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Sunday
30th September 2001
QPR
1st to Co-produce 2002 QPR calendar
Following
up on an original idea by Libby that was generated during a recent
QPR 1st brainstorming session we are pleased to announce that
plans are at an advanced stage for a very special joint club and
QPR 1st 2002 wall calendar. Although we cannot say too much whilst
the details are being finalised we can tell you that it will be
a real eye opener and will feature views not previously seen in
any publication. We hope to reveal all in the coming weeks.
Wednesday
26th September 2001
Earn
money for Olly's Army!
It's
easy and pleasurable now to generate income for QPR thanks to
the new look official web site, for details on the clubs plans
for qpr.co.uk and how you can earn money for the club click
here.
Saturday
21st September 2001
So
what would you do?
Imagine
that the newly elected Qpr 1st committee members got their comeuppance
and YOU were elected to serve instead of one of those freeloading
egomaniacs. After all, they only seem to have negative things
to say about the various bidding parties, don't they?
Imagine
too, that you don't have a hectic job, which regularly leaves
you drained and fit for nothing come evening.
Imagine
too, that you don't have to worry about your family - after all,
they can look after themselves can't they?
As
for potential bidders, imagine this:
You do not know anything about the bid structure, because the
bidders don't want to divulge this information.
Indeed
they seem to revel in admitting that what they have told you isn't
the whole story.
You don't know where the funds behind the bid are to come from,
again, because the bidders don't want you to know this.
A major player in the bid team will not even reveal his name to
you!
The bid leader is avoiding you and maintaining a low profile (on
the advice of someone who you would have thought was only interested
in the successful future of the Club, but seems to be spinning
in favour of the bid on the table).
The owner of the Club throws a paddy when you ask the most straightforward
of questions and tells you that; (a) "You people are always trying
to spoil bids" and (b) If you don't allow this bid the Club will
be in Liquidation by the end of October and QPR will cease to
exist".
So
what would you do? Would you just sit tight because the bidders
seem to have plenty of cash? What sort of person would you think
was right to run Rangers? Is cash the only criteria on which a
bid should be measured? None of the above is imaginary (except
the bit about you being elected!). These are facts surrounding
the Melzack bid.
At
QPR1st we have maintained a neutral stance throughout the various
bids. In the main this has been because we have not been able
to convince any of the bidders to bring us into their confidence
(and we have been all along ready to sign confidentiality agreements
etc). No detail, no comment.
However,
we are all fans, as well as Committee members and, whilst we are
looking to gather information to impart this to members, we have
also formed opinions about the people involved in bids. Do we
impart those views to you, the membership, or sit tight and allow
a successful bid by anyone?
Do
you trust Chris Wright to do what's right by QPR, and do you indeed
trust Chris Wright per se? (Incidentally, we checked Mr Wright's
statement about the impact of the current bid failing and putting
Rangers into Liquidation. The Administrators confirmed to us that
not only did they have to confirm to The Football League that
the Club could last a year [to the end of the season] but that,
until they "see the proverbial suitcase of cash, they are running
the club" - with the aim of getting at least to the end of the
season).
What's
the rush then to accept a bid for the Club now? Would you expect
to get a better bid if the Club were in a position to go up to
the First Division (with better income streams) or early in the
season when it's hard to tell if we will be in the First or Second
Division come next May?
Incidentally,
excuse us for being picky, but CW will have a major impact on
whether the Club is to go into insolvency and we rather suspect
that this is a route that might have an interesting outcome. But
on the basis of what the Administrators advise (we expected their
answer, but wished to be thorough in checking facts) insolvency's
a non-issue isn't it?
So
there we are. What do you think we should do? What would you do?
Answers please to info@qpr1st.co.uk.
But hurry. Your club hasn't got long to remain independent and
take advantage of the likely interest from other investors at
the end of the season.
Thursday
20th September
In
light of the reported lock-out period given to the Brian Melzack-led
consortium, QPR 1st make the following statement.
"QPR
1st is concerned about a series of recent press stories in which
the status, identities and funding of various bidding teams has
been consistently and deliberately obscured or misreported, in
effort to influence opinion amongst the supporters.
It
is clear that some members of the journalist community covering
QPR are privately supporting the Brian Melzack bid for the club
and that this tacit support is clearly influencing the slant and
the content of what they file for publication.
It
is not new for journalists with a vested interest in protecting
the interests of third parties to have misrepresented the facts
of what goes on within the club, but there has never been a more
important time for people to be aware of the hype.
QPR
1st note with concern that the 'Moonies' story, which is several
weeks old and a complete non-starter even back then, has surfaced
on the very same day as the announcement that the Brian Melzack
consortium have been given a lock-out period."
Friday
14th September 2001
QPR 1st Election Results
QPR
1st is pleased to announce the results of its first election of
officers. Eight candidates were chosen from 13 in the election,
which was independently adjudicated by government-sponsored body
Supporters Direct. All the elected candidates have already served
QPR 1st as members of its interim committee.
Out
of 416 ballot forms, 3,234 votes were cast and 97% of voters used
all of the eight votes to which they were entitled. Only one form
was returned spoiled. The full list of candidates and the number
of votes they received was as follows:
IAN
BLACKABY 377
JULIA HILL 357
LIBBY MAGRILL 351
JUSTIN PIERIS 341
TRACY STENT 326
DAVID PRICE 325
BILL BUTLER 270
LEON STENT 245
NEIL JACKSON 233
TIM PETERS 196
JOHN DYER 112
SIMON LANGSTON 71
PAUL GOOCH 30
TOTALS
3,234
Total ballots - 416 To see the full result and percentages
click here.
