-
Skysport
Rangers agree fee for Blackstock
By Peter ORourke - Created on 8 Aug 2006
Skysports.com understand Queens Park Rangers have agreed a fee with Southampton for striker Dexter Blackstock.
Rangers opened negotiations with The Saints over a possible transfer and, after the Loftus Road outfit were initially thwarted, the club have now agreed a price in the region of £500,000.
Blackstock was also the subject of a failed bid from Championship rivals Wolves, while Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday have registered an interest as well.
Rangers boss Gary Waddock is a keen admirer of the front man and made his interest known after Bradley Wright-Phillips's arrival at St Mary's restricted the former Oxford man's first team opportunities.
Rangers now appear to have jumped to the head of a queue of clubs for Blackstock, and are expected to open contract talks with the 20-year-old shortly.
Blackstock joined Saints from Oxford in May 2003 for a fee of £275,000 and, after a loan spell at Plymouth in the previous season, spent two months of the last campaign at Derby
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?HLID=408542&CPID=10&title=Rangers+agree+fee+for+Blackstock&lid=&channel=Football_Home&f=rss&clid=5
Blackstock's Clubs/Games/Goals Statistics
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Fulham's Rehman Signs for QPR on a Permanent Deal
-
QPR Official Site REH OF LIGHT
QPR have completed the signing of Fulham defender Zesh Rehman for an undisclosed fee.
The 22 year-old centre-half has today (Tuesday) put pen to paper on a three year deal at Loftus Road.
Rehman - who could be in line to make his R's debut against Southend United on Saturday - caught up with qpr.co.uk moments after signing on the dotted line.
"I went down to Harlington yesterday and spoke with Gary Waddock and I was really impressed with what I heard.
"He told me that he wants to help me improve as a player and that's what I want.
"All I want to do is play football; the money doesn't interest me any more. I could have sat at Fulham and just been happy to pick up my wages, but that's not what I'm all about.
[Photo - Gianni Paladini and Antonio Caliendo welcome Zesh Rehman to Loftus Road]
"This is like home from home for me having been at Loftus Road with Fulham. Now I'm looking forward to making my debut on Saturday, where we'll hopefully pick up a win.
"I'll be at Loftus Road tonight for the Leeds game and I'm looking forward to seeing my new team-mates in action."
A gifted central defender with bags of potential, Zesh played five times for Fulham in the 2005/06 campaign, before being farmed out on loan to Norwich City.
Quiet, but self-assured, Zesh made his Fulham debut as a substitute in the 1-0 League Cup defeat to Wigan in September 2003.
A product of the Fulham academy system, Rehman made 26 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring once, against Lincoln City in a nine goal thriller in October.
R's boss Gary Waddock is delighted with the capture of the former Fulham defender, commenting: "It's a superb signing for the Club.
"We've got a player with Premiership experience and who is undoubtedly Prermiership class.
"He's an out-and-out defender but also has the unique ability of being able to bring the ball out of defence. There aren't many central defenders who can do that in the present day, so I'm delighted he's signed for us.
"He's very ambitious - like we all are at this Club - and hopefully he can achieve great things with us.''
Rehman will wear the number five shirt vacated by Danny Shittu.
QPR Official Site
FULHAM OFFICIAL SITE
Zesh Moves On
Tue 8th Aug 2006
Central defender Zesh Rehman makes the move to QPR
Fulham Football Club can confirm that Zesh Rehman has joined Queens Park Rangers on a permanent basis. The defender signed a three-year deal with Rangers on Tuesday morning.
Rehman, a Fulham Academy graduate, played five times for the Whites in the 05/06 season and scored his first senior goal against Lincoln City in the League Cup before spending four months on loan at Norwich City.
All at Fulham Football Club would like to thank him for his services to the Club and wish him and his family the very best for the future
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/football_news_latest_7528.html
QPR Official Site REH OF LIGHT
QPR have completed the signing of Fulham defender Zesh Rehman for an undisclosed fee.
The 22 year-old centre-half has today (Tuesday) put pen to paper on a three year deal at Loftus Road.
Rehman - who could be in line to make his R's debut against Southend United on Saturday - caught up with qpr.co.uk moments after signing on the dotted line.
"I went down to Harlington yesterday and spoke with Gary Waddock and I was really impressed with what I heard.
"He told me that he wants to help me improve as a player and that's what I want.
"All I want to do is play football; the money doesn't interest me any more. I could have sat at Fulham and just been happy to pick up my wages, but that's not what I'm all about.
[Photo - Gianni Paladini and Antonio Caliendo welcome Zesh Rehman to Loftus Road]
"This is like home from home for me having been at Loftus Road with Fulham. Now I'm looking forward to making my debut on Saturday, where we'll hopefully pick up a win.
"I'll be at Loftus Road tonight for the Leeds game and I'm looking forward to seeing my new team-mates in action."
A gifted central defender with bags of potential, Zesh played five times for Fulham in the 2005/06 campaign, before being farmed out on loan to Norwich City.
Quiet, but self-assured, Zesh made his Fulham debut as a substitute in the 1-0 League Cup defeat to Wigan in September 2003.
A product of the Fulham academy system, Rehman made 26 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring once, against Lincoln City in a nine goal thriller in October.
R's boss Gary Waddock is delighted with the capture of the former Fulham defender, commenting: "It's a superb signing for the Club.
"We've got a player with Premiership experience and who is undoubtedly Prermiership class.
"He's an out-and-out defender but also has the unique ability of being able to bring the ball out of defence. There aren't many central defenders who can do that in the present day, so I'm delighted he's signed for us.
"He's very ambitious - like we all are at this Club - and hopefully he can achieve great things with us.''
Rehman will wear the number five shirt vacated by Danny Shittu.
QPR Official Site
FULHAM OFFICIAL SITE
Zesh Moves On
Tue 8th Aug 2006
Central defender Zesh Rehman makes the move to QPR
Fulham Football Club can confirm that Zesh Rehman has joined Queens Park Rangers on a permanent basis. The defender signed a three-year deal with Rangers on Tuesday morning.
Rehman, a Fulham Academy graduate, played five times for the Whites in the 05/06 season and scored his first senior goal against Lincoln City in the League Cup before spending four months on loan at Norwich City.
All at Fulham Football Club would like to thank him for his services to the Club and wish him and his family the very best for the future
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/football_news_latest_7528.html
Mirror: QPR Set to Sign Fulham Defender, Zesh Rehman on Loan
-
[If the messageboards are right, QPR are also actually SIGNING - presumably a second player...Anyway, all will be revealed soon.}
According to the Daily Mirror...
8 August 2006 QPR CUE UP REH OF LIGHT
QPR are set to snap up j Fulham defender Zesh r Rehman to replace departed Danny Shittu.
Rehman (above) does not feature in Chris Coleman's plans for the new season and Rangers boss Gary Waddock hopes to sign him on a loan deal.
Shittu has joined Watford, but QPR cannot afford to take Rehman, 22, permanently.
Fulham are happy for the centre-back to move across London to guarantee him first-team football. The defender has made 21 Premiership appearances for the Cottagers.
Mirror
Profile of Rehman
FA Feature Profile of Rehman
[If the messageboards are right, QPR are also actually SIGNING - presumably a second player...Anyway, all will be revealed soon.}
According to the Daily Mirror...
8 August 2006 QPR CUE UP REH OF LIGHT
QPR are set to snap up j Fulham defender Zesh r Rehman to replace departed Danny Shittu.
Rehman (above) does not feature in Chris Coleman's plans for the new season and Rangers boss Gary Waddock hopes to sign him on a loan deal.
Shittu has joined Watford, but QPR cannot afford to take Rehman, 22, permanently.
Fulham are happy for the centre-back to move across London to guarantee him first-team football. The defender has made 21 Premiership appearances for the Cottagers.
Mirror
Profile of Rehman
FA Feature Profile of Rehman
Birthday: Ex-QPR (and West Ham) Goalkeeper, Phil Parkes Turns 56
-
Former QPR goalkeeper, Phil Parkes Turns 56
Born August 8, 1950.
Then QPR-Manager, Les Allen signed Parkes from Walsall in the summer of 1970 for 15,000 pounds (and recouped the money by sellig then QPR-goalie, Mike Kelly to Birmingham for slightly more.) One paper at the time of his transfer characterized Parkes as "strongly tipped for England U-23 honours.)
Parkes made his debut at home to Leicester, in August 1970. QPR lost, but Parkes was brilliant from the first game on.
Parkes crazily played only ONE game for England - kept out by first Gordon Banks; then Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence.
Parkes played an integral part in getting QPR out of the second Division; and almost winning the First Division Championship...
Parkes was sold to then Division-Two West Ham in February 1979,for a world record goalie fee of 550,000 pounds. (But it still wasn't enough!). Played 344 games for QPR and the 344 for West Ham! (+ 52 games for Walsall)
Whether Parkes was QPR's Greatest-ever goalie can always be argued. (Also Reg Allen, Peter Springett, David Seaman, etc.) But he was brilliant, consistent, and almost an ever-present for QPR.
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=9549
Former QPR goalkeeper, Phil Parkes Turns 56
Born August 8, 1950.
Then QPR-Manager, Les Allen signed Parkes from Walsall in the summer of 1970 for 15,000 pounds (and recouped the money by sellig then QPR-goalie, Mike Kelly to Birmingham for slightly more.) One paper at the time of his transfer characterized Parkes as "strongly tipped for England U-23 honours.)
Parkes made his debut at home to Leicester, in August 1970. QPR lost, but Parkes was brilliant from the first game on.
Parkes crazily played only ONE game for England - kept out by first Gordon Banks; then Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence.
Parkes played an integral part in getting QPR out of the second Division; and almost winning the First Division Championship...
Parkes was sold to then Division-Two West Ham in February 1979,for a world record goalie fee of 550,000 pounds. (But it still wasn't enough!). Played 344 games for QPR and the 344 for West Ham! (+ 52 games for Walsall)
Whether Parkes was QPR's Greatest-ever goalie can always be argued. (Also Reg Allen, Peter Springett, David Seaman, etc.) But he was brilliant, consistent, and almost an ever-present for QPR.
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=9549
Monday, August 07, 2006
QPR Chairman Paladini Interviewed on BBC London
-
Gianni Paladini was interviewed (via car phone) on BBC London 94.9 FM 'Monday Sport with Danny Kelly, August 9.
- QPR set to sign an unamed player tomorrow for 300,000 pounds.
- Was asked about his recent comments and offered his responses.
Monday Sport on BBC LONDON 94.9FM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2004/08/17/monday_sportshow_feature.shtml
Gianni Paladini was interviewed (via car phone) on BBC London 94.9 FM 'Monday Sport with Danny Kelly, August 9.
- QPR set to sign an unamed player tomorrow for 300,000 pounds.
- Was asked about his recent comments and offered his responses.
Monday Sport on BBC LONDON 94.9FM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2004/08/17/monday_sportshow_feature.shtml
BBC Conference Preview: Kidderminster "Key Man:Dean Sturridge...has the pedigree to take the conference by storm"
-
BBC Conference Form Guide
Club-by-club analysis for the new Conference season
At Kidderminster...:
"BBC Sport verdict: Kidderminster struggled in their first season back in the Conference but should do better with manager Mark Yates now firmly established....
Yates landed two of the highest-profile summer signings in Dean Sturridge and Jeff Kenna but also has a smattering of lower league experience to complete the mix.
Key man: Dean Sturridge. The former Derby, Wolves and Leicester striker has the pedigree to take the Conference by storm.
The Football Conference site
Where Many ex-QPR (and possibly future QPR players)are Currently Playing
Link to the Conference Clubs
BBC Conference Form Guide
Club-by-club analysis for the new Conference season
At Kidderminster...:
"BBC Sport verdict: Kidderminster struggled in their first season back in the Conference but should do better with manager Mark Yates now firmly established....
Yates landed two of the highest-profile summer signings in Dean Sturridge and Jeff Kenna but also has a smattering of lower league experience to complete the mix.
Key man: Dean Sturridge. The former Derby, Wolves and Leicester striker has the pedigree to take the Conference by storm.
The Football Conference site
Where Many ex-QPR (and possibly future QPR players)are Currently Playing
Link to the Conference Clubs
QPR Play Leeds Tomorrow
-
News Updates re Tomorrow's QPR vs Leeds Game
Sporting Life - STRIKER PROBLEMS MOUNTING FOR RANGERS
QPR have problems in attack as they prepare for their first home game of the season against Leeds on Tuesday night.
Boss Gary Waddock is without striker Paul Furlong (thigh) for the match, while Kevin Gallen and Marc Nygaard are still struggling with injuries picked up during pre-season.
Their absence means Rangers are likely to stick with the 4-5-1 formation they used in the 2-0 defeat at Burnley, with summer signing Adam Czerkas operating as a lone striker.
Midfielder Egutu Oliseh is set to miss out with a thigh injury, and defender Dominic Shimmin serves the second game of a three-match ban.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/06/08/07/manual_161836.html
The Times Preview
Blackwell's boys off to flyer
Championship by Mike Brewer
LEEDS UNITED rate banker material at general odds of 5-4 to claim their second win in four days of the new Coca-Cola Championship season by winning away to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday evening, one of a full programme of midweek matches in football’s second tier.
*
Leeds fell at the final hurdle last season when losing to Watford in the play-off final but should prove too strong for a QPR side that was in freefall at the end of last term and which sold their prize asset, defender Danny Shittu, at the weekend.
Having lost six of their final seven league games last season, QPR went down 2-0 away to Burnley on Saturday. Leeds beat Norwich City 1-0.
.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,17249-2302586,00.html
QPR Official Site Previews the Leeds Opposition before tomorrow's game
FYI: This was the Leeds Team that beat Norwich 1-0 on Saturday (Healy scoring)
Leeds - Warner, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey (Moore 85), Stone, Bakke (Westlake 77), Derry, Lewis, Healy (Carole 69), Horsfield. Subs: Gregan, Blake.
And this is Leeds Current Squad (even as they search for additional players)
Stats & Appearances
1 Neil Sullivan Goalkeeper
2 Gary Kelly Defender
3 Stephen Crainey Defender
3 Ben Parker
(on loan to Bradfrd ) Midfielder
6 Paul Butler Defender
7 Ian Westlake Midfielder
8 Sean Gregan Midfielder
9 David Healy Striker
10 Geoff Horsfield
(on loan from Sheff U ) Striker
11 Eddie Lewis Midfielder
14 Danny Rose
14 Steve Stone Midfielder
15 Frazer Richardson Midfielder
16 Roberto Bailey
16 Gylfi Einarsson Midfielder
17 Sebastien Carole Midfielder
17 Sam Hird
18 Kevin Nicholls Midfielder
19 Eirik Bakke Midfielder
19 Jonathan Howson
21 Shaun Derry Midfielder
22 Ian Moore Striker
24 Manuel Rui Marques Defender
25 Richard Cresswell Striker
26 Matthew Kilgallon Defender
27 Joel Griffiths Midfielder
28 Robert Blake Striker
29 Ian Morris
31 Steven McKeown Defender
31 Tony Warner
(on loan from Fulham ) Goalkeeper
32 Jermaine Beckford Striker
35 Kevin Smith Midfielder
36 Mark Wilberforce Goalkeeper
http://www.leedsunited.com/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10273,00.html
QPR Tomorrow Programme
News Updates re Tomorrow's QPR vs Leeds Game
Sporting Life - STRIKER PROBLEMS MOUNTING FOR RANGERS
QPR have problems in attack as they prepare for their first home game of the season against Leeds on Tuesday night.
Boss Gary Waddock is without striker Paul Furlong (thigh) for the match, while Kevin Gallen and Marc Nygaard are still struggling with injuries picked up during pre-season.
