-
UPDATED:
Besides the outpouring of statements by QPR fans, also expressions of sympathy are being offered by numerous fans of various clubs
QPR Official Site - FAN TRIBUTES Sent to QPR - Read QPR Tributes
LSA - Ray Jones - RIP
Heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and team mates of Ray Jones. Thank you Ray for the wonderful times you gave us, you will always be remembered in our hearts as part of the QPR family.
May you Rest In Peace.
John Reid, Secretary
QPR LSA LSA
QPR1st Ray Jones R.I.P
August 25, 2007
QPR 1st would like to extend its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ray Jones. We mourn the loss of a bright talent at such a young age. We also send our condolences to the families of the other victims of this terrible tragedy. QPR1st
QPR Official Site - Profile of Ray Jones: Ray Jones RIP
IAN HOLLOWAY
BBC - Former QPR manager Ian Holloway, who is now at Plymouth, added his own tribute: "It's a terrible tragedy. A young life taken away. A young talent gone.
"I knew him, he was a great kid and a fantastic talent as well, so my heart bleeds for all of them. For me there's no worse thing than to have to bury your child and I'm so sorry for them." BBC
BURNLEY - A sad day in football: Cotterill
The Citizen - Suzanne Geldard
"..Clarets boss Cotterill said: "It has been a difficult day all round and certainly more so for Queens Park Rangers then ourselves.
"It's a very, very sad day in football. He was a nice young man and budding young footballer who I am sure had a good career ahead of him.
"I spoke to John Gregory (QPR manager) and Mick Harford (assistant manager) this morning, we've liaised with Queens Park Rangers all along and they have our deepest sympathy.
"It was never a problem to call the game off. Sometimes football is put into perspective and whilst we were looking forward to the game, we were more than happy when we knew that QPR perhaps weren't in the right frame of mind..." News
UPDATED
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - BOLDER HE WAS ONE OF US
QPR captain Adam Bolder has issued the following statement on behalf of the entire QPR first team squad.
Statement
We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news regarding the untimely death of Ray Jones.
Ray was one of us. A footballer with a passion to succeed for himself and for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
It goes without saying that Ray was the most gifted player at the Club. He had fantastic raw ability and was destined for a very bright future, both at Club and international level.
He was a great character, a very popular figure in the dressing room and he will be sadly missed.
Words can't really express how we all feel at the moment, but our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.
It is a tragedy that we are all struggling to come to terms with, but we will pick ourselves up and play our hearts out for Ray.
Every kick, every shot, every tackle will be for him. He was one of us and he will never be forgotten.
May he rest in peace. QPR
QPR Official Site - 'A HUGE LOSS'
Gianni Paladini has expressed his shock and sadness at the untimely death of QPR player Ray Jones.
Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Paladini told www.qpr.co.uk: "We are all shocked and saddened by the news. It's a huge loss for this Football Club.
"Ray had the world of football at his feet and he will be sorely missed by everyone connected to Queens Park Rangers.
"Our thoughts at this time are with his family and friends and we will be doing everything we can to help them through this terrible time.'' QPR
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
" Breaking News - Burnley v QPR postponed
Queen's Park Rangers' match at Burnley this afternoon has been postponed following the death of Rangers' striker Ray Jones in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Football League Head of Communications, John Nagle, said: "This is tragic news. Ray Jones was just at the start of his playing career but he had already shown tremendous potential.
"The thoughts of everyone at The Football League and its member clubs are with Ray's family and friends, as well as all his colleagues at QPR." Football League
BURNLEY FOOTBALL CLUB - Open Training Session & Collection
Following the tragic death of Queens Park Rangers player Ray Jones earlier today, the Championship game has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
Instead, Burnley Football Club will be holding an open training session on the pitch at Turf Moor, at 3.00pm.
This will be free to all supporters, who will be asked to honour a minute's silence in memory of Ray Jones.
Supporters will also be asked to contribute to a collection, with all proceeds raised going to a nominated charity of Queens Park Rangers... Burnley
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
Saturday, August 25, 2007
QPR Player Ray Jones Killed in Car Crash
-
Updated:
BBC -QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
"QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident...
...The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in High Street South, East Ham.
Police confirmed Jones was one of three people to have been killed in the collision between a black Volkswagen Golf and a double-decker bus.
One of the two other fatalities was also pronounced dead at the scene, while the third was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
The car's two remaining occupants were also taken to hospital and one is in a serious condition and the other is described as walking wounded.
Police are awaiting details on whether anyone on the bus was injured and are appealing for any witnesses...."BBC
BBC - QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
QPR striker Ray Jones, who has died in a car crash
The club has postponed Saturday's match away to Burnley after the young forward was killed.
A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning."
The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in the High Street at South East Ham.
The statement added: "Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
"The club will be making no further comment at this stage and we ask you respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker."
Jones, who last season earned a call-up to the England Under-19 squad, was set to miss the match with a foot injury.
He joined the club at the age of 15 and made his professional debut against Watford in April 2006.
The striker went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions last term - scoring six goals.
QPR rejected a £200,000 bid from Colchester for Jones at the end of last season.
He had yet to feature this season but was highly-rated by the club and had also attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
Jones would have been 19 on Tuesday.
Last year QPR were struck by tragedy when youth team player Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death outside his school at the age of 15. BBC
QPR Official Site - Ray Jones
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is in mourning today following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 18 year-old was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The collision occurred at approx 00:20am on Saturday August 25 in High Street, South East Ham, E6.
Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
The Club will be no making no further comment at this stage and we ask you respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker.
Ray Jones - R.I.P QPR Official Site
BBC - QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident.
The club has postponed Saturday's match away to Burnley after the young forward was killed.
A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
More to follow. BBC
BBC QPR player dies in car accident
QPR's have postponed their match at Burnley after one of their players was killed in a car accident on Friday.
The name of the player has yet to be revealed by the Loftus Road club.
The Football League has urged fans not to travel to Turf Moor for the scheduled 1500 BST game and a new date for the fixture has not been finalised.
More to follow.
Updated:
BBC -QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
"QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident...
...The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in High Street South, East Ham.
Police confirmed Jones was one of three people to have been killed in the collision between a black Volkswagen Golf and a double-decker bus.
One of the two other fatalities was also pronounced dead at the scene, while the third was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
The car's two remaining occupants were also taken to hospital and one is in a serious condition and the other is described as walking wounded.
Police are awaiting details on whether anyone on the bus was injured and are appealing for any witnesses...."BBC
BBC - QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
QPR striker Ray Jones, who has died in a car crash
The club has postponed Saturday's match away to Burnley after the young forward was killed.
A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning."
The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club said the collision occurred at about 0020 BST on Saturday in the High Street at South East Ham.
The statement added: "Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
"The club will be making no further comment at this stage and we ask you respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker."
Jones, who last season earned a call-up to the England Under-19 squad, was set to miss the match with a foot injury.
He joined the club at the age of 15 and made his professional debut against Watford in April 2006.
The striker went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions last term - scoring six goals.
QPR rejected a £200,000 bid from Colchester for Jones at the end of last season.
He had yet to feature this season but was highly-rated by the club and had also attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
Jones would have been 19 on Tuesday.
Last year QPR were struck by tragedy when youth team player Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death outside his school at the age of 15. BBC
QPR Official Site - Ray Jones
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is in mourning today following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 18 year-old was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The collision occurred at approx 00:20am on Saturday August 25 in High Street, South East Ham, E6.
Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
The Club will be no making no further comment at this stage and we ask you respect our wishes as we grieve for our young striker.
Ray Jones - R.I.P QPR Official Site
BBC - QPR's Ray Jones dies in car crash
QPR's teenage striker Ray Jones has died in a car accident.
The club has postponed Saturday's match away to Burnley after the young forward was killed.
A statement said: "QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 18-year-old England youth international was involved in an accident in East Ham and was pronounced dead at the scene.
More to follow. BBC
BBC QPR player dies in car accident
QPR's have postponed their match at Burnley after one of their players was killed in a car accident on Friday.
The name of the player has yet to be revealed by the Loftus Road club.
The Football League has urged fans not to travel to Turf Moor for the scheduled 1500 BST game and a new date for the fixture has not been finalised.
More to follow.
Briatore and QPR - Further Details on Takeover Status and Briatore's Plans
-
The Guardian - Briatore says he and his secret friends are one of many suitors of QPR - Richard Williams
F1 boss has only ever seen ground from a helicopter
Decision on bid expected in the next two weeks
Flavio Briatore, the flamboyant boss of the Renault formula one team, spoke yesterday for the first time about his plan to take over Queen's Park Rangers, and admitted that has seen the club's Loftus Road stadium only from the air, en route by helicopter from his Chelsea home to his team's Oxfordshire headquarters.
"We are talking but nothing formal has been done," Briatore said in the paddock at Istanbul Park, where his team are competing in Sunday's Turkish grand prix. "We have a bunch of friends together. We've been talking for the last month but I've no idea where we are. QPR are talking to a lot of people."
Last week the board of QPR Holdings Ltd resigned en bloc in order to make way for new investors, who will need to put around £25m into a club which avoided going into administration six years ago only thanks to a loan of £10m from a company registered in Panama. QPR's debts are currently said to stand at around twice that figure.
Briatore refused to identify the "friends" involved. Bernie Ecclestone, with whom he enjoys a close relationship in formula one but who has previously been linked with a bid to buy Arsenal, yesterday declined to confirm that he was among those behind the QPR offer. Neither, according to Briatore, do they include Antonio Giraudo, the disgraced former chief executive of Juventus, who is now believed to live in London. Briatore said that he had met Gianni Paladini, the club's chairman, only once.
"They need to make a decision as soon as possible because they need financial support," he said. "I don't think the financial issue is a big problem. There's something else we need to discuss. Let's see what they decide and what happens in the next two weeks. If it goes well, I am very happy."
The 57-year-old Briatore is a lifelong Juventus fan. He entered formula one almost 20 years ago and guided Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to the world championship. Alonso is one of several drivers whose careers are handled by his management company, and Briatore's many other business interests include a holiday resort in Kenya, a night club in Sardinia, a small chain of expensive menswear stores, and restaurants in London and New York. His past girlfriends include the supermodels Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum, and he is currently engaged to another mannequin, Elisabetta Gregoraci.
The club he plans to buy was founded in 1882 and came second in the league in 1975-76, only a point behind Liverpool. They dropped out of the Premier League in 1996, and narrowly avoided a return to the third tier last season. Under John Gregory, their current manager, they stand 20th in the Championship, with one point from the season's opening two matches.
"I don't want to say anything about the potential of the club," Briatore responded, when asked if his ambitions for QPR included European football. "At this moment it [the takeover] is not reality. If it happens, we have a programme for the next four or five years of what we want to do."
He dismissed the notion of selling the ground and moving the club to a new location and denied that he would be playing a hands-on role, comparing his involvement with QPR to his restaurant interests. "I opened the Cipriani, which is one of the most successful restaurants in London," he said, "but I'm not in the kitchen to cook. I go there sometimes for dinner. I love football. But formula one is my priority, 100%." Guardian
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2155856,00.html
THE TIMES - QPR confirm takeover discussions
Formula One chief Flavio Briatore in pole position as football club reveals talks with a 'number of parties'Steve Hawkes and Agencies
Flavio Briatore, the multi-millionaire businessman who is head of the Renault Formula One team, has confirmed he is interested in buying debt-riddled Coca-Cola Championship club Queens Park Rangers but warned he would not “go crazy” to complete the sale.
Briatore today said he is involved with “a bunch of friends” in looking to acquire the Coca-Cola Championship club. However, the Italian has conceded the consortium is one of several parties looking to take over the troubled Loftus Road outfit.
“We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR at the moment,” said Briatore ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
“We have not put in any offer. Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working. We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club.”
QPR board resigns ahead of proposed takeover
Cardiff expose vulnerable QPR flaws
Flamboyant Briatore on track to take over at QPR
Briatore concedes the closest he has come to the ground is when he has flown over it in his helicopter en route to Renault’s base in Oxfordshire. However, he has met current QPR chairman and fellow Italian Gianni Paladini, albeit that was a chance encounter.
Should Briatore and his group gain control of the club, he insists his involvement will be strictly behind the scenes. “My business is in Formula One,” he said. “It is 100 per cent. The focus for me is next year because we need to be competitive again. It’s like Cipriani (a restaurant he owns in Mayfair). I don’t go in the kitchen to cook the food. I occasionally go there to eat, and with QPR I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more.”
Briatore has confirmed the present management, with John Gregory in charge, would remain unchanged if his takeover succeeds, adding: “Everything is perfect.”
He declined to comment on his plans for QPR, although he remarked: “It is like with anything I am involved with - I want to be successful.” Briatore masterminded Renault’s rise to dominance in Formula One, with the team winning the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2005 and 2006. The 57-year-old also created and runs fashion brand ’Billionaire’, while he owns pharmaceutical company Pierrel.
Queens Park Rangers have made a short stock market statement which said: “Following the recent comments in the press, the board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.
“The board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.”
Paladini had described Briatore’s interest last week as a “dream come true”. He said: “Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR Mohammed Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club.”
He had warned that the club faced administration and a 10-point fine unless a rescue package could be found.
QPR is thought to be £17 million in the red and needs to pay a £1.3 million bill to the Inland Revenue by September 1.
On Monday, all three board directors, Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele, resigned.
In a statement on the club’s official website, they said: “We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years.
“It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.” The Times
The Sun - Flavio in fight to seal QPR deal
By JANINE SELF August 25, 2007
The multi-millionaire Renault team boss and his associates are in discussions to buy the Championship club for £22million.
The deal was scheduled to have been completed before the end of this week.
But now Rangers, currently facing liquidation, have announced fresh interest from other parties.
A club statement said: “The board is engaged in discussions with a number of parties, which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.”
Briatore, 57, in Istanbul for the Turkish Grand Prix, said: “We know where we are and what we want to do.
"If it happens, I will be very happy. But we are not going to go crazy to have this club.” The Sun
Reuters
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Reuters) -- Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed on Friday that he is part of a group interested in taking over English club Queens Park Rangers.
Briatore confirmed that Foruma One was still his priority despite his interest in Queens Park Rangers.
However, the flamboyant Italian said he was only one of those involved in the talks. No offer has been made for the Championship club and nothing has yet been signed.
"We are talking, we are a bunch of friends together," he said at the Turkish Grand Prix, while declining to name any of his associates.
"If it happens I am very happy, if not I am very happy as well."
The West London club, who have debts of £17 million ($34 million) and need considerable new investment, said in an earlier statement that they were in talks with various parties.
"The board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company," it said.
Briatore, a multi-millionaire and close associate of billionaire Formula One s upremo Bernie Ecclestone, said he had never been to QPR's Loftus Road ground.
"The history behind it (the club) is great. And I pass the stadium every time I go to Oxford by helicopter and so I become friendly with the stadium," he said.
Briatore added that if his group were successful, Formula One would remain his priority. Renault have been champions for the past two seasons.
"The idea is like any other," said Briatore, whose other business interests include nightclubs and exclusive fashion shops. "I opened the Cipriani (restaurant) in London but I am not in the kitchen to cook. I have the people managing it.
"Formula One is my priority 100 percent, anything else we are doing in a professional way but as a group of friends. Nothing dramatic."
Briatore, a lifelong supporter of Italian club Juventus, said he had met QPR chairman Gianni Paladini only once: "After that it was the normal talking with my people and the people from the board." Reuters
NASADQ Company News
QPR Holdings Limited Confirms Offer Talks
Edited Press Release
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- QPR Holdings Limited ("QPR") said Friday following the recent comments in the press, the Board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company.