Your
elective representatives are therefore: Ian Blackaby, Julia Hill,
Libby Magrill, Justin Pieris, Tracy Stent, David Price, Bill Butler
and Leon Stent. QPR 1st would like to thank all of the people
that put themselves forward for election, along with supporters
direct and the volunteers that helped us prepare and post nomination
and ballot forms. Your new committee will meet within the next
two weeks to sort out roles and responsibilities. Further appointments
to the committee will be made by co-option in the near future.
In
the meantime, Come on you RRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday
13th September 2001
With
the votes now in and counted, the independently-scrutinised result
of the inaugural QPR 1st election of officers should be known
and announced within the next day or two. It will mean the formation
of a new committee - one that will not have to carry the prefix
'interim'.
For
some of us who have taken QPR 1st forward from that historic evening
in April, the election of a new committee will also signal the
end of an active involvement with the interim committee, either
through choosing not to stand for election or not figuring amongst
the top eight names voted in. For one or two of us, it will probably
mean a change of role within QPR 1st, and for others it will be
'business as usual'.
But
those are decisions to be taken by a new committee - and today
is an appropriate time for us to 'sign off' as your old one.
To
say it has been a challenging few months is an understatement.
We have tried to juggle the dual tasks of setting up a fully democratic
supporters trust at QPR to improve relations and communication
between the club and the fans, whilst also trying to act as an
interested and representative party in the administration of the
club, including its sale. We were the first trust to set up with
our club in administration and have had to learn, literally, on
the hoof. Our experiences, our conduct and our strategies have
not just drawn praise from the government-backed Supporters Direct
body, but provided them with valuable lessons which will help
other supporters at other clubs.
That
is not to say we are sitting here congratulating ourselves on
a job well done. There are too many frustrations at what could,
perhaps should have been done quicker, or better, or more efficiently.
Communication for one - perhaps the most vital aspect of any organisation.
We are not about to decry our own efforts, though, nor the motivation
needed to look after what we believe to be the best interests
of our club.
Balancing
the release of information with the need to work with or gain
the trust and confidence of the various parties involved in the
bidding process has been, singularly, the most difficult part
of being involved in the trust. But we believe our efforts have
been pivotal in restraining the selfish interests (and there are
many) at work. Inevitably that has lead to us being blamed for
scuppering deals, accused of interference in the bidding process,
and criticised left, right and centre. That goes with the territory
when you put your head above the parapet, of course, but much
of the criticism aimed at us has been unfair, ill-informed and,
sadly, by design.
Criticism
tends to surface when reporting on meetings with potential new
owners. However we report back, we are criticised. Too factual
- and we're obsequious; too personal - and we're showing bias.
Damned if we do, damned if we don't. The definition - indeed,
recognition - of bias tends of course to depend on your viewpoint.
Yet mindful that our role is to elicit as much information as
possible about the nature of the bid and convey that to the fans
without endorsement, bias is something we have tried hard to avoid.
QPR
1st has no role in the bidding process, only influence. We are
powerless to prevent Chris Wright selling to whoever he chooses,
whenever he chooses, and under terms and conditions he sets himself.
QPR 1st is entirely neutral, neither backing or opposing either
of the two main bids in the frame. Nor, despite accusations to
the contrary, have been responsible for any bidder pulling out.
A handy target to place the blame on, sure - but not responsible.
It
is important to stress that although not behind any particular
bid, what we've seen so far has strengthened a resolve to take
our cues from St (Doubting) Thomas, rather than Lazarus.
But
the positives have far outweighed the negatives since day one.
The overwhelming support from QPR fans has been a crucial motivating
factor. QPR 1st will continue to grow and play an important role
in the life of the club.
So
what is the current state of play at QPR? Our understanding is
that there remain two bidders in the running. A third reported
bid - from America - was one of initial interest, now cooled and
highly unlikely to go any further.
That
leaves the consortiums headed by Brian Melzack and Maurice FitzGerald
at the forefront. It seems likely that the former will shortly
enter a lock-out period, which will pave the way for the club
to be sold.
As
we stated at its launch, QPR 1st is not just another 'here today,
gone tomorrow' protest group. Some of the early suspicion surrounding
the trust has disappeared, and in its place a general understanding
of what our aims and objectives are - not least of all by your
outgoing committee! Turning a unanimous hands-raised verdict that
'we must do something' into a fully democratic, structured and
lasting organisation has been a challenge - especially with so
many distractions along the way - but a rewarding one. If the
ultimate objective - a club run by the fans, for the fans - is
a mile away, we have come barely a few yards as yet. But as we
hand over from one committee to another, we are slowly but surely
getting into our stride.
APPEAL
FOR HELP
QPR
1st is now in the process of setting up a shareholders' database.
To complete this task we need help from people who are prepared
to spend time typing in shareholders' names and addresses. You
will need a computer with Access 2000on it. If you can help please
email info@qpr1st.co.uk
Wednesday
12th September 2001
The
events of the past 24 hours in the United States impact on us
all to such an extent that it feels inappropriate to discuss any
lesser matters without first acknowledging the context in which
we do so.
The
QPR community stretches across the globe, not least of all to
America. To the best of our belief and knowledge those QPR fans
we know of who live and work in New York are all safe and well.
That is of course the smallest of comforts in the face of a tragedy
far above our ordinary comprehension - and all our thoughts and
prayers are with the victims and their families.
******************
Supporters
Direct Conference
Tracy
Stent reports on the recent Supporters Direct Conference, at which
she and several members of the interim committee represented QPR...
Last
Thursday's conference was Supporters Direct first. They are now
planning on holding them annually and I'm sure they will enjoy
many years of success.
I
arrived at Birkbeck at around 10.45 and caught the end of the
Opening Plenary, which was a session that explained The Supporter
Trust Movement and how the Corporate Governance of Football Clubs
works.
