-
McLeod listed after night on the town
Ian Hunt, Western Mail - March 14, 2006
Kenny Jackett has sensationally placed winger Kevin McLeod on the transfer list after the player admitted he went out drinking in Swansea on the eve of a crucial match.
Disciplinarian Jackett insisted McLeod has been transfer listed for a 'build up of things' - including 'not showing enough application' - rather than any isolated breach of club discipline.
But, in an astonishing turn of events, an aggrieved McLeod hit back at the Swans boss by claiming he was unfairly being used as an example to the rest of the squad that they should not be out on the town on the eve of matches.
When he went out on Saturday night, the former Everton winger was carrying a hamstring injury that had already ruled him out of the League One home clash with Walsall less than 24 hours later.
It is understood Jackett was nonetheless furious McLeod had been out and informed the 25-year-old he was being transfer-listed ahead of the Walsall match.
And the Swans boss gave the impression the player's behaviour represented the final straw in a chain of events.
'There's no one particular thing that Kevin's being transfer listed for - he's not been in any kind of trouble and he's not facing any kind of internal discipline,' said Jackett, who is preparing for tonight's LDV Vans Trophy southern final second leg at Colchester.
'He's being placed on the transfer list for a build up of things over a period of time. Kevin has a lot of ability, but he hasn't shown enough application of late. His application to the job comes and goes. It is not consistent enough.
'He's been put on the list and we'll see what develops before the March 23 (transfer) deadline. Kevin genuinely has a hamstring problem which might take a week or two to clear up.'
In what could be perceived as a warning to the whole squad as Swansea's promotion campaign nears a conclusion, Jackett added, 'There have been quite a number of rumours on the internet about Kevin. I don't think people realise he was not preparing (for the Walsall game) with the rest of the squad as he was injured. But Swansea is the land of the moving curtain. It's a goldfish bowl and people talk a lot. Things always come back to me about my players.'
McLeod - who still has two years left on his Swans contract - feels he has been unfairly treated by Jackett, and hopes this does not spell the end of a Swansea career that began when he moved from QPR in February 2005.
'I'm really downhearted about what's happened,' said McLeod, who has made 32 first-team appearances this term, scoring seven goals, which all came in the first month of a stop-start season.
'I feel I've been unfairly done by. I wish I hadn't gone out, but it feels like the gaffer is using me as an example and I think that's wrong.
'I was out Saturday night because I was injured. I shouldn't go out full stop, but I've had a lot of things on my mind and a lot of frustration. I'm now suffering the consequences, but I've got to see if I can come back from this.
'Is there a way back for me at Swansea? I don't know. I've got to sit down with the gaffer, the chairman and my agent because so far I've only had a brief chat with the gaffer before the Walsall game.'
The McLeod episode casts another dark cloud over the Liberty Stadium in the wake of the disappointing 1-1 draw against Walsall that put a fresh dent in the club's automatic promotion push.
But this is not the first time Jackett - or the club as a whole - has shown a ruthless streak when dealing with players deemed to have breached club rules or shown a lack of application to their job.
Jackett came down hard on Andy Robinson last season when the midfielder was involved in a nightclub skirmish just three days before an important league match.
And, earlier this season, defender Ijah Anderson was sacked by the club after being found guilty of taking drugs.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600soccer/0700swanseacity/tm_objectid=16811508%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=mcleod%2dlisted%2dafter%2dnight%2don%2dthe%2dtown-name_page.html
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
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Leroy Griffiths Returns to Loftus Road!
-
Ex-QPR's Leroy Griffiths is scheduled to play today for Aldershot against QPR Reserves at Loftus Road
Aldershot Official Site
"Manager Terry Brown talks about the injuries sustained to Jonny Dixon and Darren Barnard during Saturday's 3-1 victory versus Dagenham and Redbridge.....
The boss also confirmed that a number of regular first team players will appear at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday afternoon in a Pontins Combination fixture including the pairing of Kirk Hudson and Leroy Griffiths up front. Kick off at Loftus Road is 2.00pm
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27200&newstype=n&matchid=
QPR Official Site - "Scott Starts "
After a week on the sidelines, Scott Donnelly returns to action for the Reserves on Tuesday afternoon.
Donnelly picked up an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Crawley Town a week ago, but after taking part in training over the weekend, the 18 year old has been passed fit to take his place in the heart of the Hoops midfield for the visit of Aldershot Town to Loftus Road.
He'll partner Stefan Bailey in central midfield, in an attack minded Hoops outfit which includes front-men Stefan Moore, Sammy Youssouf, Shabazz Baidoo and Luke Townsend.
The match kicks off at 2pm.
QPR Reserves: Thomas, Kus, Howell, Munday, Santos, Donnelly, Bailey, Townsend, Baidoo, Youssouf, Moore.
Subs: Cole, Yelland, Hislop, Ukah, Cousins.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/Reserves/0,,10373~801500,00.html
Ex-QPR's Leroy Griffiths is scheduled to play today for Aldershot against QPR Reserves at Loftus Road
Aldershot Official Site
"Manager Terry Brown talks about the injuries sustained to Jonny Dixon and Darren Barnard during Saturday's 3-1 victory versus Dagenham and Redbridge.....
The boss also confirmed that a number of regular first team players will appear at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday afternoon in a Pontins Combination fixture including the pairing of Kirk Hudson and Leroy Griffiths up front. Kick off at Loftus Road is 2.00pm
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27200&newstype=n&matchid=
QPR Official Site - "Scott Starts "
After a week on the sidelines, Scott Donnelly returns to action for the Reserves on Tuesday afternoon.
Donnelly picked up an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Crawley Town a week ago, but after taking part in training over the weekend, the 18 year old has been passed fit to take his place in the heart of the Hoops midfield for the visit of Aldershot Town to Loftus Road.
He'll partner Stefan Bailey in central midfield, in an attack minded Hoops outfit which includes front-men Stefan Moore, Sammy Youssouf, Shabazz Baidoo and Luke Townsend.
The match kicks off at 2pm.
QPR Reserves: Thomas, Kus, Howell, Munday, Santos, Donnelly, Bailey, Townsend, Baidoo, Youssouf, Moore.
Subs: Cole, Yelland, Hislop, Ukah, Cousins.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/Reserves/0,,10373~801500,00.html
QPR's Recent WBA Loan, Lloyd Dyer Leaves Millwall
-
BBC - Millwall part company with Dyer
Dyer has ended his brief spell at MillwallMillwall winger Lloyd Dyer has left the club after having his contract with the Championship strugglers cancelled at his own request.
Dyer, 23, only joined the London side from West Brom in January.
Manager David Tuttle told Millwall's website: "Lloyd came to see me and told me that he wanted to leave the club for family reasons.
"It's disappointing, but if a player is unsettled for personal reasons there is no point insisting that he stays." http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/4804252.stm
Millwall Official Site - Lloyd leaves
Lions winger Lloyd Dyer, who joined the club from West Bromwich Albion in January, has had his contract cancelled at his own request. Manager Dave Tuttle explained: "Lloyd came to see me and told me that he wanted to leave the club for family reasons. It's disappointing, but if a player is unsettled for personal reasons there is no point insisting that he stays."
http://www.millwallfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10367~801570,00.html
Millwall Mad's Perspective
http://www.millwall-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=272328
BBC - Millwall part company with Dyer
Dyer has ended his brief spell at MillwallMillwall winger Lloyd Dyer has left the club after having his contract with the Championship strugglers cancelled at his own request.
Dyer, 23, only joined the London side from West Brom in January.
Manager David Tuttle told Millwall's website: "Lloyd came to see me and told me that he wanted to leave the club for family reasons.
"It's disappointing, but if a player is unsettled for personal reasons there is no point insisting that he stays." http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/4804252.stm
Millwall Official Site - Lloyd leaves
Lions winger Lloyd Dyer, who joined the club from West Bromwich Albion in January, has had his contract cancelled at his own request. Manager Dave Tuttle explained: "Lloyd came to see me and told me that he wanted to leave the club for family reasons. It's disappointing, but if a player is unsettled for personal reasons there is no point insisting that he stays."
http://www.millwallfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10367~801570,00.html
Millwall Mad's Perspective
http://www.millwall-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=272328
Ex-QPR's Aaron Brown Turns 26
-
Aaron Brown Turns 26
Didnt quite work out for him at QPR, after his injury
From Swindon Offical Site
Aaron Brown
Date of birth: Friday, March 14, 1980
Age: 26 Nationality: England
Favoured position: Left Midfield -Other positions: Central Midfield.
Playing career: Bristol City, Exeter City (loan), Queens Park Rangers, Torquay United (loan), Cheltenham Town (loan), SWINDON TOWN (loan), SWINDON TOWN.
At Swindon since: 2005 (loan) and January 2006
-A left-sided midfielder, Brown originally signed on a month's loan from Q.P.R,. on the loan transfer deadline day in November 2005. Having been rejected after a trial at Barnsley the previous week, he made his debut against them at the County Ground on 26th November, coming on as a substitute - but he could do nothing to prevent the Town succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.Brown's time at Loftus Road had been ravaged by injury - a broken leg keeping him out of the game for fourteen months - and with first team opportunities limited at Rangers, his spell at Swindon was an opportunity to gain much-needed match fitness. He obviously lacked fitness during his first few matches, but this improved as he played more, and by the time his loan expired, he had featured in eight matches, giving the Town balance down the left flank. Manager Iffy Onuora then moved to bring Brown to Swindon on a permanent basis - and he signed an eighteen month deal early in January 2006 - Brown hailing Onuora as having "rescued him" from his tough period at Q.P.R..
http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/ForceFrames.htm?http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=BROWNAAR
Aaron Brown Turns 26
Didnt quite work out for him at QPR, after his injury
From Swindon Offical Site
Aaron Brown
Date of birth: Friday, March 14, 1980
Age: 26 Nationality: England
Favoured position: Left Midfield -Other positions: Central Midfield.
Playing career: Bristol City, Exeter City (loan), Queens Park Rangers, Torquay United (loan), Cheltenham Town (loan), SWINDON TOWN (loan), SWINDON TOWN.
At Swindon since: 2005 (loan) and January 2006
-A left-sided midfielder, Brown originally signed on a month's loan from Q.P.R,. on the loan transfer deadline day in November 2005. Having been rejected after a trial at Barnsley the previous week, he made his debut against them at the County Ground on 26th November, coming on as a substitute - but he could do nothing to prevent the Town succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.Brown's time at Loftus Road had been ravaged by injury - a broken leg keeping him out of the game for fourteen months - and with first team opportunities limited at Rangers, his spell at Swindon was an opportunity to gain much-needed match fitness. He obviously lacked fitness during his first few matches, but this improved as he played more, and by the time his loan expired, he had featured in eight matches, giving the Town balance down the left flank. Manager Iffy Onuora then moved to bring Brown to Swindon on a permanent basis - and he signed an eighteen month deal early in January 2006 - Brown hailing Onuora as having "rescued him" from his tough period at Q.P.R..
http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/ForceFrames.htm?http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=BROWNAAR
Monday, March 13, 2006
Ex-QPR's Kevin McLeod Transfer Listed by Swansea
-
Swansea Official Site
McLeod placed on transfer list
Swansea City have placed midfielder Kevin McLeod on the transfer list with immediate effect. Swans manager Kenny Jackett confirmed: "Kevin has been placed on the transfer list today. "Unfortunately over the last few months his application has not matched his ability."His name has been circulated to other clubs informing them that he is available for transfer and we are prepared to listen to offers.''
The former Everton trainee made five Premiership appearances as substitute before moving to QPR in 2003 for £250,000.He transferred to Swansea in February 2005 for £60,000, but struggled with illness last season. He started the new campaign with a bang after staying behind over the summer to get himself fully fit, grabbing a hat-trick in the 7-1 victory over Bristol City in September.He has made 28 League appearances this season with seven goals, but has failed to maintain his early-season form.His current contract runs until June 2008.
http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10354~801657,00.html
Swansea Official Site
McLeod placed on transfer list
Swansea City have placed midfielder Kevin McLeod on the transfer list with immediate effect. Swans manager Kenny Jackett confirmed: "Kevin has been placed on the transfer list today. "Unfortunately over the last few months his application has not matched his ability."His name has been circulated to other clubs informing them that he is available for transfer and we are prepared to listen to offers.''
The former Everton trainee made five Premiership appearances as substitute before moving to QPR in 2003 for £250,000.He transferred to Swansea in February 2005 for £60,000, but struggled with illness last season. He started the new campaign with a bang after staying behind over the summer to get himself fully fit, grabbing a hat-trick in the 7-1 victory over Bristol City in September.He has made 28 League appearances this season with seven goals, but has failed to maintain his early-season form.His current contract runs until June 2008.
http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10354~801657,00.html
Further Sheff Wed/QPR Match Report
-
Telegraph Waddock's relief reflects one-siderBy Ron Gubba
Sheffield Wednesday (1) 1 Queens Park Rangers (1) 1
When Gary Waddock was asked if he was happy to have taken a point from Saturday's match at Hillsborough, the incredulous look on his face told its own story.
The Queens Park Rangers manager clearly felt that his team had just pulled off one of the biggest robberies of the season. "Considering the way that they battered us, I'm delighted," he said.
Remarkably, Sheffield Wednesday were collecting their first point in five matches. Such was their domination that goalkeeper Scott Carson and central defender Mikkel Bischoff, making their debuts on loan from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, had the quietest of introductions.
However, after Glenn Whelan's clever chip had enabled Deon Burton to give them a 13th-minute lead Wednesday failed to capitalise, and Whelan conceded a needless free kick, moments before half-time, allowing Lee Cook to curl over the cross from which Marc Bircham headed the most undeserved of equalisers.
Wednesday produced a flurry of chances at the start of the second half, only for Paul Jones to deny them with four saves within a minute.
Wednesday remain one place above the drop zone and their fate may hinge on how quickly Steve MacLean can be restored to full fitness.
MacLean, who broke a leg pre-season, made his fifth appearance as a late substitute but is well short of match fitness.
Match details
Sheffield Wednesday (4-3-1-2): Carson; Bullen, Coughlan, Bischoff (Simek 84), Gilbert; Folly, Whelan, O'Brien; Brunt (Best 84); Tudgay (MacLean 77), Burton. Subs: Adamson (g), Hills. Goal: Burton (13). Booked: Bischoff, BurtonQueens Park Rangers (4-4-2): Jones; Bignot, Shittu, Rose (Evatt 90), Milanese; Ainsworth, Lomas, Bircham, Cook (Langley 70); Furlong (Daidoo 87), Gallen. Subs: Royce (g), Bailey. Goal: Bircham (43). Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=BFIG1LN5ZU1HTQFIQMGCFFWAVCBQUIV0?xml=/sport/2006/03/13/sfgshe13.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/03/13/ixfooty.html
Telegraph Waddock's relief reflects one-siderBy Ron Gubba
Sheffield Wednesday (1) 1 Queens Park Rangers (1) 1
When Gary Waddock was asked if he was happy to have taken a point from Saturday's match at Hillsborough, the incredulous look on his face told its own story.
