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Monday, April 28, 2014

#Obama Wishes #QPR Good Luck...35 Years Ago Clive Allen's Debut Hatrick...10 Years Ago: Gianni Paladini Buys into QPR....40 Years: Loftus Road Attendance Record Set




  - 7h
With and . President Obama actually wished Qpr best if luck in the playoffs. Pretty cool

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54s
You can still get in your Q's for Thursday's - just use the hashtag! Panel of & Hilly

[Note: Will be able to watch Fan Forum, Live Streamed here -

TOTY: Schmeichel, Trippier, Cresswell, Morgan, Shackell, Drinkwater, Reid, Bryson, Hughes, Ings and McCormack
  1. Trending in Indonesia...
     
    @QPRReport the 1st mention of 'Own Goal' appears on your TL. Now is Trending Topic in Indonesia!

- 3 Years Ago Today: The Sun with the Headline "Guilty" re QPR and "Faurlingate"

- 35 Years ago Today: Clive Allen's Full Debut: Scores a Hattrick vs Coventry


40 Years ago, Yesterday: QPR Crowd Attendance of 35,000 is set versus Leeds United




41 Years ago Today: Already-Promoted QPR Beat Fulham


10 Ago today, Gianni Paladini Buys Into QPR-



Looking back [10] years, on this day....At the time, Jones and Blackburn (and Davies) were running the club. Bill Power had just recently also bought into the club. Within a couple of months of Paladini's purchase of shares, Power and Paladini had taken over from Blackburn,Jones and Davies. 18 months later, Paladini was Chairman.


BBC - April 28, 2004 - Paladini buys stake in QPR
QPR have finally found an investor
Italian businessman and agent Gianni Paladini has bought a 22% stake in Queens Park Rangers.
Paladini, who has represented Fabrizio Ravanelli and Benito Carbone, has invested around £650,000 and more cash may follow in the future.

QPR have been seeking investors since coming out of administration in 2002.

The board are speaking to other groups interested in buying a major stake, including American Tim Krause and a consortium fronted by Brian Rowe.
Krause is the president of Milwaukee Wave, the American club QPR entered into a partnership agreement with last year.
Lifelong R's fan Rowe was commercial director at Loftus Road under former owners Jim Gregory and Richard Thompson. BBC


Standard/Matt Hughes - April 28, 2004
Rangers are lifted as Italian pumps millions into club.


QUEENS PARK RANGERS have received a huge boost ahead of Saturday's promotion clash with Swindonin the form of a multi-millionpound investment from Italian businessman and agent Gianni Paladini, writes Matt Hughes.
Paladini's Leeds-based property company, Moorband Limited, have bought a 22 per cent share in QPR Holdings and could increase their stake further if the club win promotion-to the First Division. Paladini has more than 30 years' experience as a football agent and will play a key role in restructuring the QPR squad this summer."


QPR 1st - 28th April 2004

QPR1st gives a cautious welcome to the investment made by Moorbound Ltd, a company of former-football agent Gianni Paladini. We are pleased to see that the Club Board has at last succeeded in attracting inward investment to QPR, but there are a number of questions that we would like to see addressed, primarily to do with the deal itself and with the business credentials of Mr Paladini and his team.

In particular, we are keen to know roughly how much has been invested to secure 22% of QPR shares and what further investment plans Mr Paladini's company has. These questions alone have become pressing, since Mr Paladini's emergence as a bidder has generated substantial rumour, which QPR1st does not believe is good for either the Club or its support.

Also, should Mr Paladini's company exercise its option, as a part of this agreement, to extend the 22% to 51%, it would make this deal the beginning of an effective takeover rather than an 'investment', although QPR confirms that the Board is at the advanced stages of negotiations with other interested parties.

Given the potential that Mr Paladini could shortly have control of QPR, we call on the Board to explain what checks of Mr Paladini's business credentials and background have been done (we understand from QPR chief executive David Davies that every test so far put in front of Mr Paladini has been met on time). Meanwhile, we are seeking talks with Mr Paladini, to establish exactly what his company's involvement will mean for QPR.


QPR1st -15th April 2004 - Three investors circle QPR

QPR1st has learnt that a third potential investor in QPR has emerged. In some respects this could be positive news if it means that people are beginning to see Rangers as a viable business proposition. However, there is still plenty of room to be cautious, since two have previously explored investing in QPR and have not yet gone through with it while the third has plenty of history elsewhere in the football world.

The latest interested party to emerge is Gianni Paladini. This was reported in the Daily Express this morning but the story has subsequently been confirmed to QPR 1st by QPR chief executive David Davies. Davies stated that Paladini is looking to invest, rather than take a controlling stake.

Gianni Paladini came very close to a majority buyout of Port Vale in December 2003, through a corporate vehicle named Vantis. However, at the very last minute, another party was given priority by the Port Vale board. Some sources say that this was related to Paladinis' stated desire to be the new Port Vale Chairman, others that he simply wasn't a credible bidder with sufficient funds. In an interview with BBC Stoke he claimed he had shown the Port Vale board proof of funds before they pulled-out of the deal. www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/sport/portvale/2003/12/vale_takeover3.shtml

Whatever the truth, there does appear to have been a significant falling-out between Paladini and Bill Bratt the Port Vale Chairman.

QPR 1st continues to explore Paladinis' provenance. It is understood that Vantis had recently taken an interest in 'investing in' or 'acquiring' a couple of clubs ... Port Vale and Notts County.

Opinion amongst Vale supporter groups appears to back the Port Vale boards' position in rejecting Paladinis' advances. Port Vale Supporters' Trust (VAST) and Supporters Direct uncovered a series of County Court Judgments against him. Davies explained to us that these are public knowledge and arose from disputes between Paladini and another football agent. That does not mean that they should be ignored, however.

