Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Looking
back [10] years, on this day....At the time, Jones and Blackburn (and
Davies) were running the club. Bill Power had just recently also bought
into the club. Within a couple of months of Paladini's purchase of
shares, Power and Paladini had taken over from Blackburn,Jones and
Davies. 18 months later, Paladini was Chairman.
BBC - April 28, 2004 - Paladini buys stake in QPR
QPR have finally found an investor
Italian 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.
The
board are speaking to other groups interested in buying a major stake,
including American Tim Krause and a consortium fronted by Brian Rowe.
Krause is the president of Milwaukee Wave, the American club QPR entered into a partnership agreement with last year.
Lifelong R's fan Rowe was commercial director at Loftus Road under former owners Jim Gregory and Richard Thompson. BBC
Standard/Matt Hughes - April 28, 2004 Rangers are lifted as Italian pumps millions into club.
QUEENS
PARK RANGERS have received a huge boost ahead of Saturday's promotion
clash with Swindonin the form of a multi-millionpound investment from
Italian businessman and agent Gianni Paladini, writes Matt Hughes.
Paladini's
Leeds-based property company, Moorband Limited, have bought a 22 per
cent share in QPR Holdings and could increase their stake further if the
club win promotion-to the First Division. Paladini has more than 30
years' experience as a football agent and will play a key role in
restructuring the QPR squad this summer."
QPR 1st - 28th April 2004
QPR1st
gives a cautious welcome to the investment made by Moorbound Ltd, a
company of former-football agent Gianni Paladini. We are pleased to see
that the Club Board has at last succeeded in attracting inward
investment to QPR, but there are a number of questions that we would
like to see addressed, primarily to do with the deal itself and with the
business credentials of Mr Paladini and his team.
In
particular, we are keen to know roughly how much has been invested to
secure 22% of QPR shares and what further investment plans Mr Paladini's
company has. These questions alone have become pressing, since Mr
Paladini's emergence as a bidder has generated substantial rumour, which
QPR1st does not believe is good for either the Club or its support.
Also,
should Mr Paladini's company exercise its option, as a part of this
agreement, to extend the 22% to 51%, it would make this deal the
beginning of an effective takeover rather than an 'investment', although
QPR confirms that the Board is at the advanced stages of negotiations
with other interested parties.
Given the potential that Mr
Paladini could shortly have control of QPR, we call on the Board to
explain what checks of Mr Paladini's business credentials and background
have been done (we understand from QPR chief executive David Davies
that every test so far put in front of Mr Paladini has been met on
time). Meanwhile, we are seeking talks with Mr Paladini, to establish
exactly what his company's involvement will mean for QPR.
QPR1st -15th April 2004 - Three investors circle QPR
QPR1st
has learnt that a third potential investor in QPR has emerged. In some
respects this could be positive news if it means that people are
beginning to see Rangers as a viable business proposition. However,
there is still plenty of room to be cautious, since two have previously
explored investing in QPR and have not yet gone through with it while
the third has plenty of history elsewhere in the football world.
The
latest interested party to emerge is Gianni Paladini. This was reported
in the Daily Express this morning but the story has subsequently been
confirmed to QPR 1st by QPR chief executive David Davies. Davies stated
that Paladini is looking to invest, rather than take a controlling
stake.
Gianni Paladini came very close to a majority buyout of
Port Vale in December 2003, through a corporate vehicle named Vantis.
However, at the very last minute, another party was given priority by
the Port Vale board. Some sources say that this was related to
Paladinis' stated desire to be the new Port Vale Chairman, others that
he simply wasn't a credible bidder with sufficient funds. In an
interview with BBC Stoke he claimed he had shown the Port Vale board
proof of funds before they pulled-out of the deal. www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/sport/portvale/2003/12/vale_takeover3.shtml
Whatever
the truth, there does appear to have been a significant falling-out
between Paladini and Bill Bratt the Port Vale Chairman.
QPR 1st
continues to explore Paladinis' provenance. It is understood that Vantis
had recently taken an interest in 'investing in' or 'acquiring' a
couple of clubs ... Port Vale and Notts County.