The Queens Park Rangers manager clearly felt that his team had just pulled off one of the biggest robberies of the season. "Considering the way that they battered us, I'm delighted," he said.
Remarkably, Sheffield Wednesday were collecting their first point in five matches. Such was their domination that goalkeeper Scott Carson and central defender Mikkel Bischoff, making their debuts on loan from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, had the quietest of introductions.
However, after Glenn Whelan's clever chip had enabled Deon Burton to give them a 13th-minute lead Wednesday failed to capitalise, and Whelan conceded a needless free kick, moments before half-time, allowing Lee Cook to curl over the cross from which Marc Bircham headed the most undeserved of equalisers.
Wednesday produced a flurry of chances at the start of the second half, only for Paul Jones to deny them with four saves within a minute.
Wednesday remain one place above the drop zone and their fate may hinge on how quickly Steve MacLean can be restored to full fitness.
MacLean, who broke a leg pre-season, made his fifth appearance as a late substitute but is well short of match fitness.
Match details
Sheffield Wednesday (4-3-1-2): Carson; Bullen, Coughlan, Bischoff (Simek 84), Gilbert; Folly, Whelan, O'Brien; Brunt (Best 84); Tudgay (MacLean 77), Burton. Subs: Adamson (g), Hills. Goal: Burton (13). Booked: Bischoff, BurtonQueens Park Rangers (4-4-2): Jones; Bignot, Shittu, Rose (Evatt 90), Milanese; Ainsworth, Lomas, Bircham, Cook (Langley 70); Furlong (Daidoo 87), Gallen. Subs: Royce (g), Bailey. Goal: Bircham (43). Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=BFIG1LN5ZU1HTQFIQMGCFFWAVCBQUIV0?xml=/sport/2006/03/13/sfgshe13.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/03/13/ixfooty.html
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Forty Years Ago, Fulham's Rodney Marsh Joined QPR! (And 34 Years Ago, Marsh Joined Manchester City)
-
Roddd....neee
Forty Years ago this week: March 1966, one of the most significant days in QPR History: Alex Stock/Jim Gregory signed Fulham's Rodney Marsh for £15,000.
March 19, 1966: Marsh made his debut away to Peterborough. Drew 1-1 and didn't score.
The team for Marsh's debut: Peter Springett -Langley, Hunt Sibley Watson - Lazarus, Keen, Roger Morgan, Allen, Collins Marsh.
(The following week, Marsh made his home debut and scored twice in a 6-1 win over Millwall. Other scorers: Collins, Les Allen, Mark Lazaru & Roger Morgan)
March 1972, just a few months after Marsh played for England...:One of the blackest days in QPR History (we thought at the time!)...Marsh joined Manchester City for £200,000.
(Gordon Jago's QPR went undefeated for the rest of the season - 12 games - and the following season, signed Stan Bowles who, many would say, became even greater than Marsh.)
Marsh's last game for QPR: March 4, 1972 away to Bristol City. QPR lost 0-2
Parkes - Clement Hazell Mancini Gillard - Francis Busby Hunt - Marsh O'Rourke Mcculloch
Sub Leach (Note 7 "home growns" in the 12 - and Clement, Hazell, Hunt and Leach along with Watson were playing for QPR when Marsh joined)
In all, Marsh scored 106 goals in 211 League Games for QPR. In the 1966/67 season, Marsh was the country's top goalscorer with 44 goals (30 League goals. 11 Legue cup goals. 3 FA cup goals.)
Marsh's QPR Record
1965-66 -16 league games -8 goals
1966-67 - 41 league games - 30 goals
1967-68 - 25 league games - 14 goals
1968-69 - 22 league games - 4 goals
1969-70 - 38 league games- 12 goals
1970-71 - 39 league games - 21 goals
1971-72 -30 league games- 17 goals
Marsh was of course a lot, lot more than just scoring goals. Making goals. Dribbling. Excitement and relationship with fans...
It would be nice if the club would have some special commemoration on Saturday before the game at Brighton at Loftus Road to mark those 40 Years.
MORE MARSH/QPR MEMORIES:
See
http://www.kabrna.com/marsh/marsh_frames.htm
http://www.ynw62.dial.pipex.com/rodney.htm
Also Marsh Q& A http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/sports_talk/forum/2248914.stm
Roddd....neee
Forty Years ago this week: March 1966, one of the most significant days in QPR History: Alex Stock/Jim Gregory signed Fulham's Rodney Marsh for £15,000.
March 19, 1966: Marsh made his debut away to Peterborough. Drew 1-1 and didn't score.
The team for Marsh's debut: Peter Springett -Langley, Hunt Sibley Watson - Lazarus, Keen, Roger Morgan, Allen, Collins Marsh.
(The following week, Marsh made his home debut and scored twice in a 6-1 win over Millwall. Other scorers: Collins, Les Allen, Mark Lazaru & Roger Morgan)
March 1972, just a few months after Marsh played for England...:One of the blackest days in QPR History (we thought at the time!)...Marsh joined Manchester City for £200,000.
(Gordon Jago's QPR went undefeated for the rest of the season - 12 games - and the following season, signed Stan Bowles who, many would say, became even greater than Marsh.)
Marsh's last game for QPR: March 4, 1972 away to Bristol City. QPR lost 0-2
Parkes - Clement Hazell Mancini Gillard - Francis Busby Hunt - Marsh O'Rourke Mcculloch
Sub Leach (Note 7 "home growns" in the 12 - and Clement, Hazell, Hunt and Leach along with Watson were playing for QPR when Marsh joined)
In all, Marsh scored 106 goals in 211 League Games for QPR. In the 1966/67 season, Marsh was the country's top goalscorer with 44 goals (30 League goals. 11 Legue cup goals. 3 FA cup goals.)
Marsh's QPR Record
1965-66 -16 league games -8 goals
1966-67 - 41 league games - 30 goals
1967-68 - 25 league games - 14 goals
1968-69 - 22 league games - 4 goals
1969-70 - 38 league games- 12 goals
1970-71 - 39 league games - 21 goals
1971-72 -30 league games- 17 goals
Marsh was of course a lot, lot more than just scoring goals. Making goals. Dribbling. Excitement and relationship with fans...
It would be nice if the club would have some special commemoration on Saturday before the game at Brighton at Loftus Road to mark those 40 Years.
MORE MARSH/QPR MEMORIES:
See
http://www.kabrna.com/marsh/marsh_frames.htm
http://www.ynw62.dial.pipex.com/rodney.htm
Also Marsh Q& A http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/sports_talk/forum/2248914.stm
Happy 43rd Birthday to QPR Hero, Ian Holloway
-
Ian Holloway. Born March 12, 1963
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=9445
No more needs to be said. He did a lot for QPR. All QPR fans should be grateful for what he did.
Ian Holloway. Born March 12, 1963
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=9445
No more needs to be said. He did a lot for QPR. All QPR fans should be grateful for what he did.
Past Paladini Comments re New Stadium/Remaining at Loftus Road
-
Caliendo re Stadium Move
The Saturday Daily Mirror ran a story entitled "QPR READY TO LEAVE LOFTUS ROAD." Written by John Cross the story read "QPR are secretly plotting to desert Loftus Road and move to a new stadium half-a-mile down the road. ... QPR director Antonio Caliendo has revealed the club has targeted a site opposite the BBC headquarters at nearby White City which would be part of one of the biggest shopping and leisure developments in Europe....Caliendo, 61, said: "It would be good one day to play in the Premier League in our new home despite the fact we love playing in Loftus Road."We are here to achieve that......"http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16800936&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=qpr-ready-to-leave-loftus-road--name_page.html
From a couple of months ago+
In a Q& A on the Official Site, Paladini asked about a stadium:
"A new 30,000 seater stadium would probably cost over £40m and the combination of what you might get for the existing site and the debt you could (safely) raise against the extra seat income doesn't look to me to be anything like enough to pay for it."
Every day I get people offering me things. Six months ago we were approached by a company that built Leyton Orient's ground. They wanted to build us a new ground next to Loftus Road. I told them to investigate it as it was not costing the club any money just to have a look. If you own a Jaguar and someone offers you a Rolls-Royce for free you'd be silly not to look. The deal would mean a 30,000 all-seater stadium, our £10 million loan would be paid off and we'd also have £5 million in cash. I think you would agree we'd be silly not to look at it. But I don't want fans to get too excited, this is just one of many offers I get everyday. I was also approached by Brian Rowe who heads up a group of people. He thinks a new ground can be built in Shepherds Bush, so I told him to have a look. Once again it isn't costing the club any money just to investigate. If something ever does materialise then we wouldn't leave Loftus Road until the new stadium was built. I'd also like to investigate the possibility of upgrading the current stadium but until we have paid off our debt we just cannot afford to do it.http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/QA/0,,10373,00.html
Paladini Asked about the stadium in an interview with QPR Net
QPR NET : We heard a lot about moving to a new ground in the future, is that a serious possibility? GP: Somebody came to me and said if we had a chance of building a new ground over there would you be interested? It would be foolish of me not to look at it. As long it doesn’t cost me any money then come with your plans, show me you have permission from the council and I will put it to fans. If someone had come and said I have an idea to move to Heathrow then I would have said no thanks, not interested we are happy here Personally I don’t think we’ll ever move, I hope we will be in a position one day where can rebuild one stand at a time, build on what we have and create a lovely football stadium here because this is the place to be. Like I say I don’t think we’ll move but if we do it wont be my decision anyway, any decision like that can only be made by the fans. http://qprnet.com/interviews/paladini.shtml
In A QPR 1st Interview
CTOBER 2005OCTOBER 2005 --QPR1stQPR 1st Minutes/Report from Meeting with QPR Board reps Friday 21st October 2005 In attendance: QPR Holdings Ltd Reps: Gianni Paladini (GP) Chairman; Antonio Caliendo (AC) Monaco groups’ consultant; Chris Pennington (CP) Chief financial officer QPR 1st Reps: Geoff Gibbs (GG) Treasurer; Tracy Stent (TS) Chairperson ...
AC said that when the season tickets went up they (GP and himself) were not consulted. We then asked a rather difficult question in that if AC could clarify as to the substance of the rumours we heard last year about a sale and leaseback of the ground having been mooted by him and other board members? And also would the current board consider doing a sale and leaseback of the Loftus Road ground in the future? AC said he would not respond to something like that as it was a complete non-goer. GP himself appeared to become quite agitated regarding this matter and said how he could not understand why so many people seemed to talk about the sale of the ground and insinuating that they (the new board) were a bunch of crooks. GG explained that there have been instances in the past of clubs having lost their grounds after false promises by their owners (Brighton and Maidstone were given as examples) and that supporters only wished to seek reassurances that their club would have a ground to play at in the future. Which then led to a rather interesting discussion about a potential new ground in which basically the idea is that QPR would ‘own’ a new ground on the Astroturf/park site in South Africa road, which would cost in excess of £40m to build. This would apparently be self-financing. GP stated twice that should such an idea become a reality, QPR would own the new ground, and would stay at the existing Loftus Road whilst it was being built. We stated that if such a new ground were to ever go ahead i.e. if the council were to give planning permission etc, then there would need to be a strict stipulation that QPR would remain playing at LR until the new ground would be built. GP agreed and said he would agree to this as being a written condition within any planning application. We did point out to GP that football is littered with architect’s models of new stadiums that have never happened hence our initial scepticism. ...
http://www.qpr1st.co.uk/documents/GandAminutes.doc -
Caliendo re Stadium Move
The Saturday Daily Mirror ran a story entitled "QPR READY TO LEAVE LOFTUS ROAD." Written by John Cross the story read "QPR are secretly plotting to desert Loftus Road and move to a new stadium half-a-mile down the road. ... QPR director Antonio Caliendo has revealed the club has targeted a site opposite the BBC headquarters at nearby White City which would be part of one of the biggest shopping and leisure developments in Europe....Caliendo, 61, said: "It would be good one day to play in the Premier League in our new home despite the fact we love playing in Loftus Road."We are here to achieve that......"http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16800936&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=qpr-ready-to-leave-loftus-road--name_page.html
From a couple of months ago+
In a Q& A on the Official Site, Paladini asked about a stadium:
"A new 30,000 seater stadium would probably cost over £40m and the combination of what you might get for the existing site and the debt you could (safely) raise against the extra seat income doesn't look to me to be anything like enough to pay for it."
Every day I get people offering me things. Six months ago we were approached by a company that built Leyton Orient's ground. They wanted to build us a new ground next to Loftus Road. I told them to investigate it as it was not costing the club any money just to have a look. If you own a Jaguar and someone offers you a Rolls-Royce for free you'd be silly not to look. The deal would mean a 30,000 all-seater stadium, our £10 million loan would be paid off and we'd also have £5 million in cash. I think you would agree we'd be silly not to look at it. But I don't want fans to get too excited, this is just one of many offers I get everyday. I was also approached by Brian Rowe who heads up a group of people. He thinks a new ground can be built in Shepherds Bush, so I told him to have a look. Once again it isn't costing the club any money just to investigate. If something ever does materialise then we wouldn't leave Loftus Road until the new stadium was built. I'd also like to investigate the possibility of upgrading the current stadium but until we have paid off our debt we just cannot afford to do it.http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/QA/0,,10373,00.html
Paladini Asked about the stadium in an interview with QPR Net
QPR NET : We heard a lot about moving to a new ground in the future, is that a serious possibility? GP: Somebody came to me and said if we had a chance of building a new ground over there would you be interested? It would be foolish of me not to look at it. As long it doesn’t cost me any money then come with your plans, show me you have permission from the council and I will put it to fans. If someone had come and said I have an idea to move to Heathrow then I would have said no thanks, not interested we are happy here Personally I don’t think we’ll ever move, I hope we will be in a position one day where can rebuild one stand at a time, build on what we have and create a lovely football stadium here because this is the place to be. Like I say I don’t think we’ll move but if we do it wont be my decision anyway, any decision like that can only be made by the fans. http://qprnet.com/interviews/paladini.shtml
In A QPR 1st Interview
CTOBER 2005OCTOBER 2005 --QPR1stQPR 1st Minutes/Report from Meeting with QPR Board reps Friday 21st October 2005 In attendance: QPR Holdings Ltd Reps: Gianni Paladini (GP) Chairman; Antonio Caliendo (AC) Monaco groups’ consultant; Chris Pennington (CP) Chief financial officer QPR 1st Reps: Geoff Gibbs (GG) Treasurer; Tracy Stent (TS) Chairperson ...
