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Tuesday, May 03, 2011

The QPR-Wimbledon (Dons) Merger: One Decade Ago Today

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- Four Year Flashback: Tchakounte, Gallen, Furlong Released

- Rodney Marsh Offers Congratulations re QPR Championship


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Ten years ago today: May 3, 2001: THE QPR-WIMBLEDON MERGER

Mail/Evening Standard Mick Dennis - Football: QPR in merger talks with Dons

Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers are in talks about a merger. A meeting of the board of the Nationwide League will be told details of the scheme today.

Negotiations between the two London clubs are well advanced and those in favour of the merger want it to go through in time for the new, joint club to kick off the 2001-02 season.

The new club would play at QPR's Loftus Road ground but the League would have to decide what division the club would play in. Rangers are due to start next season in the Second Division after being relegated and Wimbledon are in the First.

The deal makes financial sense because it would pool the resources of two clubs suffering serious financial problems.

QPR are in administration with debts of about £8 million. Wimbledon have no home ground of their own, are tenants at Crystal Palace's ground, Selhurst Park, and have been playing in front of tiny crowds all season.

But news of a possible merger will be devastating for fans of both clubs.

One big obstacle to the deal is the attitude of QPR owner Chris Wright, the multi-millionaire founder of the Chrysalis media empire.

Although he wants to sell his controlling interest in QPR, he remains an ardent supporter of the club and does not want to go down in history as the man who let the club disappear.

Wright is thought to be insisting that whatever the new club are called, the name starts with some reference to Rangers.

Wimbledon, owned by Norwegian Bjorn Gjelsten, the head of a Scandinavian business conglomerate, argue that since they are not crippled by debt they are putting more into the deal than QPR and that should be reflected in the name.

Wimbledon's future has been in doubt since the club left their home at Plough Lane 10 years ago.

Sharing Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace was supposed to be only a temporary arrangement but Wimbledon's failure to win planning approval from Merton Council made them long-term exiles.

While they were owned by Sam Hammam, Wimbledon entertained the notion of playing in Dublin and Milton Keynes. There were discussions about becoming the Dublin Dons, to tap into the passion for Premiership football in the Republic of Ireland, and there was also a serious plan to play in a new stadium near Milton Keynes as MK Dons

Wimbledon also considered a merger with Palace in May 1999 but that notion was scuppered because it would have cost Wimbledon their Premiership status.

QPR have also been the subject of merger talks on several occasions. In the Sixties there was talk of them joining forces with Brentford and then, in the Eighties, they were owned by the property company which also had interests in Fulham and Chelsea and, at one time, it was suggested that one club would be formed combining all three.

Supporters of QPR and Wimbledon have always reacted angrily and campaigned against merger schemes and takeover talk and will be praying today that the latest scheme is halted.

Mergers have never gone down well with fans. Reading supporters took to the streets in 1983 when Robert Maxwell talked of merging their club with Oxford United under the name of Thames Valley Royals.

This time, however, pooling the resources of QPR and Wimbledon makes sense financially.

Without a home ground of their own and with crowds which are regularly smaller than 6,000, Wimbledon do not have spare resources. Nor do they have the opportunity to build a commercial income sufficient to sustain life in the Premiership, should they ever get back there.

Only 4,956 turned up to see their match against Huddersfield on Tuesday.

Wimbledon are building a new training centre at the Prince George's Playing Fields in Raynes Park and they have committed a lot of time and money on the scheme.

Queens Park Rangers could soon be without a training ground.

Their parent company recently bought the former British Gas sports ground site in Acton.

However, Wright, who is still chairman and owner of Wasps rugby club, wants the site to belong to the rugby club. He wants it to be the base for their amateur, women and junior sections.

Wasps, at present, rent rugby pitches at the Bisham Abbey national training centre in Berkshire.

QPR must find new investment. Wright is helping to bankroll the payment of staff until the end of the season but the future of the 22 players whose contracts run out in the summer depends on whether QPR secure a new owner.

A merger would have ramifications for Crystal Palace, who moved closer to First Division safety last night by beating Portsmouth. They would obviously lose the rent they receive from Wimbledon.

BBC Thursday, 3 May, 2001,
Wimbledon and QPR in merger talks


QPR and Wimbledon could be set to merge
The two teams may no longer be in competition soon
A city based consortium is attempting to prevent the possibility of a merger between Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers, after the clubs announced they were in talks.

And the Football League have confirmed that their board has discussed the issue and would "give favourable consideration to any proposal".

But the consortium is reportedly preparing a £12m bid to buy QPR in an attempt to maintain the club's separate identity.

The consortium wants to buy Rangers, rugby union outfit London Wasps and their parent company, Loftus Road plc, and is set to publicly declare its interest shortly.


QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same
Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st
Confidentiality agreements have so far kept the identity of the consortium secret, though pressure is quickly growing for the backers to reveal themselves.

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel confirmed talks have taken place, but said no merger was imminent.

"We have been approached by QPR and while discussions regarding the idea of a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first."

And he added the club plan to meet with supporters to discuus the idea before the final game of the season.

A statement from the Football League on Thursday said: "At its meeting in London today, the board of the Football League were informed in outline of a proposed merger between Queens Park Rangers FC and Wimbledon FC.

"The board now awaits the submission of a formal proposal for its discussion.

"The board indicated that whilst they will give favourable consideration to any proposal, they must also bear in mind the implications for the league competition and for the supporters of both clubs.


No true QPR fan supports a merger
Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st
The board will also seek legal advice on the matter.

Rangers are in administration with debts of around £11m, but own their Loftus Road ground.

Wimbledon on the other hand, are looking for their own home and would relocate to west London if the merger was given the go-ahead.

Alternative

The move is being presented as an alternative to Rangers going out of business.

But the consortium, which first tabled its offer several weeks ago is now looking to provide an alternative.

Its bid is for both the rugby and football wings of the plc and would involve QPR and Wasps sharing Rangers' Acton training ground.

A bid for Wasps and the Twyford Avenue training site from Loftus Road owner Chris Wright has already been accepted by the administrators.

The consortium has indicated it is still interested in acquiring QPR if Wright's purchase of Wasps goes through.

QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, has also said it will vigorously oppose any merger between the two clubs.

Fans opposed

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st said: "QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same."

Representatives of QPR 1st and QPR owner and now ex-chairman Chris Wright are set to meet in the near future and the supporters group will be seeking assurances from Wright that no merger is planned or being considered.

Loftus Road plc, the owners of QPR, also issued a statement saying they were disappointed that talks of a merger had already become public knowledge.

The statement read: "It is not helpful that the news has been leaked as we were intent on exploring the opportunity in a sensible and controlled manner.

"That included sending a letter to all season ticket-holders, club members and shareholders, asking them of their opinion and whether the proposal is worth pursuing.

"Should these discussions continue, the questionnaires will be distributed in the near future and we welcome honest and constructive feedback.

"The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base.

If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share
Brentford chairman Ron Noades
"Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further."

And they added: "The nature of the talks have included the possibility of the new club playing in Division One at Loftus Road, with the name and colours reflecting elements of both clubs."

Speculation that a third London club, Brentford, could also become involved have been dismissed by chairman Ron Noades.

Noades had been linked with a rival bid for QPR but told the Evening Standard: "We are not interested in any merger with or takeover of QPR.

"We were in talks with QPR about a possible ground share at Loftus Road but those cannot proceed until the club is out of administration.

"In the meantime, our own talks about a new ground for Brentford in the borough of Hounslow are progressing well.

"If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share if we do manage to move to a new home ourselves."


QPR STATEMENT REGARDING POSSIBLE QPR MERGER WITH WIMBLEDON FC

In response to todays press speculation the board of Loftus Road makes the following statement:

"It is true that we are in very early stage discussions with Wimbledon Football Club about a possible merger. It is not helpful that the news has leaked as we were intent on exploring the opportunity in a sensible and controlled manner which included sending a letter to all season ticket holders, club members, and shareholders asking them of their opinion and whether the proposal is worth pursuing. Should these discussions continue the questionnaires will be distributed in the near future and we welcome honest and constructive feedback. The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base.

Our initial view is that in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League the idea could have merit and maybe worth exploring further but we must emphasise it is still very early days and no firm agreement whatsoever has been reached. Any merger will clearly be subject to the approval of the Football League, however the nature of the talks have included the possibility of the new Club playing in Division One at Loftus Rd, with the name and colours reflecting elements of both Clubs.

At this time there is little more that can be said until the views of our supporters have been canvassed and a decision is made as to whether to take discussions further or not"


INDEPENDENT - May 4, 2001

Supporters shout down QPR-Wimbledon merger

By Steve Tongue


Queen's Park Rangers and Wimbledon have effectively admitted defeat for a proposal to merge after furious opposition from supporters. But the plan will not be the last such attempt at combining clubs or grounds in London's saturated football market.

