winning touch was a cruel blow on a hard working QPR side who matched Huddersfield stride for stride in an evenly balanced game.
The visiting players collapsed on the floor at the final whistle knowing that they were certain to be relegated.
Huddersfield: Vaesen, Heary, Lucketti, Jenkins, Baldry, Armstrong, Gorre, Holland, Thornley, Booth, Facey. Subs: Margetson, Gray, Moses, Irons, Gallen.
QPR: Harper, Baraclough, Ready, Plummer, Perry, Knight, Bignot, Peacock, Darlington, Crouch, Thomson. Subs: Bull, Wardley, Paquette, Kulcsar, Kiwomya.
Referee: A Bates (Stoke on Trent). BBC

Table, Results and Appearances from 2000-2001
Table from 2000-2001
2000-2001 - League Table

2000-2001 Results

QPR's Squad and Goalscorers in 2000-2001 (Crouch Top scorer with 10)

OTHER RESULTS THAT DAY
Preston 3-2 Watford
Saturday review
Bolton 1-0 Norwich
Burnley 0-0 Birmingham
Gills 1-2 West Brom
Grimsby 0-1 Sheff Utd
Huddersfield 2-1 QPR
Portsmouth 1-1 Fulham
Sheff Wed 2-1 Barnsley
Stockport 3-0 Crewe
Tranmere 1-1 C Palace
Wimbledon 2-1 Forest
Wolves 0-0 Blackburn

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QPR 1 Charlton 0 - Sunday Times/Paul Rowan - QPR too good for Charlton

Pre-season favourites to bounce back into the Premier League and having been as high as second back in November, Charlton yesterday bowed out of the promotion race with little more than a whimper. They barely created a chance against a team who probably now look the more likely to get back into the top tier of English football before they do. The pill for Charlton fans was even more bitter to swallow because their chance of a playoff place was ended yesterday when they lost sight of fierce rivals Crystal Palace.

“Our record against the top 10 sides is the best in the Championship, but when we should have won, we didn’t,” Charlton manager Alan Pardew said afterwards. “There were some flaws in this side that we didn’t correct in the last window and we will need to correct in the next window.”

The transfer of their captain Andy Reid in January also didn’t help, while the gamble of bringing in some loan signings backfired, but Pardew will be given time to get it right. “I know the responsibility I have of trying to get this club back to the Premiership. We have one more parachute payment to go and it is going to be essential to get it right.”

Pardew’s budget will probably still look like small change compared with what Luigi De Canio will have to play with, though yesterday QPR’s Italian manager was adamant that he wanted to build his success on the back of the club’s youth system. He will surely also want to rely at least initially on a journeyman of the lower leagues, Gavin Mahon, who ran this game yesterday. Mahon set up the winner on 15 minutes, though Charlton centre-half Paddy McCarthy slipped as Dexter Blackstock got the ball in the box and was able to turn easily to score from 10 yards.
Blackstock might have had a couple more and 17-year-old Angelo Balanta was also profligate, but an insipid Charlton side hardly created a chance that might have punished them.

Star man: Gavin Mahon (QPR)

Player ratings: QPR: Camp 6, Connolly 6, Stewart 6, Hall 5 (Mancienne 33min, 7), Delaney 6, Ainsworth 6 (Buzsaky 51min, 5), Rowlands 6, Mahon 8, Ephraim 6 (Leigertwood 79min), Balanta 6, Blackstock 6

Charlton: Weaver 6, Halford 5, McCarthy 5, Bougherra 7, Thatcher 6, Zhi 5 (Semedo 70min), Holland 7, Cook 5, Ambrose 5, Gray 5 (Iwelumo 60min), Lita 5

Scorer: QPR: Blackstock 15
Referee: T Kettle
Attendance: 17,035 Sunday Times


Sunday Mirror/John Gubba - Blackstock kills Pard's play-off bid

Dexter Blackstock's early strike proved enough for Rangers as Charlton meekly surrendered their play-off hopes.

Alan Pardew's men waited until the dying minutes to exert any pressure and it was only Rangers' failure to make their advantage count that allowed the visitors to stage a final flurry.

Charlton's efforts were so half-hearted against a superior Rangers side, that theird is gruntled fans chanted: "Pardew, sort it out."

Pardew responded by dragging off Andy Gray and replacing him with Chris Iwelumo just before the hour - then looked on in anguish as the substitute smashed his first touch wildly over the bar.

That was Charlton's first threat on the Rangers goal. It was 86 minutes before they had a shot on target, but even then Greg Halford's tame free-kick failed to stretch Camp.

Deflated boss Pardew looking at the the wreckage of a failed promotion challenge conceded: "We just weren't good enough.

"I knew we weren't going to be good enough earlier in the season and I took a chance with some loan players but it just hasn't worked out."

Rangers, with little to play for having long since banished any fears of relegation, look set for a bright future under mega-rich owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.

They were were never in danger as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches, despite their lack of striking options.

Colombian teenager Angelo Balanta started up front and looks an exciting prospect, prompting boss Luigi De Canio to declare: "My dream is to take this club into the Premier League with six or seven players coming through from the reserves."

Balanta's more experienced strike partner Blackstock grabbed the glory when he pounced in the 15th minute. Blackstock robbed Paddy McCarthy then raced away from the Charlton defender.

McCarthy gamely made up ground but Blackstock turned him again and fired past Nicky Weaver.

It almost got worse for McCarthy shortly afterwards when the ball ricocheted off his shin from just outside the area and flew inches over his own bar.

Balanta then set up Gareth Ainsworth with a glorious crossfield pass but the winger failed to hit the target.

Zheng Zhi, Charlton's best player, probed tirelessly in the first half but failed to inspire a side lacking belief and ambition.

Martin Rowlands went closest to extending Rangers' lead when he sent a scorching free-kick narrowly over.

Qpr substitute Mikele Leigertwood broke away deep into injury time, but shot tamely wide.

HOW THEY RATED
QPR Camp 6; Connolly 6, Hall 5 (Mancienne 6), Stewart 6, Delaney 6; Ainsworth 6 (Buzsaky 6), Rowlands 7, Mahon 6, Ephraim 5 (Leigertwood 5); Balanta 7, BLACKSTOCK 8
Manager De Canio 6
CHARLTON Weaver 6; Halford 5, Bougherra 5, McCarthy 5, Thatcher 6; Zhi 7 (Semedo 5), Holland 6, Ambrose 6, Cook 5 (Varney 5); Lita 5, Gray 5 (Iwelumo 5).
Manager Pardew 5
Referee T Kettle 6
MAN OF THE MATCH DEXTER BLACKSTOCK Clinical finish earned the points.
Sunday Mirror


Sunday People/Ann Gripper - Dext message to Pardew: Yr stffd

Dexter Blackstock's third goal in three games hammered the final nail into the coffin of Charlton's play-off hopes.

The Addicks needed to win to keep alive faint hopes of finishing sixth but they seemed to have given up the ghost as they were outplayed and outfought by a QPR side with nothing to play for.

And with bitter south London rivals Crystal Palace beating Watford, Alan Pardew's side were left in the same boat as convincing winners Rangers - their season over with two games still to go.

Angelo Balanta had already sent a fierce ten-yard shot into the sidenetting before Rangers took the lead after 15 minutes.

Paddy McCarthy allowed Blackstock to hustle him out of a high ball and although the Irishman recovered to make life difficult for the striker, Blackstock calmly turned him again and fired home a low left-foot shot.

Charlton barely threatened Lee Camp's goal in the first half and when the ball finally did come to Leroy Lita on the edge of the box, the on-loan Reading striker fell over.

A Damien Delaney header dropped just wide on 54 minutes to bring chants of "Pardew, Pardew sort it out" from the travelling supporters.

Charlton finally created a chance on 61 minutes but sub Chris Iwelumo ballooned over from two yards.

Qpr: Camp 6 - Connolly 6, Hall 6 (Mancienne, 34mins, 6), Stewart 7, Delaney 6 - Ainsworth 7 (Buzsaky, 51mins, 6), Rowlands 7, *MAHON 8, Ephraim 6 (Leigertwood, 80mins 6) - Blackstock 7, Balanta 7

Charlton: Weaver 5 - Halford 5, Bougherra 5, McCarthy 4, Thatcher 5 - Zheng 4 (Semedo, 74mins), *HOLLAND 6, Ambrose 4, Cook 5 (Varney, 23mins, 5) - Gray 4 (Iwelumo, 60mins, 5), Lita 4. Ref: T. Kettle 5. Sunday People


QPR OFFICIAL SITE

DERBY DAY DELIGHT
Posted on: Sat 19 Apr 2008

Luigi De Canio was in buoyant mood following the R's derby day victory against Charlton Athletic.

Dexter Blackstock bagged the only goal of the game early in the first half, as Rangers thoroughly out-played Alan Pardew's play-off hopefuls.

"It was another excellent performance from the boys," De Canio told www.qpr.co.uk.

"Our recent performances have been to a very high standard and yet again, the team played very well today.

"The application was excellent and the players showed great maturity and professionalism.
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"The spirit of the squad is excellent and we kept taking the game to Charlton throughout the 90 minutes.

"We need to become a team that is very hard to beat and we are making great strides."

De Canio reserved special praise for sponsors' man of the match Damion Stewart, who successfully stifled the threat of Addicks front-man Leroy Lita.

"Damion was excellent," he said. "He's a really good footballer, but there is still great room for improvement.

"When he focuses for the 90 minutes, he is a great asset for us."

Under the watchful eye of Eire Assistant Manager Marco Tardelli, Martin Rowlands' performance also draw praise from De Canio, who added: "I can't speak highly enough of my captain.

"Tardelli was here watching and I'm certain he would have been impressed by Martin's performance."
QPR


Charlton Manager, Alan Pardew: Charlton Official Site - Pards pain after play-off door slams shut
Alan Pardew admitted missing out on the Championship play-offs was a painful experience after the Addicks dreams were dashed by a 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Surveying the damage of the reverse coupled with Crystal Palace's win against Watford that left a top-six place as impossibility, a sombre Pardew said: "I'm very, very disappointed at the day's events.

"It's very painful because I have got some good honest players down there and they are hurting as we all are.”

And Pardew, who lost former Rangers man Lee Cook in the first half and Zheng Zhi late on with a groin injury, added: "I thought the performance was not as good as I expected, not by a long chalk, but the injuries, particularly the one to Cook, affected us.”

"QPR are a good side, especially here, so it was always going to be a tough game. We had a couple of half chances but creating goals has been a bit of an issue for us this year."

Dexter Blackstock scored the decisive goal in the 15th minute, capitalising on a slip-up from Paddy McCarthy and tucking the ball into the bottom corner.

The Addicks needed to win to keep their hopes alive but the loss, and Palace's 2-0 win at Watford, consigned them to a second season in the second tier.

"I thought we started second best and struggled to get into gear," Pardew continued. The injury to Cook affected us and we gifted them their goal.

"Overall QPR made it difficult fore us and we did not have the answers."

" I felt we didn't get a grip on the first half in any shape or form. Without attaching blame to anyone the referee didn't do us any favours today. I think I better leave it there though or I will get in trouble."

Now Pardew, who named Scott Wagstaff on the bench for the first time and included 16-year-old Jonjo Shelvey in the squad, admitted he will start planning for 2008/09 in the closing weeks of the campaign.

"We have worked hard this season, but it's been a season of frustration. There are some flaws in the side that we did not correct in the last window; we will in the summer.

"For us now is a chance to have look at a couple of things and make sure we get a head start on everyone else.

"To be honest I didn't feel Waggy warranted getting on today. The senior players' season was on the line out there.

"This isn't something to say our academy is good. They were both here because they are good enough but I don't feel they deserved to come out on the pitch today.

"Jonjo's an outstanding player and has a great chance for us. In the next two games he will make his debut." Charlton

Championship Table - BBC
1 West Brom 44 31 77
2 Stoke 44 13 75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Hull 44 18 72
4 Bristol City 44 -1 71
5 Watford 44 7 69
6 Crystal Palace 44 12 68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Ipswich 44 8 65
8 Sheff Utd 44 5 63
9 Wolverhampton 43 1 63
10 Plymouth 44 8 61
11 Charlton 44 5 61
12 Burnley 44 -2 61
13 Cardiff 43 4 60
14 QPR 44 -1 58
15 Preston 44 -3 55
16 Blackpool 44 -2 53
17 Coventry 44 -9 52
18 Norwich 44 -10 52
19 Barnsley 44 -13 52
20 Leicester 44 -1 51
21 Southampton 44 -17 50
--------------------------
22 Sheff Wed 44 -6 49
23 Scunthorpe 44 -24 42
24 Colchester 44 -23 37

BBC
Full Championship table

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QPR beat Charlton 1-0 - getting their first double of the season - in front of their biggest gate of the season (17,000). QPR's only goal came through a first-half Dexter Blackstock goal. QPR move up to 58 points with two games remaining. Updated Table

QPR Official Site

Dexter Blackstock continued his rich vein of form with the only goal of the game, as the R's completed their first double of the season in front of a season's high Loftus Road crowd of 17, 035.

The R's front-man notched his fourth goal in five matches, to consign the Addicks to yet another season in the Coca Cola Championship.

Rangers - inspired by the excellent Martin Rowlands - were dominant throughout, with Lee Camp a virtual spectator in the R's goal, as Charlton failed to muster a single noteworthy effort on goal throughout the 90 minutes.

With injury ruling out Patrick Agyemang, Luigi De Canio recalled Angelo Balanta to the starting XI.

Matthew Connolly also returned, at the expense of Michael Mancienne, while Akos Buzsaky took his place amongst the R's substitutes, following his recent ankle injury.

Alan Pardew welcomed back goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, in place of Darren Randolph, while former R's favourite Lee Cook, who is currently on loan at the Addicks from Fulham, started on the left flank.

In a typically feisty start, Hogan Ephraim stung the palms of Weaver, while at the other end, Madjid Bougherra headed over the bar.

The R's were enjoying the lion's share of possession in the opening exchanges and when Connolly and Gavin Mahon exchanged passes, Balanta - after a glorious first touch - blasted the ball wide.

Rangers weren't to be denied though, and when Blackstock dispossessed Paddy McCarthy on the quarter hour, the striker cut back inside on his favoured left foot, before slotting a textbook finish into the bottom right hand corner.

Cook's long-awaited return to W12 lasted just 23 minutes, with the midfielder making way with what appeared to be a knee injury.

McCarthy was having an afternoon to forget and it almost got a lot worse for the Addicks defender on the half hour, when his unfortunate ricochet cannoned inches over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

The R's were forced into a change of their own in the 34th minute, as Fitz Hall limped off, and was replaced by Mancienne.

Charlton were struggling to gain any sort of foothold on proceedings and their rather lacklustre display was summed up perfectly five minutes before the break, as Leroy Lita completely missed his kick, as the ball broke to him 18-yards from goal.

Rangers started the second period on the front foot, forcing two early corners; the second of which Balanta headed straight at Weaver.

De Canio introduced fans favourite Buzsaky six minutes into the second half, and when his out-swinging corner was met by the towering Blackstock a minute later, his header faded a yard or so wide of Weaver's left hand upright.

The outstanding Rowlands was the next to fire an effort on goal, as his thunderous 30-yard free-kick flew over, with Weaver seemingly beaten all ends up.

With Charlton fans demanding a change, Pardew did just that on the hour, introducing Chris Iwelumo at the expense of Andy Gray.

The striker almost made the desired impact, only to fire high and wide from close range, after he capitalised on Darren Ambrose's neat cut-back from the by-line.

Play quickly switched to the other end, as Blackstock stung the palms of the overworked Weaver with an opportune effort from the left corner of the six-yard box, before Ephraim glanced a close range header wide.

Four minutes of added time failed to produce any further chances, as the R's claimed bragging rights over their London rivals with yet another home victory.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Blackstock, Ainsworth (Buzsaky 51), Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim (Leigertwood 79, Hall (Mancienne 34), Balanta.
Subs: Crowther, Lee.
Goals: Blackstock 14
Bookings: Delaney 37, Stewart 86, Buzsaky 93

Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Thatcher, Zhi (Semedo 74), McCarthy, Cook (Varney 23), Holland, Gray (Iwelumo 60), Ambrose, Bougherra, Halford, Lita.
Subs: Randolph, Wagstaff.
Bookings: McCarthy 52, Bougherra 75, Varney 84, Iwelumo 92
Referee: Mr T Kettle
Attendance: 17, 035
QPR


Also Sporting Life Report

Text Updates and also Text Updates

Teams:QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim, Hall, Balanta.
Subs: Crowther, Mancienne, Buzsaky, Lee, Leigertwood.

Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Thatcher, Zhi, McCarthy, Cook, Holland, Gray, Ambrose, Bougherra, Halford, Lita.
Subs: Randolph, Varney, Iwelumo, Semedo, Wagstaff

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Match Report Updates and Text Updates. Blackstock put QPR 1-0 after 15 minutes....

Teams!
QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim, Hall, Balanta.
Subs: Crowther, Mancienne, Buzsaky, Lee, Leigertwood.
Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Thatcher, Zhi, McCarthy, Cook, Holland, Gray, Ambrose, Bougherra, Halford, Lita.
Subs: Randolph, Varney, Iwelumo, Semedo, Wagstaff


Charlton Site Yesterday
Young duo in line for Addicks debuts
Jonjo Shelvey could set a new record as Charlton's youngest-ever player after the starlet - and fellow youngster Scott Wagstaff - were named in Alan Pardew's first-team party for the Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (3pm).

The current record for Charlton's youngest player is held by Paul Konchesky, now of Fulham, after the defender played against Oxford United on August 16th, 1997, aged 16 years and 93 days.

But central midfielder Shelvey would break that, should he get the nod from Pardew, as he will be aged 16 years and 52 days on Saturday.

Highly-rated winger Wagstaff has been named in first-team squad's on occasion this season but is yet to be included in a final 16. Charlton

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Five Years ago today: Promotion-chasing QPR vs Brentford: Brentford had Rowan Vine on loan as top goalscorer although he was suspendedfor the QPR game. And Brentford's Martin Rowlands had a broken leg. Marc Bircham scored a last minute winner for QPR. And QPR's Team (manager Ian Holloway, of course): QPR: Day, Kelly, Carlisle, Shittu, Padula, Langley, Palmer, Bircham, McLeod, Furlong, Gallen. Subs: Culkin, Rose, Pacquette, Thomson, Williams


Thirty-Nine Years ago today: April 19, 1969: QPR said farewell to the First Division with a 2-1 loss at Chelsea. (QPR's first league match at Chelsea) Barry Bridges scoring for QPR. The narrow defeat at Chelsea was far better than the 0-4 home defeat to Chelsea - or some of the other defeats that year. (That was the season QPR won 4 games all season!)
QPR: Alan Spratley, Dave Clement, Alan Harris, Ian Watson, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Ian Morgan, Mike Leach, Frank Clarke, Rodney Marsh, Barry Bridges
Referee: Clive Thomas (Treorchy)
Chelsea: Peter Bonetti, David Webb, Eddie McCreadie, Ron Harris, John Dempsey, Peter Osgood (Charlie Cooke), Tommy Baldwin, Alan Birchenall, Ian Hutchinson, Bobby Tambling, Peter Houseman
Stamford Bridge Attendance: 41263 Chelsea 2 QPR 1 Scorers: Baldwin (2); Bridges


BBC -Brentford 1-2 QPR - April 19, 2003
A last-minute winner from Marc Bircham settled a thrilling west London derby and kept QPR's play-off hopes on track with a win at Brentford.
The midfielder popped up on the corner of the box to slam a rasping drive into the far corner to send the visiting fans wild.
Rangers had taken the lead after eight minutes, Danny Shittu rising unmarked at the far post to head home Gino Padula's corner.
Brentford battled hard in an evenly-fought first half which saw both sides struggle to get a clear shot on goal.
But the Bees came out firing after the break - Rangers goalkeeper Chris Day keeping his side in it with a series of saves.
First he tipped Stephen Hunt's 50th-minute drive wide and he also denied Kevin O'Connor with a last-ditch save, before Bees defender Ibrahim Sonko was forced to clear off the line twice in a goalmouth melee.
Brentford got the goal their industry deserved 10 minutes from time when Mark Peters drove home after a neat knockdown from substitute Steve Evans.
Evans also saw an angled drive tipped over as the Bees piled on the pressure, with O'Connor slamming a header against the foot of the post.
But Rangers had the final word when Bircham finished from a hotly-disputed corner.
Brentford: Paul Smith, Dobson, Sonko, Marshall, Somner, O'Connor, Tabb, Fullarton, Hunt, Antoine-Curier, Peters. Subs: Julian, Evans, Williams, Fieldwick, Frampton.
QPR: Day, Kelly, Carlisle, Shittu, Padula, Langley, Palmer, Bircham, McLeod, Furlong, Gallen. Subs: Culkin, Rose, Pacquette, Thomson, Williams.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire) BBC

And Soccernet Pre-Match Preview - Brentford v QPR: Preview
Team Stat Comparison
Brentford QPR
Matches Played 46 46
Table Position 16 4
Points 54 83
Goal Difference -9 24
Goals for * 1.2 1.3
Goals against * 0.9 1.1
Last 5 D-L-W-L-L L-W-D-W-D
Last 5 home D-L-D-W-L W-D-W-W-L
Last 5 away L-W-L-L-L L-D-W-W-W
* Goals per match - home matches for home club and away matches for away club
· Club Stats: Brentford | QPR

Competition Stats
Brentford QPR
Goals Rowan Vine 10 Paul Furlong 14
Reds Jamie Fullarton 2 Clarke Carlisle 2
Yellows Rowan Vine 10 Marc Bircham 12
· Club Squads : Brentford | QPR

Last Five Matches in Competition
Brentford QPR
H: Peterborough 1-1 A: Cardiff 1-0
A: Barnsley 1-0 H: Oldham 1-0
A: Chesterfield 0-2 A: Oldham 1-1
H: QPR 1-2 A: Colchester 0-1
A: Wigan 2-0 H: Crewe 0-0
· Club Results: Brentford | QPR
Updated: April 18, 2003, 4:18 AM ET
Mark Peters could be thrust into the limelight with his first start for Brentford in the West London derby against QPR.
Peters returned from a ban to hit an excellent hat-trick in the reserves this week and manager Wally Downes is considering starting with the 19-year-old striker.
Top scorer Rowan Vine is suspended, along with defender Leo Roget, who begins a three-match ban.
Midfielder Martin Rowlands is missing after fracturing a leg, and is almost certain to be out for the rest of the season.
But Jay Tabb (ankle), Scott Marshall (hamstring) and Eddie Hutchinson (calf) are all back from injuries.
QPR boss Ian Holloway is set to name an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive match.
Rangers are close to full strength and go into the match on the back of five wins from seven games.
Forward Karl Connolly is the only absentee with a foot injury that has sidelined him since November.
Terrell Forbes and Matthew Rose were both rested from a reserve-team fixture this week in preparation for the Easter schedule.
Danny Murphy will play no part in the fixture having spent the week at Wycombe on trial. Soccernet

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One that sounds rather, rather unlikely!

