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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Players Back Training July 1....Fixtures Out Tomorrow: Opening Game: #QPR Will NOT be Playing Burnley, Bolton, Blackurn or Derby...Flashabacks: Nelsen Joins...CEO Leaves

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- QPR's 1969-1970 Season in Photos - Bushman Archives
                           



- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER! _______________________________________________

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17 Jun
back in training two weeks today! July 1st.

- Our QPR: Flashback to 2004


- Ex-QPR Manager's Son on Trial fo Burlary

- Ex-QPR Jamie Cureton Joins Cheltenham

- Football League (Not including QPR) Club-by-Club: Players Released/Players retained List


Congratulations to Australia on reaching the 2014 World Cup!

Football League Commemoration
Football League opening day fixtures
Championship: Burnley v Bolton, Derby v Blackburn

2h
For all qpr fans lots going on. Looking forward to August. Good recent chat with Harry. Upbeat. And will be in UK for a lot of the summer.

- Year Flashback: Ryan Nelsen Joins QPR


Nine Year Flashback: QPR CEO David Davies Departs
NINE years ago today


- Nine years Ago: June 18, 2004 QPR CEO David Davies announced his departure. A few days later, QPR's Chairman, Nick Blackburn resigned. With the departure of Davies, Blackburn and Ross Jones (Chairman of the PLC), the new people in charge of QPR became Bill Power who became QPR Chairman, Kevin McGrath who became QPR PLC Chairman; and Gianni Paladini (whose wife officially became a Director).


June 18, 2004 BBC -Davies leaving Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers chief executive David Davies is leaving the club.
The departure of Davies, who has been at QPR for four years, was confirmed after a series of board meetings.
"Whilst I am naturally sad to be leaving, I'd like to place on record my best wishes to the players and the supporters for the future," he said.
QPR Holdings chairman Ross Jones said: "He has worked his socks off for the company and I am personally very grateful for all he has done." BBC


A few days later....

BBC - June 24, 2004 QPR chief stands down
Nick Blackburn has resigned as Queens Park Rangers chairman.
His future has been in doubt since the recent resignation of chief executive David Davies.
Blackburn was former Rangers owner Chris Wright's deputy before taking over as chairman when Wright quit the club in 2001.
Davies, Blackburn and company chairman Ross Jones are leaving as part of a shake-up at Loftus Road following disagreements at board level.
Blackburn told the club's website: "I will always be proud that I was chairman of the football club when it achieved promotion.
"And I particularly enjoyed my close personal and professional relationship with manager Ian Holloway."
Blackburn was effectively at the helm through all of the club's worst times and, while we don't doubt his professed commitment to QPR, we will not miss him
QPR director Bill Power will replace Blackburn, with fellow director Kevin McGrath appointed acting plc chairman.
Justin Pieris of the QPR supporters' trust, QPR 1st, welcomed news of Blackburn's departure.
Blackburn angered fans by considering a merger with Wimbledon and was also associated with the club's slide into administration.
Pieris said: "Nick Blackburn was our last link with the years of waste that followed QPR's relegation from the Premiership.
"As Chris Wright's deputy, he was effectively at the helm through all of the club's worst times and, while we don't doubt his professed commitment to QPR, we will not miss him.
"His attempt to broker the merger of Wimbledon FC and Rangers was probably the single act that cost him most trust amongst supporters.
"He never regained that trust, deservedly so." BBC



BOARDROOM BLUES - June 21 2004 - END OF WRIGHT ERA APPROACHES
Monday 21 June 2004

Chief executive David Davies is to leave Loftus Road "by mutual agreement" next month, and it is reported that directors Ross Jones and Nick Blackburn will soon follow. With their departure the QPR boardroom will finally be rid of Chris Wright's appointees.

The exact reasons for Davies' exit are not yet clear, although QPR's official website refers to a "restructuring" at the club. This is likely to mean that there are plans afoot to convert the plc into a private company and / or that cost-cutting measures off the pitch are underway (even with loan repayments to the ABC Corporation running at £1m a year many QPR supporters are baffled as to how the club, with vastly improved merchandise sales and record attendances, can still be losing money hand over fist).
During Davies' four years at Loftus Road numerous potential investors have come and gone, and Davies is on record as describing most of them as "men of straw" with two exceptions, both of whom he courted vigorously on behalf of the club.

The first was Australian David Thorne, and Davies described it as a "hammer blow" when Thorne withdrew his offer to invest. The second was Milwaukee Wave owner Tim Krause: after 18 months of prevarication QPR have given Krause a deadline of today and there is still no sign whatsoever of his investment materialising.
Davies assumed more responsibility than most chief executives of league football clubs and was often left to deal with crises alone when you would have expected chairmen or directors to step in and take over or at least provide help. Consequently he leaves big footprints, and it will be interesting to see who fills them over the coming months.

Boardroom Blues believes that behind the scenes Gianni Paladini has been trying to restructure the club since April when he bought 22% of the plc shares and installed his representative, accountant Mohammed Azeem Malik, on the board of directors. It seems probable that Paladini has now persuaded directors Kevin McGrath and Bill Power to line up with him and outvote the old guard. Boardroom Blues



QPR Rivals - June 19, 2004 DD's D-Day By Ron Norris

It was announced today that Chief Executive David Davies will leave Loftus Road next month sparking rumours of a possible imminent investment at QPR.
David Davies To Leave QPR

Davies joined QPR four years ago and leaves the club by mutual consent. He will stay until July at which point you would expect him to be handing over to someone, who that might be remains a mystery.