Chairing
was Jonathan Michie, Director of Supporters Direct, and also Chairman
of Shareholders United, which is an organisation formed to campaign
for all interests (including emotions) that Manchester United
supporting shareholders have in the club.
Speakers
were:
Brian
Lomax - Chairman of Supporters Direct and President of the Northampton
Town Supporters Trust.
The Rt.Hon.Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport
Nic Coward - Company Secretary, The Football Association
Dr Christine Oughton - Director, football Governance Research
Centre, Birkbeck.
I
arrived late, and this particular session had been underway for
a fair amount of time. I did hear the top table talk briefly about
Customer Charters (Where is QPR's? Despite my dropping hints to
the club over a period of time, have they actually written one
yet?) and one interesting comment I heard from the FA chap is
how a large number of football clubs are heading for financial
problems in a big way.
Time
for a coffee break, then for the mid-morning workshops. There
were four altogether.
1.
How to set up a Supporters Trust
Chairing
was Dave Boyle, caseworker for Supporters Direct, and also vice-chair
of the FSA.
Speakers
were:
Norman
Beverly - Vice-chairman, Stockport County's Supporters Trust.
Kevin Jacquiss - Partner, Cobbetts Solicitors
Joff Wild - Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur Suporters' Trust Steering
Committee
2.
Strategies for Supporters of PLC Clubs
Chairing
was Sean Hamil, Deputy Director, Football Governance Centre, Birkbeck
and also from the Celtic Trust.
Speakers
were:
Professor
Tom Cannon - Everton FC Small Shareholders Association Jeremy
Orrell - Partner, Cobbetts Solicitors.
Martyn Ware - Head of Marketing/Fundraising on the Sheffield Wednesday
Owls Trust.
3.
What can Supporters do when their club is in administration?
Chairing
was Lee Shailer, Research Officer, Football Governance Centre,
Birkbeck.
Speakers
were
Tracy
Stent - QPR 1st Supporters Trust.
Phil Tooley - Executive Board Member, Chesterfield Football Supporters'
Society.
Barry Ward - Ward & Co, Insolvency Specialist.
4.
Community Initiatives
Chairing
was Trevor Watkins, Director, Supporters Direct and Director of
AFC Bournemouth.
Speakers
were:
Yvonne
Fletcher - Director, Luton Town FC and Director, Supporters Direct.
John Hemingham - Chief Executive Officer, the Sheffield Wednesday
Owls Trust.
Piara Powar/Ben Tegg - Kick It Out
I
sat at the top table along with Barry, Lee and Phil. Surprisingly
only around a dozen or so people were in attendance, a fact which
someone from Southend United made of point of mentioning, especially
after the way in which the FA chap had earlier commented on the
amount of clubs facing financial problems. An interesting point,
and one which I tend to think highlights the heads-burying-in-sand
syndrome which many clubs, and their fans, will take before they
are forced to face up to the harsh realities which will more than
likely hit them, sooner rather than later.
Barry
gave a little talk first, giving an explanation of what administration
means and the steps that can be taken regarding the administrative
process. I then spoke about the QPR experience, the basic notes
of which I have attached, and briefly went into basic detail.
There wasn't really much time for a question and answers session
as we were pushed for time. Next Phil spoke about the Chesterfield
experience. How they got their Trust up and running at a time
of real turmoil at Saltergate; how they purchased the club for
£6,000 (the amount they raised from their original meeting); how
they then had to call in the administrators to protect their club
from all the creditors who were knocking on their door; how they've
managed to attract friendly loans and funds from many people,
including the Council; and how they are now ensuring that they
do everything within their power that Chesterfield FC come out
of administration to become a creditable and successful club.
I
really enjoyed it and if I have one gripe it was that we needed
far more time to talk about administration and the implications
of it. So, lunchtime, and we were directed to the Brunei Galleries,
just down the road, where a rather nice lunch was laid on for
everyone. I had time for a brief chat with some old Spurs friends,
and then met up with an old acquaintance from one of the Watford
Supporters Clubs. She is rather peeved that Steve Palmer left
Watford (he was her favourite player) and we've arranged to meet
up, with another of her friends one afternoon when they're not
working, and go down to the QPR training ground for a 'girls afternoon'.
Mmmm.
It
was time for the afternoon workshops to commence. We decided to
split up and go to different sessions which were:
1.
Holding Elections
Chairing
was Dave Boyle.
Speakers
were:
Andy
Regan - Special Projects Manager, Electoral Reform Services. Andrew
Roberts - Election.com
2.
Internal Trust Governance and Finance Procedures
Chairing
was Peter Hunt, Company Secretary, Suporters Direct.
Speakers
were:
Mervyn
Watson - Chief Executive & Principal, The Co-operative College.
Kieran Chauhan - The Co-operative College.
3.
Being a Club Director
Chairing
was Brian Lomax
Speakers
were:
Rob
Bradley - Chairman, Lincoln City FC.
Yvonne Fletcher - Director, Luton Town FC.
4.
Effective use of the Media - Practical Exercises
Chairing
was Jim White, Columnist at the Guardian.
Speakers
were:
Phil
Tooley - Executive Board member, Chesterfield Supporters Society.
Andy Walsh - Independent Manchester United Supporters Association.
Other
QPR 1st bods went to the finance procedures session and the club
director one, and I took myself off to the media session. I have
to say it was highly enjoyable. Jim White obviously knows his
stuff, and Andy is a very assured talker. At the back of the room
was a News of the World sports journo and he was asked to join
the rest of the top table a little later on once the practical
exercise had been established. Firstly, Jim, Andy and Phil all
gave little tips about effective use of the media: utilising local
press/media; seek opinions; maximising potential media skills;
release lots of press releases, etc.
