- For additional up-to-the-minute news about QPR, mixed in with "retro" lookbacks at QPR; along with some items of general football interest: Visit the combination blog and messageboard, QPR Report Messageboard. If you want to offer your own perspective: It's always welcome!
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Player of The Month Nominations
- Romone Rose Has Returned to QPR from Northampton Loan
- Recalling the QPR-Chelsea "Thriving Relationship"
MLS/Toronto - Toronto FC's Dichio announce retirement
Popular forward moves into management role with Canadian club
- Toronto FC announced Wednesday that forward Danny Dichio has retired from Major League Soccer. Dichio will assume the role of Toronto FC Team Ambassador and Academy Coach effective immediately. His new role will see him assist coaches on all three Toronto FC teams while beginning to learn about the nuances of MLS. Dichio will also continue to be an Ambassador in the community for Toronto FC, participating in local appearances.
- "This is a big day for our club," said director of soccer Mo Johnston. "Danny has not only been an integral part of Toronto FC, but also the city of Toronto from day one. He and his family have made a home here, and we are delighted to welcome him into the next phase of his career with the club. Having Danny on board in his new capacity will also assist us in scouting not only for upcoming MLS games, but with the young talent that is here in Ontario for our Academy."
- "I'm really looking forward to this new chapter in my career, and I'm happy I get to do it here at Toronto FC," said Dichio. "It's a great opportunity given to me by Mo and the front office and I'm excited to help this organization in the years to come."
- Dichio, 34, joined Toronto FC April 19, 2007 after spending 13 seasons in England, and one in Italy. Dichio instantly became a fan favorite at BMO Field after scoring the club's first ever goal on May 12, 2007 in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire. Since that time, whether Dichio has played or not - the supporters honor him with a song in the 24th minute of every game home and away. The forward also scored the team's first goal away from home that season on May 26 in Columbus helping Toronto FC earn their first point on the road.
-Dichio produced an unforgettable moment in the team's inaugural season after he returned for the club's last game of the regular season after a muscle tear in his foot had forced him to miss weeks of action. Down 2-1 to the New England Revolution late in the game, Dichio scored a goal to remember by tying the match in the late stages to rob the Revolution of full points as the playoffs loomed near. That goal also earned him his second "Sierra Mist Goal of the Week" honor. The 2007 season also saw Dichio awarded the Golden Boot Award for leading the team in goals with six, and was honored by being named to the MLS All-Star inactive roster.
Toronto FC
[b]QPR Official Site - BALANTA RULED OUT[/b]
- Angelo Balanta has been ruled out of the R's Championship clash against Peterborough United on Saturday owing to a groin injury.
- The Colombian ace limped out of training yesterday and Head Physio, Paul Hunter, confirmed the news to www.qpr.co.uk this morning, commenting: "It's a grade one groin tear.
- "It's not serious, but he'll be sidelined for a while."
- Heidar Helguson is also on the treatment table, after pulling out of the Icelandic international squad following their 1-1 draw against Norway on Saturday.
- Helguson was due to play for his country in a friendly against Georgia tonight (Wednesday), but after complaining of tendonitis in his knee, withdrew from the squad as a precaution.
- On the plus side, Martin Rowlands is back in full training and in contention for a place in Jim Magilton's squad for the visit of The Posh to Loftus Road.
- The midfielder, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the opening day of the season, got the all-clear from a specialist last Friday and is now pushing for a recall to the R's squad. QPR
Phil Warburton/London Informer - Three's the charm as QPR captain jostles for his job
- QPR are prepared to play Martin Rowlands as a third striker in a 4-3-3 set-up to ensure he and new loan signing Ben Watson are in the same team.
Rowlands is knocking on the door of a return to first-team action following injury, possibly as early as the home game against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, and Rs boss Jim Magilton admits that both fighting for their preferred central midfield slot is not an option.
But because Magilton doesn't want to either waste the use of the on-loan Wigan player, or lose out on the services of his club captain, he's mulling over the radical move of putting striker Rowan Vine alongside Rowlands - plus adding another to a front-three attack.
"I can see Martin playing else-where because he's got other strings to his bow," admitted Magilton.
"If he's fit, he's a pivotal player for the club. I could see myself playing three men in attack. That might suit Rowan Vine better as it happens."
Rangers return to league action with the visit of Peterborough on Saturday, but will do so without defender Fitz Hall and possibly striker Heidar Helguson who's wanted by Watford.
- The Icelandic forward was due back at Loftus Road today (Thursday) following international duty - and could be on the way up to Herts by tomorrow night in a three-month loan deal.
- Rangers and Magilton have the possibility of five others who can lead the line, but Magilton wants to sleep on the decision before letting the former Fulham and Bolton forward go to another of his former clubs.
- The manager said: "They [Watford] are keen and I've let Heidar know they're interested.
"I'll talk to the player again and we'll go from there.
- "As for Fitz, he is probably going to miss a few games now.
