Flashback to QPR-at-Year's End: One, Two and Three Years Ago

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Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for a combination of football items; nostalgia; videos and posters' comments. Today's Video: QPR Crushed!

- See Also: QPR's at Year's End: A Comparison to Previous Years - And QPR's Season-End Points Totals Over the Past Decade

Flashback One Year - December 31, 2007: Mahon Joins QPR
(Some debate over whether his permanent signing was ever actually officially announced by QPR)

QPR OFFICIAL SITE EXCLUSIVE: MAHON MOVES IN
- Midfield general Gavin Mahon has joined Queens Park Rangers on an emergency loan deal from Watford, with a view to a permanent transfer.
- The midfielder, who is in line to make his R's debut against Leicester City tomorrow (Tuesday), was an interested spectator in the Vicarage Road press box on Saturday afternoon, as his new charges beat his former employers 4-2.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk before his first training session this morning, Mahon expressed his delight at the move, commenting: "It's a very exciting time to be joining this Club.
- "There were four or five other Championship sides that showed an interest, but once I'd spoken to the Chairman Gianni Paladini there was never any doubt in my mind that I'd be joining Rangers. "The ambition and drive of the board and the new investors really impressed me and I'm delighted to be here."
- Mahon added: "It was a surreal experience on Saturday. When QPR went ahead early on I was happy, but at the same time it was a very difficult situation to be in, having spent so many years at Watford.
"I'm a QPR player now though and I couldn't be more delighted to be here."
- After learning his trade with Hereford United and Brentford, Mahon moved to Watford near the end of the ill-fated Gianluca Vialli reign at Vicarage Road.
He played an integral role in the Hornets' upturn in fortunes and was rewarded by being named Player of the Season at the end of the 2003/04 campaign.
He successfully skippered the Club to promotion in May 2006 and made 36 appearances in their one season stay in the top-flight. QPR

WATFORD OFFICIAL SITE - MAHON A RANGERS A MOVE
- GAVIN Mahon will join QPR on loan with a view to making his move permanent in the January transfer window.
- The Watford captain departs Vicarage Road having dropped down the pecking order in recent weeks and joins the west Londoners in a bid to revive their languishing season, where they have spent the majority of the campaign in the bottom three.
Mahon was present at the Vic on Saturday to see his new club beat the Hornets 2-4, and after the game he said his farewells to the manager, staff and players.
- Watford will receive £200,000 initially for the move as Mahon is still under contract until the end of the season, and there may be a further £50,000 due on further clauses.
- The former club captain skippered Watford to victory in the 2006 play-off final after moving to the Hertfordshire club following spells with Hereford United and Brentford.
- Mahon will forever be remembered for his willingness to take a pay cut and his part in urging his fellow team mates to do the same during Watford's more difficult times.
- Everyone at Watford Football Club would like to wish Gavin and his family well for the future. - QPR Report

Also: Watford Backgrounder on Mahon joining QPR -

Also: Gareth Ainsworth, a year ago, talking about QPR's future, the new owners and Paladini - Ainsworth/Ealing Gazette


Two Years Ago: John Gregory's QPR had just lost 1-0 at Norwich:
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Gallen, Rowlands, Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Furlong, Jones, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Ward, Baidoo, Kanyuka, Blackstock.
Norwich: Gallacher, Drury, Shackell, Huckerby, Croft, Dublin, Earnshaw, Safri, Etuhu, Colin, Doherty. Subs: Lewis, Fleming, Hughes, McVeigh, Jarvis
- Match Reports

John Gregory's Post Match Comments
QPR OFFICIAL - John Gregory Comments - SINKING IN THE RAIN
John Gregory bemoaned the lack of fighting spirit, as the R's succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Norwich.
"Generally it was a good performance, but not good enough.
"We've lost by the odd goal again and that seems to be the story since I've been at this club.''
Gregory continued: "To keep the likes of Huckerby, Earnshaw and Dublin at bay for 90 minues is a huge ask, and we just came up short today.
"Sometimes defenders make the odd rick and today is cost us.''
Despite the loss, the gaffer heaped praise on Steve Lomas, adding: "Steve Lomas set the standards by which the rest should follow.
"He was outstanding today, but too many of his team-mates went missing.
"Unfortunately that's been the case lately and Stevie is absolutely gutted.''
Gregory is looking forward to the opening of the January transfer window, commenting: "The transfer window will be very beneficial to us.
"I'm hoping that it will enable us to do a few deals, but we'll have to wait and see.


Three Years Ago Typical Conflict

"After his club's December 31, 4-3 victory at Crewe (which gave QPR 35 points after 27 games) Ian Holloway was talking about various off-the-field activities at QPR and his place at the club, with press reports of Jim Smith coming to QPR (denied by the club).
"We already have more points than we did at this exact point this time last year with a game hand. "But that doesn't seem to be good enough for some people. I'm sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry getting linked with my job every day. "Well ding, dang, doo. It's my job, I own it and it's up to anyone else to take it off me." BBC
Crewe vs QPR Lineup - Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Rose, Langley, Bircham, Rowlands, Cook, Nygaard, Baidoo - Subs Not Used: Moore, Donnelly, Ainsworth, Furlong. Milanese --

Two Days Earlier on the QPR Official Site: December 29, 2005 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
- Rangers Chairman Gianni Paladini and the Board of Directors would like to wish all QPR fans a Happy New Year.
- After an eventful 2005, Paladini has issued the following statement to supporters of Queens Park Rangers:
- "As you all know, as a club we went through difficult times and the new board had to bear quite a challenge and responsibility.
- "Thanks to some huge efforts in renewing its organization and bringing in some new investments, QPR are now sailing in safe waters.
- "We are optimistic when looking ahead for the New Year and for the whole of 2006, especially as we know we can always count on your continuous support.
"Our hope and aim is that QPR will never again have to struggle against organizational confusion and financial distress that have badly hit the good name of our glorious club.
"A special mention must go to Ian Holloway, who has shown his passion and devotion to the club and as someone who gives us positive hopes for promotion.
"We are proud of our players and we are confident that we can continue to strengthen our team with some new arrivals at the beginning of the next year.
"A special thanks must also go to all our colleagues and staff and of course to all our fans who, from generation to generation, continue to support the club.
"We wish to embrace them all, one by one, with our motto "We are QPR!"
"We wish you all the best for a wonderful 2006." QPR

[A Few Weeks later, Holloway was out on Gardening leave!]