AC said that when the season tickets went up they (GP and himself) were not consulted. We then asked a rather difficult question in that if AC could clarify as to the substance of the rumours we heard last year about a sale and leaseback of the ground having been mooted by him and other board members? And also would the current board consider doing a sale and leaseback of the Loftus Road ground in the future? AC said he would not respond to something like that as it was a complete non-goer. GP himself appeared to become quite agitated regarding this matter and said how he could not understand why so many people seemed to talk about the sale of the ground and insinuating that they (the new board) were a bunch of crooks. GG explained that there have been instances in the past of clubs having lost their grounds after false promises by their owners (Brighton and Maidstone were given as examples) and that supporters only wished to seek reassurances that their club would have a ground to play at in the future. Which then led to a rather interesting discussion about a potential new ground in which basically the idea is that QPR would ‘own’ a new ground on the Astroturf/park site in South Africa road, which would cost in excess of £40m to build. This would apparently be self-financing. GP stated twice that should such an idea become a reality, QPR would own the new ground, and would stay at the existing Loftus Road whilst it was being built. We stated that if such a new ground were to ever go ahead i.e. if the council were to give planning permission etc, then there would need to be a strict stipulation that QPR would remain playing at LR until the new ground would be built. GP agreed and said he would agree to this as being a written condition within any planning application. We did point out to GP that football is littered with architect’s models of new stadiums that have never happened hence our initial scepticism. ...
http://www.qpr1st.co.uk/documents/GandAminutes.doc -
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Waddock: "Great resilience and character"...Sturrock Praises Paul Jones "exasperating"
-
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
GREAT CHARACTER
Gary Waddock praised the character and resilience of his side after the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.The Hoops Caretaker Manager had seen his side come from a goal down to claim a priceless point in the Steel City."We fought with our lives. They threw everything at us, but we didn't cave in.
"We showed great character to come from a goal down and it's a very good point in the end.
"Credit has to go to the players. They've been great and they deserve all the praise that comes their way.''
Deon Burton had given the Owls an early lead, only for Marc Bircham to draw Rangers level on the stroke of half time with a fine stooping header.
"They stuck together today and never gave up throughout the 90 minutes.
"It was a great goal from Birch and the timing was fantastic. It changed the team-talk somewhat and although we had to defend with our lives in the second half, we did so superbly.
"We made a point of the pitch and the conditions in our team-talk. We knew it wasn't going to be pretty but we dug in and got a creditable point.''
Waddock also paid tribute to Paul Jones, who again shone with a series of outstanding saves.
"Jonah (Paul Jones) made another number of fantastic saves and the back four in front of him defended superbly. It was wave after wave of attack at times, but we coped and that shows great resilience and character.'' http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~800819,00.html
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OFFICIAL SITE
Sturrock: "Exasperating"
Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock put the Owls' 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers down to a fine display of goalkeeping by Rs veteran Paul Jones, as the hosts failed to make the most of their opportunities in a game they had the better of.
The boss said most of Wednesday's better opportunities were on target only to find a keeper in inspired form - just as Cardiff's Neil Alexander was last week:
"It's exasperating because we've now had two keepers produce 'worldy' saves from us in successive weeks to thwart us," said Sturrock. "To be fair, they weren't what you would call criminal misses; people were hitting the target and forced some unbelievable saves.
"I can't ask for any more from the players. I've called upon them for the last two weeks to give me everything they've got. They've done that and we've only got one point to show for it."
Sturrock admitted that Rangers' equaliser was a bad goal to concede but preferred to focus on the impressive displays shown by the likes of Yoann Folly and Burton O'Brien. He was also pleased with the performances of new boys Scott Carson and Mikkel Bischoff:
"Carson is a quality goalkeeper. He had an offer of five clubs to go to but chose us and I'm delighted about that. His kicking was excellent, he talked and organised and swept up behind the back three."
The Scot added: "Mikkel played on Thursday for 90 minutes and was cramping throughout the second half but he got on with it until we had to take it off. He showed he's got a lot of promise. He's quick, good in the air and he read things."
Sturrock was also relieved to see Deon Burton finally on the target with his first goal for the Owls: "That was long overdue," he said. "There's been tension in his play because of the lack of goals but in the last two games he's been outstanding in running the line and his hold-up play."
With Derby and Leicester winning, Wednesday are now firmly embroiled in a battle with Millwall, Brighton and Crewe, with only one team set to seal Championship survival.
Sturrock concluded: "We're disappointed but we've got to keep our heads up. It's turned into a four-horse race now. We have to move onwards and upwards
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersView/0,,10304~800833,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
GREAT CHARACTER
Gary Waddock praised the character and resilience of his side after the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.The Hoops Caretaker Manager had seen his side come from a goal down to claim a priceless point in the Steel City."We fought with our lives. They threw everything at us, but we didn't cave in.
"We showed great character to come from a goal down and it's a very good point in the end.
"Credit has to go to the players. They've been great and they deserve all the praise that comes their way.''
Deon Burton had given the Owls an early lead, only for Marc Bircham to draw Rangers level on the stroke of half time with a fine stooping header.
"They stuck together today and never gave up throughout the 90 minutes.
"It was a great goal from Birch and the timing was fantastic. It changed the team-talk somewhat and although we had to defend with our lives in the second half, we did so superbly.
"We made a point of the pitch and the conditions in our team-talk. We knew it wasn't going to be pretty but we dug in and got a creditable point.''
Waddock also paid tribute to Paul Jones, who again shone with a series of outstanding saves.
"Jonah (Paul Jones) made another number of fantastic saves and the back four in front of him defended superbly. It was wave after wave of attack at times, but we coped and that shows great resilience and character.'' http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~800819,00.html
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OFFICIAL SITE
Sturrock: "Exasperating"
Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock put the Owls' 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers down to a fine display of goalkeeping by Rs veteran Paul Jones, as the hosts failed to make the most of their opportunities in a game they had the better of.
The boss said most of Wednesday's better opportunities were on target only to find a keeper in inspired form - just as Cardiff's Neil Alexander was last week:
"It's exasperating because we've now had two keepers produce 'worldy' saves from us in successive weeks to thwart us," said Sturrock. "To be fair, they weren't what you would call criminal misses; people were hitting the target and forced some unbelievable saves.
"I can't ask for any more from the players. I've called upon them for the last two weeks to give me everything they've got. They've done that and we've only got one point to show for it."
Sturrock admitted that Rangers' equaliser was a bad goal to concede but preferred to focus on the impressive displays shown by the likes of Yoann Folly and Burton O'Brien. He was also pleased with the performances of new boys Scott Carson and Mikkel Bischoff:
"Carson is a quality goalkeeper. He had an offer of five clubs to go to but chose us and I'm delighted about that. His kicking was excellent, he talked and organised and swept up behind the back three."
The Scot added: "Mikkel played on Thursday for 90 minutes and was cramping throughout the second half but he got on with it until we had to take it off. He showed he's got a lot of promise. He's quick, good in the air and he read things."
Sturrock was also relieved to see Deon Burton finally on the target with his first goal for the Owls: "That was long overdue," he said. "There's been tension in his play because of the lack of goals but in the last two games he's been outstanding in running the line and his hold-up play."
With Derby and Leicester winning, Wednesday are now firmly embroiled in a battle with Millwall, Brighton and Crewe, with only one team set to seal Championship survival.
Sturrock concluded: "We're disappointed but we've got to keep our heads up. It's turned into a four-horse race now. We have to move onwards and upwards
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersView/0,,10304~800833,00.html
Sheffield Wednesday and QPR Draw 1-1
-
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OFFICIAL SITE
Wednesday were left frustrated after being held by Queens Park Rangers despite dominating the Hillsborough contest and creating enough chances to win two matches.
The Owls dominated the play but were left lamenting their inability to make their superiority count, as R's keeper Paul Jones and the woodwork kept them at bay.
Deon Burton gave Wednesday an early advantage but Marc Bircham popped up to earn the Londoners a point just before half-time.
Scott Carson - one of two Owls loanees making their debut along with Mikkel Bischoff - was called into action in the opening minutes as he smartly clutched Gareth Ainsworth's long-range drive, while Paul Jones made a superb stop to repel Burton in the sixth minute. Burton O'Brien swung over a pinpoint cross from the left which Burton met sweetly only for the Wales goalkeeper to paw his header around the post.
However Wednesdayites didn't have long to wait to see the former Derby man open his SWFC account, as he struck in the 13th minute to give the Owls first blood. Chris Brunt took a quick throw-in to Glenn Whelan, whose first time flicked pass spun behind the Rangers backline for Burton to race in between defenders and goalkeeper to prod home.
Lee Bullen saw a header saved from O'Brien's centre and Yoann Folly was well off target from long distances, as tempers began to rise on and off the field with the officials coming up with some questionable decisions. One such incident led to QPR's equaliser two minutes from the break, as Bircham headed home a Lee Cook free-kick at the near post after a dubious foul was awarded close to the Owls' left-hand corner flag.
How Wednesday failed to get themselves back in front in the first four minutes of the second half will remain an eternal mystery. Firstly they were kept out by a fine double save from Jones, who palmed away Marcus Tudgay's toe-ender before rising to block Burton's blast.
Then the veteran stopper twice thwarted Tudgay in an amazing goalmouth scramble in which the ball seemed to be kept from crossing the line by an invisible force. Tudgay saw a brace of efforts saved before Folly hit the bar from close range.
Tudgay could only head tamely at Jones after smart work and an accurate centre from Bullen and then saw his header creep agonisingly across goal after Burton pulled back Brunt's pass. O'Brien's drive was blocked by Marcus Bignot and Tudgay was off target from the former Livingston man's cross soon after as Wednesday continued to press forward.
Carson had been a spectator for much of the half but was alert when called upon to behind Cook's inswinging free-kick. The Owls continued to try everything with Steven MacLean and Leon Best both coming into the fray, however the desired winner failed to materialise.
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10304~31115,00.html
QPR Official Site Report on Sheff Wed 1 QPR 1
Rangers rode their luck to grind out a draw in a gritty encounter at Hillsborough.
Marc Bircham's fearsome header on the stroke of half time proved priceless, as Gary Waddock's side weathered a second half storm to leave the Steel City with a plucky point.
The Hoops midfielder - who was recalled to the starting line up after missing the home clash with Wolves due to illness seven days earlier - stooped to head home Lee Cook's 43rd minute free kick.
Earlier, the Owls were ahead on 12 minutes, courtesy of Deon Burton's close range strike.
The Jamaican international notched from inside the six yard box, after Glenn Whelan's sublime through ball from midfield cut open the entire Hoops defence.
Hoops custodian Paul Jones was the hero of the hour during the second period, producing five top-drawer saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Rangers threatened sporadically, with Cook calling Scott Carson into a neat save at his far post, but it was the home side who were left licking their wounds at full time, as the realisation of their relegation dog-fight started to hit home.
Rangers Caretaker Manager Gary Waddock recalled midfield pair Steve Lomas and Bircham, with Richard Langley and Stefan Bailey the unlucky duo to miss out.
Wednesday included recent loan signings Carson and Mikkel Bischoff, who joined from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively on Friday.
Rangers were on the front foot almost immediately, with Cook's out-swinging cross narrowly evading the on-rushing Paul Furlong.
On two minutes, Gareth Ainsworth's right foot curler from fully 25 yards forced Carson into a splendid stop, just when the ball seemed destined to nestle into the roof of the net.
Play quickly switched to the other end, where Burton evaded his marker, only to see his powerful header superbly tipped round by Paul Jones.
The Owls were winning the midfield battler early on and when Yoann Folly played a clever one-two with Marcus Tudgay, Matthew Rose was called into a terrific last ditch cover tackle to thwart the Southampton loanee from getting his shot away.
Dan Shittu required treatment for a facial injury, before the Owls took the lead on 12 minutes.
Whelan's deft through ball from the middle of the park was weighted to perfection and Burton nipped in to apply the finishing touch past the exposed Jones from the edge of the six yard box.
Cook was beginning to have an impact as the half wore on, getting free of his marker on more than one occasion, only for his final ball to go missing all too often.
Chris Brunt, who Waddock had earmarked as a danger-man before the trip North, broke free on 21 minutes, but Shittu was in the right place at the right time to divert the ball for a corner.
New signing Bischoff marked his Owls debut with a booking for a lunge on Furlong on 23 minutes, much to the dismay of the home crowd, who thought their man took the ball.
Mauro Milanese was getting forward to good effect, with his searching left sided cross narrowly evading Furlong at the front post in the 27th minute.
Ainsworth's speculative 30 yard volley was easily held by Carson on the half hour, but it was Wednesday who continued to force the initiative, with Brunt and Burton at the heart of their positive display.
Rangers drew level on the stroke of half time when Cook's superb in-swinging free kick was met by Bircham's powerful glancing at the near post. Carson stood no chance, as the ball nestled in the top corner of the net to the delight of the travelling Hoops faithful.
Jones was Rangers' saviour a minute into the second half, firstly tipping away Tudgay's point blank strike, before flinging himself to his left to deny Burton from the edge of the penalty box.
Seconds later, the Welsh stopper was at it again, twice denying Tudgay with what can only be described as world class saves, before Folly's follow up cannoned off the crossbar to safety.
The Owls continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and when Lee Bullen out-foxed Cook on the right flank, Burton arrived bang on cue only to head straight at Jones.
There was simply no respite for the visitors, as the Owls - backed by a fanatical home crowd - continually forced the Superhoops to defend in numbers.
Burton headed wide from ten yards after fine wide play from O'Brien, before Cook's bending set piece was tipped to safety by Carson with the match approaching the 70 minute mark.
Rose judged his tackle on Burton to perfection just as the former Pompey striker seemed poised to test Jones yet again, while at the other end, substitute Langley ballooned his left footed shot well wide of the post.
As the home side became increasingly frustrated, it was referee Andy D'Urso who bore the brunt of their annoyance.
Both sides went in search of a winner, but despite five minutes of added time, it ended all square.
Sheffield Wednesday: Carson, Bullen, Folly, Coughlan, Whelan, O'Brien, Brunt (Best 83), Burton, Bischoff (Simek 83), Gilbert, Tudgay (MacLean 76).
Subs: Adamson, Hills.
Goals: Burton 12
Bookings: Bischoff 23
QPR: Jones, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanaese, Ainsworth, Bircham, Lomas, Cook (Langley 69), Gallen, Furlong (Baidoo 86).
Subs: Royce, Evatt, Bailey.
