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10 Years Ago Today
Ian Holloway 1 Iain Dowie 0 
- QPR Reach the Playoff Final at the Millenium Stadium (unaware of the Fire Alarm to come)
QPR
(4-4-2): Day; Padula (Williams, 70), shiteetu, Carlisle, Kelly; Palmer,
Gallen, Bircham, McLeod; Thomson (Pacquette, 55), Furlong.
The Sun
(QPR win 2-1 on agg)
By ERIC BEAUCHAMP
PAUL FURLONG shot QPR into the Second Division play-off final and sent boss Ian Holloway into a frenzy.
Rangers
chief Holloway fired-up his players and fans by declaring they WILL
beat Cardiff a week on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium.
The pumped-up QPR boss let his emotions spill over when Furlong's 82nd-minute strike finally saw off Oldham.
Holloway
marched into the centre circle after celebrating fans had been cleared
off the pitch. He then grabbed the announcer's microphone and made his
pledge.
He roared: "Thank you for your support. You have put us back on the map. This is a proper football club!"
And Holloway added: "We are going to win it. See you in Cardiff."
He then let rip with a three chants of "Come on you R's!"
It
was the sort of night the Loftus Road faithful thought they had seen
the last of after slipping out of the Premiership seven years ago.
Another relegation campaign was compounded by watching their club almost go out of business.
But
Holloway's honest graft has brought the smiles and belief back - and
now QPR are just one match from making it into the same division as
London rivals West Ham next season.
Holloway said: "What goes
around, comes around and this club has had so many downs that I think it
is our turn to have an up now.
"I believe we've got the right
ingredients to give ourselves a right chance. This place is special. I
feel so proud. We've got a hell of a chance to be a big club now.
"These fans deserve it - we were playing for them and we did it.
"I know we're struggling financially but I hope I get a new suit out of it.
"We need some good clobber because I want us to feel great in Cardiff. Maybe someone could sponsor us?"
Rangers
midfielder Marc Bircham said: "I think we deserved it. The fans erupted
after we scored and I don't think the players could hear ourselves
speak."
Only Cardiff stand in Holloway's path to Division One - and the showdown promises to be a belter.
What will Holloway's reaction be if his side deliver his promise
The Guardian
Furlong ensures QPR get the tripQPR win 2-1 on aggregate
Football League One Play-Offs Semi-Final 2nd Leg
QPR 1 Furlong 82 Oldham 0
David Alexander at Loftus Road
It
has been a long time since QPR fans have had anything to shout about.
Relegated from the Premiership seven years ago and dropping down to the
third tier in 2001, Rangers' financial problems have been well
documented.
It is a testament to Ian Holloway, a tenacious
midfielder for the club and an equally determined manager, that the club
now finds itself only 90 minutes from promotion back into the First
Division.
Who would have thought it after their FA Cup exit to
Vauxhall Motors, though Holloway was keen to stress how much progress
the club has made since that inglorious occasion.
"What goes
around comes around," said Holloway. "We have had so many downs at this
club, it's about time we had an up. We have one hell of a chance to be a
big club again and no matter what the obstacles we've faced, we've
managed to get over it."
One goal was always going to be enough
to win this open but finely balanced tie, and Paul Furlong's late strike
was just about deserved.
It was tough on Iain Dowie, whose side contributed to the spectacle, but he is confident his side will come back stronger.
"It
hurts like hell but the players should be proud and it stiffens my
resolve," said Dowie. "The players have given their heart and soul and
we want to do even better next year."
Dowie spent three years at QPR and was briefly in charge at Loftus Road in 1998. His future at Boundary Park remains in doubt.
He
certainly did not help himself with a Freudian slip during the
post-match press conference. "It's no secret that I have not signed a
contract and we'll see what happens but as long as I can take QPR
forward, I will be here." Watch out, Holloway.
Kevin McLeod, the
winger on loan from Everton, twice went close and Danny shiteetu headed
into the side-netting but Oldham should have taken the lead when Clint
Hill flicked on a corner and Wayne Andrews headed on to the post.