The Board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 08-24-070417ET Nasdaq
The Guardian - Briatore says he and his secret friends are one of many suitors of QPR - Richard Williams
F1 boss has only ever seen ground from a helicopter
Decision on bid expected in the next two weeks
Flavio Briatore, the flamboyant boss of the Renault formula one team, spoke yesterday for the first time about his plan to take over Queen's Park Rangers, and admitted that has seen the club's Loftus Road stadium only from the air, en route by helicopter from his Chelsea home to his team's Oxfordshire headquarters.
"We are talking but nothing formal has been done," Briatore said in the paddock at Istanbul Park, where his team are competing in Sunday's Turkish grand prix. "We have a bunch of friends together. We've been talking for the last month but I've no idea where we are. QPR are talking to a lot of people."
Last week the board of QPR Holdings Ltd resigned en bloc in order to make way for new investors, who will need to put around £25m into a club which avoided going into administration six years ago only thanks to a loan of £10m from a company registered in Panama. QPR's debts are currently said to stand at around twice that figure.
Briatore refused to identify the "friends" involved. Bernie Ecclestone, with whom he enjoys a close relationship in formula one but who has previously been linked with a bid to buy Arsenal, yesterday declined to confirm that he was among those behind the QPR offer. Neither, according to Briatore, do they include Antonio Giraudo, the disgraced former chief executive of Juventus, who is now believed to live in London. Briatore said that he had met Gianni Paladini, the club's chairman, only once.
"They need to make a decision as soon as possible because they need financial support," he said. "I don't think the financial issue is a big problem. There's something else we need to discuss. Let's see what they decide and what happens in the next two weeks. If it goes well, I am very happy."
The 57-year-old Briatore is a lifelong Juventus fan. He entered formula one almost 20 years ago and guided Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to the world championship. Alonso is one of several drivers whose careers are handled by his management company, and Briatore's many other business interests include a holiday resort in Kenya, a night club in Sardinia, a small chain of expensive menswear stores, and restaurants in London and New York. His past girlfriends include the supermodels Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum, and he is currently engaged to another mannequin, Elisabetta Gregoraci.
The club he plans to buy was founded in 1882 and came second in the league in 1975-76, only a point behind Liverpool. They dropped out of the Premier League in 1996, and narrowly avoided a return to the third tier last season. Under John Gregory, their current manager, they stand 20th in the Championship, with one point from the season's opening two matches.
"I don't want to say anything about the potential of the club," Briatore responded, when asked if his ambitions for QPR included European football. "At this moment it [the takeover] is not reality. If it happens, we have a programme for the next four or five years of what we want to do."
He dismissed the notion of selling the ground and moving the club to a new location and denied that he would be playing a hands-on role, comparing his involvement with QPR to his restaurant interests. "I opened the Cipriani, which is one of the most successful restaurants in London," he said, "but I'm not in the kitchen to cook. I go there sometimes for dinner. I love football. But formula one is my priority, 100%." Guardian
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2155856,00.html
THE TIMES - QPR confirm takeover discussions
Formula One chief Flavio Briatore in pole position as football club reveals talks with a 'number of parties'Steve Hawkes and Agencies
Flavio Briatore, the multi-millionaire businessman who is head of the Renault Formula One team, has confirmed he is interested in buying debt-riddled Coca-Cola Championship club Queens Park Rangers but warned he would not “go crazy” to complete the sale.
Briatore today said he is involved with “a bunch of friends” in looking to acquire the Coca-Cola Championship club. However, the Italian has conceded the consortium is one of several parties looking to take over the troubled Loftus Road outfit.
“We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR at the moment,” said Briatore ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
“We have not put in any offer. Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working. We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club.”
QPR board resigns ahead of proposed takeover
Cardiff expose vulnerable QPR flaws
Flamboyant Briatore on track to take over at QPR
Briatore concedes the closest he has come to the ground is when he has flown over it in his helicopter en route to Renault’s base in Oxfordshire. However, he has met current QPR chairman and fellow Italian Gianni Paladini, albeit that was a chance encounter.
Should Briatore and his group gain control of the club, he insists his involvement will be strictly behind the scenes. “My business is in Formula One,” he said. “It is 100 per cent. The focus for me is next year because we need to be competitive again. It’s like Cipriani (a restaurant he owns in Mayfair). I don’t go in the kitchen to cook the food. I occasionally go there to eat, and with QPR I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more.”
Briatore has confirmed the present management, with John Gregory in charge, would remain unchanged if his takeover succeeds, adding: “Everything is perfect.”
He declined to comment on his plans for QPR, although he remarked: “It is like with anything I am involved with - I want to be successful.” Briatore masterminded Renault’s rise to dominance in Formula One, with the team winning the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2005 and 2006. The 57-year-old also created and runs fashion brand ’Billionaire’, while he owns pharmaceutical company Pierrel.
Queens Park Rangers have made a short stock market statement which said: “Following the recent comments in the press, the board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.
“The board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.”
Paladini had described Briatore’s interest last week as a “dream come true”. He said: “Mr Briatore wants to do for QPR Mohammed Fayed has for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club.”
He had warned that the club faced administration and a 10-point fine unless a rescue package could be found.
QPR is thought to be £17 million in the red and needs to pay a £1.3 million bill to the Inland Revenue by September 1.
On Monday, all three board directors, Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele, resigned.
In a statement on the club’s official website, they said: “We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years.
“It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.” The Times
The Sun - Flavio in fight to seal QPR deal
By JANINE SELF August 25, 2007
The multi-millionaire Renault team boss and his associates are in discussions to buy the Championship club for £22million.
The deal was scheduled to have been completed before the end of this week.
But now Rangers, currently facing liquidation, have announced fresh interest from other parties.
A club statement said: “The board is engaged in discussions with a number of parties, which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.”
Briatore, 57, in Istanbul for the Turkish Grand Prix, said: “We know where we are and what we want to do.
"If it happens, I will be very happy. But we are not going to go crazy to have this club.” The Sun
Reuters
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Reuters) -- Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed on Friday that he is part of a group interested in taking over English club Queens Park Rangers.
Briatore confirmed that Foruma One was still his priority despite his interest in Queens Park Rangers.
However, the flamboyant Italian said he was only one of those involved in the talks. No offer has been made for the Championship club and nothing has yet been signed.
"We are talking, we are a bunch of friends together," he said at the Turkish Grand Prix, while declining to name any of his associates.
"If it happens I am very happy, if not I am very happy as well."
The West London club, who have debts of £17 million ($34 million) and need considerable new investment, said in an earlier statement that they were in talks with various parties.
"The board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company," it said.
Briatore, a multi-millionaire and close associate of billionaire Formula One s upremo Bernie Ecclestone, said he had never been to QPR's Loftus Road ground.
"The history behind it (the club) is great. And I pass the stadium every time I go to Oxford by helicopter and so I become friendly with the stadium," he said.
Briatore added that if his group were successful, Formula One would remain his priority. Renault have been champions for the past two seasons.
"The idea is like any other," said Briatore, whose other business interests include nightclubs and exclusive fashion shops. "I opened the Cipriani (restaurant) in London but I am not in the kitchen to cook. I have the people managing it.
"Formula One is my priority 100 percent, anything else we are doing in a professional way but as a group of friends. Nothing dramatic."
Briatore, a lifelong supporter of Italian club Juventus, said he had met QPR chairman Gianni Paladini only once: "After that it was the normal talking with my people and the people from the board." Reuters
NASADQ Company News
QPR Holdings Limited Confirms Offer Talks
Edited Press Release
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- QPR Holdings Limited ("QPR") said Friday following the recent comments in the press, the Board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company.
The Board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 08-24-070417ET Nasdaq
The Potential QPR Takeover - Who's Possibly Involved
-
Daily Mail - Sports Agenda: Briatore and his racy QPR suitors
The 'bunch of friends' with whom Formula One boss Flavio Briatore is exploring the possibilities of buying Championship club Queens Park Rangers should be of some concern to the Football League.
Briatore, who confirmed his currently informal interest in QPR yesterday before the Turkish Grand Prix, has some controversial associates involved with him in the project.
These include former Juventus chief executive Antonio Giraudo, banned from football in Italy for five years following the match-fixing scandal with the recommendation from Italian football's governing body that it should be a lifetime penalty.
Other members of the Briatore consortium are father and son team of Arrigo and Giuseppe Cipriani, who own a chain of restaurants in Europe and the US, including the London Mayfair flagship in which Briatore is an investor.
Briatore and his racy QPR suitors
The two restaurateurs pleaded guilty last month in Manhattan Supreme Court to evading 10 million dollars of New York taxes after submitting fraudulent tax returns in 2003 and 2004.
Briatore compared his passive investment in the Ciprianis' London restaurant to what would be his behind-the-scenes style at QPR.
He said: 'I occasionally go there to eat, but I don't go in the kitchen to cook the food. And with QPR, I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more.'
A Football League spokesman said: 'Any new directors will have to comply with our fit-andproper person regulations.' Mail
Daily Mail - Sports Agenda: Briatore and his racy QPR suitors
The 'bunch of friends' with whom Formula One boss Flavio Briatore is exploring the possibilities of buying Championship club Queens Park Rangers should be of some concern to the Football League.
Briatore, who confirmed his currently informal interest in QPR yesterday before the Turkish Grand Prix, has some controversial associates involved with him in the project.
These include former Juventus chief executive Antonio Giraudo, banned from football in Italy for five years following the match-fixing scandal with the recommendation from Italian football's governing body that it should be a lifetime penalty.
Other members of the Briatore consortium are father and son team of Arrigo and Giuseppe Cipriani, who own a chain of restaurants in Europe and the US, including the London Mayfair flagship in which Briatore is an investor.
Briatore and his racy QPR suitors
The two restaurateurs pleaded guilty last month in Manhattan Supreme Court to evading 10 million dollars of New York taxes after submitting fraudulent tax returns in 2003 and 2004.
Briatore compared his passive investment in the Ciprianis' London restaurant to what would be his behind-the-scenes style at QPR.
He said: 'I occasionally go there to eat, but I don't go in the kitchen to cook the food. And with QPR, I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more.'
A Football League spokesman said: 'Any new directors will have to comply with our fit-andproper person regulations.' Mail
Friday, August 24, 2007
Burnley Preview QPR...QPR Preview Burnley...
-
Caldwell Looking To Return To Face R's - Posted on: Fri 24 Aug 2007
Burnley hope to have skipper Steven Caldwell fir to return to face QPR at Turf Moor tomorrow.
The Clarets captain has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained the thrilling opening day Championship victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Burnley have an injury doubt over goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who suffered a dead leg in last weekend's defeat away at Scunthorpe.
And Cotterill is looking for his players to bounce back against Rangers, who are yet to pick up a victory in three league and cup attempts this season.
The gaffer said: "Sometimes a little short, sharp shock can help. We must not be disrespectful to Scunthorpe, but when you win against WBA then you hope you may go on and win the next game.
"That's not always the case in football though and you have to move on from any defeat and take any positive out of the game.
"The great thing is we have an immediate chance to put things right, whatever the last result.
"We will not be underestimating QPR though. We know they are decent club and have some good players and an experience manager.
"We mustn't get sucked in by league tables because they mean nothing (yet).
"There are no easy games in this league and Saturday will be no different. We don't have any divine right to turn anyone over - we have to earn that right."
Don't forget that every Burnley supporters will receive a FREE copy of the Clarets Magazine ahead of Saturday's game.
Fans attending the game can get their copy of the 80-page magazine as they enter the turnstiles.
Can't get to the game? Then why not tune in to Clarets World. Phil Bird will be on air at 2.50pm with full 90 minute coverage of the Championship game.
For more details on subscribing to Clarets World, please click here. Burnley
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BURNLEY
Rangers travel to Turf Moor, home of a Burnley side buoyed by an opening day victory, on Saturday.
Ade Akinbiyi came off the substitutes' bench to inspire an opening-day win for Steve Cotterill's side against West Bromwich Albion on the first day of the season.
The visitors took the lead on 18 minutes when Kevin Phillips curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner.
But Burnley drew level when Michael Duff rose highest to head home from a corner just after half-time.
And substitute Akinbiyi's strong running forced Neil Clement into a handball which allowed Andy Gray to score the winner from the penalty spot.
It was a result which left Cotterill purring: "It's very difficult to keep a clean sheet against West Brom and they made it even more awkward by playing a diamond in midfield.
"But I felt we not only matched them but we went on and won the game. All credit to the players because they were absolutely first class."
But Burnley were brought back down to earth with a bump last weekend, as Cotterill's side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Championship newcomers Scunthorpe United.
Understandably, the Clarets boss was not so complimentary of his players: "We could have had three or four goals in the first 20 minutes, but failed to find the back of the net and were made to pay for it.
"Hats off to Scunthorpe, it was their day. They are a team who are not used to losing games and they did much better at keeping the ball out of their net than we did keeping it out of ours.
"I was disappointed with the way we faded after that bright start. In the end, Scunthorpe ended up doing well all the things that we should have been doing."
A typically tough place to travel to, Rangers succumbed to an opening day defeat at Turf Moor last season.
A Steve Jones double put Gary Waddock's new-look side to the sword that afternoon and history suggests the Hoops will have their work cut out when they make the long trip to Lancashire.
Man to watch: Kyle LAFFERTY
After a successful loan stint at League Two outfit Darlington, Kyle Lafferty capped a sensational first season in the Clarets first team fold with an international call-up for Northern Ireland.
The teenage striker, who was only promoted as an apprentice to the first team squad during the 2005/06 pre-season campaign, signed his first professional contract around Christmas - a deal which keeps him at Turf Moor until the summer of 2008.
Lafferty has been the subject of constant transfer speculation this summer, but he remains a firm favourite with the Turf Moor faithful.
In's
Robbie Blake (Leeds - £250,000)
Stephen Jordan (Manchester City - free)
David Unsworth (Wigan - free)
Clarke Carlisle (Watford - £200,000)
Out's
Graham Branch (Accrington - free)
Wayne Thomas (Southampton - £1,000,000)
Head-to-head:
Burnley wins: 12
Draws: 3
QPR wins: 9
Match odds:
Burnley 10/11
Draw 9/4
QPR 13/5 QPR
Caldwell Looking To Return To Face R's - Posted on: Fri 24 Aug 2007
Burnley hope to have skipper Steven Caldwell fir to return to face QPR at Turf Moor tomorrow.
The Clarets captain has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained the thrilling opening day Championship victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Burnley have an injury doubt over goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who suffered a dead leg in last weekend's defeat away at Scunthorpe.
And Cotterill is looking for his players to bounce back against Rangers, who are yet to pick up a victory in three league and cup attempts this season.
The gaffer said: "Sometimes a little short, sharp shock can help. We must not be disrespectful to Scunthorpe, but when you win against WBA then you hope you may go on and win the next game.
"That's not always the case in football though and you have to move on from any defeat and take any positive out of the game.
"The great thing is we have an immediate chance to put things right, whatever the last result.
"We will not be underestimating QPR though. We know they are decent club and have some good players and an experience manager.
"We mustn't get sucked in by league tables because they mean nothing (yet).
"There are no easy games in this league and Saturday will be no different. We don't have any divine right to turn anyone over - we have to earn that right."
Don't forget that every Burnley supporters will receive a FREE copy of the Clarets Magazine ahead of Saturday's game.
Fans attending the game can get their copy of the 80-page magazine as they enter the turnstiles.
Can't get to the game? Then why not tune in to Clarets World. Phil Bird will be on air at 2.50pm with full 90 minute coverage of the Championship game.
For more details on subscribing to Clarets World, please click here. Burnley
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BURNLEY
Rangers travel to Turf Moor, home of a Burnley side buoyed by an opening day victory, on Saturday.