Supporters groups also discovered that, despite his early denials, Paladini was a director of several companies, including a Leeds-based property development company.

Davies confirmed that the critical difference between the Vantis interest in Port Vale and the current Paladini interest in QPR is that at Vale Vantis was attempting a complete takeover attempt, whilst Paladini is seeking to invest in QPR as an individual and not to take a majority stake. This,claims Davies, should ease supporters' worries about the ground being property-developed, as the rest of the QPR board would have to agree to such a thing. At the time of the Paladini takeover attempt at Vale, it was claimed by some that he was only interested in Vale for property development.

Meanwhile Milwaukee Wave, whose owner Tim Krause has long been looking at investing in QPR, remains interested and looks to be moving to reflect that through investment.

Last, but not least, the Brian Rowe-led consortium, which also includes the Anelka brothers, is still looking to invest.

Davies confirmed that there was a possibility of a combination of two of the three parties/ groups working together and being able to invest independently. He also confirmed that an announcement about this could come earlier or later than this Monday, as stated in the Express.

Meanwhile, the board must pick none, one or two from three. QPR1st calls on the board of QPR to take great care making their decision. Whilst recognising that failure to secure inward investment will almost certainly leave the club dangerously exposed as the season draws to a close, we recommend that prospective bidders be examined as closely as ever. At a time when the club is about to play a crucial promotion game, we have a critical weekend ahead of us. QPR1st


Dave's Queens Park Rangers Site - "Moorbound Ltd Buy 20% of QPR" -Moorbound Ltd Buy 20% of QPR"
Moorbound Ltd Buy 22% of QPR Holdings

QPR have announced that Moorbound Ltd have bought 22% of the PLC's issued shares giving the club a much needed cash injection of around £650,000.

The deal sees Azeem Malik and Gianni Paladini join the board at QPR. Gianni Paladini is a former agent who represented many of the foreign stars who joined Middlesborough in the 1990's. Ravenelli, Juninio and Emerson were all on Paldini's books but he is now no longer a football agent after investing his money into QPR.

Chief Executive David Davies was delighted with the investment and told www.qpr.co.uk " "Moorbound were hoping to retain some confidentiality until the end of the season, but following speculation in the press, the Board have decided to confirm the investment.

"They have taken a substantial stake in the business and with Gianni's experience in football, it should be a great aid to us.

"They bring skills to the table and Nick, Ian and I are looking forward to working with them."

Gianni Paladini has the option to buy up to 51% of the shares if no new investment is forthcoming which would make his move a take-over and a little more concerning to QPR fans. Paldini attempted to take over Port vale earlier this season but fans grew nervous of the agents plans and were very pleased when his bid failed. ....

www.queensparkrangersfc.com/newsnow/may04.htm


BOARDROOM BLUES
PALADINI'S REP JOINS THE BOARD


Tuesday 27 April 2004

QPR Holdings today confirmed that 22% of the issued plc shares have been sold to Moorbound Ltd of Leeds, and that Mohammed Azeem Malik has joined the board of QPR Holdings plc.

At the plc's last AGM shareholders voted to allow the board to issue further shares. To acquire 22% of the plc, Moorbound must presumably have bought a combination of newly issued shares and QPR Nominees shares. The plc has not announced how many new shares it has issued.

Gianni Paladini's representative Azeem Malik is recorded on the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants' website as being employed by Rehman Michael & Co of 277 Roundhay Road, Leeds.

Moorbound Ltd was incorporated as a private limited company in June 2003 and its registered address is also Rehman Michael & Co, 277 Roundhay Road.

Director Bill Power, posting on the www.qprnet.com messageboard today in response to concerns about the future of the Loftus Road ground, said: "I don't think I am breaking any confidentiality agreement by confirming that anyone who has asked to buy a majority stake within QPR have a stipulation in the agreement stating that they must guarantee our ground stays as is or improve it."
www.boardroomblues.co.uk/

http://qprreport.proboards.com/thread/13161/years-gianni-paladini-joins-buys#ixzz30AeWRZRS


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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Old #QPR Videos...New QPR Stadium Survey..May 1 Fan Forum with Chairman Fernandes (and others)....Flashback 13 Years: Relegated to Division III






-- From the 1880s and on! - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives

- QPR Report Messageboard

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Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!


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- OFFICIAL QPR STADIUM SURVEY
  Fill in! ESPECIALLY The question re your view of the capacity of the stadium!


- QPR1st's  recent "Draft" Stadium Survey


- Year Flashback: An Annus Horribilis: The Decline and Rise of QPR

- 13 Years Ago: QPR Relegated to Division 3


MAY 1, FAN FORUM WITH THE CHAIRMAN & OTHERS
Updated: April 22:
“@ijtaylor81: Panel for #QPRFansForum confirmed. Details to follow on www.qpr.co.uk in the next 24 hours ... #QPR

(The last QPR fan forum was held last October -  without Fernandes taking part)

 
Fans forum on may1st. Beers on qpr report hahaha see you all there. Ask me whatever you want. It's our club. Come on you Rsss


As revealed by @tonyfernandes ... Fans Forum scheduled for May 1st. More details re invites, the panel, timings etc to follow this week

Sunday, April 20, 2014

#QPR Announce May 1 Fan Forum With Chairman @TonyFernandes Taking Part.

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- From the 1880s and on! - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives

- QPR Report Messageboard

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Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!


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- Four Year Flashback: AKUTRS looking  back at Club-Fan Relations under Gianni Paladini

- On This Day, 28 Years ago: QPR Lose in the League Cup (Milk Cup) Final to Oxford United!
QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes today (Sunday) announced there would be a May 1, Fan Forum, with the Chairman taking part. Details to follow.