Queen's Park Rangers and Wimbledon have effectively admitted defeat for a proposal to merge after furious opposition from supporters. But the plan will not be the last such attempt at combining clubs or grounds in London's saturated football market.

The two struggling First Division clubs ­ QPR will be relegated after Sunday's final match of the season ­ sounded out the Football League yesterday, but had to back-track once the news was leaked, to a predictably hostile reaction. Wimbledon's chairman, Charles Koppel, said: "We have been approached by QPR and, while discussions about a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first."

Loftus Road plc, the parent company which owns Rangers, said: "It is not helpful that the news has been leaked as we were intent on exploring the opportunity in a sensible and controlled manner. The talks will only continue if there is approval from our supporter base."

It quickly became evident that no such support would be forthcoming from the fans of either club. The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared: "We unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories. We urge the vigilance of Wimbledon and QPR supporters and ask that you make your voices heard far and wide."

Libby Magrill, speaking for QPR 1st, the recently established supporters' trust, said: "Any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon will be opposed by every possible means. QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We will be seeking a clear statement from the Football League on this latest development. If they sanction the merger, what next? It could open the floodgates and kill off many of our clubs."

The League confirmed that its executive board had been informed of the proposal and added: "Whilst they will give favourable consideration to any proposal, they must also bear in mind the implications for the league competition and for the supporters of both clubs."

The clubs appeared keen to push the plan through in time for next season if possible. A merged club would have to take its place in the lower division of the two ­ the Second Division ­ which would present complications concerning promotion and relegation, including the question of whether any team went down from the Nationwide League to the Conference.

Just as Reading and Oxford United supporters did when Robert Maxwell wanted to create "Thames Valley Royals", followers of both clubs have resisted similar plans in the past, with Rangers normally the predators. In 1967 they tried to take over Brentford and move to Griffin Park; the move was defeated when Brentford's chairman, Jack Dunnett, sold his controlling interest to a syndicate of supporters. Twenty years later QPR proposed merging with Fulham, whose supporters were also able to help save their club and ground, backing Jimmy Hill as the new chairman.

Wimbledon fans have learnt to live with uncertainty almost from the time they became a League club in 1977. Their then-chairman, Ron Noades, wanted to merge them with Crystal Palace, but ended up selling the club to Sam Hammam and buying Palace instead. He was eventually able to lure Wimbledon to Selhurst Park as Palace's tenants, where they remain, Hammam's sale of the club to Norwegian owners having done nothing to end speculation about relocating anywhere from Milton Keynes to Dublin.

Noades has moved on to become chairman of his third London club, Brentford. He insisted yesterday that he was not involved in the new plans, but admitted he would be interested in ground-sharing if Brentford are able to build a new stadium in Feltham. He has also talked to QPR about sharing Loftus Road.

It would hardly be surprising if Noades became a principal figure in any future developments. He has always cherished the idea of building one major South London club to challenge Arsenal and Tottenham, but, having failed to make Palace the core of it, he sold up, at a huge profit, while keeping the freehold of their Selhurst Park ground.




GUARDIAN
Guardian/Martin Thorpe - May 4, 2001

Fans rebel as London clubs talk of merger

Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers moved last night to defuse fan fury by pledging that a proposed merger of the clubs would not go ahead if supporters strongly object to the controversial plan.

The two London clubs admitted they have held talks about a merger as a way to overcome their problems: Wimbledon of the First Division have no ground and a small fan base while QPR, just relegated to the Second, are in administration with debts of £8m.

The plan was even discussed at a meeting of the Football League board, who gave it a provisional green light though they had not received any concrete submission from either club.

But supporter reaction was immediately hostile, with protests planned and vows made to "fight any merger to the end".

Although QPR initially approached Wimbledon with the plan, the Dons chairman Charles Koppel summed up their joint thinking when he said yesterday: "Both clubs have a unique set of problems and we have to ask, is there a way to resolve those problems? Are we stronger together than apart?

"We are committed to exploring all available options for strengthening the club on and off the pitch. Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further."

Both clubs had been hoping to persuade their fans of the practical and financial merits of a merger.

Despite 30 declarations of interest in buying out the current QPR owner Chris Wright, no firm offer has come in, even from a City consortium who came to light yesterday and are allegedly considering a £12m takeover.

The plan would see a new club emerge called Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers - other names floated yesterday included Queens Park Dons and Wimbledon Rangers - playing at Loftus Road in the Second Division, depending on league approval.

Wimbledon's Terry Burton would be manager of the new club and the shirt colours would reflect those of both teams.

The two clubs set out on talks hoping the climate of supporter obstruction which saw stillbirths for two previous proposed mergers -Fulham Park Rangers and Thames Valley Royals (Reading and Oxford) - had changed. They also felt it would be easier in the case of teams that did not have a historic rivalry.

QPR, though accepting they would lose some fans, had even estimated that the new team would attract between 10,000 and 12,000 for the first game next season.

But the leak to a national newspaper caught both clubs by surprise and dented hopes of persuading fans of the financial and practical advantages. There was some suspicion that this was the motive behind the leak.

Libby Magrill, a spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the QPR Supporters Trust, insisted: "QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. Any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon this year, or at any stage in the future, will be opposed by every possible means."

The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared that they "unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories".

Wisa and QPR 1st plan to lobby the league while a protest by Wimbledon fans is scheduled for the final game, at home to Norwich on Sunday. At QPR supporters demonstrated outside Loftus Road yesterday.

QPR quickly issued a statement criticising the leak and insisted that before any final decision they had always intended to consult their supporters, via a questionnaire, in a "sensible and controlled manner", and will do so still if merger discussions continue.

Privately QPR went further. "It had always been decided this wouldn't go through without the blessing of the majority of the fans," insisted one source. "It just wouldn't have worked."

Koppel took a similar line. "It has to come down to whether or not the supporters feel that it is something they can buy into."


Guardian

QPR and Wimbledon in merger talks
Scott Murray guardian.co.uk, Thursday 3 May 2001

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed they are in "very early stage discussions" with Wimbledon about a possible merger of the two clubs.

The talks began after QPR were put into administration with debts of around £8m, while Wimbledon have been searching for a permanent home for several years.

The announcement came after a report in this morning's Sun. The article claimed that the proposed new team will be coached by Dons boss Terry Burton and will play its home games at Loftus Road.

However, a spokesperson for Loftus Road plc, the owners of QPR, was at pains to state that a final decision has yet to be made.

"Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further," he explained.

"But we must emphasise that it is still very early days and no firm agreement whatsoever has been reached. The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base."

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel also played down the reports.

"No agreement to merge Wimbledon with QPR has been reached," he insisted. "While discussions regarding the idea of a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first.

"If the fans felt that this was not the best thing, we would re-evaluate and move along a different route."

Unsurprisingly, supporters have already opposed the mooted merger.

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said: "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club.

"Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans, and any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon this year, or at any stage in the future, will be opposed by every possible means.

"QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same."

Wimbledon fans also expressed their opposition to the proposal, promising to protest at a meeting between the club and supporters' organisations later this week.

The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared that they "unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories" and added: "At our forthcoming meeting on Sunday with chairman Charles Koppel prior to the final game of the season, we shall be discussing and exploring the way to go forward.

"In addition, we shall be making clear to the owners of Wimbledon Football Club our desire for our own stadium and retained identity.

"We urge the vigilance of Wimbledon and QPR supporters during this time and ask that you make your voices heard far and wide."

Meanwhile, speculation that a third London club, Brentford, could also become involved was dismissed by chairman Ron Noades, who had been linked with a rival bid.

Noades told the Evening Standard: "We are not interested in any merger with or takeover of QPR.

"We were in talks with QPR about a possible ground share at Loftus Road but those cannot proceed until the club is out of administration.

"In the meantime, our own talks about a new ground for Brentford in the borough of Hounslow are progressing well.

"If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share if we do manage to move to a new home ourselves."

It has also been reported that an unidentified City-based consortium are preparing a £12m bid to buy QPR outright and keep the club's identity.

Their bid is for the rugby and football wings of Loftus Road plc and would involve QPR and Wasps sharing Rangers' Acton training ground
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2001/may/03/newsstory.sport8



Guardian

QPR-Dons merger 'to be dead within 48 hours'

Sean Ingle guardian.co.uk, Friday 4 May 2001

proposed merger between Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers is likely be called off within the next 48 hours after opposition from supporters groups.

"The merger isn't going to happen," QPR 1st spokesperson Libby Magrill told Guardian Unlimited today. "We met with QPR chairman Chris Wright yesterday, and although he wasn't that keen on the idea anymore anyway, we helped to persuade him that it was an awful plan."