Ade Akinbiyi came off the substitutes' bench to inspire an opening-day win for Steve Cotterill's side against West Bromwich Albion on the first day of the season.
The visitors took the lead on 18 minutes when Kevin Phillips curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner.
But Burnley drew level when Michael Duff rose highest to head home from a corner just after half-time.
And substitute Akinbiyi's strong running forced Neil Clement into a handball which allowed Andy Gray to score the winner from the penalty spot.
It was a result which left Cotterill purring: "It's very difficult to keep a clean sheet against West Brom and they made it even more awkward by playing a diamond in midfield.
"But I felt we not only matched them but we went on and won the game. All credit to the players because they were absolutely first class."
But Burnley were brought back down to earth with a bump last weekend, as Cotterill's side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Championship newcomers Scunthorpe United.
Understandably, the Clarets boss was not so complimentary of his players: "We could have had three or four goals in the first 20 minutes, but failed to find the back of the net and were made to pay for it.
"Hats off to Scunthorpe, it was their day. They are a team who are not used to losing games and they did much better at keeping the ball out of their net than we did keeping it out of ours.
"I was disappointed with the way we faded after that bright start. In the end, Scunthorpe ended up doing well all the things that we should have been doing."
A typically tough place to travel to, Rangers succumbed to an opening day defeat at Turf Moor last season.
A Steve Jones double put Gary Waddock's new-look side to the sword that afternoon and history suggests the Hoops will have their work cut out when they make the long trip to Lancashire.
Man to watch: Kyle LAFFERTY
After a successful loan stint at League Two outfit Darlington, Kyle Lafferty capped a sensational first season in the Clarets first team fold with an international call-up for Northern Ireland.
The teenage striker, who was only promoted as an apprentice to the first team squad during the 2005/06 pre-season campaign, signed his first professional contract around Christmas - a deal which keeps him at Turf Moor until the summer of 2008.
Lafferty has been the subject of constant transfer speculation this summer, but he remains a firm favourite with the Turf Moor faithful.
In's
Robbie Blake (Leeds - £250,000)
Stephen Jordan (Manchester City - free)
David Unsworth (Wigan - free)
Clarke Carlisle (Watford - £200,000)
Out's
Graham Branch (Accrington - free)
Wayne Thomas (Southampton - £1,000,000)
Head-to-head:
Burnley wins: 12
Draws: 3
QPR wins: 9
Match odds:
Burnley 10/11
Draw 9/4
QPR 13/5 QPR
QPR's Tommy Doherty Still Wanted by Wycombe
-
Updated:
SEAN JOINS STONES
R's goalkeeper Sean Thomas has joined Wealdstone on a one month loan deal.
The 20 year-old custodian will remain with the Ryman League premier division side until Saturday 22nd September 2007.
Thomas signed a two year professional contract with the R's midway through the 2005/06 season.
However, his opportunities have been scarce since then, with the young goalkeeper spending time on loan at Bristol City last season. QPR
This is Local London - Lambert still chasing the Doc
WYCOMBE want to sign QPR midfielder Tommy Doherty before the transfer window closes on August 31.
The midfielder was Wanderers' Player of the Year last season while on loan at Adams Park and Lambert is keen to get him back.
Rangers are still demanding a transfer fee for the former Northern Ireland international, who has a year left on his contract.
Blues boss Paul Lambert said: "It's certainly not dead yet."
Rangers are currently in the middle of a takeover and any deal could go right to the wire.
Lambert said: "The goalposts have changed a little, but I still want him and if we could do it before the deadline I would.
"He was brilliant when he was here before. I've spoken to John Gregory Rangers' boss a couple of times."
Doherty has only just returned to training after having an emergency appendix operation.
Lambert said: "Talks are ongoing. He's just getting back into training at QPR after his operation. That appendix problem was a disaster for him." This is Local London
Updated:
SEAN JOINS STONES
R's goalkeeper Sean Thomas has joined Wealdstone on a one month loan deal.
The 20 year-old custodian will remain with the Ryman League premier division side until Saturday 22nd September 2007.
Thomas signed a two year professional contract with the R's midway through the 2005/06 season.
However, his opportunities have been scarce since then, with the young goalkeeper spending time on loan at Bristol City last season. QPR
This is Local London - Lambert still chasing the Doc
WYCOMBE want to sign QPR midfielder Tommy Doherty before the transfer window closes on August 31.
The midfielder was Wanderers' Player of the Year last season while on loan at Adams Park and Lambert is keen to get him back.
Rangers are still demanding a transfer fee for the former Northern Ireland international, who has a year left on his contract.
Blues boss Paul Lambert said: "It's certainly not dead yet."
Rangers are currently in the middle of a takeover and any deal could go right to the wire.
Lambert said: "The goalposts have changed a little, but I still want him and if we could do it before the deadline I would.
"He was brilliant when he was here before. I've spoken to John Gregory Rangers' boss a couple of times."
Doherty has only just returned to training after having an emergency appendix operation.
Lambert said: "Talks are ongoing. He's just getting back into training at QPR after his operation. That appendix problem was a disaster for him." This is Local London
Briatore Confirms QPR Interest...But Denies QPR Deal
-
REUTERS - UPDATE 2-Soccer-Briatore confirms interest in taking over QPR Fri Aug 24, - By Alan Baldwin
ISTANBUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed on Friday that he was part of a group interested in taking over second division English soccer club Queens Park Rangers.
However, the flamboyant Italian said he was only one of those involved in the talks. No offer had been made and nothing signed.
"We are talking. we are a bunch of friends together," he told reporters at the Turkish Grand Prix while declining to name any of his associates. "If it happens I am very happy, if not I am very happy as well."
The West London club, who have debts of 17 million pounds ($34 million) and need considerable new investment, said in an earlier statement that they were in talks with various parties that could lead to a takeover bid.
"The board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company," it said.
Briatore, a multi-millionaire and close associate of billionaire Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, said he had never been to QPR's Loftus Road ground.
The history behind it (the club) is great. And I pass the stadium every time I go to Oxford by helicopter and so I become friendly with the stadium," he said.
Briatore added that if his group were successful, Formula One would remain his priority. Renault have been champions for the past two seasons.
"The idea is like any other," said Briatore, whose other business interests include nightclubs and exclusive Billionaire fashion shops. "I opened the Cipriani (restaurant) in London but I am not in the kitchen to cook. I have the people managing it.
"Formula One is my priority 100 percent, anything else we are doing in a professional way but as a group of friends. Nothing dramatic."
Briatore, a lifelong supporter of Italian club Juventus, said he had met QPR chairman Gianni Paladini only once: "After that it was the normal talking with my people and the people from the board." (Additional reporting by Jonathan Cable) Reuters
SPORTING LIFE - BRIATORE CONFIRMS QPR INTEREST
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Istanbul
Multi-millionaire Flavio Briatore has confirmed he is interested buying Queens Park Rangers but warned he would not "go crazy" to complete the sale.
Briatore, team boss of Formula One marque Renault, is involved with "a bunch of friends" in looking to acquire the Coca-Cola Championship club.
However, the Italian has conceded the consortium is one of several parties looking to take over the troubled Loftus Road outfit.
"We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR at the moment," said Briatore ahead of this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
"We have not put in any offer. Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working.
"We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club."
Briatore concedes the closest he has come to the ground is when he has flown over it in his helicopter en route to Renault's base in Oxfordshire.
However, he has met current QPR chairman and fellow Italian Gianni Paladini, albeit a chance encounter.
Should Briatore and his group gain control of the club, he insists his involvement will be strictly behind the scenes.
"My business is in Formula One," confirmed Briatore.
"It is 100%. The focus for me is next year because we need to be competitive again.
"It's like Cipriani (a restaurant he owns in Mayfair). I don't go in the kitchen to cook the food.
"I occasionally go there to eat, and with QPR I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more."
Briatore has confirmed the present management, with John Gregory in charge, would remain unchanged if his takeover succeeds, adding: "Everything is perfect."
Briatore declined to comment on his plans for QPR, although he remarked: "It is like with anything I am involved with - I want to be successful."
Briatore masterminded Renault's rise to dominance in Formula One, with the team winning the drivers' and constructors' championships in 2005 and 2006.
The 57-year-old also created and runs fashion brand 'Billionaire', while he owns pharmaceutical company Pierrel. Sporting Life
BBC - Briatore cools QPR takeover talk
Flavio Briatore has played down reports linking him with an imminent takeover of QPR, saying he has not made a bid.
The Renault Formula One team boss heads a group talking over an offer to take control of the Championship club.
It comes after QPR's board resigned on Monday, ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited.
However, the Italian said: "We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR now. We have not put in any offer."
A statement on QPR's website had earlier read: "The board announces it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to an offer."
Major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers have agreed to sell their stake in the club - but Briatore insists he will not be held to ransom.
"Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working," he said.
"We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club." BBC
REUTERS - UPDATE 2-Soccer-Briatore confirms interest in taking over QPR Fri Aug 24, - By Alan Baldwin
ISTANBUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore confirmed on Friday that he was part of a group interested in taking over second division English soccer club Queens Park Rangers.
However, the flamboyant Italian said he was only one of those involved in the talks. No offer had been made and nothing signed.
"We are talking. we are a bunch of friends together," he told reporters at the Turkish Grand Prix while declining to name any of his associates. "If it happens I am very happy, if not I am very happy as well."
The West London club, who have debts of 17 million pounds ($34 million) and need considerable new investment, said in an earlier statement that they were in talks with various parties that could lead to a takeover bid.
"The board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the company," it said.
Briatore, a multi-millionaire and close associate of billionaire Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, said he had never been to QPR's Loftus Road ground.
The history behind it (the club) is great. And I pass the stadium every time I go to Oxford by helicopter and so I become friendly with the stadium," he said.
Briatore added that if his group were successful, Formula One would remain his priority. Renault have been champions for the past two seasons.
"The idea is like any other," said Briatore, whose other business interests include nightclubs and exclusive Billionaire fashion shops. "I opened the Cipriani (restaurant) in London but I am not in the kitchen to cook. I have the people managing it.
"Formula One is my priority 100 percent, anything else we are doing in a professional way but as a group of friends. Nothing dramatic."
Briatore, a lifelong supporter of Italian club Juventus, said he had met QPR chairman Gianni Paladini only once: "After that it was the normal talking with my people and the people from the board." (Additional reporting by Jonathan Cable) Reuters
SPORTING LIFE - BRIATORE CONFIRMS QPR INTEREST
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Istanbul
Multi-millionaire Flavio Briatore has confirmed he is interested buying Queens Park Rangers but warned he would not "go crazy" to complete the sale.
Briatore, team boss of Formula One marque Renault, is involved with "a bunch of friends" in looking to acquire the Coca-Cola Championship club.
However, the Italian has conceded the consortium is one of several parties looking to take over the troubled Loftus Road outfit.
"We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR at the moment," said Briatore ahead of this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
"We have not put in any offer. Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working.
"We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club."
Briatore concedes the closest he has come to the ground is when he has flown over it in his helicopter en route to Renault's base in Oxfordshire.
However, he has met current QPR chairman and fellow Italian Gianni Paladini, albeit a chance encounter.
Should Briatore and his group gain control of the club, he insists his involvement will be strictly behind the scenes.
"My business is in Formula One," confirmed Briatore.
"It is 100%. The focus for me is next year because we need to be competitive again.
"It's like Cipriani (a restaurant he owns in Mayfair). I don't go in the kitchen to cook the food.
"I occasionally go there to eat, and with QPR I will occasionally go to a match. Nothing more."
Briatore has confirmed the present management, with John Gregory in charge, would remain unchanged if his takeover succeeds, adding: "Everything is perfect."
Briatore declined to comment on his plans for QPR, although he remarked: "It is like with anything I am involved with - I want to be successful."
Briatore masterminded Renault's rise to dominance in Formula One, with the team winning the drivers' and constructors' championships in 2005 and 2006.
The 57-year-old also created and runs fashion brand 'Billionaire', while he owns pharmaceutical company Pierrel. Sporting Life
BBC - Briatore cools QPR takeover talk
Flavio Briatore has played down reports linking him with an imminent takeover of QPR, saying he has not made a bid.
The Renault Formula One team boss heads a group talking over an offer to take control of the Championship club.
It comes after QPR's board resigned on Monday, ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited.
However, the Italian said: "We started talking by chance, but there are a lot of people in England talking with QPR now. We have not put in any offer."
A statement on QPR's website had earlier read: "The board announces it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to an offer."
Major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers have agreed to sell their stake in the club - but Briatore insists he will not be held to ransom.
"Absolutely nothing formal has been done, but the lawyers are working," he said.
"We know where we are and what we want to do. If it happens then I will be very happy, but we are not going to go crazy to have this club." BBC
Briatore Earlier Today - No QPR Deal Completed
-
AutoSports.com - Briatore says fully committed to F1
By Jonathan Noble Friday, August 24th 2007,
Renault boss Flavio Briatore insists that he remains fully committed to Formula One, despite his interest in a takeover deal of football club Queen's Park Rangers.
Briatore is part of a consortium looking at taking over the London club, and it comes amid speculation that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is also looking at buying into Arsenal.
But while Briatore's talks continue, he has made it clear that even if a deal with QPR is successful he will not be diverting any of his attention away from F1.
"It is like any other business," he said in his office at the Renault motorhome on Friday. "I opened (restaurant) Cipriana in London, but I am not in the kitchen cooking. I have people managing it. It is possible to have different businesses and not be involved.
"My business is F1. Formula One is my priority 100 percent. Everything else we do in a professional way, but we are a group of friends. It is more a bit of fun.
"My focus is F1, especially next year because next year for us we need to be competitive again. This year we are a bit on holiday and next year we need to get back to business."
Briatore denied that a QPR deal had been completed and said he was surprised that his bid had generated so much interest.
"We are talking," he said. "We are a bunch of friends together. I don't think it is such a big issue.
"There are a lot of people talking at this moment with QPR and we are talking like that. I know the guys involved and it is like that, but it is nothing formally done. Absolutely nothing." Auto
AutoSports.com - Briatore says fully committed to F1
By Jonathan Noble Friday, August 24th 2007,
Renault boss Flavio Briatore insists that he remains fully committed to Formula One, despite his interest in a takeover deal of football club Queen's Park Rangers.
Briatore is part of a consortium looking at taking over the London club, and it comes amid speculation that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is also looking at buying into Arsenal.
But while Briatore's talks continue, he has made it clear that even if a deal with QPR is successful he will not be diverting any of his attention away from F1.
"It is like any other business," he said in his office at the Renault motorhome on Friday. "I opened (restaurant) Cipriana in London, but I am not in the kitchen cooking. I have people managing it. It is possible to have different businesses and not be involved.
"My business is F1. Formula One is my priority 100 percent. Everything else we do in a professional way, but we are a group of friends. It is more a bit of fun.
"My focus is F1, especially next year because next year for us we need to be competitive again. This year we are a bit on holiday and next year we need to get back to business."
Briatore denied that a QPR deal had been completed and said he was surprised that his bid had generated so much interest.
"We are talking," he said. "We are a bunch of friends together. I don't think it is such a big issue.
"There are a lot of people talking at this moment with QPR and we are talking like that. I know the guys involved and it is like that, but it is nothing formally done. Absolutely nothing." Auto
Briatore to Make Statement on QPR
-
BBC - Briatore to make statement on QPR
Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore is expected to make a statement on Friday regarding his possible takeover of QPR.
Briatore heads a group assembling a bid to take over the Championship club.
QPR's board resigned on Monday, ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited.
A statement on QPR's website said: "The board announces it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to an offer."
The news comes after major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers agreed to sell their stake in the club. BBC
BBC - Briatore to make statement on QPR
Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore is expected to make a statement on Friday regarding his possible takeover of QPR.