- "He's got a tear at the top of his groin, and he'll be monitored on a day-to-day basis - but he'll be sitting thing out for the next two weeks at least." Ealing Gazette
- Virgin Media on Helguson and Balanta Injuries and Mel Johnson PetitionVirgin Media
- Middlesbrough Helguson Interest?
- Ex-QPR Danny Dichio Retiring From Football
David McIntyre/Kilburn Times - Facebook fans feel Mel's the man
- QPR fans have launched a campaign to get the club's former chief scout reinstalled.
- Mel Johnson, who left for Tottenham in 2005, is currently on gardening leave after Spurs manager Harry Redknapp made changes to his backroom team.
- And after a series of blunders in the transfer market by their club's mega-rich regime, frustrated Rangers supporters are calling for Johnson's return.
- Hundreds have signed an online petition and a group demanding his reappointment has been set up on the Facebook website.
- Rs fan Tony Binks, who created the group, said: "It's no secret that our scouting system leaves a lot to be desired. Mel Johnson has never been properly replaced.
- "Without him we wouldn't have had players like Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands and Dan Shittu, to name just three."
- Including loans, QPR have signed over 30 players since the Flavio Briatore-led takeover two years ago, but have failed to challenge for promotion.
- Johnson was Watford's chief scout before taking a similar role at Rangers on the recommendation of Kenny Jackett, who was then the assistant manager at Loftus Road.
-Jackett had worked with him at Watford, where Johnson was instrumental in the Hornets' signing of Cook from non-league Aylesbury under the noses of QPR in 1999.
- Johnson's recommended signings during his time at Rangers included keeper Lee Camp and winger Kevin McLeod.
- He initially joined Tottenham as a youth scout and was promoted to chief scout in October last year as part of changes made by the north London club's former sporting director Damien Comolli. Kilburn Times
See Also:
QPR Fan Petition to bring back to QPR, Former Scout, Mel Johnson
- Petition Preamble
- Petition: - "We, the undersigned, call for Jim Magilton, John Gorman, Gianni Paladini, Amit Bhatia and Flavio Briatore to strongly consider re-employing Mel Johnson as a scout at Queens Park Rangers Football Club. -- Click Here To Sign The Petition
- Also Facebook: "Get Mel Johnson Back at QPR"
Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Jim yearns for home comforts
- IT was former Arsenal boss George Graham who observed that winning home games will always keep a manager in most supporters' good books.
- Few current managers can testify to the truth of Graham's pronouncement better than Jim Magilton, whose Ipswich team were virtually unbeatable at Portman Road two years ago.
- A return of 52 points from 23 home matches kept the majority of the Tractor Boys' faithful very contented that year - even though their team picked up only 17 points on the road and missed out on the play-offs.
- Now, after draws with Blackpool and Nottingham Forest - to say nothing of scraping through in the Carling Cup against League Two strugglers Accrington Stanley - Magilton is well aware that his QPR charges must start producing some eye-catching performances at Loftus Road.
- Peterborough, still searching for their first win in the Championship, and Crystal Palace - who both visit W12 in the coming week - seem to represent ideal opportunities.
- "I certainly feel our performances have warranted better results, but we know that anyone coming to Loftus Road now is going to make it very difficult and we have to deal with that," Magilton admitted.
"Accrington raised their game last time and the truth is that we didn't. To really sustain a challenge this year - or any year - in the Championship, your home record is very important.
- "The last club I was at, our home record was so good that we were only a point out of the play-offs, even though we had the poorest away record in the division.
"You want to get to a stage where you expect to win your home games, regardless of the opposition, and we're hoping the win at Scunthorpe will give us a springboard and all the confidence to go into these next two."
If statistics do count for anything, their victory at Glanford Park should certainly give Rangers a serious boost - it was their first away success since late January.
- Apart from relegated pair Charlton and Norwich, the Rs' record on the road last season was the worst in the Championship, whereas they have so far picked up a creditable four points from three trips.
And Magilton remains confident there is better to come from a squad on which he has still had only weeks rather than months to stamp his mark.
"Pre-season was a bedding-in period and a month into the season I still think it's taking time to get the message over," said the Rangers boss. "I came in with the realisation that there was enough quality in the squad.
"That hasn't disappointed me at all. What has uplifted John [Gorman] and myself is that the players' attitude has been different class and they've taken on board everything we've thrown at them."
- Magilton hopes to include captain Martin Rowlands, who has been missing since picking up an ankle injury on the first day of the season, against Peterborough on Saturday.
But defender Fitz Hall has been ruled out of both the weekend game and next Tuesday's derby against Crystal Palace after tearing a groin muscle in training." Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Watson won't be replacing Rowly
- JIM Magilton has confirmed there will be departures to make room for new signing Ben Watson - but Martin Rowlands will not be among them.
The QPR captain is nearing fitness again after an ankle injury, but his place in the side appeared to be under threat from the arrival of Watson, who tends to play an extremely similar role in midfield.