Goals: Bircham 42
Bookings:
Referee: A D'Urso
Attendance: 22, 788
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~31115,00.html
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OFFICIAL SITE
Wednesday were left frustrated after being held by Queens Park Rangers despite dominating the Hillsborough contest and creating enough chances to win two matches.
The Owls dominated the play but were left lamenting their inability to make their superiority count, as R's keeper Paul Jones and the woodwork kept them at bay.
Deon Burton gave Wednesday an early advantage but Marc Bircham popped up to earn the Londoners a point just before half-time.
Scott Carson - one of two Owls loanees making their debut along with Mikkel Bischoff - was called into action in the opening minutes as he smartly clutched Gareth Ainsworth's long-range drive, while Paul Jones made a superb stop to repel Burton in the sixth minute. Burton O'Brien swung over a pinpoint cross from the left which Burton met sweetly only for the Wales goalkeeper to paw his header around the post.
However Wednesdayites didn't have long to wait to see the former Derby man open his SWFC account, as he struck in the 13th minute to give the Owls first blood. Chris Brunt took a quick throw-in to Glenn Whelan, whose first time flicked pass spun behind the Rangers backline for Burton to race in between defenders and goalkeeper to prod home.
Lee Bullen saw a header saved from O'Brien's centre and Yoann Folly was well off target from long distances, as tempers began to rise on and off the field with the officials coming up with some questionable decisions. One such incident led to QPR's equaliser two minutes from the break, as Bircham headed home a Lee Cook free-kick at the near post after a dubious foul was awarded close to the Owls' left-hand corner flag.
How Wednesday failed to get themselves back in front in the first four minutes of the second half will remain an eternal mystery. Firstly they were kept out by a fine double save from Jones, who palmed away Marcus Tudgay's toe-ender before rising to block Burton's blast.
Then the veteran stopper twice thwarted Tudgay in an amazing goalmouth scramble in which the ball seemed to be kept from crossing the line by an invisible force. Tudgay saw a brace of efforts saved before Folly hit the bar from close range.
Tudgay could only head tamely at Jones after smart work and an accurate centre from Bullen and then saw his header creep agonisingly across goal after Burton pulled back Brunt's pass. O'Brien's drive was blocked by Marcus Bignot and Tudgay was off target from the former Livingston man's cross soon after as Wednesday continued to press forward.
Carson had been a spectator for much of the half but was alert when called upon to behind Cook's inswinging free-kick. The Owls continued to try everything with Steven MacLean and Leon Best both coming into the fray, however the desired winner failed to materialise.
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10304~31115,00.html
QPR Official Site Report on Sheff Wed 1 QPR 1
Rangers rode their luck to grind out a draw in a gritty encounter at Hillsborough.
Marc Bircham's fearsome header on the stroke of half time proved priceless, as Gary Waddock's side weathered a second half storm to leave the Steel City with a plucky point.
The Hoops midfielder - who was recalled to the starting line up after missing the home clash with Wolves due to illness seven days earlier - stooped to head home Lee Cook's 43rd minute free kick.
Earlier, the Owls were ahead on 12 minutes, courtesy of Deon Burton's close range strike.
The Jamaican international notched from inside the six yard box, after Glenn Whelan's sublime through ball from midfield cut open the entire Hoops defence.
Hoops custodian Paul Jones was the hero of the hour during the second period, producing five top-drawer saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Rangers threatened sporadically, with Cook calling Scott Carson into a neat save at his far post, but it was the home side who were left licking their wounds at full time, as the realisation of their relegation dog-fight started to hit home.
Rangers Caretaker Manager Gary Waddock recalled midfield pair Steve Lomas and Bircham, with Richard Langley and Stefan Bailey the unlucky duo to miss out.
Wednesday included recent loan signings Carson and Mikkel Bischoff, who joined from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively on Friday.
Rangers were on the front foot almost immediately, with Cook's out-swinging cross narrowly evading the on-rushing Paul Furlong.
On two minutes, Gareth Ainsworth's right foot curler from fully 25 yards forced Carson into a splendid stop, just when the ball seemed destined to nestle into the roof of the net.
Play quickly switched to the other end, where Burton evaded his marker, only to see his powerful header superbly tipped round by Paul Jones.
The Owls were winning the midfield battler early on and when Yoann Folly played a clever one-two with Marcus Tudgay, Matthew Rose was called into a terrific last ditch cover tackle to thwart the Southampton loanee from getting his shot away.
Dan Shittu required treatment for a facial injury, before the Owls took the lead on 12 minutes.
Whelan's deft through ball from the middle of the park was weighted to perfection and Burton nipped in to apply the finishing touch past the exposed Jones from the edge of the six yard box.
Cook was beginning to have an impact as the half wore on, getting free of his marker on more than one occasion, only for his final ball to go missing all too often.
Chris Brunt, who Waddock had earmarked as a danger-man before the trip North, broke free on 21 minutes, but Shittu was in the right place at the right time to divert the ball for a corner.
New signing Bischoff marked his Owls debut with a booking for a lunge on Furlong on 23 minutes, much to the dismay of the home crowd, who thought their man took the ball.
Mauro Milanese was getting forward to good effect, with his searching left sided cross narrowly evading Furlong at the front post in the 27th minute.
Ainsworth's speculative 30 yard volley was easily held by Carson on the half hour, but it was Wednesday who continued to force the initiative, with Brunt and Burton at the heart of their positive display.
Rangers drew level on the stroke of half time when Cook's superb in-swinging free kick was met by Bircham's powerful glancing at the near post. Carson stood no chance, as the ball nestled in the top corner of the net to the delight of the travelling Hoops faithful.
Jones was Rangers' saviour a minute into the second half, firstly tipping away Tudgay's point blank strike, before flinging himself to his left to deny Burton from the edge of the penalty box.
Seconds later, the Welsh stopper was at it again, twice denying Tudgay with what can only be described as world class saves, before Folly's follow up cannoned off the crossbar to safety.
The Owls continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and when Lee Bullen out-foxed Cook on the right flank, Burton arrived bang on cue only to head straight at Jones.
There was simply no respite for the visitors, as the Owls - backed by a fanatical home crowd - continually forced the Superhoops to defend in numbers.
Burton headed wide from ten yards after fine wide play from O'Brien, before Cook's bending set piece was tipped to safety by Carson with the match approaching the 70 minute mark.
Rose judged his tackle on Burton to perfection just as the former Pompey striker seemed poised to test Jones yet again, while at the other end, substitute Langley ballooned his left footed shot well wide of the post.
As the home side became increasingly frustrated, it was referee Andy D'Urso who bore the brunt of their annoyance.
Both sides went in search of a winner, but despite five minutes of added time, it ended all square.
Sheffield Wednesday: Carson, Bullen, Folly, Coughlan, Whelan, O'Brien, Brunt (Best 83), Burton, Bischoff (Simek 83), Gilbert, Tudgay (MacLean 76).
Subs: Adamson, Hills.
Goals: Burton 12
Bookings: Bischoff 23
QPR: Jones, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanaese, Ainsworth, Bircham, Lomas, Cook (Langley 69), Gallen, Furlong (Baidoo 86).
Subs: Royce, Evatt, Bailey.
Goals: Bircham 42
Bookings:
Referee: A D'Urso
Attendance: 22, 788
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~31115,00.html
Ex-QPR's Leroy Griffiths - Aldershot Manager Wants Improvement in Discipline
-
Aldershot Manager on Leroy Griffiths
Aldershot Official Site
Manager Terry Brown has confirmed why striker Leroy Griffiths was on the substitutes bench on Tuesday evening in the 4-1 reverse at home to league leaders Accrington Stanley.
The 29 year old Londoner came on as an early second half replacement for Ryan Williams and scored his fifth goal since his arrival on loan from Fisher Athletic in January.
Talking to www.theshots.co.uk the boss said, "Leroy is a problematical young lad and the fact that he appeared for the game was magical enough really. We have had words and he has been disciplined. Hopefully he will decide that he wants to knuckle down and finish the season off with us.The decision is in his hands but he has to train with us and work hard. When he plays he does well. He is a lively performer and he scored when he came on. I have no problems with Leroy on the park it is just getting him to turn up".
He is a lovely likeable player who has all the ability in the world. It is up to him to show his dedication
Continuing, the boss said that he hopes that Leroy can show the commitment to reward the talent that he has stating, "Leroy has had one or two problems in the past and if he is to do himself justice then he has to improve on his discipline. He is a lovely likeable player who has all the ability in the world. It is up to him to show his dedication".
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27180&type=n
BBC -Brown wants Griffiths improvement
Aldershot boss Terry Brown has told striker Leroy Griffiths that he must improve his off-field discipline. Griffiths, 29, has scored five goals for the Shots since signing on loan from Fisher Athletic in January. "Hopefully he will decide that he wants to knuckle down and finish the season with us," Brown told the club website. "The decision is in his hands but he has to train with us and work hard. I have no problems with Leroy on the park it's just getting him to turn up." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/4790292.stm
Aldershot Manager on Leroy Griffiths
Aldershot Official Site
Manager Terry Brown has confirmed why striker Leroy Griffiths was on the substitutes bench on Tuesday evening in the 4-1 reverse at home to league leaders Accrington Stanley.
The 29 year old Londoner came on as an early second half replacement for Ryan Williams and scored his fifth goal since his arrival on loan from Fisher Athletic in January.
Talking to www.theshots.co.uk the boss said, "Leroy is a problematical young lad and the fact that he appeared for the game was magical enough really. We have had words and he has been disciplined. Hopefully he will decide that he wants to knuckle down and finish the season off with us.The decision is in his hands but he has to train with us and work hard. When he plays he does well. He is a lively performer and he scored when he came on. I have no problems with Leroy on the park it is just getting him to turn up".
He is a lovely likeable player who has all the ability in the world. It is up to him to show his dedication
Continuing, the boss said that he hopes that Leroy can show the commitment to reward the talent that he has stating, "Leroy has had one or two problems in the past and if he is to do himself justice then he has to improve on his discipline. He is a lovely likeable player who has all the ability in the world. It is up to him to show his dedication".
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27180&type=n
BBC -Brown wants Griffiths improvement
Aldershot boss Terry Brown has told striker Leroy Griffiths that he must improve his off-field discipline. Griffiths, 29, has scored five goals for the Shots since signing on loan from Fisher Athletic in January. "Hopefully he will decide that he wants to knuckle down and finish the season with us," Brown told the club website. "The decision is in his hands but he has to train with us and work hard. I have no problems with Leroy on the park it's just getting him to turn up." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/4790292.stm
QPR Leaving Loftus Road?...And Caliendo Expects QPR in Premiership in 2007/2008
-
BBC Gossip "QPR are planning to leave Loftus Road and move to a new stadium
half-a-mile down the road, opposite the BBC at White City. (Daily Mirror)
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4795668.stm
DAILY MIRROR
QPR READY TO LEAVE LOFTUS ROAD
By John Cross
QPR are secretly plotting to desert Loftus Road and move to a new stadium half-a-mile down the road.
QPR director Antonio Caliendo has revealed the club has targeted a site opposite the BBC headquarters at nearby White City which would be part of one of the biggest shopping and leisure developments in Europe.
Italian-born Caliendo, the former agent of ex-World Cup superstar Roberto Baggio, has now set a two-year target for manager Gary Waddock to get the club back into the Premiership.
Caliendo, 61, said: "It would be good one day to play in the Premier League in our new home despite the fact we love playing in Loftus Road.
"We are here to achieve that. I believe that in 2007-2008 QPR will play again in the Premier League, which is what our fantastic fans deserve."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16800936&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=qpr-ready-to-leave-loftus-road--name_page.html
BBC Gossip "QPR are planning to leave Loftus Road and move to a new stadium
half-a-mile down the road, opposite the BBC at White City. (Daily Mirror)
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/4795668.stm
DAILY MIRROR
QPR READY TO LEAVE LOFTUS ROAD
By John Cross
QPR are secretly plotting to desert Loftus Road and move to a new stadium half-a-mile down the road.
QPR director Antonio Caliendo has revealed the club has targeted a site opposite the BBC headquarters at nearby White City which would be part of one of the biggest shopping and leisure developments in Europe.
Italian-born Caliendo, the former agent of ex-World Cup superstar Roberto Baggio, has now set a two-year target for manager Gary Waddock to get the club back into the Premiership.
Caliendo, 61, said: "It would be good one day to play in the Premier League in our new home despite the fact we love playing in Loftus Road.
"We are here to achieve that. I believe that in 2007-2008 QPR will play again in the Premier League, which is what our fantastic fans deserve."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16800936&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=qpr-ready-to-leave-loftus-road--name_page.html
Friday, March 10, 2006
Sheffield Wednesday vs QPR
-
[Remember QPR beating Sheffield Wednesday 8-2 in a League Cup game in 1974? (the round before we lost 0-3 at home to 3rd Division Plymouth). A couple of other victories from the early 1970s: Jago's total football in 1972/73 4:2 (4-0 at half time, I think). And the year or two before, 3-0 - All these Games of coure, were at Loftus Road). Remmeber when we signed Vic Mobley from Sheff Wed in 1969 for a massive 50,000 pounds. He 'looked" like a tough center half. Unfortunately didnt play too many games for us before injury.
Sheffield Wednesday Official Site
QPR Preview
Coca Cola Championship - Saturday 11th March 2006
Team News
Wednesday - John Hills, Peter Gilbert and Steven MacLean could both be back in the squad for Saturday. MacLean missed the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff last weekend with a suspected broken toe, but a scan earlier in the week confirmed that it was merely swelling on the bone. Paul Sturrock is also hoping to dip into the loan market and add at least one new face to his ranks by the weekend.
Queens Park Rangers - Simon Royce (hip), Martin Rowlands (knee) and Dominic Shimmin (groin) were ruled out of the goalless draw against Wolves last week.
Previous Fixture Line-Up
Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City: Adamson, Bullen, Coughlan, Collins, Simek, Brunt (Best 77), Whelan, Folly, O'Brien, Tudgay, Burton. Subs Not Used: Kirby, Partridge, Spurr, Rocastle.
QPR v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Jones, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanese, Ainsworth, Langley, Bailey, Cook, Gallen (Youssouf 63), Furlong.Subs Not Used: Thomas, Santos, Kus, Baidoo.
Selected Odds from www.owlsbet.co.uk:
Owls win - 6/4QPR win - 13/8Draw - 21/10
Correct Score - Owls to win 2-1 - 17/2
Scorecast - Chris Brunt to score first in 2-1 Owls win - 65/1
Time of First Goal - 71-80 minutes - 20/1
Last Time Out: 26th August 2005: QPR 0 - SWFC 0
John Hills saw red while three Owls players had to be withdrawn through injury as Wednesday clung on to earn a point at Loftus Road in August. The best chances fell to the home side - Gareth Ainsworth tested David Lucas with a stinging volley, while Tommy Doherty and Kevin Gallen both wasted chances. Wednesday's best effort came in the closing stages - a snapshot from Burton O'Brien being turned around the post by Simon Royce.