"QPR had planned to send a questionnaire about the merger to supporters, but I don't think they are going to do it anymore," she added. "What's the point? They know everyone is dead against the plan."

"The Wimbledon Supporters Association will meet with their chairman Charles Koppel on Sunday, but by then I think the deal be dead."


This is Local London

Qpr Fans Scupper Plan To Merge With Wimbledon
Wednesday 9th May 2001

Fan power has killed off suggestions of a merger between Queens Park Rangers and Wimbledon football clubs.

On Thursday last week, QPR's board said in a statement: "It is true that we are in very early stage discussions with Wimbledon Football Club about a possible merger." But outraged QPR fans immediately set about scuppering the idea.

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said the group would vigorously oppose any merger between QPR and Wimbledon. "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club. Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans."

Only three days later, the Loftus Road-based club reversed its intentions: "After serious consideration and talks with supporters, the boards of Loftus Road and Queens Park Rangers have decided not to take discussions with Wimbledon Football Club regarding a possible merger any further."

The merger was seen to have financial merit because it would have pooled the resources of two clubs suffering serious financial problems. QPR are in administration with debts of about £8 million and Wimbledon have no home ground of their own.

There was also confusion about which division a merged club would play in. Currently Wimbledon are in Division One and QPR, following this season's relegation, will start next season in Division Two.

Both QPR and the Wasps Rugby team are owned by Loftus Road plc, whose chairman is Chris Wright, the multi-millionaire founder of the Chrysalis media empire. Mr Wright wants to sell his controlling interest in QPR, but keep the Wasps, ending the link between the two organisations.

There will be a special meeting of Loftus Road on May 16 to debate Mr Wright's offer to buy Wasps.Fan power has killed off suggestions of a merger between Queens Park Rangers and Wimbledon football clubs.

On Thursday last week, QPR's board said in a statement: "It is true that we are in very early stage discussions with Wimbledon Football Club about a possible merger." But outraged QPR fans immediately set about scuppering the idea.

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said the group would vigorously oppose any merger between QPR and Wimbledon. "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club. Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans."

Only three days later, the Loftus Road-based club reversed its intentions: "After serious consideration and talks with supporters, the boards of Loftus Road and Queens Park Rangers have decided not to take discussions with Wimbledon Football Club regarding a possible merger any further."

The merger was seen to have financial merit because it would have pooled the resources of two clubs suffering serious financial problems. QPR are in administration with debts of about £8 million and Wimbledon have no home ground of their own.

There was also confusion about which division a merged club would play in. Currently Wimbledon are in Division One and QPR, following this season's relegation, will start next season in Division Two.

Both QPR and the Wasps Rugby team are owned by Loftus Road plc, whose chairman is Chris Wright, the multi-millionaire founder of the Chrysalis media empire. Mr Wright wants to sell his controlling interest in QPR, but keep the Wasps, ending the link between the two organisations.

There will be a special meeting of Loftus Road on May 16 to debate Mr Wright's offer to buy Wasps.

By.Ted Bridges



May 8, 2001 - Standard/Chris Jones QPR call off Dons merger


Queens Park Rangers today said they are abandoning merger talks with Wimbledon.

The bitterness about the suggested merger of the two clubs was evident from both sets of fans at the weekend and today QPR released the following statement: "After serious consideration and talks with supporters, the boards of Loftus Road and Queens Park Rangers have decided not to take discussions with Wimbledon Football Club regarding a possible merger, any further.

"Although the proposal had some financial and theoretical merit, the strength of feeling from supporters to maintain the QPR identity and history was overwhelming, and had it gone ahead would have alienated, perhaps irrevocably, a large section of supporters without whom the club could not survive.

"In addition, the board would like to point out that no talks are being held with Ron Noades and Brentford. Discussions, however, continue with other interested parties and the board, together with the administrators, are working hard to secure the best deal for the future of the club."

On Sunday, Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel employed bodyguards to shadow him during the Norwich game at Selhurst Park, where Dons supporters demonstrated.

QPR owner Chris Wright was berated by angry football fans at the London Wasps's rugby match at Loftus Road, where there were heated exchanges between football and rugby fans.

QPR and Wasps are owned by Loftus Road plc, whose chairman is Wright. He wants to split the football and rugby clubs by paying £5 million for Wasps. Under the merger plan, QPR and Wimbledon would then have become one club, playing at Loftus Road and training at Wimbledon's new training ground at Raynes Park.

It was confirmed today, however, that a city consortium, fronted by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tim Razzall, are trying to put together a rival bid. The consortium want to keep the Wasps and QPR clubs together by taking over Loftus Road plc for £12m.

They say that keeping Wasps and QPR together would avoid acrimony over the future of Rangers' Twyford Avenue training ground and they would turn the site into a state-of-the-art complex for both teams. Wright wants to buy the training ground for Wasps and points out that the rugby club sold their Sudbury ground and cash from the sale went into QPR's coffers.

There will be a special general meeting of Loftus Road plc on 16 May with two items to discuss; Wright's offers to buy Wasps and the training ground.




VIDEO (Only Viewable in UK): QPR Celebrate Winning the Championship



Congratulations to Norwich: Promoted

1 QPR 45 40 88
2 Norwich 45 25 83
3 Cardiff 45 22 79
4 Swansea 45 23 77
5 Reading 45 25 74
6 Nott'm Forest 45 16 72
7 Leeds 45 10 69


- Bookies Already Paying Out on QPR's Championship...At least One Bookie Already offering odds on QPR's 2011/12 Premiership Survival Chance/Chance of Qualifying for Europe

QPR's "Rendezvous With Destiny" Arrives: The Seven Charges...Taarabt's QPR Future Not So Certain

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- Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
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- Perspective Flashback to a Far Worse Day: Ten Years Ago Today - The QPR-Wimbledon Merger Talks Were Reported

- Some Pages from Saturday's Watford-QPR Programme

- The Seven Charges QPR face

1) Entering contracts with third-party organisations enabling them "materially to influence" the club's policies or its team's performance

2) Entering contracts assigning rights to or making payments to a third party in connection with a player transfer

3) Providing the FA with allegedly false information in later contract extension documents

4) Bringing the game into disrepute

5) Using the services of an unauthorised agent

Charges Gianni Paladini faces

1) Bringing the game into disrepute

2) Concealing or misrepresenting the reality and/or substance of matters relating to a transaction or contract negotiation - Guardian


Guardian/Matt Scott

Alejandro Faurlín not to blame for QPR's nervous wait, says Adel Taarabt
• No fault of the Argentinian midfielder, says team-mate
• QPR's promotion hanging in balance at FA disciplinary hearing


Alejandro Faurlín should have no blame attached to him in the Football Association investigation that could lead to Queens Park Rangers' missing out on promotion to the Premier League. That is the message the Argentinian midfielder at the centre of the inquiry has received from his QPR team-mate Adel Taarabt.

"The first few days he was a little bit worried because he may have thought the lads would blame him, but we told him it is not your fault," Taarabt said of Faurlín ahead of the FA disciplinary hearing beginning on Tuesday into charges arising from his 2009 transfer to west London. "He has been brilliant all season and you can't deny that. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well. We have done the job on the pitch so we deserve to be where we are. Every game we play 11 against 11 and we win games on the pitch; we don't do anything else. We didn't cheat or do anything wrong. I don't know what is happening upstairs but the FA will make the decision and we will see."

It is common practice for South American players' registrations to belong to agents or investment companies rather than their clubs; however in this country such arrangements breach FA and Premier League rules. The Guardian reported in March that in the Faurlín case Instituto de Córdoba, his former club, received nothing from the transfer. The FA refused to comment about any element of the affair on Monday. However the case has led to seven charges being levelled against QPR and their chairman, Gianni Paladini, which will be considered by a three-man disciplinary commission led by an independent QC this week.

QPR and Paladini could not be contacted on Monday but have consistently denied wrongdoing. As well as three charges relating to the third-party contracts, QPR face more of bringing the game into disrepute and of using the services of an unauthorised agent. Paladini is personally accused of concealing or misrepresenting elements of the Faurlín transfer, leading to a supplementary disrepute charge for him.

QPR have previously let it be known that they considered Faurlín, now 24, to have been out of contract with Instituto at the time of his move and that he was therefore a free transfer. The agent named in the transfer documents is believed to be Peppino Tirri, who held a Fifa licence at the time of the transfer but had not registered with the FA, meaning he did not have its authorisation to conduct transfer business in England. Tirri, who could not be contacted on Monday through the email address or telephone numbers on Fifa's website, is now registered with the FA.

QPR should learn the commission's verdict on Friday and if they are found to be in breach of FA regulations they may be deducted points. The Championship leaders were nine points clear of the playoffs before Monday's fixtures and have one match still to play.