Briatore heads a group assembling a bid to take over the Championship club.
QPR's board resigned on Monday, ahead of an assumed bid for parent company QPR Holdings Limited.
A statement on QPR's website said: "The board announces it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to an offer."
The news comes after major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers agreed to sell their stake in the club. BBC
Statement by QPR Holdings re "Possible Offer"
-
[According to posters on various messageboards, it was reported that Flavio Briatore will be talking to the press today re QPR at 1pm (London time)]
QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT Posted on: Fri 24 Aug 2007
QPR Holdings Limited - Statement in respect of a possible offer
Following the recent comments in the press, the Board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company.
The Board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.
For enquiries, contact: QPR Holdings Limited, Gianni Paladini, Director, 020 8743 0262 / 020 8740 2525. QPR
OFFICIAL SITE STATEMENT UPDATED TO INCLUDE
Relevant Securities in Issue
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, QPR confirms that as at the close of business on 23 August 2007 it had 100,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in issue.
Dealing disclosure requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1 per cent. or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of QPR, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which any offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of QPR, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of QPR by QPR or by the potential offeror, or by any of their respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk
'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. QPR Official Site
[According to posters on various messageboards, it was reported that Flavio Briatore will be talking to the press today re QPR at 1pm (London time)]
QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT Posted on: Fri 24 Aug 2007
QPR Holdings Limited - Statement in respect of a possible offer
Following the recent comments in the press, the Board of QPR announces that it is engaged in discussions with a number of parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company.
The Board will advise shareholders of any further significant developments.
For enquiries, contact: QPR Holdings Limited, Gianni Paladini, Director, 020 8743 0262 / 020 8740 2525. QPR
OFFICIAL SITE STATEMENT UPDATED TO INCLUDE
Relevant Securities in Issue
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, QPR confirms that as at the close of business on 23 August 2007 it had 100,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in issue.
Dealing disclosure requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1 per cent. or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of QPR, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which any offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of QPR, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of QPR by QPR or by the potential offeror, or by any of their respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk
'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. QPR Official Site
QPR Flashback: One Year Mackrell in...Two Years Power Out...Thirty-Nine Years Bridges Debut...Forty-Three Years Rosenoir Born
-
On this day....
One Year Ago Today: QPR Announced the Appointment of Graham Mackrell as Chief Operating Officer. [Three months later, Mackrell was no longer at QPR - Mackrell/QPR -]
August 24, 2006: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - GRAHAM MACKRELL APPOINT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
QPR are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer.
A qualified accountant, Mackrell will offer assistance to the board, with the focus on improving the Club's off-the-field activities.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead,'' Mackrell told qpr.co.uk.
"QPR is a club with fantastic tradition and I'm excited about the prospect of working with the strong team we already have in place here.
"I'm here to add professionalism and my aim is to ensure the Club's off-the-field ambitions match those on it.''
Mackrell has worked in professional football for 25 years, including spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United.
He is also a Venue Director for UEFA.
Chairman Gianni Paladini is delighted to have Mackrell on board, commenting: "Graham will raise our profile within football thanks to his extensive work with UEFA and the League Managers Association.
"He is extremely well-known and respected within the game and also benefits from being a qualified accountant.
"I would like to wish Graham all the best and welcome him to QPR.'' QPR
TWO YEARS AGO: August 24, 2005: BBC- Power is removed as QPR chairman
-Gianni Paladini has taken control at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers chairman Bill Power has been removed and chief executive Mark Devlin sacked.
Director Gianni Paladini, backed by Monaco-based groups that bought shares in Rangers last year, moved to oust Power at a board meeting on Wednesday.
Power, who was a close ally of the Italian before their relationship turned sour, was voted out and Devlin told he was being fired.
But Power and his supporters are likely to challenge the legality of the move.
Both Power and the Monaco groups were keen to increase their shareholding.
Power's camp were undone by former Brazil captain Carlos Dunga unexpectedly flying in from Japan to vote with Paladini.
Dunga represents one of the Monaco groups but little has been heard of him since he was made a director last summer.
Wednesday's board meeting was the first the World Cup winner has attended.
Power and Paladini joined forces to topple the previous board 14 months ago, but there have been bitter divisions since.
Paladini is now in control at Loftus Road and is likely to take over Devlin's duties.
A new chairman is expected to be named shortly. BBC
[Also: Sporting Life - QPR POWER STRUGGLE GOES ON
QPR manager Ian Holloway has attacked the boardroom chaos threatening to derail the club - and admitted his future is uncertain.
Bill Power and Mark Devlin were ousted as Rangers chairman and chief executive respectively in a boardroom coup earlier this week, allowing director Gianni Paladini to seize effective control of the club.
Power continues to fight his demotion and is expected to mount a legal challenge, but manager Holloway could now be under pressure - former Rangers player and Aston Villa manager John Gregory was in the directors' box for Friday's home match against Sheffield Wednesday.
"We've had two bad results [at Coventry and Northampton], but whether I remain here is another matter," Holloway said.
"If they want me, great, if they don't then that's life.
"Hopefully the people in the boardroom can sort our their squabbles. They need to sort it out. They are directors - they need to direct the club."
Paladini attracted two Monaco-based groups of investors to the club when it was in dire financial straits last summer and one of their number - fellow Italian Gualtiero Trucco - has been installed as interim chairman.
Holloway led Rangers to 11th place in the Championship last term following their promotion from the old Division Two the previous season.
But Holloway has had to deal with boardroom instability throughout his reign - and he hinted he was growing tired of it.
"The supporters don't know the facts," he told BBC London 94.9 FM.
"It's not a nice situation to be in. I've been through three boards since I've been here and I'm not happy about that.
"We don't want to wash our dirty linen in public. QPR is a baton that's been handed around.
"When the board get fed up, when the supporters get fed up, they can get someone else."
QPR Power Struggle Goes On
QPR Statement at the time
The Board of QPR Holdings Ltd has decided that Mr Mark Devlin's position as Chief Executive Officer is to be made redundant with immediate effect.
Mr Bill Power is no longer Chairman of the Board but remains as a Director.
Mr Gualtiero Trucco has been appointed interim Chairman of the Board.
Bill Power and Director Kevin McGrath do not recognise the validity of these decisions which were taken at yesterday's Board meeting in their absence.
They are currently seeking legal advice with regards to these decisions. QPR
Thirty-nine years ago today: August 24 1968, Barry Bridges makes his QPR Debut: QPR's record 50,000 pound signing from Birmingham, former England International (and ex-Chelsea) forward Barry Bridges made his QPR debut at home to the Champions, Manchester City. (QPR drew 1-1 with Bridges of course scoring). Bridges ended up joint top scorer (along with Mick Leach) with 8 goals in 27 appearances. In our first season back in the second division, Bridges scored 21 goals in 38 games, in a dynamic forward line of Marsh, Clarke and Bridges with Venables in midfield.
Then the following season, Bridges was sold to Millwall. His last QPR game was in September 1970: QPR's 6-2 defeat at Middlesbrough in which QPR were 2-0 in the first five minutes! Bridges is now 66! See Bridges/Wikipedia Bridges Remembered
Ex-QPR forward, Leroy Rosenoir Turns 43 - Born August 24,1964
Signed by Jim Smith from Fulham in 1985, Rosenoir was with QPR for two seasons, playing 38 games scoring 7 goals. Was sold back to Fulham in 1987. Now currently manager at Brentford.Sporting See Also Rosenoir/Wikipedia
On this day....
One Year Ago Today: QPR Announced the Appointment of Graham Mackrell as Chief Operating Officer. [Three months later, Mackrell was no longer at QPR - Mackrell/QPR -]
August 24, 2006: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - GRAHAM MACKRELL APPOINT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
QPR are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer.
A qualified accountant, Mackrell will offer assistance to the board, with the focus on improving the Club's off-the-field activities.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead,'' Mackrell told qpr.co.uk.
"QPR is a club with fantastic tradition and I'm excited about the prospect of working with the strong team we already have in place here.
"I'm here to add professionalism and my aim is to ensure the Club's off-the-field ambitions match those on it.''
Mackrell has worked in professional football for 25 years, including spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United.
He is also a Venue Director for UEFA.
Chairman Gianni Paladini is delighted to have Mackrell on board, commenting: "Graham will raise our profile within football thanks to his extensive work with UEFA and the League Managers Association.
"He is extremely well-known and respected within the game and also benefits from being a qualified accountant.
"I would like to wish Graham all the best and welcome him to QPR.'' QPR
TWO YEARS AGO: August 24, 2005: BBC- Power is removed as QPR chairman
-Gianni Paladini has taken control at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers chairman Bill Power has been removed and chief executive Mark Devlin sacked.
Director Gianni Paladini, backed by Monaco-based groups that bought shares in Rangers last year, moved to oust Power at a board meeting on Wednesday.
Power, who was a close ally of the Italian before their relationship turned sour, was voted out and Devlin told he was being fired.
But Power and his supporters are likely to challenge the legality of the move.
Both Power and the Monaco groups were keen to increase their shareholding.
Power's camp were undone by former Brazil captain Carlos Dunga unexpectedly flying in from Japan to vote with Paladini.
Dunga represents one of the Monaco groups but little has been heard of him since he was made a director last summer.
Wednesday's board meeting was the first the World Cup winner has attended.
Power and Paladini joined forces to topple the previous board 14 months ago, but there have been bitter divisions since.
Paladini is now in control at Loftus Road and is likely to take over Devlin's duties.
A new chairman is expected to be named shortly. BBC
[Also: Sporting Life - QPR POWER STRUGGLE GOES ON
QPR manager Ian Holloway has attacked the boardroom chaos threatening to derail the club - and admitted his future is uncertain.
Bill Power and Mark Devlin were ousted as Rangers chairman and chief executive respectively in a boardroom coup earlier this week, allowing director Gianni Paladini to seize effective control of the club.
Power continues to fight his demotion and is expected to mount a legal challenge, but manager Holloway could now be under pressure - former Rangers player and Aston Villa manager John Gregory was in the directors' box for Friday's home match against Sheffield Wednesday.
"We've had two bad results [at Coventry and Northampton], but whether I remain here is another matter," Holloway said.
"If they want me, great, if they don't then that's life.
"Hopefully the people in the boardroom can sort our their squabbles. They need to sort it out. They are directors - they need to direct the club."
Paladini attracted two Monaco-based groups of investors to the club when it was in dire financial straits last summer and one of their number - fellow Italian Gualtiero Trucco - has been installed as interim chairman.
Holloway led Rangers to 11th place in the Championship last term following their promotion from the old Division Two the previous season.
But Holloway has had to deal with boardroom instability throughout his reign - and he hinted he was growing tired of it.
"The supporters don't know the facts," he told BBC London 94.9 FM.
"It's not a nice situation to be in. I've been through three boards since I've been here and I'm not happy about that.
"We don't want to wash our dirty linen in public. QPR is a baton that's been handed around.
"When the board get fed up, when the supporters get fed up, they can get someone else."
QPR Power Struggle Goes On
QPR Statement at the time
The Board of QPR Holdings Ltd has decided that Mr Mark Devlin's position as Chief Executive Officer is to be made redundant with immediate effect.
Mr Bill Power is no longer Chairman of the Board but remains as a Director.
Mr Gualtiero Trucco has been appointed interim Chairman of the Board.
Bill Power and Director Kevin McGrath do not recognise the validity of these decisions which were taken at yesterday's Board meeting in their absence.
They are currently seeking legal advice with regards to these decisions. QPR
Thirty-nine years ago today: August 24 1968, Barry Bridges makes his QPR Debut: QPR's record 50,000 pound signing from Birmingham, former England International (and ex-Chelsea) forward Barry Bridges made his QPR debut at home to the Champions, Manchester City. (QPR drew 1-1 with Bridges of course scoring). Bridges ended up joint top scorer (along with Mick Leach) with 8 goals in 27 appearances. In our first season back in the second division, Bridges scored 21 goals in 38 games, in a dynamic forward line of Marsh, Clarke and Bridges with Venables in midfield.
Then the following season, Bridges was sold to Millwall. His last QPR game was in September 1970: QPR's 6-2 defeat at Middlesbrough in which QPR were 2-0 in the first five minutes! Bridges is now 66! See Bridges/Wikipedia Bridges Remembered
Ex-QPR forward, Leroy Rosenoir Turns 43 - Born August 24,1964
Signed by Jim Smith from Fulham in 1985, Rosenoir was with QPR for two seasons, playing 38 games scoring 7 goals. Was sold back to Fulham in 1987. Now currently manager at Brentford.Sporting See Also Rosenoir/Wikipedia
Thursday, August 23, 2007
QPR Snippets
-
Danny Nardiello came on as a sub for Wales in their 1-0 win in Bulgaria - Report
Free Programme on Saturday...If you're a Burnley supporter! (If you're a QPR fan, seemingly you have to pay!) - Burnley Official Site
Two Years ago today, August 23, 2005: a QPR team which included Ugo Ukah, got knocked out of the "League" Cup losing 0-3 to Northampton: QPR's Team that night: QPR Royce, Ukah, Evatt, Shimmin, Milanese, Miller, Bircham (Baidoo 59), Bean, Brown (Bignot 46), Gallen, Moore. - Subs Not Used: Cole, Hislop, Bailey. Sent Off: Evatt (45). Booked: Miller, Bean, Moore, Ukah. Match Report
And 32 years ago today: August 23, 1975: Derby 1-QPR 5 - One of QPR's Greatest ever games: QPR travelled to then Champions Derby County and won 5-1 away with a Stan Bowles hatrick and goals by Dave Thomas and Dave Clement. Making the result even more impressive, QPR had an inexperienced reserves cental defenders: Ron Abbott and Tonny Tagg.
QPR's team:
Parkes
Clement Abbott Tagg Gillard
Masson Francis Leach
Thomas Bowles Givens
Sub: Beck
Also on this day: August 23, 1986: Dave Seaman made his QPR debut on opening day, as QPR lost 5-1 at Southampton (Colin Clarke hatrick for Southampton)
QPR's team include Alan Brazil as sub.
Seaman
Neil McDonald Chivers Dawes
Fereday James M. Allen Robinson
Byrne Bannister
Sub: Brazil
Danny Nardiello came on as a sub for Wales in their 1-0 win in Bulgaria - Report
Free Programme on Saturday...If you're a Burnley supporter! (If you're a QPR fan, seemingly you have to pay!) - Burnley Official Site
Two Years ago today, August 23, 2005: a QPR team which included Ugo Ukah, got knocked out of the "League" Cup losing 0-3 to Northampton: QPR's Team that night: QPR Royce, Ukah, Evatt, Shimmin, Milanese, Miller, Bircham (Baidoo 59), Bean, Brown (Bignot 46), Gallen, Moore. - Subs Not Used: Cole, Hislop, Bailey. Sent Off: Evatt (45). Booked: Miller, Bean, Moore, Ukah. Match Report
And 32 years ago today: August 23, 1975: Derby 1-QPR 5 - One of QPR's Greatest ever games: QPR travelled to then Champions Derby County and won 5-1 away with a Stan Bowles hatrick and goals by Dave Thomas and Dave Clement. Making the result even more impressive, QPR had an inexperienced reserves cental defenders: Ron Abbott and Tonny Tagg.
QPR's team:
Parkes
Clement Abbott Tagg Gillard
Masson Francis Leach
Thomas Bowles Givens
Sub: Beck
Also on this day: August 23, 1986: Dave Seaman made his QPR debut on opening day, as QPR lost 5-1 at Southampton (Colin Clarke hatrick for Southampton)
QPR's team include Alan Brazil as sub.
