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Recalling the Summer of 2003: When Australian David Thorne; Milwaukee Wave's Tim Krause; and businessman, Haleem Kherallah were trying to buy into the club. Where are they now?
The Guardian/Matt Scott, July 26 2003 "QPR in line for Aussie cash injection"
Queens Park Rangers believe they are set for a significant injection of funds after accepting a bid for 30% of the club's equity from an Australian entrepreneur, David Thorne.
Thorne wants to use Loftus Road as a venue for international matches involving Australia or New Zealand to increase revenue for the club. "It had to be a club in London that owned its own ground because I want to develop a relationship for a de facto home for the Socceroos and New Zealand in England.
"The only way for soccer to be developed in Oceania is for there to be a base in England, it provides international exposure and it is easier for the European-based players to play there. Loftus Road is not the best ground in London but it serves to help my goal."
Soccer Australia has been looking for a base in the UK since the Socceroos' friendly win over England in February.
"There is a sense of frustration at the club and with David that the paperwork is taking time," said the QPR chief executive David Davies. "But otherwise we are very positive about this. David has brought connections to the table that otherwise we would not have had." Guardian
BBC, July 28-2003 - QPR cash hopes dashed
Queens Park Rangers are facing a cash crisis after Brisbane-based businessman David Thorne withdrew his offer to invest £2million in the club in return for shares.
QPR chief executive David Davies described the news as "a hammer blow for the club." He added: "My priority now is to discuss the situation with both the chairman of the Plc (Ross Jones) and the chairman of the club (Nick Blackburn) before making any further statements."
Thorne proposed to use Rangers' Loftus Road ground for international games
Soccer Australia has been looking for a base in England since the country's last friendly, a win over England at West Ham's Upton Park.
Discussions on using Reading's Madejski stadium for two friendlies last season broke down.
The Australians have since arranged to play a friendly against Ireland in Dublin on 20 August. BBC
David Thorne Q&A With QPR 1st
(Originally on QPR1st. Taken from Dave Barton's QPR Site
Over the weekend, QPR 1st has been in direct contact with David Thorne re his potential involvement with QPR. We also have asked David Davies to comment from a QPR board perspective, but are yet to hear back from him.
David Thorne has been very approachable and said he would answer our questions to the best of his abilities. Below are our questions and his answers reproduced verbatim. We thank him for this candour and look forward to meeting him in early July when he is next in this country.
David has offered to answer further or follow-up questions, but has requested that they are channelled through a single source. We are happy to facilitate this. Please forward your questions to us at info@qpr1st.co.uk in an e-mail entitled "Thorne questions". We will collate and forward onto David Thorne.
As usual, the publication of communications by potential investors in QPR should neither be interpreted as an endorsement nor a criticism by QPR 1st...
Q5, What your ambitions for the club are
The first goal is promotion to Division One. This is imperative for the forthcoming season, not an option. While the result in Cardiff was disappointing the atmosphere was great. We owe the fans for their support and sticking with the club through tough times.
Secondly we need to consolidate in Division One before a strong push back to the Pemiership.
Once back in the Premiership we must stay there. Then it is to be the best team in London and possibly European football. That itself will create its own headaches once we are there.
Q6, What specific role you envisage you and/or your associates taking in the club
That is up to the club. Clearly I believe I have something to offer, but my direct involvement is not a condition of the deal. If the club wants assistance and I can give it, I will be happy to respond to any invitation to do so.
I can say that I have a good working relationship with David Davies and believe we both have strengths that complement each other.
Q7, Whether you seek to get ultimate control of the club
No. QPR belongs to the fans.
I will hold 29.9% of the QPR shares, which will be the largest single shareholding, but I can be blocked. This will allow a for a spread of smaller investors to be involved, rather than a single dominant party.
Q8, you see the current board fitting into your plans
I have publicly expressed the view that I wish the current Chairmen and the Chief Exec to remain in the current positions. This is an investment condition. If invited, I would be pleased to contribute at Board Level.
My dealings with all the board members and staff have been very good. I guess we all get a little frustrated at the speed, or lack of it, that it sometimes takes to get things down. Add to that different countries and legal issues, things can get complicated, but it is important to get things right.
For me, I come from the outside and don't bring any baggage. Obviously there is frustration at the fan level, they have seen the demise of a great club and that is understandable. What I can say, objectively, is that the current board and management team have done a very good job in difficult circumstances and the results of that work should be seen on the field this season.
Q9, What role you see as suitable for the fans in the running of the club
I previously said that QPR belongs to the Fans and that is true. All egos need to be checked at the door as the club is bigger than any of us.
Obviously fan feedback is important and comes in many forms including QPR 1st, both formally and informally. There are mechanisms in place for anybody to have input into the club, from buying tickets, to writing letters, to employment, to standing for official positions. I do not see any fan being denied access to any of these opportunities. How qualified they are to perform these task is a different question.
Q10, Whether you would be open to fan representation at board-level
I am not aware of any impediment stopping a fan/fans representative from standing for a board position.
If you are asking me should any particular interest group have an automatic right to participation at board level, that sounds like discrimination and the answer to that is no.
Q11, What extras or synergies your organisation can bring to QPR
Any investment in Australian Soccer is not logical given the current political situation with Soccer Australia and New Zealand is too small. Therefore to invest one has to look offshore.
The question is not just one of direct investment, but also one of how I can best help develop football in my part of the world. To that end to create a bridge for players and perhaps to be able to offer a European home ground for New Zealand Soccer and Soccer Australia has a lot of appeal. The reality for us is that most of our international players are now based in Europe and the US, and for us to play internationals it is easier to take the games off shore than to try and bring teams down under. Also it should let us tap into the large ex pat base in London.
You may recall Australia beat two different England sides in one match earlier this year. We need to have more games for both countries to strengthen our game.
The value for the club apart from revenue from Internationals is the opportunity to attract additional supporters and sponsors to the club, and possible access to a pool of players. The question then becomes why QPR?
Firstly, the club is in London, which is important for the previous answers.
Secondly QPR has great brand recognition internationally. Certainly the club has been through turbulent times recently but the current board and management have made some hard, if unpopular decisions, necessary to ensure the long- term viability of the club. With that restructuring in place it can only move forward.
I would draw a comparison to what Liverpool and Manchester United went through in the 70's.
Q12, What business plan you have for QPR over the next 5 years. Specifically how you propose that the club deals with any debt and/or future projected trading losses that it might have.
That is being developed now. As for losses, the company must trade solvently for both legal and investment reasons.
Q13, If you have any views on the emotive subjects of ground-sharing and ownership of Loftus Road.
The sums indicate that the ground-sharing with Fulham is working and that the extra revenue is welcome. The days of having an underutilised facility are gone. If you look at Manchester United, they have bars, restaurants, conferences continually generating revenue. Stadiums are becoming multi purpose facilities and we must ultimately follow.
I have no specific views on where this will lead, only that QPR remains the owner of the facility and any share arrangement is a sublet to the third party.Originally on QPR1st. Now on Dave's QPR
HALEEM KHERALLAH - BBC -29 April, 2003, QPR takeover bid tabled
A West End-based businessman is bidding to take control of Queens Park Rangers.
Haleem Kherallah, 37, has tabled an offer for a 26% stake currently held by the present board of directors.
He is also looking to purchase shares still held by former chairman Chris Wright.
Capturing both blocks of shares would enable Kherallah to become QPR's main shareholder and chairman.
Kherallah said: "I am completely and totally committed to this. The club has so much potential and I can give it the stability it has been lacking.
"I'm not looking for an ego trip or to make money out of it. I am a football fanatic and want to make QPR successful again.
"The future is bright if we can get the finances in order. The first and most important step is to tackle the debts and I am determined to do that."
He added: "The potential is there both on and off the pitch. Were it not for a couple of dodgy results we would have been promoted instead of Crewe.
"If we had not lost the points at home to Tranmere because of mistakes, or conceded a flukey goal against Wigan, we would be where Crewe are now - that's how close it was in the end." BBC
BBC June 25, 2003 - QPR takeover stalemate
Businessman Haleem Kherallah says he is ready to abandon his bid to take over Queens Park Rangers.
I am done with trying to talk to these people
Businessman Haleem Kherallah
Kherallah claims the club's board are hostile to his offer because they are keen to stay in their positions.
"They don't want someone with fresh ideas," he said. "They want to keep their jobs.
"People have asked me not to give up, but it's clear my offer is not going to be accepted.
"I am done with trying to talk to these people."
The current directors are fully prepared to step aside if required
QPR chief executive David Davies
Kherallah's claim has been strongly denied by QPR chief executive David Davies.
Both he and chairman Nick Blackburn have stated that they would be willing to step aside.
"It has always been made clear to interested parties that they would not be prevented from replacing people if it would put the club in a better position," said Davies.
"The accusation that people are holding onto their positions is not justified.
"The current directors are fully prepared to step aside if required."
Meanwhile, QPR veteran Steve Palmer has signed a new one-year deal.
The 35-year-old was recently offered a role as player-coach at Wimbledon, but the move broke down after the Dons went into administration.
A financial dispute with his former club Watford over the deal that saw Palmer join the R's two years ago has also had to be settled in order for him to re-sign at Loftus Road. BBC
June 23, 2003- The Kilburn Times/Dave McIntyre- FORGET IT
Haleem Kherallah has abandoned his bid to take control of QPR and accused the current board of snubbing him in order to protect their jobs.
The news comes as the board continued talks with Australian-based businessman David Thorne, who is offering a loan in exchange for shares.
A condition of Thorne's offer is that chairman Nick Blackburn, chief executive David Davies and Ross Jones, chairman of the club's holding company, QPR Holdings, remain.
Kherallah, however, wants major changes. And he insists his bid has been overlooked because the old guard want to stay in place.
"This is them securing their jobs," Kherallah said. "This is a club in trouble and there is someone wanting to put money in. Instead they are interested in someone lending more money, raising the debt and increasing the money secured against the stadium.
"It's so they can carry on. They don't want someone with fresh ideas that will see some of the things wrong and change them. They want to keep their jobs.
"For them to wait for someone to give them money so they can carry on enjoying being a director is hard to accept, and I've had enough.
"I believe the club is heading for major problems and it will be the fans that will be left to pick up the pieces. "If, in the future, someone comes to me and says the board are gone and we can start again, I will be there. But I am done with trying to talk to these people."
Kherallah has been trying to purchase two batches of shares - a 16 per cent stake still held by former chairman Chris Wright, and a 26 per cent shareholding held in trust by Loftus Road directors since the refinancing deal that led to the club coming out of administration.
Snapping up both sets of shares would see Kherallah become the major shareholder and chairman. "There are many issues facing the club and all these people are interested in is what happens to them," he claimed. "From the first time I was in talks they wanted to know what would happen to their positions.
"I've said I want changes at the top and for anyone that does stay, there will be no more giving themselves salary increases and things like that.
"I want QPR to be run by football people, businesspeople, fans and also professional lawyers and accountants that will run the place properly. I don't think that's what the board wanted to hear.
"They are keeping me at arm's length because of that and when I spoke to Chris Wright, it was going well and the next thing he is insisting Nick Blackburn stays."
Kherallah has always said he wanted control of the club in exchange for his money. He says he rejected the offer of a place on the board and a 10 per cent stake "because it's a new start or nothing."
He added: "Anyone putting their own money in who is a responsible businessman wants to make decisions. "The club is in trouble. Why on earth would I hand my money to people who caused this mess to spend as they see fit? "They want me to put my money in for them to carry on writing the cheques. "That's what the other guy (Thorne) is offering. I refuse to agree to that. It's just not acceptable."
Kherallah is also angry about comments attributed to Davies, suggesting he only tabled a bid after Rangers reached the play-offs and seemed destined for Division One.
"That is ridiculous," said Kherallah. "I waited because they did this refinancing deal and David Davies kept telling me there was no urgent need. "Then the money ran out and he came to me saying 'Now's the time - we need money' and I was there.
"The bid was just before the play-offs because they were running out of money just before the play-offs. "Before then, they were telling everyone what a good job they were doing and that the club was heading in the right direction.
"David Davies knows that after we lost the play-off final, I made an improved offer stating there would be extra funds for Ian Holloway because we needed to improve certain areas to get promoted next season.
"I wanted to bring some fresh impetus after the disappointment of Cardiff. "The first thing I wanted was to give Ian Holloway a new contract. I wanted to let him get on with improving things on the pitch while I improve things off the pitch.
"It was a chance for a fresh start. Now I fear the fans will be hearing the same thing again and again about financial problems.
"People have asked me not to give up, but it's clear my offer is not going to be accepted." Kilburn Times (Via Dave's QPR Site)
TIM KRAUSE: BBC- February 12, 2003 - QPR clinch USA link
QPR have announced details of a link-up with US outfit Milwaukee Wave.
The deal, which was agreed in principle in December, follows talks between Rangers chief executive David Davies and Wave supremo Tim Krause.
Wave, who are based in Wisconsin, are an indoor soccer side.
But they will be fielding a Division Two outdoor team called Milwaukee Wave United in the A-League - the American equivalent of the English First Division - this season.
Davies and Kraus were brought together by Brian Melzack, who fronted a consortium that almost took over at Loftus Road last year.
The tie-up will initially involve the co-staging of Soccer Schools this summer, while players are likely to be exchanged between the two clubs as part of the arrangement.
But the link may not end there.
Krause has been approached about investing in QPR.
He is one of several parties interested in a block of shares former Rangers chairman Chris Wright agreed to free up when the club came out of administration last year.
The shares total around 25% and are also being eyed by an Italian group that has held talks with the club.
Other interested parties include another former member of the Melzack consortium, and also local businessman Kevin McGrath, who recently joined the QPR board. BBC
BBC 9 July, 2003, - Cash boost for QPR - Bill Power Joins Board
Queens Park Rangers fan Bill Power has joined the Loftus Road board after pumping £200,000 into the club.
Power becomes the third supporter to be offered a directorship after injecting cash into QPR, following Harold Winton and Kevin McGrath.
"It's a dream come true to join the board and I'm really pleased," Power told BBC Sport.
"I'm from White City and have supported Rangers all my life. To be able to help QPR in this way means a lot to me.
"I haven't been part of any of the bids to take over the club and I don't have any agenda other than wanting to help the club as best I can." BBC
And earlier takeover efforts
18 March, 2002 - [Harold Winton] QPR bid withdrawn
BBC - September 2001: Melzack's hopes grow
BBC - 1 August, 2001, Ellis pulls out of QPR bid
8 June, 2001, Thompson eyes QPR return
29 May, 2001 - Winkleman confirms QPR bid
BBC, April 4 2001 "4 April, 2001New takeover bid for QPR
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Gossip: QPR Going for Zamora, Eastwood AND Phillips
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Given that this is from the News of The World, obviously taking with several grains of salt!
BBC Gossip: "QPR's Iain Dowie has been given the go-ahead to sign three strikers with West Brom's Kevin Phillips, Bobby Zamora of West Ham and Wolves star Freddy Eastwood his targets. (News of the World) BBC
Given that this is from the News of The World, obviously taking with several grains of salt!
BBC Gossip: "QPR's Iain Dowie has been given the go-ahead to sign three strikers with West Brom's Kevin Phillips, Bobby Zamora of West Ham and Wolves star Freddy Eastwood his targets. (News of the World) BBC
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Profiling Purported QPR Signing Kaspars Gorkss
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According to various reports, QPR are set to win (or have already won) the race to sign Blackpool's 27 year-old Lativan defender, Kaspars Gorkšs - beating off Norwich and Ipswich; Watford and Preston, among others. But obviously till his signing is announced by the club, it's all speculative. Gorkss joined Blackpool in January 2007. - Also: The Chase for Gorkss Heats Up
Blackpool Official Site Profile
Name: Kaspars Gorkss - Nationality: Latvian - Date of Birth: 06/11/1981
Height: 6' 3" (191cm) - Weight: 13st 5lbs (85.0kg) - Previous Clubs: Osters IF, FK Ventspils - Position: Defender
Kaspars has firmly established himself at the heart of the Blackpool defence this season after initially arriving at the club in January 2007 from FK Ventspils. The Latvian international has had remarkable season in Tangerine and even scored his first goal for his country against Denmark in October. The defender has also become somewhat of a likely goalscoring hero at Bloomfield as well this campaign with seven goals so far. Blackpool
Blackpool Gazette/Steve Canavan, May 15, 2008 - Just talk says Gorkss
KASPARS Gorkss has labelled talk of him departing Bloomfield Road this summer as "just rumours".
The Seasiders centre back has become a sought-after figure after a fine season in the Championship.
After producing a string of rock-solid performances, as well as chipping in with seven goals, Gorkss has been linked with a number of clubs, including Glasgow Rangers, Crystal Palace, Watford, Norwich, Burnley and Preston.
Gorkss can't rule out a move – not least because he has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for a fee believed to be in the £250,000 region.
But he isn't fretting about his future and has tried to reassure Blackpool fans that they shouldn't either.