Their absence means Rangers are likely to stick with the 4-5-1 formation they used in the 2-0 defeat at Burnley, with summer signing Adam Czerkas operating as a lone striker.
Midfielder Egutu Oliseh is set to miss out with a thigh injury, and defender Dominic Shimmin serves the second game of a three-match ban.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/06/08/07/manual_161836.html
The Times Preview
Blackwell's boys off to flyer
Championship by Mike Brewer
LEEDS UNITED rate banker material at general odds of 5-4 to claim their second win in four days of the new Coca-Cola Championship season by winning away to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday evening, one of a full programme of midweek matches in football’s second tier.
*
Leeds fell at the final hurdle last season when losing to Watford in the play-off final but should prove too strong for a QPR side that was in freefall at the end of last term and which sold their prize asset, defender Danny Shittu, at the weekend.
Having lost six of their final seven league games last season, QPR went down 2-0 away to Burnley on Saturday. Leeds beat Norwich City 1-0.
.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,17249-2302586,00.html
QPR Official Site Previews the Leeds Opposition before tomorrow's game
FYI: This was the Leeds Team that beat Norwich 1-0 on Saturday (Healy scoring)
Leeds - Warner, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey (Moore 85), Stone, Bakke (Westlake 77), Derry, Lewis, Healy (Carole 69), Horsfield. Subs: Gregan, Blake.
And this is Leeds Current Squad (even as they search for additional players)
Stats & Appearances
1 Neil Sullivan Goalkeeper
2 Gary Kelly Defender
3 Stephen Crainey Defender
3 Ben Parker
(on loan to Bradfrd ) Midfielder
6 Paul Butler Defender
7 Ian Westlake Midfielder
8 Sean Gregan Midfielder
9 David Healy Striker
10 Geoff Horsfield
(on loan from Sheff U ) Striker
11 Eddie Lewis Midfielder
14 Danny Rose
14 Steve Stone Midfielder
15 Frazer Richardson Midfielder
16 Roberto Bailey
16 Gylfi Einarsson Midfielder
17 Sebastien Carole Midfielder
17 Sam Hird
18 Kevin Nicholls Midfielder
19 Eirik Bakke Midfielder
19 Jonathan Howson
21 Shaun Derry Midfielder
22 Ian Moore Striker
24 Manuel Rui Marques Defender
25 Richard Cresswell Striker
26 Matthew Kilgallon Defender
27 Joel Griffiths Midfielder
28 Robert Blake Striker
29 Ian Morris
31 Steven McKeown Defender
31 Tony Warner
(on loan from Fulham ) Goalkeeper
32 Jermaine Beckford Striker
35 Kevin Smith Midfielder
36 Mark Wilberforce Goalkeeper
http://www.leedsunited.com/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10273,00.html
QPR Tomorrow Programme
Shittu's QPR Farewell
-
Danny Shittu's Farewell
- Spoke on the QPR's Official Site
Can Watch/Listen to Shittu Comments (if subscriber)
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/sub/TVNewsDetail/0,,10373~878274,00.html
Skysport - Shittu reveals Prem motivation
By Tom Adams - Created on 7 Aug 2006
Watford new-boy Danny Shittu says he had to leave QPR in order to pursue a career in The Premiership.
The stopper snubbed strong interest from West Brom to join The Hornets in a £3 million deal on Sunday, leaving a gaping hole in the Rangers backline in the process.
After almost five years at Loftus Road, Shittu was sad to leave the London outfit, but the short trip to Watford offered him an irresistible chance to test himself at a higher level during the coming season.
"To test myself in The Premiership is something I have wanted to do for a long time," said Shittu.
"I am sorry that I have to leave QPR - but it's something that had to happen.
"It's hard leaving a club that has been like a family to me for the last four years.
"I feel I'm ready for The Premiership. I will work hard.
"I believe I can deal with whatever is thrown at me, and I hope I can make a bigger name for myself than I did at QPR."
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=408396&CPID=8&clid=57&lid=2&title=Shittu+reveals+Prem+motivation#
Plus great Farewell Piece by Clive Whittingham on QPR Rivals "Shittu sale must become the norm for Rs to survive"
Ron Norris on QPR Net "Picture Specials - Danny Shittu
Thursday 3rd August 2006
"...take a look back through his Rangers career in his very own picture special..".
http://qprnet.com/media/pictures/shittu.shtml
Danny Shittu's Farewell
- Spoke on the QPR's Official Site
Can Watch/Listen to Shittu Comments (if subscriber)
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/sub/TVNewsDetail/0,,10373~878274,00.html
Skysport - Shittu reveals Prem motivation
By Tom Adams - Created on 7 Aug 2006
Watford new-boy Danny Shittu says he had to leave QPR in order to pursue a career in The Premiership.
The stopper snubbed strong interest from West Brom to join The Hornets in a £3 million deal on Sunday, leaving a gaping hole in the Rangers backline in the process.
After almost five years at Loftus Road, Shittu was sad to leave the London outfit, but the short trip to Watford offered him an irresistible chance to test himself at a higher level during the coming season.
"To test myself in The Premiership is something I have wanted to do for a long time," said Shittu.
"I am sorry that I have to leave QPR - but it's something that had to happen.
"It's hard leaving a club that has been like a family to me for the last four years.
"I feel I'm ready for The Premiership. I will work hard.
"I believe I can deal with whatever is thrown at me, and I hope I can make a bigger name for myself than I did at QPR."
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=408396&CPID=8&clid=57&lid=2&title=Shittu+reveals+Prem+motivation#
Plus great Farewell Piece by Clive Whittingham on QPR Rivals "Shittu sale must become the norm for Rs to survive"
Ron Norris on QPR Net "Picture Specials - Danny Shittu
Thursday 3rd August 2006
"...take a look back through his Rangers career in his very own picture special..".
http://qprnet.com/media/pictures/shittu.shtml
Press Accounts re Ex-QPR's Bill Power & Mark Devlin's Plane Crash
-
Photo from The Sun
5 men & boy survive crash
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006360239,00.html
FIVE men and a boy were miraculously rescued alive from the mangled wreckage of a light aircraft crash.
The six-seater plane — carrying three top officials from Swindon Town FC — had plunged into a wood.
Pilot Frank Kratky’s injuries were last night said to be life-threatening, while the passengers appear to have escaped with broken bones.
Swindon director Bill Power and chief executive Mark Devlin were reportedly on board when it crashed into Denham Golf Club in Berkshire on Saturday evening at about 7pm.
The officials, along with Devlin’s ten-year-old son Stan, were travelling back from the club’s opening day League Two fixture at Hartlepool.
Messages left on a Swindon supporters’ internet site suggested Mr Power suffered a punctured lung and Mark Devlin had a broken collarbone
Stan reportedly had two broken legs and a broken ankle.
Experienced pilot Mr Kratky, 60, was at the controls of the twin-engined Cessna 303 as it attempted to land at Denham Aerodrome.
But it came down a quarter of a mile short of the runway in front of terrified golfers.
It skimmed tree tops near the 13th hole and was then ripped apart when it hit the ground. Rescuers raced by road and by air to the scene and had to use specialist hydraulic cutting equipment to rescue the survivors.
An emergency service spokesman revealed that concerned golfers had phoned police before the plane had crashed.
He added: “The pilot behind this plane radioed through to air traffic control. We then received more phone calls, some from golfers.”
Mr Kratky, a dad of four originally from the Czech Republic, was said to have been flying for 20 years and also owned the plane, which had been hired by Swindon.
A club official said: “We can confirm three high profile members of the club were involved.”
Air accident investigators have launched a probe.
Mirror 7 August 2006
HOW DID THEY ALL SURVIVE?
Soccer boss, his son and 3 others cut free in plane crash escape
By Ashley Rogers
THE chief executive of Swindon Town Football Club and his 10-year-old son were among five passengers who cheated death when their plane crash-landed on a golf course.
Mark Devlin, 43, broke both his shoulder blades in the smash while his son, Stan, suffered a broken leg and a broken ankle.
Two other club officials - director Bill Power, 53, and finance director Mike Sullivan, 52 - were also cut free. Both had broken arms and ribs.
Pilot and owner of the light aircraft Frank Kratky, 60, a wine merchant and father-of-four, was last night fighting for his life.
The Cessna 303 six-seater was returning on Saturday from a trip to Co Durham for Swindon's game at Hartlepool. It crashed just yards from the 13th green on Denham golf club, Bucks, where players looked up in horror.
Mr Kratky was trying to reach the airfield at the posh village in which Cilla Black lives. The aircraft smashed through branches and felled a tree before crumpling into a heap in a wooded area close to a train line.
Swindon Town chairman Willie Carson, the former champion jockey, said: "What happened was horrific but to come out of any air crash alive is a blessing.
"It was terrifying, especially for young Stan, who was in the front by the pilot. "I heard the plane was making a funny noise and then there was a bang."
Witness Roy Fuller, 39, said: "It's unbelievable anyone got out of there alive. The plane is just a mess." Chris Knibb, of Thames Valley Police, said: "The plane was a mangled wreck. It was absolutely amazing anyone survived.
"The area surrounding the crash site has been sealed off and air accident investigators are now gathering evidence."
Mr Kratky, originally from the Czech Republic, lives in a £1million home in Chalfont- St-Giles, Bucks. He has been flying for more than 20 years.
Meanwhile, a pilot and his 80-year-old passenger were hurt yesterday when their two-seater microlight crash-landed in Weston-under-Lizard, Staffs.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17521270&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=how-did-they-all-survive---name_page.html
This is Wiltshire
Swindon Town officials survive plane crash
By Gary Lawrence
An investigator examines the wreckage of the plane
Swindon Town chief executive Mark Devlin and his ten-year-old son were among the survivors as their light plane crashed on the way back from a match on Saturday.
Sales and marketing manager Mike Sullivan and director Bill Power also survived as their Cessna 310 came down in woods close to Denham Golf Course.
There were six people on board the plane, which had been returning from the club's 1-0 win at Hartlepool.
The 57-year-old pilot was seriously injured . All the survivors were taken to Wexham Park Hospital near Slough.
Mr Devlin is believed to be suffering from a broken shoulder blade and fractured ribs, while Mr Sullivan sustained a badly broken arm.
Mr Devlin's son Stanley fractured both legs.
Town boss Dennis Wise was among the first visitors to the hospital on Saturday night.
Mr Sullivan's wife Anita, who has been at his bedside, said: Mike told me the plane was banking to the right when the engine suddenly went out of action.
"Mike said they were quite high up when the engine stopped. He heard Bill Power say we're going down' and someone screamed.
"When I saw him he was in a lot of pain, very uncomfortable. I also spoke to Bill and Mark.
"They were obviously still in shock but were putting a brave face on it. They were all quite okay, keeping their spirits up. They were joking, as they always are.'' Mr Devlin said: I'm sore all over. I feel like I've been put through the mangle.
"But I'm a lucky boy.'' He said he had been concerned for his son. "That was the worst bit for me. I couldn't see Stanley. I had my back to him but we were talking all the time.
"When you are lying in a wrecked plane, a friend like Mike Sullivan is next to you and he's unconscious, words can't explain it all.'' Air accident investigators were today still sifting through the wreckage of the plane.
http://thisiswiltshire.co.uk/display.var.866765.0.swindon_town_officials_survive_plane_crash.php
QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT
CLUB STATEMENT
QPR were both shocked and upset on hearing the news relating to the plane crash involving former Rangers personnel.
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Power and Mark Devlin were involved in a light aircraft crash on Saturday evening when travelling back from their opening day fixture against Hartlepool.
Also on board were Devlin's 10 year old son Stan, Swindon's Sales and Marketing Manager, Mike Sullivan, pilot Frank Kratky and an as yet unnamed passenger.
Everyone at QPR would like to wish all those involved a safe and speedy recovery.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~877916,00.html
Photo from The Sun
5 men & boy survive crash
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006360239,00.html
FIVE men and a boy were miraculously rescued alive from the mangled wreckage of a light aircraft crash.
The six-seater plane — carrying three top officials from Swindon Town FC — had plunged into a wood.
Pilot Frank Kratky’s injuries were last night said to be life-threatening, while the passengers appear to have escaped with broken bones.
Swindon director Bill Power and chief executive Mark Devlin were reportedly on board when it crashed into Denham Golf Club in Berkshire on Saturday evening at about 7pm.
The officials, along with Devlin’s ten-year-old son Stan, were travelling back from the club’s opening day League Two fixture at Hartlepool.
Messages left on a Swindon supporters’ internet site suggested Mr Power suffered a punctured lung and Mark Devlin had a broken collarbone
Stan reportedly had two broken legs and a broken ankle.
Experienced pilot Mr Kratky, 60, was at the controls of the twin-engined Cessna 303 as it attempted to land at Denham Aerodrome.
But it came down a quarter of a mile short of the runway in front of terrified golfers.
It skimmed tree tops near the 13th hole and was then ripped apart when it hit the ground. Rescuers raced by road and by air to the scene and had to use specialist hydraulic cutting equipment to rescue the survivors.
An emergency service spokesman revealed that concerned golfers had phoned police before the plane had crashed.
He added: “The pilot behind this plane radioed through to air traffic control. We then received more phone calls, some from golfers.”
Mr Kratky, a dad of four originally from the Czech Republic, was said to have been flying for 20 years and also owned the plane, which had been hired by Swindon.
A club official said: “We can confirm three high profile members of the club were involved.”
Air accident investigators have launched a probe.
Mirror 7 August 2006
HOW DID THEY ALL SURVIVE?
Soccer boss, his son and 3 others cut free in plane crash escape
By Ashley Rogers
THE chief executive of Swindon Town Football Club and his 10-year-old son were among five passengers who cheated death when their plane crash-landed on a golf course.
Mark Devlin, 43, broke both his shoulder blades in the smash while his son, Stan, suffered a broken leg and a broken ankle.
Two other club officials - director Bill Power, 53, and finance director Mike Sullivan, 52 - were also cut free. Both had broken arms and ribs.
Pilot and owner of the light aircraft Frank Kratky, 60, a wine merchant and father-of-four, was last night fighting for his life.
The Cessna 303 six-seater was returning on Saturday from a trip to Co Durham for Swindon's game at Hartlepool. It crashed just yards from the 13th green on Denham golf club, Bucks, where players looked up in horror.
Mr Kratky was trying to reach the airfield at the posh village in which Cilla Black lives. The aircraft smashed through branches and felled a tree before crumpling into a heap in a wooded area close to a train line.
Swindon Town chairman Willie Carson, the former champion jockey, said: "What happened was horrific but to come out of any air crash alive is a blessing.
"It was terrifying, especially for young Stan, who was in the front by the pilot. "I heard the plane was making a funny noise and then there was a bang."
Witness Roy Fuller, 39, said: "It's unbelievable anyone got out of there alive. The plane is just a mess." Chris Knibb, of Thames Valley Police, said: "The plane was a mangled wreck. It was absolutely amazing anyone survived.
"The area surrounding the crash site has been sealed off and air accident investigators are now gathering evidence."
Mr Kratky, originally from the Czech Republic, lives in a £1million home in Chalfont- St-Giles, Bucks. He has been flying for more than 20 years.
Meanwhile, a pilot and his 80-year-old passenger were hurt yesterday when their two-seater microlight crash-landed in Weston-under-Lizard, Staffs.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17521270&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=how-did-they-all-survive---name_page.html
This is Wiltshire
Swindon Town officials survive plane crash
By Gary Lawrence
An investigator examines the wreckage of the plane
Swindon Town chief executive Mark Devlin and his ten-year-old son were among the survivors as their light plane crashed on the way back from a match on Saturday.
Sales and marketing manager Mike Sullivan and director Bill Power also survived as their Cessna 310 came down in woods close to Denham Golf Course.