Anyway
the practical exercise involved us getting into around groups
of eight, and preparing a press release with the info we had been
supplied with. Tolpuddle FC: current chairman wants to sell the
ground, build a hotel complex and merge them with another club
10 miles away. (Sound familiar?) We had to prepare a press release
announcing our intentions to hold a meeting announcing our decision
to set up supporters trust to buy a stake in the club.
We
had 20 minutes in which to prepare it. Our group consisted of
fans from Enfield Town, Bedford Town, Chesterfield, and QPR. By
the time we got around to talking about how we were going to prepare
it our time was nearly up! A quick hash of a job "Toldpuddle is
associated with resisting the march of history. The Tolpuddle
Trust is committed to keeping the history and community within
the local area," blah blah blah.
We
all then had to nominate someone from our groups to be the spokesperson,
as they then had to speak on the microphone at the front of the
stage, and guess who was nominated from our little group?
It
was all highly enjoyable and at the end, the journo said how he
used to work for the Evening Standard and gave a little example
of how the Standard, as a local paper, didn't want emotional rants,
etc. Also giving 'good quotes' as an example of how releases can
hit the local papers. (Huh, yeah right!).
Time
flew by and before we knew it, it was time for late afternoon
coffee break, the we mad our way to the main room for the closing
plenary:
The
Impact and Future of Supporters Trusts
Chairing
was Brian Lomax
Speakers
were:
David
Buchler - Vice Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Philip French - Chief Spokesman, FA Premier League
John Hemmingham - Chief Executive Officer, Sheff Weds Owls Trust
John Nagle - Press Officer, Football League
Brian
opened the closing session with an introduction of the chaps on
the top table and then David Buchler spoke first. He gave a perspective
regarding his own position as Vice-chairman at Spurs. He spoke
of the change of ownership after Alan Sugar departed and mentioned
how the new owners ENIC asked him to come on board because Spurs
was a club divided in all aspects. He decided to look into five
key areas - Football, Communication, Marketing, Finance and Operations.
He said that when he initially looked at the communications aspect
between the club and its fans, he believed he could see how that
particular club had failed quite spectacularly in that area over
the years. David then went on to say how since the formation of
the Spurs Trust, thus meaning a uniting of Spurs fans across the
various supporter groups, communications between the club and
its fans have improved immensely. He ended by saying how the club
is always bigger than any individual and how important it is for
other clubs to start realising the importance of the fan voices.
David received a warm ovation once he'd finished speaking.
Next
up to speak was Philip French. He gave an explanation of how he
originally was speaker for the Football Trust, before moving onto
the FA. He began by speaking very highly of Supporters Direct
and the concept of trusts. He then went on to give an explanation
of the current measures the FA is taking as regards club improvements
around the country. Customer Charters are basic consultation processes
that now have lots of foundations. The concept of them encourages
clubs on how to make improvements in a variety of aspects that
matter to fans. 600 new measures are to be implemented including
family measures, customer complaint points, appeals procedure,
kits policy (in which there is now a policy which says that clubs
must keep their kit for a minimum of two years) and a whole host
of other measures. There will be reports and all clubs are to
publish next month.
He
mentioned how the FA is monitoring what is going on with clubs
and improvements and implementations are taking place on a regular
basis. Some examples of improvements and initiatives he mentioned
were: community schemes (such as the one at Leyton Orient); the
Prince's Trust, which encourages personal development; and how
seven clubs have frozen their season ticket prices for this season.
Next
up was John Hemmingham. Now as well as having an important role
on the Owls Trust, John is also a member of the Sheffield Wednesday
band who take their instruments all over the Country when following
the Owls (and abroad for England) and the first thing that John
did when it was time for him to speak was to launch into a rousing
tune courtesy of his trumpet. A very large warm round of applause
broke out afterwards and John explained that football and Supporters
Trusts are about fun and enjoyment - which is why he'd decided
to play a tune for everyone in that room - a kind of rallying
call and to remind everyone that the game is all about fun and
enjoyment. He briefly mentioned their own trust and how to a certain
extent they have acted as a watchdog. He advised folk to identify
the doers within their groups and to make use of them. And then
the best sentence of the entire day from John with which he closed
his speech. "The only fan who will not join the trust is one who
does not understand it. Make them understand."
John's
talk had been short and sweet but the essence of the man and the
way he spoke from his heart endeared him to each and every person
in that room as he received a rapturous ovation.
Final
speaker was John Nagle from the Football League. John also kept
his talk brief but he did mention how the effect of football at
the top of the ladder spiralling out of control was having a diverse
effect at the other end of the scale. But then he mentioned how
clubs such as Lincoln and Chesterfield have survived against the
odds thanks to the sheer will and spirit of the local communities
and the fans of those clubs. He said how he believes that financial
divide does mean a significant amount of clubs will have to go
back to basics and be run as community not-for-profit clubs.
Brian
Lomax then invited one of the chaps from the FSA to give a little
explanation about an event that is taking place in November. It's
called Fans 2001 and is being organised by NATFED (National Federation
of Supporters Clubs) and the FSA (Football Supporters Association)
at Coventry City's Highfield Road Ground on Sunday 18 November.
All organisations, fanzines, supporters with internet sites and
individual fans are being invited to attend. A whole host of issues
are intended to be discussed on the day. More info will be available
on the FSA's website which is www.fsa.org.
Put
the date in your diaries folks, though with it being FA Cup first
round weekend (and we have to take part in it sob) we could be
faced with a Sunday game that particular weekend.
A
questions and answers session followed in which a number of issues
were discussed including: live television games; the anti-racism
Kick It Out week, which takes place next month; and Supporters
Trusts to have an inclusive policy regarding away fans i.e. to
encourage consideration for away fans (a top idea). Then it was
time for Brian to bring the Conference to a close.