"There have been a lot of rumours and nothing has happened," said Gorkss. "From rumours to really going somewhere is a long way.
"From my point of view it's just a case of carrying on and seeing what happens, that's all I can really do.
"I'll let other people worry about the other things.
"The only thing I have been trying to do is prove to myself that I can play in England and play at this level.
"If the fans and media and the manager and everybody else appreciates that, it is a bonus.
"But first I need to prove to myself that I'm good enough and I think I did that last season."
Gorkss prevented Stephen Crainey from recording a clean-sweep at the player of the season awards by picking up a trophy.
It was a sweet moment for the Latvian, who wasn't even in the team for the first game of the season at Leicester.
"I've never won an award before so I was very pleased to get something," added Gorkss.
"It's nice too because I feel that I finally showed what I could do this season.
"The first year I knew would be tough because obviously I signed for Blackpool in the January, when I had just had two months off because the season in Latvia had ended, so it was hard to get fit physically to go straight in.
"It was still a struggle last summer because during the pre-season I didn't get any full games.
"I just felt a bit frustrated and a bit left out to be honest but with what's happened since you can see how quickly things can change in football.
"Looking back at the start of the season and not playing at Leicester, I guess I got a bit lucky with injuries soon after and that gave me a chance to prove a point and prove I could play in this division and help Blackpool.
"It has turned out to be a great year for me and for the team and I'm delighted with how it has gone."
Gorkss received another accolade during the course of last season when he finished runner up in the Latvian player of the year awards.
The centre back is a popular figure in his home country, where he has nailed down a place in the national team and has been dubbed the 'David Beckham of Latvia'.
But the downside of his success is that he has caught the eye of other clubs and given the get-out clause in his contract, he is another player Blackpool are in risk of losing before the start of next season. Blackpool Gazette
WIKIPEDIA PROFILE
Club career
Gorkšs began his career at FK Auda, scoring 9 goals in 77 appearances. After a week long trial he joined Swedish club, Östers IF in December 2002, playing in the Allsvenskan, the Swedish top flight.[1] He moved to Assyriska Föreningen in 2005, who were then in the Allsvenskan. He moved back to Latvia in 2006 signing for FK Ventspils[2] and he scored 5 goals for Ventspils in the clubs Championship winning 2006 Virslīga season[3] He also played for Ventspils in the second qualifying round of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup, against English Premier League club Newcastle United.[4] and
Gorkšs joined Blackpool on 1 January 2007,[5] On 20 August 2007, Gorkšs was named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".[6] Eight days later, Gorkšs scored his first goals for Blackpool in a League Cup second-round tie at Derby County. The Latvian's two goals were both equalisers — one in normal time and one in extra time — in a game that went to a penalty-shootout, won by Blackpool 7-6.[7] On 1 October Gorkšs was again named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".[8]
Gorkšs scored his first league goal for Blackpool in their 1-0 victory over Scunthorpe United at Bloomfield Road on 10 November 2007.[9][10] On 29 December 2007 he was named as runner-up in the annual Latvian Player of the Year Awards by the Latvian Football Federation behind the winner, Vitālijs Astafjevs of Skonto.[11] He was named in The Championship "Team of the Week" for a third time on 25 February 2008, alongside teammate Stephen McPhee[12] and again on 10 March[13] He was named as the Yorkshire Seasiders Player of the Year on 6 May[14] and the following day Blackpool activated an option to extend his contract with the club by one year.[15] Following the season, his first full season in English football in which he had become a regular in the Blackpool side and scored seven goals, Gorkšs was linked with moves to various clubs including Scottish Premier League club Rangers, as well as fellow Championship clubs Burnley, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Preston North End and Watford; however, he dismissed the moves as just rumours, stating, "From my point of view it's just a case of carrying on and seeing what happens, that's all I can really do."[16] On 29 May both he and fellow Blackpool player Wes Hoolahan were linked with a move to Norwich City. [17]....... Wikipedia Gorkss Profile
According to various reports, QPR are set to win (or have already won) the race to sign Blackpool's 27 year-old Lativan defender, Kaspars Gorkšs - beating off Norwich and Ipswich; Watford and Preston, among others. But obviously till his signing is announced by the club, it's all speculative. Gorkss joined Blackpool in January 2007. - Also: The Chase for Gorkss Heats Up
Blackpool Official Site Profile
Name: Kaspars Gorkss - Nationality: Latvian - Date of Birth: 06/11/1981
Height: 6' 3" (191cm) - Weight: 13st 5lbs (85.0kg) - Previous Clubs: Osters IF, FK Ventspils - Position: Defender
Kaspars has firmly established himself at the heart of the Blackpool defence this season after initially arriving at the club in January 2007 from FK Ventspils. The Latvian international has had remarkable season in Tangerine and even scored his first goal for his country against Denmark in October. The defender has also become somewhat of a likely goalscoring hero at Bloomfield as well this campaign with seven goals so far. Blackpool
Blackpool Gazette/Steve Canavan, May 15, 2008 - Just talk says Gorkss
KASPARS Gorkss has labelled talk of him departing Bloomfield Road this summer as "just rumours".
The Seasiders centre back has become a sought-after figure after a fine season in the Championship.
After producing a string of rock-solid performances, as well as chipping in with seven goals, Gorkss has been linked with a number of clubs, including Glasgow Rangers, Crystal Palace, Watford, Norwich, Burnley and Preston.
Gorkss can't rule out a move – not least because he has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for a fee believed to be in the £250,000 region.
But he isn't fretting about his future and has tried to reassure Blackpool fans that they shouldn't either.
"There have been a lot of rumours and nothing has happened," said Gorkss. "From rumours to really going somewhere is a long way.
"From my point of view it's just a case of carrying on and seeing what happens, that's all I can really do.
"I'll let other people worry about the other things.
"The only thing I have been trying to do is prove to myself that I can play in England and play at this level.
"If the fans and media and the manager and everybody else appreciates that, it is a bonus.
"But first I need to prove to myself that I'm good enough and I think I did that last season."
Gorkss prevented Stephen Crainey from recording a clean-sweep at the player of the season awards by picking up a trophy.
It was a sweet moment for the Latvian, who wasn't even in the team for the first game of the season at Leicester.
"I've never won an award before so I was very pleased to get something," added Gorkss.
"It's nice too because I feel that I finally showed what I could do this season.
"The first year I knew would be tough because obviously I signed for Blackpool in the January, when I had just had two months off because the season in Latvia had ended, so it was hard to get fit physically to go straight in.
"It was still a struggle last summer because during the pre-season I didn't get any full games.
"I just felt a bit frustrated and a bit left out to be honest but with what's happened since you can see how quickly things can change in football.
"Looking back at the start of the season and not playing at Leicester, I guess I got a bit lucky with injuries soon after and that gave me a chance to prove a point and prove I could play in this division and help Blackpool.
"It has turned out to be a great year for me and for the team and I'm delighted with how it has gone."
Gorkss received another accolade during the course of last season when he finished runner up in the Latvian player of the year awards.
The centre back is a popular figure in his home country, where he has nailed down a place in the national team and has been dubbed the 'David Beckham of Latvia'.
But the downside of his success is that he has caught the eye of other clubs and given the get-out clause in his contract, he is another player Blackpool are in risk of losing before the start of next season. Blackpool Gazette
WIKIPEDIA PROFILE
Club career
Gorkšs began his career at FK Auda, scoring 9 goals in 77 appearances. After a week long trial he joined Swedish club, Östers IF in December 2002, playing in the Allsvenskan, the Swedish top flight.[1] He moved to Assyriska Föreningen in 2005, who were then in the Allsvenskan. He moved back to Latvia in 2006 signing for FK Ventspils[2] and he scored 5 goals for Ventspils in the clubs Championship winning 2006 Virslīga season[3] He also played for Ventspils in the second qualifying round of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup, against English Premier League club Newcastle United.[4] and
Gorkšs joined Blackpool on 1 January 2007,[5] On 20 August 2007, Gorkšs was named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".[6] Eight days later, Gorkšs scored his first goals for Blackpool in a League Cup second-round tie at Derby County. The Latvian's two goals were both equalisers — one in normal time and one in extra time — in a game that went to a penalty-shootout, won by Blackpool 7-6.[7] On 1 October Gorkšs was again named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".[8]
Gorkšs scored his first league goal for Blackpool in their 1-0 victory over Scunthorpe United at Bloomfield Road on 10 November 2007.[9][10] On 29 December 2007 he was named as runner-up in the annual Latvian Player of the Year Awards by the Latvian Football Federation behind the winner, Vitālijs Astafjevs of Skonto.[11] He was named in The Championship "Team of the Week" for a third time on 25 February 2008, alongside teammate Stephen McPhee[12] and again on 10 March[13] He was named as the Yorkshire Seasiders Player of the Year on 6 May[14] and the following day Blackpool activated an option to extend his contract with the club by one year.[15] Following the season, his first full season in English football in which he had become a regular in the Blackpool side and scored seven goals, Gorkšs was linked with moves to various clubs including Scottish Premier League club Rangers, as well as fellow Championship clubs Burnley, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Preston North End and Watford; however, he dismissed the moves as just rumours, stating, "From my point of view it's just a case of carrying on and seeing what happens, that's all I can really do."[16] On 29 May both he and fellow Blackpool player Wes Hoolahan were linked with a move to Norwich City. [17]....... Wikipedia Gorkss Profile
Flashback - Two Years Ago: A Chairman's Optimism
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How far we've come; and hopefully, how much further we're going!
QPR Official Site - June 8, 2006 - PALADINI SPEAKS
With the start of a new season beckoning, Gianni Paladini would like to clarify the position and goals of QPR:
Last year was a difficult season both for the club and for me personally. I feel that resultant media coverage and speculation has obscured what the Board are striving to achieve with the club, so I would like to take this opportunity to re-state our goals.
Let us state up-front that our ultimate goal is to get the club back into the Premiership where we believe QPR belong, but we know that this will only be achieved with a gradual step by step approach.
To achieve this goal we need to provide the club with financial stability and to improve the quality of playing squad and coaching staff.
As stated previously, the aim of the current Board is for the underlying business of the club to break-even.
Next season will see further improvements and we expect the losses fall to below £1m - a significant improvement on the years before I became involved with the club.
Without the financial support of the current Board, the club would have gone into administration last season. With the financial resources being made available, the club will not go into administration with the current Board in control.
All the members of the Board are people who love football and are committed to QPR.
The Board has already put in place our financing for next season and we will continue to bring in new investors, to help fund further improvements to the squad and the club.
We are currently engaged in discussions with potential new investors, who are very enthusiastic about QPR, and we hope to make an announcement about this in the near future.
The Club would also like to highlight three commercial deals that the current Board have done for the club.
The new four year deal with our shirt manufacturer Le Coq Sportif will bring in an additional £250,000 per annum; the new shirt sponsors Cargiant will bring in £150,000 per annum; and the new stand and shorts sponsors GJ Electrical will also bring in another £150,000 per annum.
In addition, there are two other high value commercial deals, currently in the final stages of negotiation, that will be announced soon.
There would appear to be a contradiction between the club breaking even and improving the quality of the squad. Recent experience has taught us that just spending money on players will not guarantee results, unless of course you have the resources of Russian oligarch at your disposal.
However, with a solid financial and administrative base established at the club, the Board and new investors will feel confident enough to provide further resources for the playing squad.
As I still get asked about the ABC loan I would like to tell the fans and shareholders that we are hoping to replace the ABC loan in the near future with a cheaper loan from a more reputable financial institution.
What do we know about the ABC Corporation? Unfortunately very little, we have suspicions, but we can't prove who the controlling interest behind the ABC Corporation is.
The ABC Corporation's lack of transparency means that the Board must question their motives and their attitude towards the club which is why the Board wish to refinance the ABC loan. We will be reviewing the legality of the ABC loan.
Just to confirm what has been stated previously, Gary Waddock is the Manager-designate and once the situation with Ian Holloway has been resolved then Gary will formally be announced as the Manager.
Recent speculation in the press about a dispute regarding compensation between Ian Holloway and the club is wholly untrue.
We continue to have an amicable relationship with Ian, who is still being paid in full. Ian hopes to have a managerial position sorted out with a new club shortly.
Gary has been responsible for selecting next season's squad and coaching team. The first team squad for next season will comprise of 26 players which is only two players less than the squad we started last season with.
Many old favourites are still here such as Dan Shittu, Lee Cook, Gareth Ainsworth, Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen.
Martin Rowlands and Matthew Rose will also be back from injury. We are spoilt for choice with two excellent goalkeepers in Simon Royce and Paul Jones as well as Jake Cole and Sean Thomas waiting in the wings.
We have a superb group of youngsters coming through with Scott Donnelly, Shabazz Baidoo, Stefan Bailey, Dominic Shimmin and Pat Kanyuka.
Our new signings include Damion Stewart, who had a good game for Jamaica against England and Armel Tchakounte from Cameroon. We look forward to announcing the final three signings that we are currently negotiating with as soon as we are able.
I would like to thank all the fans that have already renewed their season tickets for next season.
The volume of season tickets processed so far at 6,300 is slightly down on the number of tickets processed at this stage last year, a pattern that has been reflected across other clubs, but we expect further sales once we confirm next season's signings.
The vast majority of these are full price season ticket renewals and 443 are new full price season ticket holders.
There are 417 free tickets for kids so far and I am personally delighted that we have attracted these young season tickets holders as they are the fans of the future.
We have put our finances in order, our losses will continue to fall towards a break even situation, we have a new manager ready to take us forward and we have a new and younger squad that will form the basis of a team to challenge for promotion to the Premiership.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the first home game of next season, and I thank you for your continued loyal support.
Come on you R's!
Gianni Paladini
QPR Official Site --- QPR Report
How far we've come; and hopefully, how much further we're going!
QPR Official Site - June 8, 2006 - PALADINI SPEAKS
With the start of a new season beckoning, Gianni Paladini would like to clarify the position and goals of QPR:
Last year was a difficult season both for the club and for me personally. I feel that resultant media coverage and speculation has obscured what the Board are striving to achieve with the club, so I would like to take this opportunity to re-state our goals.
Let us state up-front that our ultimate goal is to get the club back into the Premiership where we believe QPR belong, but we know that this will only be achieved with a gradual step by step approach.
To achieve this goal we need to provide the club with financial stability and to improve the quality of playing squad and coaching staff.
As stated previously, the aim of the current Board is for the underlying business of the club to break-even.
Next season will see further improvements and we expect the losses fall to below £1m - a significant improvement on the years before I became involved with the club.
Without the financial support of the current Board, the club would have gone into administration last season. With the financial resources being made available, the club will not go into administration with the current Board in control.
All the members of the Board are people who love football and are committed to QPR.
The Board has already put in place our financing for next season and we will continue to bring in new investors, to help fund further improvements to the squad and the club.
We are currently engaged in discussions with potential new investors, who are very enthusiastic about QPR, and we hope to make an announcement about this in the near future.
The Club would also like to highlight three commercial deals that the current Board have done for the club.
The new four year deal with our shirt manufacturer Le Coq Sportif will bring in an additional £250,000 per annum; the new shirt sponsors Cargiant will bring in £150,000 per annum; and the new stand and shorts sponsors GJ Electrical will also bring in another £150,000 per annum.
In addition, there are two other high value commercial deals, currently in the final stages of negotiation, that will be announced soon.
There would appear to be a contradiction between the club breaking even and improving the quality of the squad. Recent experience has taught us that just spending money on players will not guarantee results, unless of course you have the resources of Russian oligarch at your disposal.
However, with a solid financial and administrative base established at the club, the Board and new investors will feel confident enough to provide further resources for the playing squad.
As I still get asked about the ABC loan I would like to tell the fans and shareholders that we are hoping to replace the ABC loan in the near future with a cheaper loan from a more reputable financial institution.
What do we know about the ABC Corporation? Unfortunately very little, we have suspicions, but we can't prove who the controlling interest behind the ABC Corporation is.
The ABC Corporation's lack of transparency means that the Board must question their motives and their attitude towards the club which is why the Board wish to refinance the ABC loan. We will be reviewing the legality of the ABC loan.
Just to confirm what has been stated previously, Gary Waddock is the Manager-designate and once the situation with Ian Holloway has been resolved then Gary will formally be announced as the Manager.
Recent speculation in the press about a dispute regarding compensation between Ian Holloway and the club is wholly untrue.
We continue to have an amicable relationship with Ian, who is still being paid in full. Ian hopes to have a managerial position sorted out with a new club shortly.
Gary has been responsible for selecting next season's squad and coaching team. The first team squad for next season will comprise of 26 players which is only two players less than the squad we started last season with.
Many old favourites are still here such as Dan Shittu, Lee Cook, Gareth Ainsworth, Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen.
Martin Rowlands and Matthew Rose will also be back from injury. We are spoilt for choice with two excellent goalkeepers in Simon Royce and Paul Jones as well as Jake Cole and Sean Thomas waiting in the wings.