From BBC Gossip! "QPR are set to go on a £25m summer spending spree to try to achieve promotion into the Premier League next season. (Daily Express)" BBC


Elsewhere: Birthday for QPR's Former Player and Manger, Trevor Francis, who turns 54.
Born April 19, 1954.
Brilliant, brilliant player whose period as (Player) manager for QPR wasn't completely happy.
Signed by Jim Smith on a free transfer in the Spring of 1988, Francis replaced Smith the following season, in late 1988 when Smith joined Newcastle. A little over a year later, Francis was himself replaced by his coach Don Howe. In his time as QPR manager, Francis signed a number of players including Peter Reid, Nigel Spackman, Colin Clarke and Andy Sinton. His last-arranged signing (completed after his departure was Ray Wilkins!) At QPR, Francis scored 12 goals in 32 appearances, including a hatrick at Aston Villa. His most "famous" act as QPR Manager (still sometimes noted in profiles, two decades later), was to fine a player Martin Allen (now manager at MK Dons) for missing a game to attend the birth of his child.
Obviously his most famous days as a player were at Birmingham where he was the teenage wonder kid: 15 goals in 15 games as a 15 or 16 year old; then joined Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in the first million pound transfer.

See also: Sporting Hero/QPR Profile and WIkipedia/Trevor Francis Profile

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Charlton Official Site - Cooking up a storm

Saturday will mark on loan Charlton star Lee Cook's first competitive return to boyhood club Queens Park Rangers since his switch to Fulham in the summer - but the wing wizard insists he is only focusing on helping the Addicks take all three points.

Cook spent nearly five years with Rangers before a £2.5m move to Premier League Fulham in the summer and his subsequent loan to SE7 in the January transfer window.

Yet as the Addicks bid to snatch sixth spot in the Championship and earn a place in the end-of-season play-offs, Cook will be putting his affection for Rangers aside this weekend.

He told the official website: "It will be nice to go back there and see people that I know. I'm really looking forward to the day, walking out onto the pitch and playing against the team.

"There's been a lot of changes since I left and everyone knows the financial backing that they've got there now. But I'm a Charlton player now and we'll put a strong side out and try to get the result."

Hammersmith-born Cook arrived at Fulham with a complicated knee injury and then picked up a hip problem in a comeback game for the club's reserves. That left the 25-year-old sidelined until Christmas, prompting his loan switch to The Valley in January.

Cook made his Addicks debut as a second-half substitute against Sheffield Wednesday and then started the next away game - the 5-3 defeat at Blackpool.

The ace then had to be content with cameo roles from the bench for the next few weeks as he battled it out with the likes of Jerome Thomas, Lloyd Sam, Darren Ambrose and - briefly - Scott Sinclair for a place on the left wing.

Cook finally regained his first-team place against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park but lasted just three minutes when he was the man to make way for Rob Elliot after Nicky Weaver was shown a red card for handling outside the box.

"That summed my luck up," said Cook. "As soon as it happened I thought I could be the one who was sacrificed. But the gaffer thankfully stuck with the same team the week after against Southampton and I got a full 90 minutes under my belt.

"I feel even better for the QPR game than how I did for Southampton. I guess I'm still a little bit rusty but come Saturday I'll be ready.

"It has been frustrating not playing regularly. When I first came here I wasn't fully fit and I knew it was going to take a while to get my fitness levels up. I didn't expect to play straight away but it was a case that minutes on the pitch were going to help me.

"So I've had to bide my time and thankfully over the last couple of weeks I've got in the side and hopefully I can play now until the end of the season.

"I've felt sharp for about six or seven weeks now, the gaffer has been pleased with me in training and hopefully I can see out the rest of the season injury free, work through the summer and then next season will be a big one for me."

Cook, who started his career at non-League Aylesbury United, earned the plaudits for his display against Southampton, whipping in some fine crosses from the left wing, despite having as many as three opponents up against him on occasion.

"It was a decent game," Cook stated. "It was disappointing we didn't win it but I thought the performance was ok, especially in the second half when we had three or four good chances.

"I was just happy to be part of the team and I felt I played well. Hopefully we can take the positives from that game into Saturday."

Charlton currently sit four points off the final play-off place and Cook concedes you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out what the Addicks need to do over the next three games.

"We need to win the last three," he said. "I want to play at Wembley in front of 90,000 people, like the rest of the team, and we aren't giving up yet.

"Wolverhampton Wanderers got beaten in the week so that worked in our favour. They've still got a game in hand but they've got some tough fixtures. Crystal Palace have got some tough games too so we're still positive."

With Fulham's Premier League status hanging by a thread, Cook admits he is unsure as to what the future holds for him.

He added: "I've been following their results and they got an excellent win last week against Reading. I don't really know what will happen for me there though. At the end of the season, I'll assess everything and see where I am. But at the minute I'm at Charlton and I want to get into those play-offs." Charlton

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Noon UPDATE:

Joe Oastler - Chichester Observer "...[Bognor's ex-Portsmouth] Teenage defender Joe Oastler is having trials with QPR but is set to be available again on Saturday. " Chichester Observer

Mirror - Mac back in for £1m Leacock
picturesMick McCARTHY has lined up a £1million summer bid for Derby defender Dean Leacock.
Wolves boss McCarthy is ready to slug it out with QPR and Coventry in a battle for Leacock's signature. McCarthy failed with a £750,000 bid for ex-Fulham star Leacock (above) in January. Leacock, 23, has a year left on his Pride Park contract. Mirror


Plymouth Herald - STURROCK KEEN TO EXTEND DUO'S DEALS
Paul Sturrock has confirmed he hopes to tie up Hungarian internationals Peter Halmosi and Krisztian Timar to new long-term contracts with Argyle.
In an exclusive story in The Herald on Wednesday, the English-based agent for Halmosi and Timar revealed Argyle wanted to open negotiations.
It followed a report in one national newspaper that Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers could make a £2.5 million double swoop for Halmosi and Timar in the summer.
The players' agent, Sam Stapleton, said: "Plymouth have asked to discuss the possibility of new contracts for the pair of them.
"Peter and Krisztian are an integral part of the squad and, obviously, they (Argyle) want to keep them."
Halmosi signed a contract with Argyle until June 2010 when he made a £400,000 move from Hungarian club Debrecen last May.
And, at the same time, Timar completed a £75,000 transfer from Ferencvaros, another Hungarian club, on a two-year deal.
Halmosi and Timar are strong contenders for Argyle player of the year honours this season and their English agent believes they should be rewarded for their fine form.
Stapleton added: "Both Peter and Krisztian's profiles as players have dramatically increased since (former Argyle manager) Ian Holloway brought them to England and they both deserve to have new contracts that reflect this."
Sturrock admitted he was keen to talk about new deals for the pair, not only to improve their wages but also to increase the length of their contracts.
He wants to make sure the club stays on top of the contract situations of their leading players, rather than risk them leaving on a Bosman transfer, as left-back Tony Capaldi did last summer, for example, when he moved to Cardiff City after letting his agreement with the Pilgrims run out.
Sturrock said: "We don't want to get caught out with some of the scenarios that have happened in the past at this football club.
"So it makes sense for us to go into discussions with some of our players who, I feel, have performed to pleasing standards.
"I have mooted to my board that I would be interested in discussing upgrading the contracts for those two (Halmosi and Timar), and that's as far as it has gone so far.
"But an upgrade of contract also means the length of contract is upgraded as well."
Sturrock is set to be told his budget for the 2008/09 season at a board meeting next Thursday, and will then make decisions about the future of the players who are out of contract this summer.
At the same time, he wants to make sure he rewards some of the other squad members, such as Halmosi and Timar, with improved deals.
He added: "It would be nice to know what kind of figures we were into for some of the ones I would like to extend their contracts. That would then enable me to know what the size of the pie is for the rest."
Sturrock insisted there had been no inquiries from QPR - who are being bankrolled by Formula One tycoons Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore - for Halmosi and Timar.
"None at all," he said. "And I wouldn't expect anything at this juncture of the season.
"But, at the end of the day, I don't think a club that has any thoughts about selling players would be discussing about putting them on to more money and extending the length of their contracts." Plymouth Herald


Ex-QPR Paul Murray Breaks Rib
Gretna, Scotland (Sports Network) - Gretna captain Paul Murray could miss the rest of the club's troubled campaign due to a rib injury.
The 31-year-old has scored once in 33 games since joining the SPL outfit last summer, but suffered a broken rib in a scoreless draw with St Mirren over a week ago.
Director of football Mick Wadsworth told the News & Star: "It's disappointing for Paul and ourselves and it's a nasty break.
"He will be out for two to three weeks at least, but we hope to get him back before the end of the season.
"It's unfortunate for him and us because he has been terrific on and off the pitch. He will still be in the dressing room on Saturday playing his part."
(Courtesy of sportbox.tv) Sportsnetwork


The West Australian Zadkovich Derby-bound as clouds surround Neill’s future
Olyroos star Ruben Zadkovich will swap A-League football for the English Championship next season after snubbing the Newcastle Jets to sign a two-year deal with Derby County today.
The 21-year-old former Sydney FC midfielder is set to join fellow Australian Mile Sterjovski at the relegation-bound Premier League club after impressing at a recent trial....
Derby beat out the A-League champion Jets and Championship outfit Crystal Palace for the signature of Australian under-23 Zadkovich after he trialled at both Derby and Palace in recent weeks.
“Ruben impressed us enormously in training,” Rams manager Paul Jewell told reporters.
“A number of clubs have been interested in him, and we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss out on a fantastic talent.”
Zadkovich received an early release from the the final few months of his contract with Sydney FC to trial in England, but appeared set to stay with the local competition after reportedly agreeing to terms with the club last month.
The chance to have a second crack in England - where he spent two years with QPR and Notts County as a teenager - however, was too good to pass up.
“I was very young then, and very inexperienced, but things have changed,” he told Derby’s website.
“Since then I have played a lot of international football with my age group, and I’ve been called up to the national side, so I’m ready to play.
“There are points to prove, especially to some people, but I love a challenge and I’m ready for that.”
Palace manager Neil Warnock was believed to have tabled a two-year deal for Zadkovich recently, but the Australian reportedly turned down the offer.
While Derby are certain for relegation from the top flight, Palace may yet be headed in the opposite direction.
The club is currently sixth in the Championship with three games remaining, and will qualify for the four-team promotion playoff if they at least keep their position.
Zadkovich revealed the chance to play alongside Sterjovski, who signed with Derby in January, influenced his decision.
“Mile has been such a big help and he is one of the reasons why I wanted to come here,” he said.
“He is such a nice person off the field and such a good player on it that I can only learn from him.
“To have a mate like that here, a fellow Australian, will be good for me.
“Obviously the facilities here are great, I saw that for myself, but Mile also spoke very highly of the club and gave me a lot of positive feedback.
“This is such a massive club and we can only expect bigger and better things.” The West Australian

Derby Official Site - ZADKOVICH: THE FIRST INTERVIEW
Ruben Zadkovich is ready for another crack at English football - and says he wants to be part of a bright future at Derby County.
The versatile Australian will join Derby on a two-year deal this summer as a free agent having left his hometown team Sydney FC.
But his football education took in a scholarship at Queens Park Rangers and an 18-month spell at Notts County as a teenager.
Things didn't work out at Meadow Lane, though two years down the line he is back in England a more grown up figure and ready to prove himself again.
"I was very young then, and very inexperienced, but things have changed," he revealed in his first interview with RamsWorld - to be screened later this morning.
"Since then I have played a lot of international football with my age group, and I've been called up to the national side, so I'm ready to play.
"There are points to prove, especially to some peopole, but I love a challenge and I'm ready for that......" Derby

From a couple of weeks ago: QPR Report - Ex-QPR Ruben Zadkovich Reportedly Set to Return From Australia and Join Crystal Palace

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From the QPR1st Site: Another report on the AGM held earlier this week.

QPR1st: Neil Dejyothin of QPR1st posted on the QPR1st Board these notes of the AGM Meeting:
QPR1st - QPR Holdings 2008 AGM April 16, 2008
"The AGM for QPR Holdings took place on the 14th April at Loftus Road. Neil Dejyothin and Geoff Gibbs attended representing the Supporters Trust.
Neil made notes of the meeting, these can be viewed by clicking on the document link below AGM 2008 Report


[For other Reports of the AGM

QPR Official Site Summary - Official AGM Report

Tracy Stent posted a fairly comprehensive report of the AGM, which was posted on various fan boards - Tracy Stent AGM Report

Past AGM Reports

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ITV - Cook considering Addicks move

Lee Cook admits he would consider a permanent move to Charlton over the summer if Fulham are willing to let him go.
The 25-year-old winger joined the Addicks on loan in January having not managed a single appearance for the Cottagers since completing a £2.5million switch from QPR in June.
Cook's season has been disrupted by a series of injuries, but he is now a regular starter for the Addicks and will line up against his former club at Loftus Road on Saturday.
"Charlton is an option for me," he told the South London Press.
"Ever since I've been here, I've been trying to impress Alan Pardew and if Charlton made an offer for me and Fulham were willing to let me go then of course I would be interested.
"The ball is in Fulham's court, though. If they want me to stay with them then I am more than happy to do so, but that is something to think about in a few weeks' time, not now." http://www.itv-football.co.uk/story/0,19239,6145_3435863,00.html

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Updated

Charlton Official Site - Pards - three points a must

Alan Pardew admits that only a win will do when he takes his team to Loftus Road to face London rivals Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (3pm).

The first five places in the league are out of Charlton's reach but sixth spot is still attainable for Pardew's side - just.

With only three games remaining this season, the Addicks currently sit in ninth place in the Championship, four points adrift of Crystal Palace, who hold sixth spot and the final play-off position.

That means that victory is pretty much essential for Charlton this weekend, although Pardew believes his men can take confidence from their last two games as they prepare for back-to-back away clashes against QPR and then Barnsley.

The Addicks earned an excellent 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle in their last away fixture, despite being down to 10 men for the majority of the game when Nicky Weaver was shown a red card in the third minute for a handling the ball outside the penalty area.

And, even though Charlton were held to a 1-1 draw against Southampton at The Valley last weekend, Pardew took heart from the performance.

He said: "I thought we put in two great performances against Plymouth and Southampton. We just need to take that into our next two away games and there's no reason why we can't win them both.

"I'm not really concerned whether we're home or away. It's the end of the season and we have to win. It doesn't matter whether we're playing in Timbuktu or at home - we have to win because of our league position.

"Our away form has kept us in the hunt for promotion. Our home form has unfortunately been average and that's what has cost us this season. So lets home we can improve our away form over the next two away games, beat Coventry City at The Valley and then see where we are.

"We've got a fighting chance but we have to win to be in it on Saturday, it's as simple as that. The only thing we can do is win the games that remain. I don't expect anything less."

QPR have improved dramatically since the appointment of Italian Luigi De Canio as manager in December.

The arrival of the former Genoa boss has seen the R's move swiftly out of the relegation places and into a comfortable mid-table position.

Rangers have also only lost once in their last 11 games and are unbeaten in their last five at Loftus Road so Pardew is anticipating another tough match for his outfit.

"I've seen them play and they've got goals in them," he said. "It's always difficult to get a result at Loftus Road regardless of their form. They play it well, they knock it around and they mix their game up when they need to.

"They've got all the ingredients they need to be successful in the Championship and their run in the second half of the season has probably been as good as anyone else.

"I've not had any dealings with Luigi but I like his style and I've been impressed by what he's done so far. The big test for him will probably be next season. But he's building nice and gradually, and that's probably the way to do it.


"It's a London derby which should add a bit of spice, although it doesn't always work out like that. We've had some good London derbies this season, hopefully this will be another one."

Charlton's last encounter against Rangers was a bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat at The Valley when the West London side were bottom of the league.

And Pardew recalled: "We've had some home games that have been disappointing and that was one of them. We're certainly stronger now, but then so are they."

Pardew will be without Jerome Thomas for the clash with Rangers after the winger suffered a hamstring strain during training this week. Thomas' place on the substitutes' bench could be taken by Lloyd Sam, who is close to fitness following a hamstring problem of his own.

Sam has been absent since the 2-1 defeat to Preston in early March but has played in two reserve-team games since and could feature against the R's.

"I will field my strongest side," added Pardew. "Jerome Thomas has a slight hamstring strain and probably won't be involved. Sam Sodje has trained but won't be ready. Other than that, everyone else is fit apart from the long-term absentees...."
Charlton


Charlton Official Site

Date: Thu 17 Apr 2008. Tom Harvey reports Queens Park Rangers v Charlton
The phrase 'must-win game' is often overused in football but Charlton head to Loftus Road on Saturday (3pm) in the knowledge that anything less than a victory could effectively end their hopes of landing a play-off place.

Saturday's 1-1 draw with struggling Southampton at The Valley means Charlton lie in ninth spot in the Championship table - four points adrift of sixth-placed Crystal Palace.

And with just three games remaining, Alan Pardew's men need to earn a second successive win on the road if they are maintain their slim hopes of snatching sixth position and extending their season for a few more weeks in May.

Andy Gray registered his first Charlton goal on Saturday, but Pardew was again left frustrated at his side's frailties in front of goal and the Addicks boss desperately needs his strikers to be on their game this weekend.

Speaking after the draw with the Saints, Pardew said: "Unfortunately this year, the second goal, the third goal and the fourth goal has been a problem for us at home. Our home form has cost us and is why we are in the position we are in now."

Charlton had made the worst possible start when goalkeeper Darren Randolph, in for the suspended Nicky Weaver, collided with Paddy McCarthy in making a routine catch and saw the ball squirm from his grasp and into the net.

"I felt that goal affected us in the first half," said Pardew. "It was such a poor goal to concede."

Pardew introduced Gray and Darren Ambrose at half-time and the move paid off with the former Burnley man getting his first goal for the Addicks in the 69th minute.

Both Ambrose and Thomas then had chances to win the game for Charlton but failed to take them and the result somewhat summed up the Addicks' home form this term.

Pardew added: "Our away form has probably been good enough to put us in the play-offs, and the way the points have gone this season, perhaps even in the automatic promotion spots as well.

"Our home form has been the problem; we've not really coped well with teams who have come here, and haven't dealt with their ferocity. We haven't got the goals and that will probably cost us."


Opposition news

Charlton fans may think the Addicks have endured a topsy-turvy season, but their campaign has been a comparative bed of roses compared to the upheavals at Queens Park Rangers.

After a poor start to the new term, John Gregory was sacked at the start of December with the club's new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone intending to see QPR in the Premier League within the next four years.

Gregory's dismissal came after the R's were trounced 5-1 by West Bromwich Albion in front of the Sky Sports television cameras.

Assistant Mick Harford was then handed the reins, and the caretaker boss oversaw an upturn in fortunes, but left Loftus Road when Italian Luigi De Canio was named as the club's new manager.

The ex-Napoli and Siena coach, 50, signed a deal until 2010 at Loftus Road. De Canio had kept Siena in Serie A for two seasons before leaving last summer.

The arrival of De Canio, who has also managed Udinese, Reggina and Genoa, has seen the R's move swiftly away from the relegation places and into a safe mid-table position.


And with plenty of money to spend, the general consensus is that QPR could be making a bid for the title next season.

De Canio has been busy in the transfer market since arriving in West London, with no less than 10 players arriving since January, and even more departing.

Of those new faces, Akos Buzsaky stands out - the former Plymouth man pulls the strings in midfield and also chips in with a fair few goals.

The Hungarian playmaker has been sidelined for Rangers' last three matches after suffering an ankle injury while on international duty but has resumed light training and will step up his fitness bid ahead of the visit of the Addicks.

QPR have also been boosted by the news that the injuries which forced Dexter Blackstock and Patrick Agyemang out of the 1-1 draw at Hull City on Saturday are not serious.

Ex-Wimbledon striker Patrick Agyemang is enjoying a new lease of life since a £350,000 switch from Preston North End, hitting nine goals for the R's this season, while Blackstock has been a thorn in the side of several defences this term.

Blackstock, who opened the scoring against Hull with a dubious goal which appeared not to cross the line, came off with an ankle problem, while Agyemang was feeling slight hamstring trouble.

But Rangers physio Paul Hunter expects both players to be available for the visit of Charlton.


Past meetings

Pardew called his team's performance 'inept' after QPR - then bottom of the Championship - earned a 1-0 win against Charlton at The Valley in October.

Adam Bolder - now on loan at Sheffield Wednesday - got the only goal that day as the Addicks slumped to a third successive defeat.