Seaman
Neil McDonald Chivers Dawes
Fereday James M. Allen Robinson
Byrne Bannister
Sub: Brazil
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Gareth Ainsworth on Takeover, Cardiff Loss and Looking to Burnley and Carlisle
-
Gareth Ainsworth Column/Kilburn Times - August 22
"I Feel sorry for our fans at the moment - and not just because they've seen us lose two home games in a row.
They're being dragged through a rollercoaster of emotions with all the takeover talk and, it has to be said, that's pretty much par for the course at QPR.
Every few months there's a lot of rubbish being written in some papers about how the club's either going to be bought by someone or go into administration. I get people stopping me in the street and asking what's going on.
I can only say the same as I did last season when they all thought we were going down - until something happens, don't give it a thought.
As a professional, I intend to get on with my job no matter whether there's £10m being invested or no money at all.
Let's hope by the time you read this there's some good news, but the fans should know that the majority of players don't let the talk get to them.
Unfortunately, having seen the way we played against Cardiff last weekend, they might not believe that. When Cardiff scored their second goal, we seemed to drop our heads and that's not at all like QPR.
A lot of the lads were below par and they know it. Cardiff just went from strength to strength - at times they were passing it around us.
I think they're going to be one of the top teams this year, but we should still have shown more fight. The good thing is that it's come early in the season and the gaffer will come down like a ton of bricks to make sure it doesn't happen again.
He's drummed it into us that you've still got to be the same player whether you've scored or conceded. Losing is not the end of the world if you lose in the right manner.
Everyone's trying to stay positive and put it right when we go to Burnley on Saturday. I've played in teams that have won at Turf Moor and, as a Blackburn fan, there's no better feeling!
In a way, Burnley are like us - a big club who haven't quite got back to where they should be. They've brought in a few new faces, but maybe they haven't gelled yet and I think they're beatable.
One of them, of course, is Clarke Carlisle, who I know very well, and I'm sure he'll be fired up to turn in a good performance against us.
We're about due for a good result up there, though, and I feel confident the lads can come back unbeaten, at least, this weekend. Kilburn Times
Gareth Ainsworth Column/Kilburn Times - August 22
"I Feel sorry for our fans at the moment - and not just because they've seen us lose two home games in a row.
They're being dragged through a rollercoaster of emotions with all the takeover talk and, it has to be said, that's pretty much par for the course at QPR.
Every few months there's a lot of rubbish being written in some papers about how the club's either going to be bought by someone or go into administration. I get people stopping me in the street and asking what's going on.
I can only say the same as I did last season when they all thought we were going down - until something happens, don't give it a thought.
As a professional, I intend to get on with my job no matter whether there's £10m being invested or no money at all.
Let's hope by the time you read this there's some good news, but the fans should know that the majority of players don't let the talk get to them.
Unfortunately, having seen the way we played against Cardiff last weekend, they might not believe that. When Cardiff scored their second goal, we seemed to drop our heads and that's not at all like QPR.
A lot of the lads were below par and they know it. Cardiff just went from strength to strength - at times they were passing it around us.
I think they're going to be one of the top teams this year, but we should still have shown more fight. The good thing is that it's come early in the season and the gaffer will come down like a ton of bricks to make sure it doesn't happen again.
He's drummed it into us that you've still got to be the same player whether you've scored or conceded. Losing is not the end of the world if you lose in the right manner.
Everyone's trying to stay positive and put it right when we go to Burnley on Saturday. I've played in teams that have won at Turf Moor and, as a Blackburn fan, there's no better feeling!
In a way, Burnley are like us - a big club who haven't quite got back to where they should be. They've brought in a few new faces, but maybe they haven't gelled yet and I think they're beatable.
One of them, of course, is Clarke Carlisle, who I know very well, and I'm sure he'll be fired up to turn in a good performance against us.
We're about due for a good result up there, though, and I feel confident the lads can come back unbeaten, at least, this weekend. Kilburn Times
re Briatore QPR Buy and Avoiding Administration
-
Article possibly outdated since its writing?
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Under New Management? 22 August 2007
QPR were on the verge of new ownership this week as directors met to finalise the club's sale to Renault Formula One boss Flavio Briatore.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini met with Briatore's representatives on Tuesday night to iron out details of the takeover, which will stave off the looming threat of administration.
As of Wednesday morning, the deal had not yet been completed, but Paladini was confident of a smooth handover after a dispute between himself and fellow director Antonio Caliendo had delayed matters....
It is understood, though, that Paladini will remain as chairman...The new investment will relieve Rangers of the crippling ABC loan that has blighted the club's finances ever since they exited a period of administration five years ago.
Prior to the Briatore deal, the club were faced with the grim likelihood of a return to administration - and an automatic 10-point deduction by the Football League...
. Kilburn Times
Article possibly outdated since its writing?
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Under New Management? 22 August 2007
QPR were on the verge of new ownership this week as directors met to finalise the club's sale to Renault Formula One boss Flavio Briatore.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini met with Briatore's representatives on Tuesday night to iron out details of the takeover, which will stave off the looming threat of administration.
As of Wednesday morning, the deal had not yet been completed, but Paladini was confident of a smooth handover after a dispute between himself and fellow director Antonio Caliendo had delayed matters....
It is understood, though, that Paladini will remain as chairman...The new investment will relieve Rangers of the crippling ABC loan that has blighted the club's finances ever since they exited a period of administration five years ago.
Prior to the Briatore deal, the club were faced with the grim likelihood of a return to administration - and an automatic 10-point deduction by the Football League...
. Kilburn Times
Mancienne Makes His England U-21 Debut...Blackstock Doesn't....QPR Reserves Lose to Brighton
-
QPR's on loan Defender, Michael Mancienne made his England U-21 debut, coming on as substitute. Dexter Blackstock remained on the bench as England drew 1-1 versus Romania. BBC Also: QPR Official site re Mancienne/Blackstock
A strong QPR Reserves team lost to Brighton 2-1 (Baidoo scoring for QPR)
QPR: Cole, Bignot, Barker, Maguire, Shimmin, Cullip, Baidoo, Bailey, Nygaard, Rose, St Aimie. Subs: Timoska, Crowther, Goode, Howell, Arthur
QPR Official Site BAIDOO'S STRIKE IN VAIN -
A controversial goal midway through the second half ensured Rangers' Pontins Holidays Combination League campaign began with defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Worthing FC.
The Seagulls triumphed 2-1, when Joe Gatting - who bagged five goals when these two sides met last season - ignored the injured Romone Rose and raced clear of the R's back four to slot home the winner.
Earlier, Nathan Elder opened the scoring early on for the hosts, only for Shabazz Baidoo to equalise on the stroke of half-time.
After a keenly contested opening, Rangers went close in the ninth minute, when Kieron St Aimie cut in from the left and saw his shot smothered by Brighton custodian John Sullivan.
But it was the hosts who opened the scoring 60 seconds later, when Elder smashed a low drive past Cole from the edge of the penalty area.
The R's responded positively though, with Marc Nygaard unfortunate not to find the back of the net on three separate occasions.
The Danish front-man went close with two headers and saw a further effort cleared off the line from a perfectly flighted Chris Barker set-piece.
Rangers grew in stature as the half wore on and their improved display was rewarded on the stroke of half-time, when Baidoo slotted home at the second attempt, after seeing his initial effort parried by Sullivan.
The second half flattered to deceive for long periods and Brighton's winner, midway through the second half, proved to be the only effort of note in a disappointing 45 minutes.
With Rangers appealing for the ball to be kicked out of play so Rose could receive treatment, Gatting seized on a long diagonal ball out of defence and beat Cole when faced one-on-one with the R's keeper.
Nygaard went close late on, but this effort from close range was smothered by Sullivan, with the assistant referee's flag later being raised for offside.
QPR Official Site
QPR OFFICIAL SITE TEAM - RESERVES READY
First Team coaches Mick Harford and Warren Neill have named a strong Reserve side for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion this evening.
Jake Cole starts in goal, while the back four consists of skipper Marcus Bignot, Danny Cullip, Dominic Shimmin and Chris Barker, who is free to make his long-awaited R's debut at Burnley this weekend following a three match suspension.
Stefan Bailey partners Under-18 skipper Danny Maguire in the heart of the R's engine-room, with Kieron St Aimie and Shabazz Baidoo occupying the wide berths in midfield.
Marc Nygaard is joined in attack by Under-18 starlet Romone Rose, while the bench consists of Sampsa Timoska, Reece Crowther, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell and Chris Arthur.
The R's kick-off their Pontins Holidays Combination League campaign at Worthing FC's Woodside Road ground (7.00pm kick-off).
QPR: Cole, Bignot, Barker, Maguire, Shimmin, Cullip, Baidoo, Bailey, Nygaard, Rose, St Aimie.
Subs: Timoska, Crowther, Goode, Howell, Arthur. QPR
BRIGHTON ARGUS Albion's fringe strikers on target By Andy Naylor
Albion Reserves 2, QPR Reserves 1.
Albion's fringe strikers served notice last night that they are still around fighting to regain a first team place.
Nathan Elder and Joe Gatting were both on the score sheet at Woodside Road, Worthing.
Bas Savage also figured prominently as the Reserves opened their combination campaign with a commendable victory.
Elder, signed from Billericay at Christmas, finished last season with a goal on his full debut at Cheltenham.
Savage had already been Albion's goalscoring saviour by that stage after moving from Gillingham.
The pair, together with youth team product Gatting, have lost out so far to summer capture Nicky Forster and Alex Revell in the congested battle to play upfront.
It took Elder only nine minutes to put Albion ahead.
Savage played him through a square Rangers defence with a delightful pass and he tucked the ball through the legs of advancing keeper Jake Cole.
Elder almost scored again in the 21st minute. He got in behind former Albion captain Danny Cullip to meet Tommy Fraser's inswinging free-kick at the far post with a firm header which Cole kept out in acrobatic fashion. Savage, operating again on the right flank, also tested Cole with shots from outside the box twice in the first half as Albion acquitted themselves well against an experienced Rangers line-up.
Along with Cullip, returning from injury, the Londoners included the likes of Marcus Bignot, Chris Barker and Marc Nygaard.
The Seagulls' young defence, marshalled at centre half by Kerry Mayo, were rarely troubled in the opening 45 minutes, although the giant Nygaard should have done better with a couple of headers wide of the target.
They looked sure to be in front at the interval when Nygaard's glancing header from a corner was nodded off the line by first-year scholar Ruben French.
But Shabazz Baidoo scored a flattering equaliser for Rangers in first-half stoppage time, slotting the rebound after keeper John Sullivan blocked his initial drive.
It was a bad time to concede but Albion refused to be shaken by the setback. They came close to regaining the lead early in the second half when Savage's hooked volley across the face of goal was almost turned into his own net by Dominic Shimmin, who was grateful to see the ball flash just wide.
Shimmin volleyed over from a corner before Gatting put Albion ahead once more in slightly controversial circumstances with 20 minutes remaining. Several Rangers players stopped, rather than playing to the referee's whistle, when Romone Rose was down with cramp on the edge of the Albion box and Sullivan launched a long clearance upfield.
Gatting strode on to beat Cole with a well-placed shot into the far corner.
Youth chief Vic Bragg took charge of the team, with boss Dean Wilkins, assistant manager Dean White and coach Ian Chapman all on scouting missions.
Albion Reserves (4-4-2): Sullivan; Cook, Pearson, Mayo, French; Savage, Fraser, Reid, Loft; Gatting, Elder. Subs: Beda, Pelling, Louis, Wills, Foreman. Brighton Argus
BRIGHTON OFFICIAL SITE Reserves Off To Winning Start By Tim Dudding, at Woodside Road
Nathan Elder and Joe Gatting were on target as the reserves got off to a winning start with a 2-1 win over QPR tonight.
Albion romped to an 8-2 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, but this was a much tighter affair as the visitors fielded an experienced line-up, including former Seagulls skipper Danny Cullip, striker Marc Nygaard and defender Marcus
By contrast, Albion fielded a back four that with the exception of Kerry Mayo, was made up of youth team scholars.
With Ian Chapman and Martin Hinshelwood both scouting at other games, Vic Bragg took charge, and he was delighted with second years Ruben French and Andy Pearson, and in particular first year Steve Cook.
Bragg said "I was pleased with Steve. He's only 16 and he told me he was a bit nervous before the game, but he worked his way through it.
"I told him that if couldn't get forward then he should just defend - learn to do that first and then you can get forward later. He did really well.
"It's a learning curve for all of the them. These sorts of games where they're playing against one or two seasoned pros are invaluable."
QPR had the first sight of goal, but John Sullivan dived bravely at the feet of Romone Rose as he snaked his way into the box.
Bas Savage then forced a good save from Jake Cole after turning inside, before threading the ball through to Elder moments later for the striker to break the deadlock with a clinical finish.
Elder almost doubled Albion's lead when he got on the end of Tommy Fraser's free-kick, but again Cole saved well.
But with half-time approaching, Sullivan could only parry Shabazz Baidoo's shot, and the midfielder was first to the rebound to poke QPR level.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, but Albion kept plugging away and Cullip almost sliced the ball into his own net as he tried to cut out a Savage pull-back.
The Seagulls finally regained the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Sullivan pumped the ball forward, but with Rose on the floor with cramp, the visitors hesitated and Gatting raced clear through unchallenged to slot the ball past a helpless Cole.
Albion: (4-4-2) Sullivan; Cook, Pearson, Mayo, French; Savage, Fraser, Reid, Loft; Gatting, Elder. Subs not used: Pelling (GK), Louis, Wills, Beda, Foreman.Brighton
QPR's on loan Defender, Michael Mancienne made his England U-21 debut, coming on as substitute. Dexter Blackstock remained on the bench as England drew 1-1 versus Romania. BBC Also: QPR Official site re Mancienne/Blackstock
A strong QPR Reserves team lost to Brighton 2-1 (Baidoo scoring for QPR)
QPR: Cole, Bignot, Barker, Maguire, Shimmin, Cullip, Baidoo, Bailey, Nygaard, Rose, St Aimie. Subs: Timoska, Crowther, Goode, Howell, Arthur
QPR Official Site BAIDOO'S STRIKE IN VAIN -
A controversial goal midway through the second half ensured Rangers' Pontins Holidays Combination League campaign began with defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Worthing FC.
The Seagulls triumphed 2-1, when Joe Gatting - who bagged five goals when these two sides met last season - ignored the injured Romone Rose and raced clear of the R's back four to slot home the winner.
Earlier, Nathan Elder opened the scoring early on for the hosts, only for Shabazz Baidoo to equalise on the stroke of half-time.
After a keenly contested opening, Rangers went close in the ninth minute, when Kieron St Aimie cut in from the left and saw his shot smothered by Brighton custodian John Sullivan.
But it was the hosts who opened the scoring 60 seconds later, when Elder smashed a low drive past Cole from the edge of the penalty area.
The R's responded positively though, with Marc Nygaard unfortunate not to find the back of the net on three separate occasions.
The Danish front-man went close with two headers and saw a further effort cleared off the line from a perfectly flighted Chris Barker set-piece.
Rangers grew in stature as the half wore on and their improved display was rewarded on the stroke of half-time, when Baidoo slotted home at the second attempt, after seeing his initial effort parried by Sullivan.
The second half flattered to deceive for long periods and Brighton's winner, midway through the second half, proved to be the only effort of note in a disappointing 45 minutes.
With Rangers appealing for the ball to be kicked out of play so Rose could receive treatment, Gatting seized on a long diagonal ball out of defence and beat Cole when faced one-on-one with the R's keeper.
Nygaard went close late on, but this effort from close range was smothered by Sullivan, with the assistant referee's flag later being raised for offside.