Opinion amongst
Vale supporter groups appears to back the Port Vale boards' position in
rejecting Paladinis' advances. Port Vale Supporters' Trust (VAST) and
Supporters Direct uncovered a series of County Court Judgments against
him. Davies explained to us that these are public knowledge and arose
from disputes between Paladini and another football agent. That does not
mean that they should be ignored, however.
Supporters groups
also discovered that, despite his early denials, Paladini was a director
of several companies, including a Leeds-based property development
company.
Davies confirmed that the critical difference between
the Vantis interest in Port Vale and the current Paladini interest in
QPR is that at Vale Vantis was attempting a complete takeover attempt,
whilst Paladini is seeking to invest in QPR as an individual and not to
take a majority stake. This,claims Davies, should ease supporters'
worries about the ground being property-developed, as the rest of the
QPR board would have to agree to such a thing. At the time of the
Paladini takeover attempt at Vale, it was claimed by some that he was
only interested in Vale for property development.
Meanwhile
Milwaukee Wave, whose owner Tim Krause has long been looking at
investing in QPR, remains interested and looks to be moving to reflect
that through investment.
Last, but not least, the Brian Rowe-led consortium, which also includes the Anelka brothers, is still looking to invest.
Davies
confirmed that there was a possibility of a combination of two of the
three parties/ groups working together and being able to invest
independently. He also confirmed that an announcement about this could
come earlier or later than this Monday, as stated in the Express.
Meanwhile,
the board must pick none, one or two from three. QPR1st calls on the
board of QPR to take great care making their decision. Whilst
recognising that failure to secure inward investment will almost
certainly leave the club dangerously exposed as the season draws to a
close, we recommend that prospective bidders be examined as closely as
ever. At a time when the club is about to play a crucial promotion game,
we have a critical weekend ahead of us. QPR1st
Dave's Queens Park Rangers Site - "Moorbound Ltd Buy 20% of QPR" -Moorbound Ltd Buy 20% of QPR"
Moorbound Ltd Buy 22% of QPR Holdings
QPR
have announced that Moorbound Ltd have bought 22% of the PLC's issued
shares giving the club a much needed cash injection of around £650,000.
The
deal sees Azeem Malik and Gianni Paladini join the board at QPR. Gianni
Paladini is a former agent who represented many of the foreign stars
who joined Middlesborough in the 1990's. Ravenelli, Juninio and Emerson
were all on Paldini's books but he is now no longer a football agent
after investing his money into QPR.
Chief Executive David Davies was delighted with the investment and told www.qpr.co.uk
" "Moorbound were hoping to retain some confidentiality until the end
of the season, but following speculation in the press, the Board have
decided to confirm the investment.
"They have taken a substantial stake in the business and with Gianni's experience in football, it should be a great aid to us.
"They bring skills to the table and Nick, Ian and I are looking forward to working with them."
Gianni
Paladini has the option to buy up to 51% of the shares if no new
investment is forthcoming which would make his move a take-over and a
little more concerning to QPR fans. Paldini attempted to take over Port
vale earlier this season but fans grew nervous of the agents plans and
were very pleased when his bid failed. ....
QPR
Holdings today confirmed that 22% of the issued plc shares have been
sold to Moorbound Ltd of Leeds, and that Mohammed Azeem Malik has joined
the board of QPR Holdings plc.
At the plc's last AGM
shareholders voted to allow the board to issue further shares. To
acquire 22% of the plc, Moorbound must presumably have bought a
combination of newly issued shares and QPR Nominees shares. The plc has
not announced how many new shares it has issued.
Gianni
Paladini's representative Azeem Malik is recorded on the Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants' website as being employed by Rehman
Michael & Co of 277 Roundhay Road, Leeds.
Moorbound Ltd was
incorporated as a private limited company in June 2003 and its
registered address is also Rehman Michael & Co, 277 Roundhay Road.
