QPR History in Photos: From the 1880s to the 21st Century - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
______________________________________________________
- Gareth Ainsworth Turns 40 (Was with the wrong club for the Cardiff Playoff Final!)
Ten Years Ago Today: May 10, 2003 - QPR Draw at Oldham in First Leg
(Richard Langley sent off and misses the Cardiff final. )
- [A Few days later...! Video of the Second Leg at Loftus Road)
QPR: Day, Forbes, shiteetu, Rose (Pacquette 76min), Williams, Langley, Bircham, Palmer, McLeod, Furlong, Gallen - Culkin, Pacquette, Angell, Thompson, Plummer.
The TimesLouise Taylor at Boundary Park
RICHARD LANGLEY scored a vital equalising goal for Queens Park Rangers yesterday, then got himself sent off, as Ian Holloway's team gained a creditable draw in the first-leg of this semi-final tie.
�I�m sick of finishing games with 10 men but I have no sympathy with him,� said Holloway. �He�ll be dealt with internally and I am angry with his actions.�
Oldham will be disappointed not to have made the most of their home advantage as they are experiencing something of a renaissance under Iain Dowie�s management. Even so, QPR will start the second leg at Loftus Road on Wednesday as slight favourites. The Londoners are the subject of a partial takeover bid from Haleem Kherallah, a 37-year-old Palestinian multi-millionaire who has offered �1m for a quarter stake in the club.
In his manifesto, Kherallah promises the attempted signing of David Ginola, along with several players domiciled in the Middle East. He hopes to attract 2,000 new Arab fans along with sponsorship from Kuwaiti Airlines.
Given the state of their finances, Oldham could do with a Kherallah type figure on their horizon. Meanwhile their manager could have done with the speedy Wayne Andrews converting a highly inviting volleyed chance after Danny shiteetu, QPR�s man-mountain of a centre-half, helpfully sliced Fitz Hall�s long ball into his path.
If only Dowie had been on the pitch to connect with that one. No matter; in the 28th minute midfielder David Eyres � at 39, a year older than his manager � put Oldham ahead courtesy of a free kick straight through the QPR wall.
Ian Holloway, QPR's manager, must have been alternately reassured and alarmed by the combative central midfield commitment offered by Marc Bircham. With Bircham swiftly booked, his often gung ho approach to 50-50 balls threatened to end in a red card but, equally, his presence prevented Oldham's playmaker Paul Murray from displaying his superior passing skills.
Two minutes into the second half, QPR were level, Langley connecting with a cross, luring the erratic David Miskelly off his line and guiding the ball into an unguarded net.
Miskelly became an increasing liability, dashing off his line and regularly succeeding in flattening only his own defenders � indeed, the unfortunate Hall required prolonged treatment after one collision.
Possibly inspired, Murray nearly succeeded in lobbing Chris Day as shiteetu turned nervous and QPR were further undermined when, nine minutes from time, Langley was sent off for collecting two yellow cards inside 60 seconds.
Somehow Rangers clung on to secure a potentially priceless draw.
Oldham: Miskelly, Hall, Haining, Armstrong, Low, Eyre (Carss 70min), Sheridan (Corazzin 83min), Murray, Eyres, Andrews, Wijnhard
QPR: Day, Forbes, shiteetu, Rose (Pacquette 76min), Williams, Langley, Bircham, Palmer, McLeod, Furlong, Gallen
Scorers: Oldham: Eyres 28
QPR: Langley 47
Referee: S Bennett
Attendance: 12,152
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article885424.ece
John Banks/The Guardian - Evergreen Eyres upstages double-yellow Langley
= Football League Play-Offs Semi-Final 1st Leg
Oldham 1 Eyres 28 QPR 1 Langley 47
Fitz Hall and David Eyres stand at opposite ends of their careers but, if Oldham are to win promotion to the First Division this season, the young defender and veteran winger look certain to have a large say in the matter.
They have each made 41 League appearances this season, a surprising statistic in Eyres' case given that, at 39, he is a month older than his manager Iain Dowie and that he is also the club's leading goalscorer with 16.
His was the superbly struck 20-yard free-kick that handed Oldham a 28th-minute lead here on Saturday, squandered when the home goalkeeper David Miskelly misjudged Tommy Williams' free-kick after half-time and allowed Richard Langley to slide in the equaliser.