The Football League is believed to be considering the logistical implications for those playoffs and may defer the semi-finals to accommodate the legal process, which would surely include a QPR appeal in the event of a guilty verdict.

The existence of the third-party agreements only came to light when the club asked the Football League for permission to buy out the third-party interest in Faurlín's contract. At the time there was no Football League rule against third-party ownership – it is now aligning its rules with those of the Premier League – and QPR claim they were unaware that the FA's rules did make provision against it.

In the course of its inquiries the FA has been trying to uncover what was paid to whom. Paladini was quoted on Monday as saying: "We will fight all the way. Justice will be done. We have done everything in good faith."

Charges QPR face

1) Entering contracts with third-party organisations enabling them "materially to influence" the club's policies or its team's performance

2) Entering contracts assigning rights to or making payments to a third party in connection with a player transfer

3) Providing the FA with allegedly false information in later contract extension documents

4) Bringing the game into disrepute

5) Using the services of an unauthorised agent

Charges Gianni Paladini faces

1) Bringing the game into disrepute

2) Concealing or misrepresenting the reality and/or substance of matters relating to a transaction or contract negotiation Guardian


Telegraph/Jeremy Wilson

Queens Park Rangers celebrations following promotion to Premier League threatened by more off-field problems


Queens Park Rangers go into Wednesday’s Football Association hearing with a fresh obstacle hanging over them before they return to the Premier League after it emerged that Loftus Road does not meet key ground regulations.

The Premier League is to seek clarification on the size of the dressing rooms, while work must also be done to enlarge both the television gantry and the media facilities.

Having granted Portsmouth special dispensation for problems with their facilities when they were promoted in 2003, the Premier League will insist the work is done at QPR before the start of the new season.

It imposed a similar standard on Blackpool last season.

The Lancashire club had an entire stand built before they staged home Premier League games, and there is a feeling that the initial leniency towards Portsmouth was a mistake.

QPR believe that their changing rooms do meet the standard, although there remains concern at the Premier League that this could be an issue.

Plans are already afoot at QPR to make the necessary changes to the gantry and press room.

Of most immediate concern is the start of today’s three-day hearing into an alleged breach of rules regarding third-party ownership over the signing of Alejandro Faurlín. If found guilty, the potential punishments range from a fine to a points deduction which could alter the final standings at the top of the Championship table.

The issue arose when QPR approached the Football League about buying out Faurlín’s contract. The Football League referred the matter to the FA, who had already introduced regulations which banning third-party ownership in the wake of the Carlos Tévez affair at West Ham United.

Four people will sit on the FA’s independent commission, which will be chaired by a QC and include two people from the FA Council as well as a former professional player or manager.

The decision will be announced on Friday, although any decision could be subject to appeal and potentially a lengthy legal process.

QPR chairman Gianni Paladini is adamant that the club acting properly but the FA has issued charges over an alleged breach of seven regulations. These also include making payments to an unauthorised agent when Faurlín was signed.

QPR confirmed their status as Championship winners — subject to the result of the tribunal — on Saturday and Abel Taarabt has revealed Faurlín’s concern at the controversy.

“The first few days he was a little bit worried because he may have thought the lads would blame him,” said Taarabt. “But we told him it is not your fault. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well.

“We didn’t cheat or do anything wrong. Every game we play 11 against 11 and we win games on the pitch.

“It would destroy me and it would destroy my team-mates [if promotion was taken away]. It would be a disaster for every player. If the FA take that away, I will still tell people I am a champion.”

Taarabt joined Spurs at the age of 17 and, after making only nine appearances, is desperate to show his quality in the Premier League.

“I hope I can prove to Spurs they made a mistake to sell me,” he said.

“The last time I saw him Harry Redknapp he joked with me, ‘I sold you for £1 million and now you must be worth £8-9 million’.” Telegraph


GUARDIAN/Sachin Nakrani

Adel Taarabt unsure over his Queens Park Rangers future
• Moroccan refuses to confirm he will stay at Loftus Road
• He can be one of the best in the world, says Warnock


Adel Taarabt has put his future at Queens Park Rangers in doubt by refusing to confirm he will stay at the club despite them having just secured promotion to the Premier League.

"I don't know yet [if I will stay at QPR]," said Taarabt. "I'm very happy with what I've achieved but now we have all summer and after that I will see the manager [Neil Warnock], see what they want to do and then we will take a decision.

"He [Warnock] has been great. My season is a lot to do with him because he has given me 100% belief and trust. Even if I don't pay well for one or two games, he still plays me. He has done a lot for me. In football you have to meet somebody who gives you a chance, for me that person is Neil – nobody else."

The 21-year-old has been an integral part of QPR's success this campiagn, captaining the club to the Championship title – which was secured with a 2-0 win at Watford last Saturday, pending an Football Association hearing into their purchase of Alejandro Faurlín – and scoring 19 goals in the process. The Moroccan, who signed from Tottenham last summer following two loan spells at Loftus Road, was also named the division's player of the season.

Following the victory at Vicarage Road, Warnock admitted his own concerns over Taarabt's future but warned it would be a mistake for the free-spirited midfielder to leave QPR just yet. He said: "Adel's at a very crucial period in his career now because he can't do what he's done with us in the Premier League and progress.

"He's got the ability to be one of the best in the world but he's got to be more dedicated, he's got to listen to me and take it on board. He's got everything in his locker but if he went somewhere now and it was the wrong place we'd probably get him back at Christmas on loan."

Should QPR survive this week's FA hearing and take a place in the top-flight for the first time since 1996, Tarrabt feels confident the club can avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

"I know with this manager they can achieve something," he said. "I don't know what the target is for next season, but right now we just have to enjoy this moment. We have rich owners, which helps, but it is their money and they can do what they want with it." Guardian


MIRROR/Darren Lewis - Taarabt begs FA to show QPR some TLC

Adel Taarabt has pleaded with the FA to go easy on promoted QPR this week - so that he can prove a point to Spurs.

The Moroccan playmaker has hit 19 goals from 43 Rangers appearances this season after being frozen out at White Hart Lane.

But his Premier League dream could be shattered if a four-man FA panel decide this week that Rangers have breach third-party rules over the signing of Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.

The panel meet today and deliver their verdict on Friday and Taarabt admitted admitted a guilty verdict would leave the QPR players devastated.

"It would destroy me and it would destroy my team-mates," he said.

"We have not cheated. We have played every match with 11 v 11 players on the pitch. We never did anything wrong.

"If there are problems with things upstairs then surely that it is to do with them, not the team.

"It would be a disaster for every player. But what can we do?

"We have done our best. We have won the Championship. If the FA take that away, I will still tell people I am a champion."

QPR chairman Gianni Paladini told manager Neil Warnock and his squad, plus 900 fans attending a Player of the Year ceremony: "We don't have to worry about the FA."

Taarabt admits he is itching to have the last laugh against Spurs, after being denied a squad number at the start of the 2008-09 season.

Harry Redknapp reversed that decision last summer but the midfielder believes he would have been marooned on the bench alongside fringe stars such as Gio Dos Santos had he listened to the Tottenham gaffer.

"I hope I can prove to Spurs they made a mistake to sell me," he explained. "I don't have any regrets about leaving them.

"I was in New York when I decided it was time to go so I called Harry and told him 'I want to leave.' He told me to wait until after pre-season and then see how I felt, but I knew there was no point in this. I knew that he would never play me while they were paying £25million for new players.

"So I decided to go through with my decision to leave. I didn't want to be like Dos Santos. I knew it was time to leave for the sake of my career.

"Look at Kevin Prince Boateng. He was also at Spurs with me, but he left and now he is playing for AC Milan.

"I had to go. And reaching the Premier League with QPR proves it was the right decision.

"I have nothing against Harry. The last time I saw him he joked with me: 'I sold you for £1m and now you must be worth £8m-£9m. The chairman will kill me!'

Taarabt intends to defy doubters who believe he will not have the time or space to replicate his brilliant Championship season should QPR's Premier League status be rubber-stamped.

"I think I might get more space in the Premier League," he said. "In the Championship, the ball is sometimes in the air a lot. In the Premier League the teams keep the ball more and play more football.

"I have done it in the Championship with the help of my good team-mates at QPR, why can't I do it in the Premier League?

"Although, the defenders at Arsenal and Manchester United are not like Championship players. I have to change the way I play as well." Mirror



MAIL/Sami Mokbel - 'll prove Spurs were wrong to let me go so cheaply, vows QPR talisman Taarabt
-
It took the bright lights of Times Square for Adel Taarabt to realise he had to leave Tottenham last summer. And now he wants to show Harry Redknapp and Co exactly what they are missing when he plays against his old club next season.