Director Bill Power, posting on the www.qprnet.com
messageboard today in response to concerns about the future of the
Loftus Road ground, said: "I don't think I am breaking any
confidentiality agreement by confirming that anyone who has asked to buy
a majority stake within QPR have a stipulation in the agreement stating
that they must guarantee our ground stays as is or improve it." www.boardroomblues.co.uk/
MAY 1, FAN FORUM WITH THE CHAIRMAN & OTHERS Updated: April 22: “@ijtaylor81: Panel for #QPRFansForum confirmed. Details to follow on www.qpr.co.uk in the next 24 hours ... #QPR
1) When's the committed Fan Meeting with Tony Fernandes?
2) When's the next Fan Forum (or that is going to be submerged) into the Meeting?
3)
Is the Club going to hold a "Player of the year" Dinner - and when are
they going to announce? (After years of having them, hasn't been one since Tony Fernandes took over)
4) When are next season Ticket Prices (and new kits) going to be announced? (Hasn't yet been fan input into next season kits)?
The Top 100 Premier League matches: Thrill providers, city dividers and title deciders Read more at
1. Manchester City 3-2 QPR, 13/05/2012
Top
at kick-off on the last day, all Manchester City had to do was beat QPR
– managed by former City boss Mark Hughes, who had his own reasons for
wanting an unlikely win: not only had he been rather brusquely shoved
out for City to hire Roberto Mancini, but the 17th-placed Rs were only
two points above relegation.
A tense first half got even
nervier when Wayne Rooney's goal put title rivals Man United ahead at
Sunderland, and although Pablo Zabaleta scored before the break, Djibril
Cisse's equaliser early in the second half ramped up the blood
pressure. Red-carded Joey Barton tried to take some City players with
him but Jamie Mackie put the Hoops into an unlikely 66th-minute lead.
City
entered the five minutes' added time 2-1 down, but Edin Dzeko's
92nd-minute leveller gave hope. Three minutes later Mario Balotelli's
first assist of the season was larruped home by Sergio Aguero. City were
champions at the very death. GP
The Mag, with Sportingintelligence, identifies the highest-paying teams in the world
Originally Published: April 14, 2014
By Maya A. Jones and Ross Marrinson | ESPN The Magazine
WHO
SAYS MONEY can't buy happiness? According to the ESPN The
Magazine/Sportingintelligence Global Salary Survey, the 2013 Super Bowl
champion Seattle Seahawks spent an average of $2.3 million per player
last season, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though the franchise
spent more per player than 30 other NFL teams, it ranked No. 116
overall, behind all 30 NBA teams, all but two major league baseball
clubs and 13 of 20 English Premier League squads.
"A lot of
people think because the NFL has great ratings, the players must be the
wealthiest," says Sportingintelligence editor Nick Harris. "A list like
this over time shows the disconnect."
The NBA is the
highest-paying league in the world, as roughly $2 billion was paid to
441 players, for an average salary of $4,522,283 per player. The 2013-14
Brooklyn Nets, thanks largely to Russian billionaire Mikhail
Prokhorov's desire to build a contending team immediately, have the
highest average payoll at $6.8 million per player, up from $5.5 million
last season. The offseason acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
increased the overall team payroll from $82,726,245 to $102,211,009, a
jump from No. 16 to No. 6 on the overall list. The larger payroll is
costing Prokhorov more than $80 million in luxury taxes alone.
Other
notable items in the survey include Serie A behemoth A.C. Milan's
dropping 21 spots, from No. 6 to No. 27. A.C. Milan's team payroll
declined from $177,909,000 in 2011-12 to $155,928,000 in 2012-13. Back
in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers fell from No. 7 to No. 19 in team
payroll, due in large part to the departures of Dwight Howard and Metta
World Peace, whose combined salary was $26.8 million.
In addition
to the yearly salary data, Harris compiled a list of 198 teams that are
ranked by the total salary an average player made over the past five
seasons. Of these 198 teams, 49 had an average player who has earned $20
million or more since 2009. La Liga's Barcelona tops this list with an
average five-year spend of $37,975,600 per player. Real Madrid comes in
at No. 2 at $37 million, followed by the New York Yankees' $35.8
million, Manchester City's $31.7 million and Chelsea's $31 million to
complete the top five. Over the span, the Lakers were the NBA's
highest-paying club, coming in at No. 7 overall, having spent
$29,883,100 on the average player over the past five years. The NFL's
highest-paid team, the Dallas Cowboys, doesn't land until No. 93, and
the average Cowboy was paid $11.8 million over the five years.