We have a superb group of youngsters coming through with Scott Donnelly, Shabazz Baidoo, Stefan Bailey, Dominic Shimmin and Pat Kanyuka.
Our new signings include Damion Stewart, who had a good game for Jamaica against England and Armel Tchakounte from Cameroon. We look forward to announcing the final three signings that we are currently negotiating with as soon as we are able.
I would like to thank all the fans that have already renewed their season tickets for next season.
The volume of season tickets processed so far at 6,300 is slightly down on the number of tickets processed at this stage last year, a pattern that has been reflected across other clubs, but we expect further sales once we confirm next season's signings.
The vast majority of these are full price season ticket renewals and 443 are new full price season ticket holders.
There are 417 free tickets for kids so far and I am personally delighted that we have attracted these young season tickets holders as they are the fans of the future.
We have put our finances in order, our losses will continue to fall towards a break even situation, we have a new manager ready to take us forward and we have a new and younger squad that will form the basis of a team to challenge for promotion to the Premiership.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the first home game of next season, and I thank you for your continued loyal support.
Come on you R's!
Gianni Paladini
QPR Official Site --- QPR Report
Friday, June 06, 2008
Marcus Bean's Mistake in Leaving QPR
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Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - Bean says: 'I made a mistake leaving QPR
NEW SIGNING Marcus Bean admits he probably jumped the gun in quitting QPR two seasons ago and should have stayed in west London.
The Hammersmith-born midfielder is glad to be back in the capital to bring an end to an unhappy spell in the north with Blackpool and Rotherham.
And he is relishing the opportunity to revive his career under Andy Scott at Brentford.
But the 23-year-old admits it was probably a mistake quitting London in the first place, even though he only played 44 times for rangers between 2002-6 and never seemed tp feature prominently.
"Maybe in hindsight I was a bit hasty to leave," Bean told the Gazette.
"The decision was down to me. Ian Holloway had plans for me for the future but I really felt I wanted to play on a regular basis.
"He brought in a couple of new midfielders and said I was one for the future and I felt my time was up."
The regrets may not go down that well with fans of his new club - who have little affection for their neighbours from Loftus Road.
But they ought to admire his honesty and trust that Scott has identified a player determined to make the most of his return to more familiar territory.
And there will be no hankering for his former club, even if he was with them from an early age. There have been so many changes at Rangers since he left that he no longer has any mates there.
"Maybe in hindsight the grass isn't always greener," Bean said.
"I was young at QPR and I can't blame the manager for how I was treated and the fact I didn't play enough," he said. "But moving didn't turn out as
I'd hoped. It didn't work out for me at Blackpool and I got homesick.
"I played a lot of games to begin with and did really well, but it didn't carry on that way and it's good to be back in London now.
"My problem in the past has been that the manager has said one thing and done another thing.
"Feeling wanted is probably the biggest part for me. I think I haven't felt wanted at times in the past."
That feeling must have been strong a year ago when Black-pool reached the League One play-off final at Wembley and Bean was not involved.
"It was hard watching the team from the sidelines in year's play-off final because you want to be involved in those kind of games.
"I was happy for the team, but it was gut-wrenching not to play."
Talking about the positive thoughts which persuaded him to agree a deal with Brentford,
Bean said: "The interest shown in me and the manager's desire to sign me made my mind up.
"The main thing was finding a club that matched my ambitions. The fact that it is a London club is secondary, even though I did get a bit homesick up north. I went down to Brentford for a couple of days and the manager seemed really positive. He said there would be sweeping changes and that he really wanted to get promoted this season.
"He seems really focused and very honest. He was a player until quite recently so he understands players and from what I understand, his man-management skills are very good.
"I want to play games this season and the manager's said that he's definitely looking to play me on a regular basis.
"We will be looking to gain promotion and I wouldn't have signed for a team that wasn't really pushing for that.
"I still feel capable of playing at a higher level than League Two." Ealing Gazette
Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - Bean says: 'I made a mistake leaving QPR
NEW SIGNING Marcus Bean admits he probably jumped the gun in quitting QPR two seasons ago and should have stayed in west London.
The Hammersmith-born midfielder is glad to be back in the capital to bring an end to an unhappy spell in the north with Blackpool and Rotherham.
And he is relishing the opportunity to revive his career under Andy Scott at Brentford.
But the 23-year-old admits it was probably a mistake quitting London in the first place, even though he only played 44 times for rangers between 2002-6 and never seemed tp feature prominently.
"Maybe in hindsight I was a bit hasty to leave," Bean told the Gazette.
"The decision was down to me. Ian Holloway had plans for me for the future but I really felt I wanted to play on a regular basis.
"He brought in a couple of new midfielders and said I was one for the future and I felt my time was up."
The regrets may not go down that well with fans of his new club - who have little affection for their neighbours from Loftus Road.
But they ought to admire his honesty and trust that Scott has identified a player determined to make the most of his return to more familiar territory.
And there will be no hankering for his former club, even if he was with them from an early age. There have been so many changes at Rangers since he left that he no longer has any mates there.
"Maybe in hindsight the grass isn't always greener," Bean said.
"I was young at QPR and I can't blame the manager for how I was treated and the fact I didn't play enough," he said. "But moving didn't turn out as
I'd hoped. It didn't work out for me at Blackpool and I got homesick.
"I played a lot of games to begin with and did really well, but it didn't carry on that way and it's good to be back in London now.
"My problem in the past has been that the manager has said one thing and done another thing.
"Feeling wanted is probably the biggest part for me. I think I haven't felt wanted at times in the past."
That feeling must have been strong a year ago when Black-pool reached the League One play-off final at Wembley and Bean was not involved.
"It was hard watching the team from the sidelines in year's play-off final because you want to be involved in those kind of games.
"I was happy for the team, but it was gut-wrenching not to play."
Talking about the positive thoughts which persuaded him to agree a deal with Brentford,
Bean said: "The interest shown in me and the manager's desire to sign me made my mind up.
"The main thing was finding a club that matched my ambitions. The fact that it is a London club is secondary, even though I did get a bit homesick up north. I went down to Brentford for a couple of days and the manager seemed really positive. He said there would be sweeping changes and that he really wanted to get promoted this season.
"He seems really focused and very honest. He was a player until quite recently so he understands players and from what I understand, his man-management skills are very good.
"I want to play games this season and the manager's said that he's definitely looking to play me on a regular basis.
"We will be looking to gain promotion and I wouldn't have signed for a team that wasn't really pushing for that.
"I still feel capable of playing at a higher level than League Two." Ealing Gazette
Delaney Optimistic About Dowie
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Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - Dowie ' will be perfect for us'Jun 6 2008
DAMIEN Delaney is backing Iain Dowie to bring the organisation Rangers will need to mount a promotion campaign next season, writes Rob Brennan.
The left-back, who is on a high after earning his first caps for the Republic of Ireland last week and earning praise from new national boss Giovanni Trapattoni, is confident his new club boss will inspire
Delaney has yet to meet Dowie but is looking forward to playing under the former Northern Ireland International.
"I'm pleased, really pleased," Delaney said. "He will have us organised for next year and hopefully we will go on next year and achieve promotion.
"I know quite a lot about him and what he did with Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry.
He is a well known manager around the Championship and everyone knows what he is about. He will build a solid, Championship side and hopefully have us organised and looking right in the Championship next year."
Delaney admitted he thought he would be making up the numbers when he was called up by Trapattoni for Ireland's end of season friendlies against Serbia and Colombia.
Instead he gained his first International caps and is set to retain the left back spot when the World Cup qualifying campaign in September.
In the absence of the Wigan Athletic's Kevin Kilbane, Delaney made his debut against Serbia at Croke Park. And having endeared himself to Irish supporters with a typically robust display, he was again in fine form as Ireland beat Colombia 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
He has been the surprising success story of the Trapattoni era so far.
The Corkman has a terrific physique and got up and down the line well. He was barking out orders to Celtic's Aiden McGeady for failing to track back and made some crunching tackles to the cheers of 18,000 fans.
"I was pleased enough, I was a bit nervous before both games. It's been a good experience to play against an Eastern European side and to play against a South American side," Delaney told the Gazette.
"I'm not a one cap wonder!" he said. "I was delighted and hopefully I can get a few more."
Delaney feels that playing in the Championship with not be a detriment to his Ireland career and is hopeful that club-mate Martin Rowlands will return for a friendly against Norway in Oslo in August.
"Hopefully with QPR next year we will be up at the top of the Championship. The club has got a lot of investment and are looking for top quality players. If we are playing at the top of the Championship and winning every week and being a London club will be a bit more high profile.
"I think Rowly showed enough. I think he would have started the game against Serbia. He obviously impressed the coaching staff in the two friendlies we had in Portugal so I think he has done enough.
"Next year will be critical for him, if he can get off to a good start, then hopefully he can get in the team."
The Irish contingent at Loftus Road may be further bolstered over the summer with the arrival of Wes Hoolahan from Black-pool. The 26-year-old Dubliner made his Irish debut as a substitute against Colombia and the is set to depart Bloomfield Road for a cut price £250,000. But the Hoops face competition from Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic to buy the skilful left winger.
"He has been my room-mate all week so I got to know him really well and was telling him about the benefits of coming to QPR and hopefully we can get him down," Delaney said.
* Mikele Leigertwood has reportedly turned down the chance to play for Antigua in the World Cup qualifiers. The Rangers midfielder was said to have rejected a late call-up because of other summer commitments - including a wedding. Ealing Gazette
Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - Dowie ' will be perfect for us'Jun 6 2008
DAMIEN Delaney is backing Iain Dowie to bring the organisation Rangers will need to mount a promotion campaign next season, writes Rob Brennan.
The left-back, who is on a high after earning his first caps for the Republic of Ireland last week and earning praise from new national boss Giovanni Trapattoni, is confident his new club boss will inspire
Delaney has yet to meet Dowie but is looking forward to playing under the former Northern Ireland International.
"I'm pleased, really pleased," Delaney said. "He will have us organised for next year and hopefully we will go on next year and achieve promotion.
"I know quite a lot about him and what he did with Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry.
He is a well known manager around the Championship and everyone knows what he is about. He will build a solid, Championship side and hopefully have us organised and looking right in the Championship next year."
Delaney admitted he thought he would be making up the numbers when he was called up by Trapattoni for Ireland's end of season friendlies against Serbia and Colombia.
Instead he gained his first International caps and is set to retain the left back spot when the World Cup qualifying campaign in September.
In the absence of the Wigan Athletic's Kevin Kilbane, Delaney made his debut against Serbia at Croke Park. And having endeared himself to Irish supporters with a typically robust display, he was again in fine form as Ireland beat Colombia 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
He has been the surprising success story of the Trapattoni era so far.
The Corkman has a terrific physique and got up and down the line well. He was barking out orders to Celtic's Aiden McGeady for failing to track back and made some crunching tackles to the cheers of 18,000 fans.
"I was pleased enough, I was a bit nervous before both games. It's been a good experience to play against an Eastern European side and to play against a South American side," Delaney told the Gazette.
"I'm not a one cap wonder!" he said. "I was delighted and hopefully I can get a few more."
Delaney feels that playing in the Championship with not be a detriment to his Ireland career and is hopeful that club-mate Martin Rowlands will return for a friendly against Norway in Oslo in August.
"Hopefully with QPR next year we will be up at the top of the Championship. The club has got a lot of investment and are looking for top quality players. If we are playing at the top of the Championship and winning every week and being a London club will be a bit more high profile.
"I think Rowly showed enough. I think he would have started the game against Serbia. He obviously impressed the coaching staff in the two friendlies we had in Portugal so I think he has done enough.
"Next year will be critical for him, if he can get off to a good start, then hopefully he can get in the team."
The Irish contingent at Loftus Road may be further bolstered over the summer with the arrival of Wes Hoolahan from Black-pool. The 26-year-old Dubliner made his Irish debut as a substitute against Colombia and the is set to depart Bloomfield Road for a cut price £250,000. But the Hoops face competition from Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic to buy the skilful left winger.
"He has been my room-mate all week so I got to know him really well and was telling him about the benefits of coming to QPR and hopefully we can get him down," Delaney said.
* Mikele Leigertwood has reportedly turned down the chance to play for Antigua in the World Cup qualifiers. The Rangers midfielder was said to have rejected a late call-up because of other summer commitments - including a wedding. Ealing Gazette
Gorkss Hopefully Signs for QPR Next Week...and Will Bid Again for Watson
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[Updated piece from Dave McIntyre]
Dave McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - QPR to sign Gorkss
QPR expect to complete the signing of Blackpool centre-back Kaspars Gorkss next week, writes David McIntyre.
Gorkss, a Latvian international, has attracted interest from a number of clubs but Rangers believe they are in pole position to sign the 26-year-old.
The club will also table another bid for midfielder Ben Watson, who is expected to reject Crystal Palace's latest offer of a new contract. Rangers failed to land the former England U21 international after offering Palace a deal worth £1.2m, potentially rising to £1.5m subject to certain clauses.
The Eagles are keen to keep Watson, 22, but he is entering the last year of his contract and has indicated that he will not sign a new deal. Rangers hope this will enable them to tempt Palace with an improved offer after the weekend.
Former Palace manager Iain Dowie knows Watson well from his time in charge at Selhurst Park and identified him as a potential signing as soon as he took over at QPR.
Rangers have abandoned a bid to re-sign Dan Shittu from Watford and appear to have drawn a blank over Tottenham's Anthony Gardner who is looking elsewhere.
Rangers' ambitious targeting of Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood looks like being just as unproductive but they do have a realistic chance of signing West Ham forward Bobby Zamora, whose future is likely to be decided in the next couple of weeks.
And there may have been a significant development in the longstanding attempt to bring Lee Cook back to Loftus Road with the departure on Monday of Fulham managing director David McNally.
Rangers have believed for some time that McNally's possible exit could pave the way for them to re-sign Cook.
McNally presided over Fulham's signing of Cook from QPR last year and was reluctant to let him return for a cut-price fee. His successor could look to offload several players and Cook, who has not played in a competitive match for Fulham, may be among those available at a knockdown price.
Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson has also been targeted but he now looks to be well out of Dowie's reach unless Boro tie the highly-rated youngster to a long-term contact and then agree to loan him out.
But overseas recruits remain a possibility. Dowie is currently scouting at the Campionato Primavera - an annual U20 tournament for Italy's top clubs. Ealing Gazette
[Updated piece from Dave McIntyre]
Dave McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - QPR to sign Gorkss
QPR expect to complete the signing of Blackpool centre-back Kaspars Gorkss next week, writes David McIntyre.
Gorkss, a Latvian international, has attracted interest from a number of clubs but Rangers believe they are in pole position to sign the 26-year-old.
The club will also table another bid for midfielder Ben Watson, who is expected to reject Crystal Palace's latest offer of a new contract. Rangers failed to land the former England U21 international after offering Palace a deal worth £1.2m, potentially rising to £1.5m subject to certain clauses.
The Eagles are keen to keep Watson, 22, but he is entering the last year of his contract and has indicated that he will not sign a new deal. Rangers hope this will enable them to tempt Palace with an improved offer after the weekend.
Former Palace manager Iain Dowie knows Watson well from his time in charge at Selhurst Park and identified him as a potential signing as soon as he took over at QPR.
Rangers have abandoned a bid to re-sign Dan Shittu from Watford and appear to have drawn a blank over Tottenham's Anthony Gardner who is looking elsewhere.
Rangers' ambitious targeting of Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood looks like being just as unproductive but they do have a realistic chance of signing West Ham forward Bobby Zamora, whose future is likely to be decided in the next couple of weeks.
And there may have been a significant development in the longstanding attempt to bring Lee Cook back to Loftus Road with the departure on Monday of Fulham managing director David McNally.
Rangers have believed for some time that McNally's possible exit could pave the way for them to re-sign Cook.
McNally presided over Fulham's signing of Cook from QPR last year and was reluctant to let him return for a cut-price fee. His successor could look to offload several players and Cook, who has not played in a competitive match for Fulham, may be among those available at a knockdown price.
Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson has also been targeted but he now looks to be well out of Dowie's reach unless Boro tie the highly-rated youngster to a long-term contact and then agree to loan him out.
But overseas recruits remain a possibility. Dowie is currently scouting at the Campionato Primavera - an annual U20 tournament for Italy's top clubs. Ealing Gazette
QPR News Snippets
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It's Season Ticket renewal Deadline Day (5:00 pm). And while some messageboard posters have expressed some skepticism (as well as discontent about the price increases), according to Club statements, season ticket sales are going fabulously.
Windsor and Eton, July 22: As noted on the QPR Messageboards (but not yet on the Official Site), a QPR XI is set to play Windsor and Eton, July 22: Windsor Announcement
Competition for Blackpool Defender Kaspars Gorkss
It was reported on one messageboard a few days ago, that he had already signed for QPR; but that seems not to be the case.