There were six people on board the plane, which had been returning from the club's 1-0 win at Hartlepool.
The 57-year-old pilot was seriously injured . All the survivors were taken to Wexham Park Hospital near Slough.
Mr Devlin is believed to be suffering from a broken shoulder blade and fractured ribs, while Mr Sullivan sustained a badly broken arm.
Mr Devlin's son Stanley fractured both legs.
Town boss Dennis Wise was among the first visitors to the hospital on Saturday night.
Mr Sullivan's wife Anita, who has been at his bedside, said: Mike told me the plane was banking to the right when the engine suddenly went out of action.
"Mike said they were quite high up when the engine stopped. He heard Bill Power say we're going down' and someone screamed.
"When I saw him he was in a lot of pain, very uncomfortable. I also spoke to Bill and Mark.
"They were obviously still in shock but were putting a brave face on it. They were all quite okay, keeping their spirits up. They were joking, as they always are.'' Mr Devlin said: I'm sore all over. I feel like I've been put through the mangle.
"But I'm a lucky boy.'' He said he had been concerned for his son. "That was the worst bit for me. I couldn't see Stanley. I had my back to him but we were talking all the time.
"When you are lying in a wrecked plane, a friend like Mike Sullivan is next to you and he's unconscious, words can't explain it all.'' Air accident investigators were today still sifting through the wreckage of the plane.
http://thisiswiltshire.co.uk/display.var.866765.0.swindon_town_officials_survive_plane_crash.php
QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT
CLUB STATEMENT
QPR were both shocked and upset on hearing the news relating to the plane crash involving former Rangers personnel.
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Power and Mark Devlin were involved in a light aircraft crash on Saturday evening when travelling back from their opening day fixture against Hartlepool.
Also on board were Devlin's 10 year old son Stan, Swindon's Sales and Marketing Manager, Mike Sullivan, pilot Frank Kratky and an as yet unnamed passenger.
Everyone at QPR would like to wish all those involved a safe and speedy recovery.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~877916,00.html
Burnley vs QPR - Additional Reports
-
Sunday People 6 August 2006
JONES AT THE DOUBLE FOR A CLARETS FLIER
Burnley 2 QPR 0 Andrew Collomosse
NEW BOY Steve Jones hit a sharp double to give the Clarets a flying start to the season.
Jones, a free transfer signing from Crewe, had scored six goals in Burnley's successful pre-season campaign.
And he kept up the good work with two second-half strikes that ended some stubborn resistance from Rangers.
The Jones boy hit the jackpot in the 59th minute when he took advantage of a stumble by defender Matthew Rose and netted a typical poacher's goal.
Ten minutes later the Northern Ireland striker was on target again. He collected a pass from sub Micah Hyde before cutting inside to lash a 20-yarder past Paul Jones.
There was no way back for Rangers and on this showing fears of a long hard winter could be realised.
Yet for long spells Burnley were no better as they lived up to manager Steve Cotterill's warning to the fans not to read too much into their pre-season form.
Skill
The Clarets had included a win over Premiership neighbours Bolton in their build-up, but they rarely showed much cohesion in a dire first half.
In fact until Jones scored the only real skill on show had come from King Keepy Uppy Daniel Magness with his displays before the kick-off and during the interval.
Rangers were first to show when a flick from Lee Cook was headed over by Adam Czerkas in the tenth minute. Soon after, Nick Ward nodded a Martin Rowlands corner straight at Brian Jensen.
He should have done a lot better and he was almost made to pay when Chris McCann set up a chance for Andy Gray at the other end, only for Paul Jones to save.
Burnley produced the first classy raid of the match in the 29th minute when Kyle Lafferty headed a Steve Jones cross over the top from close range.
The game desperately needed a goal after a slow start and Jones provided it.
With a two-goal cushion, Burnley started to play some more fluent football and Hyde almost made it three with minutes to go.
BURNLEY: Jensen 6 - Sinclair 6, Thomas 6, Duff 6, Harley 6 - *S JONES 8, J O'Connor 6 (Elliott, 62mins, 6), McCann 6, Mahon 7 (O'Connor, 90mins) - Lafferty 6 (Hyde, 62mins, 6), Gray 6,
QPR: P Jones 7 - Bignot 6, Stewart 6, Rose 5, Milanese 6 - Ainsworth 5, Lowmass 6 (R Jones, 67mins, 6), *ROWLANDS 8 (Donnelly, 74mins), Cook 6 - Ward 7 - Czerkas 6 (Bircham, 70mins.5). Ref M Clattenburg 6.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17519603&method=full&siteid=93463&headline=jones-at-the-double-for-a-clarets-flier-name_page.html
Telegraph
Burnley (0) 2 Queens Park Rangers (0) 0
Burnley beat Queens Park Rangers thanks to a player that the London club tried to sign earlier this summer.
Steve Jones, a Northern Ireland international, ignited a laborious Turf Moor encounter with two clinically struck goals inside 10 second-half minutes - a debut feat that repeated his opening game double for his previous club, Crewe - also against Rangers - four years ago.
Jones said Rangers were one of seven clubs he spoke to after Crewe released him. "London was not for me. It would have meant uprooting my family and, after speaking to Burnley, I knew they were the club for me."
He revelled in the switch to a more central striking role after starting wide on the right. His 59th-minute opener to end the depressing deadlock after a sterile first half was a simple tap-in after Paul Jones, the visiting goalkeeper, was left unsighted when Kyle Lafferty challenged him.
"It was a bad goal to give away - we shot ourselves in the foot,"said Gary Waddock, the Rangers manager.
However, he had no complaints about "a fantastic second" from Jones, whose sweetly struck left-footed effort from 22 yards gave his namesake in goal no chance.
Match details
Burnley (4-4-2): Jensen; Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley; S Jones (G O'Connor 90), J O'Connor (Elliott 62), McCann, Mahon; Gray, Lafferty (Hyde 62).
Subs: McGreal, Foster.
Goals: S Jones (59, 69).
Booked: Duff, Harley, J O'Connor
Queens Park Rangers (4-4-1-1): P Jones; Bignot, Stewart, Rose, Milanese; Ainsworth, Lomas (R Jones 66), Rowlands (Donnelly 79), Cook; Ward; Czerkas (Bircham 71).
Subs: Cole, Kanyuka.
Referee: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=OE2C4GKBUC2EPQFIQMGCFF4AVCBQUIV0?xml=/sport/2006/08/07/sfgbur07.xml
The Times August 07, 2006
Keeping up with Jones is not easy
By Ron Lewis
Burnley 2 Queens Park Rangers 0
QUEENS PARK RANGERS FIELDED three new signings on Saturday, from Australia, Jamaica and Poland, Burnley had one, from Crewe Alexandra, but it was Steve Jones who scored the goals that gave his new side the perfect start to the new season.
Born in Londonderry, Jones moved to Oldham when he was 12 and had spells at Blackpool, Sligo Rovers and Leigh RMI before making his breakthrough in his mid-20s at Crewe. This summer he had seven clubs, including QPR, chasing his services. Jones, though, finds more pleasure in causing QPR pain.
“My wife said to me that I made my debut for Crewe against QPR and scored two goals and wouldn’t it be amazing if I did the same thing,” Jones said. “I talked to QPR but there was too much uprooting for me to go down there, I’m not a London boy. I knew as soon as I talked to Steve [Cotterill, the Burnley manager] that they were the ones for me and I didn’t have to move home. ”
Burnley struggled to come to terms with QPR’s five-man midfield in the first half but, after 58 minutes, hesitation in the visiting team’s defence let Kyle Lafferty slide in on Paul Jones, the goalkeeper, and Steve Jones tapped in the rebound. Eleven minutes later, Mauro Milanese gave the ball away to Frank Sinclair, who fed Jones to rocket the ball into the top corner.
With Kevin Gallen and Marc Nygaard injured, QPR started with a lone striker in Adam Czerkas, a 22-year-old on a year’s loan from Kolporter Korona in Poland. He received no support and QPR never looked like scoring. “You take those two out of the side and we are not much of a threat,” Gary Waddock, the manager, admitted. Waddock, who was made caretaker manager after Ian Holloway was sent on gardening leave in February, was given the job on a permanent basis in the summer despite finishing last season with a run of 11 games without a win. Having sold Dan Shittu to Watford yesterday, he may now have some money to invest in new signings.
Burnley (4-4-2): B Jensen — F Sinclair, W Thomas, M Duff, J Harley — S Jones, C McCann, J O’Connor (sub: W Elliott, 62min), A Mahon (sub: G O’Connor, 90) — A Gray, K Lafferty (sub: M Hyde, 62). Substitutes not used: McGreal, Foster. Booked: Duff, Harley, J O’Connor . NEXT Leicester City (a)
Queens Park Rangers (4-4-1-1): P Jones — M Bignot, D Stewart, M Rose, M Milanese — G Ainsworth, M Rowlands (sub: S Donnelly, 79), S Lomas (sub: R Jones, 66), L Cook — N Ward — A Czerkas (sub: M Bircham, 71). Substitues not used: J Cole, P Kanuyka. NEXT Leeds (h)
Referee: M Clattenburg. Attendance 12,190
Shots on target (h) 9 (a) 6. Fouls (h) 14 (a) 14. Offsides: (h) 2 (a) 0
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,435-2301918,00.html
Mirror 7 August 2006
TURF GUY JONES ROCKS RANGERS
Coca Cola CHAMPIONSHIP Burnley 2 QPR 0
By Scott Douglas
DEBUT boy Steve Jones continued piling on the agony for QPR at Turf Moor.
The striker netted twice on his Crewe debut four years ago against Rangers.
He then snubbed a move to the Londoners in the summer in favour of a free transfer move to Burnley.
And on Saturday he rubbed further salt into the wounds with a match-winning double against Gary Waddock's men.
Jones admitted: "I do like playing against them a lot. I scored two on my debut at Crewe against QPR and I said to my wife before the game that it would be amazing if it happened again. Lightning has struck twice for me.
"It's odd how things happen like this in football because I did have a chance to go there.
"I talked to QPR in the summer but there was too much uprooting for me and my family. Plus the fact I'm not a London boy. I don't like the bright lights and it's a different culture down there.
"I talked to seven clubs in the summer but as soon as I talked to Steve Cotterill I knew this was the place for me.
"I could have gone to Stoke and it would have taken me only 20 minutes to get there.
"But I live in Crewe and I think I might have got my house chopped up. So coming here was the perfect move for me and I'm so pleased it has started as well as this."
Jones was buzzing throughout the game - never more so than with his bizarre goal celebration after netting the 59th-minute opener.
He explained: "In Italy in pre-season we were playing a Playstation game called Buzz.
"The lads say I have a Manc accent and there is a Manc character in the game who does the celebration and the lads told me to do it if I scored."
Jones' opener arrived courtesy of some shocking QPR defending.
Alan Mahon's pass behind the visitors' backline looked too strong.
But with Kyle Lafferty and Andy Gray charging through, keeper Paul Jones fumbled the ball and it rolled out for Jones to side-foot home.
The guilty Rangers keeper said: "It took a couple of ricochets before it came through and it somehow squirmed out."
Jones could do little about the second when QPR were caught short by Mauro Milanese's sloppy pass out of defence.
Frank Sinclair intercepted and rolled the ball into Jones' path and the nippy hitman slipped away from his marker to score with a left-footed drive.
And there could have been more goals with Mahon bending a free-kick inches wide and sub Micah Hyde forcing a flying stop from Jones.
Rangers badly missed injured strikers Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen and skipper Gareth Ainsworth said: "It's hard for us at the moment having Gallen and Furlong out. Then we play against a lad who we tried to sign and he scores two goals."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17521417%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=turf%2dguy%2djones%2drocks%2drangers%2d-name_page.html
Sunday People 6 August 2006
JONES AT THE DOUBLE FOR A CLARETS FLIER
Burnley 2 QPR 0 Andrew Collomosse
NEW BOY Steve Jones hit a sharp double to give the Clarets a flying start to the season.
Jones, a free transfer signing from Crewe, had scored six goals in Burnley's successful pre-season campaign.
And he kept up the good work with two second-half strikes that ended some stubborn resistance from Rangers.
The Jones boy hit the jackpot in the 59th minute when he took advantage of a stumble by defender Matthew Rose and netted a typical poacher's goal.
Ten minutes later the Northern Ireland striker was on target again. He collected a pass from sub Micah Hyde before cutting inside to lash a 20-yarder past Paul Jones.
There was no way back for Rangers and on this showing fears of a long hard winter could be realised.
Yet for long spells Burnley were no better as they lived up to manager Steve Cotterill's warning to the fans not to read too much into their pre-season form.
Skill
The Clarets had included a win over Premiership neighbours Bolton in their build-up, but they rarely showed much cohesion in a dire first half.
In fact until Jones scored the only real skill on show had come from King Keepy Uppy Daniel Magness with his displays before the kick-off and during the interval.
Rangers were first to show when a flick from Lee Cook was headed over by Adam Czerkas in the tenth minute. Soon after, Nick Ward nodded a Martin Rowlands corner straight at Brian Jensen.
He should have done a lot better and he was almost made to pay when Chris McCann set up a chance for Andy Gray at the other end, only for Paul Jones to save.
Burnley produced the first classy raid of the match in the 29th minute when Kyle Lafferty headed a Steve Jones cross over the top from close range.
The game desperately needed a goal after a slow start and Jones provided it.
With a two-goal cushion, Burnley started to play some more fluent football and Hyde almost made it three with minutes to go.
BURNLEY: Jensen 6 - Sinclair 6, Thomas 6, Duff 6, Harley 6 - *S JONES 8, J O'Connor 6 (Elliott, 62mins, 6), McCann 6, Mahon 7 (O'Connor, 90mins) - Lafferty 6 (Hyde, 62mins, 6), Gray 6,
QPR: P Jones 7 - Bignot 6, Stewart 6, Rose 5, Milanese 6 - Ainsworth 5, Lowmass 6 (R Jones, 67mins, 6), *ROWLANDS 8 (Donnelly, 74mins), Cook 6 - Ward 7 - Czerkas 6 (Bircham, 70mins.5). Ref M Clattenburg 6.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17519603&method=full&siteid=93463&headline=jones-at-the-double-for-a-clarets-flier-name_page.html
Telegraph
Burnley (0) 2 Queens Park Rangers (0) 0
Burnley beat Queens Park Rangers thanks to a player that the London club tried to sign earlier this summer.
Steve Jones, a Northern Ireland international, ignited a laborious Turf Moor encounter with two clinically struck goals inside 10 second-half minutes - a debut feat that repeated his opening game double for his previous club, Crewe - also against Rangers - four years ago.
Jones said Rangers were one of seven clubs he spoke to after Crewe released him. "London was not for me. It would have meant uprooting my family and, after speaking to Burnley, I knew they were the club for me."
He revelled in the switch to a more central striking role after starting wide on the right. His 59th-minute opener to end the depressing deadlock after a sterile first half was a simple tap-in after Paul Jones, the visiting goalkeeper, was left unsighted when Kyle Lafferty challenged him.
"It was a bad goal to give away - we shot ourselves in the foot,"said Gary Waddock, the Rangers manager.
However, he had no complaints about "a fantastic second" from Jones, whose sweetly struck left-footed effort from 22 yards gave his namesake in goal no chance.
Match details
Burnley (4-4-2): Jensen; Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley; S Jones (G O'Connor 90), J O'Connor (Elliott 62), McCann, Mahon; Gray, Lafferty (Hyde 62).
Subs: McGreal, Foster.
Goals: S Jones (59, 69).
Booked: Duff, Harley, J O'Connor
Queens Park Rangers (4-4-1-1): P Jones; Bignot, Stewart, Rose, Milanese; Ainsworth, Lomas (R Jones 66), Rowlands (Donnelly 79), Cook; Ward; Czerkas (Bircham 71).