Taarabt moved across London to QPR after finally losing patience with his lack of first-team action at White Hart Lane. And it has proved an inspired decision by the Morocco midfielder after a string of sensational displays helped Rangers end their 15-year exile from the top flight. His performances have earned rave reviews and helped him win Championship player of the year.

'I have nothing against Harry Redknapp,' insisted the 21-year-old. 'The last time I saw him he joked with me, "I sold you for £1million and now you must be worth £8-9m. The chairman will kill me!" But I hope I can prove to Spurs they made a mistake to sell me.'
High flyer: Adel Taarabt (right) celebrates promotion with team-mate Alejandro Faurlin
And it was the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple that helped persuade Taarabt he had to leave Tottenham to become a star. He added: 'I don't have any regrets about leaving them. I was in New York when I decided it was time to go so I called Harry and told him, "I want to leave".
'He told me to wait until after pre-season and then see how I felt. But I knew there was no point in this. I knew that he would never play me while they were paying £25m for new players.
'I didn't want to be like (Giovani) dos Santos. I knew it was time to leave for the sake of my career. Look at Kevin-Prince Boateng. He was also at Spurs with me, but he left and now he is playing for AC Milan.'

Friday is D-Day for Rangers
The FA independent regulatory commission are expected to rule on Friday on the seven
charges brought against QPR relating to the signing of Argentinian Alejandro Faurlin.
If the Championship winners are found guilty they could be docked points.
Any appeal could delay the playoffs. The first legs are provisionally May 12 and 13 but they could be put back a week.

QPR boss Neil Warnock insists he is ‘not bothered’ about the hearing, with the club
supposed to be presented with the Championship trophy after their match against Leeds at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Taarabt is adamant he can replicate his scintillating displays at the top level next season. Whether that will be at Loftus Road remains to be seen after refusing to guarantee he would be at the club for the start of the next campaign.

But QPR have more immediate issues to address. The west London club could yet be stripped of automatic promotion and the Championship title if found guilty of breaking FA rules over the £3.5m signing of midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in 2009.

QPR have been accused of seven breaches of third-party ownership and agents laws. The hearing begins on Tuesday, where a four-man panel will decide the club's fate. Faurlin has, to his credit, maintained focus in recent weeks to play a lead role in the promotion push.

But Taarabt admitted: 'The first few days, Ali was a little bit worried because he thought the lads would blame him - but we told him it is not his fault. He has been brilliant all season and you can't deny that. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well. If promotion is to be taken away from us by the FA, it would destroy me and it would destroy my team-mates. We have not cheated. We have played every match with 11 versus 11 players on the pitch.

'We never did anything wrong. If there are problems with things upstairs then surely that is to do with them, not the team.
Fall guy: Taarabt's Spurs career never really took off before a £1m move to Loftus Road
'It would be a disaster for every player. But what can we do? We have won the Championship. And even if the FA take that away, I will still tell people I am a champion.'

QPR defender Clint Hill will undergo surgery this week to clear up a long standing ankle injury. Mail



DAILY STAR/Jon West - ADEL TAARABT: WE'VE EARNT IT


QPR captain Adel Taarabt insists it would be a travesty if they were denied a place in the Premier League.

Neil Warnock’s QPR side wrapped up the Championship title by beating Watford on Saturday.

But now they face an FA inquiry into the 2009 signing of Argentine star Alejandro Faurlin.

If QPR are found guilty of having breached third-party ownership rules, then they will be punished, with an announcement due on Friday.

A fi ne will be no problem for the club’s billionaire owners, but a points deduction could throw their season into chaos.

Taarabt said: “We have done the job on the pitch, so we deserve to be where we are.

“We didn’t cheat or do anything wrong. I don’t know what is happening upstairs, but the FA will make the decision and we will see.

“It would be wrong to punish the players. Every game we have played has been 11 against 11. We win games on the pitch, we don’t do anything else.”

Taarabt, 21, revealed that the off-fi eld problems had been particularly traumatic for the man at the centre of the controversy, 24-year-old midfi elder Faurlin.

“The fi rst few days he was a little bit worried because he thought the lads would blame him,” added Taarabt. “But we told him, ‘It is not your fault’.

“He has been brilliant all season and you can’t deny that. He deserves to be in the Premier League as well.”

Worryingly for the Loftus Road faithful, the Moroccan, who cost £1m from Spurs last summer, would not say for sure whether he intends to stay.

He said: “I don’t know yet. But I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved at QPR.”
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/189115/Adel-Taarabt-We-ve-earnt-it/




VIDEO (Only Viewable in UK): QPR Celebrate Winning the Championship



Congratulations to Norwich: Promoted

1 QPR 45 40 88
2 Norwich 45 25 83
3 Cardiff 45 22 79
4 Swansea 45 23 77
5 Reading 45 25 74
6 Nott'm Forest 45 16 72
7 Leeds 45 10 69


- Bookies Already Paying Out on QPR's Championship...At least One Bookie Already offering odds on QPR's 2011/12 Premiership Survival Chance/Chance of Qualifying for Europe


- Four Year Flashback: Tchakounte, Gallen, Furlong Released

- Rodney Marsh Offers Congratulations re QPR Championship

- The NEW, QPR Report Facebook: The latest - and hopefully the final (who knows) Facebook for QPR Report!

Monday, May 02, 2011

Possible Playoff Delay? Claim Football League Notifying Clubs...Paladini Speaking Out...Watford Reports...Awards Dinner Held

-
Champions!-
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- Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Bookies Already Paying Out on QPR's Championship...At least One Bookie Already offering odds on QPR's 2011/12 Premiership Survival Chance/Chance of Qualifying for Europe

- Player of the Year (POTY) Awards Dinner Held

- Rodney Marsh Offers Congratulations re QPR Championship


The Sun - Exclusive Clubs warned over play-off hitch By PAUL JIGGINS
- CLUBS who reach the play-offs in the Championship have been warned they may be delayed.
- Neil Warnock's QPR face a disciplinary hearing this week and SunSport can reveal Football League chiefs have sent out a warning.
- Rangers clinched promotion to the Premier League on Saturday but could be deducted points if they are found guilty of breaking third-party ownership rules over the signing of Alejandro Faurlin.
- If that happens, the Rs could be dropped back into the play-offs.
- However, they would then be expected to appeal meaning no one would know which teams were in the play-offs until the appeal is decided.
- So the League has made contingency plans warning the play-off dates may need to be changed if the case goes against Rangers.
- QPR chairman Gianni Paladini said: "We will fight all the way. Justice will be done. We have done everything in good faith" The Sun


- Gianni Paladini Speaking Out

- "...This is the most unbelievable time of my life...We have worked so hard to get this far and get investors like Flavio [Briatore], Bernie [Ecclestone], [Lakshmi] Mittal and [Amit] Bhati.”
- The FA issued a statement on Saturday morning distancing themselves from quotes attributed to an FA ‘source’, hinting at a 15-point deduction. Paladini, though, remains defiant, insisting Rangers will contest any serious punishment.
- “We will fight all the way,” he said. “Justice will be done. We have not tried to cheat anybody. We have done everything in good faith. But there will be no need for us to fight because we have done everything right...”
- “It’s been a great story,” Paladini said. “It’s great for the fans who have had to put up with ---- for so many years.”
- Paladini was involved in a court case in 2006 after which all defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to blackmail and falsely imprison him at gunpoint.
- The memories remain and Paladini said: “I went through so much to save the club. What a story. I went through so much when nobody would touch the club. I’ve been to hell and back, there were so many tough times. But this makes it all worthwhile...”- “I can’t wait for next season. We will stay up. Now that we have got into the Premier League, we are not going there for half an hour...” Telegraph


- Also: Watford vs QPR Match Report Earlier Compilation and Photos

- Watford Statement about Fans at the Watford-QPR Game

FURTHER MATCH REPORTS

GUARDIAN/Sachin Nakrani

QPR celebrations after win at Watford tinged with fear of sanctions

• Neil Warnock's mood darkened by threat of points loss
• QPR sweat on result of hearing into Alejandro Faurlín deal


It was as the sun was setting on a warm, windless day in Hertfordshire that Neil Warnock's mood darkened into silence. He had spent close to an hour speaking about his delight in getting Queens Park Rangers promoted to the Premier League as champions and how he felt the team would do in the top flight when the obvious question came around again and the 62-year-old decided he had enough.

"If the worst comes to the worst this week ..." came the query, but before the questioner had time to finish, Warnock was off. "No, thank you," he said, the smile from his lips disappearing as quickly as he did.