Ipswich Evening Star/Mike Bacon - Blackpool defender is Town target
IPSWICH Town face a battle with fellow Championship sides, including rivals Norwich City, as they step up their interest in Blackpool's towering defender Kaspars Gorkss.
Latvian Gorkss is one of the Championships' most wanted defenders and the Lancashire club are looking to cash in on the giant centre half who so impressed last season....
However Ipswich are not alone in their interest in the defender, who scored six times as Blackpool managed to avoid relegation last season.
Big-spending QPR are understood to be one of those looking to land the 26-year-old, but Watford, Norwich and Preston are also very keen.
Blackpool have insisted they want to keep Gorkss, but they can do little to prevent him leaving as the impressive Latvian has a buy-out clause in his contract of just £250,000. And it is a case of 'when' and not 'if' he goes.
That figure is a knock-down price and is why the likes of Ipswich and Norwich City are so interested.
Blackpool manager Grayson wants to keep Gorkss, but knows with a buy-out clause so low, he has little chance of doing so.
"We have to make sure we are prepared for one or two players going," Grayson said.
"You have to be aware that players mentioned, like Gorkss, and others who have attracted interest, could well leave the club.”
With Magilton back from holiday next week, things are likely to start moving at Portman Road, as the search for new signings commences. Ipswich Evening Star
QPR Italia Blog - Fiorentina: Lepiller ai QPR o in Serie B... Fiorentina: Lepiller to QPR or in Serie B
"Continue the final phase of the Spring Italian Championship and continues the court of the major teams for young talent emerging.
. As already mentioned, Iain Dowie is following with particular attention consignments of these days and Pantaleo Corvino, DS of Fiorentina, has virtually admitted the interest of the Rangers for the young Matthias Lepiller, 20 years, attacking French viola (see photo) which says a large well and that will still leave the team for spring age limits.
Its use in the first team to Fiorentina is excluded from the same Prandelli: "I am young important, but before we are already well developed. In general I do not delude ourselves like a young boy or buttarlo in the melee to do so ', and then it will check the possibility of give on loan: Livorno, Bari and QPR are second Corvino the three main hypotheses for the young Matthias. QPR Italia Web Translation
QPR Italia Original: Continua la fase finale del Campionato Primavera italiano e continua la corte delle principali squadre ai giovani talenti emergenti....." QPR Italia
Nostalgia Flashback: One Year! To Dave McIntyre's assessment a year ago of how the various players in the 2006/07 squad performed. (So few of these players remain at QPR)So many of these players have since moved on!) Players Assessment
Gary Waddock Talking: Football League - WADDOCK FIRING SHOTS UP FOR LEAGUE RETURN
After leading Aldershot Town into The Football League as Blue Square Premier champions, manager Gary Waddock is looking ahead with confidence as the Shots prepare for life in League 2 some 16 years after the club's predecessors Aldershot FC played their final match in what was then Division Four.
It was a long way back for the re-constituted club but no so for former Queens Park Rangers and Republic of Ireland midfielder Waddock, who steered the Shots to promotion in what was his first season in charge at the Recreation Ground. And that's just for starters, says the determined 46 year-old manager.
Waddock says: "We're not going up thinking, 'that's it, we've done it,' the aim is to build on what we achieved last season. I look at what clubs like Carlisle and Hereford have done in recent years after being promoted to The League and they've shown that you don't have to just think about consolidation when you go up.
"Only time will tell how quickly we can push on and certainly, if we make a good start then expectation levels will go through the roof. But hopefully we can carry the momentum on from our run to promotion and with only a tweaking rather than a major overhaul of the playing squad."
Since the close season began Waddock's 'tweaking' has seen the arrival of several new players, among them defender Chris Blackburn from Swindon Town, midfielder Dean Howell from Rushden & Diamonds and striker Marvin Morgan from Woking. But the manager will retain the core of his promotion-winning squad.
He said: "When I arrived at the club there was already a group of talented players and although they were a young group, they did brilliantly in a very difficult league to get out of. We went top around the middle of October and that put extra pressure on the youngsters, but they handled it really well and deserved to go up as champions."
Waddock was also deserving of praise for his work after returning to the management fold following a difficult seven-month spell as first caretaker then full-time manager of QPR between the tenures of Ian Holloway and John Gregory in 2006. "I learned a hell of a lot in a short space of time," notes Waddock.
"I've certainly had my ups and downs in professional football," he adds, "and winning promotion with Aldershot was right up with the highs like playing in an FA Cup Final and representing the Republic of Ireland. After what happened at QPR, Aldershot gave me the chance to prove I can manage - and I'll never forget them for that." Football League
Bosnich Football Comeback:
The West Australian: Central Coast Mariners try to snare Bosnich
Controversial former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has been offered a guest stint with A-League club Central Coast Mariners.
With regular goalkeeper Danny Vukovic suspended for the first seven games of the season, the Mariners are understood to have approached the former Aston Villa custodian about a short term deal.
Fairfax Newspapers reported Bosnich, 36, had discussions with the club's deputy chairman Peter Turnbull, when he was in Australia attending the FIFA Congress.
While coach Lawrie McKinna denied there had been an approach to Bosnich he said the club would happily consider him.
“He's been a quality goalkeeper over the years,” McKinna said.
“You never say never and Mark Bosnich was one of the best keepers in the world on his day, and if he was fit and back in shape, of course you’d look at him.”
Bosnich struggled for regular first team football after moving from Aston Villa to Manchester United in 1999, then briefly Chelsea.
He developed a cocaine addiction and was regularly featured in the English tabloids with ongoing relationship dramas.
Bosnich last played a professional match in 2002 but trained with the Queens Park Rangers last year. AAP
Marcus Bean Update: Richmond Twickenham Times/Stuart Amos - Disillusioned Bean jumps at Bees offer
Brentford new boy Marcus Bean is hoping he can repay boss Andy Scott for freeing him from his Blackpool nightmare with a crack at the League Two play-offs.
The 23-year-old, who has just returned from a summer break in Miami, completed a switch from Seasiders Way last month, having been watched by Scott's brother during a spell at Rotherham.
Bean, a former QPR trainee, had been left to rot in the reserves under Blackpool manager Simon Grayson, despite showing impressive form at the Millers earlier in the season.
And the Hammersmith-born midfielder thinks home comforts can rekindle his love for the game.
"Blackpool was a nightmare. It is fair to say I was treated pretty badly," he said.
"I was doing pretty well at Rotherham and enjoying my footbaIl, only to be recalled from the loan and told to train with the kids and play in the reserves.
"It was frustrating and it got to me mentally and physically. I never felt I was really wanted.
"It may have been a mistake, but I have no regrets.
"I surprised a few people by stepping down a couple of levels but, to play your best football, you need to be settled. I am near my parents and the people who love me now.
"It is a fresh start for me. It is a chance for me to rack up the games again and I am hungry for success."
Bean had been tracked by Scott since helping Rotherham to a flying start to the League Two campaign prior to going into administration.
He made 103 first team appearances, but was delighted to join the Bees after Scott spent time running the rule over him at Brentford's training ground.
And the new man, who describes himself as a box-to-box midfielder, admits the brief stint back in west London, and the prospect of promotion, played a key part in the deal.
"I was very surprised at how good Andy's training sessions were compared to those at supposedly a higher level," he said.
"It is a young squad with a good vibe and I think I will add some experience to the side.
"It feels nice to be wanted after the experience I have had. I probably would not have signed for the club if I didn't think there was a chance of making the play-offs." Richmond Twickenham Times
It's Season Ticket renewal Deadline Day (5:00 pm). And while some messageboard posters have expressed some skepticism (as well as discontent about the price increases), according to Club statements, season ticket sales are going fabulously.
Windsor and Eton, July 22: As noted on the QPR Messageboards (but not yet on the Official Site), a QPR XI is set to play Windsor and Eton, July 22: Windsor Announcement
Competition for Blackpool Defender Kaspars Gorkss
It was reported on one messageboard a few days ago, that he had already signed for QPR; but that seems not to be the case.
Ipswich Evening Star/Mike Bacon - Blackpool defender is Town target
IPSWICH Town face a battle with fellow Championship sides, including rivals Norwich City, as they step up their interest in Blackpool's towering defender Kaspars Gorkss.
Latvian Gorkss is one of the Championships' most wanted defenders and the Lancashire club are looking to cash in on the giant centre half who so impressed last season....
However Ipswich are not alone in their interest in the defender, who scored six times as Blackpool managed to avoid relegation last season.
Big-spending QPR are understood to be one of those looking to land the 26-year-old, but Watford, Norwich and Preston are also very keen.
Blackpool have insisted they want to keep Gorkss, but they can do little to prevent him leaving as the impressive Latvian has a buy-out clause in his contract of just £250,000. And it is a case of 'when' and not 'if' he goes.
That figure is a knock-down price and is why the likes of Ipswich and Norwich City are so interested.
Blackpool manager Grayson wants to keep Gorkss, but knows with a buy-out clause so low, he has little chance of doing so.
"We have to make sure we are prepared for one or two players going," Grayson said.
"You have to be aware that players mentioned, like Gorkss, and others who have attracted interest, could well leave the club.”
With Magilton back from holiday next week, things are likely to start moving at Portman Road, as the search for new signings commences. Ipswich Evening Star
QPR Italia Blog - Fiorentina: Lepiller ai QPR o in Serie B... Fiorentina: Lepiller to QPR or in Serie B
"Continue the final phase of the Spring Italian Championship and continues the court of the major teams for young talent emerging.
. As already mentioned, Iain Dowie is following with particular attention consignments of these days and Pantaleo Corvino, DS of Fiorentina, has virtually admitted the interest of the Rangers for the young Matthias Lepiller, 20 years, attacking French viola (see photo) which says a large well and that will still leave the team for spring age limits.
Its use in the first team to Fiorentina is excluded from the same Prandelli: "I am young important, but before we are already well developed. In general I do not delude ourselves like a young boy or buttarlo in the melee to do so ', and then it will check the possibility of give on loan: Livorno, Bari and QPR are second Corvino the three main hypotheses for the young Matthias. QPR Italia Web Translation
QPR Italia Original: Continua la fase finale del Campionato Primavera italiano e continua la corte delle principali squadre ai giovani talenti emergenti....." QPR Italia
Nostalgia Flashback: One Year! To Dave McIntyre's assessment a year ago of how the various players in the 2006/07 squad performed. (So few of these players remain at QPR)So many of these players have since moved on!) Players Assessment
Gary Waddock Talking: Football League - WADDOCK FIRING SHOTS UP FOR LEAGUE RETURN
After leading Aldershot Town into The Football League as Blue Square Premier champions, manager Gary Waddock is looking ahead with confidence as the Shots prepare for life in League 2 some 16 years after the club's predecessors Aldershot FC played their final match in what was then Division Four.
It was a long way back for the re-constituted club but no so for former Queens Park Rangers and Republic of Ireland midfielder Waddock, who steered the Shots to promotion in what was his first season in charge at the Recreation Ground. And that's just for starters, says the determined 46 year-old manager.
Waddock says: "We're not going up thinking, 'that's it, we've done it,' the aim is to build on what we achieved last season. I look at what clubs like Carlisle and Hereford have done in recent years after being promoted to The League and they've shown that you don't have to just think about consolidation when you go up.
"Only time will tell how quickly we can push on and certainly, if we make a good start then expectation levels will go through the roof. But hopefully we can carry the momentum on from our run to promotion and with only a tweaking rather than a major overhaul of the playing squad."
Since the close season began Waddock's 'tweaking' has seen the arrival of several new players, among them defender Chris Blackburn from Swindon Town, midfielder Dean Howell from Rushden & Diamonds and striker Marvin Morgan from Woking. But the manager will retain the core of his promotion-winning squad.
He said: "When I arrived at the club there was already a group of talented players and although they were a young group, they did brilliantly in a very difficult league to get out of. We went top around the middle of October and that put extra pressure on the youngsters, but they handled it really well and deserved to go up as champions."
Waddock was also deserving of praise for his work after returning to the management fold following a difficult seven-month spell as first caretaker then full-time manager of QPR between the tenures of Ian Holloway and John Gregory in 2006. "I learned a hell of a lot in a short space of time," notes Waddock.
"I've certainly had my ups and downs in professional football," he adds, "and winning promotion with Aldershot was right up with the highs like playing in an FA Cup Final and representing the Republic of Ireland. After what happened at QPR, Aldershot gave me the chance to prove I can manage - and I'll never forget them for that." Football League
Bosnich Football Comeback:
The West Australian: Central Coast Mariners try to snare Bosnich
Controversial former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has been offered a guest stint with A-League club Central Coast Mariners.
With regular goalkeeper Danny Vukovic suspended for the first seven games of the season, the Mariners are understood to have approached the former Aston Villa custodian about a short term deal.
Fairfax Newspapers reported Bosnich, 36, had discussions with the club's deputy chairman Peter Turnbull, when he was in Australia attending the FIFA Congress.
While coach Lawrie McKinna denied there had been an approach to Bosnich he said the club would happily consider him.
“He's been a quality goalkeeper over the years,” McKinna said.
“You never say never and Mark Bosnich was one of the best keepers in the world on his day, and if he was fit and back in shape, of course you’d look at him.”
Bosnich struggled for regular first team football after moving from Aston Villa to Manchester United in 1999, then briefly Chelsea.
He developed a cocaine addiction and was regularly featured in the English tabloids with ongoing relationship dramas.
Bosnich last played a professional match in 2002 but trained with the Queens Park Rangers last year. AAP
Marcus Bean Update: Richmond Twickenham Times/Stuart Amos - Disillusioned Bean jumps at Bees offer
Brentford new boy Marcus Bean is hoping he can repay boss Andy Scott for freeing him from his Blackpool nightmare with a crack at the League Two play-offs.
The 23-year-old, who has just returned from a summer break in Miami, completed a switch from Seasiders Way last month, having been watched by Scott's brother during a spell at Rotherham.
Bean, a former QPR trainee, had been left to rot in the reserves under Blackpool manager Simon Grayson, despite showing impressive form at the Millers earlier in the season.
And the Hammersmith-born midfielder thinks home comforts can rekindle his love for the game.
"Blackpool was a nightmare. It is fair to say I was treated pretty badly," he said.
"I was doing pretty well at Rotherham and enjoying my footbaIl, only to be recalled from the loan and told to train with the kids and play in the reserves.
"It was frustrating and it got to me mentally and physically. I never felt I was really wanted.
"It may have been a mistake, but I have no regrets.
"I surprised a few people by stepping down a couple of levels but, to play your best football, you need to be settled. I am near my parents and the people who love me now.
"It is a fresh start for me. It is a chance for me to rack up the games again and I am hungry for success."
Bean had been tracked by Scott since helping Rotherham to a flying start to the League Two campaign prior to going into administration.
He made 103 first team appearances, but was delighted to join the Bees after Scott spent time running the rule over him at Brentford's training ground.
And the new man, who describes himself as a box-to-box midfielder, admits the brief stint back in west London, and the prospect of promotion, played a key part in the deal.
"I was very surprised at how good Andy's training sessions were compared to those at supposedly a higher level," he said.
"It is a young squad with a good vibe and I think I will add some experience to the side.
"It feels nice to be wanted after the experience I have had. I probably would not have signed for the club if I didn't think there was a chance of making the play-offs." Richmond Twickenham Times
Thursday, June 05, 2008
QPR Season Tickets - Fan Reactions
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Fan Groups met last weekend. This is a summary of their meeting
QPR 1st Latest Statement - "Season Ticket renewals and letter to Ali Russell
June 5, 2008
As the deadline approaches qpr1st regret to announce that the club has not responded to our request to review their season ticket plans. We thank those of our members who in keeping with our advice delayed renewing their season tickets but we are not asking our members who can renew to disadvantage themselves further by missing the deadline. The committee will be making further annoucements both unilaterally and in unison with other supporters groups in the near future as we do not think this matter or the issues it raises is in any way resolved
On Thursday 4th June we sent Ali Russell a letter, reiterating points made at the Trust AGM and again asking for answers and consideration. Contents of the letter are included in the word document below. QPR1st Letter to Club
See Earlier QPR Fan Responses and Statements
Meanwhile QPR continues to report how well tickets are selling:
QPR Official Site - DIRECTORS HAIL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Posted on: Tue 03 Jun 2008
Supporters are reminded that the deadline for Season Ticket renewals is 5.00pm on Friday 6th June.
The QPR Box Office has been inundated with renewals in the last fortnight and fans are encouraged to beat the rush by booking early.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Managing Director Alejandro Agag spoke exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this evening, commenting: "We would like to place on the record our gratitude at the commitment and loyalty shown by Queens Park Rangers Season Ticket holders renewing for the forthcoming campaign.
"We have already exceeded last season's figures and we would encourage as many fans as possible to join us in this new, exciting chapter at the Club...."
