Another Birthday for QPR Manager John Gregory!

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(Belated!) QPR manager, John Gregory Turned 53: Born May 11, 1954

Signed from Brighton, by Terry Venables in 1981 as a defender/midfielder (around the same time that Clive Allen was re-signed from Crystal Palace). Gregory (previously with Northampton and Aston Villa) was a prolific goalscorer for QPR as they reached Wembley and almost got promotion, in his first season; won the 2nd Division Championship in his second season; and got into Europe in his third season. (Gregory also played several times for England, while at QPR). Gregory was sold by Jim Smith to then Third-Division, Derby County in November 1985.

And for 20 years, that was the QPR component to John Gregory's career. Then in September 2006, Gregory was appointed to replaced Gary Waddock as QPR Manager (after having being linked a few times in the past year, to the position). QPR stayed up. And Gregory recently, recommitted to QPR.

John Gregory

John Gregory/Wikpiedia

John Gregory Stays on as QPR Manager-
QPR Official Site -GAFFER STAYS ON

The Club are delighted to announce that John Gregory has agreed a two year extension to his current contract.

In the wake of the R's guaranteeing their Championship status with victory against Cardiff City on Saturday, Gregory has activated a clause within his existing contract that will see him remain at Loftus Road until the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory said: "I'm delighted to accept the offer made to me by Chairman Gianni Paladini.

"I feel very honoured to have been the Manager of QPR for the last seven months and to have been given the task of keeping us in the Championship. Now that has been secured, the rebuilding has to begin.

"We need to put some concrete in the foundations to make sure the Club does not sink to the appalling depths that it has done this season. That means making changes throughout the Club, which will not always be popular ones.

"I personally have never been happier. I look forward to working alongside Gianni, as we strive to build a better future for our loyal fans. All you need is love.''

Gregory joined the R's on September 20th 2006, replacing Gary Waddock, whose ten games in charge in all competitions at the start of the season heralded just two victories.

His impact was immediate, as the R's clinched back-to-back wins in his first two games, before four wins in five outings, culminating in Saturday's 1-0 win against the Bluebirds, confirmed the R's place in the second tier of English football.

Chairman Gianni Paladini expressed his delight at the news, commenting: "John Gregory has done a fantastic job in his short time in charge here and we are all delighted that he has agreed to be part of our future.

"The impact he has made since he arrived here in September has been quite staggering. The signings he has made have been inspirational and he's proven what a top Manager he is.

"He has our one hundred per-cent backing and he is most definitely the right man to lead us to what we hope will be a very bright future.'' QPR

September 2006 - John Gregory Takes Over at QPR-
OFFICIAL SITE - GREGORY APPOINTED

John Gregory has been appointed as QPR First Team Manager with immediate effect.

Gary Waddock will now work under the former Aston Villa boss in an Assistant Manager's role.

In an exclusive interview with www.qpr.co.uk, Chairman Gianni Paladini revealed his delight at the appointment: "It's a fantastic scoop for the Club.
"John is a proven manager at the highest level and is very eager to get back in to the managerial game.
"He's sat down with Gary and talked everything through and the situation is perfect as we look to climb the Championship table.
"I'd like to wish the pair of them the very best in their new roles.''

Gregory - who has been out of the game since leaving Derby County in 2003 - commented: "I'm back in the hot-seat and it's a huge challenge.
"QPR are very close to my heart and it's a fantastic opportunity for me.
"This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
"Winning matches is what matters most in the business and we aim to do that, starting Saturday.''
Waddock said: "It's the right decision for the club, I'm just thankful that Gianni thinks enough of me to keep me here as Assistant Manager.
"I look forward to working with John, we both played together under Terry Venables and have the same work ethic.
"I'll learn a lot from him and I'm sure that this appointment will benefit the club I love." QPR Official Site

BBC - Gregory appointed as new QPR boss

Gregory makes his return after three-and-a-half years
Queens Park Rangers have unveiled John Gregory as their new manager, with former boss Gary Waddock handed the job of first-team coach.
Former Aston Villa boss Gregory, 51, returns to management three-and-a-half years after leaving Derby.
Waddock replaced the sacked Ian Holloway in February and was handed the position full-time in the summer.
But the former QPR midfielder has struggled and Gregory takes over with the club bottom of the Championship.
QPR have won just one league game this season and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale on Tuesday evening.
Gregory, a close friend of Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini, began his managerial career at Portsmouth and he also had a spell at Plymouth.
He took over at Wycombe Wanderers in October 1996, where he helped the team avoid relegation and remained in charge for two years.
The former England midfielder took over at Villa in the 1997/98 season and during the four years under Gregory's management Villa never finished outside the top eight in the Premiership.
He has also managed Derby and has been out of management since leaving the Rams in March 2003.
BBC