(The last QPR fan forum was held last October -  without Fernandes taking part)


Fans forum on may1st. Beers on qpr report hahaha see you all there. Ask me whatever you want. It's our club. Come on you Rsss



As revealed by @tonyfernandes ... Fans Forum scheduled for May 1st. More details re invites, the panel, timings etc to follow this week

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

QPR Snippets: 4 Questions....Rodney Marsh: Cheating and Diving OK...Manchester City-QPR #1 Game in Premiership History...QPR 70th in World Sports Teams for Wages...Danny Parejo Turns 25...Flashbacks

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- See also: QPR Report Messageboard

For QPR History: See the Bushman QPR Photo Archives - From the 1880s and on
Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!

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Four Questions to QPR


1) When's the committed Fan Meeting with Tony Fernandes?

2) When's the next Fan Forum (or that is going to be submerged) into the Meeting?

3) Is the Club going to hold a "Player of the year" Dinner - and when are they going to announce? (After years of having them, hasn't been one since Tony Fernandes took over)

4) When are next season Ticket Prices (and new kits) going to be announced? (Hasn't yet been fan input into next season kits)?




- Rodney Marsh on Talksport: Cheating and Diving, OK


- On This Day in 1967 (Yesterday) QPR Clinch the Title

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Video: 4 Future QPR Players in this 1964 Fulham Team vs Manchester United



- QPR1st DRAFT Stadium Survey

- 13 Years of QPR Trust - and since QPR went into Administration


-
at : SCOTT DUNCAN. (79 yellow & 2 Red in 33 Games - a lot fewer than some others)
 



- Flashback: Videos of Past QPR-Leicester Games


- 10 Years Ago: First Mention of Gianni Paladini and QPR


- Mark Hughes Makes the "50 Most Powerful People in Welsh Sport

- World List of Sporting Statues


Four Four Two

The Top 100 Premier League matches: Thrill providers, city dividers and title deciders
Read more at 


1. Manchester City 3-2 QPR, 13/05/2012


Top at kick-off on the last day, all Manchester City had to do was beat QPR – managed by former City boss Mark Hughes, who had his own reasons for wanting an unlikely win: not only had he been rather brusquely shoved out for City to hire Roberto Mancini, but the 17th-placed Rs were only two points above relegation.

A tense first half got even nervier when Wayne Rooney's goal put title rivals Man United ahead at Sunderland, and although Pablo Zabaleta scored before the break, Djibril Cisse's equaliser early in the second half ramped up the blood pressure. Red-carded Joey Barton tried to take some City players with him but Jamie Mackie put the Hoops into an unlikely 66th-minute lead.

City entered the five minutes' added time 2-1 down, but Edin Dzeko's 92nd-minute leveller gave hope. Three minutes later Mario Balotelli's first assist of the season was larruped home by Sergio Aguero. City were champions at the very death. GP

Read more at 





ESPN The salary survey says ...

The Mag, with Sportingintelligence, identifies the highest-paying teams i
n the world
Originally Published: April 14, 2014
By Maya A. Jones and Ross Marrinson | ESPN The Magazine



WHO SAYS MONEY can't buy happiness? According to the ESPN The Magazine/Sportingintelligence Global Salary Survey, the 2013 Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks spent an average of $2.3 million per player last season, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though the franchise spent more per player than 30 other NFL teams, it ranked No. 116 overall, behind all 30 NBA teams, all but two major league baseball clubs and 13 of 20 English Premier League squads.

"A lot of people think because the NFL has great ratings, the players must be the wealthiest," says Sportingintelligence editor Nick Harris. "A list like this over time shows the disconnect."

The NBA is the highest-paying league in the world, as roughly $2 billion was paid to 441 players, for an average salary of $4,522,283 per player. The 2013-14 Brooklyn Nets, thanks largely to Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov's desire to build a contending team immediately, have the highest average payoll at $6.8 million per player, up from $5.5 million last season. The offseason acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce increased the overall team payroll from $82,726,245 to $102,211,009, a jump from No. 16 to No. 6 on the overall list. The larger payroll is costing Prokhorov more than $80 million in luxury taxes alone.

Other notable items in the survey include Serie A behemoth A.C. Milan's dropping 21 spots, from No. 6 to No. 27. A.C. Milan's team payroll declined from $177,909,000 in 2011-12 to $155,928,000 in 2012-13. Back in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers fell from No. 7 to No. 19 in team payroll, due in large part to the departures of Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace, whose combined salary was $26.8 million.

In addition to the yearly salary data, Harris compiled a list of 198 teams that are ranked by the total salary an average player made over the past five seasons. Of these 198 teams, 49 had an average player who has earned $20 million or more since 2009. La Liga's Barcelona tops this list with an average five-year spend of $37,975,600 per player. Real Madrid comes in at No. 2 at $37 million, followed by the New York Yankees' $35.8 million, Manchester City's $31.7 million and Chelsea's $31 million to complete the top five. Over the span, the Lakers were the NBA's highest-paying club, coming in at No. 7 overall, having spent $29,883,100 on the average player over the past five years. The NFL's highest-paid team, the Dallas Cowboys, doesn't land until No. 93, and the average Cowboy was paid $11.8 million over the five years.

The results of the survey reveal the spending trends of 294 teams in 15 leagues in seven sports across the globe. The total wages of the 8,663 athletes surveyed amounted to $16.15 billion. Figures exclude endorsements, appearance fees and sponsorships and have been converted to U.S. dollars. The lists include money paid in salaries to players who form the "first-team squad" or active roster across a season. Salaries for the survey are taken from the following years:...



List of Clubs (QPR 70th)
espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/10709445/sportingintelligence-global-salary-survey-espn-magazine







FLASHBACKS


Official Site - April 15, 2009

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - EXCLUSIVE: FLAVIO BRIATORE INTERVIEW


- Flavio Briatore has spoken exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk to set the record straight regarding the media frenzy surrounding Paulo Sousa's departure from QPR.