....QPR
Fan Groups met last weekend. This is a summary of their meeting
QPR 1st Latest Statement - "Season Ticket renewals and letter to Ali Russell
June 5, 2008
As the deadline approaches qpr1st regret to announce that the club has not responded to our request to review their season ticket plans. We thank those of our members who in keeping with our advice delayed renewing their season tickets but we are not asking our members who can renew to disadvantage themselves further by missing the deadline. The committee will be making further annoucements both unilaterally and in unison with other supporters groups in the near future as we do not think this matter or the issues it raises is in any way resolved
On Thursday 4th June we sent Ali Russell a letter, reiterating points made at the Trust AGM and again asking for answers and consideration. Contents of the letter are included in the word document below. QPR1st Letter to Club
See Earlier QPR Fan Responses and Statements
Meanwhile QPR continues to report how well tickets are selling:
QPR Official Site - DIRECTORS HAIL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Posted on: Tue 03 Jun 2008
Supporters are reminded that the deadline for Season Ticket renewals is 5.00pm on Friday 6th June.
The QPR Box Office has been inundated with renewals in the last fortnight and fans are encouraged to beat the rush by booking early.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Managing Director Alejandro Agag spoke exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this evening, commenting: "We would like to place on the record our gratitude at the commitment and loyalty shown by Queens Park Rangers Season Ticket holders renewing for the forthcoming campaign.
"We have already exceeded last season's figures and we would encourage as many fans as possible to join us in this new, exciting chapter at the Club...."
....QPR
Ex-QPR Snippets
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Today's the 59th Birthday of Ex-QPR goalie, Alan Spratley.
Born June 5, 1949, Spratley made his first team debut in QPR's FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa in January 1969. Perhaps not one of the best known of ex-QPR players - and certainly he didn't play that many league games for the club (about 30 games) but in the the 1968/69 "First Division Disaster season" and QPR's promotion challenging 1969/1970 season, he played about 1/3 of each of those two seasons in goal. Spratley was the backup goalie first to Mike Kelly and then to Phil Parkes.
Spratley eventually signed for Swindon in the 1973/74 Season. Not very tall for a goalie - Swindon
Among the games Spratley played for QPR:
March 19, 1969 - Manchester United 8 QPR 1
Spratley
Clement Hazell Hunt Watson
Glover I.Morgan Sibley
Clarke Marsh Leach
Sub: Keetch
Manchester United - Willie Morgan 3, George Best 2, John Aston, Brian Kidd and Nobby Stiles got the goals. Man Ut's Team included: Stepney, Fitzpatrick, Dunne, Crerand, James, Stiles, Morgan, Kidd, Aston, Law, Best
And QPR's final game of their First Division Season at Chelsea 19th April 1969 Chelsea 2 QPR 1 Scorers: Baldwin (2); Bridges
Chelsea: Peter Bonetti, David Webb, Eddie McCreadie, Ron Harris, John Dempsey, Peter Osgood (Charlie Cooke), Tommy Baldwin, Alan Birchenall, Ian Hutchinson, Bobby Tambling, Peter Houseman
QPR: Alan Spratley, Dave Clement, Alan Harris, Ian Watson, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Ian Morgan, Mike Leach, Frank Clarke, Rodney Marsh, Barry Bridges - Spratley
Ex-QPR Winger/Lee Cook Replacement, Kevin Mcleod Joins Brighton
Brighton - McLeod Signs For Albion
Albion have completed their second major signing of the summer by agreeing a deal with former Everton, QPR and Swansea winger Kevin McLeod, who will join from League One rivals Colchester United on 1st July.
As exclusively revealed this afternoon, via the club's official SMS service, the 27-year-old turned down the offer of a new contract with Colchester and signed a two-year deal with Albion before jetting out for a fortnight's holiday on Sunday.
Albion boss Micky Adams said, "He's a left-winger with good pace, can deliver crosses and in his last game for Colchester in the Championship he got two goals at Scunthorpe - one with a header, one with a shot - so he offers a goal threat as well.
"At this level he's going to be a terrific signing for us. I liked what I saw of him at Colchester in that brief spell I had there. He works hard, wants to improve and wants to get back to the Championship."
Born in Liverpool McLeod made seven senior appearances for the Toffees between 2000 and 2003; he had two loan spells with QPR before moving permanently to Loftus Road in a £250,000 transfer in August 2003.
He won promotion with QPR to the Championship in 2004, alongside Albion, before moving to Swansea City towards the end of the following season for an undisclosed fee.
McLeod helped the Welsh side win the Football League Trophy in 2006, but narrowly missed out on a second promotion as the Swans lost that year's playoff final to Barnsley; he joined Colchester shortly afterwards.
Albion Chairman Dick Knight added, "This is another very important signing we have made. Kevin is an exciting player and in addition to playing most of his career in the Championship, he has the experience of winning promotion from League One." Brighton
One Year ago today, QPR announced the signing of Defender Chris Barker from Cardiff/Colchester!
Today's the 59th Birthday of Ex-QPR goalie, Alan Spratley.
Born June 5, 1949, Spratley made his first team debut in QPR's FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa in January 1969. Perhaps not one of the best known of ex-QPR players - and certainly he didn't play that many league games for the club (about 30 games) but in the the 1968/69 "First Division Disaster season" and QPR's promotion challenging 1969/1970 season, he played about 1/3 of each of those two seasons in goal. Spratley was the backup goalie first to Mike Kelly and then to Phil Parkes.
Spratley eventually signed for Swindon in the 1973/74 Season. Not very tall for a goalie - Swindon
Among the games Spratley played for QPR:
March 19, 1969 - Manchester United 8 QPR 1
Spratley
Clement Hazell Hunt Watson
Glover I.Morgan Sibley
Clarke Marsh Leach
Sub: Keetch
Manchester United - Willie Morgan 3, George Best 2, John Aston, Brian Kidd and Nobby Stiles got the goals. Man Ut's Team included: Stepney, Fitzpatrick, Dunne, Crerand, James, Stiles, Morgan, Kidd, Aston, Law, Best
And QPR's final game of their First Division Season at Chelsea 19th April 1969 Chelsea 2 QPR 1 Scorers: Baldwin (2); Bridges
Chelsea: Peter Bonetti, David Webb, Eddie McCreadie, Ron Harris, John Dempsey, Peter Osgood (Charlie Cooke), Tommy Baldwin, Alan Birchenall, Ian Hutchinson, Bobby Tambling, Peter Houseman
QPR: Alan Spratley, Dave Clement, Alan Harris, Ian Watson, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Ian Morgan, Mike Leach, Frank Clarke, Rodney Marsh, Barry Bridges - Spratley
Ex-QPR Winger/Lee Cook Replacement, Kevin Mcleod Joins Brighton
Brighton - McLeod Signs For Albion
Albion have completed their second major signing of the summer by agreeing a deal with former Everton, QPR and Swansea winger Kevin McLeod, who will join from League One rivals Colchester United on 1st July.
As exclusively revealed this afternoon, via the club's official SMS service, the 27-year-old turned down the offer of a new contract with Colchester and signed a two-year deal with Albion before jetting out for a fortnight's holiday on Sunday.
Albion boss Micky Adams said, "He's a left-winger with good pace, can deliver crosses and in his last game for Colchester in the Championship he got two goals at Scunthorpe - one with a header, one with a shot - so he offers a goal threat as well.
"At this level he's going to be a terrific signing for us. I liked what I saw of him at Colchester in that brief spell I had there. He works hard, wants to improve and wants to get back to the Championship."
Born in Liverpool McLeod made seven senior appearances for the Toffees between 2000 and 2003; he had two loan spells with QPR before moving permanently to Loftus Road in a £250,000 transfer in August 2003.
He won promotion with QPR to the Championship in 2004, alongside Albion, before moving to Swansea City towards the end of the following season for an undisclosed fee.
McLeod helped the Welsh side win the Football League Trophy in 2006, but narrowly missed out on a second promotion as the Swans lost that year's playoff final to Barnsley; he joined Colchester shortly afterwards.
Albion Chairman Dick Knight added, "This is another very important signing we have made. Kevin is an exciting player and in addition to playing most of his career in the Championship, he has the experience of winning promotion from League One." Brighton
One Year ago today, QPR announced the signing of Defender Chris Barker from Cardiff/Colchester!
Complete London Football Fan Census - QPR Fans' Increased Dislike of Chelsea!
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Evening Standard - THE LONDON FOOTBALL REPORT 2008 Below the questions. The entire report can be read at the Complete Fan Census
RESULTS BY CLUB
Q1. How do you rate the performance of your club's current manager this season?
Ranking of clubs by performance of Manager
Q2. How do you rate the performance of your club chairman and board of directors this season?
Ranking of clubs by performance of Chairman and Board
Q3. Including ticket, transport, merchandise and refreshment costs, how much on average does it cost you, as an individual, to watch a home game?
Fans estimated spend per home game
2008 Average cost £ -- 2007 Average cost £ -- 2006 Average cost £
Chelsea 102 Chelsea 99 Chelsea 84
Arsenal 92 Arsenal 89 Arsenal 74
Tottenham 84 West Ham 80 West Ham 64
West Ham 81 Tottenham 80 Tottenham 63
QPR 52 Fulham 51 QPR 42
Fulham 56 Millwall 46 Fulham 41
Charlton 40 QPR 45 Millwall 40
Millwall 47 Brentford 42 Brentford 37
Watford 42 Crystal Palace 42 Watford 34
Crystal Palace 45 Charlton 38 Charlton 32
Brentford 43 Leyton Orient 38 Crystal Palace 29
Leyton Orient 39 Watford 38 Leyton Orient 26
Dag and Red 28 Dag and Red - Dag and Red -
Barnet 26 Barnet 25 Barnet 22
Q4. Will the price of tickets at your club put you off going to games or renewing your season-ticket next season?
%Yes, not renewing - % Yes, less games - No, but too expensive - No
QPR
2008 8 - 11 - 43 - 38
2007 8 - 8 - 48 - 36
2006 17 - 13 - 53 - 17
Q5. Have you witnessed any football hooliganism at your club this season?
Q6. Have you witnessed any incidents of football-related racist abuse at your club this season?
Q7. How many times this season can you recall an incident when you believe a player from your club has deliberately taken a dive to win a free-kick or penalty?
Ranking of clubs by “diving” matches
Q8. How many times this season do you recall a player from your club protesting to a match official in a manner you believe to be unacceptable?
Ranking of clubs by “diving” matches
Q9. Are you in favour of Sepp Blatter's plan to limit the number of foreign players in domestic leagues to five per team?
Q10. Which other English club do you dislike the most?
QPR Fans
2008 2007
Chelsea 72% Chelsea 58%
Man Utd 8% Arsenal 8%
Fulham 5% Brentford 4%
Brentford fans
2008 2007
QPR 37% Fulham 24%
Fulham 23% Chelsea 22%
Man Utd 10% QPR 22%
Evening Standard - THE LONDON FOOTBALL REPORT 2008
See: Complete Fan Census
Sample & Methodology
The survey of football fans following teams in the capital was conducted online by the Football Fans Census on behalf of The Evening Standard between 1st and 20th May 2008. 2,814 fans from the London based league clubs completed the survey.
About The Football Fans Census
The Football Fans Census is the leading football research expert providing a communication channel between the supporter and the football industry.
Evening Standard - THE LONDON FOOTBALL REPORT 2008 Below the questions. The entire report can be read at the Complete Fan Census
RESULTS BY CLUB
Q1. How do you rate the performance of your club's current manager this season?
Ranking of clubs by performance of Manager
Q2. How do you rate the performance of your club chairman and board of directors this season?
Ranking of clubs by performance of Chairman and Board
Q3. Including ticket, transport, merchandise and refreshment costs, how much on average does it cost you, as an individual, to watch a home game?
Fans estimated spend per home game
2008 Average cost £ -- 2007 Average cost £ -- 2006 Average cost £
Chelsea 102 Chelsea 99 Chelsea 84
Arsenal 92 Arsenal 89 Arsenal 74
Tottenham 84 West Ham 80 West Ham 64
West Ham 81 Tottenham 80 Tottenham 63
QPR 52 Fulham 51 QPR 42
Fulham 56 Millwall 46 Fulham 41
Charlton 40 QPR 45 Millwall 40
Millwall 47 Brentford 42 Brentford 37
Watford 42 Crystal Palace 42 Watford 34
Crystal Palace 45 Charlton 38 Charlton 32
Brentford 43 Leyton Orient 38 Crystal Palace 29
Leyton Orient 39 Watford 38 Leyton Orient 26
Dag and Red 28 Dag and Red - Dag and Red -
Barnet 26 Barnet 25 Barnet 22
Q4. Will the price of tickets at your club put you off going to games or renewing your season-ticket next season?
%Yes, not renewing - % Yes, less games - No, but too expensive - No
QPR
2008 8 - 11 - 43 - 38
2007 8 - 8 - 48 - 36
2006 17 - 13 - 53 - 17
Q5. Have you witnessed any football hooliganism at your club this season?
Q6. Have you witnessed any incidents of football-related racist abuse at your club this season?
Q7. How many times this season can you recall an incident when you believe a player from your club has deliberately taken a dive to win a free-kick or penalty?
Ranking of clubs by “diving” matches
Q8. How many times this season do you recall a player from your club protesting to a match official in a manner you believe to be unacceptable?
Ranking of clubs by “diving” matches
Q9. Are you in favour of Sepp Blatter's plan to limit the number of foreign players in domestic leagues to five per team?
Q10. Which other English club do you dislike the most?
QPR Fans
2008 2007
Chelsea 72% Chelsea 58%
Man Utd 8% Arsenal 8%
Fulham 5% Brentford 4%
Brentford fans
2008 2007
QPR 37% Fulham 24%
Fulham 23% Chelsea 22%
Man Utd 10% QPR 22%
Evening Standard - THE LONDON FOOTBALL REPORT 2008
See: Complete Fan Census
Sample & Methodology
The survey of football fans following teams in the capital was conducted online by the Football Fans Census on behalf of The Evening Standard between 1st and 20th May 2008. 2,814 fans from the London based league clubs completed the survey.
About The Football Fans Census
The Football Fans Census is the leading football research expert providing a communication channel between the supporter and the football industry.
Flavio Briatore - "London's Most Popular Chairman"
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One news article, the QPR Official site is swift to post up!
QPR Official Site - FLAVIO ON 'POLL' POSITION
An article in tonight's Evening Standard has revealed Flavio Briatore is London's most popular Chairman.
The research - conducted in the London Football Report 2008 - questioned nearly 3,000 spectators, with a minimum of 100 from each Club taking part.
Fans were asked to assess the performance of their Club's Manager and Chairman / Board over the past 12 months and approval ratings were calculated using a sliding scale.
Evening Standard - Tottenham chief Levy falls from perch as the capital's most popular Chairman
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy has fallen from his perch as London's most popular Chairman. Chelsea's Roman Abramovich and Fulham's Mohamed Fayed were also given a bloody nose by the supporters of their Clubs.
Levy, Fayed, and Abramovich have all suffered slumps in their approval ratings over the last 12 months, according to figures revealed in the Evening Standard's London Football Report 2008.
Tottenham's Levy was the most popular Club chief in last year's poll but his reputation has taken a battering following the bungled sacking of Martin Jol in October.
The report was compiled by research company Football Fans Census, who questioned nearly 3,000 supporters, with a minimum of 100 from each Club.
Fans were asked to assess the performance of their Club's Manager and Chairman / Board over the past 12 months and approval ratings were calculated using a sliding scale.
Fulham's Fayed is now the most unpopular Chairman in the capital with his own fans after a season in which the club escaped Premier League relegation only on the last day.
The appointment of Lawrie Sanchez was blamed by many Fulham supporters for their miserable start and sacking him in favour of Roy Hodgson has not been enough to restore the Egyptian's standing.
Despite Abramovich investing £500million since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2003, support for the Russian's regime is also on the wane.
His lieutenants, Chairman Bruce Buck and Chief Executive Peter Kenyon, oversaw the removal of Jose Mourinho and the promotion of Avram Grant - moves that have clearly tested their fans' patience.
Chelsea supporters' were the fifth most unhappy with the performance of their directors despite following a team that finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League.
While the natives are restless at Fulham, Spurs and Chelsea, there is a new mood of optimism at Queens Park Rangers.
Flavio Briatore has claimed the title as most London's most popular Chairman which reflects the gratitude of the fans for rescuing the club from the financial abyss.
New money and personnel - following the F1 tycoon's takeover last September - have transformed QPR's fortunes after years spent struggling against the burden of long-term debts.
In second place is Crystal Palace's Simon Jordan who, despite a reputation for antagonising other football figures, is increasingly popular with Eagles fans.
The table below shows the ratings for the capital's Chairmen and Managers.
The capital's favourite football manager among his own fans is Palace's Neil Warnock, who gained an astonishingly high approval rating of 4.9 out of five.
The former Sheffield United boss took over from Taylor in October and masterminded a late-season charge culminating in a narrow play-off defeat by Bristol City.
