QPR 1st Front Page

▪Latest news

12th June 2001 - Statement issued to the press

We are fully aware that in this time of great uncertainty for QPR the need for good, accurate information is paramount. Although we remain in dialogue with both the administrator and Chris Wright, neither is under any obligation to keep us informed about the progress of any bid or interest from fresh sources.

But we are as much a pro-active supporters trust as we are a reactive one, and many of our efforts and initiatives to safeguard the future of the club have to be conducted within the bounds of confidentiality, diplomacy and internal politics. The situation at QPR is a very complex one, and there is a good deal of vested interest involved. That is often fuelled with the spreading of misinformation, almost exclusively through the press and the anonymity afforded by messageboards; and as frustrating as it is to read wild, inaccurate stories relating to QPR's future, we will not jeopardise our own position within the bigger picture by becoming involved in such distractions.

QPR 1st remains committed to safeguarding the future identity of QPR as a West London club. Our policy remains to talk with potential new owners and encourage them to consult with the fans and be entirely open about their plans for QPR. We have stated that representatives from QPR 1st will make themselves available anywhere, any time should an interested party choose to make public their intentions through the supporters trust.

Both those policies came into play last week with press reports of a fresh bid by Pete Winkelman's Milton Keynes Consortium, and the possible return of ex-chairman Richard Thompson.

As far as we understand it, the increased bid by Winkelman, from a reported £2.5m to around £6.5m, now includes Loftus Road as well as QPR. However, as the intention is still to relocate the club to Milton Keynes, QPR 1st remains opposed to it. We do not see why a successful bid should require a move from Loftus Road. Furthermore, we are confident Chris Wright fully understands that, whilst there are alternative options available to safeguard the future of the club, selling to the Milton Keynes Consortium would be met in the main with anger and hostility by QPR fans.

The possible return of Richard Thompson is interesting, to say the least. We have noted the reaction to the news - at least from the relatively small sample of those who post on the messageboards and list - which has been surprisingly positive. Despite unfounded accusations of being hostile to bidders, QPR 1st policy with the Thompson bid, as with any other, is to get as much detailed information as possible and present it to the supporters.