QPR Report Twitter Feed

Monday, May 31, 2010

QPR Report Monday Snippets...Success For Ex-QPRs in All Three Playoff Finals

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in the various discussions or just read!

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar
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- Early 2010/2011 Championship Odds "Nottingham Forest...are 15/2 favourites to win the league. Middlesbrough, Burnley and QPR (all 9/1) are just behind.

- QPR Video: Three QPR Hatricks (Sinton, Ferdinand and Allen)

- Ex-QPRs Successful in all three Playoff Finals: Congratulations to Ex-QPR Tony Roberts whose Dagenham team won on Sunday (Joining Kenny Jackett and Joe Gallen at Millwall and Ian Holloway at Blackpool.)

- Flashback: Joe Gallen Axed by QPR

- Flashback: Tony Roberts Axed by QPR

- Flashback: Kenny Jackett Departs QPR

- Flashback: Ian Holloway Axed

- Gianni Paladini Reopens Ian Holloway's QPR Dismissal

- Flashback: Gianni Paladini Buys into QPR

- Sooner rather than later, QPR will release the latest accounts (already published) - which cover year ending May 31, 2009 (in which they lost almost Ninteen million pounds. (Making one wonder how many millions QPR lost in the period June 1, 2009-May 31, 2010)

- Four, Three, Two and One Year Flashbacks for QPR

- Title Victory for England U-17s. Last England Youth Championship Team contained Kevin Gallen among others.

- Ex-QPR Simon Walton Wants to Try Again (again) at Plymouth

- Buzsaky's Agent (or former agent?) Suspended

- Ex-QPR Antonio Caliendo's Updated World Champions Club (WCC) Website (Snippet re QPR "[I]n 2005, WCC helped an international consortium to buy Queens Park Rangers FC, saving the club from bankrupt. Then, in 2007, the club was sold to new owners")


Bristol Evening Post - QPR set to bid for Bristol City defender Bradley Orr
- QUEENS Park Rangers are ready to table a substantial bid for Bristol City defender Bradley Orr.
- A long-time admirer of Orr, Rangers manager Neil Warnock wants the full-back at Loftus Road next season and is prepared to tempt City with an offer of £500,000.
- Orr, pictured, whose Ashton Gate deal expires at the end of next season, has been offered an extension and has been in talks with the club for the past fortnight.
- His delay in signing has alerted other clubs and Rangers are likely to face competition from Coca-Cola Championship rivals Ipswich Town.
- But a report in a Sunday national newspaper that suggested City have already accepted an offer from QPR for their experienced right-back is premature. A City spokesman confirmed: "There has been no formal offer from Queens Park Rangers for Bradley.
- "At the moment, there is a lot of talk, but nothing more than that. They have not been in contact with us.
- But that does not mean there is nothing going on behind the scenes and a bid may well be in the offing."
- New City manager Steve Coppell would prefer not to lose Orr, who has established himself as one of the more dependable right-backs in the Championship over the past three seasons.
- Although every player has his price, QPR will have to offer more than £500,000 if they want to lure Orr away from Bristol. "Bradley has been offered an extremely good deal by the club and Steve Coppell does not want him to go," added the club spokesman.
- "We are aware of the figures that are being bandied around in the press and, I can assure you, we would not accept a total package worth £500,000. Anyone wanting to sign Bradley would have to do better than that.
- "There are some clubs that don't seem to mind how much they spend, but we are in a position where we don't have to sell if we don't want to."
- Warnock has been promised money to spend in the transfer market and is also reported to be interested in Crystal Palace forward Darren Ambrose.
- Although Coppell would rather keep Orr at the club, he could be tempted to sell the former Newcastle player if the price is right.
- City already have a potential long-term replacement in the form of Welsh international Christian Ribeiro, who broke in to the first team towards the end of last season. - A product of the Ashton Gate Academy, the 19-year-old has emerged as a player of rich promise and will be looking to establish himself as a regular choice in the first team under Coppell."- Bristol Evening Post


- Fourteen Years ago Today: Chris Wright Tries to buy QPR...and a few years ago, Chris Wright looked back at his QPR Time

- Nine Year Flashback: QPR1st Met With Pete Winkelman re His aim to Take QPR to MK Keynes

- 1993: The last Winning England Youth Team (with Kevin Gallen and Chris Day)

- QPR/Indian Youth Footballers Update

- "Yacht seizure made my breast milk dry up, says Flavio Briatore’s wife"

QPR in VIDEO
- QPR Video from 1978
- QPR Video from 1970: Rodney Marsh and a young Phil Parkes
- Nice QPR VIDEO Memory: Gerry Francis's QPR (with Wilkins, Ferdinand, Sinclair, etc) Winning at Newcastle
- Video From 1975-76: Arsenal vs QPR
- Video From 1975-76: QPR vs Derby County
- Links to Various Other Old QPR Video Snippets
- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow


- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

Sunday, May 30, 2010

QPR Report Sunday Snippets...Early 2010/11 Championship Odds

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- Antonio Caliendo's Updated World Champions Club Website: "Club Advice - Not only transfers market WCC offers to football clubs the support to finalize operations on the market of acquisitions and transfers with the utmost confidentiality, discretion and professional competence requirements that this job demands in order to optimize the clubs’ technical patrimony. Case history: in 2005, WCC helped an international consortium to buy Queens Park Rangers FC, saving the club from bankrupt. Then, in 2007, the club was sold to new owners"
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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in the various discussions or just read!

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar
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- Early 2010/2011 Championship Odds "Nottingham Forest...are 15/2 favourites to win the league. Middlesbrough, Burnley and QPR (all 9/1) are just behind.


News of The World - QPR HOPE TO STRIKE GOLD WITH ORR
Bristol City defender closes on move
- QPR are close to signing Bristol City full-back Bradley Orr for a £500,000 fee.
- The 27-year-old will move to Loftus Road after undergoing a medical.
- Former Newcastle defender Orr has played for City since 2004 but has only a year left on his current contract.
- Rangers boss Neil Warnock is also closing in on the capture on Darren Ambrose from cash-strapped Crystal Palace, his former club." News of The World


- Buzsaky's Agent (or former agent?) Suspended

- Fourteen Years ago Today: Chris Wright Tries to buy QPR...and a few years ago, Chris Wright looked back at his QPR Time

- Nine Year Flashback: QPR1st Met With Pete Winkelman re His aim to Take QPR to MK Keynes

- 1993: The last Winning England Youth Team (with Kevin Gallen and Chris Day)

- QPR/Indian Youth Footballers Update

- "Yacht seizure made my breast milk dry up, says Flavio Briatore’s wife"


QPR in VIDEO
- QPR Video from 1978
- QPR Video from 1970: Rodney Marsh and a young Phil Parkes
- Nice QPR VIDEO Memory: Gerry Francis's QPR (with Wilkins, Ferdinand, Sinclair, etc) Winning at Newcastle
- Video From 1975-76: Arsenal vs QPR
- Video From 1975-76: QPR vs Derby County
- Links to Various Other Old QPR Video Snippets
- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow

- Gianni Paladini Reopens Ian Holloway's QPR Dismissal
- Thirty Years Ago This October, Jim Gregory Sacks Tommy Docherty (again)
- Remembering Former Chairman Jim Gregory (to be continued)
- Ex-QPR Player Tommy Doherty Joins Bradford
- QPR's 2008 AGM - QPR1st Report
- Marking Some 1,000 Days Since the Briatore-Ecclestone Takeover of QPR
- Marking Eight Years Since QPR Exited Administration (With the 10 Million Pound ABC Loan)


- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

Saturday, May 29, 2010

QPR Report Saturday Nostalgia Snippets Including Video

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in the various discussions or just read!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

QPR in VIDEO

- QPR Video from 1978

- QPR Video from 1970: Rodney Marsh and a young Phil Parkes

- Nice QPR VIDEO Memory: Gerry Francis's QPR (with Wilkins, Ferdinand, Sinclair, etc) Winning at Newcastle

- Video From 1975-76: Arsenal vs QPR

- Video From 1975-76: QPR vs Derby County

- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow

- Links to Various Other Old QPR Video Snippets


- Thirty Years Ago This October, Jim Gregory Sacks Tommy Docherty (again)