The
results of the survey reveal the spending trends of 294 teams in 15
leagues in seven sports across the globe. The total wages of the 8,663
athletes surveyed amounted to $16.15 billion. Figures exclude
endorsements, appearance fees and sponsorships and have been converted
to U.S. dollars. The lists include money paid in salaries to players who
form the "first-team squad" or active roster across a season. Salaries
for the survey are taken from the following years:...
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - EXCLUSIVE: FLAVIO BRIATORE INTERVIEW
- Flavio Briatore has spoken exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk to set the record straight regarding the media frenzy surrounding Paulo Sousa's departure from QPR.
The
QPR Holdings Ltd Chairman sets the record straight on a number of
issues, including team selection and the recently reduced Season Ticket
prices. - Flavio, there's been a lot written and discussed regarding Paulo Sousa's departure - can you set the record straight?
- Firstly, despite what has been reported in the press, Paulo wasn't sacked by QPR. Paulo's contract was terminated, after he - without authority - divulged highly confidential and sensitive information. The Club, with legal advice, responded in this way to protect its position.
-
Furthermore, despite what's been written this weekend, we didn't sack
Mick Harford, we didn't sack Luigi De Canio and, as I said, we didn't
sack Paulo.
- Mick was offered improved terms to stay on the
backroom team but chose to move on. He was aware that we had lined up a
new Coach and he was only a temporary option, but we were happy for him
to stay on as Assistant, on improved terms. He chose to decline that
role. Mick has already stated that this is the truth.
Luigi had
to return to Italy for personal reasons, and he has also confirmed that
is correct. It was very unexpected for me and I was disappointed about
it, because I wanted him to stay on.
- For the press to say we've sacked all these people is totally inaccurate and our lawyers are dealing with this.
-
We terminated the employment of John Gregory who was already at the
Club before we arrived. We had De Canio lined up, but there were
complications to get him for the first few weeks.
- But it is true, Iain Dowie was sacked.
The media have reported you told Paulo Sousa which team to pick - is that correct?
- That is incorrect. Paulo picked the team all the time.
-
As a Board, we spoke about wanting to see QPR play a more attacking,
aggressive brand of football, in a 4-4-2 formation, and he promised us
he would do that.
There were two incidents which disappointed us.
When we beat Preston North End before Christmas, Paulo made six changes
for the next match and we only drew at Charlton Athletic, who were
bottom of the league.
- And against Ipswich Town, he stuck to a 4-5-1 formation, when we were at home, and that is when we became very disappointed.
- I was very surprised to see Damion Stewart on the bench and Radek Cerny not involved for that match.
- But I'd like to repeat, I never once told Paulo, or any other Coach for that matter, which team to pick.
-
It has also been suggested that it was solely your decision to loan
Dexter Blackstock. Is it right that Paulo Sousa knew nothing about the
striker leaving to join Nottingham Forest?
- Dexter's agent, Eric Walters, has spoken about this. That statement tells the facts.
- He said: 'Dexter was unhappy at QPR for some time, as he had only started six of a possible 21 fixtures.
-
'He wasn't even on the bench for QPR's home fixture against Bristol
City and seeing as he was the Club's top goalscorer, Dexter was unhappy
about this situation.
'A few Clubs approached me for Dexter,
including Nottingham Forest. I spoke with Gianni Paladini and he advised
me that we needed to clear this with Paulo Sousa.
'Paulo came back
from Portugal on March 26th at lunchtime. Dexter discussed the situation
with Paulo, and he didn't say anything to Dexter about the possibility
of him staying with QPR.
'At 4.00pm on March 26th 2009, Dexter signed the paperwork to complete his loan transfer to Nottingham Forest.'
-
Moving on, when you arrived at QPR, you spoke quite openly about a
four-year project to reach the Premier League. Are you happy with the
progress so far?
- We're progressing very well.
- On the
pitch, we're already up to the 60 point mark this season, which hasn't
been achieved by QPR in many years at this level.