Competitive Form: Last 5 results (Home and Away):
SWFC -D-L-L-L-LQPR - L-W-L-W-D
History
Matches Played: 52 Owls Wins: 24Draws: 10QPR Wins: 18
At Hillsborough: Matches Played: 26SWFC Wins: 17Draws: 2QPR Wins: 7
Split Loyalties: A selection of players who have appeared for both QPR and SWFC:
Ron Springett, Vic Mobley, Peter Springett, Andy McCulloch, Gary Bannister, Simon Stainrod, Trevor Francis, Chris Woods, Andy Sinton, Marlon Broomes, Danny Maddix, Leon Knight
One To Watch
Gareth Ainsworth (11): Profile taken from www.qpr.co.uk - Having been released by Cardiff City, winger Gareth Ainsworth signed for Rangers in June 2003. Beginning his league career with Preston, Ainsworth had spells at Cambridge United, Lincoln, Preston (again) and Port Vale before moving to then-Premiership side Wimbledon for £2,000,000. He made just 45 appearances for the Dons due to injury problems and moved on to Cardiff City, only to be released at the end of the 2002-03 season.
His contribution to Rangers' recent success is without question, providing leadership and pace, not to mention a couple of cracking goals throughout their promotion winning 2003-04 season, which culminated in a 3-1 win at Hillsborough. Ainsworth has taken to life in the Championship without any problems. He scored only twice in 23 appearances last season, but has managed six goals in his 33 league outings in the current campaign
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/NextMatchPreview/0,,10304~799780,00.html
Mixed News For Sturrock
Owls boss Paul Sturrock has had mixed news on the injury front - with three players in contention to return against QPR but Richard Wood ruled out for the rest of the month.
Wood, who was hoping to be back in action next week, will be missing for an additional fortnight after new scans revealed he has a slight tendon problem around the site of his previously-diagnosed groin injury.
Sturrock said: "Woody wasn't responding to treatment so we scanned him from a different angle, which showed some fibres of his tendon have peeled off the bone. It'll set him back another 2-3 weeks."
But John Hills, Peter Gilbert and Steven MacLean all have a chance of being fit to face the Rs:
"Hills has trained all week and we're building Gilbert up slowly," said Sturrock on Thursday morning. "If they come through training today they should both be available for Saturday."
He added: "MacLean is still feeling some pain but he'll do the loosener on Thursday and see how he feels."
There could be a further double boost, with Jon-Paul McGovern and Steve Adams pencilled in to return to full training next week.
Sturrock said: "JP's had some good news. The thigh tear has near enough totally healed. He's back into kicking for the next couple of days and then will start training on Monday. Stevie's nipped a cartilage but it shouldn't stop his build-up [from his Achilles problem]. He hasn't had a serious reaction but the proof of the pudding will come next week when he starts ball work."
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/News/0,,10304~799720,00.html
[Remember QPR beating Sheffield Wednesday 8-2 in a League Cup game in 1974? (the round before we lost 0-3 at home to 3rd Division Plymouth). A couple of other victories from the early 1970s: Jago's total football in 1972/73 4:2 (4-0 at half time, I think). And the year or two before, 3-0 - All these Games of coure, were at Loftus Road). Remmeber when we signed Vic Mobley from Sheff Wed in 1969 for a massive 50,000 pounds. He 'looked" like a tough center half. Unfortunately didnt play too many games for us before injury.
Sheffield Wednesday Official Site
QPR Preview
Coca Cola Championship - Saturday 11th March 2006
Team News
Wednesday - John Hills, Peter Gilbert and Steven MacLean could both be back in the squad for Saturday. MacLean missed the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff last weekend with a suspected broken toe, but a scan earlier in the week confirmed that it was merely swelling on the bone. Paul Sturrock is also hoping to dip into the loan market and add at least one new face to his ranks by the weekend.
Queens Park Rangers - Simon Royce (hip), Martin Rowlands (knee) and Dominic Shimmin (groin) were ruled out of the goalless draw against Wolves last week.
Previous Fixture Line-Up
Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City: Adamson, Bullen, Coughlan, Collins, Simek, Brunt (Best 77), Whelan, Folly, O'Brien, Tudgay, Burton. Subs Not Used: Kirby, Partridge, Spurr, Rocastle.
QPR v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Jones, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanese, Ainsworth, Langley, Bailey, Cook, Gallen (Youssouf 63), Furlong.Subs Not Used: Thomas, Santos, Kus, Baidoo.
Selected Odds from www.owlsbet.co.uk:
Owls win - 6/4QPR win - 13/8Draw - 21/10
Correct Score - Owls to win 2-1 - 17/2
Scorecast - Chris Brunt to score first in 2-1 Owls win - 65/1
Time of First Goal - 71-80 minutes - 20/1
Last Time Out: 26th August 2005: QPR 0 - SWFC 0
John Hills saw red while three Owls players had to be withdrawn through injury as Wednesday clung on to earn a point at Loftus Road in August. The best chances fell to the home side - Gareth Ainsworth tested David Lucas with a stinging volley, while Tommy Doherty and Kevin Gallen both wasted chances. Wednesday's best effort came in the closing stages - a snapshot from Burton O'Brien being turned around the post by Simon Royce.
Competitive Form: Last 5 results (Home and Away):
SWFC -D-L-L-L-LQPR - L-W-L-W-D
History
Matches Played: 52 Owls Wins: 24Draws: 10QPR Wins: 18
At Hillsborough: Matches Played: 26SWFC Wins: 17Draws: 2QPR Wins: 7
Split Loyalties: A selection of players who have appeared for both QPR and SWFC:
Ron Springett, Vic Mobley, Peter Springett, Andy McCulloch, Gary Bannister, Simon Stainrod, Trevor Francis, Chris Woods, Andy Sinton, Marlon Broomes, Danny Maddix, Leon Knight
One To Watch
Gareth Ainsworth (11): Profile taken from www.qpr.co.uk - Having been released by Cardiff City, winger Gareth Ainsworth signed for Rangers in June 2003. Beginning his league career with Preston, Ainsworth had spells at Cambridge United, Lincoln, Preston (again) and Port Vale before moving to then-Premiership side Wimbledon for £2,000,000. He made just 45 appearances for the Dons due to injury problems and moved on to Cardiff City, only to be released at the end of the 2002-03 season.
His contribution to Rangers' recent success is without question, providing leadership and pace, not to mention a couple of cracking goals throughout their promotion winning 2003-04 season, which culminated in a 3-1 win at Hillsborough. Ainsworth has taken to life in the Championship without any problems. He scored only twice in 23 appearances last season, but has managed six goals in his 33 league outings in the current campaign
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/NextMatchPreview/0,,10304~799780,00.html
Mixed News For Sturrock
Owls boss Paul Sturrock has had mixed news on the injury front - with three players in contention to return against QPR but Richard Wood ruled out for the rest of the month.
Wood, who was hoping to be back in action next week, will be missing for an additional fortnight after new scans revealed he has a slight tendon problem around the site of his previously-diagnosed groin injury.
Sturrock said: "Woody wasn't responding to treatment so we scanned him from a different angle, which showed some fibres of his tendon have peeled off the bone. It'll set him back another 2-3 weeks."
But John Hills, Peter Gilbert and Steven MacLean all have a chance of being fit to face the Rs:
"Hills has trained all week and we're building Gilbert up slowly," said Sturrock on Thursday morning. "If they come through training today they should both be available for Saturday."
He added: "MacLean is still feeling some pain but he'll do the loosener on Thursday and see how he feels."
There could be a further double boost, with Jon-Paul McGovern and Steve Adams pencilled in to return to full training next week.
Sturrock said: "JP's had some good news. The thigh tear has near enough totally healed. He's back into kicking for the next couple of days and then will start training on Monday. Stevie's nipped a cartilage but it shouldn't stop his build-up [from his Achilles problem]. He hasn't had a serious reaction but the proof of the pudding will come next week when he starts ball work."
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/News/0,,10304~799720,00.html
Thursday, March 09, 2006
QPR Fined £5,000 for their Conduct at Stoke (For How they Responsed to the Fan Assault on Simon Royce)
-
QPR were fined £5,000 for their conduct at the Stoke game. (That was the game when Simon Royce was attacked by a fan and QPR players raced to his defense. And apparently failed to "conduct themselves in an orderly fashion."]
The FA - March 9, 2006
QPR fined
At a disciplinary commission hearing today, Queens Park Rangers were fined £5,000 and warned as to their future conduct. The club admitted a charge of failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. The charge related to an incident during QPR's match against Stoke City on 3 December 2005.
Queens Park Rangers FC - Stoke City FC v Queens Park Rangers FCFootball League Championship, 3 December 2005
Admitted breach of FA Rule E20(a) - failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, and refraining from provocative behaviour. Result: Warned as to future conduct and fined £5,000
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/03/Qpr_fined.htm
QPR were fined £5,000 for their conduct at the Stoke game. (That was the game when Simon Royce was attacked by a fan and QPR players raced to his defense. And apparently failed to "conduct themselves in an orderly fashion."]
The FA - March 9, 2006
QPR fined
At a disciplinary commission hearing today, Queens Park Rangers were fined £5,000 and warned as to their future conduct. The club admitted a charge of failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. The charge related to an incident during QPR's match against Stoke City on 3 December 2005.
Queens Park Rangers FC - Stoke City FC v Queens Park Rangers FCFootball League Championship, 3 December 2005
Admitted breach of FA Rule E20(a) - failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, and refraining from provocative behaviour. Result: Warned as to future conduct and fined £5,000
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/03/Qpr_fined.htm
QPR's Official Site Staff Directory - Still Not Updated
-
Still listed on the Official QPR Directory, nine days in March:
Chief Financial Officer - Chris Pennington
New Media Manager - Billy Rice billyr@qpr.co.uk
[And, there remains reference to changes in the status of the Coaching Staff, or the arrival of Alan McDonald:
First Team Coaching StaffManager - Ian HollowayFirst Team Coaches - Tim Breacker, Gary Waddock, Gary Penrice, Tony Robert
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StaffDirectory/0,,10373,00.html
[Assuming of course, that there was no alteration of plans!]
How the QPR Official Site announced/reported the forthcoming departures of QPR's CFO, Chris Pennington and "New Media Manager", Billy Rice.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - JANUARY 20, 2006
PENNINGTON DEPARTS
QPR's Chief Financial Officer, Chris Pennington, is leaving the club and moving on to pastures new.
Chris, who has agreed to stay on until the end of February, said:
"I wish the club all the best for the future and I'll look forward to returning to Loftus Road to cheer on the Superhoops."
QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini, thanked Pennington for his help.
"I'd like to thank him for his help since we came to the club. I wish him all the best for the future and he'll always be welcome at Loftus Road."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~771465,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - February 2, 2006
RICE DEPARTS
New Media Manager Billy Rice is to leave QPR after three and a half years at the club.Rice took responsibility for QPR World which is the most successful World site in the Football League.Last year, Rice also took overall responsibility for the QPR website.
He said: "I've been very fortunate to work at the club through some really great times; I'll always have memories of Paul Furlong's goal against Oldham, the day of the play-off final and promotion the following season.
"I've lived every fan's dream of working for the club I've supported all my life and I'll certainly leave with a heavy heart, but life moves on and I have been offered a great opportunity elsewhere.
"I'm sure I don't need to tell our fans what a truly special club this is. I may be leaving in one sense but I'll still be back every Saturday cheering the lads on.
"I'd like to thank the people I have worked with in our department over my time here, Jim, Phil, Clinton, Jackie and Ian and also the rest of the staff at Loftus Road who do a really good job away from the spotlight.
"I'd also like to thank Ian Holloway and his staff and players for being so accommodating and for some great memories both on and off the pitch.
"My biggest thank you is to our fans that make the club what it is and make the website and QPR World amongst the top performers in the Football League. So farewell, see you in the Loft!"
Chairman Gianni Paladini is sorry to see him go: "I wish Billy all the best in the future, the place will certainly be a lot quieter without him. He's been a joy to work with and we'll really miss him around here.
"He has provided a service to QPR World that is second to none and he should be extremely proud of what he has achieved here."
Rice will leave the club at the end of February.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~777798,00.html
Still listed on the Official QPR Directory, nine days in March:
Chief Financial Officer - Chris Pennington
New Media Manager - Billy Rice billyr@qpr.co.uk
[And, there remains reference to changes in the status of the Coaching Staff, or the arrival of Alan McDonald:
First Team Coaching StaffManager - Ian HollowayFirst Team Coaches - Tim Breacker, Gary Waddock, Gary Penrice, Tony Robert
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/StaffDirectory/0,,10373,00.html
[Assuming of course, that there was no alteration of plans!]
How the QPR Official Site announced/reported the forthcoming departures of QPR's CFO, Chris Pennington and "New Media Manager", Billy Rice.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - JANUARY 20, 2006
PENNINGTON DEPARTS
QPR's Chief Financial Officer, Chris Pennington, is leaving the club and moving on to pastures new.
Chris, who has agreed to stay on until the end of February, said:
"I wish the club all the best for the future and I'll look forward to returning to Loftus Road to cheer on the Superhoops."
QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini, thanked Pennington for his help.
"I'd like to thank him for his help since we came to the club. I wish him all the best for the future and he'll always be welcome at Loftus Road."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~771465,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - February 2, 2006
RICE DEPARTS
New Media Manager Billy Rice is to leave QPR after three and a half years at the club.Rice took responsibility for QPR World which is the most successful World site in the Football League.Last year, Rice also took overall responsibility for the QPR website.
He said: "I've been very fortunate to work at the club through some really great times; I'll always have memories of Paul Furlong's goal against Oldham, the day of the play-off final and promotion the following season.
"I've lived every fan's dream of working for the club I've supported all my life and I'll certainly leave with a heavy heart, but life moves on and I have been offered a great opportunity elsewhere.
"I'm sure I don't need to tell our fans what a truly special club this is. I may be leaving in one sense but I'll still be back every Saturday cheering the lads on.
"I'd like to thank the people I have worked with in our department over my time here, Jim, Phil, Clinton, Jackie and Ian and also the rest of the staff at Loftus Road who do a really good job away from the spotlight.
"I'd also like to thank Ian Holloway and his staff and players for being so accommodating and for some great memories both on and off the pitch.
"My biggest thank you is to our fans that make the club what it is and make the website and QPR World amongst the top performers in the Football League. So farewell, see you in the Loft!"