But the Rangers boss told the Times: "They can play as a pair, most certainly. No-one is certain to play, Ben Watson included and what this does do is create competition.
"If you want to make a comparison, England have struggled with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who we all recognise are two world-class players. But I think good players rebound off good players.
"Ben's got that capability - he's had a taste of the Premier League and he wants to get back there. We're hoping that Ben will rub off on others and raise the standard, which can only be good for us.
- "There's going to have to be some juggling - one or two will have to leave, one for games, another because a new manager comes in with a different view of things.
- "It's for their own sake that they've got to play games and get themselves in the shop window, but while they're here we'll make them feel very much part of it. I would never send someone into exile, it's not my style."
Magilton named Matteo Alberti as a player he plans to send out on loan, while Gavin Mahon - who played for the Rs' reserves at Brentford on Tuesday - is thought to be the other imminent departure.
- Alberti, 21, made just eight appearances last season after moving to Loftus Road from Chievo Verona, and has not featured under Magilton - since the arrival of Watson, he is competing with 11 other midfielders.
Several other junior members of the squad - Antonio German, Elvijs Putnins, Lee Brown and Joe Oastler - have also been earmarked for loan spells in the near future.
Striker Josh Parker, one of the stars of Rangers' under-18 team last year, was lined up for a loan to a Conference side, but is now out of action after breaking his collarbone.
"As much as we want them around the building, we also want them to get out there, make their mistakes playing for other clubs and come back here the finished article," added Magilton.
- "I think someone like Matteo would benefit from going out and playing some games, simply because he's young and keen and wanting to start a professional career.
"I would encourage all young players to go out and experience League or Conference football and recognise that the most important time of their lives is 3pm on a Saturday - that's a very important stepping stone for young pros.
"It'll be down to individuals' performances and other managers' needs, but maybe one or two of the young players that we really like need to do their grounding in the reserves."
- As well as Alberti and Mahon, Patrick Agyemang also featured in Tuesday's reserve game, with Alessandro Pellicori on target in a 1-1 draw Kilburn Times
- Flashback: George Kulscar & QPR's Menigitis Scare/Game Cancellation: One Decade Ago Today!
- England U-19 Win.....England U-21 Draw
- Football Museum Moving from Preston to Manchester?
- Burnley's Gracious Help to Accrington Stanley -- To Contribute to Save Accrington Stanley
- Updated "Worst 50 England Internationals List (21-50)
- LoftforWords' Clive Whittingham writing in GoalFood on his Fifteen Hour Football Marathon: "7 games, 15 hours, a fridge full of beer and trying to avoid Gary Birtles...the ultimate TV football endurance test"
- Guardian's David Conn on Football Academies
- QPR vs Peterborough: The Ref will be Mr. O Langford
Two Ex-QPR Birthdays - Simon Royce and Kevin Brock
- Former QPR Goalie, Simon Royce, now with Gillingham Turns 38: - Born September 9, 1971. Spent two periods on loan at QPR, before signing for QPR. Was also at Southend, Charlton, Leicester. See Also Simon Royce/Wikipedia
Former QPR player, Kevin Brock Turns 47 - Born September 9, 1962.
Signed by Jim Smith from Oxford in August 1987(a year after he helped destroy QPR in the League Cup Final), Brock played a year and bit for QPR, before following Jim Smith to Newcastle, when Smith took over as Newcastle manager in December 1988. Managing Ardley United. See Also Kevin Brock
- QPR Reserves and Brentford Reserves Draw: Reports from Both Perspectives
- Ex-Arsenal (and now Hibs) Goalie Graham Stack on him and his family being QPR Fans
- re Briatore/Renault Assertion - Updated
- Mutu's Open Letter to Chelsea
- Steve Coppell Going to the Wrong club!
- Northampton Axe Stuart Gray
- Recalling Pat Agyemang's signing (on a 4 1/2 year contract). (After his initial 8 goals, scored in six successive games, subsequently scored 3 times in 30+ games)
- Recalling QPR Chief Scout, Franco Ceravolo
- Eight Year Flashback: QPR1st Met with one of the consortia trying to take over QPR: The Brian Melzac consortium with Haleem Kheralla
- Zesh Rehman Settling in with Bradford
- How's Sousa Doing?...Harbin at Swansea...Another Swansea Signing
- Alan McDonald World Cup Memories
- August Championship Manager of the Month Nominees
- Ex-QPR John Beck and Gareth Ainsworth at Lincoln? (Beck denies)
- QPR re "Loyalty Points"
- Special T-Shirt Available From The Club Shop
- T-Shirt Club Announcement ---(Offer Your Opinion about the T shirt!)
- [Football] Boots for Africa and PFA Team Up for Charity (Individuals can contribute own boots)
New Book re QPR "Hooped Dreams -Billionaires, QPR and the Premiership Promised Land." By Mick Kelly. (Foreword by Rodney Marsh) - Book Description
- Own Flavio Briatore's old Car!