- People seem to
have very short memories here. Just this season alone, we have taken
points off all the top eight with the exception of Burnley.
- We beat
Wolverhampton at home; we drew with Sheffield United; we beat
Birmingham City at home; we've drawn twice with Reading; we beat Cardiff
City at home; and - we've beaten both Preston North End and Swansea
City at Loftus Road too.
- That can't be forgotten and anyone that
was at Loftus Road on Easter Monday could see that we not only have a
great team spirit, but we can also play some very exciting, entertaining
football in a 4-4-2 formation.
Off the pitch, the infrastructure is improving all the time. We have invested over £34 million in to the Club.
- We have signed 17 players - Delaney, Mahon, Hall, Leigertwood, Routledge, Vine, Buzsaky, Agyemang, Gorkss, Ramage, Connolly, Cook, Alberti, Cerny, Ephraim, Helguson and Borrowdale.
-
Plus, we have a very strong Youth team, who have just returned from a
very successful tour in Sardinia, where we won the Fair Play Cup.
- We have dropped our Season Ticket prices by five per-cent for the renewal period in response to feedback from our supporters.
- We have taken this decision following detailed discussions with fan groups and supporters in general.
- The
QPR fan-base plays an integral role in the decision-making process and
we were wary that the initial deadline only took into account supporters
receiving one pay packet during the initial time period.
-
We want to attract fans to Loftus Road and we believe our new prices
offer an affordable option to them. Children under the age of eight can
come to watch for free - and that is important, because we are always
working towards a long-term future, and fans, of all ages, are hugely
significant to that.
- Furthermore, we are constantly striving to
improve the facilities we have at both the main ground and the training
complex, with the re-laying of the Loftus Road pitch over the summer
months integral to our plans going forward next season.
- On the
commercial side, we are in lucrative partnerships with some major
worldwide brands, including Santander, Chronotech, Gulf Air and Lotto
Sport Italia. Financially, these deals are amongst the best in English
football, let alone the Championship.
- We are looking for a 360
degree improvement in all areas and whilst we admit it will take time,
with the support of the whole QPR family, we are progressing well and as
a Board, we are confident we will reach our goals.
Speaking of Loftus Road, can you confirm what the current situation is?
- We have sorted the ABC issue, which was crippling the Club, at a 12 per-cent interest rate.
-
They would have taken the ground had we not met the deadline, so the
fans can be rest assured, that we now own the stadium, which is a great
assurance for the future of this Club.
- We would love to see the
ground full every week and we are hoping that by introducing the new
five per-cent Early Bird reduction, that supporters will follow us in
greater numbers, both home and away, next season.
- Speaking of supporters, what are your thoughts on the fans who booed the Board of Directors on Monday?
- It was only a small minority of supporters who booed, but naturally it disappoints me.
- The fact is though; we saved the Club when it was within minutes of going under. If it wasn't for us, this Club would not be here. That is a fact.
- Furthermore, when we arrived here, we had nobody behind us, but now we are only looking towards the top.
-
It is similar to at Renault. When we arrived we were last on the grid,
and we progressed to the very top. That is what we want to happen at
QPR.
- No-one likes being booed, but we know we are doing the right
things for the long-term future of this Club and we, the Board of
Directors, are unanimous on that.
- This is a very expensive hobby for us and we have already invested significant sums in to the Club.
-
But we enjoy the moments when the supporters are behind us in the
adventure. That is why we are involved, to bring joy to the fans.
-
If we were fighting against relegation, I could understand the booing.
But we are making positive strides in our four year programme. This was
the first full year and we are a comfortable top half side and have a
very strong squad, which is improving all the time, ahead of next
season.
- If the supporters don't support us, the project won't work, so all I can ask is you come out and show your support.
-
When the stadium is full, there is no better place to watch football.
With your support - both home and away - we believe we can keep
progressing and one day reach the Premier League.
- If we see that support, we will, of course, do our part by investing more in the future.
Finally, when do you hope to appoint a new First Team Coach?
- Gareth Ainsworth is in charge until the end of the season and we will assess the situation once the campaign finishes.