Pardew said at the time: "QPR deserved to win, but on our part we put in an inept display. We didn't look like a good side. Our fans booed us off - quite right too. We weren't good enough."

There was a silver lining, however, in the shape of academy youth product Grant Basey, who was handed his full Charlton debut by the Valley boss.

Pardew said of the 18-year-old left-back: "He has been the only highlight of the day for us. He has been at the club since he was six and came from the club's community scheme so we're pleased with that."

It had been more than 18 years since QPR had beaten Charlton. The Addicks had previously won nine of the last 11 league clashes against Rangers, and the remaining two were draws.

Charlton's last trip to Loftus Road came in December 1999 when the two sides fought out a 0-0 Division One draw.

The first meeting between the teams was way back in the 1921/22 season when a crowd of 10,000 witnessed a 1-1 draw at The Valley in the (old) Division Three South. Arthur Whalley scored Charlton's goal that day.


Charlton team news


Pardew admitted after the draw with Southampton that he was planning to make changes to his side.

Gray is pushing to start after his strike against Southampton and could replace Chris Iwelumo alongside Leroy Lita up front if, as expected, Pardew sticks with a 4-4-2 formation.

Ambrose and Jerome Thomas will also be vying to return on the right with Zheng Zhi perhaps replacing Jose Semedo in the middle of the park.

Pardew had praise for Lee Cook on Saturday. The winger was a constant tormenter of the Saints' defence and is likely to start against his boyhood club and a team he spent nearly five years with.

Cook netted 11 goals in 140 games for Rangers before a £2.5m switch to Fulham in the summer and a subsequent loan move to SE7 in January.

Weaver is back from a one-match ban for his recent sending-off at Plymouth Argyle and is set to return in place of young Randolph.

Madjid Bougherra should keep his place in the centre of defence alongside McCarthy. Lloyd Sam is unlikely to be considered as he continues his recuperation from a hamstring injury, while Sam Sodje, Svetoslav Todorov, Izale McLeod and Chris Dickson all remain sidelined.


Tickets

Charlton sold their initial allocation of 1,650 seats in the upper tier of the School End but were handed a further 1,400 seats in the lower tier. Latest figures show a total of 1,989 tickets have been sold, with the remainder on general sale until 3pm on Friday afternoon.

Those seats are available in person from the Valley Superstore and the Bexleyheath retail outlet, or by calling 0871 226 1905, priced £22 adults, £13 over 60s and U21s, and £8 U16s.

What's more, U8s can gain free admission, but must be accompanied by an adult. QPR may ask for proof of age at the turnstiles, and may refuse admission to anyone who is unable to do so.


Listen live: Full commentary on BBC London 774 Medium Wave and digital radio, Sky Channel 0152 and BBC Kent Digital Radio.


Opposition website: www.qpr.co.uk Charlton

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April 17, 1976: Norwich 3 QPR 2: The day that QPR effectively lost out on the First Division Championship (although Wolves did their bit to deny QPR the Championship - by falling Liverpool at the very death - and of course in truth, every point is worth the same, whenever it's picked up during the season).
From Rothmans Football Yearbook " QPR lose at Norwich, and as Liverpool beat Stoke 5-3, they go to the top of Division One." Rothmans

QPR's Prime Team:
Parkes
Clement Webb McLintock Gillard
Francis Masson Hollins
Thomas Bowles Givens - Leach

The Norwich defeat was QPR's first defeat since January 24 1976 when West Ham defeated QPR 1-0. From January 24, 1976 to April 24, 1976 QPR's record was: 13 Wins...1 Draw...and the 2-3 Norwich defeat on April 17, 1976)

From Norwich City FC Years

[NB: These were Norwich statistics in 1975-76: They finished 10th with W 16 D 10 L 16 GF 58-GA 58 42 points (2 points for win) - From Norwich City Years: "Norwich immediately established themselves as a first division outfit during the 1975 – 76 campaign as they enjoyed a fine season, finishing it off in tenth position. They reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, however suffered defeat against Bradford City. Kevin Keelan was in fine form for the club through out the campaign.
The 1976 – 1977 season saw Norwich struggle towards the end and managed to finish off in 16th position and a third round finish in the FA Cup." - Norwich City

John Hollins on that Norwich Loss - from an Interview with QPR Net
"...If I have to say we lost it then I would say we lost it at Norwich, I can remember one of their players, they used to call him Diesel, he used to run through brick walls that fella! He never scored all that many for them and he hit a shot which Parkes had covered but it came off Dave Clement’s back and flipped over him into the net. When they made it 3-1 it was miles offside too. Gerry pulled it back to 3-2 then we hit the bar. That one point would have got us through." QPR Net

Gerry Francis Said a couple of years ago:

Mirror/Aidan Magee - Monday, April 17, 2006 "FRANCIS WAITS 30 YEARS FOR REVENGE
"GERRY FRANCIS wants QPR to thrash Norwich today - to help him ease 30 years of pain. The former England skipper was a key part of the exciting Rangers side which narrowly missed out on the old First Division title in 1976.
And QPR all but blew their hopes on April 17 that year by losing 3-2 in a Carrow Road thriller - before being pipped by Liverpool shortly after.
Incredibly the two sides meet again today on the same pitch all these years later - but with little more than Championship pride to play for.
Rangers would probably have been the smallest club ever to be crowned league champions, in the end finishing just a point behind the Reds.
Dave Sexton's side was packed with glorious names from the Seventies like Francis, Frank McLintock, Phil Parkes, David Webb and Stan Bowles.
Francis said: "It's amazing that the fixture list has thrown this up exactly 30 years to the day, and at Carrow Road too.
"I remember the day well. It was a great match but it was destined not to go our way.
"It was our only defeat in the last 17 games of that season. We then beat Leeds and Arsenal to finish the season.
"Then Liverpool played at Wolves 10 days later needing a win. They were losing until 15 minutes from time and then they scored three.
"It was unfair because now all the teams would play concurrently on the final day, but Liverpool knew exactly what they had to do.
"They were great times, with great players and some great haircuts - in fact I've still got mine!" Mirror

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Nick Gordon Brown - Goalfood.com--
cash from chaos: surreal times in london W12

“Oh, how Richard Keys would chastise me if he read this. Deluded flights of fancy from a grumpy old sod. Next you’ll be telling us that a disgraced former Thai Prime Minister and an Icelandic biscuit magnate are competing with a shady Russian oil baron to be the most powerful man in English football…”

So concluded my rant on these pages last summer about modern football’s obsession with money. Or, to be more accurate, modern English football. Or, even more accurately, the Premiership and its attendant throng of hangers on.

I felt out of step with the modern game, and argued millions of others felt likewise. Are we just getting old, I asked (rhetorically, natch)…after all, to younger fans, the modern way IS football. If you’re old enough to have fathered half the Prem’s current crop, then it’s your problem not ours – get with the times daddio.

Then it happened. I was going to say “then the inevitable happened”…only I can’t think of anything less inevitable. My own club, one of those I’d pitied for being forever locked outside the Premiership playground, was taken over. Allegedly only hours before a second stint of administration this decade, at a time when a 10 point deduction would have consigned us to a certain relegation from which we might never have recovered.

However, not only were we taken over, we were taken over by two very rich, very high profile men with a track record of success in the business of sport that is second to none. They’d never even been to our ground before (though one of them admitted it was regularly on his helicopter’s flight path). We were available on the cheap, and they fancied a flutter.

Welcome to Queen’s Park Rangers FC of Shepherd’s Bush, London W12. For the first 85 years of it’s history, nothing more than a foot note in the rich tapestry of the game. Think “Third Division South”. A maverick owner and a succession of (mostly) inspired managerial appointments then led to a period of relatively sustained success. Thirty odd years spent knocking around the top flight or just below. An above average number of flair players, a unique kit (back then it was Reading FC of Elm Park and English football’s fourth tier, and Mr Madjeski was still flogging second hand motors), and an improbable amount of BBC airtime thanks to our location meant we actually became, if not famous, then certainly quite well known.

Then in 1996, just as the Prem gravy train began to go full steam ahead, we fell off. And never really looked like getting back on, despite bizarre managerial choice Stewart Houston (currently residing in the “where are they now?” file) telling terminally unhip music biz mogul and celebrity chairman wannabe Chris Wright, “get me Mike Sheron and I’ll get you back in the Premiership.”

“You’re not famous anymore”, Peterborough fans told us. Harsh but true. “You’re not quite well known anymore” didn’t scan so well.

This season’s events took a further bizarre twist when the two very rich men sold on 20% of the club’s shares to a man who is even richer than them. Richer, too, than Roman Abramovich. 4th or 5th richest in the world, depending on which of those tiresome lists you read.

As I surmised in the pre-season article, fan reaction to such a takeover at any club is to a great extent dictated by your age. Those Rangers fans who grew up in the early 90s with Les Ferdinand and regular top half Prem finishes (often above Arsenal & Chelsea) see it as the return of a footballing birth right, and the cash injection will simply take us back to our rightful place in football’s hierarchy. For even younger fans, like my own kids, it’s simply football as they know it. The Rs have been crap for as long as they can remember, but rich foreign blokes are always buying football clubs and throwing money at them, and now it’s our turn – and mum and dad always say everyone should get a turn.

However, for many Rs fans, one of the big talking points of the season has been how do we as fans react to our new found wealth? “Not like that lot down the road” appears to be the consensus. Chelsea may be happy to be the Premiership equivalent of Millwall (no one likes us, we don’t care), but over the years, we’ve been used to being quite liked by most – or at least not especially disliked. “A kindly aunt”, Danny Baker once called us.

Fans of other clubs liked Stan Bowles, they liked Les Ferdinand. Many liked our kit. And despite its limitations (lack of leg room in and poor views from the away end among them), many liked our tight knit stadium, where you’re right on top of the players, and a crowd of 12,000+ can create a great atmosphere.

Much of that goodwill has evaporated overnight. In this internet age, it’s easy to find out what others think of your own club, and the venom directed towards W12 has not been the sole preserve of rival fans’ messageboards. The pre-match previews in the regional media frequently talk of our opponents taking on “money bags QPR”. We as fans have done nothing to provoke that reaction. Such matters are now beyond our control.

Many of us have even sensed the envy from friends who support clubs outside of the big 4. “Why not us?” is the understandable refrain. There are dozens of clubs, not just in the Championship but also many in the Premiership and some in League One, who would consider themselves to be “bigger” (fanbase, history, however you want to judge that most subjective of issues) than “bloody QPR!”.

To be honest, many of us are thinking along similar lines. “Why us?” It’s all as confusing as it is exciting, and we still can’t quite believe it. All we asked Santa for was a minor millionaire or two who could ensure we could compete on a Palace / Charlton kind of a level, and didn’t have to return to derby games with Brentford. Not only did we get three big cheeses, but there appear to be no human rights skeletons in closets…and whilst I’m not an F1 fan myself, it’s a damn sight cooler than American Football or, indeed, biscuits.

When Jack Walker bankrolled Blackburn to the title in the early days of the Premiership, the neutrals were split. Some applauded a lifelong fan for putting his riches into his hometown team and breaking the monopoly of the big clubs. Others derided the setting of a precedent whereby a club could live beyond its relatively meagre means due only to its sugar daddy. Although times have changed greatly since then, and a latter day Walker couldn’t repeat that trick (just ask Steve Gibson), it’s probably the closest comparison that can be found (not that there is anything approaching a lifelong fan involved).

Walker’s legacy is impressive. Prior to his investment, what odds would you have got on Blackburn in 2008 being where they are? However, the new men at the Bush, for all their relatively cautious talk, don’t seem the sort to settle for Prem consolidation and the odd tilt at the UEFA Cup.

They always refer to what they’re doing at QPR as “the project”. So does the canny Italian manager they employed. Put them in front of a derelict building that still has a few visible traces of former grandeur but that is going for a song, and imagine Grand Designs’ Kevin McLoud interviewing them, and you’ll get the picture. Had they bought, say, Tottenham, not only would it have cost 20 times what it cost to purchase lil’ ol’ QPR, but also they would have spent months & millions ripping out and replacing much of what the previous owners had put in place. This lot would rather start from scratch and, to use another one of their already well worn phrases, “do it our way”.

This approach has thus far struck the right chord with the majority of fans. The “1-0 to the billionaires” song, funny the first time but very quickly embarrassing, has died a quiet death after its author ran a poll on a fans’ website about it and a whopping 90% gave it the thumbs down. (That’s not to say that our new found riches haven’t led to some off the cuff terrace classics, such as chanting “we won’t be signing you” to Shaun Wright Philips after he characteristically blazed high and wide in the cup tie at Stamford Bridge…or serenading Bramall Lane with a chorus of “we’ve got more steel than you” in honour of our richest investor and the business that earned him his billions).

More and more, as the ‘project managers’ allow a few more very minor details of their plans to seep out, it is clear that location is paramount. Chris Wright often talked of moving us out to “the M4 corridor” (where we’d probably have been about as welcome as Terminal 5 – and about as well planned too, given Wright’s track record at the helm). Not these guys. Whilst the Bush and White City may not be amongst the more salubrious parts of town, we’re still the closest London club to the West End (and, coincidentally, Wembley). The urban regenerators are chucking plenty of money at the area, and it’s clearly seen as a good base for the planned international operation in a way that, say, Southampton, Nottingham or Sunderland are not.

The London factor cannot be undervalued, for all that it already has five clubs (albeit it likely to be four soon) in the Premiership. A huge population; culturally diverse and full of second, third and fourth generation immigrants from all the world’s football mad countries; always in the glare of the world’s media…outside of Liverpool and Manchester United with their awe-inspiring footballing heritage, no other English clubs can hope to compete with a well-managed London-based club.

Fans of the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City, or one club cities like Newcastle and Leeds, would no doubt like to argue the toss about this, but it’s what QPR’s owners are banking on. At the heart of their vision for ‘the project’ is a London location that money could buy…and just about enough of a fanbase / history to start building from.

On the surface, this appears to be a takeover like no other. Shinawatra, Lerner, DIC, Ashley…all these names now trip off the football fan’s tongue readily, but the words tripping off the tongues of the QPR board appear to be different from the rest. Not necessarily better or worse, it’s far too early to judge – but certainly different.

QPR fans can expect an interesting ride. And as hopes and dreams turn into expectations and demands (from fans and owners alike), there’s the potential for it all to get very messy. The aim appears to be to build phoenix-like a London-based football superpower from the ashes of a modest but once much respected club…to do it shrewdly and with business savvy remaining intact…and playing attractive football. It seems an awful lot to ask. However, after a decade that has seen administration, two relegations, the tragic deaths of two of our brightest young prospects, the mass brawl with the Chinese Olympic team, our main fanzine editor threatened with legal action by our Chairman, and the same Chairman being the central figure in an embarrassing court case about alleged guns in the boardroom…well, I for one aim to enjoy that ride. Goalfood

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BBC - Newton thinks Mancienne is ready
Chelsea academy coach Eddie Newton thinks young defender Michael Mancienne is ready to step into the first team.
The 20-year-old QPR loanee has played 58 times in two seasons at Loftus Road.
Newton told BBC London 94.9: "He is a quality defender. I feel he's ready to train day-in day-out with the stars and develop in training.
"He can get some games under his belt. When the time comes, maybe due to injuries or suspensions, he'll be able to step in and do a good job." BBC

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Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times - Step on the Gaz
WE'RE playing with no fear or pressure at the moment, and you could really see the difference between Hull and ourselves last Saturday.
In some ways, when you're going for promotion, it can be better to play another team at the top rather than one who know they're not going up or down.
It took Hull a long time to get into the game and, while it was disappointing to let in another late goal, that feeling didn't last long.
We were a bit fortunate with the goal, after all, and a point there was a great result when you consider we were missing the likes of Rowan and Akos.
By the end of the game we were a bit thin on the ground for strikers and, while we've got a good core of about 16 outstanding players, we need about 21 or 22.
That's something that will be addressed for next season - and so, I'm sure, will the question of why we've let in so many late goals. But for those, I'm sure the play-offs would still be a live prospect.
Charlton are still in with a chance of the top six, but I think their season has been disappointing overall and it's not helped that teams tend to raise their game against a side that's just come out of the Premier League.
Like Hull, the pressure will certainly be more on them than us on Saturday and, in the same way, if we can pick up a result against Charlton - again - that's something to be proud of.
It'll be welcome back to Cookie of course, assuming he plays, and I hope he gets a good reception after what he did for this club. He's an Rs man through and through and he's well aware of the rumours that he'll be coming back permanently. But I'm sure he won't let that affect him and he'll be doing his best to get a result for Charlton. If selected I'm looking forward to playing against him - and my former Wimbledon team-mate, Ben Thatcher.
We used to have a few good battles in training, so it'd be good to rekindle those on Saturday.
I always enjoy playing in derby matches and, without wishing ill to any team, it'd be nice to have a few more derbies next season.
If Fulham find themselves in the Championship next year that's certainly one we'd all be relishing - and hopefully we'll have Chelsea to come in the not too distant future as well! Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Hogan's seen it all before
HOGAN Ephraim has backed his old boss to succeed with Charlton ahead of their crunch derby date at Loftus Road this weekend.
Ephraim can help kill off Alan Pardew's play-off dreams on Saturday, but personal experience tells the QPR forward that the Addicks have the right man at the helm.
Pardew handed the youngster his first-team bow during his time in charge at West Ham and Ephraim told the Times: "I think they've got a great chance of succeeding with him as the manager.
"I've seen Alan Pardew in this situation in my first year coming through at West Ham. There was a lot of talk that if the club didn't go up, he'd be gone, but I'm not sure there's a better manager in those circumstances.
"It was a similar situation to the one Charlton are in now and he knows how to get the best out of the players and keep the team spirit high. Sometimes he can be jokey and have fun, but he can also be serious and be hard on you if he needs to be. I personally think Charlton can still get in the play-offs and, if they do, the momentum will take them up."
Nevertheless, Ephraim is determined to deal Pardew's promotion ambitions a serious blow as Rangers bid to recover from the disappointment of letting in an injury-time equaliser at Hull.
Saturday's game was the Rs' fourth consecutive draw and Ephraim admitted: "If you'd told us we'd get a draw at Hull, some would have seen it as a good result.
"But personally I see it as four games without a win rather than four unbeaten. With the players we've got in the dressing-room now, we should be winning games - there are no excuses.
"To lose a goal in the last minute was utterly devastating. It's a shame we didn't have a midweek game to put it right, but we have to pick ourselves up for Charlton."
The Addicks, who lie ninth in the table, have suffered from patchy home form this season - they were the victims when QPR recorded their first away win in October, just before Luigi de Canio's arrival.
Ephraim, who played in that 1-0 win towards the end of his loan spell from West Ham, recalled: "The atmosphere at The Valley was fantastic - to get our first away win was a great feeling and I know it meant a lot to our fans.
"I'm sure we'll get another good crowd on Saturday and we've got to put on a good show for them. Hopefully we can play as we did at Hull, but create more chances and take the three points."
Former Rangers winger Lee Cook - who remains on loan at Charlton after the Rs' bid to re-sign him on transfer deadline day fell through - is likely to feature against his old club.
QPR are confident that forward duo Patrick Agyemang (hamstring) and Dexter Blackstock (ankle) will shake off their injuries in time for Saturday, while playmaker Akos Buzsaky could make the bench. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Jake wants time to be a loan
JAKE Cole is unlike just about every other player at QPR - he is longing to start next season in League One.
The Rangers reserve keeper's season has been ruined by injuries and, with just eight first-team appearances to his name, he is desperate for a loan spell next year to prove his worth.
Cole told the Times: "A few clubs have shown interest, so hopefully from the start of next season I'll be out on loan and playing regular football.
"I've been at the club 12 and a half years and I need a chance. If I can get a season-long loan, I can never be told 'you haven't got the experience' - that's what I always get and I don't like it.
"If a League One team comes in, I'll be jumping at the chance to play games - I'm just hungry to play and, as a footballer, you have to be willing to travel to get experience.
"That's just part and parcel of the job. Whether you have to go up north or anywhere else to further your career, you have to be prepared to do it - and I am."
The 22-year-old keeper performed well in Rangers' final two matches of last season and had hoped for further opportunities this term, but a combination of injuries and Lee Camp's consistent form have thwarted him.
A thumb injury sidelined Cole around Christmas and, more recently, an operation on his right elbow cut short what had already been a frustrating campaign.
It wasn't helped by the sporadic nature of the Combination (reserve) League programme and Cole observed: "I've been playing reserve team football since the age of 15 and the league set-up isn't the best.
"Sometimes you can go a month or six weeks without a game, then you cram a few into two weeks. That isn't really good enough - however many reserve games you play, it isn't regular football.
"I'm out there with the other boys doing footwork now, but obviously no handling. Obviously the season's done and it's a matter of building up my arm again and looking towards next season."
Although he had various loan spells at non-league level as a teenager, Cole's opportunities to play have been severely restricted, even since making his first-team debut for the Rs in late 2005.
And, with a year to run on his Loftus Road contract and the long-term future of current number two Matt Pickens yet to be resolved, Cole's prospects at the club remain unclear. He added: "Whether I get a renewed contract is out of my hands - I can only do my best and I've got one year left to prove that I'm worth one, whether it's here or elewhere.
"When I have played, I feel I've done well and I can do much more. If a manager believes in me and takes me on loan, I know I can do a good job for him.
"With some good performances, I can be in the shop window and that's what I want. Kilburn Times


Kilburn Times - Delaney: let's keep it going

DAMIEN Delaney feels an extension of Rangers' unbeaten run to the end of the season will give the players extra zip when they report back in the summer.

The Rs have not lost in their last six games - albeit with four consecutive draws, having conceded injury-time equalisers against both Wolves and Hull City.

Delaney, who lined up against his former club in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium said: "We're unbeaten in six now and if we can keep that going to the end of the season, that'd take the run to nine.

