Helguson Speaks...QPR Snippets

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The recently much-discussed-on-the-messageboards, Heidar Helguson (The reported Sousa claim that he failed a QPR medical; the fan response that he did pass a medical) speaks on the Official Site about QPR's Past Season and Next Season.

Helguson Speaks - QPR Official Site - HEIDAR: THIS SQUAD IS SO STRONG
- Heidar Helguson pulled no punches as he assessed the 2008/09 campaign with www.qpr.co.uk this week.
- The R's missed out on the play-offs this season because they weren't clinical enough in front of goal, according to the Icelandic striker.
- Helguson joined the R's from Bolton Wanderers, initially on loan, at the end of November. He scored five goals, and deems that return a 'real disappointment.'
- "We didn't score enough goals, it's as simple as that," he said. "Personally, if I had taken more of my chances I'm confident I would have scored ten or 15.
- "I missed loads of opportunities, and that's a real disappointment for me.
- "Creating chances was never a problem for us - we created loads. We just didn't take them, and that's where we went wrong."
- The R's had to contend with long-term injuries to key players this season.
- Rowan Vine. Akos Buzsaky, Patrick Agyemang and Martin Rowlands all spent much of the campaign in the Treatment Room.
- It's certainly a key quartet to be missing when scoring goals is proving problematic.
- Helguson, however, refuses to use that as an excuse for Rangers' failure to cement a play-off place.
- "Everybody has injuries," he pointed out. "We had our fair share, but this squad is big enough and we should have been able to handle it.
- "If you look at the games when we had some key players out, we still created lots of chances. We just didn't take them.
- "In my opinion, that's why we didn't do better this season, not because of injuries."
- No-one can dispute QPR have progressed this term. Aside from considerable improvements off-the-pitch, the R's finished 11th in the table, three places higher than 12 months ago.
- But that still isn't good enough for a determined Helguson.
- "I believe this season was a disappointment," said the 31 year-old, frankly.
- "I think all the players feel that way because we should have done better.
- "With the squad we have here, we should have made the play-offs, there's no doubt about that.
- "And if we made no changes to this current squad I am confident we would finish in the top-six next year.
- "There are going to be a lot of big Clubs in the Championship next season.
- "You look at the teams that might come down from the Premiership - West Brom, Middlesbrough, Hull, Newcastle, Sunderland - and you know it is going to be tough.
- "It seems to get harder every year. And then there's the ones who have just missed out on promotion this time around, they will be there or thereabouts again in 12 months' time. But I believe we can compete.
- "The target next season is simple - promotion. That has to be the aim."
- And Helguson says the importance of the fans next term cannot be underestimated.
- "They have got a very big role to play in how we do," he added. "When they support us it makes a massive difference, it really does.
- "It gives everyone a lift when the fans are singing and getting behind us.
- "Supporters might not realise just how important they are.
- "Some people might say you can't hear anything because you are focused on the match - believe me, you can hear.
- "We need the fans."
- BEAT THE DEADLINE! QPR supporters are reminded that the Early Bird Season Ticket deadline of May 17th is fast approaching. For more information on the latest Season Ticket news, click here QPR


QPR Official Site - FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE!
- Following on from the success of our inaugural festive family open day at Loftus Road, the Club is pleased to announce details of a summer spectacular!
- The Club will be holding a Family Fun Day on Wednesday 29th July 2009 - and we want you to be part of it!
- With a new Manager expected to be at the helm in the coming weeks, as well as some exciting new signings coming through the entrance door in W12, this is the perfect opportunity for you to get closer to the action.
- Both players and staff will be on hand throughout the day to sign autographs and pose for photos, whilst the appearance of our Club mascot, Spark, is sure to whet the appetite of the Junior Hoops in attendance.
- Club Captain, Martin Rowlands, told www.qpr.co.uk: "The Family Fun Day's are a great chance for the fans to get closer to the players.
- "QPR supporters always come out in great numbers to events like this and as players, it's a fantastic opportunity for us to mix with the Rangers fans, both young and old.
- "I'm sure it will be a great day."
- Entrance for the event - which will take place at a venue to be confirmed - is free for all Season Ticket holders and Members. QPR