QPR Official Site
QPR OFFICIAL SITE TEAM - RESERVES READY
First Team coaches Mick Harford and Warren Neill have named a strong Reserve side for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion this evening.
Jake Cole starts in goal, while the back four consists of skipper Marcus Bignot, Danny Cullip, Dominic Shimmin and Chris Barker, who is free to make his long-awaited R's debut at Burnley this weekend following a three match suspension.
Stefan Bailey partners Under-18 skipper Danny Maguire in the heart of the R's engine-room, with Kieron St Aimie and Shabazz Baidoo occupying the wide berths in midfield.
Marc Nygaard is joined in attack by Under-18 starlet Romone Rose, while the bench consists of Sampsa Timoska, Reece Crowther, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell and Chris Arthur.
The R's kick-off their Pontins Holidays Combination League campaign at Worthing FC's Woodside Road ground (7.00pm kick-off).
QPR: Cole, Bignot, Barker, Maguire, Shimmin, Cullip, Baidoo, Bailey, Nygaard, Rose, St Aimie.
Subs: Timoska, Crowther, Goode, Howell, Arthur. QPR
BRIGHTON ARGUS Albion's fringe strikers on target By Andy Naylor
Albion Reserves 2, QPR Reserves 1.
Albion's fringe strikers served notice last night that they are still around fighting to regain a first team place.
Nathan Elder and Joe Gatting were both on the score sheet at Woodside Road, Worthing.
Bas Savage also figured prominently as the Reserves opened their combination campaign with a commendable victory.
Elder, signed from Billericay at Christmas, finished last season with a goal on his full debut at Cheltenham.
Savage had already been Albion's goalscoring saviour by that stage after moving from Gillingham.
The pair, together with youth team product Gatting, have lost out so far to summer capture Nicky Forster and Alex Revell in the congested battle to play upfront.
It took Elder only nine minutes to put Albion ahead.
Savage played him through a square Rangers defence with a delightful pass and he tucked the ball through the legs of advancing keeper Jake Cole.
Elder almost scored again in the 21st minute. He got in behind former Albion captain Danny Cullip to meet Tommy Fraser's inswinging free-kick at the far post with a firm header which Cole kept out in acrobatic fashion. Savage, operating again on the right flank, also tested Cole with shots from outside the box twice in the first half as Albion acquitted themselves well against an experienced Rangers line-up.
Along with Cullip, returning from injury, the Londoners included the likes of Marcus Bignot, Chris Barker and Marc Nygaard.
The Seagulls' young defence, marshalled at centre half by Kerry Mayo, were rarely troubled in the opening 45 minutes, although the giant Nygaard should have done better with a couple of headers wide of the target.
They looked sure to be in front at the interval when Nygaard's glancing header from a corner was nodded off the line by first-year scholar Ruben French.
But Shabazz Baidoo scored a flattering equaliser for Rangers in first-half stoppage time, slotting the rebound after keeper John Sullivan blocked his initial drive.
It was a bad time to concede but Albion refused to be shaken by the setback. They came close to regaining the lead early in the second half when Savage's hooked volley across the face of goal was almost turned into his own net by Dominic Shimmin, who was grateful to see the ball flash just wide.
Shimmin volleyed over from a corner before Gatting put Albion ahead once more in slightly controversial circumstances with 20 minutes remaining. Several Rangers players stopped, rather than playing to the referee's whistle, when Romone Rose was down with cramp on the edge of the Albion box and Sullivan launched a long clearance upfield.
Gatting strode on to beat Cole with a well-placed shot into the far corner.
Youth chief Vic Bragg took charge of the team, with boss Dean Wilkins, assistant manager Dean White and coach Ian Chapman all on scouting missions.
Albion Reserves (4-4-2): Sullivan; Cook, Pearson, Mayo, French; Savage, Fraser, Reid, Loft; Gatting, Elder. Subs: Beda, Pelling, Louis, Wills, Foreman. Brighton Argus
BRIGHTON OFFICIAL SITE Reserves Off To Winning Start By Tim Dudding, at Woodside Road
Nathan Elder and Joe Gatting were on target as the reserves got off to a winning start with a 2-1 win over QPR tonight.
Albion romped to an 8-2 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, but this was a much tighter affair as the visitors fielded an experienced line-up, including former Seagulls skipper Danny Cullip, striker Marc Nygaard and defender Marcus
By contrast, Albion fielded a back four that with the exception of Kerry Mayo, was made up of youth team scholars.
With Ian Chapman and Martin Hinshelwood both scouting at other games, Vic Bragg took charge, and he was delighted with second years Ruben French and Andy Pearson, and in particular first year Steve Cook.
Bragg said "I was pleased with Steve. He's only 16 and he told me he was a bit nervous before the game, but he worked his way through it.
"I told him that if couldn't get forward then he should just defend - learn to do that first and then you can get forward later. He did really well.
"It's a learning curve for all of the them. These sorts of games where they're playing against one or two seasoned pros are invaluable."
QPR had the first sight of goal, but John Sullivan dived bravely at the feet of Romone Rose as he snaked his way into the box.
Bas Savage then forced a good save from Jake Cole after turning inside, before threading the ball through to Elder moments later for the striker to break the deadlock with a clinical finish.
Elder almost doubled Albion's lead when he got on the end of Tommy Fraser's free-kick, but again Cole saved well.
But with half-time approaching, Sullivan could only parry Shabazz Baidoo's shot, and the midfielder was first to the rebound to poke QPR level.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, but Albion kept plugging away and Cullip almost sliced the ball into his own net as he tried to cut out a Savage pull-back.
The Seagulls finally regained the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Sullivan pumped the ball forward, but with Rose on the floor with cramp, the visitors hesitated and Gatting raced clear through unchallenged to slot the ball past a helpless Cole.
Albion: (4-4-2) Sullivan; Cook, Pearson, Mayo, French; Savage, Fraser, Reid, Loft; Gatting, Elder. Subs not used: Pelling (GK), Louis, Wills, Beda, Foreman.Brighton
Birthdays for QPR's Lee Camp and Marcus Bignot
-
Lee Camp Turns 23...Marcus Bignot Turns 33...
Marcus Bignot Turns 33 - Born August 22, 1974
Holloway's first signing from Bristol Rovers when he took over from Gerry Francis in QPR's 2000-2001 relegation season. Played in our first season in Division "Two." Then went to Rushden Diamonds for a couple of seasons, before being signed back on Deadline eve, in our 2002-2003 Promotion season. Birthday See Also Bignot/Wikipedia
Lee Camp Turns 23 - Born August 22, 1984
After two periods on loan, Goalie Lee Camp joined QPR from Derby in the summer. Played in 2002-2003 Promotion season. Played in our last 12 games which saw us gain promotion. Birthday See Also: Lee Camp/Wikpedia
Lee Camp Turns 23...Marcus Bignot Turns 33...
Marcus Bignot Turns 33 - Born August 22, 1974
Holloway's first signing from Bristol Rovers when he took over from Gerry Francis in QPR's 2000-2001 relegation season. Played in our first season in Division "Two." Then went to Rushden Diamonds for a couple of seasons, before being signed back on Deadline eve, in our 2002-2003 Promotion season. Birthday See Also Bignot/Wikipedia
Lee Camp Turns 23 - Born August 22, 1984
After two periods on loan, Goalie Lee Camp joined QPR from Derby in the summer. Played in 2002-2003 Promotion season. Played in our last 12 games which saw us gain promotion. Birthday See Also: Lee Camp/Wikpedia
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Takeover Update - Complete Within 24 Hours
-
Daily Mail
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete his takeover of Queens Park Rangers within the next 24 hours. ...
Three of Rangers' four main shareholders have signed documents selling their shares to Briatore and the fourth, Franco Zanotti, is expected to follow suit this evening.
Club chairman Gianni Paladini, plc chairman Antonio Caliendo and Brazil manager Dunga, who with Zanotti make up the Monaco-based consortium that own 62 per cent of the club, have sold their holdings to the Italian businessman over the past few days.
"There is only Zanotti left and then the deal is complete," said Paladini. "It will either be tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest."
A press conference is likely to be scheduled for early next week to unveil Briatore, who is in Istanbul preparing for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.
Briatore will clear Rangers' £17million debt and will hand manager John Gregory around £10m, which will allow him to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes....Daily Mail
The Briatore Approach/Philosophy (to Racing)
A Recent Interview with QPR's purportive new owner, Flavio Briatore. None of it is to do with football (soccer) but maybe a few indicators of his approach.
August 1 - Formula 1 Exclusive interview - Renault’s Flavio Briatore
Renault team principal Flavio Briatore is one of the paddock’s most colourful characters but under the flamboyant surface lies an analytical mind worthy of his team’s two consecutive constructors’ titles.
Speaking to Formula1.com, Briatore tackles the thorny issue of Formula One racing’s future, as well as reviewing his squad’s performance this season…
Q: You have always been an advocate of change in Formula One racing. Are you satisfied with the planned revisions for 2008 and the FIA’s proposals for 2011? Do you think the new regulations will deliver?
Flavio Briatore: We are currently engaged in a very good discussion with the FIA about the rules for 2011. There is a good dialogue between the teams and the federation, and some very interesting proposals are being discussed. We don’t agree with all of them, and the teams have different opinions on certain issues. But that is to be expected. There are four major goals that we need to achieve with these new rules - to make sure Formula One stays at the pinnacle of motorsport; to reduce costs; to become more environmentally aware; and to improve the show. That is what we are working towards at the moment.
Q: You recently said that progress in Formula One racing is handicapped by ‘too much democracy’. What would be your ideal?
FB: The need for unanimous agreement to make decisions is very frustrating. I think majority decision-making would help us get a lot more things done, faster and more efficiently.
Q: You have long argued that races have to become more exciting. The European Grand Prix showed just what excitement a little rain can muster. Aside from relying on the forces of nature, what can be done?
FB: At the moment, the model of a Formula One weekend is simple. We spend two days sorting out the cars, putting the quickest ones at the front and the slowest ones at the back through qualifying. Then we send them out to race, and magically hope for the slower ones to become faster, and vice versa, to produce overtaking! Even if we make it easier to overtake, we still need something else to shuffle the order of the cars to create a really exciting racing. When the rain comes, it introduces that little bit of chaos you need to jumble things up. Perhaps we should look at other ways of achieving that on a more regular basis.
Q: Is the GP2 model feasible for Formula One racing?
FB: If you mean in terms of everybody using the same car, then no, because Formula One needs to keep the high technology appeal it has at the moment. If you mean in terms of thinking in a new way about how to run the races, and being open-minded in how we approach the structure of the race weekend, then absolutely. For example, they reverse the grids in GP2 for the second race, and it means that the quick drivers have to fight past the slower ones. Or what about having two races per weekend, instead of one? Some aspects of Formula One are essential parts of its DNA, but perhaps not as many as people think…
Q: Formula One racing has one foot firmly placed in the sporting world and the other in entertainment. How could these two elements be better combined?
FB: I don’t believe we can focus only on car design to help improve the racing, we need to think more about the entertainment. That means bringing more of a marketing approach to the sport, firstly to tell people what the plans are to use advanced technology and to show our environmental awareness, but also in how we package and present Formula One. Improving the racing is only one aspect of that. In the modern world, people want to get closer to the stars, to be able to have contact with them and to see behind the scenes. We need to reach out to the fans and start getting them closer to the sport.
Q: As for Renault - ten races down - how would you sum up the team’s season so far?
FB: A bad start to the year. A lot of hard work. Concrete improvements. And the proof that this is a champion team even when we are not winning races. It has been a test of character this year, and I think we have passed it. Now we are on the way back.
Q: Renault won two championships with a comparatively lean budget. Looking at the standings this season, do you think we are witnessing the renaissance of big budgets?
FB: Not from my point of view. We won the last two championships on a sensible budget. Although we have dropped back this year, that is not because of a lack of resources. There were other mistakes that we made, nothing to do with the amount of money we spend. And now, we have shown that we can respond and start closing the gap. We have the resources we need to do the job.
Q: Heikki Kovalainen has made less of an impression than fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton. But there is no doubt he is improving with every race. Are you satisfied with his performance?
FB: The team let him down at the start of the year, giving him a car that was very difficult to drive. For a rookie, that is a tough situation to be in, and I think he felt it. But if the start was disappointing, he has responded since then. He has listened to the feedback he was given, he carried on working all the way through, and he has driven some very strong races since Canada. Maybe it has taken half a season, but he is starting to demonstrate his talent now - and showing why we believe in him.
Q: At six teams the driver line-up for 2008 is already settled. What is the state of affairs at Renault?
FB: We are in no rush. At the moment, we are working to make sure we are on the right track with the car for 2008. That is the priority for next year in order to achieve our target of winning races again. This year has shown that having the right car is the key to being competitive. Formula1
Daily Mail
Renault chief Flavio Briatore will complete his takeover of Queens Park Rangers within the next 24 hours. ...
Three of Rangers' four main shareholders have signed documents selling their shares to Briatore and the fourth, Franco Zanotti, is expected to follow suit this evening.
Club chairman Gianni Paladini, plc chairman Antonio Caliendo and Brazil manager Dunga, who with Zanotti make up the Monaco-based consortium that own 62 per cent of the club, have sold their holdings to the Italian businessman over the past few days.
"There is only Zanotti left and then the deal is complete," said Paladini. "It will either be tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest."
A press conference is likely to be scheduled for early next week to unveil Briatore, who is in Istanbul preparing for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.
Briatore will clear Rangers' £17million debt and will hand manager John Gregory around £10m, which will allow him to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes....Daily Mail
The Briatore Approach/Philosophy (to Racing)
A Recent Interview with QPR's purportive new owner, Flavio Briatore. None of it is to do with football (soccer) but maybe a few indicators of his approach.
August 1 - Formula 1 Exclusive interview - Renault’s Flavio Briatore
Renault team principal Flavio Briatore is one of the paddock’s most colourful characters but under the flamboyant surface lies an analytical mind worthy of his team’s two consecutive constructors’ titles.
Speaking to Formula1.com, Briatore tackles the thorny issue of Formula One racing’s future, as well as reviewing his squad’s performance this season…
Q: You have always been an advocate of change in Formula One racing. Are you satisfied with the planned revisions for 2008 and the FIA’s proposals for 2011? Do you think the new regulations will deliver?
Flavio Briatore: We are currently engaged in a very good discussion with the FIA about the rules for 2011. There is a good dialogue between the teams and the federation, and some very interesting proposals are being discussed. We don’t agree with all of them, and the teams have different opinions on certain issues. But that is to be expected. There are four major goals that we need to achieve with these new rules - to make sure Formula One stays at the pinnacle of motorsport; to reduce costs; to become more environmentally aware; and to improve the show. That is what we are working towards at the moment.
Q: You recently said that progress in Formula One racing is handicapped by ‘too much democracy’. What would be your ideal?
FB: The need for unanimous agreement to make decisions is very frustrating. I think majority decision-making would help us get a lot more things done, faster and more efficiently.
Q: You have long argued that races have to become more exciting. The European Grand Prix showed just what excitement a little rain can muster. Aside from relying on the forces of nature, what can be done?
FB: At the moment, the model of a Formula One weekend is simple. We spend two days sorting out the cars, putting the quickest ones at the front and the slowest ones at the back through qualifying. Then we send them out to race, and magically hope for the slower ones to become faster, and vice versa, to produce overtaking! Even if we make it easier to overtake, we still need something else to shuffle the order of the cars to create a really exciting racing. When the rain comes, it introduces that little bit of chaos you need to jumble things up. Perhaps we should look at other ways of achieving that on a more regular basis.
Q: Is the GP2 model feasible for Formula One racing?