"I'm sure everyone will come back fit and raring to go after the break, and it'd give the lads a lot of confidence to take into next season. Kilburn Times

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Plymouth Herald/Chris Errington - ARGYLE TO OPEN TALKS WITH DUO

Plymouth Argyle are ready to enter into talks about new contracts for Hungarian internationals Peter Halmosi and Krisztian Timar.
Halmosi (pictured left) and Timar are two of the leading candidates for player-of-the-year honours this season.
But the pair are thought to be possible transfer targets for Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers.
QPR have already snapped up one talented Hungarian player from the Pilgrims this season.
Midfielder Akos Buzsaky completed a £500,000 transfer to QPR in January after spending two months on loan.
Buzsaky has been a huge hit at Loftus Road, scoring 10 goals in 27 games for Rangers.
Now Halmosi and Timar could be on the shopping list for the wealthy west London club, who are owned by Formula One tycoons Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore and are sure to be promotion contenders next term.
One national newspaper has speculated on a £2.5 million double swoop by QPR boss Luigi di Canio for the two players.
But Argyle will not want to lose Halmosi and Timar after the departure of some of their top players during the January transfer window, such as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, David Norris and Buzsaky.
So they are set to hold talks with Sam Stapleton, the agent for Halmosi and Timar.
Stapleton told Herald Sport: "Plymouth have asked to discuss the possibility of new contracts for the pair of them.
"Peter and Krisztian are an integral part of the squad and, obviously, they (Argyle) want to keep them.
"We hoped that contract negotiations would have started in January but we will talk to each other and see if we can find an agreement.
"Both Peter and Krisztian's profiles as players have dramatically increased since Ian Holloway brought them to England and they both deserve to have new contracts that reflect this."
Halmosi has grabbed nine goals for Argyle this season, putting him second in Argyle's scoring chart behind Ebanks-Blake, now starring for play-off chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The left-sided midfielder - who was linked with Wigan Athletic in January - has been a consistent attacking threat for the Pilgrims all season.
Halmosi, 28, signed a three-year contract with Argyle last May when he was bought for a then club record transfer fee of £400,000 from Hungarian club Debrecen.
He and Timar had spent the final four months of the 2006/07 season on loan to the Pilgrims.
Timar, also 28, agreed a two-year contract with Argyle last May after completing a £75,000 transfer from another Hungarian club, Ferencvaros.
He has become a firm fans' favourite at Home Park after some commanding defensive displays this term.
Timar was The Herald's Argyle player-of-the-month for March, with Halmosi taking the award in each of the previous two months. Herald

From Yesterday: "Plymouth's Halmosi and Timar to QPR?

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Aldershot Town - Blue Square Premier Division Champions 2007/8
The name of Aldershot will return to the Football League next season after the Shots secured the one point they needed with a battling 1-1 draw at Exeter City.
Scott Donnelly equalised for the Shots on 42 minutes after Adam Stansfield had given Exeter a 39th minute lead.
A tremendous result in what has been an awesome season.
A full report will be online Wednesday - in the meantime congratulations to the magnificent Gary Waddock, his team of heroes and Shots fans everywhere.
898 Shots fans made the long journey to Devon to spur the lads on.
Bring on the Football League! Aldershot

Football League - ALDERSHOT SECURE LEAGUE RETURN
Fifteen years after winning the Diadora Isthmian League Division 3 title in their first season, Aldershot Town have secured their return to The Football League after winning promotion from the Blue Square Premier.

The club, under the guise of Aldershot Football Club, played their last match in The Football League in March 1992, but they were wound up just days after a match with Cardiff City and the new club, Aldershot Town, was formed a month later.

Aldershot's 1-1 draw with to Exeter City on Tuesday night meant they were able to pop open the champagne.

Adam Stansfield had given the play-off chasing Grecians the lead six minutes before half-time but it was shortlived, Shots' midfielder Scott Donnelly scored the all important goal three minutes later to ensure a share of the spoils and give the visitors the point they needed to clinch their promotion. Football League


BBC The rise of the phoenix By Pete Oliver

When Aldershot Town was formed following the demise of the town's Football League club, the new team incorporated the rising phoenix on its badge.

Sixteen years on, the bird has escaped the flames and in August the Shots will again take flight as a League Two club after securing promotion from the Blue Square Premier as champions.

John McGinty, one of Town's founding board members in 1992 and now its triumphant chairman, told BBC Sport: "Our ambition has never left us.

"We thought that the club was capable of supporting a League team.

"You've got to feel proud. I feel proud that I am the chairman that has taken Aldershot back into the Football League. That will be nice.

A flagon of rum given to the club when it formed in 1992 has been saved for their League return

Aldershot chairman John McGinty

"But it's been every man jack of us, lots of lads who have been with us and have left us along the way."

The long journey back started on 22 April 1992, less than a month after the financially troubled Aldershot FC had been wound up in the High Court and their records from the then Fourth Division expunged.

At a public meeting in the Royal Aldershot Officers Club, supporters were told that Aldershot Town FC (1992) Ltd had been formed.

Within two months a new board had been appointed, which included McGinty, Peter Bloomfield, who is still a director, Karl Prentice, who was chairman through the Shots' early years in the Conference, and Terry Owens, a former chairman of the Save Our Shots campaign.

Starting out in the Isthmian League Third Division but still playing at the Recreation Ground, the new Shots had five levels to climb through to make it to the League.

"I always thought we would get there and there were times when we nearly did," added McGinty.

After immediate back-to-back promotions, the Shots went up again in 1997 and in 2003 under the guidance of Terry Brown - only the club's fourth manager - they made it to the Conference (now the Blue Square Premier) and the top of the non-league ladder.

Twelve months later, only a penalty shoot-out defeat in the play-off final cost Aldershot their place in the League and in 2005 Brown's side again lost on spot-kicks in the semi-finals to eventual winners Carlisle United.

Such an opportunity was not to knock again for Brown, who left towards the end of last season following a serious illness to his wife.

But having come so close, McGinty was determined not to let the dream die and in October 2006 increased his financial support and stepped up from vice-chairman to take greater charge.

"Looking at the finances, that's what I felt needed to happen," said the 71-year-old, a supporter for the past 50 years and a successful businessman in the removal industry.

Critically, McGinty and his board also had to choose a new manager last summer and in Gary Waddock they hit on the right man.

"It's like putting your hand into a draw and you don't believe you will draw the winner and you don't believe the winner will be so good.

Waddock has placed an emphasis on youth in his side
"Gary Waddock has got a lot of burning ambition. I can see that in him. He has done such a good job and I am thrilled about it," McGinty said.

Waddock's previous management experience had come in an unsuccessful stint at Queens Park Rangers but given a second bite at the cherry the former Rangers, Luton and Millwall midfielder has excelled.

The 46-year-old and assistant Martin Kuhl, who previously worked under Brown, have nurtured a predominantly youthful squad which has won a remarkable 31 games and which is on course for a possible league record tally of points after dominating the title race.

"People here are very excited and the crowds are growing. But we have to be sensible with this and turn it into a business that is sustainable for the future, and not just a one-year thing," McGinty added.

The chairman wants to attract further investment to make the Shots a viable and progressive League club with no thoughts of the problems that dragged them down almost two decades ago.

There is much planning and work to do but in the meantime Aldershot can toast a deserved success.

A flagon of rum which the landlord of the Spotted Dog in Clapton gave to the club when it was formed has been saved for the day they sealed their League return.

And the draw at Exeter on Tuesday earned the Shots the point that made the return to the Football League a reality.

"It's a large step in our history," said McGinty. "We had to take a step back to the bottom part of the leagues and work our way through and now it is an unbelievable situation.

"A team that gets to the top of the league in October and stays there right the way through the season is a phenomenal thing." BBC

Also:

Ex-QPR's Gary Waddock Learned from QPR and Happy at Aldershot

April 2008 - Ex-QPRs: Gary Waddock's Aldershot Success Profiled & Waddock Comments...Nikki Bull Considering Staying at Aldershot

June 2007 - Gary Waddock Talks to Aldershot Fans

Waddock Talks About QPR and his Aldershot Plans

Gary Waddock (Officially) Appointed QPR Manager

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Teamtalk snippet from today's Daily Star:
"QPR boss Luigi De Canio will be given £2.5million to lure Plymouth's Hungarian duo Peter Halmosi and Krizstian Timar." Teamtalk

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How QPR and Others were Doing at Year's End

- On December 31, 2007, QPR had 27 points from 25 games.
- On December 31, 2006, QPR had 27 points from 26 games.
- On December 31, 2005, QPR had 32 points from 26 games (35 points after 27 games)
-On December 31, 2004, QPR had 33 point from 26 games (34 points after 27 games)

Championship League Table - December 31, 2007
West Brom 25 47
Watford 25 44
Bristol Cty 25 44
Stoke 25 42
Charlton 25 40
Plymouth 25 38
Crystal Pal 25 37
Hull 25 37
Ipswich 25 36
Wolves 25 36
Burnley 25 34
Cardiff 25 33
Barnsley 25 33
Southampton 25 33
Coventry 24 32
Sheff Utd 21 31
Blackpool 25 30
Leicester 25 27
QPR 25 27
Norwich 25 27
Scunthorpe 25 26
Sheff Wed 24 25
Preston 25 24
Colchester 25 22
END OF SEASON STANDINGS FINAL 2006/07 TABLE

Championship League Table -December 30, 2006
Birmingham 26 53
Preston 26 47
Derby 26 47
Southampton 26 44
West Brom 26 43
Colchester 26 43
Stoke 26 43
Cardiff 26 42
Sheff Wed 26 40
Wolves 26 39
Burnley 26 37
Sunderland 26 37
Plymouth 26 35
Coventry 26 34
Norwich 26 34
Ipswich 26 32
Leicester 26 32
Crystl Pal 26 31
Luton 26 30
QPR 26 27
Barnsley 26 26
Hull 26 24
Leeds 26 21
Southend 26 18
END OF SEASON - FINAL 2005-2006 TABLE

Championship League Table, - December 30, 2005
Reading 26 65
Sheff Utd 26 56??
Leeds 25 45
Watford 26 43
Crystl Pl 24 38
Wolves 26 38
Burnley 26 38
Luton 26 38
Stoke 26 37
Preston 25 35
Cardiff 26 35
Norwich 26 35
QPR 26 32
Southmptn 25 31
Hull 26 30
Coventry 26 29
Ipswich 26 29
Derby 26 28
Plymouth 24 27
Leicester 25 26
Brighton 26 25
Crewe 26 22
Sheff Wed 26 21
Millwall 26 19
END OF SEASON - FINAL 2004/05 TABLE

QPR FINISHES
With three games remaining, QPR now have 55 points from 43 games. Current Table.

In 2006-2007 QPR finished with 53 points

In the season before, 2005-2006 (the season Holloway started in charge; and Waddock finished in charge) QPR ended the season with 50 points.

And in QPR's first season back in the Championship, QPR got 62 points (a total QPR are unlikely to achieve this year, but hopefully will come close to) - and next season, G-d willing will surge past well before Easter! In their more than a decade since their Premiership relegation (three seasons of which, of course, were spent in an even lower division)QPR have yet to get more than 66 points in this Division.

Previous Seasons Finishes in this Division: [In 2000/2001, QPR's relegation season, QPR went down with 40 points. The season before, 1999-2000, under Gerry Francis, the team had gotten 66 points 1998/1999, saw Francis replace Ray Harford and stay up with 47 points. The season before that, 1997/1998 - a decade ago, in a season which saw Houston start and Harford finish, QPR again just stayed up with 49 points. Finally, QPR's first season after relegation (Wilkins starting; Houston finishing) 1996-1997, QPR finished with 66 points.


FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES - RELEGATED TEAMS FOR PAST DECADE

2006/2007
Queens Park Rangers 46 14 11 21 54 68 53
Leicester City 46 13 14 19 49 64 53
Barnsley 46 15 5 26 53 85 50
Hull City 46 13 10 23 51 67 49
Southend United 46 10 12 24 47 80 42
Luton Town 46 10 10 26 53 81 40
Leeds United 46 13 7 26 46 72 36

2005/2006
Queens Park Rangers 46 12 14 20 50 65 50
Crewe Alexandra 46 9 15 22 57 86 42
Millwall 46 8 16 22 35 62 40
Brighton & Hove Albion 46 7 17 22 39 71 38

2004-2005
Crewe Alexandra 46 12 14 20 66 86 50
Gillingham 46 12 14 20 45 66 50
Nottingham Forest 46 9 17 20 42 66 44
Rotherham United 46 5 14 27 35 69 29

2003-2004
Gillingham 46 14 9 23 48 67 51
Walsall 46 13 12 21 45 65 51
Bradford City 46 10 6 30 38 69 36
Wimbledon 46 8 5 33 41 89 29

2002/2003
Stoke City 46 12 14 20 45 69 50
Sheffield Wednesday 46 10 16 20 56 73 46
Brighton & Hove Albion 46 11 12 23 49 67 45
Grimsby Town 46 9 12 25 48 85 39

2001/02
Sheffield Wednesday 46 12 14 20 49 71 50
Rotherham United 46 10 19 17 52 66 49
Crewe Alexandra 46 12 13 21 47 76 49
Barnsley 46 11 15 20 59 86 48
Stockport County 46 6 8 32 42

2000/2001
Crystal Palace 46 12 13 21 57 70 49
Huddersfield Town 46 11 15 20 48 57 48
Queens Park Rangers 46 7 19 20 45 75 40
Tranmere Rovers 46 9 11 26 46 77 38

1999/2000
West Bromwich Albion 46 10 19 17 43 60 49
Walsall 46 11 13 22 52 77 46
Port Vale 46 7 15 24 48 69 36
Swindon Town 46 8 12 26 38 77 36

1998/1999
Portsmouth 46 11 14 21 57 73 47
Queens Park Rangers 46 12 11 23 52 61 47
Port Vale 46 13 8 25 45 75 47
Bury 46 10 17 19 35 60 47
Oxford United 46 10 14 22 48 71 44
Bristol City 46 9 15 22 57 80 42

1997/1998
Queens Park Rangers 46 10 19 17 51 63 49
Manchester City 46 12 12 22 56 57 48
Stoke City 46 11 13 22 44 74 46
Reading 46 11 9 26 39 78 42

1996/1997
Bradford City 46 12 12 22 47 72 48
Grimsby Town 46 11 13 22 60 81 46
Oldham Athletic 46 10 13 23 51 66 43
Southend United 46 8 15 23 42 86 39

Tables

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Update: A fairly comprehensive report of the AGM, by fan, Tracy Stent, which was posted on various fan boards - AGM Report


QPR Official Site - AGM - IN BRIEF

Annual General Meeting - Monday 14th April - Loftus Road, W12

In attendance: Alejandro Agag (Managing Director); Gavin Taylor (Chief Financial Officer); Gianni Paladini (Chairman); Ali Russell (Deputy Managing Director); Marco Rapini (Director).

The nine (ordinary) resolutions were as follows:

1. To receive and approve the Company's accounts and reports of the directors and the auditors for the year ending May 31st 2007.

2. To re-elect Flavio Briatore as a director.

3. To re-elect Bruno Michel as a director.

4. To re-elect Alejandro Agag as a director.

5. To re-elect Gavin Taylor as a director.

6. To re-elect Amit Bhatia as a director.

7. To re-elect Marco Rapini as a director.

8. To re-elect Gianni Paladini as a director.

9. To re-appoint Shipleys LLP as auditors.

All nine resolutions were passed.



The one (special) resolution was as follows:

1. To substitute the existing Articles of Association for the new Articles of Association.

The resolution was passed.

In general

AA addresses the floor, outlining brief plans for the future, both on and off the field.

AA explains that the Club was in a critical financial state before the new shareholder consortium arrived.

AA explains that the 'footballing' goal was to preserve our Championship status, and to build for the Premier League. A four-year plan was established and they are 'very satisfied' with the progress that is being made.

AA explains that the fans will play a 'crucial role' in the future of the Club.

AA explains that Queens Park Rangers Football Club will remain a private limited company. All minority shareholders will remain.

AA explains that the current approximate breakdown of shares is as follows: Sarita - 57 per-cent; Bernie Ecclestone - 15 per-cent; Mittal family - 20 per-cent; Flavio Briatore - 5 per-cent; Shareholders - 3 per-cent.

AA explains that there are currently 11 million shares in issue at 1 pence each.

Other issues

Season Tickets - AR explains that prices will increase in some areas, but a final decision on the prices has not been made yet. An announcement will be made in the 'coming weeks.'

Stadium Development - AA explains that there are on-going discussions with various parties regarding stadium development. AA explains that there will be changes in the summer, aimed at 'maximising revenues.'

Luigi De Canio - AA explains that the only reason Luigi isn't conducting press conferences in English is because he doesn't want to 'misinterpreted'. GP explains that Luigi is happy here and that stories linking him with a return to Italy because he is 'home-sick' are false, because he only has one member of his family in his country of birth.

Youth Department - GP explains that there are on-going plans to take the Youth Department into an 'elite' band.

Car Giant - AA explains that an 'amicable agreement' has been made with Car Giant to cease the partnership from next season. AA explains that the Commercial Department are in discussions with three or four interested parties regarding shirt sponsorship, but insists they will not sell cheaply.

Transfers - AA explains that there will be 'reinforcements' in the next transfer window and that GP is working on a number of 'exciting' deals.

Disabled Facilities - AR explains that the disabled facilities are a 'priority area' in the new stadium development plans.

Pre-Season Tour - GP explains that Italy or Spain are 'viable options' for a summer tour, but insists an announcement will only be made when contracts have been signed.

ABC Loan - AA explains that the ABC loan has not yet been re-paid, but talks are on-going with different parties to refinance the loan before the July 31st deadline. AA explains that a solution will be found before this date. QPR

Also: Past AGMs

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QPR's midfielder, Gavin Mahon makes Championship "Team of the Week" - (Technically, of course, Mahon is only on loan from Watford.)
Also making team of the week, Ex-QPR's Danny Shittu, now at Watford.
Team

OFFICIAL SITE - MAHON MAKES GRADE
R's midfielder Gavin Mahon has been named in the Football League's Championship Team of the Week.
The former Watford skipper produced a fine individual display in the 1-1 draw against Hull City on Saturday, perfectly complimenting Martin Rowlands in the heart of the R's midfield engine room. QPR

Full team
Hennessey
Jones Shittu Craddock Thatcher
Haynes Mahon Garvon Thornton
Macken Beattie

[Also: In League One, Team of the Week: Dougie Freedman - Team

Reminder of the very warm Watford words when Mahon joined QPR

Watford Official Site December 31, 2007 - MAHON'S LAST GOODBYE

FOLLOWING today's confirmation that Gavin Mahon will join Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers on loan, with a view to a permanent move, the midfielder has spoken to www.watfordfc.com about his time at Vicarage Road.
Mahon signed for the Golden Boys in March 2002 when Gianluca Vialli parted with £150,000 to sign him from Brentford. The tough tackling midfield man has since made over 200 appearances for the club.
Mahon has seen plenty of change during his time in Hertfordshire but first he looks back to when he initially signed for the Hornets.
In an emotional goodbye to the club he said: "I had been speaking to Ray Lewington and he said Watford needed a midfield player so Gianluca brought me in. I had been doing well at Brentford and Steve Coppell was good enough to let me go. It was great to have a high profile manager like Vialli come in for me and it was a dream move really."
Mahon made his debut against Crystal Palace but soon picked up a serious knee injury which saw him sidelined for a matter of months - after his return it was a while until he felt he gave a good account of himself for the Golden Boys.
"When I came back into the side I was playing out of position quite often, filling in at full back, and I don't think the supporters saw the real Gavin Mahon. I was getting a bit of stick but I managed to turn it around and show people what I could do."
Mahon was part of the Hornets side which reached the FA Cup semi final against Southampton at Villa Park and then he was rewarded for his hard work with the 'Player of the Season' award in 2003/04.
But there have been tough times too and he faced a difficult situation early on in his days at the club. With the club in dire straits financially the players were asked to take a wage deferral.
Mahon remembers: "I hadn't been at the club long and the Chairman called us all in to the gym for a meeting. At the time I just wanted the club to be safe, so we all decided to get through it and that saving the club was the priority. Then we went on from there and got to a couple of semi finals which made the club some money."
Things have changed drastically at Vicarage Road in the years since and for the ex-captain, who has enjoyed a promotion with the Golden Boys, expectations have risen dramatically.
"Things have changed considerably; the expectation now is so, so high. Financially the club is much better of. After those seasons of struggle it shows how far the club has come to surprise everyone and get promoted, play in the Premier League and reach another semi final last season.
"During those hard times, there were players coming and going all the time but thankfully I managed to stay."
Mahon has certainly turned out alongside a great deal of players and characters, so who would he pick out?
"It was clear from early on that Ashley Young had lots of ability, he didn't have any fear and you could tell he had a bit of class. Ashley's got two great feet and it's not surprising he's done so well. Jermaine Pennant was the same when he was on loan, you could tell straight away that he was a very good player.
"As for characters and people in the dressing room I would have to say Jordan Stewart. I had heard about Jordan before he came to Watford and I wasn't sure if I would get on with him but he is so bubbly, and you need characters like that in the dressing room. He always has a smile on his face and he is great to have around the place."
Boss Aidy Boothroyd has also had a huge impact on the Birmingham-born midfielder, but Mahon did initially fear he had failed to make the grade with the Yorkshireman.
"In one of Aidy's early games I got injured up at Stoke towards the end of the season. I was a bit worried that he would want to bring his own people in. But that summer we had a chat and he said he wanted me to stay and that I was his type of player.
"When we got back for pre-season we had a meeting and Aidy believed we would get promoted. Speaking to the other guys since then not everyone believed him at first, but slowly but surely during the season the belief started to come and then of course we eventually won promotion at Cardiff.
"I remember dreaming the night before about lifting the trophy and being up on the podium. We wouldn't have done it without Aidy so we lifted it together and it was a great day for everyone and the club."
Since then there has been further drama with a season in the Premier League and another FA Cup semi final appearance at Villa Park providing yet more memories for Mahon.
"The game with Manchester United was a great occasion again with the crowd, the flags and the scarfs, we started well but unfortunately got punished by an excellent team."
This season the Hornets came flying out of the blocks and were soon at the top of the pile, but now with the new year looming the promotion race is at tight as ever - and there will need to be another gigantic push from the Golden Boys.
With Mahon out of contract at the end of the season, Boothroyd had to make one of his toughest decisions to date and call time on his captain's tenure at the club.
Mahon added: "I had a chat with Aidy and he said he wouldn't be renewing my contract. I'm an experienced player and I've been involved in the game a long time so I have to move on. But I've kept on training and travelling with the lads and I've now got a fresh challenge.
"Watford have certainly got enough quality to get promoted. They need to get back to playing the Watford way at a high-tempo and express themselves on the field. We showed at Coventry and Norwich away that we can play football and I'm sure they'll go on to have a successful season.
"I went to the QPR game on Saturday and said my thanks and goodbyes to everyone - there are good players and people at the club.
"It was strange and even more so as Watford were playing my new team. Some of the lads I've played with for a long time now and the newer lads like Jobi [McAnuff] said they wanted to stay in contact with me, so I'm sure I'll be seeing them at some point."
With 2008 looming, it means new starts for Watford Football Club and Gavin Mahon. The club would like to thank Gavin for all his hard work during his time with the Hornets and wish him and his family all the best for the future. So it's goodbye to a great and loyal servant; one that true Watford people will never forget. Watford

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Today is QPR's AGM: The first of the new era (or more accurately, bringing to an end the old era.) As reported elsewhere, the recently-released accounts of course show another loss. (The Independent Rs site is the only site that has, to my knowledge, printed even any details of the latest accounts.) Further details, as they come online
[Past AGM Accounts information can be found at QPR1st and Boardroom Blues.]