We
were all invited over to the Birkbeck bar where your committee
enjoyed an evening in the company of various of other fans from
clubs such as Brentford, West Brom, Swansea, Port Vale and West
Ham. One of the guys from Port Vale, who had earlier on that morning
attended the administration session, was most interested in what
I had to say about the QPR 1st experience and has asked me if
I would think about attending the Vale launch next month and say
a few words for them.
As
Graham mentioned a couple of days ago, it was interesting how
a fair number of the fans from other clubs approached us to ask
for advice. Not bad for a group of people, who according to some
of our own fans, are just a bunch of self-grasping, egotistical
elitists.
Rather
less telling (or maybe more, depending on which way you look at
it) was how the last bunch of piss artists to leave were the QPR
and West Ham fans. Two of them, Gary and Justin, are just in the
early stages of starting up the West Ham Supporters Trust.
I
read through the September edition of the Supporter Direct Newsletter
on the way back home on the tube. Dave Price's article about QPR
1st has been published in it. It reads:
QPR
1st: Winning our club back
By
the time this goes to press we at QPR 1st will have gained trust
status and our committee elections will have almost been completed.
Not bad for a group that came together only last April, amidst
crisis at the club we support, and certainly a long way further
than those few of us that originally explored the supporters trust
concept ever dreamed we could go.
Our
ambitions weren't particularly grand when we started looking at
supporters trusts late last year. Were we fired by any lofty principles?
Probably not. Ours was a reaction to the impotence of fans when
faced with a club which was heading for big trouble, but which
appeared to have no strategy to face this beyond hanging on like
grim death. We wanted to find a way of helping.
By
about March this year, with the manager on his way and relegation
threatening, two of QPR 1st's current interim committee members
- Julia Hill and Tracy Stent - set up a meeting at the Uxbridge
Arms in Notting Hill Gate, West London. The speaker was to be
Sean Hamil from Supporters Direct, and no more than 18 people
were expected. However, two days before our meeting, QPR's owners
went into administrative receivership. With no information coming
from the club and with fans seeking any sign that QPR had a future,
word went round quickly about the Uxbridge Arms meeting and Hamil
found himself addressing a room full of people.
Things
developed at a huge speed from that night on. A committee was
formed there and then, which included ordinary fans, small shareholders,
season ticket holders and the leading fanzine editor. Within weeks,
we arranged QPR 1st's initial public meeting at Hammersmith Town
Hall. As Rangers spiralled towards division two, 1,000 people
gathered and, in a tremendous atmosphere of reborn optimism and
purpose, they decided to form a supporters trust. What a feeling
that was for those of us that had taken things that far, to be
on the podium as such a big number of fellow-supporters cheered
both us and themselves.
So
we had a mandate, now we had to become a trust. The first things
we did were to leaflet at the ground at the next home match and
to develop our website (www.qpr1st.co.uk). Meanwhile we divided
the tasks we faced amongst ourselves. We soon learned that there
were areas where we were out of our depth, particularly the financial
world, so we co-opted representatives of the banking industry
from our membership.
Starting
out, we faced unusual problems. We were dealing with a PLC that
was in administration, so we had no way of knowing if our collection
of share voting rights would be worth anything. We were not a
legal entity, but we swiftly collected 1,800 members who clearly
expected us to act on their behalf. Yet even now, with trust status
imminent, we find it difficult to assume that we have the mandate,
on many issues, that democratic elections will give us. In the
end, we have relied on gut instinct plus straw polls to guide
our policy decisions.
Our
situation was further confused by the sale process that was going
on in the background. While we soldiered away turning ourselves
into a trust, a procession of club sale proposals came and went,
ranging from the clearly barking Wimbledon merger or Milton Keynes
move, to serious offers to take the club over and run it as a
business. With the club saying nothing, and tying bidders to confidentiality
agreements, our members expected us to find out what was going
on for them And to express their feelings. So, as well as working
on setting up the trust, holding down jobs and keeping families
on-side, we were effectively interviewing the bidders. And we
still are.
Now
we are nearly there. The sense of achievement is almost overwhelming,
but equally so is the realisation that we still have loads to
do.
In
the coming months we have to canvass our members for their views
on any number of issues - should the club stay at Loftus Road,
are its efforts to be a part of the local community adequate,
what should we be doing to help the club progress - so that we
can represent those views to the club. But what will our relationship
with the club be? It could be a PLC or a limited company, which
would have different implications for shareholding, and it is
clear that at least two of the potential owners see us as little
more that a club fund-raising scheme. They are in for a shock.
We
still have a long way to go, but the mood has changed. Supporters
are more positive, not just because of some good pre-season results
but because they feel they are at last contributing. The club
itself is responding. For all the lack of cash, the effort to
satisfy customers' needs has improved by light years.
Already
we feel we have made a difference and that's what we intend to
carry on doing.
Friday
7th September 2001
Update on the Melzack consortium bid
We
met recently with three of Brian Melzack's consortium - but not
Brian himself - in Central London in the expectation of learning
more about the nature of their bid.
Waiting
to greet us was one of the - then - consortium members, Haleem
Kherallah. Haleem is into property, a lawyer and a registered
FIFA football agent. He can certainly talk and we spent the first
20 minutes listening to him talking about football, particularly
his ideas on how small clubs can survive. His philosophy is to
develop or buy players cheap and sell them big. At one point,
Haleem told us that he knew "what was wrong with every club in
the league" and that "he could put them all right".
At
this point, two other members of the consortium arrive. One was
a larger-than-life character who wouldn't tell us his name - "Just
call me JR," he said. The other was Andy Clark.
JR,
it seemed, was under the (wrong) impression that QPR1st had linked
their consortium with the move to Milton Keynes. He said that
referring to their bid as "Mickey Mouse" had cost them a lot of
money. Quite why he had thought this was the case is a mystery,
but we able to assure him that we had never stated or suggested
any such thing. He replied that he must have been misinformed.