Subs: Cole, Kanyuka.
Referee: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=OE2C4GKBUC2EPQFIQMGCFF4AVCBQUIV0?xml=/sport/2006/08/07/sfgbur07.xml
The Times August 07, 2006
Keeping up with Jones is not easy
By Ron Lewis
Burnley 2 Queens Park Rangers 0
QUEENS PARK RANGERS FIELDED three new signings on Saturday, from Australia, Jamaica and Poland, Burnley had one, from Crewe Alexandra, but it was Steve Jones who scored the goals that gave his new side the perfect start to the new season.
Born in Londonderry, Jones moved to Oldham when he was 12 and had spells at Blackpool, Sligo Rovers and Leigh RMI before making his breakthrough in his mid-20s at Crewe. This summer he had seven clubs, including QPR, chasing his services. Jones, though, finds more pleasure in causing QPR pain.
“My wife said to me that I made my debut for Crewe against QPR and scored two goals and wouldn’t it be amazing if I did the same thing,” Jones said. “I talked to QPR but there was too much uprooting for me to go down there, I’m not a London boy. I knew as soon as I talked to Steve [Cotterill, the Burnley manager] that they were the ones for me and I didn’t have to move home. ”
Burnley struggled to come to terms with QPR’s five-man midfield in the first half but, after 58 minutes, hesitation in the visiting team’s defence let Kyle Lafferty slide in on Paul Jones, the goalkeeper, and Steve Jones tapped in the rebound. Eleven minutes later, Mauro Milanese gave the ball away to Frank Sinclair, who fed Jones to rocket the ball into the top corner.
With Kevin Gallen and Marc Nygaard injured, QPR started with a lone striker in Adam Czerkas, a 22-year-old on a year’s loan from Kolporter Korona in Poland. He received no support and QPR never looked like scoring. “You take those two out of the side and we are not much of a threat,” Gary Waddock, the manager, admitted. Waddock, who was made caretaker manager after Ian Holloway was sent on gardening leave in February, was given the job on a permanent basis in the summer despite finishing last season with a run of 11 games without a win. Having sold Dan Shittu to Watford yesterday, he may now have some money to invest in new signings.
Burnley (4-4-2): B Jensen — F Sinclair, W Thomas, M Duff, J Harley — S Jones, C McCann, J O’Connor (sub: W Elliott, 62min), A Mahon (sub: G O’Connor, 90) — A Gray, K Lafferty (sub: M Hyde, 62). Substitutes not used: McGreal, Foster. Booked: Duff, Harley, J O’Connor . NEXT Leicester City (a)
Queens Park Rangers (4-4-1-1): P Jones — M Bignot, D Stewart, M Rose, M Milanese — G Ainsworth, M Rowlands (sub: S Donnelly, 79), S Lomas (sub: R Jones, 66), L Cook — N Ward — A Czerkas (sub: M Bircham, 71). Substitues not used: J Cole, P Kanuyka. NEXT Leeds (h)
Referee: M Clattenburg. Attendance 12,190
Shots on target (h) 9 (a) 6. Fouls (h) 14 (a) 14. Offsides: (h) 2 (a) 0
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,435-2301918,00.html
Mirror 7 August 2006
TURF GUY JONES ROCKS RANGERS
Coca Cola CHAMPIONSHIP Burnley 2 QPR 0
By Scott Douglas
DEBUT boy Steve Jones continued piling on the agony for QPR at Turf Moor.
The striker netted twice on his Crewe debut four years ago against Rangers.
He then snubbed a move to the Londoners in the summer in favour of a free transfer move to Burnley.
And on Saturday he rubbed further salt into the wounds with a match-winning double against Gary Waddock's men.
Jones admitted: "I do like playing against them a lot. I scored two on my debut at Crewe against QPR and I said to my wife before the game that it would be amazing if it happened again. Lightning has struck twice for me.
"It's odd how things happen like this in football because I did have a chance to go there.
"I talked to QPR in the summer but there was too much uprooting for me and my family. Plus the fact I'm not a London boy. I don't like the bright lights and it's a different culture down there.
"I talked to seven clubs in the summer but as soon as I talked to Steve Cotterill I knew this was the place for me.
"I could have gone to Stoke and it would have taken me only 20 minutes to get there.
"But I live in Crewe and I think I might have got my house chopped up. So coming here was the perfect move for me and I'm so pleased it has started as well as this."
Jones was buzzing throughout the game - never more so than with his bizarre goal celebration after netting the 59th-minute opener.
He explained: "In Italy in pre-season we were playing a Playstation game called Buzz.
"The lads say I have a Manc accent and there is a Manc character in the game who does the celebration and the lads told me to do it if I scored."
Jones' opener arrived courtesy of some shocking QPR defending.
Alan Mahon's pass behind the visitors' backline looked too strong.
But with Kyle Lafferty and Andy Gray charging through, keeper Paul Jones fumbled the ball and it rolled out for Jones to side-foot home.
The guilty Rangers keeper said: "It took a couple of ricochets before it came through and it somehow squirmed out."
Jones could do little about the second when QPR were caught short by Mauro Milanese's sloppy pass out of defence.
Frank Sinclair intercepted and rolled the ball into Jones' path and the nippy hitman slipped away from his marker to score with a left-footed drive.
And there could have been more goals with Mahon bending a free-kick inches wide and sub Micah Hyde forcing a flying stop from Jones.
Rangers badly missed injured strikers Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen and skipper Gareth Ainsworth said: "It's hard for us at the moment having Gallen and Furlong out. Then we play against a lad who we tried to sign and he scores two goals."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17521417%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=turf%2dguy%2djones%2drocks%2drangers%2d-name_page.html
Sunday, August 06, 2006
WBA Comment on Shittu's Watford Choice
-
Watford Official Site
Shittu opts for Hornets
WATFORD BOUND...Shittu has joined the Hornets
ALBION target Dan Shittu has turned down a move to The Hawthorns in favour of joining newly-promoted Premiership outfit Watford.
After having a £1.5million offer for the Nigerian international accepted by QPR late Thursday night, the Baggies held talks with the player on Friday.
However, Shittu has rejected Albion's offer of a long-term deal and, after subsequent discussions with Watford, who had a similar bid accepted by QPR, he has decided to join the Vicarage Road outfit.
Chairman Jeremy Peace said: "We were well aware of Watford's initial interest in the player but were told by his agent that their interest had ended.
"Therefore, we negotiated a fee for the player with QPR in good faith and reached agreement with them on Thursday night.
"We arranged for the player to travel to The Hawthorns on Friday morning.
"The player arrived at the club with his agent. He underwent a medical and was offered what we believe were very good terms over a long-term contract.
"We feel we did everything possible to secure the player.
"However, we found out during the course of our negotiations that Watford's interest had been rekindled and that the player wanted to have talks with them.
"Clearly, the lure of playing in the Premiership has influenced the player's decision."
http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10366~877750,00.html
Watford Official Site
Shittu opts for Hornets
WATFORD BOUND...Shittu has joined the Hornets
ALBION target Dan Shittu has turned down a move to The Hawthorns in favour of joining newly-promoted Premiership outfit Watford.
After having a £1.5million offer for the Nigerian international accepted by QPR late Thursday night, the Baggies held talks with the player on Friday.
However, Shittu has rejected Albion's offer of a long-term deal and, after subsequent discussions with Watford, who had a similar bid accepted by QPR, he has decided to join the Vicarage Road outfit.
Chairman Jeremy Peace said: "We were well aware of Watford's initial interest in the player but were told by his agent that their interest had ended.
"Therefore, we negotiated a fee for the player with QPR in good faith and reached agreement with them on Thursday night.
"We arranged for the player to travel to The Hawthorns on Friday morning.
"The player arrived at the club with his agent. He underwent a medical and was offered what we believe were very good terms over a long-term contract.
"We feel we did everything possible to secure the player.
"However, we found out during the course of our negotiations that Watford's interest had been rekindled and that the player wanted to have talks with them.
"Clearly, the lure of playing in the Premiership has influenced the player's decision."
http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10366~877750,00.html
Former QPR Chairman, Bill Power reportedly in Serious Plane Crash
-
Updated - Swindon Official Site
CLUB STATEMENT
Further to the earlier statement, the club can now confirm the names of the club officials involved in the light aircraft crash at Denham on Saturday evening.
Swindon Town Chief Executive, Mark Devlin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Mike Sullivan, recent investor Bill Power, together with Mark's son, Stan were travelling back from the opening day fixture at Hartlepool United by plane when the aircraft came down at Denham Golf Course in Buckinghamshire just after 7pm.
The County Ground
All, together with the pilot and an un-named passenger are currently receiving treatment at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough.
http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10341~877788,00.html
Updated: BBC
Football officials on crash plane
Three senior officials of a football club were among six people on board a light aircraft that crashed on a golf course in Buckinghamshire.
The Cessna 310 came down in woods close to Denham Golf Course on Saturday.
The pilot, aged 57, was seriously injured. He was taken to hospital with four other men and a boy.
Swindon Town Football Club confirmed three officials were injured in the crash as they flew back from the first match of the season at Hartlepool.
'Sealed off'
The passengers, aged 53, 52, 45 and 43 and a 10-year-old boy, are all said to be in a stable condition.
All six injured people were taken to Wexham Park Hospital.
A Denham Airfield spokesman said the plane crashed near the airfield at about 1900 BST on Saturday.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said members of the public had reported a twin-engine aircraft going down in a wooded area of the golf course.
Air accident investigators have been examining the wreckage of the aircraft and the site remained sealed off on Sunday
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/5250344.stm
It's been reported on the various messageboards.
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/qprlsa/vpost?id=1295502
http://www.qpr.org/forum/viewtopic.php?topic_view=threads&p=244451&t=82747
SWINDON OFFICIAL STATEMENT
windon Town FC can confirm that three high-profile members of the club were involved in a light aircraft incident on Saturday evening.
The three club officials were travelling back from the opening day fixture at Hartlepool United by plane when the aircraft came down at Denham Golf Course in Buckinghamshire just after 7pm.
The County Ground
The pilot, four other men aged 53, 52, 45 and 43 and a 10-year-old boy were taken to Wexham Park Hospital.
Whilst injuries have been sustained, none are thought to be life threatening and a further update will be issued as soon as more details become available
http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10341~877788,00.html
Updated - Swindon Official Site
CLUB STATEMENT
Further to the earlier statement, the club can now confirm the names of the club officials involved in the light aircraft crash at Denham on Saturday evening.
Swindon Town Chief Executive, Mark Devlin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Mike Sullivan, recent investor Bill Power, together with Mark's son, Stan were travelling back from the opening day fixture at Hartlepool United by plane when the aircraft came down at Denham Golf Course in Buckinghamshire just after 7pm.
The County Ground
All, together with the pilot and an un-named passenger are currently receiving treatment at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough.
http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10341~877788,00.html
Updated: BBC
Football officials on crash plane
Three senior officials of a football club were among six people on board a light aircraft that crashed on a golf course in Buckinghamshire.
The Cessna 310 came down in woods close to Denham Golf Course on Saturday.
The pilot, aged 57, was seriously injured. He was taken to hospital with four other men and a boy.
Swindon Town Football Club confirmed three officials were injured in the crash as they flew back from the first match of the season at Hartlepool.
'Sealed off'
The passengers, aged 53, 52, 45 and 43 and a 10-year-old boy, are all said to be in a stable condition.
All six injured people were taken to Wexham Park Hospital.
A Denham Airfield spokesman said the plane crashed near the airfield at about 1900 BST on Saturday.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said members of the public had reported a twin-engine aircraft going down in a wooded area of the golf course.
Air accident investigators have been examining the wreckage of the aircraft and the site remained sealed off on Sunday
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/5250344.stm
It's been reported on the various messageboards.
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/qprlsa/vpost?id=1295502
http://www.qpr.org/forum/viewtopic.php?topic_view=threads&p=244451&t=82747
SWINDON OFFICIAL STATEMENT
windon Town FC can confirm that three high-profile members of the club were involved in a light aircraft incident on Saturday evening.
The three club officials were travelling back from the opening day fixture at Hartlepool United by plane when the aircraft came down at Denham Golf Course in Buckinghamshire just after 7pm.
The County Ground
The pilot, four other men aged 53, 52, 45 and 43 and a 10-year-old boy were taken to Wexham Park Hospital.
Whilst injuries have been sustained, none are thought to be life threatening and a further update will be issued as soon as more details become available
http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10341~877788,00.html
An Eventful Week for QPR as Chairman Paladini Lambasts Some Fans and Reveals a Plot
-
NB: Update: And then after writing/posting this, came the news of the plane crash involving former Chairman Bill Power, and apparently also Mark Devlin and his son. As of this writing, all were fairly badly injured but are alive.
Even for the last week prior to the start of the new season, it's been an eventful one for QPR and for Chairman Gianni Paladini.
The week started with the team having returned from their two-match trip to Italy and ended with QPR recovering from an opening 0-2 defeat at Burnley (with both goals coming from Burnley's new forward, who QPR themselves tried to sign.
Almost all punsters have predicted a season of intense struggle for QPR, with several tipping QPR for relegation. And QPR target, Stoke's Carl Henry joined Wolves. And during the week, QPR's center back Ian Evatt joined Blackpool on a six months loan.
For much of the week, there have been reports about Center half, Danny Shittu's transfer, with Paladini repeatedly declaring that the fee was 3 million pounds. By the end of the week, Shittu looked set for West Bromwich Albion as the two clubs agreed terms...A couple of days later, Shittu's signing was announced by Watford. The fee 1.6 million pounds up front. It could move up to 3 million, depending of appearances and Watford success. If there's a sell-on clause, it hasn't yet been revealed.
But perhaps the most noteworthy incident this week was the fan rumours that the training ground had been closed. A couple of newspapers reported on this asserted closing including the Daily Miror.
And then the club issued a couple of statements: One statement strongly criticizing the papers' reporting and another by Chairman Paladini making some very strong charges
And then the week came to an end with an interview in the Sunday Mirror with the Chairman in the in which he made some additional assertions about some unspecified fans...and also of a alleged threat to kill him.
So in his statement published on the QPR Official Site, Paladini among other things said:
"....It is frustrating that, despite all the hard work everyone has been doing during pre-season, a tiny minority of people seem intent on damaging team morale and destroying the Club in the run up to our important first game.
"Not only have they once again invented wholly false rumours about the state of the Club, but unfortunately a couple of journalists with a record of writing stories against QPR, and with links to some of the individuals intent on destabilising the Club, have blown up these rumours and made up stories from nothing.
"Last week it was suggested in some of the press that we were putting QPR up for sale. Unfortunately the journalists responsible for this story failed to even check the official statement from Antonio Caliendo, Chairman of Holdings, on the Club's official website, making clear the Board's continued commitment to QPR....
"The Club is in a better financial position than it has been in for a number of years. Things are still tough, but we have reduced the annual debt by millions and intend to reduce it further. Yet ridiculous rumours still seem to be invented by a few people for reasons beyond me.
"The latest is the absurd rumour suggested on a message board that the players were locked out of the Harlington training ground, when in fact Gary Waddock had just given them the day off as they had only recently arrived back from a busy schedule in Italy.
"The same newspaper that had to apologise for a series of inaccurate stories about me last season, the Evening Standard, then chose to repeat this wholly false rumour as fact without even checking with me, the coaching staff, or even Imperial College - the owners of the training ground.
"In an article by a journalist named Wayne Vesey, under the headline 'Locked-out Rangers are unable to train' the Standard claimed that the Club was locked out of the training ground on Monday. Such a clearly false statement damages the reputation of the Club, and the morale of the players and supporters. I have been advised it is libellous and our lawyers will be contacting the Standard immediately to demand a retraction.