FB: If you mean in terms of everybody using the same car, then no, because Formula One needs to keep the high technology appeal it has at the moment. If you mean in terms of thinking in a new way about how to run the races, and being open-minded in how we approach the structure of the race weekend, then absolutely. For example, they reverse the grids in GP2 for the second race, and it means that the quick drivers have to fight past the slower ones. Or what about having two races per weekend, instead of one? Some aspects of Formula One are essential parts of its DNA, but perhaps not as many as people think…
Q: Formula One racing has one foot firmly placed in the sporting world and the other in entertainment. How could these two elements be better combined?
FB: I don’t believe we can focus only on car design to help improve the racing, we need to think more about the entertainment. That means bringing more of a marketing approach to the sport, firstly to tell people what the plans are to use advanced technology and to show our environmental awareness, but also in how we package and present Formula One. Improving the racing is only one aspect of that. In the modern world, people want to get closer to the stars, to be able to have contact with them and to see behind the scenes. We need to reach out to the fans and start getting them closer to the sport.
Q: As for Renault - ten races down - how would you sum up the team’s season so far?
FB: A bad start to the year. A lot of hard work. Concrete improvements. And the proof that this is a champion team even when we are not winning races. It has been a test of character this year, and I think we have passed it. Now we are on the way back.
Q: Renault won two championships with a comparatively lean budget. Looking at the standings this season, do you think we are witnessing the renaissance of big budgets?
FB: Not from my point of view. We won the last two championships on a sensible budget. Although we have dropped back this year, that is not because of a lack of resources. There were other mistakes that we made, nothing to do with the amount of money we spend. And now, we have shown that we can respond and start closing the gap. We have the resources we need to do the job.
Q: Heikki Kovalainen has made less of an impression than fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton. But there is no doubt he is improving with every race. Are you satisfied with his performance?
FB: The team let him down at the start of the year, giving him a car that was very difficult to drive. For a rookie, that is a tough situation to be in, and I think he felt it. But if the start was disappointing, he has responded since then. He has listened to the feedback he was given, he carried on working all the way through, and he has driven some very strong races since Canada. Maybe it has taken half a season, but he is starting to demonstrate his talent now - and showing why we believe in him.
Q: At six teams the driver line-up for 2008 is already settled. What is the state of affairs at Renault?
FB: We are in no rush. At the moment, we are working to make sure we are on the right track with the car for 2008. That is the priority for next year in order to achieve our target of winning races again. This year has shown that having the right car is the key to being competitive. Formula1
Teams of the Week: Three Ex-QPR Playes (and Two Cardiff Players for Their QPR Performance)
-
Football League - Teams of the Week - August 20
" Each week the Official Football League website will bring you the Teams of the Week. Produced by the Press Association, the Teams of the Week feature the eleven top performing players from each division from this weekend's matches."
In the Championship, Two Cardiff, Paul Parry and Stephen McPhail
were named in the "Team of the Week" for their performance against QPR. Meanwhile Ex-QPR Jamie Cureton was also named to the Championship Team of the week. Championship
In League One: Terrel Forbes and Paul Furlong were both named. League One
Football League - Teams of the Week - August 20
" Each week the Official Football League website will bring you the Teams of the Week. Produced by the Press Association, the Teams of the Week feature the eleven top performing players from each division from this weekend's matches."
In the Championship, Two Cardiff, Paul Parry and Stephen McPhail
were named in the "Team of the Week" for their performance against QPR. Meanwhile Ex-QPR Jamie Cureton was also named to the Championship Team of the week. Championship
In League One: Terrel Forbes and Paul Furlong were both named. League One
Ex-QPR Update: Iorfa Unhappy...Ian Watson Bowling...Holloway Recovered
-
Three very disparate articles about three people very differently involved with QPR. In the case of Ian Watson and Ian Holloway: Long-time club staffers. And also financial news re ex-QPR's Chris Wright!
Daily Sun (Nigeria) GRAND CONSPIRACY! By EMMA NJOKU
"You may call it a campaign of calumny but Lobi Stars Football Club boss, Dominic Iorfa, says his detractors are bound to fail from their devilish plot to pull him down from the football Olympian height, which he had attained through dint of hardwork and undiluted transparency.
Reacting to a sponsored story on the internet, which was inadvertently published by Daily Sunsport, the former Super Eagles lethal striker said that most of the people behind the story could not pass the test of public scrutiny as he had done.
"It’s green envy," Iorfa said. "I did not speak with any reporter where I said I was untouchable. It is a grand conspiracy against me. I was furious with the Sunsport when people called me to tell me about the story. The Sunsport is one newspaper I hold in high esteem. I would have expected you to call me for my own side of the story."
That the Internet story was written in bad taste is to stand before the Eiffel tower in Paris and exclaim that this building is tall. That’s re-echoing the obvious. But the man that has risen to become one of the best football administrators in Nigeria – coming after Enyimba and Dolphins – said no amount of blackmail and intrigues can derail him from the target he has set for Lobi Stars.
A man who was miffed by the story spoke from Makurdi, saying Iorfa remains the golden man of the North, as he’s the only chairman who can match Felix Anyansi of Enyimba and the spending spree of Dolphins, even though he has little resources at his disposal.
"Those who want to drag our chairman down are mere name droppers," the man, who spoke under anonymity, said. "Iorfa is our pride in the North. Before the emergence of Gombe United in the soccer fray, only Lobi was able to match teams from the South.
"Our new governor is a man who loves football with absolute passion. He was at the FA Cup final in Lagos recently because of his love for the game. He has absolute confidence in Iorfa. "Our governor believes so much in him because he’s transparent and accountable in all his dealings. Why should anybody want to drag him down!"
Iorfa also stated that no amount of blackmail by the name-droppers and desperadoes would deter him from his resolve to ensure that the team remain one of the best in the country.
The former Queens Park Rangers of England and Super Eagles fiery forward, who was reacting to the sponsored story that he is running Lobi Stars Football Club like his personal estate, among other allegations, dismissed the report as wicked, malicious, baseless and unfounded, adding that it was a calculated attempt by self-seeking detractors to tarnish his hard-earned integrity.
"Nothing can stop me from pursuing my vision for football in Benue State," the former prolific forward said in a telephone chat with Daily Sunsport.
"Those who are after me have nothing to offer Benue State and Nigerian as a whole. I have built an enviable reputation in the game of football over the years, both as a player and as an administrator. Nobody can wish that away, no matter how hard such a person tries.
"They have tried everything to pull me down to no avail. Now they have resorted to dragging the name of Governor Gabriel Suswan and that of the Commissioner of Sports in Benue State into the mud, all in a bid to actualize their selfish ambitions. But God will frustrate all their plans.
"I have justified my position as the chairman of Lobi Stars in the last five years by ensuring that the team remains the toast and favourite club in the Northern part of Nigeria. Lobi Stars remain the only club that have competed favourably with the Southern-based giant clubs such as Enyimba, Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Dolphins among others.
"I led the team (Lobi) to win the national Challenge Cup in 2003 and, two years later, precisely in 2005, we also played in the final and lost to Enyimba on penalties.
"Till today, everybody is still talking about the 2005 FA Cup final match as the best in the last 10 years because of the quality of play by Enyimba and Lobi Stars. For a club to play in the continent twice in five years is no mean achievement.
"I have put Lobi Stars on the map of Nigerian football as well as the continent. In 2004, when the team played in the CAF Confederation Cup, I recalled that when we arrived the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, people were asking which national team was coming to play in their country. This was because all the players and officials were dressed in complete suits with shoes to match.
"Lobi Stars were the first team in Nigeria to be so kitted. Not even the Super Eagles have dressed like that to any championship.
"I will not submit to any cheap blackmail by those who do not mean well for Benue State. I am ever determined to make Lobi Stars the best team in Nigeria and Africa. Thank God I have the full backing of Governor Suswan, who has toed the footsteps of our former sports-loving governor, Senator George Akume.
"At the moment, we have a formidable technical crew and we have assembled a crack squad ahead of the new season. We are working assiduously to ensure that Lobi Stars grab a ticket to the continent at the end of the coming season," Iorfa said.
Iorfa regretted the recent malicious publication against his person, even as he advised journalists to always crosscheck their facts before going to the Press.
"I am always available and willing to volunteer any information to the Press at any time, because journalists have been my friends right from my active days as a player. But I would have no option than to seek legal action against any malicious and damaging reports against my person.
"I have no problem with the Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Benjamin Vembeh. We have a cordial working relationship. The recent report to the contrary was only a figment of the imagination of those behind the story. They are enemies of Benue State, who are pursuing their personal agenda," Iorfa said. Daily Sun
NEWS ABOUT EX-QPR DEFENDER, IAN WATSON
Just a brief, non-football reference to an old QPR player - Ian Watson - from the mid-60s to early 70s which evoked nice memories: Watson was a classy fullback (and sometimes center half; and briefly our captain - and part of the 67 non-playing squad). [To remind what he looked like Photo from 1967: Middle row, on the end, next to Mick Leach ]
Ian Watson Bio info: Born January 7, 1944
Joined QPR from Chelsea for 5,000 pounds in Summer of 1965 (Possibly the first Jim Gregory era signing, Watson was one of a number of Chelsea "rejects" who did a great job for QPR). Played some 200 games primarily wearing #2 shirt but also #3 shirt and also a few games as center back. He briefly captained QPR. Wastson Did NOT play in the 1967 League Cup Final. Tony Hazell had his spot.)
Watson was our only "ever-present" in the calamatous 1968/1969 Relegation season (which shows how good he must have been). Some seasons he played few games. Others he played the majority. He played 35 games in our 1972/73 promotion season. He played the first six games of our 1973/74 season back in the return. And then he retired."
Eastern Daily Press - "Royal bids to extend festival domination 21 August 2007
Four weeks of intense seafront action get underway on Sunday with the start of the 62nd annual Great Yarmouth festival of bowls.
There are two new tournaments this year - an open over-60s pairs and an over-60s singles - which have caused the showpiece event to be extended for a further week.
England star Mark Royal, from Stowmarket, will be bidding to win Yarmouth's blue ribbon men's singles, which has a prize fund of £1000 for the fourth successive year while North Walsham's Liz Shorter will be back to defend her ladies' singles title.
Dave Nurse, one of the dedicated small band of officials who make the event run like clockwork for the estimated 1,500 contestants, said that one of the many attractions was the chance to find yourself up against one of the many internationals who take part.
....Meanwhile, Wymondham Dell's Adrian Fox and Kevin Guy fell victim to Sussex's David Richardson and former QPR footballer Ian Watson in another first round encounter.
Fox and Guy were just 13-9 adrift after 13 ends, but, summoning up a powerful finish Watson netted a six in an 11-shot charge to romp home 24-14.
Hingham Short Mat Bowls Club, who meet at Hingham Sports Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, has been awarded £1,721 from the Awards for All lottery fund.
The money is to be used to supply every member with clothing to form a club image while playing league matches and all friendly fixtures.
Anyone interested in joining the club (no experience necessary) should contact Roy Naish on 01953 852575. News
IAN HOLLOWAY RECOVERED
Plymouth Official Site - OLLIE BACK ON FORM - by Chris Parsons
IAN Holloway today returned to Home Park in triumphant form after his weekend health problems.
Ollie demonstrated that he was feeling fine following his Saturday lunchtime collapse by knocking in a couple of goals in a hectic morning training session.
He said: "We were one short because Marcel Seip had to go in with a sore ankle so I just joined in. I felt a lot better and I scored two goals. I enjoyed it. It's nice to be back."
The Argyle manager had been rushed to hospital before the Pilgrims' 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday with pains in his back and side.
Holloway was taken to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital where it was revealed that he was suffering from a kidney stone. He was discharged later that evening and today relived his agonizing experience.
He said that the pain began when he woke up on Saturday morning and then got worse as the day went on.
"I got up to do my normal routine, have a shave, and I thought 'What's that?' I had pain coming round my side and through my back in a wave. Then it got worse and worse.
"I rang my doctor and he said he'd be at the ground when I got here. I thought, if I got here, then there are probably some first-aid people here so I could be sorted out, get some relief and maybe carry on and do the game.
"After I got here and got into my office, I was on the floor trying to get rid of what was going on. As I was rolling around on the floor in my office, I noticed I need a new carpet and I must paint the skirting boards - that is not premiership quality!
"I stood up and I had all this rubbish over me! So, I said to the chairman last night that I need new carpets and he said he'd check the budget for me. I can't accept shoddy standards the next time I need to roll around on my floor!"
Ollie was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he remained while the game went on.
"It was very surreal," he said. "I arrived at the ground for a game I was really looking forward to the next thing I know, some bloke is sticking his head through the curtains.
"I haven't even been told why I'm in so much pain and he says 'You're one down.' The last thing I needed to hear. To be fair to the fella, he came back with a bit of paper that said [Sylvan] Ebanks-Blake had equalised.
Ollie blamed the stone on a recent fitness regime he has been working on.
"I probably haven't re-hydrated myself as well as I should have done after running into work from Mount Batten the other morning and doing weights."
All jokes aside, Ollie said how great it was to be back.
"I was very thankful to wake up and not have anything hurt this morning," he said. "It was great. It's a horrendous thing for anybody to go through."
Daily Telegraph Longacre reviews 26pc stake for Chrysalis founder
By Dominic White and Ben Harrington
Chrysalis founder and chairman Chris Wright is working with Longacre Partners on a review of his 26pc stake in the music publisher, whose extensive library includes songs by David Bowie and Gnarls Barkley.
Longacre is advising the 62-year-old on various options, including taking the company private, or else selling, or maintaining his stake.
The corporate finance boutique advised Mr Wright during Chrysalis' recent £170m sale of its radio business to Global Radio.
Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort this month said the Chrysalis' music business could be worth more than £170m, and would attract widespread interest from the likes of Warner Music, Universal, Sony/ATV and private equity.
However, signals suggest Mr Wright is unlikely at this point to sell the music business he formed in the late Sixties after graduating from Manchester University where he booked acts such as Cream and The Yardbirds.
One banker was told Mr Wright would be loathe to sell to a rival music group and would be more inclined to mount a bid himself, despite his age.
Dresdner analyst Richard Menzies-Gow has forecast that Mr Wright will exit within four years. ''There seems little logic for this music business to retain a public quote and we believe there are numerous interested suitors ready to offer an attractive price for the business, more than is currently implied in the share price.
''However, with a 26pc stake, the chairman still has the ability to influence this decision, and to date his intentions remain unclear," he wrote in a recent note to clients.
Mr Wright, whose fortune has been estimated at £95m, also owns Wasps rugby club and the Stratford Place racing stud farm in Gloucestershire.Chrysalis declined to comment. Telegraph
Three very disparate articles about three people very differently involved with QPR. In the case of Ian Watson and Ian Holloway: Long-time club staffers. And also financial news re ex-QPR's Chris Wright!
Daily Sun (Nigeria) GRAND CONSPIRACY! By EMMA NJOKU
"You may call it a campaign of calumny but Lobi Stars Football Club boss, Dominic Iorfa, says his detractors are bound to fail from their devilish plot to pull him down from the football Olympian height, which he had attained through dint of hardwork and undiluted transparency.
Reacting to a sponsored story on the internet, which was inadvertently published by Daily Sunsport, the former Super Eagles lethal striker said that most of the people behind the story could not pass the test of public scrutiny as he had done.
"It’s green envy," Iorfa said. "I did not speak with any reporter where I said I was untouchable. It is a grand conspiracy against me. I was furious with the Sunsport when people called me to tell me about the story. The Sunsport is one newspaper I hold in high esteem. I would have expected you to call me for my own side of the story."
That the Internet story was written in bad taste is to stand before the Eiffel tower in Paris and exclaim that this building is tall. That’s re-echoing the obvious. But the man that has risen to become one of the best football administrators in Nigeria – coming after Enyimba and Dolphins – said no amount of blackmail and intrigues can derail him from the target he has set for Lobi Stars.