Flashback to Five Years ago The Evening Standard (London) April 14, 2003
HEADLINE: QPR seeks £2m kick-start to revive flagging Fortunes
By Robert Lea QUEENS Park Rangers fans will be asked to put their hands in their pockets and raise up to £2 million for the cash-strapped Loftus Road club.QPR today admitted it racked up losses of £10 million in the past two seasons. The losses cover the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, during which the club was in administration after one of the more spectacular collapses among the stock market listed football companies. It came out of administration last summer after the sale of its sister rugby club London Wasps to Chris Wright, the former QPR chairman.Financial details reveal it was rescued after a £10 million cash injection from ABC Corporation, a secretive Bahamas-based trust that loaned the money secured on the club's Shepherds Bush stadium.That enabled the club to pay off Wright, who had bankrolled QPR from his own music-industry fortune, with a £3.5 million cheque. Wright, QPR's lifepresident, wrote off a further £3.3 million owed to him and waived his rights over the stadium - on which the loans had previously been secured.Wright's controlling shareholding has been given back to the club and is waiting to be sold to a prospective buyer.In the meantime, however, QPR finance director Paul English confirmed the club is looking to sell new shares. "Given the current negative investment climate in the City it is more likely to be aimed at our fan base," he said."We are actively seeking to raise the further capital to ensure the future of the company and club."Rangers made operating losses of £3.5 million last season despite slashing the players' and management's wage bill to £3.6 million from £6.8 million the previous season, when the club made an operating loss of £6.5 million.English said QPR would make further losses this season, though the underlying performance should improve.The Second Division club gets £1 million a season from tenants Fulham."


LAST YEAR: See - QPR's June 2007 AGM Reports
QPR1st Report of AGM. Also: QPR's 2007 AGM Also Clive Whittingham/Then-QPR Rivals Report

Flashback Two Years Ago
"March 2006: QPR Holdings Ltd -AGM Report
QPR1st: "March 19, 2006 - Tracy Stent represented the interests of the Supporters Trust at the Annual General Meeting of QPR Holdings Ltd ...Tracy has produced a report of the meeting ... - QPR 1st And QPR1st's 2006 AGM Report

Previous Reports

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Mirror/Lee West - FRAIZER: HULL CAN LEAD TO HEAVEN
Fraizer Campbell has vowed to return to Manchester United next season and force his way into the first team - but not before helping Hull clinch promotion.
The 20-year-old striker's 14 goals this term have put the Tigers well and truly in the hunt for automatic promotion.
Manager Phil Brown had hoped to sign Campbell on a permanent basis, but the lure of returning to Old Trafford is proving irresistible.
" I am contracted to Manchester United for another two-years and I can't say for sure what's going to happen there," said Campbell.
"But I've come out on loan this season and done quite well for myself and the team. I wanted to get some first - team experience and go back to United a better player.
"Hopefully, with the experience I've gained, I will be able to go and compete for a place in the first team at Manchester United.
"I know that it will be difficult because of the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo, but I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't go back and give it a try.
"I'm really enjoying it here at Hull and I would like nothing more than to help them get promoted because everyone here is top class ."
Hull are the only major city in England with a football team who have never been in the top flight.
Their four-game winning streak was checked by a stubborn Queens Park Rangers team that picked up a deserved point with a dogmatic performance at the KCStadium.
And with the prize of automatic promotion still there for the taking, Huddersfieldborn Campbell has urged his team-mates not to let this historic chance slip away.
Headded: "We've had a really good season but we have to seize this chance to get promoted because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - not just for the players but for the fans too.
"I think that we are still in the race for promotion as the results from the teams around us went for us.
"We have Barnsley on Tuesday in a Yorkshire derby but we will have to play the game and not the occasion."
Because of the Tykes' involvement in the FA Cup, Hull had not played a game for a fortnight.
Andthis seemed to dull their sharpness for much of the game. Campbell's sprightly play was their only redeeming grace.
But they were punished for their lacklustre start when Dexter Blackstock bundled home his third goal in four games.
Boaz Myhill had tried to stop Wayne Brown from putting the ball in his own net with a super stop but Blackstock was on hand to score after 14 minutes.
Indeed, there was some controversy as to whether the ball actually crossed the line, with even QPR manager Luigi De Canio admitting they may have been fortunate to get it.
He said: "I was shown the pictures of the goal and we were definitely lucky. It could have gone against us but that is football.
"In the second half both of our centre-forwards picked up injuries, and when you don't have that presence, it can be difficult to break out.
"We have problems in the treatment room and we are struggling with injuries.
"When you consider the fantastic results they (Hull) have had, this is not only a good result, but a deserved one."
Michael Turner swept home his fourth goal of the season in stoppage time after good work by substitute Caleb Folan to keep the Tigers' promotion charge on track.
HULL SHOW FIGHTING SPIRIT
BALL POSSESSION
51% HULL CITY
49% QPR
FACE TO FACE
Hull City 6 Corners 3 QPR
Hull City 3 Offside 2 QPR
Hull City 8 Fouls 18 QPR
1 Cards 1
SHOTS
off target
on target
MAN OF THE MATCH
Fraizer Campbell (HULL) 8
Pace and trickery made him Hull's main attacking threat
VILLAIN OF THE MATCH Martin Rowlands (QPR) 68 A laboured performance from the Rangers skipper.
NEXT THREE GAMES
HULL Apr 15 Barnsley (a)
Apr 19 Sheff United (a)
Apr 26 Crystal Palace (h)
QPR
Apr 19 Charlton 9h)
Apr 26 Norwich (a)
May 4 West Brom (h)
Mirror


SUNDAY TIMES/Alan Combes - April 13, 2008 Turner strike rescues Hull
A STRANGE affair was played out at the KC Stadium yesterday. There was so much confusion surrounding Queen’s Park Rangers’ goal that even their manager, Luigi de Canio, expressed his doubts.
“I was shown the pictures and I think we were quite lucky. I would say that overall we deserved a draw because we did try to play football throughout.”
Hull City manager Phil Brown was at a loss to explain the goal award. “We’ve kept clean sheets in our last four games and we did today. It was a great save and some poor defending by us, but Andy Dawson hoofed it off the line and the linesman said it was over. How could he be certain from that far away?”
Even so, Rangers dominated large portions of this game and were probably worth all three points. True, Hull’s goal was well-worked and beyond dispute, but it came on top of a laboured performance, hardly one for Hull to take strength from regarding their Premier League challenge. But it did demonstrate the influence of Fraizer Campbell, who played a key part in engineering their stoppage-time equaliser.

For large parts of a fairly sterile encounter, Rangers dominated. Gareth Ainsworth ran the show until Campbell was able to assert his influence. “We showed more bottle to get the ball down in the second half,” said Brown. There is a real feeling that Brown has cobbled together a winning combination. There are many factors in the Tigers’ rise, but there is no doubting the role of Campbell, a loanee from Manchester United. With 14 goals this season he, along with 39-year-old Dean Windass, has created a potent strike threat.
Ian Ashbee tried to fire up City from the outset with some deft passing from midfield, but it soon became obvious that the Tigers lacked their usual roar. It was Ainsworth who dictated the early terms with a neat header and a subtle ball to Patrick Agyemang, which Bo Myhill did well to hang on to.

In the 14th minute came confusion in the Hull penalty box. Myhill could only parry Wayne Brown’s header on to the post and Dexter Blackstock was on hand to stab at a loose ball. The linesman ruled that it had crossed the line and in near silence Hull trooped back to the middle, 1-0 down.

Myhill’s clearance work had looked nervous from the start and Rangers peppered him with opportunist shots. Wayne Brown also looked shaky and Agyemang’s pace unsettled him. Then a gallop down the right from Michael Mancienne caused panic in the Hull ranks until Myhill took command.

The only serious Hull incursion up to this point was an Andy Dawson free kick that Lee Camp turned over the crossbar. The Tigers were playing without method or composure and they had little answer to Ainsworth’s pace. When Campbell was nudged over in Rangers’ penalty area, Windass and Dean Marney were incensed at getting no award, probably because at that juncture it offered Hull’s only route to a score.

City began the second half by playing the ball along the ground and Campbell immediately looked more of a danger, forcing Lee Camp into a last-ditch save from his header. But salvation for Hull was at hand.

The tireless Campbell ran the ball down the inside right channel and fed the ball to Folan. For once his cross cleared the Rangers back line and Michael Turner was on hand to scoop the ball past Camp for a precious equaliser.
Star man: Gareth Ainsworth (QPR)
Player ratings. Hull City: Myhill 5, Ricketts 6, Turner 6, Brown 4, Dawson 6, Garcia 4, (Hughes 54min, 5) Ashbee 6, Marney 6, Pedersen 5 (Folan 61min), Windass 6 (Fagan 75min), Campbell 8
QPR: Camp 6, Mancienne 7, Stewart 6, Hall 7, Delaney 6, Ephraim 7, Mahon 6, Ainsworth 8 (Connolly 90min), Rowlands 6, Agyemang 7 (Balanta 81min), Blackstock 6 (Leigertwood 56min, 5)... Sunday Times


THE TIMES - Hull City 1 QPR 1
Michael Turner struck a late equaliser to salvage a crucial draw for promotion-chasing Hull City. Luigi De Canio, the Queens Park Rangers first-team coach, admitted that his team had been lucky with Dexter Blackstock’s controversial opener, which was deemed to have crossed the line by an assistant referee.

Phil Brown, the Hull manager, said: “There is no way on earth anyone can say for sure that the ball crossed the line.” But he was pleased with his side’s efforts, adding: “We showed desire and determination and a bit of bottle to get the ball down a bit more in the second half. Our second-half performance was good enough to get something from the game, but we were not at our best.” The draw leaves Hull two points adrift of the automatic promotion places in fourth position in the table.
The Times

HULL DAILY MAIL - Tigers News -Brown: City's dream is on course

City's disappointed boss Phil BrownPHIL Brown is adamant Hull City's push for automatic promotion to the Premier League remains on course ahead of tomorrow night's trip to Barnsley.

The City boss was left frustrated as the Tigers were held to a 1-1 draw by QPR on Saturday.

Only an injury-time goal from Michael Turner rescued a point in City's push towards the Premier League, keeping them two points adrift of the top two.

But with City's game in hand coming at Oakwell tomorrow night, Brown remains in positive mood.

"If anyone had said to me at the start of the season , we've got four games to go and we go to Barnsley knowing a win will take us into the top two, of course I would have taken it" he said.

"That's not just Phil Brown manager of Hull City either, any manager in the Championship would have taken that scenario.

"Of course we want to win every game but we've taken a point.

"That's good to see because when we weren't at our best, we showed that desire and determination not to get beat. That to me will be the key between now and the end of the season.

"There's some heart in that dressing room and I'm happy with it."

Saturday's draw with QPR ended a run of four-straight wins for the Tigers and kept them fourth in a desperately tight Championship promotion race.

Before Turner's late strike earned parity, City had been behind for much of Saturday's game to a controversial opening goal.

Dexter Blackstock's strike was cleared by Andy Dawson on the line but adjudged to be a goal by referee's assistant Graham Atkins.

"There is no way on this earth that anyone can actually give that" said a baffled Brown.

"It's completely inconclusive. If there's any doubt, then you cannot give it.

"I can't see how you can be because I've seen it from three different angles and none of them are conclusive.

"I'll hold our hands up to poor defending but after a great save from Boaz Myhill, Andy Dawson has hooked it off the line.

"The linesman is in the right position but you have to 100 per cent sure."

City returned to training yesterday ahead of tomorrow night's game and were due to check on the fitness of winger Richard Garcia.

The Australian was forced out of the QPR draw with a shoulder injury and is considered a doubt for the Oakwell clash.

Brown confirmed: "It looked like Richard popped his shoulder but I don't know to what extent. We'll not know until we get back to training." Hull Daily Mail


Also Earlier Match Reports and comments compilation:
- QPR's Hull Draw - Reports and Comments and QPR - Once Again - Concede Injury Time Equalizer at Hull

Times -Championship
Teams P GD Pts
1 Stoke 43 12 72
2 West Brom 42 29 71
3 Bristol City 43 0 71
4 Hull City 42 18 69
5 Watford 43 9 69
6 Crystal Palace 43 10 65
7 Ipswich 43 8 64
8 Wolverhampton 41 2 62
9 Charlton 43 6 61
10 Cardiff 42 5 60
11 Sheff Utd 43 3 60
12 Plymouth 42 8 59
13 Burnley 43 -3 58
14 QPR 43 -2 55
15 Preston 43 -3 54
16 Norwich 43 -9 52
17 Barnsley 42 -10 52
18 Blackpool 43 -3 50
19 Southampton 43 -16 50
20 Coventry 43 -13 49
21 Leicester 43 -2 48
22 Sheff Wed 42 -5 48
23 Scunthorpe 43 -25 39
24 Colchester 43 -19 37
Table

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Crew survive Chivas comeback - Columbus withstands late rally to earn home victory By Nathan Linton / MLSnet.com Staff

COLUMBUS -- After seeing Chivas USA storm back from a two-goal deficit late in the second half, Robbie Rogers' second goal of the game gave the Columbus Crew a wild 4-3 victory against Chivas USA at a cold Crew Stadium on Saturday night.
A 2-1 Crew lead at halftime exploded over the final 20 minutes when Rogers doubled the lead. But Jesse Marsch scored barely a minute later, then Paulo Nagamura tied the game, before Rogers whistled a drive from well outside the area through Brad Guzan's hands in the Chivas goal for the game-winner.

Chivas finished the game with nine men after Marsch and Francisco Mendoza were sent off right after the fourth Crew goal.

Chivas started the game with a couple of key components of their attack, as forwards Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian did not make the trip to Columbus due to injury.

Still, Chivas nearly struck first in the 12th minute when a bouncing through ball split the center of the Crew defense. Rookie Keith Savage, making his professional debut, ran on to the ball and would have likely netted his first MLS goal had Crew 'keeper Will Hesmer not charged out of the net and deflected the shot out of bounds.

Lighting problems delayed the game minutes later when several banks of the stadium lights went out, leaving the north end of the field much darker than the south, but after a brief conference both teams decided to continue play.

After the delay Chivas had another good opportunity on goal when Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven received a yellow card for a harsh tackle 25 yards from goal. The Chivas restart was headed back out of the box but defender Jonathan Bornstein hit a lob from 20 yards -- nearly catching Hesmer off his line, overshooting the goal by inches.

In the 25th minute the Crew drew first blood. Rogers raced down the left wing and sent a rolling cross into the middle of the box. Chivas defender Jim Curtin was tracking back to cover Alejandro Moreno and when the two collided referee Ricardo Salazar blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Guillermo Barros Schelotto stepped to the spot and drove the ball up the center of the goal past a diving Guzan.

The lead didn't last long however. Bornstein played the ball to Savage's feet 25 yards from goal, and the rookie turned and laid the ball off to a streaking Kljestan. He hit a curling shot that rocketed off his foot and never strayed off course, finding the upper right corner of the Crew goal.

Yet only two minutes later the Crew again took the lead. On the counterattack after a pass was broken up in midfield by Brian Carroll, Moreno played the ball into space ahead of Schelotto. Schelotto held the ball for a moment and as Guzan came out of his net, the Argentinean rolled a pass to his left where Moreno had continued his run. He kept his shot low and hard, finding the back of the net for the second time this year for a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute.

After the break, the Crew began to pile on the pressure, and in the 63rd minute nearly struck again. From some 25 yards straight out from goal, Adam Moffat hit a knuckling blast that never rose more than a foot off the ground, but was aimed dead center at the Chivas goal. Guzan seemed to be caught off guard, able only to kick out the shot at the last instant with his left leg.

Columbus finally broke through in the 71st minute. After Rogers made a hustling save to keep the ball inbounds and maintain possession for the Crew he was rewarded. Schelotto found Rogers racing down the left side, barely beating the offside trap. Rogers controlled the ball before slipping it inside Guzan and the near post for a 3-1 Crew lead.

Before Columbus could even finish celebrating the goal Chivas had answered. The Red-and-White beat a Columbus attempt at an offside trap when Paulo Nagumura split the Crew defense and put a pass right into the path of Jesse Marsch, who raced in alone on Hesmer and slotted it home.

Chivas then drew even in the 78th minute. Kljestan slipped the ball square to Nagamura outside the top of the arc, and the Brazilian hit a left-footed curling ball that again beat Hesmer as he dove to his right, flying into the upper corner of the net.

But the Crew took just four minutes to respond yet again. Danny O'Rourke sent a long ball out of the Crew half over a Chivas defender, directly to the chest of Rogers. Again he let fly from long range and the ball sailed right through the hands of Guzan though it was hit almost directly at him and the Crew were in the lead for the third time on the night.

Things got a bit chippy after that however. Mendoza committed a harsh foul right in front of referee Salazar, who immediately reached into his pocket and sent off the Chivas midfielder with a second caution in the game.

Immediately after the restart Kljestan committed another hard foul, and this time Salazar showed a straight red card for the tackle.

This time the way back was too far for Chivas, and for the first time ever Columbus had defeated the 2005 expansion team on their home field.

Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs...
Chivas USA -- Brad Guzan, Chris Pozniak (Eric Ebert 64), Jim Curtin, Shavar Thomas, Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza, Keith Savage (Maykel Galindo 46), Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Anthony Hamilton, Daniel Paladini, Lance Parker, Claudio Suarez

Columbus Crew -- Will Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Danny O'Rourke, Gino Padula, Robbie Rogers, Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat (Stefani Miglioranzi 88), Eddie Gaven (Ezra Hendrickson 92+), Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Alejandro Moreno.
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Evans, Andy Gruenebaum, Nicolas Hernandez, Andy Iro, Guilherme So - Columbus/MLS


Also in the MLS:

Could be Dichio vs Beckham Today.MLS

Meanwhile joining Dichio at Toronto: Ex-QPR Loanee, Rohan Ricketts - MLS

Victory for Steve Morrow's FC Dallas - Victory

Still without a Win for John Spencer (Assistant Coach) Houston Dynamos - Winnless

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With 3 games remaining, QPR are currently 14th with 55 points, which means QPR can no longer make the playoffs!. Table

People/Andrew Collomosse - 13 April 2008 TURNER EARNER
Hull 1 QPR 1

Michael Turner handed the Tigers a get-out-of-jail card with an equaliser as disappointed home fans were heading for the exits.

Ruthless Hull looked to be down and out after a first-half goal from visiting striker Dexter Blackstock but Turner struck in injury-time.

Caleb Folan got away down the right and when the cross came in, the Hull defender popped up in exactly the right place.

It was a goal that prevented the Tigers from slipping to a fourth home defeat of the season, and keeps alive the dream of automatic promotion with games at Barnsley and Sheffield United to come.

Former Bolton and Newcastle chief Sam Allardyce, an old pal of Hull boss Phil Brown, was among a crowd of over 22,000 hoping to see the Tigers take a decisive step nearer the top flight for the first time in their 104-year history.

And ex-England manager Steve McClaren, a former Hull player, was also present sitting alongside Rangers supremo Flavio Briatore.

But there was little for the big names to get excited about in a low-key affair Hull were looking for their fifth home win on the bounce, a run that had produced 13 goals without reply.

But instead they started badly and fell away in a first-half performance that belied their lofty status.

Rangers were sharper from the word go and might have gone in front in the 10th minute when Gareth Ainsworth sent Patrick Agyemang clear, only for Bo Myhill to deny him a ninth goal since moving from Preston in January.

But Rangers fans only had three minutes longer to wait for the opening goal.

Not for the first time, the dangerous Hogan Ephraim got away down the left and Hull defender Wayne Brown almost turned the cross into his own net.

Myhill managed to keep the ball out but was helpless when the ensuing scramble ended with Blackstock bundling the ball in.

Ten minutes later Myhill did well to palm away another Ephraim cross but there was a fleeting moment of hope for Hull in the 25th minute.