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - GREGORY IN PROFILE

www.qpr.co.uk brings you an exclusive insight into the professional career of the R's new gaffer John Gregory.
John Gregory served his managerial apprenticeship at a variety of clubs.
He started his career with Portsmouth, before a brief spell at Plymouth Argyle.
Soon after he joined Leicester City in a coaching capacity, before being appointed First Team Coach at Villa Park in November 1994.
He left Villa to become manager of Wycombe Wanderers in October 1996.
After taking over a struggling Wanderers squad, he steered them clear of relegation in the 1996/97 season by eight points.
He led Villa to the top of the Premiership following an unbeaten start to the season in 1998, which lasted a club record 12 matches. However, they were not able to sustain their title tilt and fell away in the second half of the season.
In his four years in charge at Villa Park, the Villains never finished outside the top eight, finishing seventh in his first half-season as manager, sixth in 1999 and 2000 and eighth in 2001.
Noted for speaking his mind, Gregory had his fair share of run-in's with players and Chairman Doug Ellis alike, but he was always 100 per cent committed to the club and was unfortunate not to taste success in the FA Cup Final in 2000, losing to a single goal from Chelsea's Roberto di Matteo.
He had criticised the club for failing to invest sufficiently in new players, but his passion and determination to lead Villa to glory remained undiminished.
His departure came as a shock to players and fans alike and his achievements at Villa Park will be long-remembered by everyone connected with the Midlands club.
He was immediately linked with the managerial vacancy at his old club Derby County and, after being contacted by the club about the position, he was unveiled as Colin Todd's successor on January 30 2002.
His first priority at Pride Park was to keep The Rams in the Premiership, but with Derby lying second from bottom and six points adrift from safety at the time of his arrival, he was unable to save them.
Despite a slight improvement in their results, The Rams were relegated to the First Division, and Gregory eventually left the Club in March 2003.
As a player, Gregory enjoyed a distinguished career, which saw him play for several teams.
He was signed from apprentice at Northampton Town before moving to Aston Villa in 1977, where he spent two years before signing for Brighton.
From there he went to QPR, in 1981, making 188 appearances for the R's, before signing for Derby County in 1985, staying with the Rams for two years before effectively hanging up his boots.
Gregory was a tireless midfielder who made nearly 600 appearances in his career, scoring 83 goals, and winning six full international caps for England.
QPR

SKY SPORTS - Rangers turn to Gregory
By Peter ORourke - Created on 20 Sep 2006

Queens Park Rangers have appointed John Gregory as their new manager with Gary Waddock becoming his assistant.
The Rangers board have lost patience with Waddock and have turned to Gregory to try and transform their fortunes.
Rangers have endured a terrible run of form lately, culminating in their 3-2 defeat to Port vale in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
The Loftus Road outfit are currently languishing at the bottom of The Championship and have won only one league game all term.
Waddock only took charge of Rangers in February after Ian Holloway left the club and was handed the job on a permanent basis in the summer.
Waddock has struggled since taking over and won just four of his 24 games in charge.
Gregory has been out of work since March 2003 after leaving Derby County.
Gregory, who is a former QPR player, will be given the task of helping the side climb out of trouble and he knows he faces a huge challenge.
"I'm back in the hot-seat and it's a huge challenge," Gregory told the club's official website.
"QPR are very close to my heart and it's a fantastic opportunity for me.
"This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
"Winning matches is what matters most in the business and we aim to do that, starting Saturday.''
SKY

GUARDIAN -Gregory resurfaces at QPR
New appointment sees Waddock moves to first-team coach
Gregory resurfaces at QPR - Bottom-of-the-Championship QPR think John Gregory is the man to halt their downward slide. Anyone else?

Staff and agencies Wednesday September 20, 2006
Guardian Unlimited

QPR today unveiled John Gregory as their new manager, with former boss Gary Waddock handed the job of first-team coach.
Former Aston Villa and Derby manager Gregory is a close friend of Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini, and takes over with the club bottom of the Championship. The 51-year-old returns to management three-and-a-half years after leaving Derby.
"John is a proven manager at the highest level and is very eager to back into the managerial game," said Paladini. "It's a fantastic scoop for the club."
Waddock replaced Ian Holloway in February and was handed the position full-time in the summer. But the former QPR midfielder has struggled, winning just three league games during his Loftus Park reign, and saw his team knocked out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale last night
GUARDIAN

TEAMTALK - GREGORY FACT FILE

954: Born Scunthorpe, May 11.

1970: Joins Northampton as a trainee.

1972: Signs professionally for Northampton and goes on to make 187 league appearances.

1977: Joins Aston Villa for £40,000, making 65 league appearances and scoring 10 goals.

1979: Moves to Brighton for £250,000.

1981: Signs for QPR in a £300,000 deal.

1982: Part of the QPR team who lose in the FA Cup final to Tottenham after a replay.

1983: Wins the first of six full England caps against Australia.

1985: Moves to Derby for £100,000.

1988: Retires and becomes assistant manager to Alan Ball at Portsmouth.

1989: Becomes Pompey manager when Ball is sacked.

1990: Sacked by Portsmouth, who are 23rd in the Second Division after a run of two victories in nine matches. Plays briefly for Plymouth and Bolton on a non-contract basis.

1991: Joins Leicester as coach to Brian Little.

1994: Follows Little to Aston Villa, becoming first team coach.

1996: Appointed manager of Second Division Wycombe after Alan Smith is sacked. Steers side from second bottom to safety.

1998: January - Succeeds Little as manager of Aston Villa.

August - Claims he could have 'shot' Dwight Yorke after striker revealed he wanted to go to Manchester United before his eventual £12.6million move.

2000: Leads Villa to the FA Cup final where they lose 1-0 to Chelsea, Roberto di Matteo scoring the winner.

December - Raps chairman Doug Ellis, claiming his boss is 'stuck in a time warp'. Ellis responds by accusing Gregory of 'talking big but acting small'.

2001: After an eighth-place finish in the Premiership, Gregory guides Villa into the UEFA Cup after a successful Intertoto Cup campaign. The European adventure is brief though as Croatian outsiders Varteks humiliate the former European champions in the first round.

2002: January 24 - Resigns as Villa manager, citing the 'pressures of the job'.

January 30 - Takes over as manager at Derby following the departure of Colin Todd but cannot help the club stave off relegation from the Premiership.

August 10 - The Rams begin the new season in fine style with a 3-0 win over Reading but it does not last with the club spending most of the campaign in the bottom half of the table.

2003: March 21 - Gregory, already under pressure due to the club's poor form, is suspended following allegations that midfielder Craig Burley was mistreated whilst injured.

May 29 - Derby uphold their decision, following appeal by Gregory.

2006: September 20 - Appointed manager of QPR.
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