This is how it is going to be for QPR until Friday at least, as for the all the joy the club are feeling for having secured a place in the Premier League for the first time since 1996 after this less than convincing win over Watford, there is no escaping the threat that hangs over them. On Tuesday, an independent panel will begin a three‑day hearing into the seven charges brought against QPR by the Football Association in relation to their purchase of the Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlín in July 2009. The issue at stake is an alleged breach of rules regarding third-party ownership and the club could be hit with a 15-point deduction were they to be found guilty, plunging them into the play-offs and kicking off a legal challenge not only from QPR but, possibly, the 15 teams they have beaten en route to the title.

QPR deny all charges and on Saturday came total defiance from Warnock, up until his abrupt exit. "I'm happy with what my barrister has told me. I don't fear anything," he said. "I was brought in to win promotion and that's what I've done."

Warnock also raged at a story regarding a possible 15-point deduction, describing it as "diabolical" and an example of the country's "gutter press", and as he snarled it was difficult to feel much warmth and goodwill for a man who had just achieved a remarkable seventh promotion with a sixth different club, and one that was in the relegation zone when he took over 13 months ago.

However, that is how it has been with Warnock ever since his managerial career took off at Scarborough in 1986-87, when he won the Conference title in his first season at the club. The Yorkshireman has achieved much but also created many enemies due to his strong opinions and even stronger barbs.

Like him or loathe him, there is no denying the success he has achieved at Loftus Road. Warnock's men have dominated their division from the outset, winning 24 out of 45 fixtures and, in the process, keeping an unrivalled 25 clean sheets.

They have also attacked with fluidity and intent, an approach personified best by the captain, Adel Taarabt. The 21-year-old Moroccan, whose 77th‑minute close‑range strike here set the visitors up for the victory they needed to win the title before Tommy Smith doubled their lead in stoppage time with a shot from the edge of the area, has been an inspiration since signing from Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the season. For Warnock, the aim is to make the free-spirited midfielder a reliable hub of a team aiming to make their mark against the elite.

"Adel can be the best in the world, but he's got to be more dedicated if he wants to progress in the Premier League," said Warnock. "If he listens, he can really enjoy himself. I want the whole team to enjoy themselves in that league, we're going to try and score goals and win games."

For the manager, promotion is a shot at redemption after his last stint in the Premier League ended with him taking Sheffield United down, ironically on the back of the controversy caused by West Ham United's signing, via a third party, of Carlos Tevez.

"I'm excited about the future, partly because I'm better experienced for having suffered the bad times. You need to go through those to enjoy the good moments." Warnock would be wise to cherish that sentiment should the worst indeed come to the worst this week. Guardian


QPR: Daily Mirror match report By Darren Lewis
So now we wait.

It was amid chaotic scenes on Saturday that - at the third time of asking - Neil Warnock’s power Rangers sealed promotion to the Premier League as champions.

And the unconfined joy with which Warnock and his players celebrated the achievement suggests they remain confident the FA will not pull the rug out from under them.

In fact, far from dwelling on the hearing that will determine their fate this week, Warnock was busy planning to settle yet another old score in Rangers’ final game next weekend.

“I’d like to beat Leeds if I’m honest.” he said, “That was probably the lowest part of my season (at Elland Road), in the tunnel after the Leeds game, listening to one or two things.

“I want to finish on a high at home. I don’t think we could get a better team than Leeds to play against. They deservedly beat us.

“But at the time I think they thought they just had to power past us. A lot of clubs have thought that the bubble has burst all season, but credit to the players. They’ve shown what consistency is and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

It would be nothing more than an unimitigated PR disaster if the suits at Wembley were to dock Rangers the points that would keep them in the Championship.

With the financial firepower at their disposal – compared to the cash strapped FA – QPR would indeed give them a fight to match anything they have had from any club down the years.

Not only that, the FA would have to brace themselves for the stampede of rival clubs demanding back the points dropped in games featuring the man at the centre of the affair – Alessandro Faurlin.

Rangers would appeal a guilty verdict anyway. Which would throw the play-offs into jeopardy.

The fixtures come out in mid-June. Would they include QPR or not?

Would it affect the relegation places? It would end up an almighty mess.

Which is why Rangers are quietly confident. The mood on Saturday at Watford was that they believe the FA will save themselves the aggravation.

With the hearing this week, the west Londoners expect the men who sit in judgement to dock them enough points to, perhaps, deny them their status as Champions but keep them promoted.

And that explained the explosion of euphoria when Watford old boy Tommy Smith rammed home Rangers’ second deep into stoppage time.

Even before then the QPR fans had struggled to contain themselves. Star man Adel Taraabt put them ahead on 77 minutes but his goal also exposed the ludicrious Watford policy of allowing Rangers fans to be dotted around the ground among the home support.

A punch-up erupted in the centre of the home support. A fan escaped onto the pitch, confronted substitute Rangers keeper Radek Cerny before running the length of the field, completely unchallenged. An absolute disgrace given the assaults on players we have already seen this season.

Not one steward or police officer made any effort to apprehend the idiot until he had reached the corner flag, having made it past both teams.

The farce didn’t end there, however. Before Smith’s goal, the PA announcer warned fans of both clubs not to go onto the pitch at full time.

At full time the Rangers fans ignored him completely. Quite clearly Warnock and his players wanted to enjoy their moment and rightly so.

They went down to the away out to salute the travelling support. But the travelling support then decided they, in turn, wanted to antagonise the home support.

More idiots made it down to the other end of the field to gesticulate and goad the steaming home fans.

On came police officers on horseback to shepherd the morons back. And by now the PA announcer was almost crying as he screamed: “Will you please refrain from leaving the pitch [his actual words]. You will pay the penalty for it in the future!”

Well, actually, no they won’t. Because QPR will not be playing Watford next season.

Which was why Warnock refused to be silenced as he continued to salute the away fans from in front of the dug out. A female police officer tried to get him to put his arms down like a naughty schoolboy as he clapped supporters on the far side.

Yes, because a manager clapping his own fans is likely to spark a riot, is it?

Soon it died down and the party started inside the Rangers dressing room. One wag inside, however, could clearly be heard telling his team-mates: “You’d better enjoy this now because we’re gonna get caned next year!

But, whatever happens, Warnock is aiming to ensure they have a right go.

He added: “Listen, you can have a go and get beat six. I don’t want to get battered anywhere but I’m going to enjoy it, and I want my lads to enjoy it.

“You’ve got to score goals and win games and we’d have been up before if we’d taken half the chances we’ve had.

“It’s the hardest league in the world to stay in. for teams going up. But it’s been great this year when you look at Blackpool, West Brom and Newcastle. I know Newcastle and probably West Brom are bigger clubs than us at the moment financially.

“But it’s not all about finance. Blackpool have more than held their own, I don’t know how. I don’t have a clue how Ian’s done it because he’s not paid transfer fees out, he’s not paid wages out.

“I would love him to stay up because that is a miracle. But they’ve gone about it in the right way and they haven’t feared anybody. If anything I think that’s educated me, seeing Blackpool. Because you haven’t got to fear them.”

Rangers will be helped by the calibre of Premier League players that will be available this summer and will want to go to a London club.

Whether he will still be in charge is another matter with the word on the street that Marcelo Lippi and Claudio Ranieri are both being talked about in connection with his job.

And yet, with his seventh promotion under his belt, Warnock - himself being linked to West Ham - was more focused on what HE will be doing as Rangers manager next season.

They have conceded only 30 goals in 45 games and lost five times this season. Warnock transformed a team 20th in the Championship in March 2010, taking them to promotion in 13 months.

He said: “You’ve got to do it your way. I’ve got a number of players I’d like to bring in. I know some will cost money and want wages etc. So I don’t say we want x amount of x millions, I think I’ve got to be sensible and I think they’ll be sensible if I am.

“I’ve no intention of going stupid; we haven’t gone stupid this year if you really look at what we’ve done in 14 months. So we’ve just got to sit back a little, enjoy the moment.” The Mirror


THE INDEPENDENT

THE INDEPENDENT

Neil Warnock: 'I'm so proud. A generation have grown up never seeing QPR in the Premier League'

The QPR manager and Independent columnist looks back on the great day which saw his club return to the top tier of the English game

Monday, 2 May 2011

Of all my promotions none has made me prouder than this. A year ago we were fighting relegation to League One, now we've won promotion to the Premier League, and done it with a great set of lads.

Saturday at Watford typified our season. Paddy Kenny, who's been magnificent all through, and often played with strains and bruises, came in from the warm-up to say he'd injured his shoulder and couldn't make it. We had to change the team-sheet. Radek Cerny came in for his first league game of the season – and kept a clean sheet.

Twenty minutes into the game Fitz Hall came off injured. We were already without Clint Hill who looks like he'll have to go in for a wash-out of his ankle. When he saw the surgeon at the start of the season he was told it needs an op, but might last two weeks, so see how it goes. He's played 43 games. That epitomises the whole club.