A 20-yard free-kick from Andy Dawson looked to be heading for the top corner only for Lee Camp to claw the ball away.

Hull were denied a penalty when Fraizer Campbell went down under a challenge by Damion Stewart seven minutes later, but it was a rare moment of hope for the lacklustre home side.

The Tigers were little better at the start of the second half as Rangers dominated through Martin Rowland and Gavin Mahon.

Henrik Pedersen hit a 58th-minute chance over, but that was the signal for Hull to get up a head of steam.

Folan headed wide in the 69th minute and four minutes later Camp fumbled a free-kick from Dean Windass but recovered in time.

Campbell then broke free only to shoot into the side-netting and in the 81st minute he headed on only to see Camp save the close-range follow-up header from Folan.

Five minutes of added time handed Hull a precious lifeline.

Turner had gone up for a free-kick from Dawson and even though the ball was cleared the defender hung around to grab the equaliser.

Hull: Myhill 6 - Ricketts 5, Turner 6, Brown 5, Dawson 5 - Garcia 5 (Hughes, 52mins, 6), Marney 5, Ashbee 5, Pedersen 5 (Folan, 60mins, 6) - *CAMPBELL 7, Windass 5 (Fagan, 75mins).

Qpr: Camp 6 - Mancienne 6, Hall 7, Stewart 7, Delaney 6 - Ainsworth 7 (Connolly, 90mins), *ROWLANDS 8, Mahon 7, Ephraim 7 - Agyemang 7 (Balanta, 80mins), Blackstock 7 (Leigertwood, 55mins, 6). Ref: G Laws 6. People

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - DE CANIO COMMENTS - POSITIVE THINKING

Luigi de Canio was determined to look on the bright side after watching his side held to a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Having fought back to clinch a draw in injury time against Preston the previous week, Rangers experienced the other side of the coin as Michael Turner's late strike cancelled out a first-half goal from Dexter Blackstock.

"Last week we ourselves lived through a tough game and managed to come out with a draw, today we were on the opposing side, so we must accept the result," De Canio told www.qpr.co.uk
"All throughout the game I never feared the team would lose, the way they were performing on the pitch.
"We must look to improve all the time and learn from games such as this one. Today we saw how important it is to have a squad of players who can step up when others are missing."
The QPR boss confessed he did not have a clear view of Blackstock's controversial 13th-minute goal, which the linesman ruled had crossed the line despite Hull protests.
"From my position on the bench, I really couldn't see it," admitted De Canio. "The linesman was level and, if he thought it was a goal, it probably was." QPR


SPORTING LIFE -BROWN HAILS HULL SPIRIT
Hull manager Phil Brown was philosophical after Michael Turner earned a point for his promotion-chasing team with a stoppage-time equaliser at the KC Stadium.

Turner cancelled out a controversial opener from Dexter Blackstock after 13 minutes to earn a 1-1 draw that keeps Hull in the hunt for a top-two place.

Although he admitted the Tigers were not at their sharpest after a two-week break without a match, Brown was happy with his side's "desire and determination".

However, he was left exasperated by the decision to award Blackstock the opening goal, and even QPR boss Luigi De Canio admitted that his team had been "definitely lucky" with the strike.

Blackstock scrambled the ball towards goal after Bo Myhill had parried an attempted clearance from Wayne Brown, and although Andy Dawson hacked the ball away, the assistant referee flagged for a goal.

"I've just seen replays of the incident from three different angles and it's completely inconclusive," said Brown.

"There is no way on earth anyone can say for sure that the ball crossed the line.

"We had a clean sheet and yet we've drawn 1-1!"

Brown refused to blame a two-week break since his team's last match for Hull's rusty display.

"When you are in a rich vein of form, you want the games to come thick and fast, but we are not using the break as an excuse," he added.

"I would have had to make five or six changes if we had actually played last Saturday.

"We showed desire and determination today, and a bit of bottle in the second half to get the ball down a bit more in the second half.

"Our second half performance was good enough to get something from the game, but we weren't at our best."

De Canio added: "We were definitely lucky to be awarded the goal, but we did deserve something from the game.

"In the second half both of our centre-forwards picked up injuries, and when you don't have that presence, it can be difficult to break out.

"We have problems in the treatment room, and we are struggling with injuries.

"When you consider the fantastic results they (Hull) have had, this is not only a good result, but a deserved one."

The visitors took the lead when former Hull defender Damien Delaney survived a handball appeal on the edge of his own area and broke away down the left.

Delaney found Hogan Ephraim, who delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. Brown diverted the cross towards his own goal, but although Myhill got a hand on the ball, Blackstock was on hand to claim the goal.

Myhill then had to be alert to palm away a looping header from Fitz Hall following a corner from Martin Rowlands, and the Hull goalkeeper produced another fine save to keep out a dangerous cross-shot from Ephraim.

Hull's Fraizer Campbell fired into the side-netting and then headed straight at Lee Camp with time running out.

However, in the first minute of stoppage time, Folan surged down the right and delivered a low centre, and Turner fired the ball home at the far post to score for the fourth home game in a row. Sporting Life


See Earlier Reports and comments of Hull 1 QPR 1

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QPR took the lead in the first half through Dexter Blackstock. Then in injury time, Hull got their equalizer. And THEN, Hull almost got a winner. Updated Table

Updated Minute-by-Minute Report

HULL OFFICIAL SITE - Turner Salvages A Point
A goal in added time from Michael Turner saw the Tigers take a point from a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Phil Brown selected the same side that beat Watford a fortnight ago with the only change coming on the bench as Ryan France replaced the ineligible Simon Walton.
Former Tiger Damien Delaney lined up for the visitors and was given a warm reception on his first return to the KC Stadium.
The opening stages of the game were evenly contested, although QPR created a half chance when Patrick Agyemang brilliantly controlled a long ball before firing a shot straight at Boaz Myhill.
QPR took the lead in the 14th minute in bizarre circumstances. A quick counter attack saw a low cross come in from the left which Wayne Brown almost turned into his own net. Myhill did brilliantly to keep the ball out but it ricocheted off a Rangers forward and off the inside of the post before Sam Ricketts cleared.

But the assistant referee flagged immediately to say the ball had crossed the line before Ricketts had connected and despite City's protestations, a goal was given.

It almost got worse for City eight minutes later when they struggled to clear a corner, Myhill just about preventing Agyemang from getting a clear header on goal.

Myhill then had to flip away Hogan Ephraim's cross as QPR began to dominate a lethargic-looking City side.

Hope for the Tigers came when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rangers 'D' on 27 minutes. Andy Dawson took it and forced Lee Camp to tip the ball over the bar before a free kick was awarded to the visitors from the resulting corner.

City had loud claims for a penalty waved away on 34 minutes when Fraizer Campbell appeared to be tripped in the box, but the referee was unimpressed.

Half Time: Tigers 0-1 QPR

The referee produced the first card of the game two minutes after the break as he booked Martin Rowlands for a challenge on Richard Garcia.

The Australian picked up an injury from that challenge and he was replaced by Bryan Hughes seven minutes later.

Despite looking a little more lively, City were struggling as an attacking force and were getting very little change out of the Rangers defence.

City's second change came on 61 minutes when Caleb Folan replaced Henrik Pedersen as City switched to a 4-3-3 formation.

An injection of pace from Campbell won City a corner on 69 minutes but Dawson's delivery was too strong. Moments later, Folan headed wide from Hughes' cross.

Campbell then won City a free kick when his run was blocked off by Michael Mancienne. Dean Windass took it, but Camp managed to save it at the second attempt.

Campbell was starting to cause problems for QPR and his shot on 75 minutes went just wide of the near post.

City then made their final change as Craig Fagan replaced the largely ineffective Windass.

A cross from Hughes in the 81st minute was well headed down by Folan into the path of Campbell, but his header was weak and well saved by Camp.

Fagan was booked seconds later for a foul on Gareth Ainsworth.

Camp's antics when coming out of his area to deal with a long ball had the City fans up in arms, but QPR were remaining strong at the back and rarely giving the home side a sniff.

The Tigers finally dragged themselves level as the game entered five minutes of added time. Campbell found Folan on the right and after running at Delaney, he crossed for Michael Turner, now playing as a forward, to tap home at the far post.

City were now looking for a winner and when Folan nodded down for Campbell, he could only scuff a shot into the hands of Camp.

Tigers: Boaz Myhill, Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Wayne Brown, Andy Dawson, Richard Garcia (Hughes 54), Ian Ashbee, Dean Marney, Henrik Pedersen (Folan 61), Fraizer Campbell, Dean Windass (Fagan 75).

Subs: Matt Duke, Ryan France, Bryan Hughes, Craig Fagan, Caleb Folan.

QPR: Lee Camp, Gavin Mahon, Damien Delaney, Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne, Gareth Ainsworth (Connolly 90), Martin Rowlands, Hogan Ephraim, Fitz Hall, Dexter Blackstock (Leigertwood 56), Patrick Agyemang (Balanta 81).

Subs: Matt Pickens, Kieran Lee, Angelo Balanta, Mikele Leigertwood, Matt Connolly.

Referee: Mr G. Laws.

Attendance: 22,468 - Hull


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - REPORT
An injury-time equaliser denied Rangers their first league double of the season as Hull snatched a point at the KC Stadium.
Dexter Blackstock was credited with the controversial 13th-minute strike that gave the Rs a lead they held for almost the entire game, but Michael Turner rescued the promotion hopefuls in stoppage time.
After his heroics against Preston, Gareth Ainsworth made his first start since early January, and was soon involved with a header that Bo Myhill dived to save.

Ainsworth then set up Patrick Agyemang, who turned his marker and forced another save from Myhill, but there was controversy when Rangers snatched the lead on 13 minutes.

Hogan Ephraim broke on the left and his low cross deflected off Turner, Myhill and the post, and Blackstock, who was following up, appeared to get the final touch.

Referee Graham Laws was unconvinced, but the linesman ruled that the ball had crossed the line, incurring the fury of the Tigers faithful.

Rangers roared into the ascendancy, with Agyemang and Ephraim finding holes in the Hull defence, but Lee Camp was called into action in the 25th minute, flinging out an arm to tip Andy Dawson's free-kick over the bar.

Fraizer Campbell then burst into the area, but went down under pressure and his appeals for a penalty were rejected by Laws as Hull's frustration mounted.

Rangers remained solid at the start of the second half, but were forced into a reshuffle when Blackstock limped off 10 minutes after the restart, to be replaced by Mikele Leigertwood.

Hull created a half-chance when Michael Mancienne's headed clearance fell to Dean Marney, but the ex-Rs loan player skied his half-volley into the stand.

At the other end, Ainsworth evaded Dawson and set off on a buccaneering run that took him into the penalty area, but his disappointing cross was easily cleared.

The home side threw on Caleb Folan as a third striker and his header, from a Bryan Hughes cross, flew just wide of the far post.

Gavin Mahon set up Ephraim, who tested Myhill with a 25-yarder, but Rangers found themselves under increasing pressure.

Camp held onto a free-kick from Dean Windass at the second attempt, while the nippy Campbell twisted free inside the box and fired into the side netting.

The visitors survived another scare as Camp kept out Campbell's header and, with Angelo Balanta brought on to play a lone forward role, they prepared to batten down the hatches.

And they seemed to have succeeded until the first minute of injury time, when Folan scampered down the right and crossed for the unmarked Turner to slam in the equaliser.

Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Ashbee, Turner, Windass (Fagan 75), Garcia (Hughes 54), Brown, Pedersen (Folan 61), Ricketts, Marney, Campbell.

Subs not used: Duke, France.

Bookings: Fagan 82

Goals: Turner 90+1

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Ainsworth, Blackstock (Leigertwood 56), Rowlands, Agyemang (Balanta 81), Ephraim, Hall.

Subs not used: Pickens, Lee, Connolly.

Bookings: Rowlands 48, Leigertwood 90

Goals: Blackstock 13

Referee: Mr G Laws

Attendance: 22,468 QPR


Teams: QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Ainsworth, Blackstock, Rowlands, Agyemang, Ephraim, Hall.
Subs: Pickens, Lee, Balanta, Leigertwood, Connolly.

Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Ashbee, Turner, Windass, Garcia, Brown, Pedersen, Ricketts, Marney, Campbell.
Subs: Duke, Hughes, France, Folan, Fagan.

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Mirror - ROCK-BOTTOM TO CALLING THE SHOTS Wadd an amazing trip back from oblivion Wally meets.. ALDERSHOT MANAGER GARY WADDOCK

Along a window-sill in the manager's office, the cards from well-wishers were more neatly aligned than Aldershot's ragbag offside trap.
Although it was approaching Christmas, they all wished Ian McDonald good luck in his new job, and the Shots boss knew he was going to need it in spades.
Two years after it had been rescued from financial collapse by 19-year-old property developer Spencer Trethewy, a Walter Mitty chancer later jailed for fraud, the club was hurtling towards insolvency.
Aldershot had just played out a bleak goalless draw with Doncaster - even though Rovers had arrived so late their pre-match meal had been a bottle of pop and a bar of chocolate from the petrol station next door to the Recreation Ground.
McDonald weighed up the odds, which were stacked against survival, and faced the music stoically.
"If we go under," he warned, "that could be it. The people of Aldershot may never see League football played in this town again."
Sure enough, the liquidators had their day. Three months later, inMarch1992, Aldershot became the first club to fold in mid-season since Accrington Stanley 30 years earlier and they ceased to exist.
By sunset tonight, however, McDonald's forecast could be proved gratifyingly wrong. Just 16 years after the grim reaper's visit, they are dead certs to reenter the Football League as Conference champions.
Five promotions after the club was reformed as Aldershot Town by a supporters' group and rebooted in the Isthmian League third division, they are just a heartbeat from completing the long haul back.
And when it happens, anyone with football's wider interests at heart should celebrate their makeover from Shots in the dark to the vibrant team for whom Gary Waddock could take the chequered flag against Burton this afternoon.
Forget Mickey Mouse franchises who take short cuts by abducting the heritage of a club in decline and rebranding it 65 miles away. Aldershot haven't just done it the hard way, they have done it the right way.
Four years ago, they were pipped on penalties by Shrewsbury in the Conference play-off final. But goodbye heartbreak - this time they are romping home, 15 points clear, and manager Waddock, 46, recognises the significance for the club that refused to die.
His first season in charge has been spectacular redemption after he was dismissed by QPR, 23games after succeeding Ian Holloway.
Waddock said: "Aldershot Town is a great role model for clubs who go bust and then rise from the ashes. To start all over again from scratch and reach the Football League in just 16 years would be an incredible achievement.
"If we make it, I will just be the manager who is lucky enough to have taken them the final step on that journey, but promotion this season would be a great tribute to the people who have rebuilt the club from nothing.
"It would be the greatest day of my career - and that's quite a statement for someone who played in an FA Cup final at 20 and who won 21 caps for his country (Ireland).
"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I will be forever grateful to the people at Aldershot for giving me the chance to deliver what would be an amazing feat.
"When things didn't work out for me at QPR, I could have been just another bloke who fell by the wayside.
"If we can bring League football back to the Recreation Ground I will be as pleased for chairman John McGinty, the town and people as for myself." Mirror

And Meanwhile Another Ex-QPR at Aldershot...Nikki Bull

BBC -Bull admits to a change of heart
Aldershot goalkeeper Nikki Bull says he is reconsidering his future at the Blue Square Premier champions-elect.
The 26-year-old announced in October that frustrations over contract talks last summer meant he would leave in May regardless of how well the club did.
He has now told BBC Southern Counties Radio nothing is decided: "I maybe said what I said back then a bit hastily.
"Once we get it won, we'll sit down. I think I'm one of 13 players out of contract so the club will be busy".
Aldershot need just four points from their remaining five games to win promotion back to the Football League.
And Bull is now glad he stayed: "One or two players may have left prematurely thinking the grass is greener. But as life always proves, the grass is never greener.
"I decided to stick it out through the bad times, and now hopefully I can come out the other end a league winner with Aldershot and part of the team that gets them back in the Football League." BBC

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David McIntyre - Ealing Gazette
COMPLETE RETHINK NEEDED ON DISABLED FACILITIES

QPR’s billionaire owners are being urged to improve the club’s dismal facilities for disabled supporters.

Fans who use the wheelchair enclosures at Rangers have encountered a host of problems over many years as their club has fallen further behind others in terms of provision for disabled spectators.

It is a longstanding and important issue inherited by the new Rangers regime, and one it is hoped they will address.

They certainly have the financial muscle to do so - and have wasted no time in seeking to upgrade other parts of Loftus Road.

Several million pounds will be spent on improvements this summer, with the front of the stadium along South Africa Road set to be renovated and significant changes made to the corporate and directors’ areas.

Now the club’s disabled fans – some of whom have supported Rangers home and away for many years – are waiting for confirmation that they will finally get a better deal.

QPR’s stadium and financial restrictions have inevitably been used as an excuse in the past.

But disabled Rangers fans who visit other grounds point out that even many hard-up lower division clubs – including League Two neighbours Brentford – manage to offer significantly better facilities and are generally more helpful.

There are at last plans in the offing to deliver long-overdue changes at Rangers, although disabled supporters have heard similar assurances before and can be forgiven for feeling cynical.

As well as many years of assurances that have resulted in little or no change, a number of Rangers’ disabled fans speak of their letters going unanswered and numerous problems supporting their team.

But the supporters’ trust, QPR 1st, are hopeful that the new board have the will as well as the obvious financial ability to act.

“QPR1st has worked with our colleagues in other supporters groups, as well as disabled supporters themselves, to ensure that the club is fully aware of the difficulties disabled supporters face,” said QPR 1st chairman Stephen Dedridge.

“The response we have received has been positive. We have been promised further consultation and we are confident that the club now has both the determination and the financial resources to sort this matter out.

“This is a problem the current board have inherited so we don’t want to be critical of them, but we will be if they do not address it.”

There are two wheelchair sections at Loftus Road; one in the corner of the Ellerslie Road stand and the other in the corner of the west paddock. Both are next to the School End of the ground in which away fans are seated.

A few of the many problems identified by disabled fans include:

Feeling isolated from the matchday experience and other QPR fans, sat furthest away from the Loft End in the poorest part of the stadium for atmosphere

Abuse and even coin-throwing from away fans

Feeling vulnerable when tempers between rival supporters flare and generally feeling like a “buffer” between home fans and away fans

Getting wet whenever it rains because the disabled sections are not covered by the roofs on each stand

Unlike at most other grounds, fans in the wheelchair sections at Rangers usually cannot sit with friends or family, who need tickets for the seating areas behind them in order to be nearby.

Getting refreshments unassisted is a logistical nightmare, as is getting around the club shop, while getting to the box office is impossible because it is inaccessible for wheelchairs.

The executive boxes, enjoyed by many fans if only as an occasional treat, is another no-go area because wheelchair access is again impossible.

Parents of severely disabled Rangers supporters have also encountered some appalling problems and fans who do not have season tickets find it increasingly hard to get to matches because of limited wheelchair space.

Ironically, QPR were one of English football’s pioneers when they incorporated a wheelchair section into their ground in the early 1980s.

But, as with several other aspects of the club, Rangers have stood still over the years and been overtaken.

Wheelchair facilities at Loftus Road are of virtually the same standard now as they were many years ago, while other clubs have made huge strides.

Rangers did look set to finally take action in 2005, when plans were drawn up to build a new wheelchair section in the School End – an option which has also been assessed by the current board.

Back then, a boardroom coup effectively led to a change of regime at QPR and the plans were later scrapped.

Financial reasons were again given, although the expected cost of the project – around £80,000 – was much less than was spent that summer on players who failed to impress.

The location of the current wheelchair sections is undoubtedly the most pressing problem, and a new facility away from the School End would bring wheelchair users into the main body of Rangers supporters on matchdays.

But as well as financial priorities, it is also presumed that fans who would be affected by such a change would be reluctant to give up their seat in order for a new wheelchair section to be created.

Club chairman Gianni Paladini is aware of the problems facing disabled Rangers fans and has spoken to them in the last year.

His hands were somewhat tied, particularly after the Monte Carlo-based group who owned Rangers prior to last year’s takeover stopped funding the club.

But with Rangers now cash-rich, with plans to spend more in the transfer market and improve other areas of the stadium, there can be no more excuses.

“QPR has both a moral and a legal duty to ensure disabled supporters are able to access the club's facilities,” Dedridge added.

“Unfortunately, in the past, the needs of disabled supporters have not been properly addressed and it now shows in a provision which is, frankly, of a poor standard.

“We look forward to the day when QPR does not merely meet the minimal legal requirements, but sets the standard for other clubs to follow.”