The QPR Holdings Ltd Chairman sets the record straight on a number of issues, including team selection and the recently reduced Season Ticket prices.

- Flavio, there's been a lot written and discussed regarding Paulo Sousa's departure - can you set the record straight?


- Firstly, despite what has been reported in the press, Paulo wasn't sacked by QPR. Paulo's contract was terminated, after he - without authority - divulged highly confidential and sensitive information. The Club, with legal advice, responded in this way to protect its position.

- Furthermore, despite what's been written this weekend, we didn't sack Mick Harford, we didn't sack Luigi De Canio and, as I said, we didn't sack Paulo.

- Mick was offered improved terms to stay on the backroom team but chose to move on. He was aware that we had lined up a new Coach and he was only a temporary option, but we were happy for him to stay on as Assistant, on improved terms. He chose to decline that role. Mick has already stated that this is the truth.

Luigi had to return to Italy for personal reasons, and he has also confirmed that is correct. It was very unexpected for me and I was disappointed about it, because I wanted him to stay on.
- For the press to say we've sacked all these people is totally inaccurate and our lawyers are dealing with this.
- We terminated the employment of John Gregory who was already at the Club before we arrived. We had De Canio lined up, but there were complications to get him for the first few weeks.
- But it is true, Iain Dowie was sacked.

The media have reported you told Paulo Sousa which team to pick - is that correct?

- That is incorrect. Paulo picked the team all the time.
- As a Board, we spoke about wanting to see QPR play a more attacking, aggressive brand of football, in a 4-4-2 formation, and he promised us he would do that.
There were two incidents which disappointed us. When we beat Preston North End before Christmas, Paulo made six changes for the next match and we only drew at Charlton Athletic, who were bottom of the league.
- And against Ipswich Town, he stuck to a 4-5-1 formation, when we were at home, and that is when we became very disappointed.
- I was very surprised to see Damion Stewart on the bench and Radek Cerny not involved for that match.
- But I'd like to repeat, I never once told Paulo, or any other Coach for that matter, which team to pick.

- It has also been suggested that it was solely your decision to loan Dexter Blackstock. Is it right that Paulo Sousa knew nothing about the striker leaving to join Nottingham Forest?

- Dexter's agent, Eric Walters, has spoken about this. That statement tells the facts.
- He said: 'Dexter was unhappy at QPR for some time, as he had only started six of a possible 21 fixtures.
- 'He wasn't even on the bench for QPR's home fixture against Bristol City and seeing as he was the Club's top goalscorer, Dexter was unhappy about this situation.
'A few Clubs approached me for Dexter, including Nottingham Forest. I spoke with Gianni Paladini and he advised me that we needed to clear this with Paulo Sousa.
'Paulo came back from Portugal on March 26th at lunchtime. Dexter discussed the situation with Paulo, and he didn't say anything to Dexter about the possibility of him staying with QPR.
'At 4.00pm on March 26th 2009, Dexter signed the paperwork to complete his loan transfer to Nottingham Forest.'

- Moving on, when you arrived at QPR, you spoke quite openly about a four-year project to reach the Premier League. Are you happy with the progress so far?

- We're progressing very well.
- On the pitch, we're already up to the 60 point mark this season, which hasn't been achieved by QPR in many years at this level.
- People seem to have very short memories here. Just this season alone, we have taken points off all the top eight with the exception of Burnley.
- We beat Wolverhampton at home; we drew with Sheffield United; we beat Birmingham City at home; we've drawn twice with Reading; we beat Cardiff City at home; and - we've beaten both Preston North End and Swansea City at Loftus Road too.
- That can't be forgotten and anyone that was at Loftus Road on Easter Monday could see that we not only have a great team spirit, but we can also play some very exciting, entertaining football in a 4-4-2 formation.
Off the pitch, the infrastructure is improving all the time. We have invested over £34 million in to the Club.
- We have signed 17 players - Delaney, Mahon, Hall, Leigertwood, Routledge, Vine, Buzsaky, Agyemang, Gorkss, Ramage, Connolly, Cook, Alberti, Cerny, Ephraim, Helguson and Borrowdale.

- Plus, we have a very strong Youth team, who have just returned from a very successful tour in Sardinia, where we won the Fair Play Cup.
- We have dropped our Season Ticket prices by five per-cent for the renewal period in response to feedback from our supporters.
- We have taken this decision following detailed discussions with fan groups and supporters in general.
- The QPR fan-base plays an integral role in the decision-making process and we were wary that the initial deadline only took into account supporters receiving one pay packet during the initial time period.

- We want to attract fans to Loftus Road and we believe our new prices offer an affordable option to them. Children under the age of eight can come to watch for free - and that is important, because we are always working towards a long-term future, and fans, of all ages, are hugely significant to that.
- Furthermore, we are constantly striving to improve the facilities we have at both the main ground and the training complex, with the re-laying of the Loftus Road pitch over the summer months integral to our plans going forward next season.
- On the commercial side, we are in lucrative partnerships with some major worldwide brands, including Santander, Chronotech, Gulf Air and Lotto Sport Italia. Financially, these deals are amongst the best in English football, let alone the Championship.
- We are looking for a 360 degree improvement in all areas and whilst we admit it will take time, with the support of the whole QPR family, we are progressing well and as a Board, we are confident we will reach our goals.


Speaking of Loftus Road, can you confirm what the current situation is?

- We have sorted the ABC issue, which was crippling the Club, at a 12 per-cent interest rate.
- They would have taken the ground had we not met the deadline, so the fans can be rest assured, that we now own the stadium, which is a great assurance for the future of this Club.
- We would love to see the ground full every week and we are hoping that by introducing the new five per-cent Early Bird reduction, that supporters will follow us in greater numbers, both home and away, next season.