Second is Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, whose popularity shows no sign of diminishing despite a third successive year without silverware.
But London's under-performing bosses need to tread carefully.
The bottom three in last year's manager ratings - Scott Fitzgerald of Brentford, Sanchez of Fulham and Peter Taylor of Crystal Palace - are no longer at those Clubs.
Therefore Charlton's Alan Pardew, Watford's Adrian Boothroyd and West Ham's Alan Curbishley need to turn things around quickly at the beginning of next season.
Pardew was the worst-performing boss, according to the poll, with Charlton fans dismayed at the way their promotion challenge fell apart.
Like Charlton, Watford also failed to convert the advantage of Premier League parachute payments, and Boothroyd's methods were repeatedly questioned by Hornets followers.
Although West Ham won their relegation battle in 2006/7, fans were clearly unhappy that Curbishley's injury-hit side struggled to inspire this season, particularly in home matches.
A shift in the traditional rivalry at two of London's biggest Clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, revealed in last year's report is confirmed this time.
No longer do most Arsenal fans look down the Seven Sisters Road for the Club they dislike the most, instead it's the nouveau riche of west London.
Thirty three per cent of Gunners opted for Chelsea compared to 28 per cent saying Spurs.
But the feeling is not mutual on the Kings Road, with 51 per cent of Chelsea fans citing Liverpool as the club they love to hate following repeated clashes in the Champions League.
Elsewhere in the city, most rivalries follow traditional lines though Leyton Orient have a new-found hostility towards Leeds following a couple of fiery League One encounters between the Clubs. QPR
Daily Mail/Standard - "Tottenham chief Daniel Levy falls from his perch as the capital's most popular chairman" Daily Mail
One news article, the QPR Official site is swift to post up!
QPR Official Site - FLAVIO ON 'POLL' POSITION
An article in tonight's Evening Standard has revealed Flavio Briatore is London's most popular Chairman.
The research - conducted in the London Football Report 2008 - questioned nearly 3,000 spectators, with a minimum of 100 from each Club taking part.
Fans were asked to assess the performance of their Club's Manager and Chairman / Board over the past 12 months and approval ratings were calculated using a sliding scale.
Evening Standard - Tottenham chief Levy falls from perch as the capital's most popular Chairman
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy has fallen from his perch as London's most popular Chairman. Chelsea's Roman Abramovich and Fulham's Mohamed Fayed were also given a bloody nose by the supporters of their Clubs.
Levy, Fayed, and Abramovich have all suffered slumps in their approval ratings over the last 12 months, according to figures revealed in the Evening Standard's London Football Report 2008.
Tottenham's Levy was the most popular Club chief in last year's poll but his reputation has taken a battering following the bungled sacking of Martin Jol in October.
The report was compiled by research company Football Fans Census, who questioned nearly 3,000 supporters, with a minimum of 100 from each Club.
Fans were asked to assess the performance of their Club's Manager and Chairman / Board over the past 12 months and approval ratings were calculated using a sliding scale.
Fulham's Fayed is now the most unpopular Chairman in the capital with his own fans after a season in which the club escaped Premier League relegation only on the last day.
The appointment of Lawrie Sanchez was blamed by many Fulham supporters for their miserable start and sacking him in favour of Roy Hodgson has not been enough to restore the Egyptian's standing.
Despite Abramovich investing £500million since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2003, support for the Russian's regime is also on the wane.
His lieutenants, Chairman Bruce Buck and Chief Executive Peter Kenyon, oversaw the removal of Jose Mourinho and the promotion of Avram Grant - moves that have clearly tested their fans' patience.
Chelsea supporters' were the fifth most unhappy with the performance of their directors despite following a team that finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League.
While the natives are restless at Fulham, Spurs and Chelsea, there is a new mood of optimism at Queens Park Rangers.
Flavio Briatore has claimed the title as most London's most popular Chairman which reflects the gratitude of the fans for rescuing the club from the financial abyss.
New money and personnel - following the F1 tycoon's takeover last September - have transformed QPR's fortunes after years spent struggling against the burden of long-term debts.
In second place is Crystal Palace's Simon Jordan who, despite a reputation for antagonising other football figures, is increasingly popular with Eagles fans.
The table below shows the ratings for the capital's Chairmen and Managers.
The capital's favourite football manager among his own fans is Palace's Neil Warnock, who gained an astonishingly high approval rating of 4.9 out of five.
The former Sheffield United boss took over from Taylor in October and masterminded a late-season charge culminating in a narrow play-off defeat by Bristol City.
Second is Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, whose popularity shows no sign of diminishing despite a third successive year without silverware.
But London's under-performing bosses need to tread carefully.
The bottom three in last year's manager ratings - Scott Fitzgerald of Brentford, Sanchez of Fulham and Peter Taylor of Crystal Palace - are no longer at those Clubs.
Therefore Charlton's Alan Pardew, Watford's Adrian Boothroyd and West Ham's Alan Curbishley need to turn things around quickly at the beginning of next season.
Pardew was the worst-performing boss, according to the poll, with Charlton fans dismayed at the way their promotion challenge fell apart.
Like Charlton, Watford also failed to convert the advantage of Premier League parachute payments, and Boothroyd's methods were repeatedly questioned by Hornets followers.
Although West Ham won their relegation battle in 2006/7, fans were clearly unhappy that Curbishley's injury-hit side struggled to inspire this season, particularly in home matches.
A shift in the traditional rivalry at two of London's biggest Clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, revealed in last year's report is confirmed this time.
No longer do most Arsenal fans look down the Seven Sisters Road for the Club they dislike the most, instead it's the nouveau riche of west London.
Thirty three per cent of Gunners opted for Chelsea compared to 28 per cent saying Spurs.
But the feeling is not mutual on the Kings Road, with 51 per cent of Chelsea fans citing Liverpool as the club they love to hate following repeated clashes in the Champions League.
Elsewhere in the city, most rivalries follow traditional lines though Leyton Orient have a new-found hostility towards Leeds following a couple of fiery League One encounters between the Clubs. QPR
Daily Mail/Standard - "Tottenham chief Daniel Levy falls from his perch as the capital's most popular chairman" Daily Mail
QPR News: Buzsaky Injury...Rehman Sickness
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Busasky Out For At Least Three Months
QPR Official Site - BUZSAKY BLOW
Akos Buzsaky will miss the start of the 2008/09 campaign, after the midfielder underwent surgery on his left ankle this morning.
The Hungarian, who missed the R's final two Championship fixtures last season, is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of 12 weeks, as Head Physiotherapist Paul Hunter explained.
"It's a big blow," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Akos aggravated the tendon in his left ankle whilst on international duty at the end of March and although we tried to treat it extensively, the problem persisted and the specialists decided surgery was the best option."
Hunter continued: "The operation went as planned and Akos will be in plaster for a couple of weeks, which will allow the tendon to heal.
"He'll then go into a boot for a further couple of weeks which will protect the tendon while it's still healing and allow him to start working on the range and movement in his ankle."
Buzsaky was a revelation for the R's last season, scoring 11 goals in all competitions, including a stunning Goal of the Season effort against Blackpool on March 3rd." QPR
QPR Official Site - REHMAN WITHDRAWN
Zesh Rehman has been forced to withdraw from the Pakistan squad, after failing to overcome a bout of food poisoning.
The 24 year-old was due to skipper his country in the prestigious South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in the Maldives, but his dream has been shattered.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk prior to his return to England later today, Rehman expressed his disappointment, commenting: "I'm absolutely gutted.
"I don't feel well enough and the doctors don't think I'll make a full recovery in time to feature in the latter stages of the tournament.
"I was looking forward to leading my country out, but these things happen and I'll just have to rest up and pick myself up." QPR
Busasky Out For At Least Three Months
QPR Official Site - BUZSAKY BLOW
Akos Buzsaky will miss the start of the 2008/09 campaign, after the midfielder underwent surgery on his left ankle this morning.
The Hungarian, who missed the R's final two Championship fixtures last season, is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of 12 weeks, as Head Physiotherapist Paul Hunter explained.
"It's a big blow," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Akos aggravated the tendon in his left ankle whilst on international duty at the end of March and although we tried to treat it extensively, the problem persisted and the specialists decided surgery was the best option."
Hunter continued: "The operation went as planned and Akos will be in plaster for a couple of weeks, which will allow the tendon to heal.
"He'll then go into a boot for a further couple of weeks which will protect the tendon while it's still healing and allow him to start working on the range and movement in his ankle."
Buzsaky was a revelation for the R's last season, scoring 11 goals in all competitions, including a stunning Goal of the Season effort against Blackpool on March 3rd." QPR
QPR Official Site - REHMAN WITHDRAWN
Zesh Rehman has been forced to withdraw from the Pakistan squad, after failing to overcome a bout of food poisoning.
The 24 year-old was due to skipper his country in the prestigious South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in the Maldives, but his dream has been shattered.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk prior to his return to England later today, Rehman expressed his disappointment, commenting: "I'm absolutely gutted.
"I don't feel well enough and the doctors don't think I'll make a full recovery in time to feature in the latter stages of the tournament.
"I was looking forward to leading my country out, but these things happen and I'll just have to rest up and pick myself up." QPR
QPR to Try Again for Watson and Other Targets....How Dowie's Team Will Play and Shock of De Canio Departure
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Dave McIntyre/Kilburn Times - Watson the table isn't enough
QPR will next week table another bid for midfielder Ben Watson, who is expected to reject Crystal Palace's latest offer of a new contract.
Rangers failed to land the former England Under-21 international after offering Palace a deal worth £1.2m, potentially rising to £1.5m subject to certain clauses.
The Eagles are keen to keep Watson but he is entering the last year of his contract and has indicated that he will not sign a new deal.
That leaves Palace facing the prospect of selling Watson, 22, this summer rather than allowing him to see out the remainder of his contract.
Rangers hope this will leave them in pole position to get their man and plan to tempt Palace with an improved offer after the weekend.
Former Palace manager Iain Dowie knows Watson well from his time in charge at Selhurst Park and identified him as a potential signing as soon as he took over as QPR boss last month.
Dowie is currently scouting at the Campionato Primavera - an annual Under-20 tournament involving Italy's top clubs.
A number of overseas targets are being considered alongside English-based players as Rangers look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
It looks increasingly likely that Blackpool's Latvian international centre-back Kaspars Gorkss will sign for the R's, although an agreement has yet to be reached.
Gorkss, 26, was targeted after Rangers abandoned a bid to re-sign former Loftus Road favourite Dan Shittu from Watford and an attempt to sign Tottenham's Anthony Gardner seemed to fail.
The injury-plagued Gardner was near the top of QPR's wish list but appears to have agreed a move to another club.
Rangers' ambitious targeting of Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood looks like being just as unproductive but they do have a realistic chance of signing his former West Ham team-mate Bobby Zamora, whose future is likely to be decided in the next couple of weeks.
And there may have been a significant development in the long-standing attempt to bring Lee Cook back to Loftus Road with the departure on Monday of Fulham managing director David McNally.
For some time Rangers have believed that McNally's possible exit could pave the way for them to re-sign Cook.
McNally presided over Fulham's signing of Cook from QPR last year and was involved in negotiations over the winger's possible return to his former club.
Rangers were unable to agree a fee for Cook's signing and also failed to secure a loan deal in January, allowing Charlton to step in and sign him on loan before the transfer window closed.
More recently Rangers have discussed a loan move for Cook with a view to a £2.5m transfer if he proved his long-term fitness after a knee injury.
But it was thought that in the event of McNally leaving, his successor could look to offload several players and Cook, who has not played in a competitive match for Fulham, may be among those available at a knockdown price.
At least one left-sided player is regarded as a must for Rangers this summer and the club also remain keen on Plymouth wide-man Peter Halmosi.
Adam Johnson of Middlesbrough has also been targeted but he looks well out of Dowie's reach unless Boro tie the highly-rated winger to a long-term contract and then loan him out. Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times- Leighterwood: Long ball isn't Dowie want to play
MIKELE Leigertwood has dismissed any notion that QPR could be transformed into a long-ball team under new boss Iain Dowie.
Dowie's previous teams have sometimes picked up a reputation for direct football, but the robust midfielder, who played in his promotion-winning Crystal Palace side a few years ago, believes that label is misplaced.
"We're certainly not going to be a predictable Championship team next season," Leigertwood assured the Times.
"The owners are going to want results straight away and some people might say that's a stumbling block, that everyone will be expecting us to turn teams over every week.
"I know Iain Dowie's going to bring a hard work ethic and he'll want us to be hard to beat - passing the ball around but mixing it as well. People want to see fast and attractive football.
"I have to say, he never once said to me at Palace 'kick it long or punt it' or anything like that. You can only work with what you've got and we've got a lot of flair players here already."
Dowie paid Wimbledon £150,000 for Leigertwood in February 2004 and the versatile north Londoner played a key role as unfancied Palace burst into the Premier League.
The Eagles' astonishing transformation from relegation candidates to play-off winners that season has been generally viewed ever since as the benchmark for upwardly mobile Championship clubs.
Rangers, of course, have made no secret of their desire to be described in that way and Dowie's motivational skills can, according to Leigertwood, bring that change about.
"He came in at a crucial time and got everybody working for each other and believing in themselves, firing to their full potential," Leigertwood recalled.
"He'll be looking to do the same at QPR. We used to do a lot of video work and stuff like that - and if I was going to be critical, perhaps we'd sometimes over-analyse things.
"But that's Iain Dowie's style and if he feels something isn't right, he'll change it. We got on really well when I worked with him before and I think that should continue."
A seamless transition, ideally - and that is what the QPR squad need after the unexpected departure of Luigi de Canio, which came just a few days after the players had kicked their final ball last season.
"I was shocked really," Leigertwood admitted. "The way he was talking, it sounded as if he was going to be here next season and you don't really know what's gone on.
"But it was important to get the situation sorted out quickly. We've already signed a few players, so clearly there's going to be no messing about.
"Iain Dowie's got Championship experience and Premier League experience as well, so I've no doubt that will stand us in good stead next season. Kilburn Times
Dave McIntyre/Kilburn Times - Watson the table isn't enough
QPR will next week table another bid for midfielder Ben Watson, who is expected to reject Crystal Palace's latest offer of a new contract.
Rangers failed to land the former England Under-21 international after offering Palace a deal worth £1.2m, potentially rising to £1.5m subject to certain clauses.
The Eagles are keen to keep Watson but he is entering the last year of his contract and has indicated that he will not sign a new deal.
That leaves Palace facing the prospect of selling Watson, 22, this summer rather than allowing him to see out the remainder of his contract.
Rangers hope this will leave them in pole position to get their man and plan to tempt Palace with an improved offer after the weekend.
Former Palace manager Iain Dowie knows Watson well from his time in charge at Selhurst Park and identified him as a potential signing as soon as he took over as QPR boss last month.
Dowie is currently scouting at the Campionato Primavera - an annual Under-20 tournament involving Italy's top clubs.
A number of overseas targets are being considered alongside English-based players as Rangers look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
It looks increasingly likely that Blackpool's Latvian international centre-back Kaspars Gorkss will sign for the R's, although an agreement has yet to be reached.
Gorkss, 26, was targeted after Rangers abandoned a bid to re-sign former Loftus Road favourite Dan Shittu from Watford and an attempt to sign Tottenham's Anthony Gardner seemed to fail.
The injury-plagued Gardner was near the top of QPR's wish list but appears to have agreed a move to another club.
Rangers' ambitious targeting of Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood looks like being just as unproductive but they do have a realistic chance of signing his former West Ham team-mate Bobby Zamora, whose future is likely to be decided in the next couple of weeks.
And there may have been a significant development in the long-standing attempt to bring Lee Cook back to Loftus Road with the departure on Monday of Fulham managing director David McNally.
For some time Rangers have believed that McNally's possible exit could pave the way for them to re-sign Cook.
McNally presided over Fulham's signing of Cook from QPR last year and was involved in negotiations over the winger's possible return to his former club.
Rangers were unable to agree a fee for Cook's signing and also failed to secure a loan deal in January, allowing Charlton to step in and sign him on loan before the transfer window closed.
More recently Rangers have discussed a loan move for Cook with a view to a £2.5m transfer if he proved his long-term fitness after a knee injury.
But it was thought that in the event of McNally leaving, his successor could look to offload several players and Cook, who has not played in a competitive match for Fulham, may be among those available at a knockdown price.
At least one left-sided player is regarded as a must for Rangers this summer and the club also remain keen on Plymouth wide-man Peter Halmosi.
Adam Johnson of Middlesbrough has also been targeted but he looks well out of Dowie's reach unless Boro tie the highly-rated winger to a long-term contract and then loan him out. Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times- Leighterwood: Long ball isn't Dowie want to play
MIKELE Leigertwood has dismissed any notion that QPR could be transformed into a long-ball team under new boss Iain Dowie.
Dowie's previous teams have sometimes picked up a reputation for direct football, but the robust midfielder, who played in his promotion-winning Crystal Palace side a few years ago, believes that label is misplaced.