"QPR fans will ask themselves why should people invent such rumours? The purpose can only be to destabilise the Club and to injure the morale of players and fans just days before the season kicks off. The Club will not allow another season to be derailed by these people.
"The Board, Gary Waddock and the coaching staff, and the players and other members of staff, are all united in our focus to move this great club forward and to achieve success this season on the pitch. We believe we have the squad and the resources to do so. We will not allow a tiny group of people, driven by an agenda that has nothing to do with football, to destroy this Club.
"I urge all fans to treat such rumour-mongers with the contempt and scepticism they deserve. They have been claiming we would go into administration every week for the past year, and they never admit they are wrong when we don't.
"They claimed we were locked out of the training ground before and even that the groundsmen would not cut the grass at the stadium. They predicted we would spend all the Club's money on agents' fees when we have spent less than nearly any other club in this division. They predicted we would sell off Loftus Road and all our best players because we could not afford their wages.
"Just yesterday they claimed we were locked out of the training ground because we could not afford the rent; but today, as scheduled, our players are training at the training ground. On each and every occasion their rumours have been proven false.
"As I believe you say in England, when someone cries wolf so many times, people stop listening. But every time the rumour-mongers are proven wrong they invent another rumour, so desperate to be proven right and for the Club to fail.
"For the last time I say to those who's criticism of the Board has developed into an agenda to undermine the Club, if you know of a better alternative to take QPR forward with the necessary funding to support it, then please let us know. Otherwise stop pursuing a divisive and destructive agenda. The Board, the players and staff and the thousands of fans of QPR will not allow a small selfish group to ruin the season for the rest of us.... " http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~875457,00.html
And in his Sunday Mirror Interview, Paladini was reported as saying:
Sunday Mirror 6 August 2006
LIVING IN FEAR -Contract killer threat forces QPR chairman to wear a bullet-proof vest GIANNI PALADINI EXCLUSIVE Anthony Clavane
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini is living in fear after a contract was legedly put out on his life. Following advice by the police, the controversial Rangers chief now has to wear a bullet-proof vest.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport, Paladini hit out at fans opposed to his regime at Loftus Road, calling them the "enemy within".
Paladini said: "I find it incredible what's going on here. You have to fight against so many things. This must be the only club where the fans love to put s**t on their own club on the website."
Two weeks ago, a group of men were cleared of forcing Paladini to resign at gunpoint during a match against Sheffield United. The Italian tycoon claimed he was surrounded by hired thugs, punched and slapped, and then warned he'd be killed if he refused to sign a letter of resignation.
But a judge threw out the case against the men. There is no suggestion that any of those men are involved in the alleged contract on Paladini....
Ever since Paladini became a director of the debt-ridden Championship club he has faced hostile criticism from a section of supporters.
The Italian tycoon was furious to discover an attempt to sabotage an interview with him on the QPR website after he returned from the R's pre-season tour of his home country. He said: "I went mad. It's been cancelled now. They're trying to wind me up. I give up, I really do. I nearly got a heart attack when I saw it. "They put the face of a fan up there, somebody is stirring things up.
"Sometimes I wonder why I got myself involved in this situation. Whatever you do, you can't win. Even if you win the league and get promoted, you'll still have people who criticise.
"I feel like a dartboard. People are always throwing darts at me.
"We have an enemy within. What kind of people do these things? How can you be a QPR fan when you put this s**t in?"
Paladini also suspected foul play when one newspaper reported last week that Rangers players were turned away from their training ground because the rent had not been paid.
He blasted: "This did not happen. I have a statement showing we paid Imperial College, who we rent the ground from, £32,250 on 18 July. How can they shut it for non-payment two weeks after paying the rent? It's insane.
"There were people from a QPR fan group outside the training ground at 7.20am, putting it out that the players had been locked out. "But people were asleep at that time. The players didn't go in until 10am.
"They put out so much s**t, so much rubbish, that I just give up.
"Since I've come here there's been problem after problem after problem but now, thank God, it's all left behind. Now we will only concentrate on the football and take this club forward.
"With the players we've brought in and the new manager, Gary Waddock, we're looking forward to an exciting season.
"We've reduced the average age of the team and we've brought in players to give us stability for the next two or three years.
"It's been a very difficult time. But it's business as usual. I just carry on doing my job.
"In this game you need a lot of money. When I came here we were losing more than £500,000 a year but, by the end of next season, we should be out of debt.
"I'm lucky that the people with me they are prepared to put in money. This month, to pay the wages, they had to put in more money."
When I came here we got promoted and we've been two years in the Championship. Look at clubs like Birmingham, who spend eight or nine million, or Wolves, Coventry, Leeds. "They spend a fortune every year. They are on a very different level to us.
"Fortunately I've been involved in foot ball for the last 30 years and it's helped me a lot, because I1 can get certain players in."
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17519942%26method=full%26siteid=62484-name_page.html
NB: Update: And then after writing/posting this, came the news of the plane crash involving former Chairman Bill Power, and apparently also Mark Devlin and his son. As of this writing, all were fairly badly injured but are alive.
Even for the last week prior to the start of the new season, it's been an eventful one for QPR and for Chairman Gianni Paladini.
The week started with the team having returned from their two-match trip to Italy and ended with QPR recovering from an opening 0-2 defeat at Burnley (with both goals coming from Burnley's new forward, who QPR themselves tried to sign.
Almost all punsters have predicted a season of intense struggle for QPR, with several tipping QPR for relegation. And QPR target, Stoke's Carl Henry joined Wolves. And during the week, QPR's center back Ian Evatt joined Blackpool on a six months loan.
For much of the week, there have been reports about Center half, Danny Shittu's transfer, with Paladini repeatedly declaring that the fee was 3 million pounds. By the end of the week, Shittu looked set for West Bromwich Albion as the two clubs agreed terms...A couple of days later, Shittu's signing was announced by Watford. The fee 1.6 million pounds up front. It could move up to 3 million, depending of appearances and Watford success. If there's a sell-on clause, it hasn't yet been revealed.
But perhaps the most noteworthy incident this week was the fan rumours that the training ground had been closed. A couple of newspapers reported on this asserted closing including the Daily Miror.
And then the club issued a couple of statements: One statement strongly criticizing the papers' reporting and another by Chairman Paladini making some very strong charges
And then the week came to an end with an interview in the Sunday Mirror with the Chairman in the in which he made some additional assertions about some unspecified fans...and also of a alleged threat to kill him.
So in his statement published on the QPR Official Site, Paladini among other things said:
"....It is frustrating that, despite all the hard work everyone has been doing during pre-season, a tiny minority of people seem intent on damaging team morale and destroying the Club in the run up to our important first game.
"Not only have they once again invented wholly false rumours about the state of the Club, but unfortunately a couple of journalists with a record of writing stories against QPR, and with links to some of the individuals intent on destabilising the Club, have blown up these rumours and made up stories from nothing.
"Last week it was suggested in some of the press that we were putting QPR up for sale. Unfortunately the journalists responsible for this story failed to even check the official statement from Antonio Caliendo, Chairman of Holdings, on the Club's official website, making clear the Board's continued commitment to QPR....
"The Club is in a better financial position than it has been in for a number of years. Things are still tough, but we have reduced the annual debt by millions and intend to reduce it further. Yet ridiculous rumours still seem to be invented by a few people for reasons beyond me.
"The latest is the absurd rumour suggested on a message board that the players were locked out of the Harlington training ground, when in fact Gary Waddock had just given them the day off as they had only recently arrived back from a busy schedule in Italy.
"The same newspaper that had to apologise for a series of inaccurate stories about me last season, the Evening Standard, then chose to repeat this wholly false rumour as fact without even checking with me, the coaching staff, or even Imperial College - the owners of the training ground.
"In an article by a journalist named Wayne Vesey, under the headline 'Locked-out Rangers are unable to train' the Standard claimed that the Club was locked out of the training ground on Monday. Such a clearly false statement damages the reputation of the Club, and the morale of the players and supporters. I have been advised it is libellous and our lawyers will be contacting the Standard immediately to demand a retraction.
"QPR fans will ask themselves why should people invent such rumours? The purpose can only be to destabilise the Club and to injure the morale of players and fans just days before the season kicks off. The Club will not allow another season to be derailed by these people.
"The Board, Gary Waddock and the coaching staff, and the players and other members of staff, are all united in our focus to move this great club forward and to achieve success this season on the pitch. We believe we have the squad and the resources to do so. We will not allow a tiny group of people, driven by an agenda that has nothing to do with football, to destroy this Club.
"I urge all fans to treat such rumour-mongers with the contempt and scepticism they deserve. They have been claiming we would go into administration every week for the past year, and they never admit they are wrong when we don't.
"They claimed we were locked out of the training ground before and even that the groundsmen would not cut the grass at the stadium. They predicted we would spend all the Club's money on agents' fees when we have spent less than nearly any other club in this division. They predicted we would sell off Loftus Road and all our best players because we could not afford their wages.
"Just yesterday they claimed we were locked out of the training ground because we could not afford the rent; but today, as scheduled, our players are training at the training ground. On each and every occasion their rumours have been proven false.
"As I believe you say in England, when someone cries wolf so many times, people stop listening. But every time the rumour-mongers are proven wrong they invent another rumour, so desperate to be proven right and for the Club to fail.
"For the last time I say to those who's criticism of the Board has developed into an agenda to undermine the Club, if you know of a better alternative to take QPR forward with the necessary funding to support it, then please let us know. Otherwise stop pursuing a divisive and destructive agenda. The Board, the players and staff and the thousands of fans of QPR will not allow a small selfish group to ruin the season for the rest of us.... " http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~875457,00.html
And in his Sunday Mirror Interview, Paladini was reported as saying:
Sunday Mirror 6 August 2006
LIVING IN FEAR -Contract killer threat forces QPR chairman to wear a bullet-proof vest GIANNI PALADINI EXCLUSIVE Anthony Clavane
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini is living in fear after a contract was legedly put out on his life. Following advice by the police, the controversial Rangers chief now has to wear a bullet-proof vest.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport, Paladini hit out at fans opposed to his regime at Loftus Road, calling them the "enemy within".
Paladini said: "I find it incredible what's going on here. You have to fight against so many things. This must be the only club where the fans love to put s**t on their own club on the website."
Two weeks ago, a group of men were cleared of forcing Paladini to resign at gunpoint during a match against Sheffield United. The Italian tycoon claimed he was surrounded by hired thugs, punched and slapped, and then warned he'd be killed if he refused to sign a letter of resignation.
But a judge threw out the case against the men. There is no suggestion that any of those men are involved in the alleged contract on Paladini....
Ever since Paladini became a director of the debt-ridden Championship club he has faced hostile criticism from a section of supporters.
The Italian tycoon was furious to discover an attempt to sabotage an interview with him on the QPR website after he returned from the R's pre-season tour of his home country. He said: "I went mad. It's been cancelled now. They're trying to wind me up. I give up, I really do. I nearly got a heart attack when I saw it. "They put the face of a fan up there, somebody is stirring things up.
"Sometimes I wonder why I got myself involved in this situation. Whatever you do, you can't win. Even if you win the league and get promoted, you'll still have people who criticise.
"I feel like a dartboard. People are always throwing darts at me.
"We have an enemy within. What kind of people do these things? How can you be a QPR fan when you put this s**t in?"
Paladini also suspected foul play when one newspaper reported last week that Rangers players were turned away from their training ground because the rent had not been paid.
He blasted: "This did not happen. I have a statement showing we paid Imperial College, who we rent the ground from, £32,250 on 18 July. How can they shut it for non-payment two weeks after paying the rent? It's insane.
"There were people from a QPR fan group outside the training ground at 7.20am, putting it out that the players had been locked out. "But people were asleep at that time. The players didn't go in until 10am.
"They put out so much s**t, so much rubbish, that I just give up.
"Since I've come here there's been problem after problem after problem but now, thank God, it's all left behind. Now we will only concentrate on the football and take this club forward.
"With the players we've brought in and the new manager, Gary Waddock, we're looking forward to an exciting season.
"We've reduced the average age of the team and we've brought in players to give us stability for the next two or three years.
"It's been a very difficult time. But it's business as usual. I just carry on doing my job.
"In this game you need a lot of money. When I came here we were losing more than £500,000 a year but, by the end of next season, we should be out of debt.
"I'm lucky that the people with me they are prepared to put in money. This month, to pay the wages, they had to put in more money."
When I came here we got promoted and we've been two years in the Championship. Look at clubs like Birmingham, who spend eight or nine million, or Wolves, Coventry, Leeds. "They spend a fortune every year. They are on a very different level to us.
"Fortunately I've been involved in foot ball for the last 30 years and it's helped me a lot, because I1 can get certain players in."
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17519942%26method=full%26siteid=62484-name_page.html
Burnley's Scorer Jonah Jones - Reminder How Dario Gradi Thwarted Holloway's Transfer Effort
-
Jonah price doubled for QPR boss Feb 1 2006
Crewe Chronicle
DARIO Gradi is still seething at QPR's public interest in Steve Jones, and insists they would have pay double the price.
Ian Holloway went public about his admiration for the Northern Ireland international, but Gradi raged: 'I wasn't happy with the way Holloway blurted everything out the way he did. Therefore, I wouldn't do business with QPR if I could possibly avoid it.
'They usually do their business through the papers. Whatever cash we would accept from other clubs, I would want double from them.'
He added: 'I expect Steve to be here until the end of the season. But we can't better the contract we offered him, so he will go where he wants in the summer.'
Stoke City are one of a number of clubs who have enquired about the 29-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, but no bids have been received.
http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewealexandra/news/tm_objectid=16652871%26method=full%26siteid=50020%26headline=jonah%2dprice%2ddoubled%2dfor%2dqpr%2dboss%2d-name_page.html
Gradi slams Holloway
Sky Sports - By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 19 Jan 2006
Crewe boss Dario Gradi has slammed QPR manager Ian Holloway for discussing the future of one of his players with the media.
Holloway has claimed that Crewe are asking too much money for striker Steve Jones, whose contract expires in June.
"There are just some situations where players are out of contract in the summer and at the moment their clubs are asking for ridiculous fees," Holloway commented.
"We spoke to Crewe about the possibility of signing Steve Jones and they were asking for £300,000 when he is out of contract in six months time, on a free. That is just bad business."
The outspoken Gradi has hit back strongly though, telling Holloway that he has no right to talk about Jones.
"He is out of order to be speaking about my players because it is none of his business," Gradi told Crewe's official website.
"A few people have spoken to me about Steve Jones but it's ridiculous what some clubs are trying to do."
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=355307&plid=10097&clid=51&cpid=10
See ALso: http://www.qpr-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=262963
Jonah price doubled for QPR boss Feb 1 2006
Crewe Chronicle
DARIO Gradi is still seething at QPR's public interest in Steve Jones, and insists they would have pay double the price.
Ian Holloway went public about his admiration for the Northern Ireland international, but Gradi raged: 'I wasn't happy with the way Holloway blurted everything out the way he did. Therefore, I wouldn't do business with QPR if I could possibly avoid it.
'They usually do their business through the papers. Whatever cash we would accept from other clubs, I would want double from them.'
He added: 'I expect Steve to be here until the end of the season. But we can't better the contract we offered him, so he will go where he wants in the summer.'
Stoke City are one of a number of clubs who have enquired about the 29-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, but no bids have been received.
http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/crewealexandra/news/tm_objectid=16652871%26method=full%26siteid=50020%26headline=jonah%2dprice%2ddoubled%2dfor%2dqpr%2dboss%2d-name_page.html
Gradi slams Holloway
Sky Sports - By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 19 Jan 2006
Crewe boss Dario Gradi has slammed QPR manager Ian Holloway for discussing the future of one of his players with the media.