- Speaking of supporters, what are your thoughts on the fans who booed the Board of Directors on Monday?
- It was only a small minority of supporters who booed, but naturally it disappoints me.
- The fact is though; we saved the Club when it was within minutes of going under. If it wasn't for us, this Club would not be here. That is a fact.
- Furthermore, when we arrived here, we had nobody behind us, but now we are only looking towards the top.
- It is similar to at Renault. When we arrived we were last on the grid, and we progressed to the very top. That is what we want to happen at QPR.
- No-one likes being booed, but we know we are doing the right things for the long-term future of this Club and we, the Board of Directors, are unanimous on that.
- This is a very expensive hobby for us and we have already invested significant sums in to the Club.
- But we enjoy the moments when the supporters are behind us in the adventure. That is why we are involved, to bring joy to the fans.
- If we were fighting against relegation, I could understand the booing. But we are making positive strides in our four year programme. This was the first full year and we are a comfortable top half side and have a very strong squad, which is improving all the time, ahead of next season.
- If the supporters don't support us, the project won't work, so all I can ask is you come out and show your support.
- When the stadium is full, there is no better place to watch football. With your support - both home and away - we believe we can keep progressing and one day reach the Premier League.
- If we see that support, we will, of course, do our part by investing more in the future.

Finally, when do you hope to appoint a new First Team Coach?
- Gareth Ainsworth is in charge until the end of the season and we will assess the situation once the campaign finishes.
- In the meantime, I want us to enjoy the last three matches and show the same passion and skill we showed against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday. QPR Chairman Briatore Speaks

www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1627956,00.html

Read more: qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=2983&page=1#ixzz1rzzbYH1o




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April 16, 2008 - A Fanzine Perspective of The New QPR
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Nick Gordon Brown - Goalfood.com--

cash from chaos:
surreal times in london W12



“Oh, how Richard Keys would chastise me if he read this. Deluded flights of fancy from a grumpy old sod. Next you’ll be telling us that a disgraced former Thai Prime Minister and an Icelandic biscuit magnate are competing with a shady Russian oil baron to be the most powerful man in English football…”

So concluded my rant on these pages last summer about modern football’s obsession with money. Or, to be more accurate, modern English football. Or, even more accurately, the Premiership and its attendant throng of hangers on.

I felt out of step with the modern game, and argued millions of others felt likewise. Are we just getting old, I asked (rhetorically, natch)…after all, to younger fans, the modern way IS football. If you’re old enough to have fathered half the Prem’s current crop, then it’s your problem not ours – get with the times daddio.

Then it happened. I was going to say “then the inevitable happened”…only I can’t think of anything less inevitable. My own club, one of those I’d pitied for being forever locked outside the Premiership playground, was taken over. Allegedly only hours before a second stint of administration this decade, at a time when a 10 point deduction would have consigned us to a certain relegation from which we might never have recovered.

However, not only were we taken over, we were taken over by two very rich, very high profile men with a track record of success in the business of sport that is second to none. They’d never even been to our ground before (though one of them admitted it was regularly on his helicopter’s flight path). We were available on the cheap, and they fancied a flutter.

Welcome to Queen’s Park Rangers FC of Shepherd’s Bush, London W12. For the first 85 years of it’s history, nothing more than a foot note in the rich tapestry of the game. Think “Third Division South”. A maverick owner and a succession of (mostly) inspired managerial appointments then led to a period of relatively sustained success. Thirty odd years spent knocking around the top flight or just below. An above average number of flair players, a unique kit (back then it was Reading FC of Elm Park and English football’s fourth tier, and Mr Madjeski was still flogging second hand motors), and an improbable amount of BBC airtime thanks to our location meant we actually became, if not famous, then certainly quite well known.

Then in 1996, just as the Prem gravy train began to go full steam ahead, we fell off. And never really looked like getting back on, despite bizarre managerial choice Stewart Houston (currently residing in the “where are they now?” file) telling terminally unhip music biz mogul and celebrity chairman wannabe Chris Wright, “get me Mike Sheron and I’ll get you back in the Premiership.”

“You’re not famous anymore”, Peterborough fans told us. Harsh but true. “You’re not quite well known anymore” didn’t scan so well.

This season’s events took a further bizarre twist when the two very rich men sold on 20% of the club’s shares to a man who is even richer than them. Richer, too, than Roman Abramovich. 4th or 5th richest in the world, depending on which of those tiresome lists you read.

As I surmised in the pre-season article, fan reaction to such a takeover at any club is to a great extent dictated by your age. Those Rangers fans who grew up in the early 90s with Les Ferdinand and regular top half Prem finishes (often above Arsenal & Chelsea) see it as the return of a footballing birth right, and the cash injection will simply take us back to our rightful place in football’s hierarchy. For even younger fans, like my own kids, it’s simply football as they know it. The Rs have been crap for as long as they can remember, but rich foreign blokes are always buying football clubs and throwing money at them, and now it’s our turn – and mum and dad always say everyone should get a turn.

However, for many Rs fans, one of the big talking points of the season has been how do we as fans react to our new found wealth? “Not like that lot down the road” appears to be the consensus. Chelsea may be happy to be the Premiership equivalent of Millwall (no one likes us, we don’t care), but over the years, we’ve been used to being quite liked by most – or at least not especially disliked. “A kindly aunt”, Danny Baker once called us.

Fans of other clubs liked Stan Bowles, they liked Les Ferdinand. Many liked our kit. And despite its limitations (lack of leg room in and poor views from the away end among them), many liked our tight knit stadium, where you’re right on top of the players, and a crowd of 12,000+ can create a great atmosphere.