- Remembering Former Chairman Jim Gregory (to be continued)

- Ex-QPR Player Tommy Doherty Joins Bradford

- QPR's 2008 AGM - QPR1st Report

- Gianni Paladini Reopens Ian Holloway's QPR Dismissal

- 25 Years Since Heysel

- Crystal Palace Financial Plight

- Paddy Kenny Still in Play

- Borrowdale: No Charlton Decision

- Homegrown Player Compromise Sought by Football League

- Obama, Biden and Bill Clinton Meet the USA World Cup Squad

- Reminder: Two Indian Youth Players Will be Training at QPR This Summer

- Marking Some 1,000 Days Since the Briatore-Ecclestone Takeover of QPR

- Marking Eight Years Since QPR Exited Administration (With the 10 Million Pound ABC Loan)

- 2010/2011 Championship Promotion Odds

- Premiership Fan Satisfaction Survey

- Great Gesture by Millwall

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites



Friday, May 28, 2010

QPR Report Friday: Ambrose Signing...Paladini Happy for Holloway But Unrepentant Over Axing Him...Joe Lewis: No Sale

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Nice QPR VIDEO Memory: Gerry Francis's QPR (with Wilkins, Ferdinand, Sinclair, etc) Winning at Newcastle


- QPR Chairman Paladini Defends his Dismissal of Ian Holloway "We Were Right to Let Ollie Go" (Click back page-page 48)"
Gianni Paladini - "....No one is happier for Him than me. I rang him to wish him good luck before the play-offs and we still have a good relationship.
"I have the utmost respect for the man, but if you think back five years to his final weeks at QPR, I think a lot of people felt it was time to move on..."
"What he's done with Blackpool is a miracle really.....He's done a great job there [at Blackpool] and did a great job at QPR. But if you think back to his last home game, against Leicester, people were not happy."
"We've got a great manager now in Neil Warnock and Ian Holloway has moved on and achieved success, which no one deserves more than him".

[Just to note Dave McIntyre Tweet re this article "[C]riticism of GP for "re-opening" Ollie row. It doesn't work that way. My choice to go there (as the issue's relevant this week), not his" Dave McIntyre

- [Flashback to February 2006 and Gianni Paladini Placing Ian Holloway on Gardening Leave]


- Paddy Kenny Still in Play

- Borrowdale: No Charlton Decision

- Wolves Want Scunthorpe's Gary Hooper

- Ex-QPR Terrell Forbes Joins Orient

- Ex-QPR Dominic Shimmin Joins Dundee

- Possible Impact on Premiership Clubs of New UEFA Spending Rules

- Homegrown Player Compromise Sought by Football League

- Three Players Appeal for More Football Investment in Non-League Youth

- Obama, Biden and Bill Clinton Meet the USA World Cup Squad

- Reminder: Two Indian Youth Players Will be Training at QPR This Summer


Croydon Advertiser - Darren Ambrose QPR deal done for £750,000 as money runs dry
- CRYSTAL Palace will need to continue flogging their best players at knock-down prices to survive – unless the consortium aiming to buy the club step in.
- Darren Ambrose, the Eagles' top scorer last season with 20 goals, will become the first to be sold when he joins Queen's Park Rangers today for £750,000.

His departure comes hot on the heels of Nick Carle's free transfer to Sydney FC this week, two years after Palace forked out £1 million to sign the Australian from Bristol City.

The Eagles' administrator Brendan Guilfoyle, of the P & A Partnership, was only financed until the end of the season and now has no way of paying the club's £800,000 monthly wage bill other than generating revenue through player sales.

Ambrose's move to Loftus Road has enabled Guilfoyle to pay May's salaries – he would have had to ask the permission of the Professional Footballers' Association to defer the wages for a month had it not gone through.

But he will need to get rid of another of Palace's top players in a month's time if the sale of the club has not taken a significant step forward.

Unfortunately for Palace, many of their key assets are out of contract this summer and can leave for nothing if they wish. Former Eagles boss Neil Warnock is intent on capitalising as he builds the Rangers squad for a play-off push next season, and soon-to-be free agents Shaun Derry and Clint Hill are also in his sights. Reports have claimed both will follow Ambrose to QPR.

But Guilfoyle needs transfer fees and will have to continue selling players to keep paying the bills unless the CPFC 2010 consortium – the prospective buyers of the club – agree to fund Palace through the summer.

He will hold a creditors' committee meeting today (Friday) to keep those creditors informed of the latest developments ahead of the CVA meeting next week.

Last week the consortium – headed by Eagles fans Steve Parish and Martin Long – agreed a conditional deal with Selhurst Park's administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers to buy the ground.

But they are unwilling to complete the purchase before being convinced that the terms of the creditors voluntary arrangement (CVA) - the compulsory method of exiting administration - will be accepted by those owed money by the club.

With an expected offer of one penny return for every pound owed, it will not be easy for 2010 to reach that 75 per cent threshold, particularly with former chairman Simon Jordan claiming he is owed £7.8 million.

Guilfoyle, who only recognises £1.9 million of that debt, said this week that Palace were "in a bad place" and admitted the club's future was now on a knife edge.

"Fans will be concerned because they see their star players being sold," he said.

"Now we are unfunded we need CPFC 2010 to intervene. I still feel there is every intention on the part of CPFC to complete the purchase but they need to secure the stadium first as that's the first step.

"We don't have the ability to pay the current wages. We are already dealing with what's behind us rather than what's in front." Croydon Advertiser


Croydon Advertiser - Darren Ambrose accepts chance to rejoin ex-Eagles boss

DARREN Ambrose is expected to complete his move to Queen's Park Rangers today (Friday) after agreeing terms with the west London club.

Ambrose, who was Crystal Palace's top scorer this season with 20 goals, has accepted a contract offer from Rangers manager Neil Warnock and the £750,000 deal should go through today, subject to a medical.

Having been given permission to talk to Ambrose this week, former Eagles boss Warnock moved swiftly to offer terms to the 26-year-old midfielder and the deal was almost done at the time of going to press.

The cash received from Ambrose's sale will help Palace's administrator Brendan Guilfoyle pay the club's £800,000 wage bill this week – but it is unlikely the former Charlton Athletic player will be the only one making the switch from Selhurst Park to Loftus Road.

Warnock revealed he made an early enquiry about signing Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni but admits he will lose out on the Argentine if a Premier League club comes calling.

Clint Hill and Shaun Derry are both out of contract this summer and reports have claimed they will also join Warnock at QPR in the next few weeks.

The Hoops' boss was delighted to have signed Ambrose however, having had his bid of £750,000 accepted by Guilfoyle this week. It was not likely to be refused either – Warnock claimed he received the initial call from Palace telling him Ambrose was for sale, rather than having to enquire about the player's availability himself.

Nevertheless, the fee represents a profit for Palace who signed Ambrose from Charlton on a free transfer last summer but the bid is still at least half of his true valuation.

Warnock told Advertiser Sport yesterday his attempt to sign Ambrose for the second time in a year was almost complete, barring any last minute problems.

"I expect the transfer to be concluded on Friday – I would say we are 90 per cent there," said Warnock.

"We just need to dot some 'i's and cross some 't's. We aren't far away."

Reports have claimed that Palace pair Shaun Derry and Clint Hill are also set to rejoin Warnock when their contracts expire in June.

Warnock admitted he had many transfer targets this summer but insisted he needed to assess the players he has already at QPR before he pursues his interest in others.

"I have about 30 targets and I don't want to sign them all!" he said. "The boys who are out of contract, I think would like to come, but I need to look at who I've got in the current squad first."

It has been claimed that Clint Hill has a "verbal agreement" that he will join QPR when he becomes a free agent.

Warnock did not deny his interest in Hill and confirmed he was in the market for a left-back.

He added: "I have spoken to a number of left-backs and yes I have seen the same reports. But at the moment I have to get one or two things out of the way this week first."