Haleem
was continuing in full flow, and we obliged to point out that
our financial advisor, Bill Butler, had limited time there and
we really needed to discuss the financial implications of their
bid.
Their
supposed structure is simple - as JR set it out. They claim to
have secured "substantial funding from a lender against collateral"
(security in layman's terms) and the intention is to buy out Chris
Wright and leave adequate funds over for working capital. They
also claim they would be buying Chris Wright's shares and - depending
on which answer you believed - would or wouldn't be re-instating
Loftus Road plc on the AIM market. This would remove the current
embargo on dealing (buying/selling) in Loftus Road shares.
Bill
pointed out that in buying Chris Wright's majority shareholding
(including the family trusts, etc), they would likely have an
obligation to make a similar offer to buy out all the other shareholders.
JR acknowledged this but we are far from convinced that he knew
this before we mentioned it. He talked about keeping the fans
involved financially, but we aren't convinced he really has a
full grasp of the issue. In such a share purchase scenario, we
understand that smaller shareholders would have to receive the
same price per share as Chris Wright.
In
supposedly putting up sufficient collateral for borrowing (suggesting
a market value of assets to be pledged up to 30% in excess of
the funds borrowed), they said that they would not be tying in
Loftus Road plc assets (including the ground), which would leave
the club free of any charge and with a pot of working capital.
JR
stated that he want nothing on the QPR 1st website before the
following Wednesday as they were trying to keep a controlled profile
until getting the green light to roll. He said that they have
been involved in their bid for 10 months, at one time considering
a joint bid with Andrew Ellis.
JR
went on to say that (if their bid is successful) he will be working
mainly on the finance side and also overseeing the Academy (which
therefore would need to be re-introduced). He said he would use
the youth team to launch "a new brand". He said he was glad when
Chris Wright took Twyford Avenue out of the equation (Haleem had
the opposite view) as that meant that some of the interested bidders
pulled out. In their deal, there would be a five-year agreement
for QPR to use the training ground.
Haleem
kindly paid for some of us to eat and drink (bloody QPR1st freeloaders...).
Like a lot of talkers, he wasn't a great listener, and more interested
in getting his point across. There was a telling moment very early
on when Haleem seemed to suggest he was unsure about Ian Holloway's
credentials - but quickly changed his tune once we let him know
that we thought the manager was doing a fine job. He said that
he would mobilise the Arab community in West London - and also
by introducing players from the Middle East, who would come much
cheaper than similar European/South American ones. He also said
how attractive our location was and only a madman would want to
move the club to Heathrow. Haleem is an extremely charming man,
who exhudes energy. But if was on the board, then it's all too
easy imagining him interfering in team affairs.
However,
we have since learned that Haleem is no longer part of the consortium,
with suggestions that it is for those very reasons.
JR
is a West Ham fan, but seems to have built quite a genuine passion
for QPR and reckons our supporters are generally a decent lot.
He is amusing and likeable, but clearly wasn't entirely comfortable
with some of our close questioning. He revealed that if QPR needed
to move, they had earmarked three potential new sites, all within
spitting distance of Loftus Road.
Andy
Clark expanded on the branding theme that JR had mentioned earlier,
saying that this would involve the club manufacturing the kit
and creating a sports brand that would fit into the general ethos
of what they were trying to create at QPR, ie innovative and top
quality. It seems, Andy has a lot of experience in brand management
and the plan is to build up and produce goods for all sorts of
sports, ultimately to provide extra income for QPR. We talked
to him about how the club could be run better, and he proved himself
a good listener, taking our points and questions on board, and
providing full answers.
The
meeting was both informal and relaxed. On the face of it, the
deal sounds feasible - but as with the Maurice FitzGerald bid,
there are questions over where the backing is coming from and
the detailed structure of the bid.
Fortunately,
it's not our position to back any bid, especially one over another.
Our task is to convey as much practical information as possible,
together with our impressions of those involved. Our club is in
administration, but there is no pressing need to rush into a deal
for the sake of it. Funding is there for the season - albeit there
are (long overdue) budgetary constraints. With a half-successful
season and a sustained level of support, which has been excellent
so far, it's likely there will be other, more diverse interest
in buying the club.
Finally,
we note with dismay, from our various meetings and contact, that
Chris Wright seems prepared to sell to anyone with the right money
(for him) but that the welfare of the club (which his PR machine
has said he will protect)seems to have become a secondary issue.
Perhaps this will not surprise some people, but we had gained
an impression of someone who was being patient in the early days
and perhaps was genuinely trying to flush out (and see off) the
property developers, who would not think twice about dumping the
Club.
Monday
3rd September 2001
News update
Polling
has now closed for the election to the QPR 1st Committee - and
all the returned forms are currently in the charge of the independent
body, Supporters Direct. They are expected to be counted and the
result announced in around 7-10 days.
For
those of us on the existing Interim Committee - some of whom have
stood for the new Committee, some who haven't - having a new elected
Committee in place will mark an important milestone in the development
of QPR 1st.
We
are all of us acutely aware that although the Trust has come a
long way since that April evening in the Uxbridge Arms in Notting
Hill Gate, really we have only just scratched the surface of what
the Trust can and, one day, will achieve. You only have to look
at the diverse criticism levelled at QPR 1st to see how difficult
it is to balance the demands of all supporters. There is clearly
still much work to be done on putting across to fans what a Supporters
Trust is, what it can achieve - and how it is there for everyone.
