Kilburn Times Perspective of "The Trial" and Tracy Stent's QPR Trial Report

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Kilburn Times - 18 October 2006 nwl.sport@archant.co.uk
Court case raises more questions
IF the history of Queens Park Rangers FC is ever deemed suitable material for a TV drama, it's a fair bet that August 13, 2005 will feature heavily in the production.
Allegations of kidnapping and blackmail, set against the backdrop of a bitter boardroom battle for control of the club, resulted in the court case that gripped Rangers fans and journalists alike for several weeks during the summer.
Tracy Stent, of supporters' group QPR 1st, attended every day of the trial, which eventually saw seven men, including Dave Morris - listed as an honorary director of the club - cleared of all charges.
Her in-depth account of proceedings, spread over 173 pages, was posted on the www.rivals.net website last week - and brought to the fore several questions that remain unanswered.
What was the role of Phil Emmell, the business partner of ex-chairman Bill Power, at QPR?
Evidence given during the trial indicated that Emmell, along with Morris, took over contracts for catering and building work at the club without the knowledge of the majority of the board of directors.
Why was a £500,000 loan from businessman Val Ehmer arranged without the approval of the QPR board - and then used to repay money that had been loaned to the club by individual directors?
Since being ousted as chairman, Power has invested £1m in League Two club Swindon Town - yet reports suggest some uncertainty as to the status of that investment since a recent decision to cease his involvement with the Robins.
Much court time was taken up in piecing together the events of August 13 prior to Rangers' home game with Sheffield United, when staff testified that they were prevented from gaining access to offices on the third floor.
Power gave evidence that, even after identifying himself as chairman of QPR, he was refused entry by 'some of the largest men I have seen in my life' - so why, in that situation, did he not contact security staff or even the police?
In fairness to Power, very few of the leading figures involved in the case emerge with much credit from those 173 pages.
One exception, though, is former QPR manager Ian Holloway - who, as well as livening court proceedings, gave some indication of how ongoing boardroom tension made his job increasingly difficult.
With hindsight, it's hardly surprising that Rangers - joint top of the table on August 13 - ended the season just one place above the relegation zone.
Kilburn Times

[NB:Tracy Stent's Trial Report can be read at TRIAL REPORT