Asked if he had approached any other Palace players, Warnock replied: "I spoke to Julian [Speroni] early doors but that's on the back burner at the moment as he is out of the country. I think he's probably holding out for a Premier League club anyway." Croydon Advertiser


Peteborough Evening Telegraph - Posh: Lewis to get better deal By Alan Swann
- Peterborough United are to offer goalkeeper Joe Lewis a new, improved contract.
- England under 21 international Lewis has been linked with a move to Premier League Spurs this summer. He was also named as a £500,000 target for Championship club QPR in the Fulham Chronicle yesterday.
- Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony has revealed that a Premier League offered £2 million for Lewis last season. The 22 year-old has two years left on his current London Road deal.
- MacAnthony said: “The article in the Fulham Chronicle is a joke considering we were offered four times that last March by a Premier League club. QPR couldn’t affford to buy Joe as they don’t spend a lot of money on transfer fees and to be honest if Joe were to move in the future it would be a top club in the Premier League.
- “In fairness to Joe he hasn’t rocked the boat asking about leaving and he will be one of a few players we will be discussing new contract terms with in the next few months to extend his stay.
- “Joe is a professional on and off the pitch and a few players could learn a few things from him regarding this and how he handles his career.”
- Lewis joined Posh from Nowrich for a club record £400,000 in January, 2008. He was the club’s player-of-the-year last season..." Peterborough Evening Telegraph


- World Cup Sex Permitted

The Times/Polly Botsford - 27th May 2010 - Can lawyers make good football agents?
....The heart of an agent’s role is making contacts and turning those contacts into contracts; this is something lawyers can struggle with.
Neil Warnock, the football manager now at Queen’s Park Rangers in West London, says: “It will only work if they know about football.” That sounds obvious but Warnock says that he receives at least two or three calls a day from agents whom he describes as “wasters” because they appear to know little about the club or even the game itself. “They should spend time at a club, hang out with players and find out what they want, what their needs are, what the club’s needs are.”
The problem is that lawyers often do not have the time - or inclination - to do this. Finding players to represent is easy enough (one solicitor says that he has received 40 video-based CVs in just two months), getting in the club’s door is not
.. The Times


- Marking Some 1,000 Days Since the Briatore-Ecclestone Takeover of QPR

- Marking Eight Years Since QPR Exited Administration (With the 10 Million Pound ABC Loan)

- Video From 1975-76: Arsenal vs QPR

- Video From 1975-76: QPR vs Derby County

- Updated: Ex-QPR 93 Ivor Powell Retires

- 2010/2011 Championship Promotion Odds

- Premiership Fan Satisfaction Survey

- Premier League Hit By New UEFA Rule (Might Impact on QPR)

- Ex-QPR Dean Parrett Scored the only goalin the England U-19 game vs the Republic of Ireland in the Ukraine.

- Ex-QPR Andy Sinton Appointed Manager of Telford

- A QPR Report Public Thanks to Rodney Marsh

- Portsmouth Coming to Washington DC

- Betting Odds: QPR's Championship Prospects in 2010/2011

- The End of the Chris Charles BBC Blog (Always Welcome on QPR Report!)

- Update/Profile re QPR's Axed-last-year Youth Coach, Steve Brown

- Updated QPR "Wallpaper" Available

- Further Lakshmi Mittal Olympic 2012 Sponsorship

- Flashback: QPR's 2007/08 & 2008/09 Championship Odds

- 53rd Birthday Today for Former QPR (Briefly) Winger, Clive Walker

- Eighteen Months ago, QPR Signed Helguson

- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR signed Borrowdale

- Peter Ridsdale and the missing £500,000


- Great Gesture by Millwall

- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow

- FA's Non-Independent Chairman

- Ex-Liverpool Chairman's (Lengthy) Open Letter to The Times re Liverpool Matters

- Sheffield Wednesday Overcharged Away Fans

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Chairman Who Kicked QPR's Ian Holloway Out of Loftus Road - Gianni Paladini - Defends His Decision...Neil Warnock on Football Agents

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- QPR Chairman Paladini Defends his Dismissal of Ian Holloway "We Were Right to Let Ollie Go" (Click and go to back Page, page 48)

[Also: Flashback to February 2006 and Gianni Paladini Placing Ian Holloway on Gardening Leave]


- Wolves Want Scunthorpe's Gary Hooper

- Ex-QPR Terrell Forbes Joins Orient

- Ex-QPR Dominic Shimmin Joins Dundee

- Crystal Palace Players Not Getting Paid till Ambrose Sold

- World Cup Sex Permitted


The Times/Polly Botsford - 27th May 2010 - Can lawyers make good football agents?
- As the football season ends, so the transfer season begins, and it is now that football agents get busy.

A small, but fast-growing contingent of these agents are lawyers, too. The number registered as agents at the Football Association has almost doubled in the past year to 350 but there are doubts about whether they are any good at it, and whether they can improve the agents’ poor public image.

There is a basic logic to a lawyer being an agent: if already acting for a footballer, negotiating the terms of his contract with his club and his sponsors, it is an extension of that to broker the deals in the first place.

There are also some overlapping skills between legal adviser and agent: both are about delivering a client service. Mel Stein, the former agent to the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer, and now a sports law consultant at Clintons, the West End firm, says that lawyers make good agents because “they understand that the client’s needs come first”. Plus solicitors who are already regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority do not have to sit the FA and Fifa agents’ examinations because they are categorised as exempt solicitors.

The heart of an agent’s role is making contacts and turning those contacts into contracts; this is something lawyers can struggle with.

Neil Warnock, the football manager now at Queen’s Park Rangers in West London, says: “It will only work if they know about football.” That sounds obvious but Warnock says that he receives at least two or three calls a day from agents whom he describes as “wasters” because they appear to know little about the club or even the game itself. “They should spend time at a club, hang out with players and find out what they want, what their needs are, what the club’s needs are.”

The problem is that lawyers often do not have the time - or inclination - to do this. Finding players to represent is easy enough (one solicitor says that he has received 40 video-based CVs in just two months), getting in the club’s door is not
.

There is a way round this dilemma. A few law firms have started partnering up with sports professionals, former managers and former pros, to make the vital connections on their behalf.

JMW, a Manchester-based outfit, which represents at least 17 premiership and international players as agents, employs a former player, Ben Haworth, as its head of sport. Haworth, who played with clubs such as Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers, says: “You need to go out there and create these relationships and work on them, even on a wet and windy Wednesday night.

“I have been in the world of football since I was 14 and have built up relationships in clubs in three continents during my playing career.”

This partnership model may be the cornerstone of a successful lawyer-agent practice, and when the Legal Services Act comes into full effect next year, allowing law firms to develop greater business relationships with non-lawyers, such collaborations may become much more common.

If lawyers do develop their talents as agents they could improve the public image and practices of the group.

News stories abound of football agents who charge disproportionate commission; who swarm around very young players and sign them up to deals they barely comprehend; and who push players into a transfer because they, the agent, financially gain most from that. A recent European Union survey showed that agents in the EU earned about €200 million from transfer deals alone.

Lawyers may not quite have the stomach for this: Stein, who is also chairman of the Association of Football Agents, says lawyers can help to “professonalise” agents because they are “used to being heavily regulated, used to working by the book”, and are thus less likely to exploit their position.

As the World Cup in South Africa raises prices and expectations on the transfer market in a few weeks’ time, let’s hope that a few lawyers out there secure some good deals and in an honourable fashion, too. The Times


- Marking Some 1,000 Days Since the Briatore-Ecclestone Takeover of QPR

- Marking Eight Years Since QPR Exited Administration (With the 10 Million Pound ABC Loan)

- Video From 1975-76: Arsenal vs QPR

- Video From 1975-76: QPR vs Derby County

- Updated: Ex-QPR 93 Ivor Powell Retires

- 2010/2011 Championship Promotion Odds

- Premiership Fan Satisfaction Survey

- Premier League Hit By New UEFA Rule (Might Impact on QPR)

- Ex-QPR Dean Parrett Scored the only goalin the England U-19 game vs the Republic of Ireland in the Ukraine.

- Ex-QPR Andy Sinton Appointed Manager of Telford

- A QPR Report Public Thanks to Rodney Marsh

- Portsmouth Coming to Washington DC

- Betting Odds: QPR's Championship Prospects in 2010/2011

- The End of the Chris Charles BBC Blog (Always Welcome on QPR Report!)