Darren
Sheridan was fortunate to escape when he appeared to handle Kevin
Gallen's cross and then fired just wide straight afterwards.
Pogliacomi
kept Oldham in the game with a superb save from Richard Pacquette,
racing across to deny the Rangers forward when he seemed certain to
break the deadlock. But, when the goalkeeper scuffed a clearance, Clarke
Carlisle lofted the ball over Oldham's defence and Furlong kept his
nerve to beat Pogliacomi from 10 yards.
Andrews was sent off in
the last minute for violent conduct and Rangers now face Cardiff at the
Millennium Stadium for a place in the First Division.
"We've got
the ingredients to go there and give ourselves a chance," added
Holloway. "It's another test for us but we've passed them all so far."
QPR
(4-4-2): Day; Padula (Williams, 70), shiteetu, Carlisle, Kelly; Palmer,
Gallen, Bircham, McLeod; Thomson (Pacquette, 55), Furlong.
Booked : Furlong.
Oldham
(3-5-2): Pogliacomi; Hall, Hill, Haining; Armstrong, Low, Murray
(Carrs, 83), Sheridan (Duxbury 83), Eyres; Eyre (Corrazin, 72), Andrews.
Booked : Eyre.
Sent off : Andrews.
Referee : M Clattenberg.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2003/may/15/match.sport1
Oldham Official Site Match Report
http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10337~21495,00.html
Video: Watch The Game -
FIVE YEARS AGO - DOWIE APPOINTED
QPR Official Site EXCLUSIVE: DOWIE APPOINTED
Queens
Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of
Iain Dowie as First Team Coach with immediate effect.
The 43
year-old, who spent three years in W12 during a distinguished playing
career, has today (Wednesday 14th May 2008) put pen to paper on a
two-year contract at Loftus Road.
Speaking about the appointment, QPR
Sporting Director Gianni Paladini, said: "Iain Dowie has a proven track
record in the Championship and we're delighted to have him on board."
Dowie,
who enjoyed a brief stint as Caretaker Manager of the R's, before
working under Gerry Francis in the role of Assistant Manager, also
expressed his delight, commenting: "This is a very exciting long-term
project.
"I'm very privileged to have been given the opportunity
under the new ownership to return to the Club where I served my
managerial apprenticeship.
"I've been thoroughly impressed by the new
investors and their fresh, aggressive and innovative approach to all
sporting matters, as well as the marketing and commercial aspect of this
Football Club.
"QPR is a fantastic Club, with a steep and successful history and I'm going to relish the challenge that lies ahead." QPR
QPR Profile of Dowie - IAIN DOWIE: IN PROFILE
Born in January 1965, Iain Dowie enjoyed an illustrious 13-year professional playing career.
The striker began his career at Luton Town, for whom he scored 16 goals in 66 league appearances.
A
short spell at West Ham United followed in 1991, but it was during a
four-year spell at Southampton that he really made his name, scoring 30
goals in 122 league appearances for the South Coast outfit.
A brief
career at Crystal Palace followed in 1995, but following the Eagles'
relegation, Dowie returned to West Ham United for three years.
His final spell as a professional was with Rangers, for whom he made 31 league appearances, scoring two goals.
Dowie
also enjoyed a brief stint as Caretaker Manager of the R's before
working under Gerry Francis in the role of Assistant Manager.
During
his time in the professional game, Dowie accumulated 59 caps for
Northern Ireland, scoring an impressive 12 goals at international level.
After his three-year spell as number two to Francis, Dowie left QPR to become Assistant Manager of Oldham Athletic.
However,
following the dismissal of Oldham Manager Mick Wadsworth, Dowie took
over the reigns and led The Latics to the Division Two play-off's, where
they lost a two-legged semi-final to QPR.
In December 2003, Dowie
was appointed Manager of Crystal Palace, inheriting a squad that were
underachieving in the lower reaches of the second tier.
Undeterred, his impact was immediate, as he guided the Eagles to 17 victories from 23 matches - and a sixth place finish.