There is still plenty of room for improvement in areas such as
communication, lots of ideas and initiatives yet to be implemented,
and above all scope to involve members more. So lots of I's for
QPR 1st to address:
- Improvement
-
Ideas
- Initiatives
- Implementation
- Inclusion
- Involvement
But
given the experiences of other Supporters Trusts at other clubs,
it is perhaps more appropriate to acknowledge the contribution
QPR 1st has made to what is a vastly improved climate at the club.
This is not about patting ourselves on the back - but praising
you, the membership. Without the support and backing of some 2,000
of you - making us one of, if not the biggest Trusts in the country
- it would have been so much harder to establish any kind of credibility
with the club, administrators and prospective buyers. Your feedback
has helped steer QPR 1st and will continue to dictate the direction
of the Trust in future.
It
is important, too, to acknowledge the work done by chief executive
David Davies and manager Ian Holloway, not only in the way they
have turned the club around on and off the field, but both men
have been fully supportive of QPR 1st. Neither could have achieved
what they have without the goodwill and support of their staff
- in David Davies' case, the marketing and clerical team, who
in spite of the obvious operating difficulties and job insecurity
caused by the club being in administration, can take justifiable
pride in the improvements made off the field; in Ian Holloway's
case, bringing in a set of players who appear to put the pride
of playing for QPR above the size of their monthly salary cheque,
and who have contributed to improvements made on the field.
Both
Ian Holloway and David Davies have impressed us greatly with their
professionalism. Both, it seems, are fully understanding of the
need to treat supporters as an integral component of the football
club, not as some sort of irritant body to appease and pay lip
service to their demands. The days of supporters being seen as
nothing more than turnstile fodder are beginning to end at QPR
- and three cheers for that.
David
Davies has been open and honest with us about the efforts to bring
the club out of administration and facilitate an eventual sale.
At a club where vested interest has in the past all too often
led to an insular, almost hostile relationship, it is refreshing
to deal with someone who appears to put the club's interests above
his own. It would be easier of course if we were able to paint
the chief executive as a big bad wolf - but we can only call it
as we find.
An
hour spent with Ian Holloway would make even the most arthritic
supporter want to put on a pair of boots and go out and give everything
for the cause, such is his enthusiasm and motivation for QPR.
He is keen to embrace greater supporter involvement in the way
the club is run. QPR 1st recommended Leroy Griffiths to the club,
and with Ian Holloway's full backing we are currently in the process
of setting up a system whereby any supporter can recommend a player,
with the guarantee that providing it is a sensible recommendation
and fits certain criteria, someone in the scouting set-up WILL
go and watch him. This is surely unique in the history of the
English game - and Leroy is a testament to what can be achieved
in partnership between the club and the supporters. Ian has agreed
to appear at the next public meeting arranged by QPR 1st.
On
a less positive note, it was extremely disappointing to see that
the programme can't seem to bring itself to acknowldge the existence
of QPR 1st. We have to ask, why on earth not? For example, the
following appeared in the Reading programme: "QPR fan Tom Rizzo
who lives in America, heard that a group of supporters were working
hard to forge closer links with the community - and decided to
donate a family season ticket to social services." The piece and
accompanying photograph appears to suggest that this was a deal
between the club and the Council. In fact, the season ticket was
donated to QPR 1st by Tom, who is a Trust member and has contributed
many ideas on community initiatives. It was his insistence that
the season ticket go under the umbrella of the Trust as part of
the community working group.
Following
the debacle over ticketing at Northampton, QPR 1st intervened
and the club swiftly issued a statement - but again no mention
of having discussed the matter with the Trust.
Of
course, we don't expect the club to acknowledge QPR 1st at every
turn, but as a newly-formed organisation working extremely hard
to establish a good working relationship with everyone to build
a better QPR, it is disappointing that acknowledging our existence
should be so difficult.
Perhaps
the answer to why that is lies in the Bristol City programme.
In it, there is news that the club is "to develop a supporter
liaison group of approximately four fans who would be willing
to meet with club officials and directors on a regular basis (probably
every 6 weeks) with the objective of assisting the club in improving
communication and customer service, as well as feeding back any
ideas or concerns the fans may have".
Now,
we're not sure about you, but to us that sounds like the sort
of thing a democratically elected Supporters Trust could and should
be involved in. We are not talking about the same old faces meeting
with the club, but we are talking about people who have access
to the feedback and findings of QPR 1st. Why couldn't the club
come to, say, QPR 1st and the LSA and ask each of us to put forward
two or three willing fans from within our respective memberships
to meet with the club as per the outline? The advantages barely
need spelling out.
It
will be very interesting to see who the club choose to represent
the fans. Our understanding is that they are due to meet soon
with the Supporters Club and it would be no surprise, given past
experience, if the liaison group were drawn from this body. Yet
the Supporters Club is self-elected, provides no discernible benefit
to any QPR fan, is presided over by a chairman who never attends
away games, and in a time of economic restraint at QPR has a committee
which continues to make use of free travel and free tickets. Prominent
QPR 1st and LSA committee members will be at Brighton because
they queued overnight to secure a ticket. The Supporters Club
has not a single member and, as far as we are aware, no valid
mechanism to receive the views and opinions of QPR fans in general.
QPR
1st has come a long way in one sense, just a few stumbling steps
in another. Onwards and upwards, as they say.
Wednesday
29th August 2001
Appeal for help from members
QPR
1st have been approached by the club and asked if there are any
car mechanics or garage owners within the QPR 1st
membership who would be willing to assist one of the squad with
their car. We are unable to provide any further information at
this time but would ask anyone who might be interested in helping
to contact us by email to info@qpr1st.co.uk
QPR
LSA Fundraising Bike Ride
QPR
LSA have arranged a fundraising bike ride to coincide with the
Bank Holiday game at Wycombe Wanderers,
click here for details.