"We're certainly not going to be a predictable Championship team next season," Leigertwood assured the Times.
"The owners are going to want results straight away and some people might say that's a stumbling block, that everyone will be expecting us to turn teams over every week.
"I know Iain Dowie's going to bring a hard work ethic and he'll want us to be hard to beat - passing the ball around but mixing it as well. People want to see fast and attractive football.
"I have to say, he never once said to me at Palace 'kick it long or punt it' or anything like that. You can only work with what you've got and we've got a lot of flair players here already."
Dowie paid Wimbledon £150,000 for Leigertwood in February 2004 and the versatile north Londoner played a key role as unfancied Palace burst into the Premier League.
The Eagles' astonishing transformation from relegation candidates to play-off winners that season has been generally viewed ever since as the benchmark for upwardly mobile Championship clubs.
Rangers, of course, have made no secret of their desire to be described in that way and Dowie's motivational skills can, according to Leigertwood, bring that change about.
"He came in at a crucial time and got everybody working for each other and believing in themselves, firing to their full potential," Leigertwood recalled.
"He'll be looking to do the same at QPR. We used to do a lot of video work and stuff like that - and if I was going to be critical, perhaps we'd sometimes over-analyse things.
"But that's Iain Dowie's style and if he feels something isn't right, he'll change it. We got on really well when I worked with him before and I think that should continue."
A seamless transition, ideally - and that is what the QPR squad need after the unexpected departure of Luigi de Canio, which came just a few days after the players had kicked their final ball last season.
"I was shocked really," Leigertwood admitted. "The way he was talking, it sounded as if he was going to be here next season and you don't really know what's gone on.
"But it was important to get the situation sorted out quickly. We've already signed a few players, so clearly there's going to be no messing about.
"Iain Dowie's got Championship experience and Premier League experience as well, so I've no doubt that will stand us in good stead next season. Kilburn Times
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
2008 London Football Fan Census Findings...QPR Ticket Prices...Hooliganism
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[To state the obvious, it's not clear how statistically accurate this census is. The findings are based on "More than 2,800 fans took part in last month's poll - undertaken by research company Football Fans Census - with a minimum representation of 100 from each of the capital's 14 professional clubs."
Daily Mail/Standard - Sportsmail -Star players' lack of respect towards referees and ever-rising ticket prices are what bug fans most
Shock new figures today highlight the lack of respect London's footballers are showing towards referees.
At a time when on-pitch behaviour has never been so scrutinised, the 2008 London Football Report reveals that 67 per cent of the capital's fans witnessed a player from their club confronting an official in an "unacceptable manner" last season.
The figures appear to justify the Football Association's "Respect" campaign, which was launched earlier this year to target the shameful abuse of referees.
CLICK ON CHART: Football issues: the results of the poll carried out by the London Evening Standard
Standard Sport's fourth annual survey also highlights fans' concerns about players cheating and the rising cost of going to matches.
[Flashback: What the 2007 Standard Census reported]
More than 2,800 fans took part in last month's poll - undertaken by research company Football Fans Census - with a minimum representation of 100 from each of the capital's 14 professional clubs.
The results will be published in two parts, starting today with the fans' verdict on four major talking points - player behaviour, pricing, racism and hooliganism.
Tomorrow, part two features approval ratings for London's managers and chairmen, plus an in-depth look at the clubs the fans love to hate.
Player behaviour
Ashley Cole's petulant refusal to be booked by Mike Riley during Chelsea's clash with Tottenham in March was one of the enduring images of last season.
The incident spoke volumes about the arrogant attitudes of the modern-day players, according to many commentators who warned of such behaviour being replicated on park pitches around the country.
The FA launched their "Respect" campaign shortly before the Cole-Riley encounter but that did not stop Liverpool's Javier Mascherano sparking more controversy by embarking on a running battle with Steve Bennett to earn a red card against Manchester United.
London fans are clearly fed up with such antics. Deliberately asked about their own team to get a more accurate result, 67% recalled "a player from their club protesting to a match official in a manner they believed was unacceptable".
A staggering 18% confessed to seeing such clashes more than 10 times last season. When broken down by club, 91% of Chelsea fans admitted their players were guilty at least once.
That was the highest score in London ahead of Arsenal (74%) and Leyton Orient (69%). Some 76% of fans recalled an incident "where a player from their club deliberately dived to win a free-kick or penalty".
This is a one per cent increase on last year and the highest since the survey began.
Diving was most apparent at Spurs (88%), Arsenal (87%) and Chelsea (85%) while the best-behaved players were at Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet (both 50%).
Pricing
Given the millions generated from TV contracts, pressure has been mounting on clubs to cut the cost of watching football but to little effect, according to the report.
Taking into account ticket prices and other key expenses such as transport, merchandise and refreshments, the average cost for adults went up at every London club last season. It equated to an overall rise of 5.5%.
On the face of it, this figure doesn't sound too outlandish but, when last year's astonishing 22% hike is taken into account, it is clear fans are still being hit hard in the pocket.
Chelsea is the most expensive day out, with a trip to Stamford Bridge breaking through the £100 barrier. It now costs adult Blues an average of £102 per match.
Despite freezing ticket prices for a second successive season at Emirates Stadium, the cost of going to Arsenal has risen from £89 to £92 a match.
Spurs and West Ham were also more expensive for fans after both raised admission prices for the start of 2007-08 campaign, but the biggest Premier League hike in London was at Fulham where fans reported a 9.8% increase.
Queens Park Rangers fans were hit with a 15.6% rise which is set to be higher next season after the club's new owners, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, announced season tickets are going up by as much as 36%.
As Standard Sport reported last week, Rangers are one of seven London clubs raising prices for their most loyal followers.
The report also asked fans if the cost of tickets would put them off going to games or renewing their season tickets. Six per cent revealed they would not be renewing and 15% claimed they would be attending fewer games.
In total, 73% said ticket prices were too high. Broken down by club, West Ham (10%) and Fulham (9%) are threatened with the largest exodus of season-ticket holders due to prohibitive costs.
A further 24% of Hammers fans said cost meant they planned to attend fewer games next season, the largest figure in that category ahead of Chelsea (20%), Spurs (18%) and Arsenal (16%).
Racism and hooliganism
Twelve per cent of fans said they had witnessed football-related racism last season.
The clubs whose fans experienced the highest number of incidents were Spurs (19%), Millwall and Barnet (both 16%).
The problem of hooliganism in London has also not gone away. Reports of trouble in and around grounds rose from 17% to 23% this year.
For the third year in a row, QPR were the worst club for hooligan incidents (48% from 30% last year), followed by Orient (46%) and Palace (42%). Standard
[To state the obvious, it's not clear how statistically accurate this census is. The findings are based on "More than 2,800 fans took part in last month's poll - undertaken by research company Football Fans Census - with a minimum representation of 100 from each of the capital's 14 professional clubs."
Daily Mail/Standard - Sportsmail -Star players' lack of respect towards referees and ever-rising ticket prices are what bug fans most
Shock new figures today highlight the lack of respect London's footballers are showing towards referees.
At a time when on-pitch behaviour has never been so scrutinised, the 2008 London Football Report reveals that 67 per cent of the capital's fans witnessed a player from their club confronting an official in an "unacceptable manner" last season.
The figures appear to justify the Football Association's "Respect" campaign, which was launched earlier this year to target the shameful abuse of referees.
CLICK ON CHART: Football issues: the results of the poll carried out by the London Evening Standard
Standard Sport's fourth annual survey also highlights fans' concerns about players cheating and the rising cost of going to matches.
[Flashback: What the 2007 Standard Census reported]
More than 2,800 fans took part in last month's poll - undertaken by research company Football Fans Census - with a minimum representation of 100 from each of the capital's 14 professional clubs.
The results will be published in two parts, starting today with the fans' verdict on four major talking points - player behaviour, pricing, racism and hooliganism.
Tomorrow, part two features approval ratings for London's managers and chairmen, plus an in-depth look at the clubs the fans love to hate.
Player behaviour
Ashley Cole's petulant refusal to be booked by Mike Riley during Chelsea's clash with Tottenham in March was one of the enduring images of last season.
The incident spoke volumes about the arrogant attitudes of the modern-day players, according to many commentators who warned of such behaviour being replicated on park pitches around the country.
The FA launched their "Respect" campaign shortly before the Cole-Riley encounter but that did not stop Liverpool's Javier Mascherano sparking more controversy by embarking on a running battle with Steve Bennett to earn a red card against Manchester United.
London fans are clearly fed up with such antics. Deliberately asked about their own team to get a more accurate result, 67% recalled "a player from their club protesting to a match official in a manner they believed was unacceptable".
A staggering 18% confessed to seeing such clashes more than 10 times last season. When broken down by club, 91% of Chelsea fans admitted their players were guilty at least once.
That was the highest score in London ahead of Arsenal (74%) and Leyton Orient (69%). Some 76% of fans recalled an incident "where a player from their club deliberately dived to win a free-kick or penalty".
This is a one per cent increase on last year and the highest since the survey began.
Diving was most apparent at Spurs (88%), Arsenal (87%) and Chelsea (85%) while the best-behaved players were at Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet (both 50%).
Pricing
Given the millions generated from TV contracts, pressure has been mounting on clubs to cut the cost of watching football but to little effect, according to the report.
Taking into account ticket prices and other key expenses such as transport, merchandise and refreshments, the average cost for adults went up at every London club last season. It equated to an overall rise of 5.5%.
On the face of it, this figure doesn't sound too outlandish but, when last year's astonishing 22% hike is taken into account, it is clear fans are still being hit hard in the pocket.
Chelsea is the most expensive day out, with a trip to Stamford Bridge breaking through the £100 barrier. It now costs adult Blues an average of £102 per match.
Despite freezing ticket prices for a second successive season at Emirates Stadium, the cost of going to Arsenal has risen from £89 to £92 a match.
Spurs and West Ham were also more expensive for fans after both raised admission prices for the start of 2007-08 campaign, but the biggest Premier League hike in London was at Fulham where fans reported a 9.8% increase.
Queens Park Rangers fans were hit with a 15.6% rise which is set to be higher next season after the club's new owners, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, announced season tickets are going up by as much as 36%.
As Standard Sport reported last week, Rangers are one of seven London clubs raising prices for their most loyal followers.
The report also asked fans if the cost of tickets would put them off going to games or renewing their season tickets. Six per cent revealed they would not be renewing and 15% claimed they would be attending fewer games.
In total, 73% said ticket prices were too high. Broken down by club, West Ham (10%) and Fulham (9%) are threatened with the largest exodus of season-ticket holders due to prohibitive costs.
A further 24% of Hammers fans said cost meant they planned to attend fewer games next season, the largest figure in that category ahead of Chelsea (20%), Spurs (18%) and Arsenal (16%).
Racism and hooliganism
Twelve per cent of fans said they had witnessed football-related racism last season.
The clubs whose fans experienced the highest number of incidents were Spurs (19%), Millwall and Barnet (both 16%).
The problem of hooliganism in London has also not gone away. Reports of trouble in and around grounds rose from 17% to 23% this year.
For the third year in a row, QPR were the worst club for hooligan incidents (48% from 30% last year), followed by Orient (46%) and Palace (42%). Standard
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Lee Cook Return: Door Opens Again - And Assessing Other Moves
-
Dave McIntyre - Ealing Gazette
McNally exit could pave way for Cook return
Change at Fulham brings winger's return back onto the agenda
QPR will step up their bid to re-sign Lee Cook after Fulham confirmed the departure of managing director David McNally.
For some time Rangers have believed that McNally's possible exit could pave the way for Cook to return to Loftus Road.
McNally presided over Fulham's signing of the winger from QPR last year and several other transfers, and he was involved in negotiations as the Rs attempted to capture Cook last season.
Rangers were unable to agree a fee for Cook's signing and also failed to secure a loan deal before Charlton stepped in and signed him on loan before the January transfer window closed.
More recently Rangers have discussed a loan move for Cook with a view to a £2.5million transfer only if he proves his long-term fitness following a knee injury.
But it was thought that in the event of McNally leaving, his successor could look to offload several players and Cook, who has not played in a competitive match for Fulham, may be among those available at a knockdown price.
Rangers are keen to sign at least one left-sided player this summer and are among the many clubs chasing Plymouth wide-man Peter Halmosi.
Plymouth want £2.5million for the Hungarian but may be forced to cut their losses because the 27-year-old has an option to buy out his contract later this year.
Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson has also been targeted but he now looks to be well out of Rangers boss Iain Dowie's reach unless Boro tie the player to a long-term contact and then agree to loan him out.
Dowie is currently scouting at the Campionato Primavera - an annual U20 tournament involving Italy's top clubs.Kilburn Times
Dave McIntyre - Ealing Gazette
McNally exit could pave way for Cook return
Change at Fulham brings winger's return back onto the agenda
QPR will step up their bid to re-sign Lee Cook after Fulham confirmed the departure of managing director David McNally.
For some time Rangers have believed that McNally's possible exit could pave the way for Cook to return to Loftus Road.
McNally presided over Fulham's signing of the winger from QPR last year and several other transfers, and he was involved in negotiations as the Rs attempted to capture Cook last season.
Rangers were unable to agree a fee for Cook's signing and also failed to secure a loan deal before Charlton stepped in and signed him on loan before the January transfer window closed.
More recently Rangers have discussed a loan move for Cook with a view to a £2.5million transfer only if he proves his long-term fitness following a knee injury.
But it was thought that in the event of McNally leaving, his successor could look to offload several players and Cook, who has not played in a competitive match for Fulham, may be among those available at a knockdown price.
Rangers are keen to sign at least one left-sided player this summer and are among the many clubs chasing Plymouth wide-man Peter Halmosi.
Plymouth want £2.5million for the Hungarian but may be forced to cut their losses because the 27-year-old has an option to buy out his contract later this year.
Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson has also been targeted but he now looks to be well out of Rangers boss Iain Dowie's reach unless Boro tie the player to a long-term contact and then agree to loan him out.
Dowie is currently scouting at the Campionato Primavera - an annual U20 tournament involving Italy's top clubs.Kilburn Times
A Look at QPR....Briatore Comments.....Updated Pre-Season Calendar
-
PFA's Give Me Football Look at QPR Under Dowie
(Couple of items already oudated)
Loftus Road has hardly been simmering over the past decade as the O's have dropped into League One only to return to the Championship and find themselves as perennial strugglers.
However, with wealthy Formula 1 owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore bankrolling the Shepherds bush club there is a growing feeling that this is their time once again.
Not only are the two F1 bosses revving up for a season of success but they have also sold a 20 per cent stake in the club to the family of Lakshmi Mittal, the world's fifth richest man.
So with money apparently no object to QPR, they will be expected to push for the Premier League and glamour fixtures against the likes of spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal once again. A 14th placed finish last term wasn't enough to satisfy the appetite of Ecclestone and Briatore so Dowie has been ushered in at the expense of Luigi De Canio.
Zinedine Zidane was mentioned as a possible replacement for De Canio but Rangers have settled for a proven Championship manager in Dowie. However, the former Oldham, Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry manager will be under no illusions that expectations are sky high in West London.
Five million pounds was splashed out in January to entice the likes of Akos Buzsaky, Damien Delaney, Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang to Loftus Road for the Rangers' revolution. There are no signs of the spending letting up this summer either as Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has agreed a two-year contract and Newcastles Peter Ramage is also on board with a three-year deal.
QPR have also agreed the signing of midfielder Matteo Alberti for an undisclosed fee from Italian Serie B side Chievo. The 19-year-old will put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Loftus Road on July 1. Alberti has yet to make his full league debut for Chievo but Rangers claim they have beaten off competition from a number of Serie A clubs to land his signature.
Crystal Palace captain Mark Hudson looks set to snub the offer of a new contract at Selhurst Park and could also be on his way across London to join QPR. The 26-year-old centre-half will be a free agent at the end of June and Palace boss Neil Warnock believes ex Dowie is leading the chase for his signature.
"I think Mark has already told people that he'll not be signing a new contract and he'll be leaving," Warnock said. "He's got one or two offers and money talks - that's his entitleFive million pounds was splashed out in January to entice the likes of Akos Buzsaky, Damien Delaney, Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang to Loftus Road for the Rangers' revolution. There are no signs of the spending letting up this summer either as Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has agreed a two-year contract and Newcastles Peter Ramage is also on board with a three-year deal.
Looking ahead to next season's challenge, Dowie said: "My contract's two years so I hope it's realistic. We're going to be a very competitive team and I think within two years I'll have to bring success to this club. I want to make sure people at QPR think of me as a manager who knows how to get the job done and also brings attractive football to the club." PFA
Teamtalk - Briatore: We achieved target
Chairman Flavio Briatore believes QPR achieved their objective for last season by surviving relegation from the Championship.The financial backing of Briatore and co-owners Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal enabled the signing of nine players during the January transfer window, which helped Rangers extinguish relegation fears and secure a mid-table finish.