We've been top most of the season, and in the top two for all of the season, which means we've been there to be shot at, but the players have thrived on the pressure. They've not been afraid, they've gone out and enjoyed it. And I've loved it. There's been some difficult moments, but there always are in this job and I've loved being in charge of these players. We've had a bit of luck at times, but the players have earned it. The old saying about "The harder I work, the luckier I get" comes to mind.

When I took over last March, though I did say I wanted to get promotion, I never imagined we'd turn it around so well, so fast. We changed a lot in the summer, and not just the playing staff, but we gelled straight away. One of the new signings, Jamie Mackie, set us off with a run of goals and I was delighted he was able to join us at Watford despite being out since January with a bad leg break. Then everyone else chipped in.

Now I can't wait until next season. It's going to be so exciting having clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal coming to Loftus Road. The fans deserve it – there's a whole generation grown up who have never seen QPR in the Premier League.

I have a number of players I'd like to bring in. I know some will cost money. I don't tell the owners I want X million pounds. I think I've got to be sensible - and I think they'll be sensible if I am.

I don't think it's all about finance. Blackpool have more than held their own this season without paying big transfer fees or wages. I'd love Ian Holloway to keep them up. They've gone about things the right way. They haven't feared anybody. I think seeing Blackpool has educated me.

You do have to go to some places and see if you can just keep the score down – I don't want to get battered anywhere – but at the same time I want to enjoy it.

And I'm sure we'll give a good account of ourselves. But that's for the future. For me we're just enjoying the feeling of being champions.

Warnock's seventh heaven

QPR's promotion on Saturday is Neil Warnock's seventh as a manager, with six different clubs:

* 1986-87 Scarborough

Wins the Conference title

* 1989-90 Notts County

Promotion from Third Division

* 1990-91 Notts County

Back-to-back promotions take County into the top flight.

* 1994-95 Huddersfield Town

Takes Town out of the Second Division.

* 1995-96 Plymouth Argyle

Fourth play-off victory in six years.

* 2005-06 Sheffield United

Second place ensures promotion to the Premier League with his boyhood club.

* 2010-11 with Queen's Park Rangers

Guides Rangers into the Premier League The Independent


THE MIRROR

THE MIRROR

.Promoted QPR target Rangers defender for Prem campaign - Exclusive
Published 23:15 01/05/11 By Alan Nixon

QPR boss Neil Warnock wants to sign Rangers and Algeria World Cup centre half Madjid Bougherra for the Premier League.

Warnock has been watching Bougherra since he got back into Walter Smith’s SPL side after injury and knows that the SPL giants will sell at around £1million.

Bougherra, 28, is keen to return to England after a lengthy spell in Glasgow and Warnock thinks his pace and skill would be an asset for his defence.

The QPR chief plans to sign around half-a-dozen new faces and Bougherra could be quickly wrapped up in a couple of weeks - after he has helped in the chase for the title with Celtic.

Bougherra, who played for Crewe, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton in his previous spell in England, has improved with age and would boost Rangers in their big-time adventure.

Warnock may make a personal check on Bougherra before the end of the season, but his chief scout watched him turn in an effortless display against Motherwell at the weekend.

Scottish giants Rangers will sell Bougherra as he is one of their top The Mirror


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - PLAYER OF THE YEAR NIGHT AWARDS
KING KENNY

Paddy Kenny reigned supreme at the R's Player of the Year event in London tonight (Sunday).

The Rangers number one scooped the prestigious Players' Player of the Year accolade, as well as winning the Supporters' Player of the Year crown at the star-studded West London event.

The awards double capped a quite remarkable maiden season in W12 for the former Sheffield United keeper, who was also named in the PFA's Championship Team of the Year last month.

npower Championship Player of the Year Adel Taarabt clinched the Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season award for his stunning solo goal against Swansea City on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, midfield general Shaun Derry featured prominently, finishing second runner-up in the Supporters' Player of the Year behind Taarabt and overall winner Kenny.

Young prospect Bruno Andrade was named Daphne Biggs Supporters' Young Player of the Year, whilst elsewhere, R's fan Ian Stenning scooped the Supporter of the Year accolade and R's defender Peter Ramage won the QPR Community Award for his outstanding commitment to community projects throughout the campaign.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Roll of Honour ...

*Supporters' Player of the Year - Paddy Kenny

*Supporters' Player of the Year 1st Runner up - Adel Taarabt

*Supporters' Player of the Year 2nd Runner up - Shaun Derry

*Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year - Paddy Kenny

*Daphne Biggs Supporters' Young Player of the Year - Bruno Andrade

*Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season - Adel Taarabt (second goal v Swansea City)

*Supporter of the Year - Ian Stenning

*QPR Community Award (for outstanding commitment to community projects season 2010/11) - Peter
Ramage QPR


- Ex-QPR Defender, Mark Dennis Turns 50

- The NEW, QPR Report Facebook: The latest - and hopefully the final (who knows) Facebook for QPR Report!

Sunday, May 01, 2011

QPR's Gianni Paladini and Warnock Speak: Paladini "I went through so much to save the club..." Bookie Offering 2011/12 Odds for QPR in Europe!

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- Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
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- Bookies Already Paying Out on QPR's Championship...At least One Bookie Already offering odds on QPR's 2011/12 Premiership Survival Chance/Chance of Qualifying for Europe


Telegraph Piece/John Ley

Queens Park Rangers celebrate after beating Watford but their fate has yet to be decided by FA

Little with Queens Park Rangers is straightforward. Their players danced in the Hertfordshire sunshine yet the threat of a points deduction still looms large.
Queens Park Rangers celebrate after beating Watford but their fate has yet to be decided by FA

Even one of their entourage could be heard, through the dressing-room window, saying: “Enjoy this feeling boys because we’ll probably get caned next season.”

Little with Queens Park Rangers is straightforward. Their players danced in the Hertfordshire sunshine yet the threat of a points deduction still looms large.

Even one of their entourage could be heard, through the dressing-room window, saying: “Enjoy this feeling boys because we’ll probably get caned next season.”

There is no doubting that Rangers have been the best team in the Championship this season. But was the presence of key player Alejandro Faurlin illegal? Will the Football Association find Rangers guilty of third-party ownership?

Will they fine them or, worse, deduct points? And if they do enjoy the promotion most accept they deserve, where to now? They have very wealthy backers and want to be part of the Premier League party for a long time.

So many imponderables but, for chairman Gianni Paladini, there is only hard work and excitement to look forward to. Paladini, a one-time player and agent, is as colourful as his manager, Neil Warnock.

“This is the most unbelievable time of my life,” the Italian said outside the condemned main stand at Vicarage Road. “We have worked so hard to get this far and get investors like Flavio [Briatore], Bernie [Ecclestone], [Lakshmi] Mittal and [Amit] Bhati.”

The FA issued a statement on Saturday morning distancing themselves from quotes attributed to an FA ‘source’, hinting at a 15-point deduction. Paladini, though, remains defiant, insisting Rangers will contest any serious punishment.

“We will fight all the way,” he said. “Justice will be done. We have not tried to cheat anybody. We have done everything in good faith. But there will be no need for us to fight because we have done everything right.”

They have certainly done things right on the pitch, with the season’s outstanding performer, Adel Taarabt, and Tommy Smith scoring the goals which, at the third attempt, delivered Rangers to the Premier League.

“It’s been a great story,” Paladini said. “It’s great for the fans who have had to put up with ---- for so many years.”

Paladini was involved in a court case in 2006 after which all defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to blackmail and falsely imprison him at gunpoint.

The memories remain and Paladini said: “I went through so much to save the club. What a story. I went through so much when nobody would touch the club. I’ve been to hell and back, there were so many tough times. But this makes it all worthwhile.”

And he promised that Rangers would remain in the top flight, saying: “I can’t wait for next season. We will stay up. Now that we have got into the Premier League, we are not going there for half an hour.”


Warnock, though, accepts that nothing at QPR is certain. Bathing in the glory of his latest success rather than worry about tomorrow’s start of the inquiry, Warnock admitted his time in management is ticking down.

Five years ago he hinted at retirement and, at the age of 62, he is under orders from his wife to finish – but not just yet. “Yes, she’s given me the ultimatum,” he added.

“I won’t tell you how long I’ve got left. Listen, I can’t see me staying the length she’s told me I’ve got left, at QPR. Can you? Because we’re bound to lose three or four next year on the trot.”

Much could depend on how Taarabt takes to the Premier League. A complex character, the former Spurs playmaker dazzles with his tricky feet but at times his attempts to be the second Cristiano Ronaldo see him fall flat on his backside.

“I’ve said to Adel he’s got to change,” warned Warnock. “He’s at a crucial period in his career. He’s got to be more dedicated, he’s got to listen to me and take it on board.