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BBC - Briatore wants a QPR super-brand
Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore say he wants to turn the club into a world wide brand.
Rangers have pulled clear of the Championship relegation zone following the investment of Briatore's group.
The Italian told BBC London 94.9: "I want to create an international brand and I believe we have the possibility.
"QPR is a very nice story, you start from the bottom and reorganise the club. It's much more sexy to take a Championship club up [to the top]."
The Renault Formula One boss began investing in the club in September 2007 with friend and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
The club were given a further cash boost when the family of the world's fifth richest man, Lakshmi Mittal, bought a 20% stake in the club.
Briatore added: "Already in India the Mittal family is with us and on our website we have many Indians talking with us.
"Every time I go to Formula One, people in the paddock say 'well done', it's great.
"In Italy people are talking about it. Every Sunday and Monday in the Gazzette Dello Sport is the result of QPR, in Spain Marca is talking about QPR , in Europe people are talking about QPR, in England everybody is talking about QPR. The name is great.
"People stop me in the street people and say 'thank you for saving QPR, thank you for saving my club', I believe if you do something like this it is nice." BBC

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QPR travel to promotion-chasing Hull - the Division's form team...
Hull's Statistics Month by Month .... League Table ... Hull's Results ...Hull's Squad


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: TIGERS
High-flying Hull City provide the opposition for the R's penultimate away fixture of the 2007/08 Championship campaign on Saturday afternoon.
Phil Brown's side currently occupy one of the four play-off berths in the second tier, but momentum is everything at the time of year, and for that reason alone, it would be foolish to yet rule the Tigers out of achieving an automatic promotion spot.
Brown's men have registered four wins on the bounce in recent weeks, and have suffered just one defeat in their previous seven Championship outings.
Yet while their recent 3-0 victory against fellow promotion candidates Watford may have made the rest of the division stand up and take notice of their startling progress, Brown, for one, isn't about to take anything for granted.
"We've given ourselves a good chance," he said, after goals from Michael Turner, Frazier Campbell and Caleb Folan brushed the Hornets aside.
"The confidence is there for everybody to see, and the fans can see what we are trying to achieve. The performance was a big bonus."
The R's were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline on their last visit to the KC Stadium.
Lee Cook saw red, as ten-man Rangers succumbed to late heartache in HU3. Tigers substitute Stuart Elliott bagged two goals in the final five minutes, after Dexter Blackstock had given Rangers the lead in first half stoppage-time.
Whilst Rangers' record at the KC Stadium doesn't exactly promise much, tomorrow's fixture has been selected as The Championship's main match for the Sunday morning ITV show - and that, at least, provides hope for Luigi De Canio's men.
A 4-2 victory at promotion chasing Watford and a stunning 3-2 win against Southampton in recent months has given ITV viewers - and Rangers fans in particular - every excuse to sit down in front of the TV on Sunday morning.
Whether that trend continues at the KC Stadium on Saturday remains to be seen?
QPR

Hull Official Site - Pedersen Raring To Go Again
Henrik Pedersen is itching to get back into action when the Tigers face Queens Park Rangers at the KC Stadium on Saturday.
After a two-week break, City will be looking to add to their four-match winning run knowing that victory could take them into the automatic promotion places for the first time this season.
"We're all looking forward to tomorrow and personally, I would have preferred it if we'd had a game last weekend as well," said Pedersen.
"We had the momentum with us, but we still do and we just need to make sure that we go into the game with the same attitude as we have done for the last four."
Despite manager Phil Brown allowing his players some time off last weekend, Pedersen says the Tigers have been at full speed in training this week and is adamant that nobody has let their guard down.
"This week has been a normal one for us in training. The manager gave us a couple of days off last week to recharge our batteries a little bit.
"That means we'll be going into the last five games a lot fresher."
Along with City, QPR are currently one of the form teams in the division and Pedersen is expecting a difficult afternoon.
"All games are tough in this league and that has been shown during the course of the season," said the 32-year-old.
"There are no games when you can turn up and just expect to win. But if we go into it with the confidence we've shown recently, we have a good chance of getting a win.
"There'll be another big crowd inside the ground tomorrow and it's always nice to play in front of them. The way they encourage us to go forward is always a help."
With plenty of games taking place in midweek having an effect on City's position, Pedersen admits it has been hard not to take notice, but he's happy that the situation is in their own hands.
"You can't help but look at the results, but we know that we don't need to rely on them.
"It's always nice when you can decide things yourself, but for the moment we have to take one game at a time. Hull

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As noted on the QPR Italia Blog QPR's Briatore talking about things (from a few weeks ago)

Sport
Home Chi siamo - Direttore Responsabile: Giuliano De Risi « ”(AGI/ITALPRESS) - Roma,3 mar. - “Al Queens Park Rangers cerchiamo di imparare. Quando abbiamo acquisito la societa’ i trasferimenti erano chiusi. Abbiamo perso le prime 10 partite, eravamo a 6 punti dalla penultima. Ora siamo qundicesimi, abbiamo recuperato su 12 squadre e ormai siamo salvi. Questo era il nostro progetto, adesso ci rafforzeremo per salire in Premier League”. Lo ha detto Flavio Briatore, co-proprietario del Qpr e team manager della Renault in Formula 1, ai microfoni di “La Politica nel Pallone” su Gr Parlamento. “Stiamo giocando molto bene - prosegue Briatore - se avessimo tenuto la media delle ultime partite saremmo nei play-off. De Canio e’ una persona normale e ho detto tutto. In questo mondo vedi gente che guadagnano cifre fuori da ogni regola. De Canio e’ normale e fa molto bene. Abbiamo bisogno di 22 giocatori, qui ci sono molte partite, poi infortuni, ci vogliono due giocatori per ogni ruolo. Il nostro e’ un campionato difficile, molto duro. Ci sono tantissime partite”. Sul campionato italiano, il giorno dopo il primo ko dell’Inter, Briatore spiega: “Ho visto la gara di Napoli in tv e credo che dispiace ai tifosi interisti ma fa piacere al mondo perche’ si riapre il campionato. Il Napoli ha fatto la gara della vita, l’Inter no. Credo che questo fa bene al calcio. Sono tifoso juventino e bisogna ricordarsi che la Juve e’ arrivata dalla serie B per cui ci puo’ anche stare perdere con la Fiorentina che ha il piu’ bel progetto d’Italia, a lungo sara’ vincente”. “Se nella Juve non ci fosse la vecchia Juve sarebbe da retrocessione. C’e’ Buffon, Del Piero, c’e’ Trezeguet. La ‘nuova’ la vedo male perche’ ieri credo che Buffon ha parato molto bene. Un portiere cosi’ ti da’ 20 punti. Sta giocando la vecchia Juventus, della nuova non c’e’ molto. Giraudo? Non parla con me della Juventus ma credo che sia una cosa che non gli interessa, un argomento diverso. Si parla del Qpr, e’ un nostro tifoso, ma della Juve non se ne parla”. Briatore e i salari dei calciatori. “Insieme dovremo mettere un limite agli stipendi dei giocatori, non chiedono soldi con la pistola, siamo noi a darli. Ci vuole un gap, inutile aumentare le partite e le coppe. Chi piu’ ci guadagna sono i giocatori, le societa’ devono sempre aumentare la panchina. E’ uno sport molto faticoso fare calcio ma sono persone molto ricche per cui arrivi ad un punto che i calciatori molto ricchi corrono un po’ di meno, spendiamo cifre che non hanno senso in base ai risultati. Collaborazione con Luciano Moggi per il Qpr? Moggi vive in Italia, non ho nulla contro di lui, ma se un giorno torna a fare il lavoro che faceva non ho problemi. Abbiamo il 90% di giocatori inglesi al Qpr, per cui c’e’ la politica sui giovani. Ma se ci fosse da collaborare con Moggi avrei zero problemi”. Briatore e l’ennesima “Cassanata”. “E’ cosi’, se non riesce a cambiare, deve ad un certo punto decidere cosa fare da grande. Ieri il gesto era gratuito, la colpa sembrava dell’arbitro ma distinguerei le due cose”. (AGI/ITALPRESS)

English Web "Translation" vis Alta Vista's Babel Fish

Babel Fish Translation
Sport Home Who we are - Responsible Director: Giuliano De Risi "MOTION: GP QATAR, RED "GREAT SFIDA"BASKET WAITS FOR US ONE: NATIONAL, RECALCATI "I WANT PEOPLE MOTIVATED And DECIDED" "SOCCER: BRIATORE "AGO APPEAL TO TO SEE REOPENED CHAMPIONSHIP" (AGI/ITALPRESS) - Rome, 3 mar. -

"To the Queens Park Rangers we try to learn. When we have acquired the society the transfers were sluices. We have lost the first 10 games, we were to 6 points from the penultimate one. Hour we are qundicesimi, we have recovered on 12 squares and by now we are knows to you. This was our plan, now will be strengthened in order to go up in Premier League ". It has said Flavio Briatore, Co-owner of the Qpr and team manager of the Renault in Formula 1, to the microphones of "Politics in the Football" on Gr Parliament. "we are playing much good - Briatore continues - if we had held the average of the last games we would be in the play-off. De Canio e' a normal person and I have said all. In this world you see people that they earn figures outside from every rule. De normal Canio e' and ago much good. We have need of 22 players, there are many games, then accidents, want two players to us for every role here. Ours e' a difficult championship, much hard one. Tantissime they have left ". On the Italian championship, the day after the first one ko of the Inter, Briatore explains: "I have seen the contest of Naples in tv and creed that dispiace to the interisti tifosi but ago it appeal to to the world perche' reopens the championship. Naples has made the contest of the life, the Inter not. Creed that this does good soccer. They are tifoso juventino and must remember that the arrived Juve e' from the B series for which us puo' also to be to lose with the Fiorentina that has piu' the beautiful plan of Italy, to along sara' winning ". "If in the Juve not there were the old Juve would be from demotion. There e' Buffon, Of the Piero, there e' Trezeguet. The ` nuova' I badly see perche' yesterday creed to it that Buffon has adorned much good. A porter thus you da' 20 points. The old Juventus is playing, of the new not there e' a lot. Giraudo? It does not speak with me about the Juventus but creed that is one what that does not interest to it, a various argument. It is spoken about the Qpr, e' a our tifoso, but of the Juve not if of it it speaks ". Briatore and the salaries of the soccers player. "Entirety we will have to put a limit to the wages of the players, we do not ask moneies with the gun, we are to give them. And the goblets want a gap, useless to increase us to the games. Who piu' earns to us is the players, the societies must always increase the park bench. E' a sport much laborious one to make soccer but is rich persons much for which arrivals to a point that the rich soccers player much run a little less, we spend figures that do not have sense based on turn out to you. Collaboration with Luciano Moggi for the Qpr? Moggi alive in Italy, I do not have null against of he, but if a day returns to make the job that it made I do not have problems. We have 90% of English players to the Qpr, for which there e' politics on the young people. But if there were from collaborating with Moggi I would have zero problems ". Briatore and ennesima "the Cassanata". "E' thus, if it does not succeed to change, must to a sure point to decide what to make from large. Yesterday the gesture was free, the guilt seemed of the arbitrator but I would distinguish the two things ". (AGI/ITALPRESS)
Babel Fish

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Fifteen years ago, yesterday: April 10, 1993, Les Ferdinand finally scored his first hattrick for Gerry Francis' QPR....Fifteen years ago, tomorrow: April 12, 1993, Les Ferdinand scored his second hattrick for QPR!
April 10, 1993: QPR 4 Nottingham Forest 3 - Ferdinand hattrick and Clive Wilson Penalty.
Then two days later, it was Everton 3 QPR 5. Ferdinand, three more; Impey and Bardsley the other scorers.
QPR's team for both games (with Barker coming on as sub against Everton):
Roberts
Bardsley McDonald Peacock Wilson
Impey Holloway Wilkins Sinton
Allen Ferdinand

In 1992-1993
QPR finished that sason in 5th place

QPR's Scorers in 1992/1993

QPR's Players in 1992/1993

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If it happens and if rumours of a Shittu return to QPR, turn out to be true, it might be of more than just "ex-QPR" interest. If he is called up, he'll miss the beginning of next season.

Nigeria put English-based defenders on Games standby
(Reuters) - Nigeria have put two overage English-based defenders on standby to be in their squad for the soccer tournament at August's Olympic Games, the Nigerian Football Association said on Thursday.
Coach Samson Siasia said he would add three overage players for the Beijing Games to the under-23 squad that qualified for the 16-team tournament last month.
Everton defender Joseph Yobo and Watford's Danny Shittu, who are 27-years-old, were named on a shortlist of seven, meaning they could miss the start of the next English season.
The Olympic Games are scheduled for August 8-24.
FIFA regulations do not oblige clubs to release players for the Olympics but Sepp Blatter, president of soccer's governing body, has asked for cooperation if players are selected.
Siasia's other possible overage choices are Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie, Ike Uche of Spanish club Getafe, midfielder Yusuf Ayila from Dynamo Kiev and goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Vincent Enyeama.
Siasia last week discounted taking Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who qualifies to play for the under-23s but ignored several call-ups in the qualifying campaign..." Guardian

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The Columbus Dispatch - By Shawn Mitchell -
Crew: Argentine journeyman sees land of opportunity

Gino Padula has been in town less than a week and has yet to visit a Meijer on a late-night run for some Ruffles, razor blades or a yard rake, but he is already impressed with the possibility.

The defender, acquired by the Crew in March, is looking forward to some 24-hour American consumerism after a professional career that has taken him from his native Argentina to Spain, England, France and now the United States.

"When I moved to England, I remember at 3:30 in the afternoon it was dark and all the shops closed at 5 p.m.," he said. "It's very difficult for a family because you have to stay at home. Here, we can go to the cinema, go shopping, eat something, you know?"

Padula, 31, is married and has a 6-month-old daughter. Family and "football" are his life. After assurances from Crew Argentines Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Nicolas Hernandez and a contract offer, he signed to play in a country he had never before visited.

Crew coach Sigi Schmid said the week Padula spent training with the club during a preseason trip to England sparked mutual interest.

"Having Guillermo on the team and Nico with us, I think he felt comfortable," Schmid said. "After that, it was an easy sell."

Padula, a left back, began his career in Argentina before moving to Spain and later England, where his most productive years came from 2002 to 2005 with Queens Park Rangers. He then spent an injury-slowed season with Nottingham Forest before moving to Montpellier of the French second division in 2007. He fell out of favor there after a coaching change last April and his contract was terminated after his trial with the Crew.

That suited Padula, one of 19 Argentines currently playing in Major League Soccer. He and his Spanish wife speak English and were unhappy with the language and cultural barriers in France. Family-friendly Columbus was appealing.

"Maybe you live in Columbus and it's not like New York, but if you are happy, that's it," he said. "In France, we couldn't communicate well. But when you speak the language it's very important for football and for your life."

According to ESPN.com, Padula has made only six professional starts since the end of the 2005 season but might make his first with the Crew on Saturday against Chivas USA. He spent three weeks after leaving Montpellier awaiting a visa and has been on the field with the Crew only a few days.

Padula looked fit during practice Tuesday but was to undergo a fitness evaluation yesterday.

"I'm not 100 percent," he said. "You can train three times a day, but if you don't play football it is not the same."

smitchell@dispatch.com
Gino Padula file

• Pos . : Defender

• Size: 5 feet 9, 167 pounds

• Age: 31

• Hometown: Lanus, Argentina

• Notable: Has played professionally in England (Nottingham Forest, Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Walsall, Bristol Rovers), Argentina (River Plate, Huracan), Spain (Xerex) and France (Montpellier) Columbus Dispatch

See Also: QPRNet Interview with Gino Padula (October 2006)

Also: Padula Playing Career

Padula Career/Profile - Wikipedia

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Another great profile and interview by the QPR Official Site. This time: the #1 QPR Hero, for many, many people: Stan Bowles!

QPR Official Site - BLAST FROM THE PAST


The number 10 shirt has always been a symbol of the unique style and charisma of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

And no one wore that shirt with more distinction than Stanley Bowles. A perfect 10 in every way, he had fantastic football skills and was a real colourful character on and off the pitch.

Bowles signed for £112,000 from Carlisle United in September 1972. He went on to make 315 appearances for the R's and scored 97 goals in our glory years at the highest level.

His dribbling technique was genius-like with a left foot that could unhinge any defence. And the Manchester-born maverick typified that carefree era at Rangers by always playing with a smile on his face.

Bowles said: "The 70's were especially good for me because they sparked off my career. I was just lucky wasn't I? Football came naturally to me. I had a laugh every day whatever happened. That was how I liked it, to tell you the truth.

"I particularly enjoyed my time at QPR, because the Club really started to take off as well. We won promotion from the Second Division in my first season. And in the mid-70's, we probably had the best team in the country without a doubt."

Bowles was the jewel in the crown for our League Championship challenge of 1975/76 and he recalls the run-in vividly, as Rangers just missed out on the title by a point.

"With five games to go, we were 5-1 on to win the League," he said. "That has never happened before or since in QPR's history!

"I remember the last game of the season against Leeds. It was sold out with 31,000 fans there at Loftus Road. We won 2-0 and we all threw our shirts into the crowd at the end. We had finished our fixtures on top of the table and we were Champions for 10 days. Then Liverpool overtook us by winning their final match 3-1 at Wolves.

"All the Rangers players were invited to a television studio to watch that decisive clash at Molineux. But I walked out during the second half. It was 1-1 at the time and I could see that Liverpool were getting on top. I just couldn't handle watching it."

The R's dished up a unique brand of pure 'total' football that season. The precise passing would begin from the back and would invariably end with our gifted number 10 weaving past a couple of defenders before curling the ball into the top corner of the net.

Bowles loved being part of the attack-minded Rangers side, as it provided a perfect outlet for his vibrant flair.

"Our pattern of play was all down to Dave Sexton. He was definitely one of the best Managers I came across in my career. He had us playing patiently out from defence and it really worked well. We never smashed it up in the air. The defenders would just give the ball to someone who could create openings and that was the name of the game.

"QPR were the most entertaining team in the League by a mile. When we played midweek fixtures, you would always see different Managers from Clubs all over the country sitting in the stands. They came to watch us play because they knew something would happen. And they were never disappointed as we had a team that could produce the goods in every game.

"Personally, I had a special understanding on the pitch with Gerry Francis. He was a marvellous captain for QPR. It only took us a couple of training sessions before Gerry and I both knew exactly what the other was going to do. That made things a lot easier in matches."

After just missing out on winning the League, Rangers embarked on a sparkling campaign in the UEFA Cup in 1976/77. We had stunning victories over Brann Bergen, Slovan Bratislava and FC Cologne, before losing to AEK Athens in the quarter-finals in a penalty shoot-out.

Bowles hit the net 11 times in that Cup run - breaking the record for the number of goals scored by a British player in European competitions in one season.

"I really liked it against the foreign teams. I found it quite easy. We had beaten a number of Continental sides in friendlies the year before so we knew we were on to something good when we entered the UEFA Cup.

"Our tactics definitely suited European matches. We used to hit people on the break and we were very good at getting forward. It was made to measure for that season in Europe."

The great Rangers team broke up shortly after that and Bowles moved on to Nottingham Forest in December 1979 for £250,000. He later finished his career at Leyton Orient and Brentford.

But it was in Shepherds Bush where 'Stan The Man' relished his best playing days and won five England caps. He is still idolised by the fans here as one of our all-time legends. And when Bowles, now 58, returns to Loftus Road to watch the R's, it is not uncommon to see grown men rush up and throw their arms around him in adulation.

"It means a lot to me that the R's supporters always treat me really well.

"I have a true love for QPR, because they kick-started my life in football and I am proud that I was able to play my part as Rangers became a better Club in the 1970's," he concluded. QPR

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Inquest for QPR's teenage forward, Ray Jones, who was killed in a car crash last August.

Mirror - STAR'S 'DEATH DRIVE' 10/04/2008
A football star would be facing death by dangerous driving charges had he not been killed in a triple-death crash, an inquest heard.
Promising QPR striker Ray Jones, 19, sped over a pedestrian crossing on the wrong side and hit a double-decker bus head-on.
The player - said to have had the "world at his feet" - died with two passengers, Jess Basilua and Idris Olasupo, both 17, in East London, 23 days after passing his test.
Coroner Dr Elizabeth Stearns said his driving that night in East Ham fell "far below" expected standards.
She recorded a verdict of accidental death on Jones at the Walthamstow inquest but ruled the passengers were unlawfully killed. Mirror

August Reports of Ray Jones Death

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One year ago, the various Fans groups, meeting as the "Fans consultative Group" met with QPR Chairman Paladini and others on the QPR Board. Below are the minutes of that meeting as published on QPR's Official site. ..Things have certainly changed: Just a few months later, the club was looking to a new, very different era as it came under "new management."

QPR Official Site - Fans Consultative Group Meeting

FINAL MINUTES -
QPR Fans Consultative Group Minutes - Meeting Two - Tuesday 10th April 2007 - 6.30pm - Loftus Road

The following are the minutes taken from the second QPR fans consultative group meeting, which was held at Loftus Road on the night of Tuesday 10th April.

In attendance: Gianni Paladini (GP) Chairman, QPR FC ~ Nick De Marco (NDM) for second part of the meeting, Director, QPR FC ~ Kevin Steele (KS) Director, QPR FC ~ Pat Harrison (PH) Official Supporters Club ~ Karen Hampshire (KH) Official Supporters Club ~ Stephen Dedridge (SD) QPR 1st Supporters Trust ~ Tracy Stent (TS) QPR 1st Supporters Trust ~ John Reid (JR) Loyal Supporters Association ~ Mark Dunbar (MD) Loyal Supporters Association ~ Victor Stevenson (VS) Friends of QPR ~ Spencer Schwartz (SS) Friends of QPR ~ Dave Anderson (DA) Rebuild QPR.

TS explained that NDM was running late due to being unavoidably delayed down on the south coast, and it was decided upon by those present for TS (and SD) to chair the meeting in the interim until NDM arrived.

The agenda was a full one, and with items having been forwarded by various fans, it was suggested that the meeting be kept on track by discussing each item without too much chit chat in between, and as per the initial meeting, it was agreed for TS to take the minutes, and when drafted for them to be circulated amongst those present, and once approved by those in attendance to be posted on the various outlets, including the official website first.

There were two representatives from each of the groups, and once again, Bev from the Official Supporters Club was present to impart her experience in relation to the disabled fans. There was also representation from Rebuild QPR in Dave Anderson, who is part of the Rebuild coalition with his A Kick up the R's fanzine representation.

We hope the following is an interesting and enjoyable read for QPR fans everywhere.
As alternate Chairs and minute taker, we'd like to thank everyone that made the effort to attend this meeting.
TS, SD and NDM.

GP started off proceedings before going onto the agenda items, by saying that he'd like to put the record straight on a couple of matters, beginning by talking about the Gino Padula contract, saying that he had taken the blame for this, that Gino had wanted to buy a house in the area to settle down and that he (GP) had been naïve in trying to help Padula. He maintained that the club is in a better position that it was before than when we'd had a CEO, and from when the club had a chairman who had been one of the richest men in England, going on to state that the investment in the club is ten times more than it was back then.

