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Thursday, August 22, 2013

The New #QPR Stadium and Loftus Road...Second Anniversary for CEO Philip Beard...Next: #Bolton...QPR Birthdays: Helguson, Camp & Bignot...Phil Parkes QPR Debut: On This Day in 1970





The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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Stadium UPDATE -
Council starts consultation process on big development north of Wormwood Scrubs fans will like pp29-30

Evening Standard/Simon Johnson - QPR begin talks over new stadium



21 August 2013


Queens Park Rangers today confirmed they are in talks over building a new 40,000 all-seater stadium as part of a massive redevelopment scheme at Old Oak Common.
The club have made finding a new ground a priority since owner Tony Fernandes took over two years ago.
Old Oak Common, which is close to Loftus Road, has been identified as a potential site for some time with 100 acres of land available earmarked for a huge building scheme.
Loftus Road’s capacity is just 18,439 and the hierarchy know that a bigger venue is vital to progress.
A club spokesman said: “We are looking at a number of potential options for a new stadium and believe that Old Oak could provide one possible solution.
“We have met with representatives of the GLA and the supporting local authorities to discuss whether a football stadium could be incorporated into any plan that comes forward for this site.”
Old Oak Common has already been earmarked to have major transport links in place in future, with the potential for both Crossrail and a new London to Birmingham rail service passing through there.
Plans are in place to build offices and 19,000 homes there too, which would help Rangers’ chances of boosting their fanbase and filling the ground. 
It has been reported that negotiations with Hammersmith and Fulham council and the Greater London Authority are at an advanced stage, although it will take several years for the building scheme to be carried out.
Rangers will be asked to contribute £200m to the venture but money should not be an issue as AirAsia owner Fernandes and the wealthy Mittal family are part of the hierarchy.
The club would also be able to raise funds from the sale of Loftus Road, which should command a large fee given that it is in west London and can be used to build properties on.
But speaking last month, chief executive Philip Beard admitted that the club had yet to commit to just one idea.
He said: “We’re making progress but it’s important we’ve got three or four options. If you decide you’re only going to pursue one option and nothing works you’re back to the start again. We’ve got plans and want to stay as close as we can to Loftus Road, that’s important. We want to recreate the atmosphere but if we’re going to do something it’s got to be a multi-use facility.”
Wherever Rangers move to, plans are also believed to be in place for it to be named the AirAsia Stadium. Rangers are hoping to start work soon on building a new £25m training ground at the Warren Farm site in Southall. That project is still the subject of a legal challenge from local residents but the club do not expect any problems.
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 BIRTHDAYS FOR HELGUSON, CAMP and BIGNOT




Lee Camp Turns 29

And Marcus Bignot Turn 39


Happy birthday to all three....

All did their bit for QPR





Forty-three years ago today: August 22, 1970, 19 year old goalie made his QPR debut.

Signed in the summer from Walsall by manager Les Allen, for 15,000 pounds, replacing Mike Kelly who was sold for the same fee, to Birmingham. (And I recall, somehow the little newspaper snippet when he signed "Strongly-tipped for England U-23 honours"

Parkes wasn't the goalie for the opening loss at Birmingham. But Parkes was in goal (replacing Alan Spratley) for the home opener, against Leicester.

Unfortunately QPR lost 1-3 (Venables penalty), but Parkes in that very first game looked pretty classy. QPR's team - Parkes - Clement Hazell Hunt Gillard - Venables Sibley Leach - Saul Bridges Marsh - Gerry Francis as sub.


Marking 40 Years Since  Parkes Signed for QPR
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=4583&page=1


Marking Phil Parkes 60th Birthday
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=5775&page=1



 TWO YEAR FLASHBACK: NEW QPR CEO PHILIP BEARD
QPR Official Site

NEW CEO ANNOUNCED

Posted on: Mon 22 Aug 2011

Philip Beard has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Queens Park Rangers Football Club, subject to Premier League approval.

His appointment follows the recent takeover of the Club by Tony Fernandes, the R's new majority shareholder and Chairman.

Beard has worked in the sports and leisure industry for over thirty years, most recently for American music and sports giant, AEG.

Whilst at AEG, he spent two years as Chief Executive of The O2, where he led the team in transforming the venue from the Millennium Dome into the world's most popular music and sports venue.

Latterly, he was Chairman of AEG Sport and Sponsorship where he was charged with developing the company's sporting interests across Europe.

Prior to this, Beard was a senior member of the successful London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid team.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk about Beard's arrival, Fernandes commented: "Philip brings a long history of success in the sports industry with him to QPR.

"His track record in leading teams and achieving commercial success is exemplary and I am delighted to have him on board."

Beard added: "I am utterly thrilled to be joining QPR in this hugely exciting chapter in the Club's history.

"I will be focusing on helping it become the very best Club it can be, both on and off the pitch.

"I want to ensure the best possible experience for the people who support us day in and day out - our loyal supporters." QPR