Chairman Gianni Paladini is sorry to see him go: "I wish Billy all the best in the future, the place will certainly be a lot quieter without him. He's been a joy to work with and we'll really miss him around here.
"He has provided a service to QPR World that is second to none and he should be extremely proud of what he has achieved here."
Rice will leave the club at the end of February.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~777798,00.html
Birthday Today - Mike Ferguson: QPR's Ex- Accrington Stanley/Blackburn/Aston Villa ..Turns 63
-
Mike Ferguson - Turns 63!...Born March 9, 1943
QPR's Les Allen signed him in 1969 from Aston Villa for something like 15,000 pounds to replace Rodney Marsh who was suspended for a month (the days of draconian suspensions for 3 bookings). Skillful foward/winger...Ferguson was with QPR for 4 seasons, even captaining the club for a while in the 1971/72 season, when Venables was injured. Famous for being the last Accrington Stanley player playing in the League. (Ironically Accrington Stanley look like they will be returning to the League.) After we won promotion, joined Cambridge for a small fee.
Accrington Observer - 4th December 2002
Fergie remembers
LAST scorer: Mike Ferguson in action at Peel Park during the fateful 1961-62 season.
MIKE Ferguson scored Accrington Stanley’s last-ever Football League goal … and has spent more than half a lifetime listening to other people claim the distinction.
And Fergie, now 58, holds another record of sorts.
He was the first player to be transferred from the Football League to another club, joining neighbours Blackburn Rovers for around £2,500, a fraction of the fee he would have earned stricken Stanley had he gone before their demise.
Ironically, such a windfall might have gone some way towards saving the club. But cynics suggested that predatory rivals who had guessed at Stanley’s fate were hovering like vultures to swoop down on whatever meat remained on the carcass.
Ferguson’s goal, his first and only Stanley goal, earned the Reds their final point at Doncaster four days before their final game. It was one of only four points the ailing side picked up in their final 17 games after the last win, a 1-0 success at home to Crewe in mid-October 1961.
Mike, who now lives in Worsthorne, said: "I didn’t even realise it was the last goal until someone contacted me and told me a few years ago. I have met all kinds of people who said they scored it, people I know didn’t even play for the club!
"Football was so different then. I used to go to the ground from Burnley on the bus, with spectators getting on all the way down Burnley Road. If it was good enough for Tom Finney it was good enough for me. Diets? Unheard of in those days. I remember once pulling up at a transport café at 4am on the way to Gillingham and Harry Hubbick, the trainer, said: "Nobody have peas with your pies!"
Mike had a fine career as a winger-cum-midfield schemer with Blackburn, Aston Villa and QPR, living the London high-life with the likes of Rodney Marsh and Terry Venables at one stage. He also managed with great success abroad and as recently as 1996 was scouting foreign teams for his old pal Venables, then England manager.
http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/s/48/48020_fergie_remembers.html
Spotlight on: The Career of Mike Ferguson
17/2/2002 - Rochdale Rivals
A keen desire to make the grade as a professional footballer saw the Burnley born inside forward travel in excess of 200 miles south after accepting an offer to join Plymouth Argyle. The first team proved just beyond him during his time at Home Park throughout which he remained an amateur. So the offer of professional terms combined with a move closer to home with Accrington Stanley was gleefully accepted.
Despite their lowly status Ferguson spent almost two seasons with Stanley. Blackburn Rovers scouts regularly attended games across Lancashire and on one of these visits saw Ferguson and marked him down as a transfer target. Financial problems primarily led to the demise of the club. Their subsequent loss of Football League status only hastened his arrival at Ewood Park in return for a £1500 fee. Although bought as a striker he was converted to a right sided midfielder usually operating on the wing. It was a move which benefited both parties as Blackburn had created an extra option going forward with a player who knew the strikers art and could anticipate the needs of the forwards as well as weighing in with his fair share of goals.
For his part Ferguson revelled in his creative role due to the responsibility and extra satisfaction he gained from the switch. However, that was tempered by a powerful will to win which unfortunately exposed a short fuse when the battle for points got heated enough. Although he missed just a handful of games during his six seasons with Rovers a fair share of these absences came through suspensions.
Although a crowd favourite like many other players he had a price which could buy his services and by offering £50,000 at the close of the 1967-68 season Aston Villa found it. Like Blackburn Villa were a major force during the fledging years of the Football League but neither enjoyed a comfortable level of standing. Rovers were relegated from the top flight in 1966 and weren't looking good bets for a quick return. The Midlanders were in the same division but usually finished well up the table while never pushing for promotion. They were eventually relegated to the Third Division but believed that the skills displayed by Ferguson could help them break back into the big time. However, by this time they suffered the drop Fergsuon had left the club. He spent just over a year with The Villains playing a more peripheral role than he had been used to with previous clubs before joining Queens Park Rangers in a cut price deal.
In complete contrast the London club got a keen deal and managed to give their signing a new lease of life. Their direct style being more suited to his style of play. Cambridge United provided a stop off before he arrived at Rochdale in time for the 1974-75 campaign. In two seasons at Spotland he became an established first choice in the centre of the park only breaking away to set up a pioneering transfer to Icelandic side IAK Arkanes. The move as player/coach only lasted a short time but a result of this move he became one of the first English players to sample life in Europe's northern most outposts. It was this experience and exposure to different techniques which set him in good stead when he took on other coaching posts. However, before concentrating on that side of the game he played a couple of matches for Halifax Town in the spring of 1977.
His backroom career literally had him journey from continent to continent although it started at lowly Enfield. Rochdale were the only Football League club he served as manager. He took the reigns at Spotland a few weeks into the 1977-78 season after a bad start to the campaign saw Brian Green's tenure ended. Form barely picked up throughout the campaign as Dale finished bottom of the league seven points shy of the second from bottom Southport and seventeen points clear of not having to battle out yet another re-election vote. In the event the Merseyside club rather than Dale were shown the door by their fellow league clubs. Just eight games were won all season and just one before Ferguson's arrival. No victories came on the club's travels except in the League Cup when a narrow win was recorded over Halifax Town. In the league two points were picked up away from Spotland from draws with York City and Doncaster Rovers.
He was given another chance to turn things around and retained his job. There was clearly a lot of pressure to produce but things got little better the following season with just one win and six draws picked up by the end of November. However, earlier in the month the manager had left Dale allowing him to embark on another oddessy around the world coaching teams as far a field as Cyprus and The Far East. Upon leaving the game during the 1980s despite all the places and climates he had experienced he chose to return to Burnley where he still lives.
http://www.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=967&p=2&stid=8237450
Mike Ferguson - Turns 63!...Born March 9, 1943
QPR's Les Allen signed him in 1969 from Aston Villa for something like 15,000 pounds to replace Rodney Marsh who was suspended for a month (the days of draconian suspensions for 3 bookings). Skillful foward/winger...Ferguson was with QPR for 4 seasons, even captaining the club for a while in the 1971/72 season, when Venables was injured. Famous for being the last Accrington Stanley player playing in the League. (Ironically Accrington Stanley look like they will be returning to the League.) After we won promotion, joined Cambridge for a small fee.
Accrington Observer - 4th December 2002
Fergie remembers
LAST scorer: Mike Ferguson in action at Peel Park during the fateful 1961-62 season.
MIKE Ferguson scored Accrington Stanley’s last-ever Football League goal … and has spent more than half a lifetime listening to other people claim the distinction.
And Fergie, now 58, holds another record of sorts.
He was the first player to be transferred from the Football League to another club, joining neighbours Blackburn Rovers for around £2,500, a fraction of the fee he would have earned stricken Stanley had he gone before their demise.
Ironically, such a windfall might have gone some way towards saving the club. But cynics suggested that predatory rivals who had guessed at Stanley’s fate were hovering like vultures to swoop down on whatever meat remained on the carcass.
Ferguson’s goal, his first and only Stanley goal, earned the Reds their final point at Doncaster four days before their final game. It was one of only four points the ailing side picked up in their final 17 games after the last win, a 1-0 success at home to Crewe in mid-October 1961.
Mike, who now lives in Worsthorne, said: "I didn’t even realise it was the last goal until someone contacted me and told me a few years ago. I have met all kinds of people who said they scored it, people I know didn’t even play for the club!
"Football was so different then. I used to go to the ground from Burnley on the bus, with spectators getting on all the way down Burnley Road. If it was good enough for Tom Finney it was good enough for me. Diets? Unheard of in those days. I remember once pulling up at a transport café at 4am on the way to Gillingham and Harry Hubbick, the trainer, said: "Nobody have peas with your pies!"
Mike had a fine career as a winger-cum-midfield schemer with Blackburn, Aston Villa and QPR, living the London high-life with the likes of Rodney Marsh and Terry Venables at one stage. He also managed with great success abroad and as recently as 1996 was scouting foreign teams for his old pal Venables, then England manager.
http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/s/48/48020_fergie_remembers.html
Spotlight on: The Career of Mike Ferguson
17/2/2002 - Rochdale Rivals
A keen desire to make the grade as a professional footballer saw the Burnley born inside forward travel in excess of 200 miles south after accepting an offer to join Plymouth Argyle. The first team proved just beyond him during his time at Home Park throughout which he remained an amateur. So the offer of professional terms combined with a move closer to home with Accrington Stanley was gleefully accepted.
Despite their lowly status Ferguson spent almost two seasons with Stanley. Blackburn Rovers scouts regularly attended games across Lancashire and on one of these visits saw Ferguson and marked him down as a transfer target. Financial problems primarily led to the demise of the club. Their subsequent loss of Football League status only hastened his arrival at Ewood Park in return for a £1500 fee. Although bought as a striker he was converted to a right sided midfielder usually operating on the wing. It was a move which benefited both parties as Blackburn had created an extra option going forward with a player who knew the strikers art and could anticipate the needs of the forwards as well as weighing in with his fair share of goals.
For his part Ferguson revelled in his creative role due to the responsibility and extra satisfaction he gained from the switch. However, that was tempered by a powerful will to win which unfortunately exposed a short fuse when the battle for points got heated enough. Although he missed just a handful of games during his six seasons with Rovers a fair share of these absences came through suspensions.
Although a crowd favourite like many other players he had a price which could buy his services and by offering £50,000 at the close of the 1967-68 season Aston Villa found it. Like Blackburn Villa were a major force during the fledging years of the Football League but neither enjoyed a comfortable level of standing. Rovers were relegated from the top flight in 1966 and weren't looking good bets for a quick return. The Midlanders were in the same division but usually finished well up the table while never pushing for promotion. They were eventually relegated to the Third Division but believed that the skills displayed by Ferguson could help them break back into the big time. However, by this time they suffered the drop Fergsuon had left the club. He spent just over a year with The Villains playing a more peripheral role than he had been used to with previous clubs before joining Queens Park Rangers in a cut price deal.
In complete contrast the London club got a keen deal and managed to give their signing a new lease of life. Their direct style being more suited to his style of play. Cambridge United provided a stop off before he arrived at Rochdale in time for the 1974-75 campaign. In two seasons at Spotland he became an established first choice in the centre of the park only breaking away to set up a pioneering transfer to Icelandic side IAK Arkanes. The move as player/coach only lasted a short time but a result of this move he became one of the first English players to sample life in Europe's northern most outposts. It was this experience and exposure to different techniques which set him in good stead when he took on other coaching posts. However, before concentrating on that side of the game he played a couple of matches for Halifax Town in the spring of 1977.
His backroom career literally had him journey from continent to continent although it started at lowly Enfield. Rochdale were the only Football League club he served as manager. He took the reigns at Spotland a few weeks into the 1977-78 season after a bad start to the campaign saw Brian Green's tenure ended. Form barely picked up throughout the campaign as Dale finished bottom of the league seven points shy of the second from bottom Southport and seventeen points clear of not having to battle out yet another re-election vote. In the event the Merseyside club rather than Dale were shown the door by their fellow league clubs. Just eight games were won all season and just one before Ferguson's arrival. No victories came on the club's travels except in the League Cup when a narrow win was recorded over Halifax Town. In the league two points were picked up away from Spotland from draws with York City and Doncaster Rovers.
He was given another chance to turn things around and retained his job. There was clearly a lot of pressure to produce but things got little better the following season with just one win and six draws picked up by the end of November. However, earlier in the month the manager had left Dale allowing him to embark on another oddessy around the world coaching teams as far a field as Cyprus and The Far East. Upon leaving the game during the 1980s despite all the places and climates he had experienced he chose to return to Burnley where he still lives.
http://www.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=967&p=2&stid=8237450
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Gallen on Waddock, Holloway & His Injury (Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times)
-
Winning run can clinch it for Waddock
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - 08 March 2006
KEVIN Gallen has urged his QPR team-mates to end the season on a high - and clinch the manager's job for Gary Waddock.Gallen, who has just returned to the Rangers side after a three-month injury lay-off, is convinced that a good run of form in the last 10 games will see Waddock confirmed as Ian Holloway's replacement.
And the QPR captain hopes his former team-mate Alan McDonald - who is currently assisting Waddock with coaching duties - can be persuaded to stay at Loftus Road on a permanent basis.
Realistically, the Rs will not be involved in either the play-off picture or the relegation issue this year and Gallen observed: "The play-offs would be nice, but I think that's too far away."But hopefully we can play some good football, get results and get Waddo the job. I think it's pretty likely that'll happen if we finish the season well."We're behind Waddo and I'm delighted he got his chance because he's a QPR man and I hope it goes really well for him."Hopefully then Macca will stay and he can buy some new clothes - he's still wearing the same ones he had when he was a player, so he could do with a few win bonuses!"
Gallen made his comeback with an hour's run-out in Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Wolves, his first taste of competitive action since picking up a hamstring injury against Hull in late November.A nerve problem then developed in the striker's lower back and left him frustrated by his inability to help influence the team's fortunes during a difficult period."
Saturdays were bad enough, but what really got to me was every day, watching the lads train while I was sitting on my bike in the gym," Gallen recalled."The more time you're out, the harder it is to regain your fitness, so I was delighted to put on the kit and get back into the old routine."I couldn't have spent another Saturday shopping with the missus - she said, 'any chance of you getting fit and going back to playing football?'
"Of course I'm disappointed that I didn't get the chance to play those last games for Ian Holloway. Maybe I could have made a difference, who knows?"Ollie was good to me - he brought me back to the club and got me playing well again. But people come and go and it's a case of 'the king is dead, long live the king'.
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/content/camden/kilburntimes/sport/story.aspx?brand=KLBTOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportklbt&itemid=WeED08%20Mar%202006%2012%3A13%3A33%3A967
Winning run can clinch it for Waddock
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - 08 March 2006
KEVIN Gallen has urged his QPR team-mates to end the season on a high - and clinch the manager's job for Gary Waddock.Gallen, who has just returned to the Rangers side after a three-month injury lay-off, is convinced that a good run of form in the last 10 games will see Waddock confirmed as Ian Holloway's replacement.