-
In the meantime, I want us to enjoy the last three matches and show the
same passion and skill we showed against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.
QPR Chairman Briatore Speaks
- April 16, 2008 - A Fanzine Perspective of The New QPR - 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.
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2008 Real Madrid B 37 (11)
2008–2009 Real Madrid 5 (0)
2008 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 14 (0)
2009–2011 Getafe 64 (9)
2011– Valencia
FLASHBACK to 2008
Dani Parejo Arrives -
"Dani of the 100 Days: From Summer Hype To Cold Reality." - Recalling
the Arrival at Loftus Road of Daniel Parejo "We are delighted to have
agreed a deal to sign arguably the hottest prospect in European
football..."
QPR REPORT on QPR Rivals in 2008
Dani of the 100 Days
QPR Report takes us back to the summer and the revelation that Queens Park Rangers had signed Spanish wonder-kid Daniel Parejo
The
return to Real Madrid of Daniel Parejo after just a few short months at
Loftus Road, brings to a disappointing end what just a few months
earlier had appeared to be a brilliant, bold, mold-shattering signing,
exemplifying the new QPR era under Flavio Briatore and friends.
First
came the press story in early summer reporting that QPR's Briatore and
Managing Director, Alejandro Agag had met with Parejo`s agents about a
possible move.
Then at the beginning of August, QPR and Real
Madrid made their respective announcement: The radically different
announcement approaches reflecting the vast chasm between the two clubs:
For QPR it was the signing of the century for which they held a press
conference, streaming it live.
And throughout it was made very
clear: This was a Chairman Briatore signing made possible by his
contacts and 'Friendship' with Real president Ramon Calderon. And beyond
Parejo, it was the harbinger of future QPR signings.
For Real
Madrid, it was the ho hum sending out on loan of one of their
youngsters. This was reflected in the Real Madrid announcement, which in
its entirety said: "Real Madrid Castilla's Daniel Parejo has been
loaned to Queens Park Rangers for one year. The youth team midfielder
will therefore play in the Football League Championship next season,
where he will continue progressing and honing his skills."
QPR by contrast devoted a lengthy statement to Parejo's arrival: "Spanish Starlet Signs"
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have agreed a deal with Real Madrid for highly-rated midfield ace Daniel Parejo Munoz.
Rangers
have beaten off stiff competition from a number of Europe's top Clubs -
including Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna, Espanyol, Getafe and Villarreal
- for the young starlet, who made his name playing for Madrid's nursery
Club Castilla last season.
QPR Chairman, Flavio Briatore, said: 'This is an incredible coup for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
'We are delighted to have agreed a deal to sign arguably the hottest prospect in European football.
'I
am eternally gratefully to Ramon Calderon (Real Madrid President) for
giving QPR the opportunity to sign such a talented young player.
'Daniel is a great, young talent and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the QPR family.'
Currently
rated as the best youth player in Madrid's set-up by the legendary
Alfredo di Stefano, the 19 year-old made 33 appearances for Castilla in
the 2007/08 season, scoring ten goals.
He also featured for
Madrid in this weekend's Emirates Cup, where his 85th minute header
clinched a 2-1 victory for the Spaniards against Hamburg.
Parejo said: 'I am very happy to be coming to London to play for Queens Park Rangers.
'When Madrid informed me I could come here on loan, I - and my family - were very excited.
'I had a very nice meeting with Mr Briatore and he has great ambitions for this Club.'
Parejo
emerged as a possible target for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger after he
sent scouts to check on the youth international during last year's
Under-19 European Championships, but Rangers have stolen a march on the
North London giants to clinch the teenager's signature, to the delight
of R's boss, Iain Dowie.
Dowie said: 'Daniel is a special talent and I am delighted that we've been able to add him to our ever-improving squad.
'It's an incredibly exciting signing for the Football Club - a real coup.
It
shows the benefit of having Flavio Briatore's contacts and we're
indebted to him and his relationship with Ramon Calderon that we've
managed to bring in one of the brightest youngest prospects in Spain.
'He's one of the stars of their academy. He gets it and gives it and is the link man we've been looking for.