Briatore told the club's official website: "Everyone has done an amazing job to make our target - when we arrived it was to stay in this division.
"It was not easy and we made it and this is very important.
"The moment we arrived it was impossible to modify the club because the transfer window was closed and we suffered a lot because we lost a lot of points."
Teamtalk Comments can be heard by World Subscribers
Football League - 2008/09 CARLING CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW DETAILS
"The draw for Round 1 of the Carling Cup will be announced on Friday 13th June 2008 at 10.00am.... Football League [Game to be played August 13 or 14)
QPR's UPDATED SUMMER SCHEDULE
Just over a week till Carling Cup Draw...Less than two weeks till 2008-09 Fixtures relased...... Still to come: More Friendlies announced; more players signed! (Several players we reportedly were interested in have already moved to other clubs.) New 1st team strip (how many hoops, etc, etc?)
JUNE
- June 13 - Carling Cup Round 1 Draw
- June 16 - 2008-09 Fixtures Released
- June 30 - First Day of Training
JULY
- July 19, Stevenage, Away (Friendly) 3:00 pm.
- July 23 - Northampton Town, Away (Friendly) 7:45 pm
AUGUST
- August 2 - AC Chievo Verona (Home) 3:00 pm
- August 9 - 2008-09 Championship Season Kicks off
- August 13 or 14 - Carling Cup First Round
PFA's Give Me Football Look at QPR Under Dowie
(Couple of items already oudated)
Loftus Road has hardly been simmering over the past decade as the O's have dropped into League One only to return to the Championship and find themselves as perennial strugglers.
However, with wealthy Formula 1 owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore bankrolling the Shepherds bush club there is a growing feeling that this is their time once again.
Not only are the two F1 bosses revving up for a season of success but they have also sold a 20 per cent stake in the club to the family of Lakshmi Mittal, the world's fifth richest man.
So with money apparently no object to QPR, they will be expected to push for the Premier League and glamour fixtures against the likes of spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal once again. A 14th placed finish last term wasn't enough to satisfy the appetite of Ecclestone and Briatore so Dowie has been ushered in at the expense of Luigi De Canio.
Zinedine Zidane was mentioned as a possible replacement for De Canio but Rangers have settled for a proven Championship manager in Dowie. However, the former Oldham, Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry manager will be under no illusions that expectations are sky high in West London.
Five million pounds was splashed out in January to entice the likes of Akos Buzsaky, Damien Delaney, Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang to Loftus Road for the Rangers' revolution. There are no signs of the spending letting up this summer either as Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has agreed a two-year contract and Newcastles Peter Ramage is also on board with a three-year deal.
QPR have also agreed the signing of midfielder Matteo Alberti for an undisclosed fee from Italian Serie B side Chievo. The 19-year-old will put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Loftus Road on July 1. Alberti has yet to make his full league debut for Chievo but Rangers claim they have beaten off competition from a number of Serie A clubs to land his signature.
Crystal Palace captain Mark Hudson looks set to snub the offer of a new contract at Selhurst Park and could also be on his way across London to join QPR. The 26-year-old centre-half will be a free agent at the end of June and Palace boss Neil Warnock believes ex Dowie is leading the chase for his signature.
"I think Mark has already told people that he'll not be signing a new contract and he'll be leaving," Warnock said. "He's got one or two offers and money talks - that's his entitleFive million pounds was splashed out in January to entice the likes of Akos Buzsaky, Damien Delaney, Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang to Loftus Road for the Rangers' revolution. There are no signs of the spending letting up this summer either as Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has agreed a two-year contract and Newcastles Peter Ramage is also on board with a three-year deal.
Looking ahead to next season's challenge, Dowie said: "My contract's two years so I hope it's realistic. We're going to be a very competitive team and I think within two years I'll have to bring success to this club. I want to make sure people at QPR think of me as a manager who knows how to get the job done and also brings attractive football to the club." PFA
Teamtalk - Briatore: We achieved target
Chairman Flavio Briatore believes QPR achieved their objective for last season by surviving relegation from the Championship.The financial backing of Briatore and co-owners Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal enabled the signing of nine players during the January transfer window, which helped Rangers extinguish relegation fears and secure a mid-table finish.
Briatore told the club's official website: "Everyone has done an amazing job to make our target - when we arrived it was to stay in this division.
"It was not easy and we made it and this is very important.
"The moment we arrived it was impossible to modify the club because the transfer window was closed and we suffered a lot because we lost a lot of points."
Teamtalk Comments can be heard by World Subscribers
Football League - 2008/09 CARLING CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW DETAILS
"The draw for Round 1 of the Carling Cup will be announced on Friday 13th June 2008 at 10.00am.... Football League [Game to be played August 13 or 14)
QPR's UPDATED SUMMER SCHEDULE
Just over a week till Carling Cup Draw...Less than two weeks till 2008-09 Fixtures relased...... Still to come: More Friendlies announced; more players signed! (Several players we reportedly were interested in have already moved to other clubs.) New 1st team strip (how many hoops, etc, etc?)
JUNE
- June 13 - Carling Cup Round 1 Draw
- June 16 - 2008-09 Fixtures Released
- June 30 - First Day of Training
JULY
- July 19, Stevenage, Away (Friendly) 3:00 pm.
- July 23 - Northampton Town, Away (Friendly) 7:45 pm
AUGUST
- August 2 - AC Chievo Verona (Home) 3:00 pm
- August 9 - 2008-09 Championship Season Kicks off
- August 13 or 14 - Carling Cup First Round
Monday, June 02, 2008
Brief Cutting Apraisal of The New QPR
-
The Times/Martin Samuels - "...Reluctant billionaires
The Formula One consortium that owns Queens Park Rangers contains some of sport’s richest men, we are regularly told. Among them, it is now rumoured, is Vijay Mallya, described, like the rest, as a free-spending billionaire. The trouble is, from the somewhat earthbound appointment of Iain Dowie onwards, there remains little sign of any of them wanting to spend very freely at Loftus Road. Roman Abramovich: now that is what you call a free-spending billionaire." The Times
And various papers say QPR are one of the clubs pursing "Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan who is available on a free transfer" (Not on the face of it, "a Wow!" but who knows.) - BBC Gossip
Congratulations to Zesh Rehman.
QPR Official Site - ZESH TO LEAD PAKISTAN
Zesh Rehman will lead out his country when the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup kicks off in the Maldives tomorrow (Tuesday).
The R's defender skippers Pakistan in the Asian equivalent of the African Nations Cup, in a group which includes reigning Champions India, hosts Maldives and Nepal.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan complete the line-up in Group B.
The group winners and runners-up will progress to the semi-final, with the final, in Colombo, on Saturday 14th June. QPR
The Times/Martin Samuels - "...Reluctant billionaires
The Formula One consortium that owns Queens Park Rangers contains some of sport’s richest men, we are regularly told. Among them, it is now rumoured, is Vijay Mallya, described, like the rest, as a free-spending billionaire. The trouble is, from the somewhat earthbound appointment of Iain Dowie onwards, there remains little sign of any of them wanting to spend very freely at Loftus Road. Roman Abramovich: now that is what you call a free-spending billionaire." The Times
And various papers say QPR are one of the clubs pursing "Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan who is available on a free transfer" (Not on the face of it, "a Wow!" but who knows.) - BBC Gossip
Congratulations to Zesh Rehman.
QPR Official Site - ZESH TO LEAD PAKISTAN
Zesh Rehman will lead out his country when the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup kicks off in the Maldives tomorrow (Tuesday).
The R's defender skippers Pakistan in the Asian equivalent of the African Nations Cup, in a group which includes reigning Champions India, hosts Maldives and Nepal.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan complete the line-up in Group B.
The group winners and runners-up will progress to the semi-final, with the final, in Colombo, on Saturday 14th June. QPR
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Deloitte's Report on Clubs' Wages, Turnover and Finances
-
The primary focus is on the Premiership for the 2006-2007 period, but still of interest and note QPR's "high" ranking re wages/turnover.
See Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finances - 2008
Forward to Deloitte Report ---- Deloitte Report Highlights ---- Deloitte Press Release "Record revenues fuel Premier League clubs’ on pitch success" ---- Transcript Annual Review
See also re Deloitte's 2007 Report covering 2005-2006 Season Finances/Wages/Turnover
Guardian - Deloitte Report
Click Here for Graphic
Wages/turnover ratios of Premier League and Championship clubs 2006-07
Tottenham 42
Man Utd 44
Arsenal 50
Sheffield Wednesday 51
Sheffield United 57
Liverpol 58
Watford 58
Reading 59
Bolton Wanderers 60
Norwich City 60
Prem Lge avg 63
Manchester City 64
Plymouth Argyle 65
Southampton 65
Ipswich Town 68
Chelsea 70
Newcastle United 72
Leicester City 73
Wolves 73
West Bromwich Albion 73
Everton 75
West Ham United 76
Hull City 77
Champ avg 79
Middlesbrough 80
Aston Villa 82
Birmingham City 85
Blackburn Rovers 85
Stoke City 88
Fulham 89
Portsmouth 90
Cardiff City 90
Sunderland 90
Queens Park Rangers 94
Charlton Athletic 95
Preston North End 97
Wigan Athletic 100
Coventry City 101
Burnley 102
Derby County 125
* Louise Taylor * The Guardian - Leading clubs losing out as players and agents cash in
The Premier League is generating more money than ever but double-digit wage inflation explains why several clubs have falling operating profits and pre-tax losses. This is the central theme of the 17th Deloitte annual review of football finance, published yesterday, which offers an intriguing insight into the game's finances during the 2006-07 season.
Although strong growth in commercial and matchday income saw collective Premier League revenues exceed £1.5bn for the first time, much of this increase has ended up in the pockets of players and agents. Sir Alan Sugar, the former Tottenham Hotspur chairman, memorably described this syndrome as "the prune juice effect" and Dan Jones, a partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, said: "The improvement in cost control which would demonstrate a normal business culture of maximising profitability does not appear to be happening at Premier League clubs. A shared will and action by all the clubs to limit wages growth would deliver increased profitability for all, but the pursuit of on-pitch success and the intense competitive desire to gain an edge means clubs continue to invest heavily in their playing squads and bid the market up, to the detriment of all clubs' finances and the benefit of players and their agents."
In 2006-07 Premier League clubs' salaries rose 13% - marginally ahead of a median 11% rise in revenue - to £969m and they will have broken the £1bn barrier in the season just finished. Clubs paid an average of £48.5m in wages, with Chelsea having the biggest bill at £133m and Watford the smallest at £17.7m. The picture was gloomier in the Championship, where aggregate operating losses worsened as average wage increases of 14% outstripped median revenue growth of 3%.
The 2006-07 figures almost certainly reflect clubs spending future broadcasting revenues but there are startling disparities between the important wages-to-turnover ratios at clubs in England's top two divisions. The average Premier League figure stood at 63% but Tottenham could be proud of their housekeeping because their wages/turnover ratio was the lowest at 42%. Manchester United's was a disciplined 44% and Liverpool's 58%.
Worrying figures of 80% and 85% were recorded at Middlesbrough and Blackburn respectively. Even more alarmingly, Sunderland's ratio was 90% and Derby's 125%. But the latter two probably reflect the payment of performance-related bonuses to players for winning promotion.
Significantly, only eight Premier League clubs showed operating profits, namely Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield United and Watford. England's top division was deposed as Europe's richest in terms of operating profits by Germany's Bundesliga, where the average wages/turnover ratio was 45% and collective profits of €250m (£197m) outstripped the Premier League's €141m.
Click here for graphics of all the key findings in the report Guardian
Also: Telegraph - Deloitte football finance review: Club-by-club Premier League analysis
Telegraph "Premier League wages break the £1 bn barrier"
The primary focus is on the Premiership for the 2006-2007 period, but still of interest and note QPR's "high" ranking re wages/turnover.
See Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finances - 2008
Forward to Deloitte Report ---- Deloitte Report Highlights ---- Deloitte Press Release "Record revenues fuel Premier League clubs’ on pitch success" ---- Transcript Annual Review
See also re Deloitte's 2007 Report covering 2005-2006 Season Finances/Wages/Turnover
Guardian - Deloitte Report
Click Here for Graphic
Wages/turnover ratios of Premier League and Championship clubs 2006-07
Tottenham 42
Man Utd 44
Arsenal 50
Sheffield Wednesday 51
Sheffield United 57
Liverpol 58
Watford 58
Reading 59
Bolton Wanderers 60
Norwich City 60
Prem Lge avg 63
Manchester City 64
Plymouth Argyle 65
Southampton 65
Ipswich Town 68
Chelsea 70
Newcastle United 72
Leicester City 73
Wolves 73
West Bromwich Albion 73
Everton 75
West Ham United 76
Hull City 77
Champ avg 79
Middlesbrough 80
Aston Villa 82
Birmingham City 85
Blackburn Rovers 85
Stoke City 88
Fulham 89
Portsmouth 90
Cardiff City 90
Sunderland 90
Queens Park Rangers 94
Charlton Athletic 95
Preston North End 97
Wigan Athletic 100
Coventry City 101
Burnley 102
Derby County 125
* Louise Taylor * The Guardian - Leading clubs losing out as players and agents cash in
The Premier League is generating more money than ever but double-digit wage inflation explains why several clubs have falling operating profits and pre-tax losses. This is the central theme of the 17th Deloitte annual review of football finance, published yesterday, which offers an intriguing insight into the game's finances during the 2006-07 season.
Although strong growth in commercial and matchday income saw collective Premier League revenues exceed £1.5bn for the first time, much of this increase has ended up in the pockets of players and agents. Sir Alan Sugar, the former Tottenham Hotspur chairman, memorably described this syndrome as "the prune juice effect" and Dan Jones, a partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, said: "The improvement in cost control which would demonstrate a normal business culture of maximising profitability does not appear to be happening at Premier League clubs. A shared will and action by all the clubs to limit wages growth would deliver increased profitability for all, but the pursuit of on-pitch success and the intense competitive desire to gain an edge means clubs continue to invest heavily in their playing squads and bid the market up, to the detriment of all clubs' finances and the benefit of players and their agents."
In 2006-07 Premier League clubs' salaries rose 13% - marginally ahead of a median 11% rise in revenue - to £969m and they will have broken the £1bn barrier in the season just finished. Clubs paid an average of £48.5m in wages, with Chelsea having the biggest bill at £133m and Watford the smallest at £17.7m. The picture was gloomier in the Championship, where aggregate operating losses worsened as average wage increases of 14% outstripped median revenue growth of 3%.
The 2006-07 figures almost certainly reflect clubs spending future broadcasting revenues but there are startling disparities between the important wages-to-turnover ratios at clubs in England's top two divisions. The average Premier League figure stood at 63% but Tottenham could be proud of their housekeeping because their wages/turnover ratio was the lowest at 42%. Manchester United's was a disciplined 44% and Liverpool's 58%.
Worrying figures of 80% and 85% were recorded at Middlesbrough and Blackburn respectively. Even more alarmingly, Sunderland's ratio was 90% and Derby's 125%. But the latter two probably reflect the payment of performance-related bonuses to players for winning promotion.
Significantly, only eight Premier League clubs showed operating profits, namely Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield United and Watford. England's top division was deposed as Europe's richest in terms of operating profits by Germany's Bundesliga, where the average wages/turnover ratio was 45% and collective profits of €250m (£197m) outstripped the Premier League's €141m.
Click here for graphics of all the key findings in the report Guardian
Also: Telegraph - Deloitte football finance review: Club-by-club Premier League analysis
Telegraph "Premier League wages break the £1 bn barrier"
Supposed QPR Interest in Three Players
-
QPR's supposed interest in Marlon Harewood, Bobby Zamora and Anthony Gardner has actually already been reported elsewhere, most notably mid last-week, by journalist Dave McIntyre in a couple of articles.
Sunday Mirror/By Julian Bennetts - QPR eye Harewood
Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is being targeted by ambitious Championship club QPR.
The "world's richest club" want to pair the 28-year-old with West Ham's Bobby Zamora - and aim to complete a Premier League hat-trick with a swoop for Tottenham's Anthony Gardner.
Qpr, financed by megarich owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, are encouraged by reports the trio are unsettled at their current clubs.
Harewood made just one league start last term after his £4million move from West Ham. Sunday Mirror
QPR's supposed interest in Marlon Harewood, Bobby Zamora and Anthony Gardner has actually already been reported elsewhere, most notably mid last-week, by journalist Dave McIntyre in a couple of articles.
Sunday Mirror/By Julian Bennetts - QPR eye Harewood
Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is being targeted by ambitious Championship club QPR.
The "world's richest club" want to pair the 28-year-old with West Ham's Bobby Zamora - and aim to complete a Premier League hat-trick with a swoop for Tottenham's Anthony Gardner.
Qpr, financed by megarich owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, are encouraged by reports the trio are unsettled at their current clubs.
Harewood made just one league start last term after his £4million move from West Ham. Sunday Mirror
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