Victory
in the play-off final against his former Club West Ham United completed
a quite remarkable turnaround, and although Palace were relegated back
to the Championship at the first time of asking, Dowie spurned the
opportunity to move on to pastures new.
He did, however, leave Crystal Palace in May 2006, joining Charlton Athletic just eight days later.
His
stint at The Valley lasted just 15 matches though and after a brief
period out of the game, he was appointed Coventry City Manager in
February 2007.
The Sky Blues finished 17th in the Championship in his
first season in charge, only for Dowie to leave The Ricoh Arena in
February. QPR
Yesterday's QPR Report Dowie Profile
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - FITZ THE BILL
Fitz Hall has revealed his delight at the Board's decision to name Iain Dowie as Luigi De Canio's successor.
The R's defender, who was previously signed by Dowie for both Oldham Athletic and Crystal Palace, told www.qpr.co.uk: "He's a players' Manager and I am sure all the lads here will get on with him. I just hope he still likes me!
"When he was at Palace he was considered the next big thing in terms of management.
"He did incredibly well there to get them promoted through the play-offs, and I am sure he will be a success here."
As
excited as Hall is by the arrival of Dowie, the 27 year-old centre-back
has warned his team-mates to expect tough sessions when the new
campaign gets underway.
"There will be a lot of changes," he said.
"Training will be completely different. It will be far more intense.
"It is going to be hard work, but I'm sure it's going to be a good environment to work in.
"In my opinion he is the man to get us into the Premiership - and that's what we are all working towards." QPR
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Reportedly: Only Two Candidates Interviewed....De Canio's Italian Assistants Departing
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - ID card just the ticket for Rangers
IAIN Dowie has returned to QPR to take over as manager less than a week after the departure of Luigi de Canio.
The
former Rangers player, caretaker boss and assistant manager is back at
Loftus Road after seven years to replace de Canio, whose spell in charge
lasted just six months.
Despite speculation that the board were
seeking to appoint a high-profile foreign coach, Dowie has been top of
their list from the start and was one of only two candidates interviewed
for the job.
With De Canio's assistants Iuri Bartoli and Paolo
Pavese also leaving the club, former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers -
Dowie's number two at Coventry - is also joining QPR.
It remains
unclear whether Dowie's brother Bob and fitness trainer John Harbin,
regular members of the backroom staff throughout the manager's career,
will also join his team.
Dowie, 43, ended his playing days at Loftus
Road, having started out in non-league football with Hendon before
moving on to Luton, West Ham, Southampton and Crystal Palace.
He was
appointed caretaker manager after the resignation of Ray Harford in
September 1998 and led QPR to a 2-1 win at Wolves, their first away
success for a year.
Gerry Francis, who returned to the club for a
second spell as manager, kept Dowie on in the assistant's role, but he
was overlooked in favour of Ian Holloway when Francis stood down in
2001.
Dowie's stock as a manager rose, though, as he guided
cash-strapped Oldham to the Division Two play-offs - where they lost to
the Rs - and then turned Crystal Palace's fortunes around the following
season.
Struggling near the foot of Division One at Christmas, Palace
soared up the table to reach the play-offs and beat West Ham in the
final to claim a place in the top flight.
Palace were unable to hold
on to Premiership status, though, with a draw at Charlton sending them
down on the final day of the season and Dowie resigned a year later.
He
soon resurfaced at Charlton, prompting Palace owner Simon Jordan to
begin legal proceedings that culminated in a court ruling against Dowie
last summer - although an appeal has yet to be heard.
Meanwhile, the
manager's reign at Charlton lasted just 15 games and he then spent a
year with Coventry, but fell out with new Sky Blues owner Ray Ranson and
was sacked in February.
Rangers have been cagey about the reasons
for De Canio's departure and issued a gagging order to the entire
playing staff until the new manager's appointment was confirmed. But it
is understood that De Canio had made clear his desire to return to Italy
- only six months after replacing John Gregory in the QPR hotseat -
some time ago.