SANTANDER SAY A SPECIAL THANKS
- Santander - the Club's Official Financial Partners - have sung the praises of Queens Park Rangers Football Club following the completion of their first full season at Loftus Road.
- Santander are a successful global bank that now own Abbey, Alliance and Leicester and Bradford and Bingley savers and branch network. Following the completion of their first season as partners of the Club, the relationship goes from strength to strength.
- Mark Russell, Head of Sponsorship at Abbey, who oversees all of Santander's sponsorships in the UK, has been delighted at the developing relationship: "We have been very pleased with the partnership with QPR.
- "We have been able to bring many staff members and clients to games as well as create, with QPR's support, experiences that are truly unique - for example our 'Day in the Life' event at the QPR training Ground in April, which allowed our guests a real insight into the behind the scenes support and preparation that takes place."
- Richard Wareing, Account Manager at Velocity Sports and Entertainment, who help Mark and his team to organise their sponsorship, added: "The sponsorship has really been brought to life this season and it's testament to the Club and the continued great work of the staff at Loftus Road.
- "We've been really impressed by the professionalism throughout the Club and look forward to continuing Santander activities with QPR next season.
- "We will be using this summer to speak to those who enjoyed the match day experience last season in order to plan opportunities and ideas that ensure the new season gets off to a great start."
- QPR Deputy Managing Director, Ali Russell, echoed those sentiments, adding: "The relationship has really gone from strength to strength in our first full season with Santander.
- "I am indebted to both our staff, as well as the staff at Santander and Velocity, for their on-going commitment to building bridges between the two companies, and allowing us - as a Club - to maximize the business and commercial opportunities available to us."
- As part of the deal, Santander welcomed 200-plus staff members from the local community and regional branches to Loftus Road recently for their 'Santander Pitch Use Day.'
- Incorporating a series of matches and coaching sessions on the hallowed turf, the day proved to be a glowing success, as Russell acknowledged:"We use our sponsorship on a number of levels: firstly, as an experience for our employees, then to build relationships with clients and also to create links to the communities in which we do business.
- "Our training day and pitch day usage incorporated all these goals by giving staff, and some of the football teams our staff help to manage in their spare time, as well as clients, the chance to experience unique activities that QPR brought to life extremely professionally and passionately.
- "We look forward to growing the opportunities that exist to do more in the 2009/10 season - and we wish the whole QPR team the best of luck for the new season." QPR


2009-2010 SEASON TICKETS

QPR Official Site
A reminder "BEAT THE DEADLINE! QPR supporters are reminded that the Early Bird Season Ticket deadline of May 17th is fast approaching. For more information on the latest Season Ticket news, click here"

BOX OFFICE HOURS EXTENDED
- As the clock ticks down to the Early Bird Season Ticket deadline on Sunday , the QPR Box Office has extended its opening hours over the coming days.
- Supporters have until Sunday to keep their seat by renweing their Season Tickets at the new five per-cent reduction price for the coming season.
- Under-8's will again be FREE in certain areas of the stadium, as we look to encourage fans of the future to Loftus Road.
- As of Monday 18th May 2009, subsequent prices will be available at a 2.5 per-cent reduction on current 2008/09 Season Ticket prices, which reflects the VAT reduction this year.
- To view a new and updated pricing matrix, click 2009-10 PRICING MATRIX
- BOX OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Saturday 16th May 9am-5pm
Sunday 17th May 10am-4pm
BEAT THE DEADLINE! QPR supporters are reminded that the Early Bird Season Ticket deadline of May 17th is fast approaching. For more information on the latest Season Ticket news, click here QPR