Wigan

Given the need to maximise income, and taking into account the way the fixture list has given us just ONE home game between November 21 and December 26, on Monday of this week QPR 1st contacted the club asking if it might be an idea for QPR to contact Wigan and see if the league game scheduled for Tuesday 26 February can be brought forward to December 8, the day of the second round in the FA Cup.

We received the following reply from QPR Secretary, Sheila Marson.

I contacted Wigan Athletic last Monday with a view to bringing forward the game from February but they already have the 8th pencilled in for their outstanding game against Notts County which was postponed earlier in the season due to International call ups.

If Notts County, however, win their replay tomorrow Wigan Athletic would be free but they are not willing to play us as it would mean them having three away games on the trot.

As this is not a match postponed whereby The Football League will intervene and insist on a club agreeing to a date, I'm afraid it is a question of mutual consent and whilst it is a pity, we are bound by the Rules I'm afraid.

Regards

Sheila

Whilst the fixture list continues to frustrate clubs and fans together, it's encouraging to know that under difficult circumstances, QPR continue to work hard behind the scenes on a variety of issues.

Maurice Fitzgerald

QPR 1st received a letter from Maurice regarding our article, in which Maurice's bid for the club featured, in the latest edition of akutr's. Due to printing errors on our part, the article in question featured a couple of factual errors. We have since contacted Maurice to explain it was a genuine error and also print his letter we received below.

For the attention of David Price - Chairman

Dear David,

I read with interest your article regarding the bid by my colleagues and I. I trust you will give me the opportunty to respond as your article is factually incorrect.

My colleagues and I originally submitted an offer with full proof of funds in June. All parties orginally involved are still part of the group and nobody has withdrawn. I think you may be confusing our group with other parties.

In terms of the offer this has not been rejected and revised proposals are with the club for consideration. Unforutnately, other offers, from the very fact that they have not proceeded appear to have either offered unrealistic elements, or have been financially unstable with the parties concerend being unable to deliver.

As you are aware the acceptance of an offer is outside of our control, although we will continue to try and assist QPR wherever we can.

Regards,

Maurice Fitzgerald

Turn up if you love Rangers

One of our overseas members, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted us about this initiative. Even though he lives in one of the European Countries, and is unable to attend the game, he wanted to play his part in the fans attempts to encourage a healthy crowd for the attractive fixture against Colchester United on 1st December.

He has therefore, very kindly, purchased a match ticket for the Upper Loft in order for someone, lapsed fan or not, to be able to attend the match. If you, or you know of someone, who would dearly like to go to this match, but have yet to purchase a ticket, then please contact Tracy direct on her email address Happy@Superhoops99.Freeserve.Co.Uk

There's only the one, so you'll have to be quick! We'd like to say a huge thank you to the fan in question who has made this possible (he knows who he is!) and also a big thank you to John McCooke for all his hard work in co-coordinating this initiative and to Neil Truckle for the printing of the leaflets, the last of which were distributed at the reserves game against Leyton Orient.

Shareholders and QPR 1st

Chris Wright is the majority shareholder in Loftus Road PLC, but as a fan shareholder, perhaps with just a few hundred shares, you can still most certainly make a difference. One of our proudest moments since the formation of the Supporters Trust was the performance of Bill Butler from QPR 1st at the Extraordinary General Meeting in May, running rings round Chris Wright's lawyers and forcing Wright to promise that a proportion of any future profits made from the sale or redevelopment of Twyford Avenue would go to QPR FC.

We were able to achieve that because shareholders had put their trust in QPR 1st and given us the voting rights for over a million shares. There is a full and very readable report of the EGM on our website www.qpr1st.co.uk.

At future meetings of Loftus Road plc we hope to gain even more proxy voting rights so that we can fight for the best possible deal for QPR.

A CHARTER FOR SHAREHOLDERS

We would like your views on the QPR 1st Charter for Shareholders. It's a mixture of what shareholders have already said to us and what has worked well at other clubs, and it's printed here to give you an opportunity to comment on it before it's finalised. Let us know what you think.

QPR 1st intends to:

* buy shares in the club
* encourage Loftus Road shareholders to join QPR 1st
* inform fans of their rights as shareholders
* encourage fans to attend shareholders' meetings or give their voting rights to QPR 1st
* use shareholder influence to persuade the Board of QPR to be more accountable,open, honest and competent.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

We need more company lawyers, people to stuff envelopes, donations to help with mail-outs and so on. Can you help to turn the ideas in the Charter into reality? Please let me know at shares@qpr1st.co.uk Every offer of help, however small, will be welcomed.

Thursday 22nd November 2001