And the QPR captain hopes his former team-mate Alan McDonald - who is currently assisting Waddock with coaching duties - can be persuaded to stay at Loftus Road on a permanent basis.
Realistically, the Rs will not be involved in either the play-off picture or the relegation issue this year and Gallen observed: "The play-offs would be nice, but I think that's too far away."But hopefully we can play some good football, get results and get Waddo the job. I think it's pretty likely that'll happen if we finish the season well."We're behind Waddo and I'm delighted he got his chance because he's a QPR man and I hope it goes really well for him."Hopefully then Macca will stay and he can buy some new clothes - he's still wearing the same ones he had when he was a player, so he could do with a few win bonuses!"
Gallen made his comeback with an hour's run-out in Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Wolves, his first taste of competitive action since picking up a hamstring injury against Hull in late November.A nerve problem then developed in the striker's lower back and left him frustrated by his inability to help influence the team's fortunes during a difficult period."
Saturdays were bad enough, but what really got to me was every day, watching the lads train while I was sitting on my bike in the gym," Gallen recalled."The more time you're out, the harder it is to regain your fitness, so I was delighted to put on the kit and get back into the old routine."I couldn't have spent another Saturday shopping with the missus - she said, 'any chance of you getting fit and going back to playing football?'
"Of course I'm disappointed that I didn't get the chance to play those last games for Ian Holloway. Maybe I could have made a difference, who knows?"Ollie was good to me - he brought me back to the club and got me playing well again. But people come and go and it's a case of 'the king is dead, long live the king'.
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/content/camden/kilburntimes/sport/story.aspx?brand=KLBTOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportklbt&itemid=WeED08%20Mar%202006%2012%3A13%3A33%3A967
Ex-QPR Players "In Action" Yesterday
-
John Hollins Crawley at QPR
Crawley OFFICIAL SITE
STRONG RESERVE SIDE BEATS QPR
A strong Reds reserves side produced an excellent performance to defeat Championship side Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Tuesday afternoon. Goals from Steve Burton and Omari Coleman sealed the win for Town, while Rangers' only response was a late strike from former Aston Villa forward Stefan Moore.
The win moves Crawley up to fifth place in the league. Woking are the visitors to the Broadfield Stadium this Tuesday in the next Combination game.
Crawley opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Paul Armstrong broke from midfield and sent a perfect cross into the box for Burton to slide home. Rangers rarely troubled Scott Ward in the Town goal despite having a strong side out, including ex Premiership stars Moore, Georges Santos and keeper Simon Royce. Moore had the best chance for QPR during the first half, as a back pass was incepted and Moore's attempted chip was flicked away for a corner.
Playing in a strong wind and rain, neither side troubled their opposition goalkeepers too much in the second half until Crawley wrapped up the win with five minutes to play. A long kick by Ward caused all sorts of trouble for the Rangers defence and Coleman was left free to slide the ball under Royce to extend the Reds' lead.
There was a glimmer of hope for Rangers when Moore pulled a goal back two minutes later but the final chance of the game fell to the Reds. Good work by the impressive Lee Blackburn set Burton free on the right and he sent a ball right across the face of the goal, with Coleman's out stretched leg only narrowly failing to convert it.
Result: Tuesday 7th March 2006 (Pontins Holiday's Combination Central Division) QPR 1 Crawley Town 2Crawley Town: Scott Ward, Ben Judge, Ian Simpemba, David Woozley, Neil Jenkins, Lee Blackburn, Paul Armstrong, Danny Brown, Sacha Opinel, Omari Coleman, Steve Burton.Unused subs: Phil Smith, Chris Giles, Leonard Mendy.Crawley Town Man of the Match: Lee Blackburn.
07 MARCH 2006
CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS CUTS TO THE FANSMore than 200 Crawley fans packed into the Redz bar at Broadfield Stadium on Monday to hear chairman Chas Majeed explain the club's recent salary cutbacks.
Mr Majeed said reducing the wage bill had been necessary to meet the Conference salary cap, and that a restructured budget could enable new players to come in to boost the club's fight against relegation.
He said that before last week's announcement that wages had been cut by 50 per cent, that the club's wage bill had been the second highest in the division.
“We wanted to restructure the club to enable us to move forward and to get out of this position.” Mr Majeed said the moves had been made after an investor had pulled out due to the team's poor position in the table.
“We will complete our fixtures this season, there is no doubt about that. The changes we have made will enable the club to operate without that extra investment, but we are also hoping to bring in more. The club will still be here next season – we want to go up, not down. We will not go into administration. What we are doing now is to stop that happening.”
The chairman said he took some responsibility for the situation, claiming that he would never again hand players big money two-year contracts, which he said had led to some complacency.
“We have learned the hard way that is not the way to do things. I should have been there when the contracts were being negotiated and signed – that's my fault, I admit that. But we left it to other people and it has not worked.
“We know now that what we should have done is put them all on one-year deals in order that they maintain their drive and don't slip into a comfort zone.
“We knew the club was losing money when we took it on – that's not the problem. But the long-term contracts had created a big problem for next season and we had to take action.
“From now on we are keen to get a set pay structure in place with a maximum that we won't exceed and put players only on one-year deals.
Mr Majeed was quick to assure fans that top scorer Daryl Clare was not one of the players he expected to leave in the near future.
“We want him to stay. He is one of the guys who plays with passion and he might even still be here if we didn't pay him at all!”
“If we had 11 players who tried as hard as they did on Saturday all season we wouldn't be in the mess we are in.”
Assistant general manager Ben Taylor added that the players had responded brilliantly in the last week's events.
“The cuts were announced to the squad before they played Gravesend and the players, Danny Brown for example, have been fantastic in the last two games, showing more spirit and pride than they had done before.”
Mr Taylor also said the club staff were determined to make the club a success despite having their own wages cut as well. “We are all in this together. We are Crawley Town Football Club and we will get through it all together,” he said.
Mr Majeed accepted that communication with fans could be better, but that this meeting, and similar events in the future could improve the relationship. One fan pointed out that when the club held a meeting soon after their takeover, only around ten supporters had turned up.
The chairman added that although the swift transition from part-time to full-time this season had not been ideal, it had been a necessary move.
“We were criticised but if you saw our games at the start of the season the players looked tired in the second half – they couldn't even play for 90 minutes. You have to be full-time to compete in this league.”
The chairman also threw his support behind manager John Hollins. “We are sure John Hollins is the right man for the job. He has still not had a full chance to take control and work with the team he wants.”
Assurances over the future existence and promotion of the club's youth set-up were given before Mr Majeed appealed to the fans to come through the gates for the rest of the season and help to strengthen the club's financial position.
“You guys are the bread and butter of this club. We need to do this together but the gates have been dropping.”
Commercial manager Victor Marley had a similar message, saying: “The passion for Crawley Town among the fans here is obvious and there is no doubt the chairman has sunk a lot of his money into the club. What we need is for the next game, that everyone tries to bring someone else and we'll be on the right track.
Club consultant Alan Mullery's involvement was questioned and Mr Majeed said that while he still advised the club on procedural matters and how other professional clubs operate, he no longer had any say in player recruitment, which is now down to John Hollins.
Mr Taylor pointed out that the only player signed on Mr Mullery's recommendation had been defender Leonard Mendy, who was the fans' player of the month for February.
Mr Majeed explained that Tony Scully had been signed by him and then caretaker-boss Simon Wormull.
Supporters Club chairman Kevin Giles, who hosted the meeting, appealed for there to be no repeat of the scenes before last Saturday's game against Accrington, when a handful of fans entered the field of play shortly before kick-off.
“The people who went on the pitch should know better. We are all emotional about the club but the consequences of their actions could have made the situation worse.”
However, Mr Majeed said no action would be taken against the protestors. “Everyone is passionate about this club. But they are our supporters and we won't throw them out.”
The meeting was held in a positive spirit throughout, with fans breaking into a spontaneous chorus of “We are the Reds” at the end.
http://www.crawley-town-fc.co.uk/php/070306.php#3
Jamie Cureton scored again for Swindon
BBC-
Swindon 1-2 Tranmere
Goals from Chris Greenacre and Sam Aiston eased the pressure on Tranmere against relegation-threatened Swindon.
Greenacre swept home his 15th goal of the season after 21 minutes as Tranmere dominated the first half.
Aiston added a second in the 33rd minute, exchanging passes with Calvin Zola before seeing his shot deflect over goalkeeper Rhys Evans.
Swindon pulled a goal back in the 69th minute when Jamie Cureton scored with a right-foot shot from 15 yards.
Swindon: Evans, Jack Smith (Shakes 45), Nicholas, O'Hanlon, Gurney, Pook, Miglioranzi (Jarrett 64), Brown, Benjamin, Peacock, Cureton.Subs Not Used: Bulman, Jenkins, Whalley.
Goals: Cureton 69.
Tranmere: Seremet, Raven, Roberts, Jackson, Sharps, Aiston (Harrison 75), McAteer, O'Leary, Tremarco (Goodison 75), Zola (Facey 80), Greenacre.Subs Not Used: Wilson, Jennings.
Goals: Greenacre 21, Aiston 33.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/4750096.stm
Bull & Griffiths for Aldershot
BBC -Aldershot 1-4 Accrington Stanley
Ian Craney scored Accrington's openerGary Roberts scored twice as leaders Accrington continued their march to the Football League with a convincing win.
John Coleman's side took the lead soon after the restart when Ian Craney slammed a shot into the top corner.
Stanley doubled their advantage on the hour mark, with Roberts firing home from 12 yards.
Andrew Mangan made it three on 67 minutes before Leroy Griffiths pulled a goal back for Aldershot only for Roberts to complete the rout.
Aldershot: Bull, Hamilton, Heald, Jinadu, Barnard, Crittenden, Watson, Holloway, Williams (Griffiths 51), Dixon, Scott.Subs Not Used: Weait, Sulaiman, Hudson, Elphick.
Booked: Watson.
Goals: Griffiths 71.
Accrington Stanley: Elliot, Edwards, Ventre, Welch, Richardson, Todd (Jagielka 78), Boco, Craney, Roberts, Brown (Mangan 63), Mullin.Subs Not Used: Alcock, Cook, Boyd.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4773610.stm
Denis Oli at Grays
BBC -Cambridge Utd 1-1 Grays Athletic
Play-off hopefuls Grays could only manage a point as Cambridge dominated proceedings at the Abbey Stadium.
The hosts took a 13th minute lead when Craig Westcarr fired home and he could have added a second but shot straight at Nicky Eyre when well placed.
Grays levelled when Jamie Slabber tapped in Stuart Thurgood's cross.
Dan Gleeson and Mbiyeye Medine spurned good chances for the Us before Grays almost snatched victory through Glenn Poole's well-struck drive.
Cambridge Utd: Howie, Gleeson, Bloomer, Duncan, Jaszczun, Brady, Coldicott (Porter 70), Wolleaston, Pitt, Onibuje (Medine 55), Westcarr.Subs Not Used: Morrison, Davies, Bunce.
Booked: Medine, Jaszczun.
Goals: Westcarr 13.
Grays Athletic: Eyre, Mawer, Stuart, Hanson, Nutter, Kightly (Hooper 71), Thurgood, Martin, Poole, Oli (Williamson 83), Slabber.Subs Not Used: Bayes, Battersby, Sambrook.
Goals: Slabber 38.
Att: 1,821 http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4773614.stm
Tony Roberts at Dagenham
BBC - Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 York
Strike pair Clayton Donaldson and Andy Bishop kept York's play-off push on track with two late strikes.
Donaldson steered home a cross from his forward partner with four minutes left and when Donaldson returned the favour in injury-time the points were secure.
The visitors had the better of a cagey first half, with Donaldson spurning a couple of half-chances.
Craig Mackail-Smith's angled drive after 36 minutes and Chris Porter's were the best of the Daggers' chances.
Dag & Red: Roberts, Uddin, Cole, Blackett, Foster , Saunders, Lettejallon (Vickers 89), Southam, Griffiths, Akurang (Moore 69), Mackail-Smith.Subs Not Used: Hogan, Johnson, Kenny Clark.
Booked: Saunders.
York: Porter, Thomas, Hotte, McGurk, Peat, Convery, Panther, Neil Bishop, Dunning, Andy Bishop, Donaldson.Subs Not Used: Reid, O'Neill, Merris, Stewart, Webster.
Booked: Porter, Donaldson.
Goals: Donaldson 86, Andy Bishop 90.
Att: 973
Ref: G Scott (Devon).
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4773618.stm
John Hollins Crawley at QPR
Crawley OFFICIAL SITE
STRONG RESERVE SIDE BEATS QPR
A strong Reds reserves side produced an excellent performance to defeat Championship side Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Tuesday afternoon. Goals from Steve Burton and Omari Coleman sealed the win for Town, while Rangers' only response was a late strike from former Aston Villa forward Stefan Moore.
The win moves Crawley up to fifth place in the league. Woking are the visitors to the Broadfield Stadium this Tuesday in the next Combination game.
Crawley opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Paul Armstrong broke from midfield and sent a perfect cross into the box for Burton to slide home. Rangers rarely troubled Scott Ward in the Town goal despite having a strong side out, including ex Premiership stars Moore, Georges Santos and keeper Simon Royce. Moore had the best chance for QPR during the first half, as a back pass was incepted and Moore's attempted chip was flicked away for a corner.
Playing in a strong wind and rain, neither side troubled their opposition goalkeepers too much in the second half until Crawley wrapped up the win with five minutes to play. A long kick by Ward caused all sorts of trouble for the Rangers defence and Coleman was left free to slide the ball under Royce to extend the Reds' lead.
There was a glimmer of hope for Rangers when Moore pulled a goal back two minutes later but the final chance of the game fell to the Reds. Good work by the impressive Lee Blackburn set Burton free on the right and he sent a ball right across the face of the goal, with Coleman's out stretched leg only narrowly failing to convert it.
Result: Tuesday 7th March 2006 (Pontins Holiday's Combination Central Division) QPR 1 Crawley Town 2Crawley Town: Scott Ward, Ben Judge, Ian Simpemba, David Woozley, Neil Jenkins, Lee Blackburn, Paul Armstrong, Danny Brown, Sacha Opinel, Omari Coleman, Steve Burton.Unused subs: Phil Smith, Chris Giles, Leonard Mendy.Crawley Town Man of the Match: Lee Blackburn.
07 MARCH 2006
CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS CUTS TO THE FANSMore than 200 Crawley fans packed into the Redz bar at Broadfield Stadium on Monday to hear chairman Chas Majeed explain the club's recent salary cutbacks.