Much of that goodwill has evaporated overnight. In this internet age, it’s easy to find out what others think of your own club, and the venom directed towards W12 has not been the sole preserve of rival fans’ messageboards. The pre-match previews in the regional media frequently talk of our opponents taking on “money bags QPR”. We as fans have done nothing to provoke that reaction. Such matters are now beyond our control.

Many of us have even sensed the envy from friends who support clubs outside of the big 4. “Why not us?” is the understandable refrain. There are dozens of clubs, not just in the Championship but also many in the Premiership and some in League One, who would consider themselves to be “bigger” (fanbase, history, however you want to judge that most subjective of issues) than “bloody QPR!”.

To be honest, many of us are thinking along similar lines. “Why us?” It’s all as confusing as it is exciting, and we still can’t quite believe it. All we asked Santa for was a minor millionaire or two who could ensure we could compete on a Palace / Charlton kind of a level, and didn’t have to return to derby games with Brentford. Not only did we get three big cheeses, but there appear to be no human rights skeletons in closets…and whilst I’m not an F1 fan myself, it’s a damn sight cooler than American Football or, indeed, biscuits.

When Jack Walker bankrolled Blackburn to the title in the early days of the Premiership, the neutrals were split. Some applauded a lifelong fan for putting his riches into his hometown team and breaking the monopoly of the big clubs. Others derided the setting of a precedent whereby a club could live beyond its relatively meagre means due only to its sugar daddy. Although times have changed greatly since then, and a latter day Walker couldn’t repeat that trick (just ask Steve Gibson), it’s probably the closest comparison that can be found (not that there is anything approaching a lifelong fan involved).

Walker’s legacy is impressive. Prior to his investment, what odds would you have got on Blackburn in 2008 being where they are? However, the new men at the Bush, for all their relatively cautious talk, don’t seem the sort to settle for Prem consolidation and the odd tilt at the UEFA Cup.

They always refer to what they’re doing at QPR as “the project”. So does the canny Italian manager they employed. Put them in front of a derelict building that still has a few visible traces of former grandeur but that is going for a song, and imagine Grand Designs’ Kevin McLoud interviewing them, and you’ll get the picture. Had they bought, say, Tottenham, not only would it have cost 20 times what it cost to purchase lil’ ol’ QPR, but also they would have spent months & millions ripping out and replacing much of what the previous owners had put in place. This lot would rather start from scratch and, to use another one of their already well worn phrases, “do it our way”.

This approach has thus far struck the right chord with the majority of fans. The “1-0 to the billionaires” song, funny the first time but very quickly embarrassing, has died a quiet death after its author ran a poll on a fans’ website about it and a whopping 90% gave it the thumbs down. (That’s not to say that our new found riches haven’t led to some off the cuff terrace classics, such as chanting “we won’t be signing you” to Shaun Wright Philips after he characteristically blazed high and wide in the cup tie at Stamford Bridge…or serenading Bramall Lane with a chorus of “we’ve got more steel than you” in honour of our richest investor and the business that earned him his billions).

More and more, as the ‘project managers’ allow a few more very minor details of their plans to seep out, it is clear that location is paramount. Chris Wright often talked of moving us out to “the M4 corridor” (where we’d probably have been about as welcome as Terminal 5 – and about as well planned too, given Wright’s track record at the helm). Not these guys. Whilst the Bush and White City may not be amongst the more salubrious parts of town, we’re still the closest London club to the West End (and, coincidentally, Wembley). The urban regenerators are chucking plenty of money at the area, and it’s clearly seen as a good base for the planned international operation in a way that, say, Southampton, Nottingham or Sunderland are not.

The London factor cannot be undervalued, for all that it already has five clubs (albeit it likely to be four soon) in the Premiership. A huge population; culturally diverse and full of second, third and fourth generation immigrants from all the world’s football mad countries; always in the glare of the world’s media…outside of Liverpool and Manchester United with their awe-inspiring footballing heritage, no other English clubs can hope to compete with a well-managed London-based club.

Fans of the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City, or one club cities like Newcastle and Leeds, would no doubt like to argue the toss about this, but it’s what QPR’s owners are banking on. At the heart of their vision for ‘the project’ is a London location that money could buy…and just about enough of a fanbase / history to start building from.

On the surface, this appears to be a takeover like no other. Shinawatra, Lerner, DIC, Ashley…all these names now trip off the football fan’s tongue readily, but the words tripping off the tongues of the QPR board appear to be different from the rest. Not necessarily better or worse, it’s far too early to judge – but certainly different.

QPR fans can expect an interesting ride. And as hopes and dreams turn into expectations and demands (from fans and owners alike), there’s the potential for it all to get very messy.

The aim appears to be to build phoenix-like a London-based football superpower from the ashes of a modest but once much respected club…to do it shrewdly and with business savvy remaining intact…and playing attractive football. It seems an awful lot to ask. However, after a decade that has seen administration, two relegations, the tragic deaths of two of our brightest young prospects, the mass brawl with the Chinese Olympic team, our main fanzine editor threatened with legal action by our Chairman, and the same Chairman being the central figure in an embarrassing court case about alleged guns in the boardroom…well, I for one aim to enjoy that ride.

Goalfood www.goalfood.com




25th Birthday for Daniel Parejo
His Profile en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Parejo

Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2008 Real Madrid B 37 (11)
2008–2009 Real Madrid 5 (0)
2008 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 14 (0)
2009–2011 Getafe 64 (9)
2011– Valencia


FLASHBACK to 2008


Dani Parejo Arrives
- "Dani of the 100 Days: From Summer Hype To Cold Reality." - Recalling the Arrival at Loftus Road of Daniel Parejo "We are delighted to have agreed a deal to sign arguably the hottest prospect in European football..."