He then spoke about how it had been reported in one of the papers about him criticising QPR fans about bucket collections, stating that he had said that fans should have not been put in that position with buckets; that they should not have had to do that; and that to have allowed fans to do this was humiliating.

PH said that in the past she has been a fan that has participated in bucket collections for charity etc and that she had never found it demeaning. GP said that he accepted that for charity that is fine; to raise money in this way for the youth team is fine; but for the fans to have found themselves in the position of going out with buckets to buy a player was, he felt wrong.
It was pointed out that other clubs have player funds. VS said he could see what GP was saying in that clubs (fans) shouldn't need to go out to do this type of thing and a discussion took place about how the club has been under the media spotlight for some time now, most of it in a bad light, with SD suggesting that sometimes the media take things out of context and that the club with its relationship with the such outlets need to be more media savvy.

GP stated that there is not anything he would not do for the supporters, saying that if someone were hard up/having troubles, he would help that person out by letting their child be mascot, or whatever he could do to help. At this point, Bev said at the last home game, whilst talking to the mother of a child with learning difficulties, she learnt that the mother had been promised that her son could be a mascot at the Stoke game by someone who now no longer works for the club, and was concerned about this as she did not know who to speak to. GP said that the child could definitely be a mascot and Bev will liase with GP, the club and the mother of the child.

1. Apologies for absence and matters arising
There was an apology for late arrival from NDM. TS explained that there were a few items from the previous agenda that the club had said they would look into, and that such questions had been incorporated within the various sections in relation to such items in the agenda.

2. Football
2.1 What is the transfer kitty for the summer likely to be?
GP and KS said they did not know yet with GP saying that football is a game of chess, which takes an element of bluff, and with the need to keep certain things close to the chest.

2.2 Does Lee Cook still have a £10 million value attached to him?
GP said that when the comments about £10 million were made he was trying to maximise the most for the player. As things stand, the club does not know if Lee will be leaving. As regards his injury, he has a sore knee and obviously cannot wait to get back into first team action.

2.3 Will Gallen come back from loan?
GP said that Gallen will be a free agent in the summer and that it is down to John Gregory. It all comes down to player salaries, but that JG is looking to bring in fresh players.
It was suggested by some in attendance that Gallen be given some kind of recognition for all his years of service to the club, not necessarily financial, especially taking into account that he was usually prepared to turn up for various fans group events and children's parties etc.

2.4 Ballboys at Loftus Road. Following the suggestion at the last meeting, has this idea been taken any further?
GP said it had been spoken about but that it is a health and safety issue with the risk of injuries to youngsters around the pitch.

2.5 Are we will still playing Witney United on 30th April? It is on their website but not on ours.
GP said the game with Witney would not be going ahead, that it was merely a word of mouth thing and that Ian at the press office has been asked to get in touch with Witney to inform them. It was pointed out that it is this kind of thing which yet again leads to bad communication, which then brings the club bad publicity, though it was also agreed by others that taking part in friendly games when the club is involved in a relegation battle is not exactly useful under the current circumstances.
An announcement about this should be on the official website asap.

2.6 What is the current position on Richard Hill?
GP said he is not coming back and that he had been taken on initially on a weekly basis.

3. Season tickets
Next season's season ticket info will be advertised at the Cardiff game. As discussed at the last meeting, there will be reductions in all areas, with the children's prices staying the same. There will be an early bird offer up until the end of June. When asked if this offer will be sent/dispatched to lapsed season ticket holders on the club's database, as raised at the last meeting, GP said this will be done.

He then spoke about the need to having to make sure the club makes enough revenue from this, going on to say that to attract players we need more money. A discussion was held about this, with the money from the premier league being distributed to the leagues below as derisory by those in attendance, and with JR saying how there needs to be a much more fairer distribution. GP said that one thing he is trying to do is to get together with other chairmen of football league clubs to lobby the authorities in asking them to extend the money more fairly down the pyramids.

It was agreed that getting back the lapsed/lost fans is a must and that with everyone at the club, from the players, to the manager, to the fans, all doing their bit in creating a feel-good factor about the place, this must carry on for next season.

3.1 Players contracts and Dean Parrett
A discussion also then took place about players' contracts with GP saying he was angry still about the Dean Parrett situation. He stated again that the club had not wanted him to go but that the big clubs call the shots in such situations. He said that neither the parents nor the lad had asked him/John Gregory for a better deal; that John Gregory had offered Dean a scholarship with us; and that the club had received a straight £1m from Spurs (which had gone to the taxman) but went on to hint that there is more to it but that he could not say anymore at the current time.

4. The ground
4.1 Access to and use of the blue and white bar from the ellerslie road stand. Has this been reviewed?
Bev informed that in the Season Ticket - Rules & Regulations 2006/2007, number 21 - it states that as there is no Bar as such in Ellerslie Road: "At the conclusion of the match only, Members and Season Ticket Holders in Ellerslie Road will be permitted to pass through to the Loftus Road stand for the purpose of using the Blue & White Club Members Bar".
Richard Turner (Security Officer) and Steve Pike have confirmed they will ensure stewards are made aware of this.

4.2 Supporters who are unable to buy a programme before a game often go in the clubshop after the match to see if they can buy that day's programme, only to be told that they will not be made available in the shop until a later date. Is there any way that they can be made available in the clubshop immediately after the game?
GP said that sometimes the clubshop is shut after some games on police advice and that it is not always possible to get such merchandise in the shop. MD made the suggestion that programmes be available at outlets throughout the ground during games (and after if possible) as is the case in the lower loft and GP said this was something to be followed up on.
He also said, that talking about the programme, Dunwoody no longer does the publishing of it due to them owing the club money, and that another company has now taken over the printing of them.

4.3 Has the club had a re-think about reviewing/suggesting that the stewards hold away fans back for 10 or so minutes after matches at Loftus Road?
GP informed that security had indeed looked at this and that this had been the case with Luton and that it will occur again at the Cardiff game.

4.4 When will the ground get a coat of paint?
It was suggested by some in attendance that fans would help with this when it comes to the upkeep of the stadium. GP acknowledged this but said that the Ellerslie Road side had been painted last season, and that the rest of the ground is being done bit by bit, saying that the reception area has had a £70,000 makeover; that there will be a new pitch laid during close season; and that the edges/perimeters will be painted during this time too.
A question was raised about the Ellerslie Road female toilets, and about how they never seem to work/flush and GP said this would be investigated. PH also pointed out that the female toilets in the upper loft at half time very often do not flush.

4.5 Will we move from/or expand Loftus Road?
Regarding expansion, KS said that there was a legal right preventing the club from currently expanding height wise due to the restrictions about building higher and thus obstructing light to the houses around the stadium.
As regards to moving GP stated how Hamman and Noades had made an approach about moving the club to Oxford but that there was no way this was going to happen.
He spoke about having football only at Loftus Road and mentioned the possibility of a youth tournament taking place at the stadium in the pre season.
JR raised the issue of the constant rumours that do the rounds about the ground either being sold, (with its current worth reputed to be £24m) or that we are going to groundshare with Brentford or Fulham and asked if there were any possibility of this happening?
GP stated that "the ground has not and will not be sold, end of story", going on to say that we are going nowhere and that he knows nothing of any groundshare. When pushed about the rumours, and where they come from, he again stated that there is "nothing in this, on the life of my grandchildren, no-one has spoke to me".

4.6 A supporter suggests that the food outlets are poorly run and lacking in choice. If it was quicker to get served and there was more of a choice, then surely more money would be made?
GP said that the current catering company are based in Langley; that it's not a bad deal with them; and that the club gets an extra £70,000 from a deal with Carlsberg. It was pointed out to him that again, big problems in Ellerslie Road mean that fans at half time have got next to no chance at being served with either beer or food because the queues are so long. Beer is not pre-poured (unlike in the Blue and White bar) and they frequently run out of food supplies. DA also mentioned how the queues are a problem in the upper loft. GP said he has a meeting with the caterers this week and that he will raise the issue of poor food/drink supplies to see if they can look at ways of improving this.

5. Accounts update
5.1 Why haven't the accounts been filed with Companies House? We were told they would be filed by 31st March 2007?
GP replied that the accounts for the year end May 2006 have been filed; that they'll be in the public domain soon; and that the AGM will follow, citing the 21 day period that has to be given to inform shareholders of the meeting.

5.2 What does the total loss for the year stand at as we speak?
GP said that the loss is about the same as the last year, saying that we'd had to bring in playing staff, which added to the budget.

5.3 Why describe the Shittu sale price as £3m when it clearly wasn't?
GP said that the Shittu deal was worth £2.5m initially, with £2m having been banked, and another £250,000 due shortly. There will be another £300,000 to the club should Watford stay up. A discussion then took place about lack of communication and how misinformation can occur, not only the Shittu deal but with the Ugo Utah situation being described as an example also. Some felt that the lack of explanation regarding the comings and goings of Ugo did not help the club's cause in its lack of communication information channels to the fans, with it being suggested that a press officer of a PR officer to impart clear information and keep the fans informed about all manners of QPR related issues would go a long way in helping to improve this aspect.

5.4 In view of the position we have been in this season and last, despite promises made by the chairman and the board, will the board be putting its money where its mouth is and backing success for QPR or will we be again subject to more loans we can ill afford?GP started off by saying how he was glad this question had been raised and went on to say how next season will be his fifth season at being at QPR, though he has in reality been involved heavily for the past four seasons. He went on to say how there is no reason why there should be animosity between people before saying how he has had to beg the people who have backed him. "You have to convince an investor". He claimed how people "those people waiting for us to go bust" vanish when you ask those who can afford to put money into the club to do so. He said he was glad about Dunga supporting him, and also glad of the support of Zanotti and Caliendo. He said that they will lose their investment later if the loans cannot be repaid and then claimed that for the first time in a long time, the club is looking self sufficient and that there are positives to look towards.
VS said how things do look to be going forward, especially now when the results are going our way, and that there seems to be more of a togetherness about the club and the fans. DA made the point about keeping the momentum going and GP said he'd had a meeting with John Gregory about next season, and the plans to start building for it squad wise. He again said how JG is looking towards having a more focussed set of players, with a squad of around 22-25 players. Michael Mancienne was mentioned and GP remarked that the club are saving on £50k video expenses because Chelsea football club are paying for those expenses themselves when it comes to all the video footage involving their loan players.

5.5 Why is it that despite promises to the contrary we are yet again changing strips after just one year and will the club be doing any deals to compensate this?
JR pointed out that according to the football supporters federation there is no legislation preventing clubs/sponsors from changing kits each season, despite them lobbying against this. GP said that Le Coq are changing the kits, going on to mention that next season's away kit will be the Dennis the Menace strip. The new kits have already been decided upon.

5.6 Who is paying Idiakez's wages?
GP said that this was half and half (Southampton and QPR).

5.7 The taxman. Any money owed and how much?
GP stated that the club are now in control of it and that the aim is to now pay it monthly. He again mentioned how the club is self-sufficient and when asked to elaborate on this he gave an example of season ticket monies saying that in the past the money that has come in during May/June, has been spent straight away/paid for other things. He stated this is not the case this time around, though he did say that the club is now learning to spend less than what it brings in. He acknowledged that sometimes he has been criticised for laying off staff numbers, but that in the Deloitte report they have confirmed the company is running on the right number of staff, though there is the recommendation within it that it must not have any less than it currently does now. He described the losses/steadying of the ship as "slowly slowly" and went on to say that the losses in season ticket monies for this season was made up by the extra sponsorship money brought in.
JR mentioned how it was a shame that the proceeds sharing system whereby years ago away clubs would get a portion of proceeds from league games at all grounds was stopped, especially bearing in mind some of the larger crowds at which we have played in front this season (including a big crowd expected at Sunderland on Saturday) as we could do with some of those proceeds now!

5.8 Will the financial plan for the next 5 years be published?
KS said that basically the plan at the moment is to keep the club sound with prudent and sound accounting. As for a 5-year plan, he suggested that no-one really knows what is likely to happen and therefore said that planning for next season should be the first step.

6. ABC Loan Update
KS spoke/updated about this; saying that the ABC loan as we all know came via an offshore company and that there are regulations protecting their confidentiality; that the interest rate of 10% is crippling and that the board are looking at ways of getting it refinanced/paid off.
He went on to say that there are discussions ongoing currently with three banks - one German and two well known banks - and that they are trying to negotiate a 7%- 7.5% rate of interest. Not only that but also looking at the possibility of incorporating some way of starting to pay off the capital. Talks are ongoing, but obviously due to the confidential nature of the discussions, they cannot say too much at the moment.

At this point NDM had joined the meeting, and after a quick five-minute break, the meeting resumed with NDM then taking over the chairing of it.

7. Club communication and responding to fans
Some of this had been covered earlier on in the meeting i.e. the quotes in the press from GP regarding the buckets comments but there were a couple of other things on this theme which were raised including:

7.1 What is the response to the suggestion that the Chair for the consultation meetings be rotated?
NDM had already spoken to TS about this prior to the meeting, saying that basically as these meetings are club ones, they feel it is the club's ultimate responsibility to ensure someone from the club i.e. a director chairs them for example.

7.2 Could more effort be made by QPR staff to reply to emails from fans who are essentially the club's customers?
It was explained how fans often raise concerns about not getting responses from the club when enquiring/offering help etc, giving examples of such concerns. After some discussion on the matter GP made a suggestion/offer for two or three from the consultation group to have access to an office at the club, with a computer being set up in it, whereby all different ideas and suggestions from fans could be raised face to face with either himself or club personnel perhaps on a voluntary once weekly basis?
TS suggested this was a nice and kind offer, that this could go a way towards helping with communication channels, and that as time was getting on, the group would get back to him on this.
NDM also suggested that at the next meeting the club comes back with a proper structure regarding club contacts etc and this was agree this would be most helpful.

7.3 As a follow up to the Trust's meeting with Jason Kallis and Kevin Steel, what involvement does the club intend to take with the consultation of the new local development framework? Will the club look into a covenant style scheme to safeguard the ground in cooperation with the fanbase?
KS said that the board had every intention of working with the council regarding their new development framework and would also like to work with fans groups in relation to this. TS said that the Trust had contacts with the relevant department and that we'd all need to speak about this soon.
Regarding a covenant style scheme, KS said there would obviously be legal implications and this is something needed to be looked into in the near future.

7.4 When is the next fans forum?
GP said this has now been arranged, details released soon, and that it will be taking place in late April.

8. Press room stewards/greeters issue
GP said that the training and new regulations in relation to this are being imposed by the football authorities. He had a letter from the football licensing authority stating that anybody dealing with a customer (not only stewards) will now have to go on an NVQ training course. It also stated that there has to be a minimum of 20 people sent on such a course. He said that the club has apparently been under scrutiny on this matter for two years now, but that for those prepared to do the training, it will be held at Loftus Road and that there is a grant available from the government to cover the costs of the training.

9. Disability issues
SD and Bev gave an update on this, saying how the minutes from the meeting with club are now available on the Trust website to view. (http://www.qpr1st.co.uk/main/newsarticle.asp?id=127). Some changes have already been implemented as a result of the meeting, including references to the club's disabled supporters on the club website. A policy is also being worked on.
One of the biggest issues to come from the disabled supporters is where they are located in the ground, with many saying how they would like to move elsewhere in the ground away from the visiting supporters.
It was pointed out by SD that one of the outcomes of the meeting was that the Club would review previous concepts for changes to the existing accommodation for wheelchair supporters in the West Paddock when formulating works planned for the close season. It was agreed that this type of venture is one that the majority of fans would more than likely want to raise funds for.

Bev mentioned that the Wheelchair Disabled supporters in the Paddocks had asked if GP could visit them to see for himself how vulnerable they were being so close to the Away supporters. GP said he would be happy to do so and arranged that before the Cardiff game he would visit the area with SD & Bev.

10. Pre-Season
10.1 Any news on this
GP said that there is a Celtic game on. A youth tournament is being arranged currently to take place at Loftus Road. And discussions are taking place with Arsenal for a Kiyan Prince memorial game.
GP also mentioned that there might be the opportunity for two or three days in Dublin but that the club would have to see about that.

10.2 The Italian pre-season that Gregory was critical of? Who was responsible?
GP commented on how the club were offered the tour in December 2005, and that in the New Year, Gary Waddock, Prav and himself went to look at the venue etc. Then things changed and the club were informed one of the games would be taking place on a plastic pitch. He accepted it was a poor pre season.

11. Clubshop
A question was asked about the clubshop on matchdays and why there does not appear to be assistants on the shop floor wearing obvious ID to help fans in a crowded environment?
GP said he had spoke to the clubshop manager and that he had informed him that there are three people/assistants on the shop floor at every game. When asked if the assistants wear ID, GP said that the manager had informed him that they do but that it is something for him to look at. It was pointed out also that sometimes the assistants have to go to the back of the shop for shirt printing etc which is possibly why it appears that the shop floor might be looking a bit low on assistants at times.

12. Any other business
12.1 Children's funday or open day - any news?
GP said this was being worked on though PH and KH said that the OSC had not heard anything yet.

12.2 Music festival in May at Loftus Road - any news?
GP commented on how this had been turned down and so will not be happening. The residents had been concerned about noise levels.

12.3 When will youth and ladies teams week by week, results lists and tables be added to the official website, as other clubs do?
GP informed us to go look at the website as this should have now been done. He added that the website and other such press/communication channels were being worked on as there is another person now at the club responsible for such updates etc.

The time was by now gone 9pm, it had been a long evening and so the meeting finished at 9.05pm. It was agreed for the next consultation group meeting to take place some time before the start of the new season, possibly late June once the fixtures are out. QPR Official Site

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I think this is just a recap of what Amit Bhatia stated recently.

The Times - From Loftus Road to Bollywood?
After Manchester United (‘Goal’), Queens Park Rangers may be the next English football club attempting to woo Indian support via representation in Bollywood films. Amit Bhatia, vice-chairman of the club and son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, the owner of a 20% stake in QPR, revealed his plans for raising the team’s profile in the Indian subcontinent. Bhatia stated: “Most definitely we want to take the club to India. QPR’s profile is getting bigger because there are Indian shareholders. We want to expose QPR to the Indian market and will do that.” The Times

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Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times
IT'S a long time since a QPR side have come back to draw a game that looked lost - and it felt fantastic to be part of that.
I haven't started a game since the FA Cup tie against Chelsea, so just getting out there and showing everybody there's some football left in Gareth Ainsworth was great in itself.
You can train as hard as you like, but it won't give you the sharpness of a match situation and for those first 10 minutes I felt really rusty.
But I finally got into my stride and I'd like to have carried on for another 10 minutes. I'm sure we'd have won the game if there had been more time, but at least we went into the dressing room with the kind of feeling Crystal Palace, Wolves and several other teams have had after scoring against us in the last minute.
The goal took me to 98 in my career and a bit closer to the magic 100, which has been a big ambition of mine for some time. I've got every one of them on video, would you believe, so when I reach 100 the Ainsworth family will have to get together and watch them all in one go!
We didn't play too well for most of the Preston game and I think what happened to Rowan in the week was part of the reason for that.
The gaffer told the lads to play well and win the game for Rowan, but in some ways I think everyone was a bit subdued because they had his injury on their minds.
Rowan's a ball carrier - he takes the pressure off, adds a bit of flair and we know how much we'll miss him.
His break is worse than mine was around this time last year, but he's actually able to put weight on it after a few days, which is great. I hope he realises that there's light at the end of the tunnel and he's going to be a huge part of QPR next season.
Hull have had a fantastic season after struggling with us last year, so we have to look at them and believe that could be us next time.
I think Hull have quietly become a big club - they've got some good players in and the whole city is buzzing, so Saturday will be a good test.
It's out of the frying pan and into the fire - they must be the second form team after Preston - and not many people will expect us to get anything there.
But we're in good form as well, with one defeat in 10, and we want to finish as high up the table as possible. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Damien's got no regrets
DAMIEN Delaney insists he was right to quit Hull for QPR - even if his old club are promoted to the Premier League this season.
The Tigers' incredible run of form in the new year has propelled them into a position to snatch top spot in the Championship if they defeat Rangers this weekend.
But the Irishman, who signed for the Rs in a £700,000 deal in January, told the Times: "If you ask me again in a year's time, I'll still be saying it was the right decision.
"I've got no regrets whatsoever. I made the decision that I felt was best for me, long-term, and I'm sure it will turn out to be the right one.
"My focus is on Saturday's game and getting a result for QPR, but I'd be absolutely delighted if Hull win every game after that and get promoted. I know what it'd mean to all their supporters and I know I'd have played a part in it, but it wouldn't change anything.
"There aren't many footballers these days who play nearly 250 games for one club - it was time to move on to a new challenge and this is one that I really relish."
Delaney's immediate concern is to win back his place in the Rangers side after sitting out the matches against Ipswich and Preston due to his 10th booking of the season.
Until then, the 26-year-old left-back had appeared in every QPR game since his transfer and he admitted: "It's been frustrating, training all week and, while the lads are getting ready for the game, you know you're going to be sat at home watching the results on telly.
"Suspensions are part and parcel of the game, though, it's done now and hopefully I can get back into the team for Saturday.
"Because I left Hull in such a hurry, I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to the supporters and so many of the staff there, people who looked after me for the best part of six years, so I want to do that.
"There were four or five lads who all signed for Hull at the same time as me, when Adam Pearson took over the club - people like Boaz Myhill and Ian Ashbee - and we came a long way together."
Delaney helped Hull rise from the basement to the Championship in just two seasons, but the club are now peering towards unchartered territory, having never yet graced the top flight.
Last season, they battled alongside QPR to escape relegation, but the ex-Tigers defender puts the shift in their fortunes down to a tough pre-season training routine in