Langley went on to undo much of his good work, though, by collecting two yellow cards inside 30 seconds - for a dive and a backward head-butt on Eyres - and incur the wrath of the Rangers manager Ian Holloway.
His suspension from Wednesday's return leg is one reason the tie is so finely balanced, although Eyres has the look of a man with a point to prove. "Everyone always mentions my age but I don't think that affects the playing side," said Eyres. "I have proved that in the past two years.
"I feel I have another year or two left in me. I have good self-discipline and work as hard as any player and helping Oldham into the First Division would be a great step."
Hall, 17 years Eyres' junior and a player tipped to play in the Premiership, summed up his team-mate's worth to their club. "I don't know how David hasn't played at the very highest level," he said.
"He didn't turn pro until he was 25, so maybe that's the reason. But that's also probably what has kept him going until he's 39. Everyone at the club looks up to him, the senior players and the gaffer as well as us."
Hall - nicknamed, originally enough by football standards, "One Size" - is also a relative latecomer to the game. Now 22, he is coming to the end of his first full season in the professional ranks after Dowie's brother Bob, manager of non-league Chesham, recommended him.
On the verge of a place in the England under-21 ranks this season, Hall has as much as his older team-mate to play for right now. "Second Division players never really get that recognition," said Hall. "Getting into the First Division might help. But, with this being my first full season, I'd be more delighted than anyone to win promotion."
Oldham must have been helped towards that by Langley's dismissal, from two of the game's nine bookings, and it certainly took the shine off the result for Holloway.
"That marred it for me," the Rangers manager said. "When are we going to learn?
"You've got to be professional on occasions like these but we have shown signs today that we cannot handle it and I won't have it. We have got to deal with ourselves in a more professional manner, a less emotional manner, otherwise we will shoot our foot off.
"We can't keep blaming referees, we have to take responsibility for our own actions. Yes, I've spoken to Richard about it and that's why I'm out of the dressing room. Right now, I'm not a very happy man." If Eyres and Hall have their way, he will be even less happy after Wednesday.
Man of the match: David Eyres (Oldham)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2003/may/12/match.sport17
New Straits Times
Of Shakespeare, tycoons and football power -
May 2013| last updated at 12:04AM
By Chan Wai Kong | kongster@nstp.com.
MALAYSIAN DRAMA: Vincent Tan meets Tony Fernandes in London
FOLLOWING a weekend of climactic football, two of Malaysia's wealthiest men had a meeting at a hotel in London last Monday.
Something is afoot, you wonder, as Tan Sri Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, sat down with Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, the owner of AirAsia.
It wasn't about swapping shares over a power lunch as the two Malaysian big shots had some footy chat in EPL Land, and it was not the type that people usually talk about at the warong, well, not about Manchester United or Liverpool.
In all likelihood, serious business was on the menu when Tan and Fernandes, both relatively new to the football industry, exchanged views at the 152-year-old Victorian hotel called Berjaya Eden Park.
They had plenty to chew over what had been a contrasting season for their clubs and what needs to be done for the new season which kicks off on Aug 17.
With Tan and Fernandes having experienced the ups and downs of football, both men would have advised each other on avoiding the pitfalls and perils of the English league. For all you know, the two tycoons might enter into a "player loan deal" with Tan taking one or two QPR players from Fernandes for the Cardiff team that competes in the 2013-2014 season.
For Tan, exciting days are ahead after his Cardiff City club lifted the Championship trophy on April 27. Known as the Bluebirds, the team has soared into the Premier League where it will be in the same flight of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and other big names.
For Fernandes, grim days lie ahead after his team, Queens Park Rangers, was demoted from the Premier League to the second-tier Championship league, just 24 hours after Tan was handed the Championship trophy.
Prior to their meeting on Monday, Tan had revealed to this writer that he and Fernandes have had their share of "football chat" since their goals are to be successful in the English Premier League (EPL).
You picture Fernandes, who has had some bad experience buying pricey players who let the team down eventually, giving some what-not-to-do advice to Tan when Cardiff City competes in the Premier League for the first time in 51 years.