Interestingly, the club have continued to sign players
in the absence of a manager, announcing on Tuesday that they had agreed
to sign Czech goalkeeper Radek Cerny and Newcastle defender Peter
Ramage on free transfers.
Cerny, 34, had spent three and a half years
with Tottenham and made 28 first-team appearances, but was unable to
make the number one spot his own at White Hart Lane.
And the
24-year-old Ramage, who can play at right-back or in the centre of
defence, has signed for Rangers after turning down a new contract at his
hometown club. Kilburn Times
Friday, May 16, 2008
Dowie to be In Charge of Player Signings
-
Iain
Dowie was interviewed on QPR World (not yet transcribed!). Dowie is
quoted as saying that he will be in ultimate charge of player
recruitment. If that's actually what Dowie said and it's actually going
to be the case, that would be a change from the previous system
instituted under De Canio, in which "Sporting Director" was supposedly
making the signings. It was believed that this would be continuning
under Dowie.
ITV 4 Dowie: I decide on new recruits May 16 2008
New QPR boss Iain Dowie insists he will be in sole charge of player recruitment at Loftus Road.
Previous
manager Luigi De Canio, who left the Championship outfit last week, did
not always have the final say in Rangers' transfer policy.
Dowie may
only have been appointed on Wednesday, but the club have already
brought in Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage and Italian youngster Matteo
Alberti.
And Dowie claims the Londoners' mega-rich owners Bernie
Ecclestone, Flavio Bratore and Lakshmi Mittal are happy to let him
earmark the players he wants without any interference from above.
"It
will be my choice. If I'm the manager of the team I will pick the
players. That's my expertise, knowing which players will fit the
system," he told the club's official website.
"That was never a problem. (The owners) wanted someone who knew the league and who could make a team capable.
"They were very aware that I was coming in with the thought that in terms of player selection, it had to be mine." ITV.com
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
QPR Chairman Flavio Briatore Outlines His Plans for QPR
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QPR Chairman Briatore Speaks...
Marketing Week - F1 boss on how he will turn QPR into super-brand
The
lift to Flavio Briatore’s Knightsbridge office is somewhat snug but
extravagantly appointed, lined as it is with faux snakeskin. A
full-length mirror hangs on one wall, surrounded by a wildly baroque
gilded frame.
The inner sanctum itself is fittingly swish for an
international playboy, boasting a huge glass slab of a desk which squats
in front of a throne-like leather chair embroidered with the initials
FB. Briatore, boss of Renault’s F1 team, sits flanked by assistants and
consults them as to whether he is meant to be talking – exclusively to
Marketing Week – about F1, Queens Park Rangers or, cryptically, his
flat. “QPR,” he is informed.
Queens Park Rangers FC is Briatore’s
new baby. In September last year, he swooped – “an hour before
bankruptcy was declared,” he claims – and bought the troubled west
London club.
QPR was at a low ebb, languishing at the lower end of
the Championship with scandals in the boardroom and a team brawl during a
“friendly” match with the Chinese Olympic team. When potential star
striker Ray Jones was killed in a car crash and the club faced going
into administration, things looked terminal to the fans.
Together
with close “we talk 20 times a day” friend, F1 supremo Bernie
Ecclestone, Briatore paid £1m for the club and agreed to clear £13m of
its debts. Since then, the pair have been joined by Lakshmi Mittal,
Britain’s richest man.
Billed as the world’s richest football
club, QPR’s financial footing is now more than secure. Collectively, the
trio are worth over £30bn, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich
List, making Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's fortune of £11.7bn look
almost paltry.
“Yes, none of us was looking for a job,” Briatore smiles, adding that they are not looking for what he calls “main” money.
But
behind the glamour, the unimaginable wealth and the procession of
supermodel girlfriends, Briatore is a shrewd operator. Though QPR may
seem like an unlikely rival to Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea as a
“global brand” – its stated aim – Briatore is not prone to investing in
unsuccessful ventures.
He took over the Benetton F1 team in 1989
and transformed it from also-rans into world champions within five
years. Briatore says what he did at Benetton was “simple”, but it can
only have helped that in 1991 he signed a promising young German driver
called Michael Schumacher.