QPR REPORT on QPR Rivals in 2008

Dani of the 100 Days



QPR Report takes us back to the summer and the revelation that Queens Park Rangers had signed Spanish wonder-kid Daniel Parejo

The return to Real Madrid of Daniel Parejo after just a few short months at Loftus Road, brings to a disappointing end what just a few months earlier had appeared to be a brilliant, bold, mold-shattering signing, exemplifying the new QPR era under Flavio Briatore and friends.

First came the press story in early summer reporting that QPR's Briatore and Managing Director, Alejandro Agag had met with Parejo`s agents about a possible move.

Then at the beginning of August, QPR and Real Madrid made their respective announcement: The radically different announcement approaches reflecting the vast chasm between the two clubs: For QPR it was the signing of the century for which they held a press conference, streaming it live.

And throughout it was made very clear: This was a Chairman Briatore signing made possible by his contacts and 'Friendship' with Real president Ramon Calderon. And beyond Parejo, it was the harbinger of future QPR signings.

For Real Madrid, it was the ho hum sending out on loan of one of their youngsters. This was reflected in the Real Madrid announcement, which in its entirety said: "Real Madrid Castilla's Daniel Parejo has been loaned to Queens Park Rangers for one year. The youth team midfielder will therefore play in the Football League Championship next season, where he will continue progressing and honing his skills."

QPR by contrast devoted a lengthy statement to Parejo's arrival: "Spanish Starlet Signs"

Queens Park Rangers Football Club have agreed a deal with Real Madrid for highly-rated midfield ace Daniel Parejo Munoz.

Rangers have beaten off stiff competition from a number of Europe's top Clubs - including Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna, Espanyol, Getafe and Villarreal - for the young starlet, who made his name playing for Madrid's nursery Club Castilla last season.

QPR Chairman, Flavio Briatore, said: 'This is an incredible coup for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

'We are delighted to have agreed a deal to sign arguably the hottest prospect in European football.

'I am eternally gratefully to Ramon Calderon (Real Madrid President) for giving QPR the opportunity to sign such a talented young player.

'Daniel is a great, young talent and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the QPR family.'

Currently rated as the best youth player in Madrid's set-up by the legendary Alfredo di Stefano, the 19 year-old made 33 appearances for Castilla in the 2007/08 season, scoring ten goals.

He also featured for Madrid in this weekend's Emirates Cup, where his 85th minute header clinched a 2-1 victory for the Spaniards against Hamburg.

Parejo said: 'I am very happy to be coming to London to play for Queens Park Rangers.

'When Madrid informed me I could come here on loan, I - and my family - were very excited.

'I had a very nice meeting with Mr Briatore and he has great ambitions for this Club.'

Parejo emerged as a possible target for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger after he sent scouts to check on the youth international during last year's Under-19 European Championships, but Rangers have stolen a march on the North London giants to clinch the teenager's signature, to the delight of R's boss, Iain Dowie.

Dowie said: 'Daniel is a special talent and I am delighted that we've been able to add him to our ever-improving squad.

'It's an incredibly exciting signing for the Football Club - a real coup.

It shows the benefit of having Flavio Briatore's contacts and we're indebted to him and his relationship with Ramon Calderon that we've managed to bring in one of the brightest youngest prospects in Spain.

'He's one of the stars of their academy. He gets it and gives it and is the link man we've been looking for.

'He's comfortable on the ball, has great technique and is deadly from set-pieces.

'To get in any Real Madrid starting XI, you've got to be a very good player and I've got no doubts whatsoever that he'll prove to be a very good addition to our squad.'

Arguably Spain's brightest prospect, Parejo inspired his nation to win the Under-19 European Championships last summer.

A technically gifted midfielder with pace and skill in abundance, Parejo has been earmarked by the Spanish giants as the next product off their impressive academy production line, following in the footsteps of international trio Raul, Iker Casillas and Guti.

And in press reports the following day: Briatore was quote by Sky Sports: 'One or two years in England will make him tough,

'The championship is very tough, he is a kind of superstar in Spain but he is a normal guy who will do well here.'

And the Daily Mirror reported that: 'QPR yesterday signed Real Madrid wonderkid Daniel Parejo and vowed to continue to raid Europe's top clubs in their quest to reach the Premier League.

Chairman Flavio Briatore used his friendship with Real president Ramon Calderon to seal a one-year loan deal for Parejo 19, fending off Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna and Villarreal for the youngster's signature.

And Briatore warned the rest of the Championship he is well connected at clubs such as AC Milan and Juventus and is not afraid to splash the cash on the cream of Europe's talent. 'I obviously have very good links with Real Madrid, but also with AC Milan, Juventus and other top clubs,' aid Formula One supremo Briatore after completing the deal for Parejo, who starred at last weekend's Emirates Cup.

'A lot of the time in England people just go for the same players. You often have five or six managers watching the same player - it's a very closed country.

'What we will try to do is open our eyes and work with the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus. We aren't looking only in the UK.

'We are lucky in that we have a reputation for doing things properly and we have been in sport a long time. We know who our targets are and maybe Dani is here with us for a year, two years, maybe forever - let's see how well he does.'

Well a few months later after various stories about Briatore insisting on Parejo's place in the team; and various match reports about Parejo's non-performance during various games; the Parejo 'experiment' has come to a premature end. Hopefully the Chairman, with his third permanent manager of 2008, will have learned some lessons about the Manager-Chairman Relationship; and re the signing of players.

Many thanks to QPR Report

QPR Report operates the popular QPR Reportsite as well as the recently-launched QPR Report Message Board.