Before anything else, he might have warned Tan to beware of the agents, transfer-fixers and middlemen of the game.
Appropriately, Fernandes, who is reported to have put STG50 million (RM250 million) of his personal fortune into QPR, is the right person to alert the Tan Sri to these money-grabbers.
Vowing that he won't be exploited any more, Fernandes had said that QPR's tragic season was a "Shakespearean play in the making" as nothing went right for the team, which was beset by bad luck and players' injuries, apart from "immoral" football agents.
"I've seen all of the parts that make football quite ... maybe immoral is a strong word but they would sell their grandmother to do something. What I am saying is there are people in the business where money comes first," Fernandes told the British media in London recently.
On the positive side, Fernandes, who is also the owner of the Caterham Formula One team and used to life in the fast lane, is well geared for a speedy return to Premier League with QPR.
On paper, QPR, which is still a team of calibre players, "should do a Newcastle" by winning the Championship title outright, that is in just a season over 10 months. For instance, when a relegated Newcastle played in the Championship in the 2009-2010 season, its rivals were already conceding that the club was too strong for them.
True enough, Newcastle scored more than a hundred points (102) to duly run away with the Championship title and win promotion to the Premier League again. In comparison, Cardiff scored only 87 points from 46 games this season,
In return, it could be Tan giving tips to Fernandes on how QPR could achieve "fast promotion" from the Championship. After all, his Cardiff City has proved that it could occupy the top spot in the 24-team table this season since November. That is C for consistency as Cardiff became the league winner with 25 wins, 12 draws and nine losses in 46 games.
As for Tan's team, the biggest challenge is to stay in the Premier League and avoid demotion. They have seen it with their own eyes; the Reading team, which was first in the Championship last year, is now second last in the Premier League and relegated.
Nonetheless, Tan, who has proved to be a winner in many fields of business, is determined that his Bluebirds will not go the way of so many other teams that have plunged back to the Championship after a brief stay in the Premier League.
The billionaire, intent on making Cardiff City a well known EPL club, and not just a team participating in the Premier League, said he could spend up to STG25 million on new players to reinforce the team. If that translates into a permanent stay in the Premier League which offers about STG100 million a season from television money, it is worth the investment.
Will that be enough against big spenders like Manchester City or Chelsea or for that matter, teams like Tottenham Hotspur? Of course not, but more importantly, Cardiff City needs to buy the right players from the right agents.
Tan's Bluebirds should be a good bet to stay in the Premier League for more than one season while Fernandes' relegated QPR should fly back into the top flight by May next year. New Straits Times
Kilburn Times
Kingsbury schoolboy signed by QPR football club
Eight-year-old Deven Solanki signing the contract for QPR
Max Walters, Reporter
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Deven Solanki, eight, was spotted while playing for AFC Wembley
An eight-year-old budding footballer from Kingsbury has been plucked from his local team and signed a contract with Premier League side Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR).
Deven Solanki was spotted by QPR coaches during a game for his club AFC Wembley.
The striker signed a contract with the West London side two weeks ago.
Speaking to the Times, his father Hemel said: “We are extremely proud of him and will continue to support him. Hopefully he has a very bright future ahead of him.”
Deven’s path is similar to former Wembley schoolboy Raheem Sterling who, like Deven, started out as a player for Kingsbury based Alpha and Omega FC and AFC Wembley before signing for QPR.
Mr Sterling eventually moved to Liverpool FC where he currently plays.
Angel Reid, Deven’s mother said: “Ever since he was tiny he has always been kicking balls around, his love of football has really paid off.
“He certainly didn’t get his talent from either of us, its all self taught.”
Deven will play for QPR’s under nines team.
The first team will play in the Championship, professional football’s second tier next season following relegation from the Premier League.
Kilburn Times
Seven Year Flashback...
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times Interview - May 10, 2006
Exclusive Gianni Paladini interview
10 May 2006
CARETAKER managers are nothing unusual at Loftus Road - just ask John Hollins, Iain Dowie or the most experienced QPR stand-in of the lot, Frank Sibley.
A few weeks tends to be the extent of the caretaker's tenure, yet Gary Waddock is just beginning his fourth month in that 'temporary' role since Ian Holloway was suspended.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has repeatedly stated that he plans to appoint Waddock as Holloway's successor before the start of next season - despite an uninspiring run that saw the team gain just five points from their last 11 games.