The goal is now to pull off a similar
transformation at QPR. “In F1 there is a large team behind a product –
the car. It is the same at QPR, the team, the football is only the
product. In sport, business efficiency is everything,” he says.
Briatore
explains: “If I’m going to invest in champagne, I’ll go to France, if I
decide to invest in ham then I’ll go to Parma. If you’re going to be in
football, you have to be in England. And football is treated like a
business here.”
There appears to be no sentiment involved for any of the new owners, in
contrast to the likes of Harrods boss Mohamed al Fayed at Fulham, among
others. None were avid supporters of the club before the deal, but
Ecclestone was linked to buying a number of clubs, including Chelsea
before Abramovich beat him to the punch.
The strategy that lies behind QPR’s position in this new chapter is based on “past, present and future”.
Drawing on the club’s heroes of old like Stan Bowles and Rodney Marsh,
the new regime intends to emphasise the club’s heritage and position the
club as a “London jewel”.
Much is made of QPR’s ground
Loftus Road being the “closest club to central London” and the club’s
essential “Londonness” will be vital when marketing the QPR brand
overseas.
A change of ownership and subsequent “change in
direction” of a football club is a concern for supporters. Briatore,
while not exactly dismissive of die-hard QPR fans, is clear on his
position. “The first thing to remember is that without us, there was no
QPR. It’s as simple as that.”
He adds: “I don’t want everybody
telling me what I need to be doing. People believe the club is owned by
the fans but it’s only a few that put their money down. For the rest of
the people, it’s easy to criticise [when] they maybe spend £20.”
The
plan is for the Championship side to win promotion to the Premiership
within three years. Briatore says QPR will develop its own young team
that will take the club up and keep it up.
The team’s
performance improved dramatically after Briatore installed his friend
“Gigi” Di Canio as manager but Briatore believes it would have been a
“disaster” if QPR had been promoted this season. “I don’t want to be in an elevator, going up and down,”
he says. Di Canio departed “by mutual consent” last week. Everything
about QPR is set to be spruced up. Loftus Road will be improved, perhaps
with extra seating, while Briatore’s exclusive Mayfair eaterie,
Cipriani, will provide catering for the QPR restaurant.
Yet can
the club hope to succeed against the odds? Just this month Newcastle
United boss and former England manager Kevin Keegan spoke of the vicious
circle that drives English football – run almost exclusively by a
cartel of the big four clubs, nobody else has either the money or the
marketing power to compete. QPR certainly has the cash, and could –
eventually – compete in terms of commerce and pulling power.
One of Briatore’s great strengths in F1 has been his ability to attract highly lucrative sponsorship deals.
He says he already has agreements with “three of four international
companies” for QPR. At the end of March, the club announced it had
signed a five-year deal worth £20m, the biggest ever Championship deal
of its kind, with Italian firm Lotto Sport Italia as kit manufacturer.
And
while the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea seem to be chasing the
Asia dream, through Mittal the connection with India will be very
important for QPR’s expansion into new markets. Mittal’s son-in-law,
Amit Bhatia, has been installed as vice-chairman and says the club is
looking to develop its links with India.
While QPR fans will not
see an Abramovich-style spending spree this summer, Briatore is less
parsimonious in his personal life. In one corner of the room sits a
glass-encased model of a very large yacht. Asked if he owns the real
thing: “Not yet,” he twinkles. Interview
SB Nation -
QPR: A team so bad they named the fans Player of the Year
Stay connected
with SB Nation
Steve Bardens
Can someone unrelegate QPR just so they can be relegated again?
The following is not a joke. I repeat, the following is not a joke.
#QPR's Players' Player of the Year is the fans
#ForeverRs
Some how, some way, the fans beat out the sensational
Jermaine Jenas, the scintillating
Bobby Zamora and the unbeatable Julio Cesar.
Loftus Road reportedly finished second in the QPR Player of the Year race for not being flooded by tears.
SB Nation