DD's departure has been met with mixed reactions; there is no doubt that he has done some good for the club. He is clearly a good face for QPR. He is eloquent, media friendly and comes across as an approachable man.

His impeccable handling of the recent situation with Ian Wright showed just how astute he can be, however he came in for much criticism just before Christmas when his ill timed comments to a local paper about the clubs financial position created wide spread panic.

Davies moved the club into, through and out of administration, taking out the highly controversial loan with ABC in the process; something he still maintains was unavoidable despite many protestations to the contrary. He leaves the club promoted with record season ticket sales and heading in the right direction.
He was involved in the decision to bring Ian Holloway to the club, which has undoubtedly been our best managerial appointment of recent years, however it was one the board lucked into having been turned down by all their principal choices.

His reputation took a major battering the day he decided to take three Rangers fans to court after a leaked boardroom memo was placed on a QPR website.

In a recent interview with QPRnet.com Davies defended this decision by saying "We've come too far to have people treat QPR like it's an amateur club. It's a professional club, it's got good people in it and I'm dammed if I'm going to have people treat it like no name United playing in an amateur league".
It was a move that left a sour taste in the mouth of many and one that could forever tarnish his legacy at Loftus Road. QPR Rivals

qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/06/four-year-flashback-departure-of-old.html


-Observer: How Fixtures are Compiled


- QPR Fan Sites Directory: A List of the QPR Fan Sites


- QPR Summer Key Dates



- Flashback 7 Years: QPR Announce Friendly with MK Dons...Next Day: QPR Cancel Friendly with MK Dons!

- Flashback: Jim Gregory's Reply to Tommy Docherty

-  Paulo Sousa Takes over at Maccabi Tel-Aviv




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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Fathers Day to #QPR Fans around the World...Wayne Fereday Turns 50...QPR Report Turns 8!

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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER! _______________________________________________

- Birthday for Wayne Fereday - Turns 50


- QPR Report Blog Turns Eight!

- QPR Fan Sites Directory: A List of the QPR Fan Sites


- QPR Summer Key Dates


- QPR's 1969-1970 Season in Photos - Bushman Archives


- Flashback 7 Years: QPR Announce Friendly with MK Dons...Next Day: QPR Cancel Friendly with MK Dons!

- 13 Year Flashback: " Bournemouth Star Signs" for QPR
- Six Years Ago:  QPR Owners (Paladini and Caliendo) Prepared to Sell QPR
- Flashback: Jim Gregory's Reply to Tommy Docherty

-  Paulo Sousa Takes over at Maccabi Tel-Aviv
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            HAPPY FATHERS DAY



                           




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Saturday, June 15, 2013

#Warnock on John Terry Incident and Taarabt...Birthday for #QPR's #LakshmiMittal....Give #Redknapp Transfer Control: QPR Legend...DJ Campbell?.....Flashbacks: MK Dons Cancelled..."Bournemouth Star" Signs



Birthday Today for QPR's Lakshmi Mittal! (Hopefully long-associated with the club)
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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
_______________________________________________


 - QPR's 1969-1970 Season in Photos - Bushman Archives

- Flashback 7 Years: QPR Announce Friendly with MK Dons...Next Day: QPR Cancel Friendly with MK Dons!

- 13 Year Flashback: " Bournemouth Star Signs" for QPR

- Bothroyd Faces Driving Ban

- Rupert Murdoch Plans Summer Football Competition for Top Clubs
- Guardian Q and A With Neil Warnock



- Year Flashback: Tony Fernandes on New QPR Stadium (Unlikely to GroundShare and re Staying up)


 - Year Ago: Funeral of Dennis Signy
- Six Years Ago:  QPR Owners (Paladini and Caliendo) Prepared to Sell QPR
- Flashback: Jim Gregory's Reply to Tommy Docherty
- BBC: Recalling Robert Maxwell's 1983 effort to merge Oxford and Reading into "Thames Valley Royals"

- Guardian/Ian Lynam - In the era of Financial Fair Play clubs must pay smart, not pay more


- QPR Summer Key Dates

-  Paulo Sousa Takes over at Maccabi Tel-Aviv








Warnock/Independent
Wanock's 'The Gaffer' exclusive extract: Anton Ferdinand has not been the same since the John Terry storm

In excerpts from his new autobiography The Gaffer, Neil Warnock lifts the lid on the explosive episodes of his QPR career and their effects
Neil Warnock Author Biography

Friday 14 June 2013

I was looking forward to playing Chelsea. I’d been told at the start of the season if we beat them QPR director Amit Bhatia’s father-in-law, Lakshmi Mittal, the steel billionaire, would give me a million pounds. That was quite an incentive.

Our build-up was difficult. Training had not been very good. The players had heard Adel Taarabt was out the night before the games against Fulham and Blackburn and they had a meeting among themselves that had come to my attention. Adel said he wasn’t out. He doesn’t drink anyhow so even if he was it wasn’t the issue it would be with some. You have to give him the benefit of the doubt, but all week it had been festering.

Then there was selection and tactics. We were a bit at sixes and sevens. Joey Barton and Dezza [Shaun Derry] wanted to play three in central midfield and one player wide. I felt we needed Adel or someone putting his foot on the ball or doing something to stretch Chelsea. Curly [coach Keith Curle] wanted wide players to stop their full-backs pushing on but I thought we’d then just end up in our own half and get beat anyhow.