And, in an exclusive interview with Ben Kosky, Paladini explains his unswerving support for Waddock and his number two Alan McDonald, defends the decision to ditch Holloway and outlines his plans for next season.
How soon do you expect to appoint the new manager?
"It's public knowledge that Gary will be the manager and Macca will be his assistant - the players all know that, so let's make it clear and there's no confusion about it.
"Gary wants to be his own man and he'll bring in his own people.
"I cannot believe that Ollie will be out of work for the next two years - he's an up and coming manager, very popular and I'm positive he'll get a job by the end of this month. If he doesn't, we'll have to do something about it."
With hindsight, do you feel you handled Ian Holloway's situation in the right way?
"When I meet other chairmen, there's not one that doesn't think I did the right thing and they all think they'd do the same.
"If Gary, after three months, said he wanted to go and speak with, say, Birmingham City or Manchester United when he has a two-year contract with me, it's the end.
"Goodbye, don't bother to collect your stuff - I'll send it to you. It's as simple as that.
"What amazes me is this - a player under contract cannot be approached by another club, or they get fined. A manager under contract can be approached by another club, go and talk to them and he doesn't get fined by anybody.
"I don't see how that can work. Leicester approached me and I don't think it should be allowed for them to ask when my manager is under contract for another two and a half years."
The season ended with a very poor run of results under Gary Waddock, so why do you feel he is the right man to take QPR forward?
"My personal view is that I've enjoyed the football under Gary - we played some very good games against Norwich and Reading recently.
"I really don't have much time for people who say 'good luck, bad luck' - I'm looking at the way we play.
"There was never any danger of us going down and in our division it makes no difference to be 21st or seventh. It's about whether you are preparing for next season.
"The reason why we played some younger players and stuck to that in the last five or six games was to see the strength of what we've got in the camp.
"It's only fair to Gary to judge him on the players he brings in. If we're unsuccessful next season, it'll be a problem and he knows that."
Is it realistic to expect a push for the top six next season while you're trying to cut costs?
"Unless they live on Mars or the Moon, everybody knows that unless you get success, the fans won't stand for you and we're all in the same boat. I don't want to come here and not enjoy the games.
"It will be the fourth year since I became involved with QPR and I've never been in a position where we're fighting relegation. I want us to be in a good position by Christmas to challenge for the play-offs and, if we're not, Gary knows the situation.
"Queens Park Rangers fans are not stupid - they're brought up to be entertained and they like good football, so I think they understand what we're trying to do.
"The good news is that we are up on ticket sales compared with this time last year, so people are already responding."
What's the financial state of the club compared to when you took over as chairman?
"Things are much better - we expect to be able to bring our loss to a manageable level, between �200,000 and �300,000 next season. We have a new shirt sponsor and we hope to have a different sponsor for the shorts as well.
"We've reduced our budget for next season. This year was �5.5m and next year will be nearer �4m - that's our plan for the next three years and this is why we're reducing the number of players.
"There are just too many players and we seem to have the longest squad list wherever we go. We want to have a squad of about 25, that's more or less what teams like Watford have got."
How has the squad size been allowed to balloon - is it a direct result of signing players with persistent injury problems such as Dean Sturridge?
"To be fair, Sturridge's record was outstanding - he scored goals left, right and centre and I'm not blaming Ollie for the fact that it didn't work out.
"He felt Sturridge was worth a gamble and we took it, but when you cut open the melon it's not always nice and red."
"At any club, you can have the best players in the world, but if they're injured through silly things, you're forced to get more players in all the time.
"That's what happened to Ollie this year - we got seven players in during the summer and he had to bring more because of the injuries. Players' wages have to be paid, but we also have to pay the bills.
"I don't want people injured all the time for no reason. It was always the same - hamstring, hamstring, hamstring - and something can't be right there.
"I believe that going to Ibiza last summer wasn't the best preparation, especially working on the plastic pitch and I won't take the team there again.
"In Italy there will be better training facilities - and also it's an easy way for me to get home for a week
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/content/ca....3A13%3A18%3A417