- Update/Profile re QPR's Axed-last-year Youth Coach, Steve Brown

- Updated QPR "Wallpaper" Available

- Further Lakshmi Mittal Olympic 2012 Sponsorship

- Flashback: QPR's 2007/08 & 2008/09 Championship Odds

- 53rd Birthday Today for Former QPR (Briefly) Winger, Clive Walker

- Eighteen Months ago, QPR Signed Helguson

- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR signed Borrowdale

- Peter Ridsdale and the missing £500,000


- Great Gesture by Millwall

- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow

- FA's Non-Independent Chairman

- Ex-Liverpool Chairman's (Lengthy) Open Letter to The Times re Liverpool Matters

- Sheffield Wednesday Overcharged Away Fans

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

QPR Report Thursday Snippets: Marking Some Thousand Days Since Briatore-Ecclestone Takeover...Eight Years Since QPR Exit Administration

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Twenty-Eight Years Ago Today-


- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________


- Marking Some 1,000 Days Since the Briatore-Ecclestone Takeover of QPR

- Marking Eight Years Since QPR Exited Administration (With the 10 Million Pound ABC Loan)

- Video From 1975-76: Arsenal vs QPR

- Video From 1975-76: QPR vs Derby County

- Updated: Ex-QPR 93 Ivor Powell Retires

- 2010/2011 Championship Promotion Odds

- Premiership Fan Satisfaction Survey

- Premier League Hit By New UEFA Rule (Might Impact on QPR)


FULHAM CHRONICLE/PAUL WARBURTON - QPR target Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis
- QPR have lined up Joe Lewis if their number one choice for keeper goes elsewhere.
- Boss Neil Warnock admitted he had other irons in the fire to go with hopes of capturing Julian Speroni from Crystal Palace where both enjoyed three campaigns together until Warnock became Rs fifth manager of the season in March.
- Speroni has gone away to think about his future during a trip home to Argentina, but is aware the likes of West Ham and Middlesbrough are ready to give Hoops a run for their money in capturing his signature.
- However, Chronicle sport has learned the Rs manager is ready to hedge bets and open talks with both Peterborough over Lewis, and Sheffield United about Paddy Kenny.
- Kenny is a Warnock blast-from-the-past from his time at Bramall Lane.
- But England U21 Lewis has already been coveted by a number of clubs who saw the keeper as one of the few success stories in a wretched season where Posh finished bottom of the Championship.
- The 22-year-old is unwilling to return to League One and watch any progress on his international career take a nosedive, and would be available for around £500,000.
- But it might not end there as far as Warnock is concerned.
- He said: “I’m not willing to discuss personalities, but I have four or five potential keepers in mind that would be good for us next season.“There’s a lot going on at the moment, and it’s a case of working through the options.” Fulham Chronicle



- Ex-QPR Dean Parrett Scored the only goalin the England U-19 game vs the Republic of Ireland in the Ukraine.

- Ex-QPR Andy Sinton Appointed Manager of Telford

- A QPR Report Public Thanks to Rodney Marsh

- Portsmouth Coming to Washington DC

- Betting Odds: QPR's Championship Prospects in 2010/2011

- The End of the Chris Charles BBC Blog (Always Welcome on QPR Report!)

- Update/Profile re QPR's Axed-last-year Youth Coach, Steve Brown

- Updated QPR "Wallpaper" Available

- Further Lakshmi Mittal Olympic 2012 Sponsorship

- Flashback: QPR's 2007/08 & 2008/09 Championship Odds

- 53rd Birthday Today for Former QPR (Briefly) Winger, Clive Walker

- Eighteen Months ago, QPR Signed Helguson

- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR signed Borrowdale

- Peter Ridsdale and the missing £500,000


- Great Gesture by Millwall

- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow

- FA's Non-Independent Chairman

- Ex-Liverpool Chairman's (Lengthy) Open Letter to The Times re Liverpool Matters

- Sheffield Wednesday Overcharged Away Fans

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

QPR Report Wednesday: Bid for Sheff Ut Goalie Kenny...Parrett Hits England Winner...Powell Retires

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Ex-QPR Player Ivor Powell Finally Retires from Coaching - At Age 93: Ivor Powell played for QPR between 1938 and 1948 (with a sizable gap in the Middle - See Past QPR Profile/Interview
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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Ex-QPR Dean Parrett Scored the only goalin the England U-19 game vs the Republic of Ireland in the Ukraine, today.


- Ex-QPR Andy Sinton Appointed Manager of Telford

- A QPR Report Public Thanks to Rodney Marsh

- Portsmouth Coming to Washington DC


- Betting Odds: QPR's Championship Prospects in 2010/2011

- The End of the Chris Charles BBC Blog (Always Welcome on QPR Report!)

- Update/Profile re QPR's Axed-last-year Youth Coach, Steve Brown

- Updated QPR "Wallpaper" Available

- Further Lakshmi Mittal Olympic 2012 Sponsorship

- Flashback: QPR's 2007/08 & 2008/09 Championship Odds

- 53rd Birthday Today for Former QPR (Briefly) Winger, Clive Walker

- Eighteen Months ago, QPR Signed Helguson

- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR signed Borrowdale

- Peter Ridsdale and the missing £500,000


- Great Gesture by Millwall

- Non-QPR Football: Watch The Grass Grow

- FA's Non-Independent Chairman

- Ex-Liverpool Chairman's (Lengthy) Open Letter to The Times re Liverpool Matters

- Premier League Hit By New UEFA Rule (Might Impact on QPR)

- Sheffield Wednesday Overcharged Away Fans


BBC - QPR bid for Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny
- QPR have lodged a bid with Sheffield United for goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, BBC Radio Sheffield understands.
- The offer for the 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international is believed to be just short of £1m.
- Kenny played just twice for the Blades this season after serving a nine-month ban imposed by the Football Association for failing a drugs test.
- A move to QPR would reunite Kenny with Neil Warnock who signed him for the Yorkshire club from Bury.
- The bid is thought to be some way short of Sheffield United's valuation of the player.
- They plan to hold talks with Kenny in the next few days in a bid to keep him at Bramall Lane. BBC


This is Devon - Grass might yet be greener for Mackie on Queens Park wings
- THE SALE of Plymouth Argyle striker Jamie Mackie to Queens Park Rangers has provoked a lot of comment among the Green Army.

Mackie signed a four-year contract with QPR, which shows you how highly Rangers' boss Neil Warnock rates him.

Even at a conservative estimate, that deal must be worth in excess of £1 million to Mackie.

One recent trend in football has been the reluctance of clubs — whether they are buying or selling — to divulge the transfer fees for players, and that was the case with Mackie.
- Argyle and QPR both described it as an undisclosed fee, but Herald Sport understands it was £500,000.

The cash-strapped Pilgrims will not pocket all of that, however.

When they signed Mackie from Devon rivals Exeter City for £145,000 in January 2008 they also agreed a sell-on clause for him.

They must pay Exeter 20 per cent of the profit they made on Mackie, and that comes to around £70,000.

Argyle will, therefore, bank a little less than £430,000 for the 24-year-old striker.

Some supporters were upset the Pilgrims did not receive more money for arguably the club's most prized asset.
- And they were also surprised Mackie was allowed to leave before Argyle appointed a new manager.

Perhaps, they have argued, Mackie could have been persuaded to stay, despite the club's relegation to League One.

After all, he still had another year remaining on his contract with the Pilgrims.

But the reality is Argyle are desperate for funds after losing their Championship status this season, and they had to cash in on him.

And, presumably, Mackie made it clear to them he wanted to sign for QPR, who are expected to be challengers for promotion to the Premier League in 2010/11 under the leadership of Warnock.
- Argyle went out of their way to state that Mackie had expressed 'a strong desire' to leave them.

I have always believed that if a player does not want to be at a club then, whatever the circumstances, it is best for all concerned to let him leave. Otherwise, you run the risk of them becoming a disruptive influence in the dressing room.

Now I am not suggesting that would have been the case had Mackie stayed with Argyle, but it will be of paramount importance that there is a good team spirit at Home Park next season after the bitter disappointment of the past campaign.

Mackie is a decent player, no doubt. But eight goals in 42 starts in the Championship last term, despite the team's struggles, is not an outstanding strike rate by any means.
- He had enough chances — either created by his own play or by his team-mates — to have easily doubled that tally.
- I believe, but I am not sure Mackie does, that his best position is out wide on the left.