I decided to pick Adel and have a go at Chelsea. I’m the one responsible for results after all, but I had to convince the players it would work. I started with the full-backs. They like to stay out, but Chelsea’s wingers like to come in and Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge would cause problems if we allowed them to do so untracked. So the full-backs had to come with them and the spare centre-half would cover the space.

Then I brought in Joey (below) and the midfielders and we had a really good morning running through how we were going to play. I decided to bring Clint Hill back from Forest as I wasn’t convinced either Danny Gabbidon or Armand Traoré would be fit. Armand had an adductor strain and he’s the type that if he sneezed he felt he had flu or pneumonia.

We started well, the plan with the full-backs worked, we won some great tackles and headers and Chelsea began to show signs of panic. That was underlined when David Luiz made a stupid challenge on Heidar Helguson. The ref gave a penalty and Heidar tucked it in. Then Adel put a great ball through for Shaun Wright-Phillips and José Bosingwa pulled him down and got sent off. They were just rejigging their line-up when Didier Drogba made an horrific lunge on Adel and got a straight red. They were down to nine and a goal behind. It seemed unreal. Watching it from the bench it seemed like Drogba’s dismissal was in slow motion.

Then a minute before the break they pulled off Juan Mata and put on Nicolas Anelka, which I couldn’t understand. Not only was Mata the player I thought could rip us apart, doing it then meant we knew how they would play in the second half. I thought they would have given themselves a bit more time and decide what to do during half-time.

At half-time I said to my lads: “We can’t sit back because of the quality of their passing, be positive.” But it was difficult. We let them have the ball and their players are so good technically they kept it, even with nine men. We were chasing shadows.

I substituted Adel with Tommy Smith with about 25 minutes to go to give us fresh legs. Once again he stormed off down the tunnel. He never shook any hands, not mine anyway as I didn’t even look at him – I could see what he was going to do. There was a tense finish and I saw John Terry having a set-to with Paddy Kenny, and another with Anton Ferdinand, but it didn’t seem like there was anything out of the ordinary given it was a competitive derby match. We held on to gain a fabulous result.

I went out on the pitch to savour the atmosphere, which was deafening, and immediately had Adel coming up to me for a moan. “Gaffer, why you substitute me, blah, blah, blah.”

“Look around you,” I said, “this is not about Adel Taarabt, this is about Queen’s Park Rangers. Queen’s Park Rangers are more important than you. A lot of people would not even have picked you. You should be thanking me for picking you instead of having a go at me.” I think he’s a lovely lad, and he is unique, but he hasn’t got any idea sometimes as he only worries about himself. Most players do.

Joey and Anton lingered on the pitch with me. I said to them: “Just take in the atmosphere, I’ve never heard anything like it.” I drank it in. A lot of our fans had never seen a victory against Chelsea – it had been 16 years – and they were revelling in it.

When the three of us got to the tunnel all hell had broken loose. The tunnel was compacted with bodies; there was shouting and screaming. Chelsea weren’t very good losers to say the least and, as our players had to go past their dressing room to reach ours, there was plenty of opportunity for confrontation. I screamed at our lot: “Get in the dressing room.” They did.

Mick Jones, my assistant manager, who had come down earlier, said the referee must have sensed what was going to happen, as he got off quickly, into his room, and shut the door behind him, leaving the players to sort it out themselves like in the old days. I thought it was a good move. The police were there too and one of the officers said to Mick: “Keep your lads in check and this won’t go any further.” These things normally last a minute or two and are then forgotten, and with neither the ref nor the police looking to pursue the matter, that is where it would have ended. But, of course, there was another aspect this time with the Terry–Ferdinand incident. That would take almost a year to play out.

We weren’t aware of anything out of the ordinary when we left the ground and I drove home still feeling elated. I’d just got in the front door when I received a text telling me there were these scenes on YouTube of John Terry shouting “you black c...” or whatever, towards Anton. There was a link and even viewing it on my phone I thought it looked pretty obvious.

Anton hadn’t seen it at the ground because I don’t let them have phones in the dressing room. So when John had pulled him after the game and asked, “There’s no problem?”, Anton agreed because he hadn’t seen it. But when he did see it he was furious. I spoke to him and told him not to say anything to the press. Then I spoke to [QPR owner] Tony [Fernandes], who said he would ring Anton and give him the club’s total backing. The previous week the Luis Suarez–Patrice Evra affair had erupted and I realised this had the potential to become a big issue – but I had no idea how big the ramifications would be long term.

That night John Terry made a statement saying he was just repeating what Anton allegedly had said, and that was why he said it. That confirmed he had used the words. He should have just kept his mouth shut, as Anton never heard anything.

The police were probably the first to appreciate how things might escalate, as the following day they called Mick Jones (why they chose him neither he nor anyone else knew) and told him Anton’s home had to be secured, and would he go along with them to the house to help them do that. Then they rang him and said they wanted Mick to be responsible for Anton’s safety getting into the ground at the next home match – they needed to know where to take him to minimise the risk of anyone attacking him. Mick’s my assistant manager, not a security expert, so he replied: “You must be joking, that’s your job.”

We were off Monday, but matters continued to develop. Anton was still very angry, so the club made an official complaint to the FA. The Met Police also got involved more formally after someone made a complaint to them.