Read more: www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=135591#ixzz2z27KsCH9


Dani Parejo Departs:
- The Sun: QPR have sent teenager Dani Parejo back to Real Madrid — and are ready to offload Emmanuel Ledesma to Genoa next. The loan pair caused chaos when Iain Dowie was Rangers boss as club owner Flavio Briatore insisted that they play. New chief Paulo Sousa seems to have more control and told Briatore they are not in his plans - The Sun



qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/12/qpr-report-articles-of-interest_18.html



HIS ARRIVAL


Monday, August 04, 2008
Parejo to QPR - Official Announcement
-
UPDATED: Listen to Press Conference on QPR World...

Real Madrid Official Announcement - Parejo to QPR on One Year Loan Real Madrid - Daniel Parejo loaned to Queens Park Rangers
Real Madrid Castilla's Daniel Parejo has been loaned to Queens Park Rangers for one year. The youth team midfielder will therefore play in the Football League Championship next season, where he will continue progressing and honing his skills. Real Madrid Statement

Reminder - QPR Press Conference today


QPR Official Site - PRESS CONFERENCE - LISTEN LIVE
QPR World subscribers can listen to live coverage from today's Press Conference, in which Flavio Briatore will unveil the Club's latest signing.
Following the unveiling, Mr Briatore and the R's new recruit will take questions from the gathered media.
QPR First Team Coach Iain Dowie and Lee Cook - who re-joined QPR on Friday evening - will also be in attendance, and answering questions on the season ahead.
To listen to live coverage, log on to the 'LIVE - PRESS CONFERENCE' article which will appear shortly before the Press Conference starts at 12noon.
If you haven't joined QPR World yet, you can still do so in time for the Press Conference by clicking here! QPR

- Parejo Profiles - Parejo Profile -- Real Madrid Profile -- A lengthy Arsenal blogger

Various stories in Monday's papers.
Stories just repeating the Real Madrid announcement
- BBC
- The Sun
- FIFA

GOAL.COM - Steve Michaels - Parejo Joins QPR - Official
Real Madrid have announced the one year loan of Dani Parejo to Queen's Park Rangers of the English Championship..
19-year-old Parejo signs up at Loftus Road for a full season loan just days after scoring for the blancos against Hamburg in the Emirates Cup.
Madrid announced, "Real Madrid Castilla's Daniel Parejo has been loaned to Queens Park Rangers for one year.
"The youth team midfielder will therefore play in the Football League Championship next season, where he will continue progressing and honing his skills."
Parejo broke through to the Castilla squad in 2006 but only truly made a name for himself last season as he managed a healthy tally of ten goals in 33 Segunda B games.
QPR will hope that the capital-born youngster can propel them back to the Premier League for the first time since 1996.Goal

From June: re QPR's Supposed Interest in Parejo
- Parejo Says No to Arsenal and QPR

qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/08/parejo-to-qpr-official-announcement.html


DECEMBER 2008


Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Parejo Has Now 100% "Left The Building" - Returns to Real Madrid - QPR & Real Statements
-
Visit the QPR Report Messageboardfor further articles and views. Alternate views are welcomed! See: QPR Report Articles of Interest - Wednesday


- Parejo's Departure: Interesting/Fortuitous (or Whatever!): Real Madrid recall Dani Parejo at the very time that QPR were playing him less and less under their Chief Coach, Paulo Sousa.


"...Parejo made 18 appearances for QPR during an impressive loan spell at Loftus Road." Sporting Life


QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE : PAREJO RETURNS TO REAL
- Daniel Parejo has returned to Real Madrid, after the Spanish giants activated a recall clause within the players' loan contract with Queens Park Rangers.
- The 19 year-old will officially return to Madrid on January 1st 2009, however, Rangers have agreed to release Parejo - who made 18 appearances in all competitions for the R's - with immediate effect.
- Speaking about Parejo's impending return to Spain, Rangers boss Paulo Sousa said: "We have a very good working relationship with Mr Calderon and Mr Mijatovic at Real Madrid and we are very grateful to them for allowing us to take Daniel on loan in the first place.
- "He is a player of great potential and I am sure that with a good professional attitude, he has the talent to achieve at the very highest level.
- "I will continue to follow his progress at Madrid, and of course, we wish him all the best for his future career."


Real Madrid - Official Announcement Parejo Returns to Real Madrid
The midfielder was loaned out to Queens Park Rangers and will now join the first team
- Daniel Parejo, an international for Spain's Under-21 side, was loaned out to English First Division team Queens Park Rangers this summer. He played for Castilla last season after a brilliant run on other youth system teams. He even had some minutes of playing time with the first team. Parejo has become one of Real Madrid's winter transfer window reinforcements.
- Through their spokesman, Queens Park Rangers thanked the player and Real Madrid for their disposition and collaboration in the past few months, during which Parejo has completed his formation.
-The 19-year old is already in Madrid and will start working for Juande Ramos right away. Real Madrid


And Real Madrid Official Site Parejo regresa al Real Madrid
- El centrocampista, que jugaba cedido en el Queens Park Rangers, se incorpora al primer equipo
- Parejo, internacional sub '21 español, fue cedido el pasado verano al Queen Park Rangres, club inglés que milita en la First Division. El centrocampista, tras una brillante trayectoria en las secciones inferiores del Real Madrid, jugó la campaña anterior en el Castilla e disputando incluso minutos ya en el primer equipo. Daniel Parejo se convierte así en uno de los refuerzos del Real Madrid en el mercado de invierno.
- El Queens Park Rangers, a través de su portavoz y director deportivo Paulo Sousa, agradeció a Dani Parejo y al Real Madrid la disposición y la colaboración máxima en estos meses donde el futbolista ha completado su formación.
- Dani Parejo, de 19 años, se encuentra ya en Madrid y se pondrá de inmediato ya a las órdenes de Juande Ramos en la Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas. Real Madrid

qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/12/parejo-has-now-100-left-building-back.html

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