He could then either cut inside and shoot for goal, or speed past the full-back and supply a cross for a team-mate.

Warnock has favoured a 4-3-3 formation over recent times, both at QPR and before that at Crystal Palace.

So it is possible Mackie could be one of the two wide attacking players for the west London club next season. He could flourish in that role.
- Mackie is not a natural goalscorer, whereas 19-year-old up-and-coming Argyle striker Joe Mason is.
He netted three times coming off the substitutes' bench in the Championship last season, and all of them were in and around the six-yard area.

They were the sort of opportunist goals that Mackie rarely converted. He specialises in spectacular, instinctive strikes.

Without wanting to put too much pressure on Mason, who still has a lot to learn, I do believe he has the potential to be a regular scorer in League One next season.

There will also be high hopes Bradley Wright-Phillips can stay injury-free and provide plenty of goals.
- Mackie's departure could be followed later in the summer by another of Argyle's strikers — Rory Fallon.
- The New Zealand international is currently preparing for the World Cup in South Africa next month.
- Herald Sport understands Argyle would not stand in the way of Fallon moving on, should he receive offers after the tournament...Plymouth Herald


Sheffield Telegraph - Clarke looks to QPR to fulfil ability!
By Dom Howson
- LEON Clarke is bidding to fulfil his potential at QPR after a mixed spell at Sheffield Wednesday.
- The burly forward was snapped up on a free-transfer by the the Loftus Road club last Friday, having been shown the door by Alan Irvine following the Owls' relegation to League One.
- Wolverhampton-born Clarke agreed a two-year deal at QPR and became manager Neil Warnock's second summer signing.

"People have spoken to me about my potential at other clubs and maybe I've not fulfilled it as much as I should have done," he conceded. "There have been times when I've played well in games but Neil says he wants to get it out of me week in week out.
- "His man-management skills speak for themselves and I'm hoping that he will bring the best out of me and that I can show my true potential on a consistent basis."

The 25-year-old enjoyed a brief loan spell at the R's four years ago while still on Wolves' books.
- By January 2007, Clarke had left Molineux and signed for Wednesday on a permanent basis in a deal believed to be in the region of £300,000.
He was soon loaned out to League One outfit Oldham where he bagged three goals in five starts.

After struggling to hold down a regular first-team place under Brian laws, Clarke was farmed out to Southend in August 2007 and the 6ft 2in striker plundered eight goals in 16 starts at Roots Hall.

On his return to Wednesday, Clarke fired two goals in the final two outings as the club retained their Championship status on the last day of the campaign after a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Norwich.
Clarke struck eight times in the 2008/09 season while he managed just six last season.
- His final strike came in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace which condemned Wednesday to the third tier for the second time in five years. He had to be substituted after 49 minutes, as he damaged his toe during his goal celebration.

Now at QPR, who are closing in on Palace wide-man Darren Ambrose, Clarke said his main reason for re-joining the club was the prospect of working under former Blades boss Warnock.

"Neil had given me a call over the summer and told me that he was interested in me maybe coming down to QPR and playing for him," he said. "So I came down and spoke to him and we had a little bit of a chat and it just started from there really.

"He just spoke to me about the players that maybe he was potentially bringing in and the players that were already here, and his aim for the season was to get the club into the Premiership so I was really excited about it and he said all the right things to me which was nice.
- "Neil spoke to me about the type of players he wants to attract here, as well as the quality of the current squad. He's a manager who demands the very best from his players and I can't wait to play for him."
Warnock believes Clarke has a "lot of ability" and that he is a "gamble worth taking" as he aims to make QPR serious promotion contenders.
Asked if he has set a goal target for next year, Clarke added: "I don't like to set targets; I like to take each game at a time and hopefully the goals will come.

"My plan is to have a good pre-season, get to know the lads and take it from there.".. Sheffield Telegraph


FOUR YEAR FLASHBACK - Dunga Speaks About QPR-Sporting Life
- "Brazil legend Dunga believes QPR are capable of reaching the play-offs next season after becoming a director at Loftus Road.
Dunga - who captained Brazil to victory in the 1994 World Cup - was appointed a non-executive director of the club in September last year, when Gianni Paladini took over as chairman.
- "We need to look at getting into the play-offs," Dunga told the club's official website. "This is a big club, and it is what the fans want.
- "The most important thing is to build foundations here. You cannot always be changing from one day to the next.
"At any club, a manager needs to be given the chance to work effectively."


- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR Axed the Longest-serving Club Secretary, Sheila Marson
- Seven Years Ago Yesterday: The Millenium Final Loss
- Nine Years Ago: WASPS and Training Ground Sale Approved...Fifteen Players Released and Price of Season Tickets
- The Richer Parachute Payments
- Video Flashback to Ian Holloway's Blackpool vs QPR-

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

QPR Report Tuesday Snippets...Ambrose and Derry for QPR?

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The A-Z of QPR Fan Sites

- A QPR Report Public Thanks to Rodney Marsh

Various new reports re Crystal Palace's Ambrose set for QPR. But no signing has yet been announced. Various messageboard rumours re various players signing or leaving. But as of now, they are just messageboard rumours.

South London PRess/Richard Cawley Exclusive: Palace captain Shaun Derry set for QPR Tuesday, 25 May 2010
- Crystal Palace captain Shaun Derry is poised to join QPR as former Eagles boss Neil Warnock continues his raids on his old club.
- Ipswich Town were also interested in the 32-year-old midfielder, who is a free agent this summer, but the South London Press understands that Warnock has won the race for his signature.
- We revealed a couple of weeks ago that Palace left-back Clint Hill has opted for a move to QPR and they are in also in talks with Darren Ambrose, who scored 20 goals for the South Londoners last season, after a £750,000 bid was accepted.
- Now Derry has also settled on a switch across the capital to work again with Warnock
South London Press

- Updated QPR "Wallpaper" Available

- Seven Years Ago today: The Millenium Final Loss

- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR Axed the Longest-serving Club Secretary, Sheila Marson

- Eighteen Months Ago, QPR (for whatever reason) signed Borrowdale

- Nine Years Ago: WASPS and Training Ground Sale Approved...Fifteen Players Released and Price of Season Tickets

- Birthday for Ex-QPR John Beck

- The Richer Parachute Payments

- Video Flashback to Ian Holloway's Blackpool vs QPR-

Saturday, May 22, 2010

QPR Report Saturday...Leon Clarke...28 Years Since Spurs-QPR FA Cup Final Game I

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- Twenty-Eight Years Ago Today: QPR's FA Cup Final Game One


- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Flavio Briatore' Yacht Seized by Italian Police

- Four Year Flashback: Ugo Ukah Departs QPR (or Maybe not!)

- Football League Attendance Up - Best for Fifty Years (Not at QPR)

- Video Flashback to 1966 World Cup Coverage: Number of Video Snippets re Games/Interviews, etc

- New Football League Chairman Warns Clubs of Finances

- The Decline of Team Building

- A Guide to the "Backroom Boys" of the England Team

- QPR Fans a Threat to Cardiff?
- Flashback Seven Years: Fire Alarms at Cardiff

- Football League Managers Association Reports on Managerial Turnover - QPR Lead in Managaerial Turnover over past five years

- Old Video of Loftus Road


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - EXCLUSIVE: CLARKE PENS DEAL
- Queens Park Rangers Football Club is pleased to announce the free transfer signing of former Sheffield Wednesday front-man Leon Clarke.
- The 25 year-old has penned a two-year deal at Loftus Road following his release from the Owls.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, R's boss Neil Warnock expressed his delight at attracting the free agent to West London, commenting: "He's a player that I've been interested in for a very long while.
- "I've always liked the look of him, and I tried to sign him earlier this year when I was at Palace.
- "I think he's got a lot of ability, but I think he's underachieved. I rate him very highly though.
- "Some people will be surprised at this signing, but he's a player I've fancied for a very long while and I'm delighted we've got him on board."
- Clarke - who began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers - joined Wednesday in January 2007, scoring 18 goals in 83 starts for the Hillsborough outfit.
- He also enjoyed a one game loan spell with the R's earlier in his career, and he's relishing the chance to pull on the famous Blue and White jersey again.
- "I'm really looking forward to next season already," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "Neil has outlined his plans for the campaign and it promises to be an exciting chapter in the Club's history.
- "He spoke to me about the type of players he wants to attract here, as well as the quality of the current squad.
- "He's a Manager who demands the very best from his players and I can't wait to play for him."
- *An exclusive interview with our latest signing will be available for QPR Player subscribers on Monday QPR


QPR Official Site -WARNOCK: 'WORTH A GAMBLE'
Neil Warnock believes the signing of Leon Clarke could prove to be a masterstroke for QPR.
Speaking on the day Clarke put pen to paper on a two-year deal in W12, the R's gaffer revealed why he thinks the front-man has the ability to hit the ground running at Loftus Road.
"I think his career is at a crossroads and only time will tell if I'm the Manager who can unleash what I believe is inside him as a player," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"I tried to sign him earlier this season, but Alan Irvine wouldn't let him go at the time.
"I've always thought he had the talent to push on as a player though.
"He's strong and quick and will upset defences - I genuinely believe he's worth a gamble." QPR


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - LEON CLARKE: IN PROFILE
A product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy, Leon Clarke made his Wolves debut in a League Cup win over Darlington in September 2003.
A loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers followed, before Clarke made major inroads at Molineux in the 2004/05 campaign, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances.