On Tuesday the FA announced, in response to our complaint, they would investigate. We trained as normal, but FA people came to the ground in the afternoon to talk to Anton and myself, plus Shaun Derry and Clint Hill, who the cameras showed were nearby when the incident happened. But what could we say? None of us had heard anything.

I wanted to carry on as normally as possible, so at lunchtime we had a couple of presentations. I gave extra Championship winners’ medals I’d had struck to reward some of the unsung staff, and we had birthday cake for Shaun Wright-Phillips, but we didn’t really enjoy that buzz you get at the training ground after a great result because it was overshadowed by the controversy.

The FA came back on Friday and interviewed Anton again, for two hours. It wasn’t the best preparation to face Tottenham and it showed. Anton was poor and continued to be so. I don’t think he ever played well for me again. His mind was affected – understandably given he even had a type of bullet sent to him in the post – and I don’t think he has ever been the same player. His concentration levels were poor and he had that many meetings with solicitors, the police (who by Tuesday after the Spurs game said they were launching a formal investigation), the FA and PFA that he missed a lot of training and his sharpness dropped. It didn’t help the team’s preparation either because you need your centre-half, especially if working on defending set pieces.

Shortly before Christmas the Crown Prosecution Service said they were charging Terry with racially abusing Anton. By the time Terry appeared in court to plead not guilty I had left QPR, but I followed events from afar. When, in September, the FA found him guilty of racially abusing Anton and banned him for four matches it finally seemed to indicate a line could be drawn under the events of 23 October, 2011.

Actually, there is still one outstanding issue. I’m still waiting for that £1m bonus from Amit’s father-in-law for beating Chelsea. I’m sure it’s in the post.

QPR couldn’t sign campbell – they didn’t have any money

On trying to make signings as QPR prepared for their return to the Premier League, I was finally allowed to bring in a player who actually cost money, verbally agreeing a £1.25m fee with Blackpool for DJ Campbell. He’d not only scored goals for them in the top flight, he was a QPR fan as well. Crucially co-owner Flavio Briatore rated him and wanted to sign him too. I had DJ round the house, he agreed terms, he passed a medical, he even trained with us. It was a done deal, or so it seemed. Then, before a press conference, the media guy told me not to talk about DJ and when I asked what he meant, he said: “We can’t put it through yet, we haven’t got enough money.” We hadn’t sent the letter to Blackpool making a formal bid because we couldn’t pay if they accepted. It turned out there was no money in the pot until we got the first payment from the Premier League.

‘I’ll ram that bottle down your throat’

It is QPR’s promotion run-in. The players are due back in Saturday ahead of a televised Monday-night match against Derby County, but Adel Taarabt fails to turn up.

I found out he’d been with his Moroccan friend from Arsenal, Chamakh. Then he rang up and claimed I’d said “come in Sunday”. He’d put weight on as he was not training and it was not good enough. I had a one-to-one with him on the Sunday and told him what I expected of him.

When the game arrived, Adel’s lack of sharpness showed. Robbie Savage, who’s more than a decade older, man-marked him and Adel didn’t work hard enough to lose him. I had to pull him off after about 65–70 minutes. When he came off Coxy [Nigel Cox], like a stupid physio, gave him a bottle of water that he deliberately threw down in disgust. All the while the TV cameras were on him.

I didn’t say anything at the time but later in the week, during a staff meeting, I said to Nigel: “If you ever give another bottle of water to Adel when he’s been substituted I will ram it down your throat.” I think he understood. We laughed about it later.

Arsène has the final word

At the Emirates the technical areas are a long way apart. When I went there with Sheffield United for my 1,000th game as a manager, I stood with Arsène Wenger (above) in the centre circle and turned towards them. I said: “Look at the dugouts, Arsène, they are miles apart, you’ll never hear me.”

He pondered, looked down at me from his great height, smiled wryly and said: “You will find a way.” Independent




Express

QPR manager Harry Redknapp must be given control of transfers, insists club legend

QPR manager Harry Redknapp must be given control of transfers, insists club legend

QPR legend Ian Morgan believes Harry Redknapp must be given freedom in all transfer dealings if the club intend to compete for promotion back to the Premier League.
By: Nick Lustig
Published: Fri, June 14, 2013

Former-R-s-player-Morgan-believes-Redknapp-must-be-given-control-of-transfers-at-the-club Former R's player Morgan believes Redknapp must be given control of transfers at the club

The club's failure to sanction the transfer of key target Wayne Bridge, who subsequently joined Reading, brought Redknapp's future as manager into doubt.

And Morgan, who played alongside his twin brother Roger during his time at Loftus Road, feels the owners must back the former Tottenham manager in the transfer market.

He exclusively told Express Online: "Harry has got a proven track record and knows the market inside out. The club must give him the support and trust that he wants.

"There has to be a trust between manager and chairman. But Harry is experienced and has been a very successful manager.

"I think they should give Harry a free role to select the players he wants. It is a must for the club."

QPR, Harry RedknappThe relationship between Redknapp and the QPR hierarchy have strained the club's transfer policy

Redknapp took over from Mark Hughes mid-way through last season, however was unable to stop the club's slide out of the top flight.

But the former winger, who was part of club's 1967 League Cup triumph, is adamant that the R's have got the perfect man for the job.

He said: "There is not a better man-manager to motivate players than Harry. I think he is probably one of the best around in getting the most out of his players.

"If he left it would be a tragedy for the club because he is the right person for the job. If he went I would not know who would replace him."