'He's comfortable on the ball, has great technique and is deadly from set-pieces.
'To
get in any Real Madrid starting XI, you've got to be a very good player
and I've got no doubts whatsoever that he'll prove to be a very good
addition to our squad.'
Arguably Spain's brightest prospect, Parejo inspired his nation to win the Under-19 European Championships last summer.
A
technically gifted midfielder with pace and skill in abundance, Parejo
has been earmarked by the Spanish giants as the next product off their
impressive academy production line, following in the footsteps of
international trio Raul, Iker Casillas and Guti.
And in press reports the following day: Briatore was quote by Sky Sports: 'One or two years in England will make him tough,
'The championship is very tough, he is a kind of superstar in Spain but he is a normal guy who will do well here.'
And
the Daily Mirror reported that: 'QPR yesterday signed Real Madrid
wonderkid Daniel Parejo and vowed to continue to raid Europe's top clubs
in their quest to reach the Premier League.
Chairman Flavio
Briatore used his friendship with Real president Ramon Calderon to seal a
one-year loan deal for Parejo 19, fending off Arsenal, Deportivo La
Coruna and Villarreal for the youngster's signature.
And Briatore
warned the rest of the Championship he is well connected at clubs such
as AC Milan and Juventus and is not afraid to splash the cash on the
cream of Europe's talent. 'I obviously have very good links with Real
Madrid, but also with AC Milan, Juventus and other top clubs,' aid
Formula One supremo Briatore after completing the deal for Parejo, who
starred at last weekend's Emirates Cup.
'A lot of the time in
England people just go for the same players. You often have five or six
managers watching the same player - it's a very closed country.
'What
we will try to do is open our eyes and work with the likes of Real
Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus. We aren't looking only in the UK.
'We
are lucky in that we have a reputation for doing things properly and we
have been in sport a long time. We know who our targets are and maybe
Dani is here with us for a year, two years, maybe forever - let's see
how well he does.'
Well a few months later after various stories
about Briatore insisting on Parejo's place in the team; and various
match reports about Parejo's non-performance during various games; the
Parejo 'experiment' has come to a premature end. Hopefully the Chairman,
with his third permanent manager of 2008, will have learned some
lessons about the Manager-Chairman Relationship; and re the signing of
players.
Many thanks to QPR Report
QPR Report operates the popular QPR Reportsite as well as the recently-launched QPR Report Message Board.
Dani Parejo Departs:
-
The Sun: QPR have sent teenager Dani Parejo back to Real Madrid — and
are ready to offload Emmanuel Ledesma to Genoa next. The loan pair
caused chaos when Iain Dowie was Rangers boss as club owner Flavio
Briatore insisted that they play. New chief Paulo Sousa seems to have
more control and told Briatore they are not in his plans - The Sun
Monday, August 04, 2008
Parejo to QPR - Official Announcement
-
UPDATED: Listen to Press Conference on QPR World...
Real Madrid Official Announcement - Parejo to QPR on One Year Loan Real Madrid - Daniel Parejo loaned to Queens Park Rangers
Real
Madrid Castilla's Daniel Parejo has been loaned to Queens Park Rangers
for one year. The youth team midfielder will therefore play in the
Football League Championship next season, where he will continue
progressing and honing his skills. Real Madrid Statement
Reminder - QPR Press Conference today
QPR Official Site - PRESS CONFERENCE - LISTEN LIVE
QPR
World subscribers can listen to live coverage from today's Press
Conference, in which Flavio Briatore will unveil the Club's latest
signing.
Following the unveiling, Mr Briatore and the R's new recruit will take questions from the gathered media.
QPR
First Team Coach Iain Dowie and Lee Cook - who re-joined QPR on Friday
evening - will also be in attendance, and answering questions on the
season ahead.
To listen to live coverage, log on to the 'LIVE - PRESS
CONFERENCE' article which will appear shortly before the Press
Conference starts at 12noon.
If you haven't joined QPR World yet, you can still do so in time for the Press Conference by clicking here! QPR
- Parejo Profiles - Parejo Profile -- Real Madrid Profile -- A lengthy Arsenal blogger
Various stories in Monday's papers.