A man who was miffed by the story spoke from Makurdi, saying Iorfa remains the golden man of the North, as he’s the only chairman who can match Felix Anyansi of Enyimba and the spending spree of Dolphins, even though he has little resources at his disposal.
"Those who want to drag our chairman down are mere name droppers," the man, who spoke under anonymity, said. "Iorfa is our pride in the North. Before the emergence of Gombe United in the soccer fray, only Lobi was able to match teams from the South.
"Our new governor is a man who loves football with absolute passion. He was at the FA Cup final in Lagos recently because of his love for the game. He has absolute confidence in Iorfa. "Our governor believes so much in him because he’s transparent and accountable in all his dealings. Why should anybody want to drag him down!"
Iorfa also stated that no amount of blackmail by the name-droppers and desperadoes would deter him from his resolve to ensure that the team remain one of the best in the country.
The former Queens Park Rangers of England and Super Eagles fiery forward, who was reacting to the sponsored story that he is running Lobi Stars Football Club like his personal estate, among other allegations, dismissed the report as wicked, malicious, baseless and unfounded, adding that it was a calculated attempt by self-seeking detractors to tarnish his hard-earned integrity.
"Nothing can stop me from pursuing my vision for football in Benue State," the former prolific forward said in a telephone chat with Daily Sunsport.
"Those who are after me have nothing to offer Benue State and Nigerian as a whole. I have built an enviable reputation in the game of football over the years, both as a player and as an administrator. Nobody can wish that away, no matter how hard such a person tries.
"They have tried everything to pull me down to no avail. Now they have resorted to dragging the name of Governor Gabriel Suswan and that of the Commissioner of Sports in Benue State into the mud, all in a bid to actualize their selfish ambitions. But God will frustrate all their plans.
"I have justified my position as the chairman of Lobi Stars in the last five years by ensuring that the team remains the toast and favourite club in the Northern part of Nigeria. Lobi Stars remain the only club that have competed favourably with the Southern-based giant clubs such as Enyimba, Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Dolphins among others.
"I led the team (Lobi) to win the national Challenge Cup in 2003 and, two years later, precisely in 2005, we also played in the final and lost to Enyimba on penalties.
"Till today, everybody is still talking about the 2005 FA Cup final match as the best in the last 10 years because of the quality of play by Enyimba and Lobi Stars. For a club to play in the continent twice in five years is no mean achievement.
"I have put Lobi Stars on the map of Nigerian football as well as the continent. In 2004, when the team played in the CAF Confederation Cup, I recalled that when we arrived the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, people were asking which national team was coming to play in their country. This was because all the players and officials were dressed in complete suits with shoes to match.
"Lobi Stars were the first team in Nigeria to be so kitted. Not even the Super Eagles have dressed like that to any championship.
"I will not submit to any cheap blackmail by those who do not mean well for Benue State. I am ever determined to make Lobi Stars the best team in Nigeria and Africa. Thank God I have the full backing of Governor Suswan, who has toed the footsteps of our former sports-loving governor, Senator George Akume.
"At the moment, we have a formidable technical crew and we have assembled a crack squad ahead of the new season. We are working assiduously to ensure that Lobi Stars grab a ticket to the continent at the end of the coming season," Iorfa said.
Iorfa regretted the recent malicious publication against his person, even as he advised journalists to always crosscheck their facts before going to the Press.
"I am always available and willing to volunteer any information to the Press at any time, because journalists have been my friends right from my active days as a player. But I would have no option than to seek legal action against any malicious and damaging reports against my person.
"I have no problem with the Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Benjamin Vembeh. We have a cordial working relationship. The recent report to the contrary was only a figment of the imagination of those behind the story. They are enemies of Benue State, who are pursuing their personal agenda," Iorfa said. Daily Sun
NEWS ABOUT EX-QPR DEFENDER, IAN WATSON
Just a brief, non-football reference to an old QPR player - Ian Watson - from the mid-60s to early 70s which evoked nice memories: Watson was a classy fullback (and sometimes center half; and briefly our captain - and part of the 67 non-playing squad). [To remind what he looked like Photo from 1967: Middle row, on the end, next to Mick Leach ]
Ian Watson Bio info: Born January 7, 1944
Joined QPR from Chelsea for 5,000 pounds in Summer of 1965 (Possibly the first Jim Gregory era signing, Watson was one of a number of Chelsea "rejects" who did a great job for QPR). Played some 200 games primarily wearing #2 shirt but also #3 shirt and also a few games as center back. He briefly captained QPR. Wastson Did NOT play in the 1967 League Cup Final. Tony Hazell had his spot.)
Watson was our only "ever-present" in the calamatous 1968/1969 Relegation season (which shows how good he must have been). Some seasons he played few games. Others he played the majority. He played 35 games in our 1972/73 promotion season. He played the first six games of our 1973/74 season back in the return. And then he retired."
Eastern Daily Press - "Royal bids to extend festival domination 21 August 2007
Four weeks of intense seafront action get underway on Sunday with the start of the 62nd annual Great Yarmouth festival of bowls.
There are two new tournaments this year - an open over-60s pairs and an over-60s singles - which have caused the showpiece event to be extended for a further week.
England star Mark Royal, from Stowmarket, will be bidding to win Yarmouth's blue ribbon men's singles, which has a prize fund of £1000 for the fourth successive year while North Walsham's Liz Shorter will be back to defend her ladies' singles title.
Dave Nurse, one of the dedicated small band of officials who make the event run like clockwork for the estimated 1,500 contestants, said that one of the many attractions was the chance to find yourself up against one of the many internationals who take part.
....Meanwhile, Wymondham Dell's Adrian Fox and Kevin Guy fell victim to Sussex's David Richardson and former QPR footballer Ian Watson in another first round encounter.
Fox and Guy were just 13-9 adrift after 13 ends, but, summoning up a powerful finish Watson netted a six in an 11-shot charge to romp home 24-14.
Hingham Short Mat Bowls Club, who meet at Hingham Sports Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, has been awarded £1,721 from the Awards for All lottery fund.
The money is to be used to supply every member with clothing to form a club image while playing league matches and all friendly fixtures.
Anyone interested in joining the club (no experience necessary) should contact Roy Naish on 01953 852575. News
IAN HOLLOWAY RECOVERED
Plymouth Official Site - OLLIE BACK ON FORM - by Chris Parsons
IAN Holloway today returned to Home Park in triumphant form after his weekend health problems.
Ollie demonstrated that he was feeling fine following his Saturday lunchtime collapse by knocking in a couple of goals in a hectic morning training session.
He said: "We were one short because Marcel Seip had to go in with a sore ankle so I just joined in. I felt a lot better and I scored two goals. I enjoyed it. It's nice to be back."
The Argyle manager had been rushed to hospital before the Pilgrims' 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday with pains in his back and side.
Holloway was taken to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital where it was revealed that he was suffering from a kidney stone. He was discharged later that evening and today relived his agonizing experience.
He said that the pain began when he woke up on Saturday morning and then got worse as the day went on.
"I got up to do my normal routine, have a shave, and I thought 'What's that?' I had pain coming round my side and through my back in a wave. Then it got worse and worse.
"I rang my doctor and he said he'd be at the ground when I got here. I thought, if I got here, then there are probably some first-aid people here so I could be sorted out, get some relief and maybe carry on and do the game.
"After I got here and got into my office, I was on the floor trying to get rid of what was going on. As I was rolling around on the floor in my office, I noticed I need a new carpet and I must paint the skirting boards - that is not premiership quality!
"I stood up and I had all this rubbish over me! So, I said to the chairman last night that I need new carpets and he said he'd check the budget for me. I can't accept shoddy standards the next time I need to roll around on my floor!"
Ollie was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he remained while the game went on.
"It was very surreal," he said. "I arrived at the ground for a game I was really looking forward to the next thing I know, some bloke is sticking his head through the curtains.
"I haven't even been told why I'm in so much pain and he says 'You're one down.' The last thing I needed to hear. To be fair to the fella, he came back with a bit of paper that said [Sylvan] Ebanks-Blake had equalised.
Ollie blamed the stone on a recent fitness regime he has been working on.
"I probably haven't re-hydrated myself as well as I should have done after running into work from Mount Batten the other morning and doing weights."
All jokes aside, Ollie said how great it was to be back.
"I was very thankful to wake up and not have anything hurt this morning," he said. "It was great. It's a horrendous thing for anybody to go through."
Daily Telegraph Longacre reviews 26pc stake for Chrysalis founder
By Dominic White and Ben Harrington
Chrysalis founder and chairman Chris Wright is working with Longacre Partners on a review of his 26pc stake in the music publisher, whose extensive library includes songs by David Bowie and Gnarls Barkley.
Longacre is advising the 62-year-old on various options, including taking the company private, or else selling, or maintaining his stake.
The corporate finance boutique advised Mr Wright during Chrysalis' recent £170m sale of its radio business to Global Radio.
Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort this month said the Chrysalis' music business could be worth more than £170m, and would attract widespread interest from the likes of Warner Music, Universal, Sony/ATV and private equity.
However, signals suggest Mr Wright is unlikely at this point to sell the music business he formed in the late Sixties after graduating from Manchester University where he booked acts such as Cream and The Yardbirds.
One banker was told Mr Wright would be loathe to sell to a rival music group and would be more inclined to mount a bid himself, despite his age.
Dresdner analyst Richard Menzies-Gow has forecast that Mr Wright will exit within four years. ''There seems little logic for this music business to retain a public quote and we believe there are numerous interested suitors ready to offer an attractive price for the business, more than is currently implied in the share price.
''However, with a 26pc stake, the chairman still has the ability to influence this decision, and to date his intentions remain unclear," he wrote in a recent note to clients.
Mr Wright, whose fortune has been estimated at £95m, also owns Wasps rugby club and the Stratford Place racing stud farm in Gloucestershire.Chrysalis declined to comment. Telegraph
QPR's (Chelsea's) Mancienne Talks About Takeover, Promotion, Chelsea and England
-
Daily Mail - Mancienne: QPR will be revitalised by takeover
Michael Mancienne has welcomed Flavio Briatore's impending takeover at Queens Park Rangers, insisting the Italian's investment can take the club back into the Premier League.
Mancienne is on a season's loan at QPR from Chelsea, but he believes the arrival of new funds could ensure they play against his parent club in the top flight next season.
Briatore, who is best known as the managing director of the Renault team in Formula One, is on the verge of securing a £20million buy-out of the club and will clear their £17m debt.
The move looks set to bring an end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the club for the past few years with chairman Gianni Paladini, who is set to stay on in his role, fearing they were heading towards liquidation.
Mancienne admits the worries over QPR's future had affected the dressing room, but now feels the club will be able to challenge at the top rather than the bottom of the Championship.
He said: “There have been a lot of rumours around the club, so it will be great that they can get out of debt and sign a few players now.
“There has been a bit of talk in the dressing room about whether a takeover would happen so now we can concentrate on the football.
“We haven't got off to the best of starts, but I am sure we can bounce back. QPR are a big club and if they have a bit of money to spend on players they can challenge at the top of the Championship.
"I have been at QPR for nearly a year now as I was on loan for seven months last season and while my heart is at Chelsea, I do feel part of the club.
“They have given me my chance and I want to repay them.”
The good news just seems to keep coming this month for the 19-year-old, who started it with signing a new threeyear contract at Chelsea and then received his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad.
Mancienne is in line to win his first cap against Romania tonight, but it was meeting his idol and Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce that caused him to be most nervous.
The defender was only eight-years-old when he saw just why Pearce earned the nickname of 'psycho' after seeing his mad celebration when he scored in a penalty shoot-out against Spain in Euro 96.
He added: “I had my first training session yesterday and it was the first time I met Stuart Pearce and I couldn't believe it.
“He was one of my idols when I was growing up and I used to watch how he played for England.
“He is a legend in my eyes and I looked up to the way he played the game, his passion and desire.
I will never forget seeing him score that penalty against Spain in Euro 96 and I was only young then so I thought he was a bit scary. Obviously he had the nickname of psycho, but when I met him he wasn't too much of a psycho to me. He was really calm so there was nothing to be worried about!
“I want to match his passion on the pitch, though. There is no greater boost than having a legend like that tell you he likes the way you play.”
He also hopes to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who developed into a top-class defender by playing for the Under-21s.
He said: “A number of great players have come through the Under-21s to the full national team.
“Obviously John Terry is one of them and he is the England captain now. He benefited from playing international football at a young age and it helped him in his Chelsea career.
“I want to follow in his footsteps, not just at Chelsea but with England too.
“QPR offer me great experience of first-team football in the Championship, but to play against the best European youngsters can only take me on to another level.” Mail
Also: QPR Official Site on Mancienne's (and other QPRs) callup
Also Blackstock Talking re International Duty with England U-21
Daily Mail - Mancienne: QPR will be revitalised by takeover
Michael Mancienne has welcomed Flavio Briatore's impending takeover at Queens Park Rangers, insisting the Italian's investment can take the club back into the Premier League.
Mancienne is on a season's loan at QPR from Chelsea, but he believes the arrival of new funds could ensure they play against his parent club in the top flight next season.
Briatore, who is best known as the managing director of the Renault team in Formula One, is on the verge of securing a £20million buy-out of the club and will clear their £17m debt.
The move looks set to bring an end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the club for the past few years with chairman Gianni Paladini, who is set to stay on in his role, fearing they were heading towards liquidation.
Mancienne admits the worries over QPR's future had affected the dressing room, but now feels the club will be able to challenge at the top rather than the bottom of the Championship.
He said: “There have been a lot of rumours around the club, so it will be great that they can get out of debt and sign a few players now.
“There has been a bit of talk in the dressing room about whether a takeover would happen so now we can concentrate on the football.
“We haven't got off to the best of starts, but I am sure we can bounce back. QPR are a big club and if they have a bit of money to spend on players they can challenge at the top of the Championship.
"I have been at QPR for nearly a year now as I was on loan for seven months last season and while my heart is at Chelsea, I do feel part of the club.
“They have given me my chance and I want to repay them.”
The good news just seems to keep coming this month for the 19-year-old, who started it with signing a new threeyear contract at Chelsea and then received his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad.
Mancienne is in line to win his first cap against Romania tonight, but it was meeting his idol and Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce that caused him to be most nervous.
The defender was only eight-years-old when he saw just why Pearce earned the nickname of 'psycho' after seeing his mad celebration when he scored in a penalty shoot-out against Spain in Euro 96.
He added: “I had my first training session yesterday and it was the first time I met Stuart Pearce and I couldn't believe it.
“He was one of my idols when I was growing up and I used to watch how he played for England.
“He is a legend in my eyes and I looked up to the way he played the game, his passion and desire.
I will never forget seeing him score that penalty against Spain in Euro 96 and I was only young then so I thought he was a bit scary. Obviously he had the nickname of psycho, but when I met him he wasn't too much of a psycho to me. He was really calm so there was nothing to be worried about!
“I want to match his passion on the pitch, though. There is no greater boost than having a legend like that tell you he likes the way you play.”
He also hopes to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who developed into a top-class defender by playing for the Under-21s.
He said: “A number of great players have come through the Under-21s to the full national team.
“Obviously John Terry is one of them and he is the England captain now. He benefited from playing international football at a young age and it helped him in his Chelsea career.
“I want to follow in his footsteps, not just at Chelsea but with England too.
“QPR offer me great experience of first-team football in the Championship, but to play against the best European youngsters can only take me on to another level.” Mail
Also: QPR Official Site on Mancienne's (and other QPRs) callup
Also Blackstock Talking re International Duty with England U-21
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)