Mr Majeed said reducing the wage bill had been necessary to meet the Conference salary cap, and that a restructured budget could enable new players to come in to boost the club's fight against relegation.
He said that before last week's announcement that wages had been cut by 50 per cent, that the club's wage bill had been the second highest in the division.
“We wanted to restructure the club to enable us to move forward and to get out of this position.” Mr Majeed said the moves had been made after an investor had pulled out due to the team's poor position in the table.
“We will complete our fixtures this season, there is no doubt about that. The changes we have made will enable the club to operate without that extra investment, but we are also hoping to bring in more. The club will still be here next season – we want to go up, not down. We will not go into administration. What we are doing now is to stop that happening.”
The chairman said he took some responsibility for the situation, claiming that he would never again hand players big money two-year contracts, which he said had led to some complacency.
“We have learned the hard way that is not the way to do things. I should have been there when the contracts were being negotiated and signed – that's my fault, I admit that. But we left it to other people and it has not worked.
“We know now that what we should have done is put them all on one-year deals in order that they maintain their drive and don't slip into a comfort zone.
“We knew the club was losing money when we took it on – that's not the problem. But the long-term contracts had created a big problem for next season and we had to take action.
“From now on we are keen to get a set pay structure in place with a maximum that we won't exceed and put players only on one-year deals.
Mr Majeed was quick to assure fans that top scorer Daryl Clare was not one of the players he expected to leave in the near future.
“We want him to stay. He is one of the guys who plays with passion and he might even still be here if we didn't pay him at all!”
“If we had 11 players who tried as hard as they did on Saturday all season we wouldn't be in the mess we are in.”
Assistant general manager Ben Taylor added that the players had responded brilliantly in the last week's events.
“The cuts were announced to the squad before they played Gravesend and the players, Danny Brown for example, have been fantastic in the last two games, showing more spirit and pride than they had done before.”
Mr Taylor also said the club staff were determined to make the club a success despite having their own wages cut as well. “We are all in this together. We are Crawley Town Football Club and we will get through it all together,” he said.
Mr Majeed accepted that communication with fans could be better, but that this meeting, and similar events in the future could improve the relationship. One fan pointed out that when the club held a meeting soon after their takeover, only around ten supporters had turned up.
The chairman added that although the swift transition from part-time to full-time this season had not been ideal, it had been a necessary move.
“We were criticised but if you saw our games at the start of the season the players looked tired in the second half – they couldn't even play for 90 minutes. You have to be full-time to compete in this league.”
The chairman also threw his support behind manager John Hollins. “We are sure John Hollins is the right man for the job. He has still not had a full chance to take control and work with the team he wants.”
Assurances over the future existence and promotion of the club's youth set-up were given before Mr Majeed appealed to the fans to come through the gates for the rest of the season and help to strengthen the club's financial position.
“You guys are the bread and butter of this club. We need to do this together but the gates have been dropping.”
Commercial manager Victor Marley had a similar message, saying: “The passion for Crawley Town among the fans here is obvious and there is no doubt the chairman has sunk a lot of his money into the club. What we need is for the next game, that everyone tries to bring someone else and we'll be on the right track.
Club consultant Alan Mullery's involvement was questioned and Mr Majeed said that while he still advised the club on procedural matters and how other professional clubs operate, he no longer had any say in player recruitment, which is now down to John Hollins.
Mr Taylor pointed out that the only player signed on Mr Mullery's recommendation had been defender Leonard Mendy, who was the fans' player of the month for February.
Mr Majeed explained that Tony Scully had been signed by him and then caretaker-boss Simon Wormull.
Supporters Club chairman Kevin Giles, who hosted the meeting, appealed for there to be no repeat of the scenes before last Saturday's game against Accrington, when a handful of fans entered the field of play shortly before kick-off.
“The people who went on the pitch should know better. We are all emotional about the club but the consequences of their actions could have made the situation worse.”
However, Mr Majeed said no action would be taken against the protestors. “Everyone is passionate about this club. But they are our supporters and we won't throw them out.”
The meeting was held in a positive spirit throughout, with fans breaking into a spontaneous chorus of “We are the Reds” at the end.
http://www.crawley-town-fc.co.uk/php/070306.php#3
Jamie Cureton scored again for Swindon
BBC-
Swindon 1-2 Tranmere
Goals from Chris Greenacre and Sam Aiston eased the pressure on Tranmere against relegation-threatened Swindon.
Greenacre swept home his 15th goal of the season after 21 minutes as Tranmere dominated the first half.
Aiston added a second in the 33rd minute, exchanging passes with Calvin Zola before seeing his shot deflect over goalkeeper Rhys Evans.
Swindon pulled a goal back in the 69th minute when Jamie Cureton scored with a right-foot shot from 15 yards.
Swindon: Evans, Jack Smith (Shakes 45), Nicholas, O'Hanlon, Gurney, Pook, Miglioranzi (Jarrett 64), Brown, Benjamin, Peacock, Cureton.Subs Not Used: Bulman, Jenkins, Whalley.
Goals: Cureton 69.
Tranmere: Seremet, Raven, Roberts, Jackson, Sharps, Aiston (Harrison 75), McAteer, O'Leary, Tremarco (Goodison 75), Zola (Facey 80), Greenacre.Subs Not Used: Wilson, Jennings.
Goals: Greenacre 21, Aiston 33.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/4750096.stm
Bull & Griffiths for Aldershot
BBC -Aldershot 1-4 Accrington Stanley
Ian Craney scored Accrington's openerGary Roberts scored twice as leaders Accrington continued their march to the Football League with a convincing win.
John Coleman's side took the lead soon after the restart when Ian Craney slammed a shot into the top corner.
Stanley doubled their advantage on the hour mark, with Roberts firing home from 12 yards.
Andrew Mangan made it three on 67 minutes before Leroy Griffiths pulled a goal back for Aldershot only for Roberts to complete the rout.
Aldershot: Bull, Hamilton, Heald, Jinadu, Barnard, Crittenden, Watson, Holloway, Williams (Griffiths 51), Dixon, Scott.Subs Not Used: Weait, Sulaiman, Hudson, Elphick.
Booked: Watson.
Goals: Griffiths 71.
Accrington Stanley: Elliot, Edwards, Ventre, Welch, Richardson, Todd (Jagielka 78), Boco, Craney, Roberts, Brown (Mangan 63), Mullin.Subs Not Used: Alcock, Cook, Boyd.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4773610.stm
Denis Oli at Grays
BBC -Cambridge Utd 1-1 Grays Athletic
Play-off hopefuls Grays could only manage a point as Cambridge dominated proceedings at the Abbey Stadium.
The hosts took a 13th minute lead when Craig Westcarr fired home and he could have added a second but shot straight at Nicky Eyre when well placed.
Grays levelled when Jamie Slabber tapped in Stuart Thurgood's cross.
Dan Gleeson and Mbiyeye Medine spurned good chances for the Us before Grays almost snatched victory through Glenn Poole's well-struck drive.
Cambridge Utd: Howie, Gleeson, Bloomer, Duncan, Jaszczun, Brady, Coldicott (Porter 70), Wolleaston, Pitt, Onibuje (Medine 55), Westcarr.Subs Not Used: Morrison, Davies, Bunce.
Booked: Medine, Jaszczun.
Goals: Westcarr 13.
Grays Athletic: Eyre, Mawer, Stuart, Hanson, Nutter, Kightly (Hooper 71), Thurgood, Martin, Poole, Oli (Williamson 83), Slabber.Subs Not Used: Bayes, Battersby, Sambrook.
Goals: Slabber 38.
Att: 1,821 http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4773614.stm
Tony Roberts at Dagenham
BBC - Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 York
Strike pair Clayton Donaldson and Andy Bishop kept York's play-off push on track with two late strikes.
Donaldson steered home a cross from his forward partner with four minutes left and when Donaldson returned the favour in injury-time the points were secure.
The visitors had the better of a cagey first half, with Donaldson spurning a couple of half-chances.
Craig Mackail-Smith's angled drive after 36 minutes and Chris Porter's were the best of the Daggers' chances.
Dag & Red: Roberts, Uddin, Cole, Blackett, Foster , Saunders, Lettejallon (Vickers 89), Southam, Griffiths, Akurang (Moore 69), Mackail-Smith.Subs Not Used: Hogan, Johnson, Kenny Clark.
Booked: Saunders.
York: Porter, Thomas, Hotte, McGurk, Peat, Convery, Panther, Neil Bishop, Dunning, Andy Bishop, Donaldson.Subs Not Used: Reid, O'Neill, Merris, Stewart, Webster.
Booked: Porter, Donaldson.
Goals: Donaldson 86, Andy Bishop 90.
Att: 973
Ref: G Scott (Devon).
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4773618.stm
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Paladini Issues Statement Refuting Evening Standard Article Re Finances
-
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - STATEMENT
Gianni Paladini has issued the following statement following recent inaccurate reporting.
Once again this club has been subjected to a barrage of pitifully inaccurate reporting in the London Evening Standard - and once again I am left with no option but to set the record straight in order that you, our true supporters, know exactly how QPR's finances stand.
The article in last Friday's edition should be seen in the light of the previous negative and misleading articles by the same author for which they had to print an apology and pay our solicitor's costs.
The total value of the debt in the 2005 accounts (ie the sum of the current liabilities and the long term liabilities) is £18m.The total value of the same debt in the 2004 accounts was £18m.In other words no change, but this is definitely not the impression conveyed by the headline.
As most fans know the biggest item in the total debt is the £10m loan from the ABC Corporation which was entered into in 2002 several years before the current regime took over. Current liabilities fell in 2005 as the debts to the Customs and Revenue were reduced and short-term loans to shareholders were repaid.
You should also be aware that £2.8m of the total "debts" is for income for the 2005/06 season that was banked before the 31st May 2005 and, in accordance with standard accounting practice, is included in current liabilities as deferred income.The bulk of this deferred income is for season ticket receipts, which is being released in the 2005/06 financial year. This means that the high value of the early bird season ticket sales for both the 2004 and 2005 seasons have increased the "debt" at the club's financial year end.So rather perversely the increase in deferred income is a positive sign and not an indication of "misery" as heralded by the Evening Standard.
The Standard did state that losses for the year were £2.5m but neglected to mention that was an improvement of £1.8m on the two previous years.
This improvement was all the more impressive as it was achieved despite losing the revenue from Fulham ground sharing deal. Running costs have been reduced and supply contracts have been renegotiated. I know these figures are wrong because I am so intimately involved in both the day-to-day running of the club, and its financial strategy and support. Along with my trusted friend and chairman of QPR Holdings, Antonio Caliendo, we have dug into our own pockets to pay off the debts we inherited when we took over - debts that, quite frankly, would have forced the club into liquidation if they had not been paid.
I need to say a few more words about Antonio at this point because the Standard has also intimated there is something dark and mysterious about his presence at the club. Antonio is chairman of our holding company, and I am chairman of the football club. There is nothing murky or sinister about this two-man structure - it's exactly the same format that existed before we took over.
We have no hidden agendas - if we did, we wouldn't have stuck around for so long, working so hard to get QPR's finances back on the straight and narrow. The accounts for 2005 show a vast improvement on the previous years' results and the current projections for 2006 show that there will be another sizeable reduction in the clubs' net losses.
However the Evening Standard states that the projected losses for the current season "could be as much as £4m" and will not be revealed until March 2007. As the club has had no contact with the writer of this article we are left to ponder as to the both the source of his inaccurate statements and the motives behind them. The club is currently working on its projections for next season and the board of directors are looking for further revenue opportunities and further cost savings as the club works towards a break-even situation.A more detailed update will be given to shareholders at the forthcoming AGM and a summary will then published on the QPR website.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~798825,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - STATEMENT
Gianni Paladini has issued the following statement following recent inaccurate reporting.
Once again this club has been subjected to a barrage of pitifully inaccurate reporting in the London Evening Standard - and once again I am left with no option but to set the record straight in order that you, our true supporters, know exactly how QPR's finances stand.
The article in last Friday's edition should be seen in the light of the previous negative and misleading articles by the same author for which they had to print an apology and pay our solicitor's costs.
The total value of the debt in the 2005 accounts (ie the sum of the current liabilities and the long term liabilities) is £18m.The total value of the same debt in the 2004 accounts was £18m.In other words no change, but this is definitely not the impression conveyed by the headline.
As most fans know the biggest item in the total debt is the £10m loan from the ABC Corporation which was entered into in 2002 several years before the current regime took over. Current liabilities fell in 2005 as the debts to the Customs and Revenue were reduced and short-term loans to shareholders were repaid.
You should also be aware that £2.8m of the total "debts" is for income for the 2005/06 season that was banked before the 31st May 2005 and, in accordance with standard accounting practice, is included in current liabilities as deferred income.The bulk of this deferred income is for season ticket receipts, which is being released in the 2005/06 financial year. This means that the high value of the early bird season ticket sales for both the 2004 and 2005 seasons have increased the "debt" at the club's financial year end.So rather perversely the increase in deferred income is a positive sign and not an indication of "misery" as heralded by the Evening Standard.
The Standard did state that losses for the year were £2.5m but neglected to mention that was an improvement of £1.8m on the two previous years.
This improvement was all the more impressive as it was achieved despite losing the revenue from Fulham ground sharing deal. Running costs have been reduced and supply contracts have been renegotiated. I know these figures are wrong because I am so intimately involved in both the day-to-day running of the club, and its financial strategy and support. Along with my trusted friend and chairman of QPR Holdings, Antonio Caliendo, we have dug into our own pockets to pay off the debts we inherited when we took over - debts that, quite frankly, would have forced the club into liquidation if they had not been paid.
I need to say a few more words about Antonio at this point because the Standard has also intimated there is something dark and mysterious about his presence at the club. Antonio is chairman of our holding company, and I am chairman of the football club. There is nothing murky or sinister about this two-man structure - it's exactly the same format that existed before we took over.
We have no hidden agendas - if we did, we wouldn't have stuck around for so long, working so hard to get QPR's finances back on the straight and narrow. The accounts for 2005 show a vast improvement on the previous years' results and the current projections for 2006 show that there will be another sizeable reduction in the clubs' net losses.
However the Evening Standard states that the projected losses for the current season "could be as much as £4m" and will not be revealed until March 2007. As the club has had no contact with the writer of this article we are left to ponder as to the both the source of his inaccurate statements and the motives behind them. The club is currently working on its projections for next season and the board of directors are looking for further revenue opportunities and further cost savings as the club works towards a break-even situation.A more detailed update will be given to shareholders at the forthcoming AGM and a summary will then published on the QPR website.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~798825,00.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)