The following season, Clarke was in and out of the First Team squad, enjoying a one match loan spell at QPR, as well as a five match stint at Plymouth Argyle.

The Wolverhampton-born striker was a regular at the start of the 2006/07 season, but when Manager Mick McCarthy outlined his intentions to freshen up his strike force in January, Clarke was placed on the transfer list.

Hillsborough - the home of Sheffield Wednesday - was his next port of call, with the Owls agreeing a fee in the region of £300,000 for his services.

Another loan move, this time to Oldham Athletic, gave Clarke the opportunity to work on his match fitness and it proved to be a masterstroke for the player, who bagged three goals in five games before being recalled by the Owls.

On his return, he scored against Cardiff City in his first start, only to be sent out on loan again, to Southend United on the final day of the 2007 summer transfer window.

Clarke's undoubted ability once again shone through, scoring one and setting up two on his debut against Gillingham.

Eight goals in 16 appearances for the Shrimpers represented a fine return for the 6ft 2in striker and Clarke went on to feature regularly for Wednesday in the latter stages of the 2007/08 season.

The 2008/09 season proved to be a fruitful one for Clarke, with his eight goals - including the match-winner against the R's in December - firing the Owls to a comfortable top half finish.

Six more goals followed last season, but his efforts weren't quite enough to keep Alan Irvine's side in the second tier, as the Owls were relegated on the final day of the campaign. QPR


- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- The Complete 2010 Guide to QPR Websites

Friday, May 21, 2010

QPR Report Friday: QPR Number 1 in Managerial Turnover...Cardiff Precautions vs QPR Fans' "Revenge"...More Signings Soon?

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- NEW QPR SIGNING: QPR Sign Sheffield Wednesday's released Striker, Leon Clarke, on a Free

- Flavio Briatore' Yacht Seized by Italian Police

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar

- QPR Fans a Threat to Cardiff?

- Flashback Seven Years: Fire Alarms at Cardiff


- Football League Managers Association Reports on Managerial Turnover

- EXCERPT FROM LEAGUE MANAGERS ASSOCIATION REPORT - 5.2 Clubs with the most managers in the last five years:
Number of Managers over period
Club Last 5 years Last 3 years Last 2 years Last 1 year
QPR 9 7 5 3
Peterborough 7 4 4 4
Newcastle 7 4 4 1
Millwall 6 2 1 1
Southampton 6 5 3 1
Darlington 5 5 4 3
Brighton 5 5 4 2
Leicester 5 4 2 1
Chelsea 5 5 3 1
Tranmere 5 4 4 3
Portsmouth 5 4 4 2
Notts Co 5 4 3 3
MK Dons 5 4 3 2
Norwich 5 4 3 1
Swindon 5 3 2 1
Brentford 5 2 1 1
Charlton 5 2 2 1 - Complete LMA Report (13 pages)

- Jim Magilton Colchester Possibility

- "Found" - QPR's Former Youth Coach, Steve Brown

- Ex-QPR John Beck to Take over at Histon

- Sixty-First Birthday For Ex-QPR, David Needham

- Maradonna reportedly Runs over Cameraman - Then insults him

- Flashack: Recalling The QPR Merger With Wimbledon Effort: Nine Years Ago This Month

- Old Video of Loftus Road

- Billy Davies Staying on at Nottingham Forest

- Ian Evatt on How Great Holloway Is -- Holloway Appointed One Year Ago

- Football League Junior Reporters Winners


Ealing Gazette - More signings next week, says QPR boss
May 21 2010 By Paul Warburton

- QPR boss Neil Warnock admits there are more signings in the pipeline after capturing Jamie Mackie this week.
- The striker signed from Plymouth on Tuesday for a fee less than the reported £500,000, while Crystal Palace full-back Clint Hill is also close to a move to Loftus Road.
- And Warnock admitted he is in the market for more signings in the next week before he goes on holiday.
- He said: "I think I’m going to be busy this summer if we’re to get promoted next season.

“I looked at Newcastle and West Brom this season and, if truth be told, we’re a bit of a way from matching their strength in depth.

“It’s good that we’ve got youngsters coming through. But we’re going to need experience as well, and there could be quite a bit of coming and going over the next couple of months." Ealing Gazette



Question of Fan Freedom of Speech at Walsall (and maybe of broader applicability)

- John Gregory Gets a new Coaching job in Israel - at FC Ashdod

- The Premiership's New "Homegrown" Rule

- The Complete 2010 Guide to QPR Websites

Thursday, May 20, 2010

QPR Fans a Threat to Cardiff?

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________
- Flashack: Recalling The Outrageous Effort Nine Years Ago This Month to Merge QPR With Wimbledon

- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar: Add Harrow

- The Complete 2010 Guide to QPR Websites


- Flashback Seven Years: Fire Alarms at Cardiff


Daily Mail/Neil Moxley - Dave Jones bolsters hotel security as Cardiff fear reprisals from QPR fans
- Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has beefed up hotel security ahead of tomorrow’s play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley.
- Jones, who will lead his side out in a match worth £88million (promotion earns the winners £40m and four years of parachute payments comprise £48m), has increased protection around the team’s base in the capital after QPR fans threatened reprisals.
- Seven years ago, QPR were woken ahead of their League One play-off date with Cardiff when the matches were staged at the Millennium Stadium.
- The fire alarm was set off in the middle of the night and, now that Cardiff head to London to face Blackpool, rumours have grown that Rangers’ fans will serve up a revenge attack.
- Jones said: ‘We do have security this year. We have taken as much precaution as we can do.’ Mail


TELEGRAPH/Jeremy Wilson and Rory Smith
Cardiff City v Blackpool: Dave Jones fears QPR fans' revenge ahead of Wembley clash
The location of the Cardiff City team hotel is being kept secret ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off final following threats from Queens Park Rangers supporters that they will set off the fire alarm.

- The bizarre plan would be an act of revenge for the Division Two play-off final in 2003 when the QPR players were woken at 3am before a match they lost 1-0 against Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium. A Cardiff City fan was later prosecuted for criminal damage and making a false and malicious fire call.
- Cardiff’s opponents on Saturday at Wembley are Blackpool, rather than QPR, but the threat — which has been circulating on internet message boards – is being taken seriously.
- “The hotel we are staying at has their own security, we have looked into all that,” said Dave Jones, the Cardiff manager. “We have tried to keep it under wraps but eventually they will probably find out where we are staying. If it goes off, it goes off; but I think there is enough security there.”
- Victory would make Cardiff the first non-English club to win promotion to the Premier League.
- “It’s life-changing, not just for the football club, but everyone in the city,” said Jones...."Telegraph


Guardian/Stuart James -
Cardiff City tighten hotel security amid fears of QPR fans' revenge• Cardiff fear plan to disrupt play-off preparations
• QPR woken by 3am fire alarms in Cardiff in 2003


Cardiff City are confident there will be sufficient security in place at their team hotel in London to prevent Queens Park Rangers supporters from disrupting their preparations for tomorrow's Championship play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley by setting off a fire alarm to gain revenge for a similar incident in South Wales seven years ago.