Holloway has claimed that Crewe are asking too much money for striker Steve Jones, whose contract expires in June.
"There are just some situations where players are out of contract in the summer and at the moment their clubs are asking for ridiculous fees," Holloway commented.
"We spoke to Crewe about the possibility of signing Steve Jones and they were asking for £300,000 when he is out of contract in six months time, on a free. That is just bad business."
The outspoken Gradi has hit back strongly though, telling Holloway that he has no right to talk about Jones.
"He is out of order to be speaking about my players because it is none of his business," Gradi told Crewe's official website.
"A few people have spoken to me about Steve Jones but it's ridiculous what some clubs are trying to do."
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=355307&plid=10097&clid=51&cpid=10
See ALso: http://www.qpr-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=262963
QPR Defender Danny Shittu Joins Watford
-
BBC - Watford bag Shittu from Rangers
"...Watford have signed QPR defender Danny Shittu for an initial fee of £1.6m.
The 25-year-old had looked to be heading for West Bromwich Albion after Rangers accepted a £1.5m offer. But the Hornets scuppered West Brom's plans, signing the Nigerian international on a three-year contract in a deal that could rise to £3m.
"We're signing another player who fits the Watford way, hungry to learn and to prove his worth at the very top level," said Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd..."
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/5250308.stm
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
SHITTU HORNETTED
Dan Shittu has today signed for Watford after the Hornets made an improved offer for the Rangers defender.
The verbal agreement QPR had previously reached with West Bromwich Albion on Thursday was sidelined after Watford presented an offer which couldn't be ignored.
QPR will now see an improved sum up front as soon as Shittu makes the short journey to Hertfordshire, plus further potential earnings subject to various criteria being fulfilled.
The terms and conditions of further revenue generators, which incorporate appearances and future Watford success, were also an improvement on the initial offer that the Baggies had put on the table.
The lure of Premiership football and the fact Shittu would now no longer have to relocate was also too tempting for the defender to turn down.
Shittu's contract will see him stay at Vicarage Road for the next three seasons and he will be eligible to play in Tuesday night's game against Inter Milan.
Shittu signed for QPR in January 2001 from Charlton Athletic for an initial fee of £250,000, after spending two months on loan at Loftus Road.
Since his move to Loftus Road, Shittu made 172 appearances and netted 16 goals for the Superhoops.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~877736,00.html
WATFORD OFFICIAL SITE
DANNY DEAL CONFIRMED
WATFORD have today (Sunday) completed the signing of central defender Danny Shittu from Queens Park Rangers for an initial fee of £1.6m.
Danny Shittu
The 25-year-old completed formalities late last night, penning a deal that will see him stay at Vicarage Road for the next three seasons.
Shittu sat out the Hoops' seasonal opener at Burnley yesterday having previously made nearly 200 appearances for the Loftus Road outfit.
And a delighted Hornets' boss Aidy Boothroyd hailed the signing of Shittu as a major stepping-stone in his Premiership preparations.
"In Danny we're signing another player who fits the Watford way - hungry to learn, and eager to prove his worth at the very, very top level against the best.
"He is somebody that we have been chasing for some time and I'm pleased that he will now have the chance to fight for a place along with the other excellent centre-halves we have at the club."
Shittu will now link up with his new team mates and will be available for Tuesday night's high-profile friendly with Inter Milan.
The Hornets could pay up to a further £1.4m for the Nigerian international depending on appearances and further Watford successes.
Shittu was subject to a £1.5m bid earlier this week by Championship side West Bromwich Albion, but Watford subsequently had there slightly improved offer accepted by QPR Chairman Gianni Paladin
http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10400~877379,00.html?ptvParm=
BBC - Watford bag Shittu from Rangers
"...Watford have signed QPR defender Danny Shittu for an initial fee of £1.6m.
The 25-year-old had looked to be heading for West Bromwich Albion after Rangers accepted a £1.5m offer. But the Hornets scuppered West Brom's plans, signing the Nigerian international on a three-year contract in a deal that could rise to £3m.
"We're signing another player who fits the Watford way, hungry to learn and to prove his worth at the very top level," said Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd..."
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/5250308.stm
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
SHITTU HORNETTED
Dan Shittu has today signed for Watford after the Hornets made an improved offer for the Rangers defender.
The verbal agreement QPR had previously reached with West Bromwich Albion on Thursday was sidelined after Watford presented an offer which couldn't be ignored.
QPR will now see an improved sum up front as soon as Shittu makes the short journey to Hertfordshire, plus further potential earnings subject to various criteria being fulfilled.
The terms and conditions of further revenue generators, which incorporate appearances and future Watford success, were also an improvement on the initial offer that the Baggies had put on the table.
The lure of Premiership football and the fact Shittu would now no longer have to relocate was also too tempting for the defender to turn down.
Shittu's contract will see him stay at Vicarage Road for the next three seasons and he will be eligible to play in Tuesday night's game against Inter Milan.
Shittu signed for QPR in January 2001 from Charlton Athletic for an initial fee of £250,000, after spending two months on loan at Loftus Road.
Since his move to Loftus Road, Shittu made 172 appearances and netted 16 goals for the Superhoops.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~877736,00.html
WATFORD OFFICIAL SITE
DANNY DEAL CONFIRMED
WATFORD have today (Sunday) completed the signing of central defender Danny Shittu from Queens Park Rangers for an initial fee of £1.6m.
Danny Shittu
The 25-year-old completed formalities late last night, penning a deal that will see him stay at Vicarage Road for the next three seasons.
Shittu sat out the Hoops' seasonal opener at Burnley yesterday having previously made nearly 200 appearances for the Loftus Road outfit.
And a delighted Hornets' boss Aidy Boothroyd hailed the signing of Shittu as a major stepping-stone in his Premiership preparations.
"In Danny we're signing another player who fits the Watford way - hungry to learn, and eager to prove his worth at the very, very top level against the best.
"He is somebody that we have been chasing for some time and I'm pleased that he will now have the chance to fight for a place along with the other excellent centre-halves we have at the club."
Shittu will now link up with his new team mates and will be available for Tuesday night's high-profile friendly with Inter Milan.
The Hornets could pay up to a further £1.4m for the Nigerian international depending on appearances and further Watford successes.
Shittu was subject to a £1.5m bid earlier this week by Championship side West Bromwich Albion, but Watford subsequently had there slightly improved offer accepted by QPR Chairman Gianni Paladin
http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10400~877379,00.html?ptvParm=
QPR Chairman Paladini: "Living in Fear...Bullet Proof vest...Enemy Within"
-
Sunday Mirror 6 August 2006
LIVING IN FEAR
Contract killer threat forces QPR chairman to wear a bullet-proof vest GIANNI PALADINI EXCLUSIVE
Anthony Clavane
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini is living in fear after a contract was legedly put out on his life.
Following advice by the police, the controversial Rangers chief now has to wear a bullet-proof vest.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport, Paladini hit out at fans opposed to his regime at Loftus Road, calling them the "enemy within".
Paladini said: "I find it incredible what's going on here. You have to fight against so many things. This must be the only club where the fans love to put s**t on their own club on the website."
Two weeks ago, a group of men were cleared of forcing Paladini to resign at gunpoint during a match against Sheffield United.
The Italian tycoon claimed he was surrounded by hired thugs, punched and slapped, and then warned he'd be killed if he refused to sign a letter of resignation.
But a judge threw out the case against the men. There is no suggestion that any of those men are involved in the alleged contract on Paladini.
Former agent Paladini invested £600,000 in the West London outfit in March 2004 and was initially employed as a consultant to bring in players.
Last year he ousted Bill Power as QPR chairman, removed chief executive Mark Devlin and claimed victory in a bitter struggle for control of the club.
But one of his strongest allies, former Brazil skipper Carlos Dunga, resigned from the board last week after his shock appointment as his country's new national coach.
Ever since Paladini became a director of the debt-ridden Championship club he has faced hostile criticism from a section of supporters.
The Italian tycoon was furious to discover an attempt to sabotage an interview with him on the QPR website after he returned from the R's pre-season tour of his home country.
He said: "I went mad. It's been cancelled now. They're trying to wind me up. I give up, I really do. I nearly got a heart attack when I saw it.
"They put the face of a fan up there, somebody is stirring things up.
"Sometimes I wonder why I got myself involved in this situation. Whatever you do, you can't win. Even if you win the league and get promoted, you'll still have people who criticise.
"I feel like a dartboard. People are always throwing darts at me.
"We have an enemy within. What kind of people do these things? How can you be a QPR fan when you put this s**t in?"
Paladini also suspected foul play when one newspaper reported last week that Rangers players were turned away from their training ground because the rent had not been paid.
He blasted: "This did not happen. I have a statement showing we paid Imperial College, who we rent the ground from, £32,250 on 18 July. How can they shut it for non-payment two weeks after paying the rent? It's insane.
"There were people from a QPR fan group outside the training ground at 7.20am, putting it out that the players had been locked out.
"But people were asleep at that time. The players didn't go in until 10am.
"They put out so much s**t, so much rubbish, that I just give up.
"Since I've come here there's been problem after problem after problem but now, thank God, it's all left behind. Now we will only concentrate on the football and take this club forward.
"With the players we've brought in and the new manager, Gary Waddock, we're looking forward to an exciting season.
"We've reduced the average age of the team and we've brought in players to give us stability for the next two or three years.
"It's been a very difficult time. But it's business as usual. I just carry on doing my job.
"In this game you need a lot of money. When I came here we were losing more than £500,000 a year but, by the end of next season, we should be out of debt.
"I'm lucky that the people with me they are prepared to put in money. This month, to pay the wages, they had to put in more money."
"When I came here we got promoted and we've been two years in the Championship. Look at clubs like Birmingham, who spend eight or nine million, or Wolves, Coventry, Leeds.
"They spend a fortune every year. They are on a very different level to us.
"Fortunately I've been involved in foot ball for the last 30 years and it's helped me a lot, because I1 can get certain players in."
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17519942%26method=full%26siteid=62484-name_page.html
Sunday Mirror 6 August 2006
LIVING IN FEAR
Contract killer threat forces QPR chairman to wear a bullet-proof vest GIANNI PALADINI EXCLUSIVE
Anthony Clavane
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini is living in fear after a contract was legedly put out on his life.
Following advice by the police, the controversial Rangers chief now has to wear a bullet-proof vest.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport, Paladini hit out at fans opposed to his regime at Loftus Road, calling them the "enemy within".
Paladini said: "I find it incredible what's going on here. You have to fight against so many things. This must be the only club where the fans love to put s**t on their own club on the website."
Two weeks ago, a group of men were cleared of forcing Paladini to resign at gunpoint during a match against Sheffield United.
The Italian tycoon claimed he was surrounded by hired thugs, punched and slapped, and then warned he'd be killed if he refused to sign a letter of resignation.
But a judge threw out the case against the men. There is no suggestion that any of those men are involved in the alleged contract on Paladini.
Former agent Paladini invested £600,000 in the West London outfit in March 2004 and was initially employed as a consultant to bring in players.
Last year he ousted Bill Power as QPR chairman, removed chief executive Mark Devlin and claimed victory in a bitter struggle for control of the club.
But one of his strongest allies, former Brazil skipper Carlos Dunga, resigned from the board last week after his shock appointment as his country's new national coach.
Ever since Paladini became a director of the debt-ridden Championship club he has faced hostile criticism from a section of supporters.
The Italian tycoon was furious to discover an attempt to sabotage an interview with him on the QPR website after he returned from the R's pre-season tour of his home country.
He said: "I went mad. It's been cancelled now. They're trying to wind me up. I give up, I really do. I nearly got a heart attack when I saw it.
"They put the face of a fan up there, somebody is stirring things up.
"Sometimes I wonder why I got myself involved in this situation. Whatever you do, you can't win. Even if you win the league and get promoted, you'll still have people who criticise.
"I feel like a dartboard. People are always throwing darts at me.
"We have an enemy within. What kind of people do these things? How can you be a QPR fan when you put this s**t in?"
Paladini also suspected foul play when one newspaper reported last week that Rangers players were turned away from their training ground because the rent had not been paid.
He blasted: "This did not happen. I have a statement showing we paid Imperial College, who we rent the ground from, £32,250 on 18 July. How can they shut it for non-payment two weeks after paying the rent? It's insane.
"There were people from a QPR fan group outside the training ground at 7.20am, putting it out that the players had been locked out.
"But people were asleep at that time. The players didn't go in until 10am.
"They put out so much s**t, so much rubbish, that I just give up.
"Since I've come here there's been problem after problem after problem but now, thank God, it's all left behind. Now we will only concentrate on the football and take this club forward.
"With the players we've brought in and the new manager, Gary Waddock, we're looking forward to an exciting season.
"We've reduced the average age of the team and we've brought in players to give us stability for the next two or three years.
"It's been a very difficult time. But it's business as usual. I just carry on doing my job.
"In this game you need a lot of money. When I came here we were losing more than £500,000 a year but, by the end of next season, we should be out of debt.
"I'm lucky that the people with me they are prepared to put in money. This month, to pay the wages, they had to put in more money."
"When I came here we got promoted and we've been two years in the Championship. Look at clubs like Birmingham, who spend eight or nine million, or Wolves, Coventry, Leeds.
"They spend a fortune every year. They are on a very different level to us.
"Fortunately I've been involved in foot ball for the last 30 years and it's helped me a lot, because I1 can get certain players in."
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=17519942%26method=full%26siteid=62484-name_page.html
Burnley 2 QPR 0 -Further Match Reports & Comments
-
[Oh for the days of the early-to-mid 1970s -when QPR and Burnley were the top two teams in (the old) Division 2...QPR signing Dave Thomas from Burnley for a record fee...The two teams being among the brightest "smaller teams" in (the old) Division One...]
The Sunday Times August 06, 2006
Burnley 2 QPR 0: Jones double sinks QPR
Neil Johnston at Turf Moor
IT HAS BEEN a summer of change at Queens Park Rangers but it already looks like being a winter of discontent after Gary Waddock’s reign began with a comprehensive defeat.
Steve Jones, Burnley’s summer signing from Crewe, left Waddock wondering whether he was right to accept the manager’s job last month after capping a fine debut with two excellent second-half finishes. It completed a bad day for Waddock, who revealed afterwards that he tried to sign Jones but failed to lure the Northern Ireland international because he did not want to uproot his family from Cheshire.
“Jones is someone I wanted and he showed his quality with the goals he scored,” Waddock said. “A lot of clubs were after him and we were one of them. We got as far as talking but that was it.”
Since losing to champions Reading on the final day of last season, Rangers have appointed a new manager, brought in a new backroom team and signed five players. Yet it was the same old story as Rangers fell victim to Jones’s outstanding performance. He side-footed his team into a 59th-minute lead before unleashing a left-footed finish 10 minutes later to send Burnley, tipped for a season of struggle, to the top of the table.
“I’m going to go home and freeze Teletext,” Steve Cotterill, the Burnley manager, said after his side’s thoroughly deserved victory. “Jones does hit the ball well and his second goal was fantastic.”
Star Man: Steve Jones (Burnley)
Player ratings: Burnley: Jensen 7, Sinclair 7, Thomas 7, Duff 7, Harley 7, S Jones 8, McCann 7, J O'Connor 7 (Elliott 62mins, 6), Mahon 8 (O’Connor 90min, 5), Gray 6, Lafferty 6 (Hyde 62min, 6)
QPR: P Jones 6, Bignot 5, Rose 5, Stewart 5, Milanese 5, Lomas 5 (R Jones 66min, 5), Ainsworth 5, Rowlands 6 (Donnelly 79min, 5), Ward 5, Cook 5, Czerkas 5 (Bircham 71mins, 5)
Scorers: Burnley: S Jones 59, 69
Referee: M Clattenburg
Attendance: 12,190
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2300918,00.html
Burnley Official Site
Gaffer: You Can't Do Much More Than Win Your First Game
Beaming Burnley boss Steve Cotterill was a happy man after a 2-0 victory over QPR got the season off to a winning start.