QPR, Harry RedknappQPR suffered relegation in May after only two seasons back in the top flight

I think they should give Harry a free role to select the players he wants. It is a must for the club

QPR legend Ian Morgan

Star players such as Julio Cesar, Christopher Samba and Loic Remy are all expected to depart in the summer.

And the QPR legend believes the club need to bring in proven Championship players as they seek promotion back to the Premier League.

He said: "You need to have players that are experienced in the Championship, know what it is about and will give 150% for the club.

"QPR need players who are desperate to play in the Premier League and can deal with the pressure of expectation as the Championship is a very hard league to get out of.

"If there in contention after half-way through next season than I would expect Harry and the team to push on.

"I expect them to be in contention for promotion." Express

- Flashback:  Roger and Ian Morgan

West London Sport/Dave McIntyre

QPR yet to make final decision on Campbell

QPR have yet to make a final decision on the future of DJ Campbell, who looks likely to leave Loftus Road this summer.

The striker’s contract is about to end and he has not been offered a new deal.

He is therefore free to join another club, but if he does not he could yet be given a chance to impress during pre-season, especially if Rangers have not signed another forward by then.

Campbell’s name was included on a list recently published by the Premier League of ‘released’ players from each club, as his contract is expiring and he has not been given another one.

A number of clubs have shown an interest in the 31-year-old, who is considering his options.

Having scored 10 goals in 17 appearances during a loan spell at Ipswich last season, he ended the campaign on loan at Blackburn.

Signed from Blackpool for £1.25m in 2011, Campbell has made only 11 first-team appearances for Rangers, nine of them as a substitute.

Last month he told West London Sport that he would like to stay at the club.

Meanwhile, Rangers appear to have made progress in their attempt to sign Danny Simpson despite top-flight clubs being made aware of the full-back’s availability.

Talks with Simpson, 26, are ongoing. He has not been offered a new contract by Newcastle and will soon be available on a Bosman free transfer. West London Sport


QPR OFFICIAL SITE

BUTTERWORTH JOINS SCOUTING NETWORK

Ian replaces outgoing Kevin Cruickshank as Scouting Coordinator …

My job will be to search for players, identify players, and then present them to Harry"

Ian Butterworth

IAN BUTTERWORTH has joined QPR as the club’s Scouting Coordinator, replacing the departing Kevin Cruickshank.

Butterworth, a former defender who represented Coventry City, Nottingham Forest and Norwich City, is looking forward to his new role.

“This is a big challenge and I hope I can assist Ian Broomfield (Chief Scout) in bringing the right type of player to the club,” Butterworth told www.qpr.co.uk.

“There are good people at the football club, and you can’t get a better manager than Harry Redknapp.

“Everyone will be pulling together next season and my job will be to search for players, identify players, and then present them to Harry.

“I have a team of scouts that I will need to organise. At the moment there are six or seven involved with the club who are based across the UK and some parts of Europe. We’ll be looking to put them in the right areas to cover the games and players that we want to see.

“There are good people behind the scenes and good players already at the club. Let’s hope we can build a team to challenge next season. That’s what the manager wants and he is working around the clock to do his best, and we’ve got to make sure we back him up.”

The 49-year-old, who has enjoyed assistant manager spells with Darlington (1998 – 2000), Cardiff City (2000 – 2004), Hartlepool (2006 – 2009) and Norwich City (2009), believes the arrival of Financial Fair Play has placed greater importance on teams to have a successful scouting system.

“If you look across all the clubs now, there’s a strong scouting network in place,” he adds. “Players cost a lot more these days but you don’t have to spend lots of money because there are players out there who can develop under the coaches at the club.”

Butterworth says player acquisition is a difficult business where as much research as possible is vital.

“Obviously, to a certain extent, every signing is a gamble,” he admits. “But what you’ve got to do is your due diligence. That’s the important thing. If you do that, it’s more a calculated risk than a gamble.

“When a club gets relegated there is obviously a turnover of players and the team has got to be rebuilt. That’s football, players come and go. Hopefully we can find the right ones for the manager and he will be presented with a list to pick from.

“You’ve got to look into every aspect of a player. And if the manager wants a ‘certain type,’ then we’ve got to make sure we find players who have those qualities.”

Redknapp, and Chairman Tony Fernandes, have spoken on a number of occasions about bringing the ‘right sort of player’ to Loftus Road. And Butterworth fully understands the requirements they’re after.

“We all love to see the artist who can thread a pass through and the great goalscorer, but you need experienced soldiers in the Championship,” he says. “And that’s got to be sprinkled with youth and athleticism. You’ve got to get the right balance.

“But character is vital. You want people who want to play for the club and who want to be successful.” QPR







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Friday, June 14, 2013

QPR Report Friday: QPR's 1969-1970 Season in Photos...Dave McIntyre's on QPR Scouting Coaches and Lack of Former QPR Players...Bob Hazell Birthday....Flashback: Paladini & Caliendo Prepared to Sell Club

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- QPR's 1969-1970 Season in Photos - Bushman Archives








- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER! _______________________________________________

 - QPR's 1969-1970 Season in Photos - Bushman Archives

- Guardian Q&A With Neil Warnock




- Year Flashback: Tony Fernandes on New QPR Stadium (Unlikely to GroundShare and re Staying up)
- Year Flashback: Loftus Road Pitch
- Year Ago: Funeral of Dennis Signy
- Six Years Ago:  QPR Owners (Paladini and Caliendo) Prepared to Sell QPR
- Flashback: Jim Gregory's Reply to Tommy Docherty
- BBC: Recalling Robert Maxwell's 1983 effort to merge Oxford and Reading into "Thames Valley Royals"
- How German football is embracing Israel
- Guardian/Ian Lynam - In the era of Financial Fair Play clubs must pay smart, not pay more


- Rodney Marsh to Write a column next season for the QPR Official Programme


- QPR Summer Key Dates

-  Paulo Sousa Takes over at Maccabi Tel-Aviv







 Dave McIntyre... Blog

 QPR’s staff list – don’t be fooled

 I had a glance at a couple of messageboard threads today and noticed some discussion about the current staff list on the QPR website.

