QPR's New Backroom Hires: Two From Wycombe

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QPR Official Site - DUO JOIN BACKROOM STAFF
Former Wycombe Wanderers duo Steve Brown and Keith Ryan have joined the R's backroom team.
The pair will oversee the R's Youth department and be responsible for the Club's Under-18 and Under-16 squads, as well as the Centre of Excellence.
Brown, 40, and Ryan, 37, were released by the Chairboys as a result of a cost-cutting exercise earlier this month.
Gregory welcomed the duo's arrival, commenting: "Steve and Keith will be two fantastic additions to the backroom staff, and the Youth department, in particular will benefit from them.
"Their enthusiasm and passion for football is second to none and they've got years of experience and knowledge within the game, both as players and coaches.
"It was always my intention to overhaul the Youth department and I couldn't be more delighted with the two men that we've brought in to run it.
"Steve will be our Youth Team Manager and Keith will be responsible for the full-time scholars' education programme, which for a number of years has sadly had appalling examination results.''
Brown, who made 443 appearances during a ten year spell as a player at Adams Park, was number two to Wanderers boss Paul Lambert last season.
Ryan, who clocked up over 500 appearances for the Blues, was responsible for the Chairboys Reserve side last season. QPR
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
IN PROFILE: BROWN & RYAN
Steve Brown

Steve Brown began his career at Northampton Town in 1983, but left just two years later to join Irthlingborough Diamonds.

He re-joined the Cobblers in July 1989, before then Wycombe Wanderers boss Martin O'Neill swooped for his services in February 1994.

'Brownie' was a huge fans' favourite at the Club, amassing 443 appearances in all competitions for the Chairboys, scoring 43 goals.

He was part of the Wanderers' squad which reached the FA Cup semi-final in 2001 and after retiring three years later, he was appointed as Assistant Manager to then Wycombe boss John Gorman.
orman's move to Northampton soon after fuelled speculation that Brown would return to one of his former Club's, but in-coming boss Paul Lambert retained the fans' favourite, until his release on June 22nd 2007.

Keith Ryan
Keith Ryan started his footballing career at Berkhamsted Town, before Wycombe Wanderers boss Martin O'Neill signed him in 1990.

'Rhino,' as he was affectionately known by Wycombe fans, played in over 500 games for the Club.

He notched 50 goals from midfield during that period, including the Chairboys' consolation against Liverpool in the 2001 FA Cup semi-final.

Following the departure of Manager Tony Adams in November 2004, Ryan was appointed Caretaker Manager until the appointment of the replacement Manager John Gorman.

Gorman rewarded Ryan's service for the Club by making him an Assistant Manager, alongside Brown.

Ryan retired from professional football in April 2006. QPR

WYCOMBE COMMENT NEW JOBS FOR DUO
By Matt Cecil - 29/06/07

'Brownie' and 'Rhino' have taken up new roles with QPR

Recently-departed coaches Steve Brown and Keith Ryan have joined the coaching team at Queens Park Rangers to work under ex-Wanderers boss John Gregory.

The duo parted company with the club this summer after a combined total of thirty years at Adams Park, and join forces with Gregory, who managed the Wanderers between October 1996 and February 1998.

Brown and Ryan have been installed into the youth department at Loftus Road, overseeing the Under-18 and Under-16 teams as well as the Centre of Excellence. Brown will take on the role of Youth Team Manager with Ryan taking control of the full-time scholars' education programme.

John Gregory
Gregory: reacquainted with Brownie and Rhino
R's boss John Gregory was happy to welcome the pair:

"Steve and Keith will be two fantastic additions to the backroom staff, and the youth department in particular will benefit from them," he told qpr.co.uk. "Their enthusiasm and passion for football is second to none and they've got years of experience and knowledge within the game."

Wanderers' Managing Director Steve Hayes was delighted to hear the news:

"I'm very, very pleased for Steve and Keith. They've been tremendous ambassadors for Wycombe Wanderers and I'm sure they'll be a great success at QPR."

Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers would like to wish Steve and Keith all the best in their new roles with QPR. Wycombe

PREVIOUSLY AT WYCOMBE

END OF AN ERA FOR RHINO
By Alan Parry - 29/06/07

Keith Ryan leaves Adams Park after 17 years, 517 appearances and 50 goals.

Wanderers can reveal today that Keith Ryan, one of the Blues' longest-serving former players, has ended his career at Adams Park after 17 years.

Ryan's departure follows last week's news that Steve Brown had left his post as assistant manager. Wanderers' Managing Director Steve Hayes explained that the club had been forced to restructure its coaching staff for financial reasons.

Ryan joined Wanderers in 1990 and was a leading player in the team that won promotion to the Football League under Martin O'Neill in 1993. He played over 500 games for the Blues despite suffering serious knee injuries that eventually brought his playing career to an end just over a year ago.

After moving onto the coaching staff, "Rhino" had a spell as caretaker manager following the sudden departure of Tony Adams and he was later made first team coach under John Gorman. He also helped to run the reserve team.

Paul Lambert told wwfc.com: "This has been a really difficult time for everyone. It's hard enough having to say goodbye to any employee, but Steve and Keith are legends at Adams Park so this decision was even tougher."

He added: "I want to put on record our thanks and gratitude to both men. Brownie and Rhino made immense contributions to this club both as players and as coaches and in some ways it's the end of an era. I know that our fans will be upset to see them go, but sadly these were changes that had to be made." Wycombe

WYCOMBE OFFICIAL SITE
STEVE BROWN LEAVES ADAMS PARK
Written by: Alan Parry - 22/06/07

After 13 years service as a player and a coach, Steve Brown is leaving Wycombe Wanderers.

Brown, who was signed from Northampton Town in 1994, was the mainstay of Wanderers team that won promotion to Division Three under Martin O'Neill.

He went on to make almost 400 appearances for the Blues before retiring as a player three years ago. Brown then joined the coaching staff at Adams Park working initially with the youth teams before being appointed assistant manager to John Gorman in 2004. He continued in that role when Paul Lambert replaced John Gorman last season.

Managing Director Steve Hayes paid a tribute to Brown when he told wwfc.com; "Brownie has been a fantastic servant for this club so this is a sad day for all of us. He was truly a legend at Adams Park and he'll never be forgotten by the fans."

Hayes went on: "Over the last few weeks we've been reviewing our finances at the club and it was felt that we needed to streamline our coaching staff. Steve leaves with our best wishes and he will always be welcomed back here."

Steve Brown told us: "I'm sad to be leaving but decisions were made and now I have to get on with my life. Wycombe Wanderers has been a huge part of my career and I'll be leaving behind a lot of good friends and great memories."
Wycombe