The Clarets went top of the fledgling Championship after two goals from Steve Jones sunk Rangers at Turf Moor.
And the gaffer admitted: "I am very pleased. The first game of the season is always an awkward one because you don't get to see other teams in pre-season.
"That makes it a lottery, but you can't do too much more than win your first game.
"That is good enough and being top of the league is even better. I think I might just go home and freeze Teletext!"
Cotterill, who insisted patience was the key to unlocking Rangers defence following a goalless first half, added: "QPR came here with a game plan of not losing.
"I am not knocking that at all because we've done it for two years. But they made it very difficult for us and what happens is the passing starts going astray.
"It's very important that your get a bit of movement and in the second half I thought it worked very well.
"We just needed the goal and thankfully it came. The second goal was fantastic, but with the first one we were looking for the opportunity and it could have easily been smothered by the goalkeeper.
"But Andy Gray and Kyle Lafferty went looking for the opportunity, so praise to them and it was a nice side-foot finish by Steve."
Cotterill ended by praising the buoyant crowd, who went home happy after seeing their team win an opening day fixture for the first time since 2001.
He said: "The people in Burnley live and die for their football club and what we have hopefully done is put a few smiles on faces.
"There will probably be a bit more productivity for the bosses on Monday morning too!"
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~877602,00.html
[Oh for the days of the early-to-mid 1970s -when QPR and Burnley were the top two teams in (the old) Division 2...QPR signing Dave Thomas from Burnley for a record fee...The two teams being among the brightest "smaller teams" in (the old) Division One...]
The Sunday Times August 06, 2006
Burnley 2 QPR 0: Jones double sinks QPR
Neil Johnston at Turf Moor
IT HAS BEEN a summer of change at Queens Park Rangers but it already looks like being a winter of discontent after Gary Waddock’s reign began with a comprehensive defeat.
Steve Jones, Burnley’s summer signing from Crewe, left Waddock wondering whether he was right to accept the manager’s job last month after capping a fine debut with two excellent second-half finishes. It completed a bad day for Waddock, who revealed afterwards that he tried to sign Jones but failed to lure the Northern Ireland international because he did not want to uproot his family from Cheshire.
“Jones is someone I wanted and he showed his quality with the goals he scored,” Waddock said. “A lot of clubs were after him and we were one of them. We got as far as talking but that was it.”
Since losing to champions Reading on the final day of last season, Rangers have appointed a new manager, brought in a new backroom team and signed five players. Yet it was the same old story as Rangers fell victim to Jones’s outstanding performance. He side-footed his team into a 59th-minute lead before unleashing a left-footed finish 10 minutes later to send Burnley, tipped for a season of struggle, to the top of the table.
“I’m going to go home and freeze Teletext,” Steve Cotterill, the Burnley manager, said after his side’s thoroughly deserved victory. “Jones does hit the ball well and his second goal was fantastic.”
Star Man: Steve Jones (Burnley)
Player ratings: Burnley: Jensen 7, Sinclair 7, Thomas 7, Duff 7, Harley 7, S Jones 8, McCann 7, J O'Connor 7 (Elliott 62mins, 6), Mahon 8 (O’Connor 90min, 5), Gray 6, Lafferty 6 (Hyde 62min, 6)
QPR: P Jones 6, Bignot 5, Rose 5, Stewart 5, Milanese 5, Lomas 5 (R Jones 66min, 5), Ainsworth 5, Rowlands 6 (Donnelly 79min, 5), Ward 5, Cook 5, Czerkas 5 (Bircham 71mins, 5)
Scorers: Burnley: S Jones 59, 69
Referee: M Clattenburg
Attendance: 12,190
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2300918,00.html
Burnley Official Site
Gaffer: You Can't Do Much More Than Win Your First Game
Beaming Burnley boss Steve Cotterill was a happy man after a 2-0 victory over QPR got the season off to a winning start.
The Clarets went top of the fledgling Championship after two goals from Steve Jones sunk Rangers at Turf Moor.
And the gaffer admitted: "I am very pleased. The first game of the season is always an awkward one because you don't get to see other teams in pre-season.
"That makes it a lottery, but you can't do too much more than win your first game.
"That is good enough and being top of the league is even better. I think I might just go home and freeze Teletext!"
Cotterill, who insisted patience was the key to unlocking Rangers defence following a goalless first half, added: "QPR came here with a game plan of not losing.
"I am not knocking that at all because we've done it for two years. But they made it very difficult for us and what happens is the passing starts going astray.
"It's very important that your get a bit of movement and in the second half I thought it worked very well.
"We just needed the goal and thankfully it came. The second goal was fantastic, but with the first one we were looking for the opportunity and it could have easily been smothered by the goalkeeper.
"But Andy Gray and Kyle Lafferty went looking for the opportunity, so praise to them and it was a nice side-foot finish by Steve."
Cotterill ended by praising the buoyant crowd, who went home happy after seeing their team win an opening day fixture for the first time since 2001.
He said: "The people in Burnley live and die for their football club and what we have hopefully done is put a few smiles on faces.
"There will probably be a bit more productivity for the bosses on Monday morning too!"
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~877602,00.html
Shittu Deciding Between Watford and WBA
-
West Bromwich Albion - Official Site
Shittu mulling over move
BRYAN Robson has revealed transfer target Dan Shittu will decide whether to join Albion or Premiership new boys Watford over the weekend.
The QPR centre-half held talks with both the Baggies and the Hornets yesterday (Friday).
Robson explained: "Danny spoke to us and Watford on Friday and he said he'll make a decision one way or the other, as to which team he wants to join, over the weekend."
....http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10366~877660,00.html
West Bromwich Albion - Official Site
Shittu mulling over move
BRYAN Robson has revealed transfer target Dan Shittu will decide whether to join Albion or Premiership new boys Watford over the weekend.
The QPR centre-half held talks with both the Baggies and the Hornets yesterday (Friday).
Robson explained: "Danny spoke to us and Watford on Friday and he said he'll make a decision one way or the other, as to which team he wants to join, over the weekend."
....http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10366~877660,00.html
Saturday, August 05, 2006
How Ex-QPRs Did Today -: Plymouth...Swindon...Swansea...Brentford & MK Dons
-
In some of today's other matches...
Ian Holloway's Plymouth drew 1-1 at home to Wolves. (Hayles put Plymouth ahead. Wolves equalized in the 46th through an own goal)
Bill Power's Swindon won 1-0 at Hartlepool
Kenny Jackett's Swansea lost 1-2 at home to Cheltenham (Leon Knight did score!)
LeRoy Rosenoir's Brentford won 1-0
Martin Allen's MK Dons won 2-1 at home to Bury (both goals from McCleod)
[And Paul Murray scored for Carlisle in the 3rd minute to beat Doncaster 1-0
In some of today's other matches...
Ian Holloway's Plymouth drew 1-1 at home to Wolves. (Hayles put Plymouth ahead. Wolves equalized in the 46th through an own goal)
Bill Power's Swindon won 1-0 at Hartlepool
Kenny Jackett's Swansea lost 1-2 at home to Cheltenham (Leon Knight did score!)
LeRoy Rosenoir's Brentford won 1-0
Martin Allen's MK Dons won 2-1 at home to Bury (both goals from McCleod)
[And Paul Murray scored for Carlisle in the 3rd minute to beat Doncaster 1-0
Burnley 2 QPR 0 - Match Reports
-
Waddock's Post Match Comments
COSTLY MISTAKE
Gary Waddock believes the 'costly mistake' that led to Burnley's opening goal ultimately proved to be the R's downfall at Turf Moor.
Speaking exclusively to qpr.co.uk moments after the 2-0 defeat, Waddock said: "Our game plan worked superbly in the first half, but we conceded a sloppy goal and it cost us.
"We dealt time and again with the long punt forward in the first period, but our mentality seemed to change for one reason or another after the break and we've come away with nothing from a game we've competed superbly in for 60 odd minutes.
"As a manager you can only prepare the team for matches - once they step over that white line it becomes out of your control and when you make a mistake like we did, you get punished.''
After Steve Jones' fortuitous opener, Waddock switched to a 4-4-2 formation, only to see his best laid plans fail when the same player made it 2-0 soon after.
"We had to change everything around after the first goal, but we should never have got ourselves into that situation in the first place.
"We bossed the first half, creating chance after chance, yet we've come anyway with nothing and that's deeply disappointing.''
Waddock insists it will be easy to pick the players up for the visit of Leeds United to Loftus Road on Tuesday evening, commenting: "The season is only one game old and we're playing host to one of the biggest teams in the division in Leeds United, so the players won't need picking up.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~877547,00.html
QPR Official Site
A brace from former QPR transfer target Steve Jones proved to be the difference at Turf Moor.
Jones - who left Crewe Alexandra to join the Clarets in the summer - bagged a second half double as the R's began the new Coca Cola Championship season with defeat at Turf Moor.
Rangers were their own worst enemies for the Clarets' opening goal, gifting Jones a simple tap-in to an empty net after an embarrassing defensive mix-up.
However, if his first was fortunate, his second was quite sublime. After being gifted time and space on the edge of the box, the industrious Jones let fly, giving Paul Jones absolutely no chance from fully 25 yards.
Earlier, the Hoops enjoyed the lion's share of territory and possession in the first half, with debutant Nicky Ward at the heart of most of their positive play.
Indeed, it was the Aussie international who came closest to breaking the deadlock just after the half hour, thrashing a fearsome 25 yard shot on target, only to see Brian Jensen make a fine diving save.
Gary Waddock handed competitive debuts to three of his new signings in the shape of Damion Stewart, Ward and Adam Czerkas - with the latter ploughing a lone furrow up front in a flexible 4-5-1 formation.
Gareth Ainsworth was given the captaincy in the absence of the injured Kevin Gallen, while Paul Jones retained the number one jersey he made his own towards the end of last season.
The opening exchanges between the two sides were fairly free-flowing, with Lee Cook feeling the full force of a mistimed James O'Connor tackle as early as the fourth minute.
Rangers created the first chance of the match 60 seconds later, with new signing Czerkas firing wide from fully 30 yards.
Czerkas was on the prowl again on eight minutes, latching on to a teasing Marcus Bignot through ball, only to be thwarted in his tracks by the onrushing Jensen.
The visitors' dominance continued and when Ainsworth was sent tumbling to ground on the edge of the box, Matthew Rose lived up to his surname, out-jumping the Clarets' defenders to head Cook's inviting free-kick over the bar.
The one-way traffic continued and Ward was unlucky not to open his account for the R's when he got a head to Martin Rowlands' perfectly flighted corner. The Aussie midfielder timed his leap to perfection, but Jensen was in the right place at the right time to gather on his line.
Ward tried his luck again on 18 minutes, letting fly from 25 yards, only for the ball to take a heavy deflection and go wide for a corner.
The former Perth Glory man was certainly relishing his first taste of competitive English football, turning O'Connor on a sixpence with an outrageous piece of close control inside his own half.
Buoyed by their tremendous travelling support, Rowlands - back after a knee injury sustained at the start of the year - forced Jensen into a comfortable save on 27 minutes, before play switched to the other end, with Paul Jones on hand to gather O'Connor's long range shot with ease.
As the clock ticked towards the 30 minute mark, Kyle Lafferty headed over the crossbar after some decent build-up play involving Steve Jones.
Ward was being gifted the freedom of the park and when he wriggled clear of his marker 30 yards from goal, only a superb tip round from Jensen denied him a goal his first half performance undoubtedly deserved.
Paul Jones produced a similar save at the other end on 38 minutes, diving full length to his right to divert Chris McCann's piercing drive.
The second half was only 30 seconds old when O'Connor became the third Burnley player to find his way into Mr Clattenburg's notebook for an overzealous tackle on Ainsworth.
O'Connor nearly made amends for his ill-discipline on 52 minutes, sending an arrowing drive inches wide of Jones' right hand post with the Welsh international seemingly beaten.
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill received his first dressing down of the new campaign from Clattenburg moments later, as the home gaffer became increasingly frustrated on the sidelines.
The impressive Stewart came to the visitors' rescue on 55 minutes, making superb ground to divert Mahon's right sided cross to safety.
But the Jamaican international and his fellow defenders were left licking their wounds on 58 minutes, when a terrible mix-up at the back involving Stewart, Rose and Jones allowed Steve Jones to blast the ball into an empty net.
Conceding was harsh on the R's, but when you make mistakes at this level, you generally get punished, as the visitor's discovered to their cost.
Undeterred, Rangers were back on the front foot immediately, with Jensen saving well from the roaming Rowlands.
Waddock threw caution to the wind by introducing Ray Jones at the expense of Lomas, but his best laid plans were in tatters on 69 minutes, when the outstanding Jones sent a superb strike into the top corner of the net to all but seal the three points for the hosts.
After playing his part in assisting with the Clarets' opener, Paul Jones went some way to making amends on 87 minutes, diving to his right to deny Alan Mahon a certain goal.
Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, Harley, Sinclair, Duff, J O'Connor (Elliott 62), Mahon (G O'Connor 90), Jones, Gray, McCann, Lafferty (Hyde 62).
Subs: McGreal, Foster.
Goals: Jones 58, 69
Bookings: Duff 33, Harley 45, O'Connor 46
Red Cards:
QPR: P Jones, Bignot, Stewart, Rose, Milanese, Ainsworth, Rowlands (Donnelly 78), Lomas (R Jones 65), Ward, Cook, Czerkas (Bircham 71).
Subs: Cole, Kanyuka.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~33572,00.html
Burnley Official Site
Clarets Clockwatch:
21 Lafferty volley is far too high, but kick starts the Clarets
26 Mahon tests Paul Jones with a low drive
30 Lafferty heads just over from Jones' cross
38 McCann again denied by Jones acrobatics
58 GOAL! Jones off the mark with a poacher's finish
69 GOAL! Jones makes it two with a 25-yard scorcher
78 Mahon just off target with curling free kick
87 Hyde denied a third by another great save
STEVE Jones was the two-goal hero as Burnley opened up their Championship account with a deserved victory.
The summer signing from Crewe had scored six goals in pre-season, including a four-goal haul in one game during the tour to Italy.
And his hot streak continued as he got the Clarets up and running with a stunning second half brace to sink QPR.
Opening day games can be notoriously tense - and this was no exception as Rangers adopted a one-man strike force in a bid to frustrate their hosts.
However, the visitors carved out the chances in the opening stages, with Nick Ward heading over and then nodding straight at Brian Jensen in the 16th minute.
The Clarets forced their first half chance midway through the half, but Kyle Lafferty, who scored on the final day of last season, couldn't control his volley to start the new season with a bang.
Alan Mahon's clever dribble and pass was then whiskers away from opening up the path to goal for Lafferty. And as Burnley began to build up a head of steam, Mahon tested veteran Rangers stopper Paul Jones with a dipping drive from distance that the Welshman held easily.
Burnley created their best opening on the half hour mark, when Harley and Jones combined well down the left and the former Crewe striker, operating in a wide role, crossed for Lafferty to head narrowly over.
Chris McCann then tried his luck before the break, but Jones was equal to his rising drive from 25 yards.
The half time arrived with the Clarets now well in the ascendancy.
And it took just 13 minutes of the second half to make the all-important breakthrough. Mahon's through ball was just too far for Lafferty, but the big Irish striker refused to give up and as he tussled with keeper Jones, the ball rolled loose for namesake Steve to rifle home from 12 yards.