 Several people noticed that the list of academy coaches is sizeable - which is in keeping with the new academy structure clubs are encouraged to have.

 In comparison, the number of names listed under scouting is small – smaller for example than the club’s media team.

 I’ve written about the shortcomings of Rangers’ scouting set-up for many years and those shortcomings still exist, but the number of names listed under scouting isn’t a reflection of the size of the scouting team.

 Like most clubs, Rangers have a number of scouts that are involved to differing degrees.

 Scouting is a fluid business, with many people in the game used on an informal basis, perhaps while they’re in between jobs. Others work on a more formal and regular basis.

 These people work well below the radar and are usually never named by clubs.

 I say usually because QPR in fact have tended to publicise the appointment of scouts in recent years in a way other clubs wouldn’t dream of doing.

 This is largely because Rangers have been aware of criticism of their almost non-existent scouting set-up and wanted to show they do actually have scouts. Or at least a scout.

 So there’s nothing unusual about only the chief scouts or equivalent being listed by the club. That’s pretty standard practice and isn’t the sum total of Rangers’ scouting set-up.

 I think the more important thing about that staff list is that Paul Furlong stands out among the academy coaches as being the only former QPR player.

 In my view that list should include several ex-Rangers players with an understanding of the club, and I’m afraid the fact that isn’t the case is an indication of what’s wrong at QPR at the moment.

 Many will argue the omission of ‘QPR people’, especially away from first-team level, has nothing to do with how the team performs on a Saturday afternoon.

 I strongly disagree with that view and have argued for a long time that there is a direct link between the absence of such people – especially in the boardroom – and the shoddy performances we see on the pitch despite the credentials of some under-performing players.

 Just as importantly, with many competing for jobs in football, I believe the club should prioritise and look to give a break to guys who’ve served Rangers with distinction. Other clubs do so as a matter of course and QPR used to. If you can’t rely on ‘your’ club to give you a foot in the door, who can you look to?

 When Rangers were looking to expand their team of coaches, I asked those involved if they would be keen to recruit former QPR players, and if not why not.

 Furlong was already coaching at the club on a non-contract basis and was retained, but straightaway the impression I got was that Rangers were not overly keen on people with a past association with QPR – which is actually typical of recruitment right through the club.

 I thought that was a shame, because I know a number of former Rangers players with coaching ability and potential who care about the club deeply and would jump at the chance to work with the youngsters there.

 I also thought it was strange in light of the fact that Mike Rigg, who was technical director at the time, spoke privately about the need to develop youngsters with what he called ‘the QPR DNA’.

 In my view an opportunity to do exactly that was missed when the club presided over the biggest influx of staff I can recall. I think that’s a real shame. Perhaps others will disagree.

 Incidentally, one of those listed under scouting, Kevin Cruickshank, is leaving Rangers to join Mark Hughes at Stoke – a move that has been on the cards for some time.

 Understandably given the disastrous signings during Hughes’ time as manager, the story I did today about Cruickshank’s departure was greeted with a few not-so-kind comments on Twitter about him and his contribution during his short time at the club.

 In fairness, the role of scouting co-ordinator shouldn’t be confused with that of a chief scout.

 The co-ordinator is exactly that. It tends to be a more logistical role, managing a team of scouts and communicating with the manager.

 How effective Cruickshank was in the role, I couldn’t tell you. But pinning Rangers’ dismal transfer dealings on the man is a tad harsh! Dave Mcintyre
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Thursday, June 13, 2013

QPR Report Thursday: Warnock on Taarabt...Paulo Sousa to Israel...Flashbacks: Gerry Francis' Final England Game...David Davies Joins QPR....Chairman Jim Gregory Responds to "The Doc" - Tommy Docherty

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- Guardian/Ian Lynam - In the era of Financial Fair Play clubs must pay smart, not pay more


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 Standard - Excerpts from Neil Warnock's Book

Neil Warnock: No one else would score the goals to take QPR [up]. If the players wanted to have a verbal with Adel Taarabt we’d all lose’

12 June 2013

As a former manager of Queens Park Rangers, Neil Warnock has first-hand experience of just how inspiring and infuriating Adel Taarabt can be.

Warnock knew the midfielder was the key to QPR reaching the Premier League but also that the Moroccan could implode at any minute. In his new book, Warnock tells a story highlighting just why Taarabt divides opinion.

It’s January 2011 and QPR, leading the Championship but feeling the pressure after one win in four matches, are playing at Hull City . . .

Ten minutes before the break Adel completely lost it. He was unhappy the ref hadn’t given him a foul and then he thought a couple of players didn’t pass to him quickly enough. He argued with Dezza [Shaun Derry], then he signalled he wanted to be subbed. I ignored him. Curly [coach Keith Curle] was watching. “He wants to come off, gaffer.”