"He’s got everything in his locker but if he went somewhere now and it was the wrong place we’d probably get him back at Christmas on loan.” Telegraph


Guardian/Jamie Jackson

QPR's Neil Warnock hoping FA will permit the club's Premier League dreamNeil Warnock will be hoping for good news from the FA disciplinary panel on Friday and if he gets it, extra funds from the club owners

Will Queens Park Rangers' billionaire owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, finally splash the cash if they are confirmed as a Premier League club 15 years after last playing in England's top division?

After Rangers' win at Watford on Saturday only the Football Association can now prevent Neil Warnock's side from facing the likes of Manchester United and their neighbours Chelsea at Loftus Road next season.

On Friday QPR will hear the verdict from an independent panel regarding the seven charges relating to alleged third‑party ownership of their Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlín. If found guilty on one or more counts QPR could be docked enough points to stop automatic promotion and force them into the play-offs.

They could, though, receive only a fine or be cleared of wrongdoing. If so, Warnock can then start planning his third tilt at managing in the top division, having done so already with Notts County from 1991‑93, and Sheffield United in 2005‑06.

Ecclestone, the commercial-rights holder of Formula One, and Mittal, a steel tycoon, have the wherewithal to inject more money into QPR than Chelsea have received from Roman Abramovich.

Yet since the pair and the former chairman Flavio Briatore bought the club in 2007 spending has been modest, with QPR's latest accounts indicating only £15m-20m has been provided so far, in the form of loans. The £3.5m to secure Faurlín from Instituto de Cordoba in July 2009 was the most expensive buy under the current owners.

Yet Mittal is promising to increase spending: "I think so because it is a big responsibility. You have to live up to the Premier League. But there are some clubs who like to have a big budget. There are other clubs who can do a job with limited budgets but higher productivity."

This last comment echoes Ecclestone's vision for QPR. The majority shareholder, who has stated that he may be willing to sell his stake for £100m, said: "The idea of pouring in millions to buy success is not my way of doing things. I won't be trying to outdo the likes of the top, well-established Premier League teams by spreading money all over the place.

"Sure, we will try to buy players to fit the right positions – but at the right price. And by that I don't mean spending £100m."

Warnock is proud of the blend of a team that mixes the talents of Faurlín and Adel Taarabt, the Championship player of the year, with players he says were finished before he signed them.

"Look all down the spine at Paddy Kenny, Gorkssy [Kaspars Gorkss], [Shaun] Derry, Clint Hill, [Heidar] Helguson," he says. "Helguson was bombed out last year [on loan from QPR] the other two got free transfers from Crystal Palace, Paddy Kenny was cast away [from Sheffield United]."

Derry, a defensive midfielder, is 33, the central defender Hill is 32, Helguson 33, Gorkss 29 and Kenny 32. Apart from Kenny, who played a full Premier League season for Warnock at Sheffield United, and Helguson with Watford and Fulham, the rest have little or no experience of the Premier League.

Mittal sounds like he has been listening to Warnock, probably via his son-in-law, Amit Bhatia, who runs the club for him. "There is still much we need to improve, such as the defence," the vice-chairman said.

"To stay up we will also need a good goalscorer. But it is very different to a year ago. Then, if you had asked me, I would have said QPR should not go into the Premier League. But now we are ready."

Taarabt, the 21-year-old Moroccan often given a free role by Warnock, has scored 19 times, with Helguson, who has 12, the only other player in double figures.

For Warnock the dream is for the FA not to sour what has been a fine season so that he can try and establish QPR, and himself, in the Premier League. "I would imagine that teams going up nowadays have to stabilise, like Stoke and Bolton have done: it's staying up, generating the money and getting better players each year," he said. "That's the art of management."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/01/neil-warnock-qpr-premier-league


- Compilation of Various QPR-Watford Match Reports and Neil Warnock Comments

- PHOTOS of Warnock et al (from Gianluca Di Marzio -Via Wally West)
- (Query: What exactly does Gianluca Di Marzio actually do for QPR??

- Fan Compiled Video of QPR's Season "We Are The Champions"

- Flashbacks: On This Day in 1982: QPR 7 Bolton 1....On This Day Three Years ago "Dawn of a New Era"

- Flashback: Two Years Ago - Neil Warnock Decides to Stay on at Crystal Palace!

- Video of QPR's Final Game of 1975/76: Leeds United at Loftus Road (Complements of "BetaCam")


Congratulations to the Tiger Feet Charity Walkers!

QPR Report Sunday: Rodney Marsh Congratulates QPR....Watford Reports and Comments...(Now The Wait!)

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- Photos above and various other Great Photos from Watford-QPR

- Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
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QPR 45 40 88
Norwich 44 24 80
Cardiff 44 25 79

- Compilation of Various QPR-Watford Match Reports and Neil Warnock Comments

- PHOTOS of Warnock et al (from Gianluca Di Marzio -Via Wally West)
- (Query: What exactly does Gianluca Di Marzio actually do for QPR??

- Fan Compiled Video of QPR's Season "We Are The Champions"

- Flashbacks: On This Day in 1982: QPR 7 Bolton 1....On This Day Three Years ago "Dawn of a New Era"

- Flashback: Two Years Ago - Neil Warnock Decides to Stay on at Crystal Palace!

- Video of QPR's Final Game of 1975/76: Leeds United at Loftus Road (Complements of "BetaCam")


CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM RODNEY MARSH

(As posted on QPR Report Messageboard by TerryLoftus. Many Thanks to Terry!)

"HI All,
Rod Marsh here.
I have been keeping an eye on our results all season, and can assure you I am over the moon that we are now champions. As I have ALWAYS said, QPR are and will always be my team and I hope your all in party mood!
It's been a brilliant season for QPR and i'm delighted at the way the Club and supporters, have acted during this difficult time with all the speculation about points deduction!!
The players have been great, and lets not forget the great job that Neil Warnock and his staff have done. It's been like the real, attacking, positive and entertaining QPR unique style,that we all know and love to watch so much, our own style loved even by other supporters, because a priority of ours for many years now has been to entertain and try to give our special fans, value for money!
Next- the Premiership!!
Congratulations everyone.
Rod " - QPR Report


MIRROR/Paul Smith - .FA fear QPR will delay third-party ownership charge hearing - EXCLUSIVE
- The FA fear that QPR will exercise the right to either have their disciplinary hearing on Tuesday delayed or abandoned completely.
- QPR would have to make an application to the independent Regulatory Commission in the next 24 hours, citing claims that the club have already been found guilty before any defence evidence has been submitted.
- QPR have been charged with seven breaches of regulations relating to third-party ownership and agents concerning Argentinean midfielder ­Alejandro Faurlin.
- Yet reports last week, quoting FA sources, claimed the evidence against QPR was damning and they could face a 15-point deduction and be forced to drop down from automatic promotion into the play-offs.
- Although the FA have moved swiftly to distance themselves from these reports, Rangers are within their rights to claim there case has been tarnished and as a result they are unlikely to get a fair hearing.
- Any significant delay in the hearing would effectively rule out QPR being docked points that would prevent them from securing automatic promotion.
- The club claimed via their own website that they paid £3.5 million for Faurlin in 2009. The truth is they merely made a deferred payment to agents who owned the player’s economic rights of around £600,000.
- Faurlin was also signed prior to the introduction of new regulations regarding third party ownership and QPR were transparent about the deal with both the Football League and the FA and provided documentation that there would be no third party influence.
- And when they did buy out the rights to the player a year later they informed the Football League and paid the money through the FA.
- The FA decided to investigate the deal when QPR boasted of paying £3.5 million and sent independent lawyers into the club in January of this year.
- At worst it appears QPR used a licensed agent, but who wasn’t registered with the FA, and may be guilty of a clerical error.
- And it seems unlikely that if the case is eventually heard they are more likely to receive a slap on the wrist and substantial fine." Mirror


THE PEOPLE
Home Sport Football Football News QPR target Spurs striker Robbie Keane

- QPR are looking into a summer move to sign Robbie Keane from Tottenham.
- The striker – who would cost around £6million – is on loan at WEST HAM but will seek a permanent switch from White Hart Lane at the end of the season.
- Ideally, Keane wants to stay in London but there is no chance of him joining the Hammers full-time if they are relegated to the Championship.
- Manager Neil Warnock has a knack of getting the best out of front men and would love to give the 30-year-old Irishman a new lease of life.
- Rangers find out this week if they are going to be hit with a points deduction because of Alejandro Faurlin’s controversial transfer which could see them lose their automatic promotion spot. The People


- The Chelsea "Goal" vs Spurs: Did it completely cross the line? Photos/Video

- French Racial Quotas Investigated

Congratulations to the Tiger Feet Charity Walkers!

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