The relief was tangible and it lifted Burnley to a new level, capped by a brilliant second from Jones in the 69th minute.
Latching onto Frank Sinclair's ball inside, the flame-haired hitman took the ball out of his stride and unleashed a 25-yard howitzer that flew into the top corner and capped off a wholly satisfactory opening day victory.
BURNLEY: Jensen, Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley, Jones, S Jones, McCann, J O'Connor (Hyde 62), Mahon (G O'Connor 90), Gray, Lafferty (Elliott 62). Subs not used: McGreal Foster,
QPR: P Jones, Bignot, Milanese, Rose, Ward, Ainsworth, Rowlands (Donnelly 79), Lomas (Jones 66), Cook, Stewart, Czerkas (Bircham 71).
Subs not used: Cole, Kanyuka.
Ref: M Clattenberg
Booked: Duff 32, Harley 45, J O'Connor 46
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10413~33572,00.html
BBC - Minute-by-minute
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/live_text/default.stm
BBC Report - Burnley 2-0 QPR
New recruit Steve Jones kicked off Burnley's Championship campaign with a win by scoring two goals on his debut.
The striker broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when QPR goalkeeper Paul Jones failed to clear leaving Jones to sweep home a left-footed finish.
Jones' second arrived with 21 minutes remaining as he found the top corner with a powerful drive following Frank Sinclair's interception.
The impressive Nick Ward enjoyed QPR's best chance with a fierce volley.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/5226752.stm
Sporting Life
Burnley 2 QPR 0
By Mike McGrath, PA Sport
Click here for full match stats
Summer signing Steve Jones kicked off Burnley's Coca-Cola Championship campaign with a win by scoring two goals on his debut in a 2-0 defeat of QPR at Turf Moor.
The 29-year-old, who only scored five goals last season during a campaign with Crewe which ended in relegation, swept home the first just before the hour then smashed a long-range effort into the top corner to wrap up the points.
There was little to separate the teams prior to the Northern Ireland striker breaking the deadlock, with Nick Ward impressive for the visitors before his busy performance in midfield faded.
Adam Czerkas led the visitors' attack as a lone frontman and the Polish striker, who is on loan from Odra Wodzislaw, almost latched on to a hopeful ball from Damion Stewart early on.
Frank Sinclair had carelessly allowed the ball to run through for Czerkas, but Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen dived at the feet of the striker and cleared.
The visitors then threatened from set-pieces, firstly Mauro Milanese heading over from a free-kick delivered by Lee Cook, then Australian youngster Ward heading straight at Jensen with a free header from a corner.
Burnley had tried without success to get youngster Kyle Lafferty behind the QPR defence, but his height remained a threat and he headed on to the roof of the net on the half-hour mark after a cross from the left by Jones.
Ward was proving a handful for Clarets defence, with Michael Duff earning a booking for a trip on the youngster after 33 minutes, and goalkeeper Paul Jones required to save from a Ward volley soon after.
Clarets midfielder Chris McCann also had a long-range effort saved, while Jon Harley, who had earlier come close with a sliced volley from the touchline, was booked for a foul on Ward in the dying moments of a lacklustre opening half.
The second period began with the same lack of fluency, and James O'Connor was booked for a foul on Gareth Ainsworth in the opening minute.
O'Connor came close with a long-range effort which flew just wide of the top corner, although clear-cut chances proved more difficult to come by.
Any sort of promising opportunity was likely to be caused by a mistake, and QPR goalkeeper Jones obliged in the 59th minute when he failed to clear a straightforward ball into the penalty area after pressure from Andy Gray. The ball broke to Clarets striker Jones who swept home with a left-footed finish.
Jones' second arrived with 21 minutes remaining as he found the top corner with a powerful drive following Sinclair's interception of a dreadful pass out of the QPR defence.
Alan Mahon and Micah Hyde came close with long-range efforts late on - but it remained 2-0.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/08/05/SOCCER_Burnley.html
Waddock's Post Match Comments
COSTLY MISTAKE
Gary Waddock believes the 'costly mistake' that led to Burnley's opening goal ultimately proved to be the R's downfall at Turf Moor.
Speaking exclusively to qpr.co.uk moments after the 2-0 defeat, Waddock said: "Our game plan worked superbly in the first half, but we conceded a sloppy goal and it cost us.
"We dealt time and again with the long punt forward in the first period, but our mentality seemed to change for one reason or another after the break and we've come away with nothing from a game we've competed superbly in for 60 odd minutes.
"As a manager you can only prepare the team for matches - once they step over that white line it becomes out of your control and when you make a mistake like we did, you get punished.''
After Steve Jones' fortuitous opener, Waddock switched to a 4-4-2 formation, only to see his best laid plans fail when the same player made it 2-0 soon after.
"We had to change everything around after the first goal, but we should never have got ourselves into that situation in the first place.
"We bossed the first half, creating chance after chance, yet we've come anyway with nothing and that's deeply disappointing.''
Waddock insists it will be easy to pick the players up for the visit of Leeds United to Loftus Road on Tuesday evening, commenting: "The season is only one game old and we're playing host to one of the biggest teams in the division in Leeds United, so the players won't need picking up.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~877547,00.html
QPR Official Site
A brace from former QPR transfer target Steve Jones proved to be the difference at Turf Moor.
Jones - who left Crewe Alexandra to join the Clarets in the summer - bagged a second half double as the R's began the new Coca Cola Championship season with defeat at Turf Moor.
Rangers were their own worst enemies for the Clarets' opening goal, gifting Jones a simple tap-in to an empty net after an embarrassing defensive mix-up.
However, if his first was fortunate, his second was quite sublime. After being gifted time and space on the edge of the box, the industrious Jones let fly, giving Paul Jones absolutely no chance from fully 25 yards.
Earlier, the Hoops enjoyed the lion's share of territory and possession in the first half, with debutant Nicky Ward at the heart of most of their positive play.
Indeed, it was the Aussie international who came closest to breaking the deadlock just after the half hour, thrashing a fearsome 25 yard shot on target, only to see Brian Jensen make a fine diving save.
Gary Waddock handed competitive debuts to three of his new signings in the shape of Damion Stewart, Ward and Adam Czerkas - with the latter ploughing a lone furrow up front in a flexible 4-5-1 formation.
Gareth Ainsworth was given the captaincy in the absence of the injured Kevin Gallen, while Paul Jones retained the number one jersey he made his own towards the end of last season.
The opening exchanges between the two sides were fairly free-flowing, with Lee Cook feeling the full force of a mistimed James O'Connor tackle as early as the fourth minute.
Rangers created the first chance of the match 60 seconds later, with new signing Czerkas firing wide from fully 30 yards.
Czerkas was on the prowl again on eight minutes, latching on to a teasing Marcus Bignot through ball, only to be thwarted in his tracks by the onrushing Jensen.
The visitors' dominance continued and when Ainsworth was sent tumbling to ground on the edge of the box, Matthew Rose lived up to his surname, out-jumping the Clarets' defenders to head Cook's inviting free-kick over the bar.
The one-way traffic continued and Ward was unlucky not to open his account for the R's when he got a head to Martin Rowlands' perfectly flighted corner. The Aussie midfielder timed his leap to perfection, but Jensen was in the right place at the right time to gather on his line.
Ward tried his luck again on 18 minutes, letting fly from 25 yards, only for the ball to take a heavy deflection and go wide for a corner.
The former Perth Glory man was certainly relishing his first taste of competitive English football, turning O'Connor on a sixpence with an outrageous piece of close control inside his own half.
Buoyed by their tremendous travelling support, Rowlands - back after a knee injury sustained at the start of the year - forced Jensen into a comfortable save on 27 minutes, before play switched to the other end, with Paul Jones on hand to gather O'Connor's long range shot with ease.
As the clock ticked towards the 30 minute mark, Kyle Lafferty headed over the crossbar after some decent build-up play involving Steve Jones.
Ward was being gifted the freedom of the park and when he wriggled clear of his marker 30 yards from goal, only a superb tip round from Jensen denied him a goal his first half performance undoubtedly deserved.
Paul Jones produced a similar save at the other end on 38 minutes, diving full length to his right to divert Chris McCann's piercing drive.
The second half was only 30 seconds old when O'Connor became the third Burnley player to find his way into Mr Clattenburg's notebook for an overzealous tackle on Ainsworth.
O'Connor nearly made amends for his ill-discipline on 52 minutes, sending an arrowing drive inches wide of Jones' right hand post with the Welsh international seemingly beaten.
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill received his first dressing down of the new campaign from Clattenburg moments later, as the home gaffer became increasingly frustrated on the sidelines.
The impressive Stewart came to the visitors' rescue on 55 minutes, making superb ground to divert Mahon's right sided cross to safety.
But the Jamaican international and his fellow defenders were left licking their wounds on 58 minutes, when a terrible mix-up at the back involving Stewart, Rose and Jones allowed Steve Jones to blast the ball into an empty net.
Conceding was harsh on the R's, but when you make mistakes at this level, you generally get punished, as the visitor's discovered to their cost.
Undeterred, Rangers were back on the front foot immediately, with Jensen saving well from the roaming Rowlands.
Waddock threw caution to the wind by introducing Ray Jones at the expense of Lomas, but his best laid plans were in tatters on 69 minutes, when the outstanding Jones sent a superb strike into the top corner of the net to all but seal the three points for the hosts.
After playing his part in assisting with the Clarets' opener, Paul Jones went some way to making amends on 87 minutes, diving to his right to deny Alan Mahon a certain goal.
Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, Harley, Sinclair, Duff, J O'Connor (Elliott 62), Mahon (G O'Connor 90), Jones, Gray, McCann, Lafferty (Hyde 62).
Subs: McGreal, Foster.
Goals: Jones 58, 69
Bookings: Duff 33, Harley 45, O'Connor 46
Red Cards:
QPR: P Jones, Bignot, Stewart, Rose, Milanese, Ainsworth, Rowlands (Donnelly 78), Lomas (R Jones 65), Ward, Cook, Czerkas (Bircham 71).
Subs: Cole, Kanyuka.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~33572,00.html
Burnley Official Site
Clarets Clockwatch:
21 Lafferty volley is far too high, but kick starts the Clarets
26 Mahon tests Paul Jones with a low drive
30 Lafferty heads just over from Jones' cross
38 McCann again denied by Jones acrobatics
58 GOAL! Jones off the mark with a poacher's finish
69 GOAL! Jones makes it two with a 25-yard scorcher
78 Mahon just off target with curling free kick
87 Hyde denied a third by another great save
STEVE Jones was the two-goal hero as Burnley opened up their Championship account with a deserved victory.
The summer signing from Crewe had scored six goals in pre-season, including a four-goal haul in one game during the tour to Italy.
And his hot streak continued as he got the Clarets up and running with a stunning second half brace to sink QPR.
Opening day games can be notoriously tense - and this was no exception as Rangers adopted a one-man strike force in a bid to frustrate their hosts.
However, the visitors carved out the chances in the opening stages, with Nick Ward heading over and then nodding straight at Brian Jensen in the 16th minute.
The Clarets forced their first half chance midway through the half, but Kyle Lafferty, who scored on the final day of last season, couldn't control his volley to start the new season with a bang.
Alan Mahon's clever dribble and pass was then whiskers away from opening up the path to goal for Lafferty. And as Burnley began to build up a head of steam, Mahon tested veteran Rangers stopper Paul Jones with a dipping drive from distance that the Welshman held easily.
Burnley created their best opening on the half hour mark, when Harley and Jones combined well down the left and the former Crewe striker, operating in a wide role, crossed for Lafferty to head narrowly over.
Chris McCann then tried his luck before the break, but Jones was equal to his rising drive from 25 yards.
The half time arrived with the Clarets now well in the ascendancy.
And it took just 13 minutes of the second half to make the all-important breakthrough. Mahon's through ball was just too far for Lafferty, but the big Irish striker refused to give up and as he tussled with keeper Jones, the ball rolled loose for namesake Steve to rifle home from 12 yards.
The relief was tangible and it lifted Burnley to a new level, capped by a brilliant second from Jones in the 69th minute.
Latching onto Frank Sinclair's ball inside, the flame-haired hitman took the ball out of his stride and unleashed a 25-yard howitzer that flew into the top corner and capped off a wholly satisfactory opening day victory.
BURNLEY: Jensen, Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley, Jones, S Jones, McCann, J O'Connor (Hyde 62), Mahon (G O'Connor 90), Gray, Lafferty (Elliott 62). Subs not used: McGreal Foster,
QPR: P Jones, Bignot, Milanese, Rose, Ward, Ainsworth, Rowlands (Donnelly 79), Lomas (Jones 66), Cook, Stewart, Czerkas (Bircham 71).
Subs not used: Cole, Kanyuka.
Ref: M Clattenberg
Booked: Duff 32, Harley 45, J O'Connor 46
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10413~33572,00.html
BBC - Minute-by-minute
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/live_text/default.stm
BBC Report - Burnley 2-0 QPR
New recruit Steve Jones kicked off Burnley's Championship campaign with a win by scoring two goals on his debut.
The striker broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when QPR goalkeeper Paul Jones failed to clear leaving Jones to sweep home a left-footed finish.
Jones' second arrived with 21 minutes remaining as he found the top corner with a powerful drive following Frank Sinclair's interception.
The impressive Nick Ward enjoyed QPR's best chance with a fierce volley.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/5226752.stm
Sporting Life
Burnley 2 QPR 0
By Mike McGrath, PA Sport
Click here for full match stats
Summer signing Steve Jones kicked off Burnley's Coca-Cola Championship campaign with a win by scoring two goals on his debut in a 2-0 defeat of QPR at Turf Moor.
The 29-year-old, who only scored five goals last season during a campaign with Crewe which ended in relegation, swept home the first just before the hour then smashed a long-range effort into the top corner to wrap up the points.
There was little to separate the teams prior to the Northern Ireland striker breaking the deadlock, with Nick Ward impressive for the visitors before his busy performance in midfield faded.
Adam Czerkas led the visitors' attack as a lone frontman and the Polish striker, who is on loan from Odra Wodzislaw, almost latched on to a hopeful ball from Damion Stewart early on.
Frank Sinclair had carelessly allowed the ball to run through for Czerkas, but Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen dived at the feet of the striker and cleared.
The visitors then threatened from set-pieces, firstly Mauro Milanese heading over from a free-kick delivered by Lee Cook, then Australian youngster Ward heading straight at Jensen with a free header from a corner.
Burnley had tried without success to get youngster Kyle Lafferty behind the QPR defence, but his height remained a threat and he headed on to the roof of the net on the half-hour mark after a cross from the left by Jones.
Ward was proving a handful for Clarets defence, with Michael Duff earning a booking for a trip on the youngster after 33 minutes, and goalkeeper Paul Jones required to save from a Ward volley soon after.
Clarets midfielder Chris McCann also had a long-range effort saved, while Jon Harley, who had earlier come close with a sliced volley from the touchline, was booked for a foul on Ward in the dying moments of a lacklustre opening half.
The second period began with the same lack of fluency, and James O'Connor was booked for a foul on Gareth Ainsworth in the opening minute.
O'Connor came close with a long-range effort which flew just wide of the top corner, although clear-cut chances proved more difficult to come by.
Any sort of promising opportunity was likely to be caused by a mistake, and QPR goalkeeper Jones obliged in the 59th minute when he failed to clear a straightforward ball into the penalty area after pressure from Andy Gray. The ball broke to Clarets striker Jones who swept home with a left-footed finish.
Jones' second arrived with 21 minutes remaining as he found the top corner with a powerful drive following Sinclair's interception of a dreadful pass out of the QPR defence.
Alan Mahon and Micah Hyde came close with long-range efforts late on - but it remained 2-0.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/08/05/SOCCER_Burnley.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)