“Just ignore him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ignore him. If he wants to come off, let him come over here and ask.”

At half-time I told Curly to get onto the pitch and escort Adel off to avoid him arguing with the ref, his team-mates or the Hull fans who were on his back. I didn’t want him sent off.

In the dressing room, I tried to calm him down. I told him: “You’re captain, you can’t come off just because their fans are giving you stick.” Then I told the lads to give him the ball earlier. I knew some were unhappy with him but I’d already explained to a number of them we needed to keep him on board to get us where we wanted to be. No one else would score the goals to take us to the Promised Land. If they wanted to have a verbal with Adel we’d all lose.

In the second half Adel did okay but we had to settle for a draw. Next day I was doing a radio show when my phone flashed. It was a text from Adel.

“Gaffer. I’m very sorry for what I did yesterday. It was just because I feel we can win the game in the first half. I know I have to control myself. I am working on it.” That summed him up. It wasn’t like an English player having a strop, this is how he reacts. People forgot he was only 21 and every team was going to try and kick lumps out of him. We had to take the rough with the smooth.

On Monday, before training, I showed Dezza and Clint [Hill] the text. Dezza had been fretting about how Adel had let the team down. I had to reiterate to them that while it would be easy to fall out with Adel, they couldn’t afford to if they wanted to play in the Premier League.

Then I told Adel how disrespectful to me the incident was. I said I classed myself as part of his family. “Would you treat your father like you did me?”

“No, gaffer. I’m sorry.”

“The answer I want, and the way to apologise to the team, is to get us all three points tomorrow against Portsmouth.”

Needless to say, he scored the first in our 2–0 victory and made the second. Clint scored that goal and as he ran back after celebrating he gave me a wink and a nod. We both knew neither of us would ever come across another player like Adel in our careers.

Another extract from the book reveals how Taarabt stepped in to break a fight during training . . .

The daft thing was the two players who got involved, Shaun Derry and Jay Bothroyd, were playing on the same team. Dezza had a go at Bothroyd and Bothroyd had a go back. The lads separated them but they went straight back at each other. I sent them both off. They were still at it in the dressing room.

After a while we brought them back and Joey Barton got involved.

“Why is it always you, Jay?”

“What are you talking about, what’s it to do with you?”

So those two start and guess who got in between them? Adel Taarabt! He was holding Joey saying: “No, calm down, calm down.”

It was so funny. I spoke to Dezza and Jay: “I don’t mind a fracas but if anyone throws a punch or head-butts somebody they’re sacked.”

And with the spirit of good will to all men flowing through the club, we all went home to celebrate Christmas.

The Gaffer by Neil Warnock is published by Headline, RRP £16.99. Standard

 Maccabi Tel Aviv FC

עברית
Paulo Sousa Appointed as Head Coach
11/06/2013

Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club have agreed a 2-year deal with Paulo Sousa (42) to coach the senior side

Sousa enjoyed an illustrious football career as a holding midfielder for Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Parma, Panathinaikos and Espanyol, and was part of the 'Golden generation' of the Portuguese national side for which he made 51 international appearances.

Maccabi's owner, Mitch Goldhar, who met with Sousa two weeks ago together with Jack Angelides, told the club's official website: "I am delighted that the next coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv will be Paulo Sousa. As a coach I believe Paulo embodies the qualities we strive for at Maccabi Tel Aviv - namely discipline, work ethic and respect. I was immediately impressed with Paulo upon our meeting together. I know our fans and the club at large will give him a warm welcome".

Maccabi's Sports Director Jordi Cruyff told the official website: "I am happy Paulo is joining Maccabi and we are certain he can help Maccabi Tel Aviv progress in the path that began 4 years ago and take this club to a different level".

Paulo Sousa told the official website: “I want to begin by thanking the club owner, Mitch Goldhar, his representative Jack Angelides and sports director, Jordi Cruyff, for showing trust in me and for giving me this opportunity to become the head coach of this magnificent football club. Their belief in me, and in my vision for the team, gives me great heart and motivation for the many challenges we will face. Maccabi is a club with a strong tradition, passionate support, and I hope that with everyone working together, we can achieve success".

Sousa began his coaching career for the Portuguese Federation when he was appointed in 2008 as the assistant to National team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, in addition to coaching the Portuguese young national sides. In November 2008 Sousa was appointed as manager of Queens Park Rangers, and after stabilising the side, he left in April 2009 before being appointed the following summer as manager of the Welsh side Swansea City. Sousa guided the "Swans" to their highest position in 27 years, when they finished 7th in the English second tier Championship. Four days after leaving Swansea, he was signed as Leicester City's manager.

After three years in the British Isles, Sousa was appointed in May 2011 as coach of Hungarian side Videoton FC whom he guided to the Hungarian Supercup and Hungarian League Cup, along with the second spot in the league table in his first season at the club. Notably, he achieved a club record points total in that first year.

In his second season in charge, he again lifted the Hungarian SuperCup, and arguably the club’s best achievement in the last 25 years - Sousa led Videoton to the group stages of the Europa League after beating Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava, Belgian outfit Gent and Trabzonspor of Turkey. Victories over Sporting Lisbon and FC Basel awarded Videoton the third position in Group G. Sousa left the Hungarian club in January of this year.