QPR fans have used message boards and forums to discuss staging a repeat of the disturbance that led to their club's players being forced to leave their hotel rooms when the fire alarm went off just before 3am on the day of their Division Two play-off final against Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.

Neil MacNamara, a Cardiff City supporter and former security guard at the club, later pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and giving a false alarm of fire at the Celtic Manor hotel in Newport, where he booked in to stay the night before the match. MacNamara was banned from attending football matches for five years after magistrates decided his actions were intended to disrupt QPR's preparations for the game, which Cardiff won 1-0 after extra-time to gain promotion to what is now the Championship.

Dave Jones, the Cardiff manager, said yesterday he was aware of the rumours that QPR fans were plotting to cause chaos at the team's hotel in London tonight but he believes there are plans in place to minimise the risk of any revenge attack. "I wasn't even here [when the incident happened with QPR]," said Jones, who was Wolverhampton Wanderers' manager at the time. "I am getting blamed for something else. I don't know why they are setting my alarms off because I wasn't here when it happened.

"But we have security. Would you want to mess around with Don behind you?" continued the Cardiff manager, pointing to one of the club's security staff, who will be on duty at the team's hotel this evening. "The hotel we are going to have their own security anyway.

"We have looked into all that. If [the fire alarm] goes off, it goes off. We have taken as much precaution as we would do regardless of whether they said they were going to do it or not. Eventually they will find out where we are staying.

"We have tried to keep it under wraps, as we always do, but if they find out, they find out. I think there is enough security there, though." Guardian


- Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock Turns 24

- Liberal Democractic MP Jeremy Browne: QPR Supporter

- Question of Fan Freedom of Speech at Walsall (and maybe of broader applicability)

- John Gregory Gets a new Coaching job in Israel - at FC Ashdod

- The Premiership's New "Homegrown" Rule

QPR Report Thursday Snippets...Add Harrow Friendly

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- Happy 49th Birthday to Clive Allen!-
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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Flashack: Recalling The Outrageous Effort Nine Years Ago This Month to Merge QPR With Wimbledon


- QPR's Pre-Season Calendar: Add Harrow

- The Complete 2010 Guide to QPR Websites

- Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock Turns 24

- Liberal Democractic MP Jeremy Browne: QPR Supporter

- Question of Fan Freedom of Speech at Walsall (and maybe of broader applicability)

- John Gregory Gets a new Coaching job in Israel - at FC Ashdod

- Ex-QPR Chairman Antonio Caliendo's 2010 Golden Foot Nominees (No QPR Players Included)

- Abramovich Still Owed (indirectly) almost 3/4 Billion Pounds by Chelsea

-.QPR Want Ambrose and Speroni

- QPR to Receive 2.2 Million Next Season From Premiership (as do all Championship Clubs)

- The Premiership's New "Homegrown" Rule

- Ex-QPR Ian Barraclough, now coaching at Scunthorpe


Harrow Observer/Tim Edwards- Harrow Borough to host Birmingham City and QPR in pre-season friendlies
- Harrow Borough are hoping to entice a second Premier League club to Earlsmead as their pre-season schedule takes shape.
- Birmingham City have already agreed to send a side to face the Ryman Premier League outfit on Tuesday, August 10 (7.45pm) while Neil Warnock will bring a strong Queens Park Rangers team in their final pre-season fixture on Monday, August 2 (7.30pm).- Borough boss David Howell, who has also pencilled in games with Potters Bar, Corinthian Casuals and Godalming Town, is hoping to finalise details with another Premier League club shortly.
- It is a tantalising line-up for Borough's squad, with the majority of players having committed their short-term futures following the recent end-of-season awards bash.
...Howell is looking forward to pitting his wits against his former club City and QPR and hopes the games will generate much needed revenue.
“We are restricted financially and these games will help us go a long way in getting through next season,” he added. Harrow Observer


QPR SEEKING PROGRAMME FEEDBACK - QPR Official Site - IT'S YOUR PROGRAMME!
- With the 2010/11 season already at the forefront of our thoughts, the QPR press and publications department would like input from YOU - the fans - on how we can improve the Club's award-winning matchday programme ahead of the new campaign.
- Hoops once again featured prominently in all the end of season programme awards, but we don't want to rest on our laurels and with your help, we want to make your programme experience even better next season!
*What new features would you like to see?
*Is there anything you don't like in the current programme?
*What have you seen in other programmes that you'd like to see us try to replicate next season?
- We want all your feedback - positive or negative - as soon as possible, so we can begin working on an even better publication for the new season.
Send us your suggestions now, by e-mailing iant@qpr.co.uk
html QPR


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Time for Rangers to go shopping... sensibly

SINCE QPR kicked their last ball of the season, Neil Warnock has been unusually reticent about his plans to reshape Rangers' squad for the next campaign.

Warnock has stressed that he intends to make minimal use of the loan market, leading pundits to predict a frenzied and costly recruitment drive this summer - yes, another one.

But which areas of the squad genuinely require investment and which are already well-stocked? The Times takes a look at the current QPR playing roster to consider where the manager's energies should be focused:

GOALKEEPERS

WHETHER he can persuade Julian Speroni to follow him across London or not, there can be little doubt that Warnock needs to sign a goalkeeper before August.

Until the second half of last season, Radek Cerny's position appeared to be ring-fenced and many Rangers supporters remain convinced that he is a sound presence between the posts.

But Cerny's howlers have become too frequent and, with no obvious replacement within the squad at this stage, Rangers must secure Speroni or someone of his calibre to be their number one.

DEFENCE

THERE'S certainly no need for Warnock to be looking at centre-halves - this is perhaps his strongest suit, with Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart and Matthew Connolly likely to be joined against next season by Fitz Hall.

Peter Ramage must also be counted among the candidates for a central role after his successful transition from right-back, although the side-effect has been to leave a vacancy in that role.

Given time, Josh Parker could grow into the position, so Warnock may put off chasing another right-back for now. The left-hand side is another matter.

The Rs boss appears uninterested in trying to agree a permanent deal for Dusko Tosic and does not seem to rate Gary Borrowdale - so he must sign another left-back, preferably not the highly average Matt Hill.

MIDFIELD

MIKELE Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin have forged a promising partnership in the centre of the park and the returns of Martin Rowlands and possibly Gavin Mahon will provide competition for places.

It will be interesting to see whether Warnock continues to deploy Akos Buzsaky in a central position rather than wide, while Hogan Ephraim is another player who has been shoehorned into a winger's role that may not be the best vehicle for his talents.

If Lee Cook can recapture his best form and Angelo Balanta continues to push for a starting role, Rangers should have sufficient options on the left flank.

Warnock may consider searching for an old-fashioned winger to replace Wayne Routledge on the opposite side - but his track record suggests he is more likely to use a surplus striker - possibly Jamie Mackie - to fill in when necessary.

ATTACK

WARNOCK has made no secret of his desire to sign forwards this summer and it's hard to disagree that Rangers are in desperate need of new blood up front - but fans were probably hoping for better than Mackie.

They haven't had an effective target man since Paul Furlong left three years ago and Warnock must remedy that by bringing in someone with strong credentials at Championship level.

Much depends on whether the manager intends to field two specialist strikers or one playing off the target man - if the latter, he has men within the squad who can fill that role effectively.