Stories just repeating the Real Madrid announcement
- BBC
- The Sun
- FIFA
GOAL.COM - Steve Michaels - Parejo Joins QPR - Official
Real Madrid have announced the one year loan of Dani Parejo to Queen's Park Rangers of the English Championship..
19-year-old
Parejo signs up at Loftus Road for a full season loan just days after
scoring for the blancos against Hamburg in the Emirates Cup.
Madrid announced, "Real Madrid Castilla's Daniel Parejo has been loaned to Queens Park Rangers for one year.
"The
youth team midfielder will therefore play in the Football League
Championship next season, where he will continue progressing and honing
his skills."
Parejo broke through to the Castilla squad in 2006 but
only truly made a name for himself last season as he managed a healthy
tally of ten goals in 33 Segunda B games.
QPR will hope that the capital-born youngster can propel them back to the Premier League for the first time since 1996.Goal
From June: re QPR's Supposed Interest in Parejo
- Parejo Says No to Arsenal and QPR
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Parejo Has Now 100% "Left The Building" - Returns to Real Madrid - QPR & Real Statements
-
Visit
the QPR Report Messageboardfor further articles and views. Alternate
views are welcomed! See: QPR Report Articles of Interest - Wednesday
-
Parejo's Departure: Interesting/Fortuitous (or Whatever!): Real Madrid
recall Dani Parejo at the very time that QPR were playing him less and
less under their Chief Coach, Paulo Sousa.
"...Parejo made 18 appearances for QPR during an impressive loan spell at Loftus Road." Sporting Life
QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE : PAREJO RETURNS TO REAL
-
Daniel Parejo has returned to Real Madrid, after the Spanish giants
activated a recall clause within the players' loan contract with Queens
Park Rangers.
- The 19 year-old will officially return to Madrid on
January 1st 2009, however, Rangers have agreed to release Parejo - who
made 18 appearances in all competitions for the R's - with immediate
effect.
- Speaking about Parejo's impending return to Spain, Rangers
boss Paulo Sousa said: "We have a very good working relationship with Mr
Calderon and Mr Mijatovic at Real Madrid and we are very grateful to
them for allowing us to take Daniel on loan in the first place.
- "He
is a player of great potential and I am sure that with a good
professional attitude, he has the talent to achieve at the very highest
level.
- "I will continue to follow his progress at Madrid, and of course, we wish him all the best for his future career."
Real Madrid - Official Announcement Parejo Returns to Real Madrid
The midfielder was loaned out to Queens Park Rangers and will now join the first team
-
Daniel Parejo, an international for Spain's Under-21 side, was loaned
out to English First Division team Queens Park Rangers this summer. He
played for Castilla last season after a brilliant run on other youth
system teams. He even had some minutes of playing time with the first
team. Parejo has become one of Real Madrid's winter transfer window
reinforcements.
- Through their spokesman, Queens Park Rangers
thanked the player and Real Madrid for their disposition and
collaboration in the past few months, during which Parejo has completed
his formation.
-The 19-year old is already in Madrid and will start working for Juande Ramos right away. Real Madrid
And Real Madrid Official Site Parejo regresa al Real Madrid
- El centrocampista, que jugaba cedido en el Queens Park Rangers, se incorpora al primer equipo
-
Parejo, internacional sub '21 español, fue cedido el pasado verano al
Queen Park Rangres, club inglés que milita en la First Division. El
centrocampista, tras una brillante trayectoria en las secciones
inferiores del Real Madrid, jugó la campaña anterior en el Castilla e
disputando incluso minutos ya en el primer equipo. Daniel Parejo se
convierte así en uno de los refuerzos del Real Madrid en el mercado de
invierno.
- El Queens Park Rangers, a través de su portavoz y
director deportivo Paulo Sousa, agradeció a Dani Parejo y al Real Madrid
la disposición y la colaboración máxima en estos meses donde el
futbolista ha completado su formación.
- Dani Parejo, de 19 años, se
encuentra ya en Madrid y se pondrá de inmediato ya a las órdenes de
Juande Ramos en la Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas. Real Madrid
-Tony Fernandes