Sousa began his playing career as a winger and playmaker in the youth academy of Benfica Lisbon, before moving to the position of holding midfielder when he became a professional. After winning three championships with Benfica's youth team, as well as lifting the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with his nation, he made his senior debut in the 1990/91 season before winning the Portuguese Championship and the Portuguese Cup two years later. Sousa then moved to arch city-rivals Sporting Lisbon for one season, at the end of which he joined Italian side Juventus in the summer of 1994. During Sousa's two seasons in Juventus he won the League and Cup double and the Italian Super-Cup, but recorded his greatest achievement in May 1996 when he lifted the Champions League Cup after his side beat Ajax in the final in a penalty shoot-out.

As a European champion, Sousa joined German side Borussia Dortmund and lifted the Champions League Cup for the second time in succession after his team beat no less than his previous club Juventus in the final. To his already packed trophy cabinet the Portuguese midfielder added the German Super-Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup trophy the following season. Two years later Sousa returned to Italy and played for three years with Inter Milan. After one more season in Parma and two years with Panathinaikos, Sousa then joined Espanyol in the summer of 2001 for one season, at the end of which he finally hung up his boots foor good. In all, Sousa made 51 appearances for Portugal on the international stage.

www.maccabi-tlv.co.il/en/news/news-articles/paulo-sousa-appointed-as-head-coach/



ON THIS DAY: GERRY FRANCIS' FINAL GAME FOR ENGLAND

Thirty-seven years ago: June 13, 1976: Gerry Francis Captain England for the last time as England won 4-1 in Finland..

This was Gerry Francis' 12th and final game for England, and his 8th as captain. Unfortunately, for himself, for England, and for QPR, Francis underwent bad back injuries which ended his internatioal career.

The England Team for this final game, captained (and played in) by Francis vs Finland Game

1. Ray Clemence Liverpool
2. Colin Todd Derby County
3. Mick Mills Ipswich Town
4. Phil Thompson Liverpool
5. Paul Madeley Leeds United
6. Trevor Cherry Leeds United
7. Kevin Keegan Liverpool
8. Mick Channon Southampton
9. Stuart Pearson Manchester United
10. Trevor Brooking West Ham United
11. Gerry Francis Queens Park Rangers




Courtesy of the Bushman Archives




CHAIRMAN JIM GREGORY RESPONDS TO TOMMY DOCHERTY




From The Football League Review. 1969
Last Edit: 12 hours ago by Bushman
They say the lights are always bright on Broadway.
They say theres always magic in the air.


World's Best-Paying Teams - QPR at #91

  The ESPN Magazine/SportingIntelligence global salary survey  Lists "Best-Paying Teams in the World" - Soccer, Baseball, Football, Basketball, etc (Listing the average wage on almost 300 teams, worldwide.) "The survey included 278 teams in 14 leagues and seven sports across 10 countries." Queen's Park Rangers are #91 on this list (with an average wage according to this finding of $2,604,997 - for the 2011-2012 season.)
The complete List





13 Years Ago

QPR Official Site June 13, 2000

LOFTUS ROAD PLC ANNOUNCEMENT

This afternoon the following announcement was made by Loftus Road Plc, parent company of QPR:

LOFTUS ROAD PLC BOARD CHANGE

Loftus Road PLC, the AIM listed Queens Park Rangers and London Wasps sports Group, announces that chief executive Simon Crane has resigned from the Board to take up a new position as Head of Marketing of Jaguar Racing, the Formula One arm of the Ford Motor Company.

Simon will be replaced by David Davies, who joins Loftus Road from Ogden Entertainment, one of the world's largest venue management groups where he has been director of European operations since April 1998. He moved to Ogden from Contemporary Leisure Plc in 1994. Ogden was recently acquired by SMG Management Group.

David had day to day responsibility for all Ogden Entertainment Services interests in the UK and Europe including the management and financial development of :- the Manchester Evening News Arena, the largest and busiest indoor arena in Europe, the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, the Oberhausen Arena in Germany, Bridgwater Hall, the Manchester Storm Ice Hockey team, and numerous high profile sporting and musical concerts and events.

It is expected that Simon will leave on the 2nd July and David will start on 1 August 2000.

Chairman, Chris Wright, commented:

"We thank Simon for his commitment and hard work at Loftus Road and hope that he has a successful future career. We are delighted that David has agreed to join us, he has an impressive record of success with Ogden as a manager of leading national and international leisure facilities and brands. We look forward to benefiting from his experience, enthusiasm and ideas."


And a few days later on the Official Site

QPR Official Site - CRANE SAD TO BE LEAVING

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Simon Crane is leaving Loftus Road Plc this week to take up a new post. Simon has enjoyed his two years with the company and looks back on his involvement with fond affection.

He says: "I was offered a job by Jaguar Racing - the Formula One arm of the Ford Motor Company - about two months ago. So I went to see Chris Wright and had a conversation with him, and I've decided to take up that opportunity in terms of my own career development. But I'm very sad to be leaving Loftus Road.
"Business highlights have obviously been the sale of the Wasps ground at Sudbury, and just reconfiguring the way Loftus Road PLC behaves in terms of its customer and fan relationships.

"The sporting highlights clearly for me were the highs and lows of avoiding relegation and that wonderful game against Crystal Palace last year, Wasps winning two Tetley Bitter Cups and of course the marvellous work that Gerry has been doing with all his staff in turning around the fortunes of Queens Park Rangers.

"I feel very strongly that we have made a lot of difference over the last two years in terms of halting the downward decline. We've established a really good base to build on. So I wish my successor David Davies, who starts on Monday, a tremendous amount of luck in taking the club forward."
 
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