If not, we can expect him to sign one more striker to compete with Patrick Agyemang and Antonio German - and whoever does check in at Loftus Road can hardly be worse than Tamas Priskin. Kilburn Times


A TWO YEAR FLASBACK: IAIN DOWIE TALKING ABOUT HIS PLANS FOR QPR

May 20, 2008 - Ian Dowie Talks About His Plans for QPR-
Ian Dowie's views as new manager comments were broadcast on QPR World (subscription only). "DOWIE: PRESS CONFERENCE: Part One: Iain on his arrival, his previous spell with QPR, Zinedine Zidane, and much more!"
- Transcript of Dowie's press conference at

A couple of News Reports on Ian Dowie Looking Forward

BBC - Dowie targets the Premier League
Queens Park Rangers' new manager Iain Dowie says he knows he has to get the club back in the Premier League in the next two years.
He told BBC London 94.9: "My contract's two years so I hope it's realistic.
"We're going to be a very competitive team and I think within two years I'll have to bring success to this club.
"I want to make sure people at QPR think of me as a manager who knows how to get the job done and also brings attractive football to the club."
Dowie will be under pressure from owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone who stated the importance of QPR returning to the Premier League within the next three years when they took charge in September.
In terms of fan base and tradition it's a proper football club and these are exciting times
Iain Dowie
The former Rangers player said: "This job is about pressure, if you buckle under it, don't take the job, so I'll have to embrace that pressure.
"It would be foolish of me to say this is not a job that brings it's own pressure with it, this is a pressurised job, staying in the division."
Dowie, who was sacked as Coventry boss in February, says he is thrilled to be involved at Loftus Road.
"My first thoughts of being manager at the club with the richest owners in the world is 'wonderful', it's better to be that, than at the poorest."
He added: "I'm delighted to be back, it's a great club historically, I think in terms of fan base and tradition it's a proper football club and these are exciting times."
Dowie is already looking ahead to the start of the season and knows what he will be looking for in the squad.
"We'll try and get good young players in here, we'll try, if we need to, get good established players at the club too and hungry players, that's the key element." BBC


SKY SPORTS/James Pearson - Dowie up for the challenge
New R's boss can handle promotion pressure
Iain Dowie insists he is relishing the challenge of getting Queens Park Rangers back into the Premier League.
The West Londoners have not been in England's top flight in 12 seasons following relegation to the First Division at the end of the 1995/96 campaign.
However, following a takeover by Formula One tycoons and multi-millionaires Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore last year, hopes of a Premier League return have been manifest.
Former caretaker manager and R's player Dowie succeeded Italian tactician Luigi Di Canio earlier this month and is excited about taking on the pressure of winning promotion.
Challenge
"It's a fantastic challenge," he told Sky Sports News. "I've played under one of the great legends in Gerry (Francis) so it's a club steeped in history.
"It has great tradition and a huge fan base. It's in a very exciting period in its history. To be challenged with getting them where they want to be is very exciting and is also a great honour."
Dowie is not planning a long-term strategy at Loftus Road; aware that unless he wins promotion he will soon be out of a job again.
QPR have already spent big during Di Canio's time at the helm and Dowie does not think the squad needs to undergo wholesale changes, in order to challenge for the automatic promotion places.
"The idea is (to win promotion) as soon as you can," he continued. "I've signed here for two years and clearly I'll have to bring success during my time here.
"I think it's nice to be coming in as manager of QPR knowing that they have to have success. That positive pressure is something that I embrace.
Progression
"We're going to have to show good progression throughout the year and hopefully be very competitive and I think we will be.
"I think this squad is a decent squad. It doesn't need a major overhaul, just tinkering with. It doesn't need major surgery.
"I would think two or three. It's not in the range of five or six. My view is two or three key personnel would make a huge difference to what is a very good squad.
"It's important I give everyone here a thorough once over and an opportunity to show what they can do.
"I don't know (how much money is available) and I've not asked. We'll sign the players that are right for the club. They'll fit into what the criteria of the club is." Sky Sports

Ealing Times-By Simon Mail - Dowie relishing fresh challenge
Iain Dowie has promised to bring entertainment and winning football to Queens Park Rangers.
The former Coventry City and Crystal Palace manager was unveiled today after his surprise appointment at Loftus Road last week.
Dowie said: "It's a great challenge. I want to bring smiles to QPR. They (fans) want to win but they want to see us playing stylish football."
The R's are expected to splash the cash this summer as they chase a return to the Premiership but Dowie insists there won't be radical changes.
"The squad doesn't need a massive amount of alteration," he said.
"There are one or two areas we need to strengthen and it's about getting hungry players in.
"There is no question there are Premier League sides that QPR can compete with and there are already A list players in this squad." Ealing Times

Dowie and Paladini's Involvement in QPR Transfers-
Ealing Gazette - David Mcintyre And Yann Tear
Iain gets straight down to transfer business


IAIN Dowie and Gianni Paladini met on Thursday to discuss possible transfer targets following Dowie's appointment as QPR boss.
Dowie, 43, was confirmed as Luigi De Canio's successor this week after Rangers' co-owner
Flavio Briatore was persuaded to appoint a British manager having previously favoured recruiting from abroad.
Despite holding De Canio's old title of first-team coach, Dowie's will be an English-style manager in all but name. Dowie, who had spells as a QPR player, coach and caretaker boss and was twice overlooked for the manager's job at Loftus Road, has signed a twoyear contract.
Paladini, with a dual role of club chairman and sporting director, will retain an involvement in transfer dealings.
But whereas De Canio's lack of knowledge of English players left Paladini to oversee signings during the January transfer window, Dowie has experience and extensive contacts of his own and will have a much bigger influence.
Dowie headed the list of British candidates, but his chances of landing the job depended on Briatore being convinced not to look overseas.
And at an all-important board meeting on Sunday evening, Briatore indicated that he was minded to turn to a manager with Championship experience.
Dowie, who started his managerial career at Oldham, led Crystal Palace to the Premiership via the playoffs in 2004.
Although relegation followed in 2005, he was generally feted for his attempts to keep the Eagles up.
Since leaving Palace, he has had short and unsuccessful spells in charge of Charlton and Coventry.
The spell at The Valley was particularly acrimonious, with Dowie accused by Palace supremo Simon Jordan of lying to break his contract at Selhurst Park when he said he wanted to move up north to be with his family.
Jordan was furious when he agreed to release Dowie, only to find that the former Northern Ireland international had cut down his trips up north by a mere seven and a half miles after pitching up at Palace's unloved rivals Charlton.
"I'm very privileged to have been given the opportunity under the new ownership to return to the club where I served my managerial apprenticeship," said Dowie, who was a popular figure during his time at Loftus Road. "QPR is a fantastic club, with a steep and successful history and I'm going to relish the challenge that lies ahead."
De Canio's sudden departure means Dowie is Rangers' fifth manager in the space of less than two-and-a-half years - six if you include caretaker boss Mick Harford.
He is also the ninth former QPR player to manage the club in the past 30 years.
De Canio left the club last week after previously insisting that he would remain in charge for the start of next season.
His exit surprised even the backroom teamhe brought to west London from Italy after his arrival.
The futures of coaches Paolo Pavese and Luri Bartoli are unclear, but scouts Fhilippo Orlando and Gianni de Marzio have indicated that they would like to stay on under the new regime.
Former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers, who played for Southampton along with Dowie and was his assistant at Coventry, is expected to join him at QPR.
Meanwhile, Rangers have formally completed the signing of Newcastle defender Peter Ramage on a Bosman free transfer and sealed the capture of keeper Radek Cerny.
Ramage, 24, has signed a three-year contract while Cerny, 34, (pictured) has agreed a two-year deal.
Cerny, who had been on loan at Tottenham from Slavia Prague, will become the third Czech keeper to play for the Rs, following in the footsteps of Jan Stejskal and Ludek Miklosko.
Rangers were this week also expecting to complete the signing of right-winger Matteo Alberti, 19, from Italian side Chievo and are still talking to Portsmouth about signing Martin Cranie.
Defender Cranie, who had a loan spell at Rangers ended by a broken leg last season, has been lined up for a year-long loan move, but a deal for his permanent signing is still possible.
In other news, both Martin Rowlands and Damien Delaney have been selected by Giovanni Trapattoni for a slimmed-down Republic of Ireland squad that will play two friendlies later this month. Ealing Gazette

QPR Official Site - 'A GREAT APPOINTMENT'
Gareth Ainsworth believes the appointment of Iain Dowie as First Team Coach is 'fantastic' news for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the R's Club Captain expressed his delight at the arrival of the former Crystal Palace and Coventry City boss.

"It's a great appointment - fantastic news for the Football Club," he said.

"Iain is a very passionate man, who demands 110 per-cent from his players and staff.

"He is very methodical in his approach and is a forward-thinking Manager.

"His organisational skills and work ethic are exceptional and I'm really looking forward to working under him."

Ainsworth, who is currently working towards his UEFA B licence during a week-long course at Cobham, added: "We've had a taste of the continental Manager and we learnt a lot from Luigi and his staff. But I think an English Manager, who is proven at this level, will prove to be the right man to get us back to where we - as players and supporters of this Club - want to be." QPR Official Site




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