QPR 1st:
Frequently Asked Questions

So what is QPR 1st?
QPR 1st is a supporters trust. A supporters trust is a not-for-profit supporters' organisation that aims to take a proactive role in the life of the football club.

Isn't this just a supporters club by another name?
No. The conventional model of the supporters club is an idea that is now looking increasingly outdated. Supporters trusts aim to do away with the passive, deferential relationship between the fan-base and the football club. The new way is a partnership approach based on mutual respect.

How else does a supporters trust like QPR 1st differ from the supporters club?
QPR 1st is a democratic organisation with annually-elected representatives who are accessible and fully accountable to the membership.

What are the aims of QPR 1st?
The specific aims of QPR 1st will be decided by its membership, but are likely to include some or all of the following:

Directly-elected representation on the board of the plc;
The formation of a supporter-shareholder group, combining the votes of individual shareholders;
A block of shares held collectively in trust. Further shares may be bought to increase revenue for QPR and simultaneously to buy more influence for the supporters;
To promote the fervently-held belief that the true strength and talent of Queens Park Rangers Football Club lies within its fanbase;
To be a positive influence in the evolution of the club;
To work harder to raise the profile of QPR within the local community, and therefore to nurture our supporters of the future;
To undertake community projects for the benefit of local people and aim to make QPR the heart of that community;
To reach out to local businesses in order to encourage them to invest in the club and to appreciate the mutual inter-dependence of the club and the business community;
To extend the term 'community' to include the QPR community outside of London W12, and to encourage and nurture support for QPR both nationwide and worldwide;
To encourage multi-cultural, multi-ethnic support for QPR, and to confront racism
To make QPR accessible to people with disabilities

How did the committee get elected?
At the moment there is no committee. There is an 'interim committee' made up partly of those who took a lead role in the formation of the Trust, and partly of those who have been co-opted onto it by virtue of their specialist skills and experience. The Interim Committee were given a mandate at the public meeting held at Hammersmith Town Hall to form a supporters trust within three calendar months, and enpowered to act as a committee to achieve that.

Will there be an elected committee?
Yes

I want to be on the Committee. What do I do?
Great! You are strongly encouraged to stand for election to the committee. Details of the procedure will be available once the constitution is approved.

Why do we have to go through all these bureaucratic procedures? Let's just get on with the election now!
To qualify as a supporters trust under the terms of the government scheme, there are certain legal hoops we must jump through. Some of these include an initial launch meeting at which a mandate is sought for a working party to establish a constitution (the Hammersmith event of 18 April 2001). The next stage is a formal meeting to approve the constitution and to publicise the electoral process. It might seem to be long-winded and frustrating, but it will provide a solid foundation for QPR 1st, and will give us the credibility we need to effect real change at the club.

How often will elections be held?
Elections will be held annually.

I don't want to stand for office but I'd like to help QPR 1st achieve its aims. What can I do to help?
Thank you. In the first instance, register on the website and tell us if you have any specialist skills. So far, the kind of offers we have had range from corporate lawyers to. bread-making! We are keen to hear from people with professional expertise who feel that their experience could be of use to QPR 1st and to the club, but we also need enthusiastic people who will help with tasks such us distributing leaflets or stewarding at public meetings. You might not hear from us immediately but please be assured that your details have been logged for future reference.

Can QPR 1st really make a difference? We've seen these organisations come and go before.
QPR 1st can really make a difference to the success of this club. It's in our own hands now. As with virtually every area of life, hard work, talent and determination can move mountains, and particularly if these fine qualities are sprinkled with a bit of intelligent strategy.

What's happened to the LSA and the Supporters Club?
The QPR LSA (Loyal Supporters Association) continues to flourish, and long may it do so, in its own right. The LSA has representation on the interim committee of QPR 1st, and we are delighted that the LSA membership at large recently voted unanimously to support the aims of the trust. The Supporters Club, and its future role within QPR, is a matter for that committee, but QPR 1st embraces all QPR fans and all democratic QPR organisations.

Why don't QPR 1st just buy the club?
It is possible - some would say likely - that QPR 1st will one day own Queens Park Rangers Football Club. This is where we will see the ultimate value of having supporters on board who are corporate specialists, lawyers, accountants, bankers and so on, people whose primary concern is to pool their skills to protect the identity and long-term future of QPR. QPR 1st is dedicated to exploring every avenue that might lead to ownership of the club ending up in the hands of those who care most - QPR fans.

Who is on the QPR 1st Interim Committee?
Click here for details on the Interim Committee

What about fans without internet access. Aren't they going to feel excluded?
Definitely not. Digital communication is fast and cheap, so if you have Internet access we will use electronic communication. It would be foolish to ignore the power and economic benefits of the Internet and email, but it would be even greater folly for QPR 1st to ignore the statistic that says that more than half of our regular fans do not have Internet access. As long as there is a demand from members, QPR 1st promises not to abandon traditional forms of communication. That will primarily take the form of newsletters and a dedicated phone-line.

What if there's a change of government? Won't supporters trusts be abandoned?
Realistically, there will be no change of government until at least 2005. By that time QPR 1st will be a mature organisation, no longer dependent on the goodwill of a particular political party. In any case, the Sports minister from both main opposition parties have spoken out strongly in favour of supporters trusts.

Will there be a proper membership scheme?
Yes. This will be renewable annually.

What is QPR 1st policy on issues such as relocation or mergers?
It has to be stressed that a supporters trust is a democratic body that does not dictate opinions to its members on these or any other matters of policy. Once we are over the organisational and legal hurdles of setting up the Trust, we will be gathering information on all these issues from supporters. This collated opinion will be the backdrop to any policy decisions. Policy will be constantly reassessed as opinion is constantly refreshed and updated, as membership is renewed or lapses.

How much will membership cost?
Yet to be decided. The recommendation of Supporters Direct is that annual membership should be roughly the average cost of ground admission. We will take account of both those who are unable to pay the full rate, and those who would prefer to pay more.

How can I find out how the money is being used?
Regular statements of accounts will be published, and strict controls placed on access to QPR 1st funds.

How can I find out more about supporters trusts?
Visit www.supporters-direct.org

QPR 1st: Frequently Asked Questions

QPR 1st:
Frequently Asked Questions