Wednesday
22nd August 2001
Update and report on Mondays meeting with Ian Holloway and David
Davies
Apart
from last night's traditional first round League Cup exit, Rangers'
solid start to the season has pushed the on-going sale of the
club to the back of many minds. Members who visit the QPR 1st
website regularly will have long since realised that we only put
up news as and when it happens. Better this, we believe, than
trying to spin out a story for the sake of it - which experience
has shown merely leads to idle speculation and false rumour.
It
doesn't mean that we aren't working away, busy as ever, though.
Further on you can read a report of our Monday night meeting with
David Davies and Ian Holloway. Tomorrow, subject to confirmation,
we will be meeting with members of Brian Melzack's consortium.
But
first a few other things.
Last
night's debacle with the ticketing at Northampton is something
we are already addressing with QPR. We were dismayed to learn
that QPR had advised Northampton that only 4-500 Rangers fans
would travel to the game, when it was clear to us that the figure
would be much higher. We are also writing to Northampton Town
FC to register a complaint over the ticketing arrangements and
the decision not to put the game back 15 minutes, which would
have taken a lot of the tension out of the situation outside the
ground, where hundreds of Rangers fans were still queueing for
tickets long after kick-off. For some, getting their hands on
a ticket wasn't the end of the story. Many were still denied access
to the ground until well after 8.20pm - until Northampton fans
had been moved to accomodate the overflow of QPR.
This
is simply not good enough, and we will be taking up the issue
with both clubs and offering to provide advice and guidance in
future. We will also be asking Northampton Town to reduce the
ticket prices for the league match to compensate for last night's
fiasco, as well as suggesting that game is made all-ticket.
On
a more positive note... we are now officially QPR 1st Supporters
Society Ltd and registered on the registry of friendly societies.
For those interested, our number is 29265R. We hope shortly to
have a PDF file of the Constitution available to members.
Finally,
if you are a registered member and have not received your voting
form in the post, please contact us with your name and address
details.
And
so on to the recent meeting at Loftus Road:
Seven
of the QPR1st interim committee met up with David Davies and Ian
Holloway on Monday night to talk further with David about bids
and behind-the-scenes goings-on and with Ian about playing matters
- frankly something we all enjoy more.
The
subject of Bury was brought up first and this helped everyone
to relax. We discussed the fans' appreciation of what Ian has
achieved in such a short timescale and with restricted finances.
Ian spoke first about Chris Wright, saying that despite his unpopularity
with Rangers supporters at the moment, he has always been very
fair with him. He feels that Wright has been treated harshly and
believes people need to know "the truth" about him. Ian stated
that the ex-chairman has always been very fair with him personally,
phoning to offer thanks for the results pre-season and in the
opening two games - a gratitude, Ian said, which was something
in short supply during his four and a half years at Bristol Rovers,
where having made them a five-million pound profit, he received
not one word of thanks from the board.
Olly
spoke at some length about his experiences since he arrived at
QPR and the way he likes to do the job. Soon after arriving at
the club, we went into administration and he had to make a lot
of difficult decisions about who could stay and who couldn't.
Basically anyone on a large contract which had expired could not
stay because of the acute financial situation. Ian told of a very
busy summer building a new team and of the type of player he wants
- those who will give their all and have the desire to learn and
be good team players. He said that Clarke Carlisle and Richard
Langley fit into this category; that both are in good spirits,
despite their terrible injuries, and it is hoped we may see both
of them back in the hoops early in the new year. It appears there
is no pressure to sell either of them.
Ian
also spoke about how he is a long-termist. He wants to work with
the youth coaches and young players to let them know that they
have a chance of first team football at QPR. The new scouting
network is run by Mel Johnston, who came from Watford, and it
will be highly active in the local area. Moreover, with our current
financial situation, we have little choice but to pursue this
policy. Any player who comes to Rangers now is going to be on
a short contract, with wages to match our current position. He
spoke about how the fans have been excellent to him since he got
back and he is very grateful that they recognise his efforts.
He is also very impressed by the offers of help from fans, such
as the Winton brothers with the M'Bombo deal.
The
subject of a scouting network consisting of fans was broached.
Olly was very receptive to this and stated that any players recommended
by fans WILL be looked at by the scouting team.
This
then paved the way to talk about the Supporters Trust, and its
ultimate aims. Ian only had a vague knowledge of the Trust, so
we gave him the lowdown and impressed on him that we are here
to generate ideas that help QPR as a whole. He is very interested
in the community aspects of the club and said that both he and
the players will make every effort to get out amongst our fans
at events.
That
won't include an Open Day this year, of course, as QPR's annual
event was cancelled - in contrast to Wasps, whose own Open Day
got the green light from Chris Wright.
And
that's the truth.
We
provided both David and Ian with copies of some of the ideas generated
from within the committee itself, and through the website. We
spoke briefly about the elections and Ian asked how many would
be on the committee. We emphasised how the Trust is intended to
be representative of all QPR fans/supporter groups. We spoke about
football in the community, the academy and schoolboy football,
with Ian agreeing that greater emphasis needs to go into kids
from an early age, right through the ranks.
He
spoke of how things have been on the slippery slope at this club
for a long time. He also talked about his concerns with players
and their feelings. Sammy Koejoe was mentioned, and it sounds
as if he is definitely on the way out once someone comes in for
him. Ian reckons we have a good squad of around 18 players for
the first team. After this, the players' ability level drops drastically.
He told how it hurts to have to let players go. At one stage we
had 66 players on the books - a good chunk of those on very healthy
wages. By the end of the season they hope to have around 42 players
on the books.
Dou
Dou was talked about and Olly said how he does feel a different
kind of pressure about Dou Dou succeeding because the money that's
enable him to come to the club is from a private source. Ben Askar
is sponsored for three months (his accommodation, etc). We discussed
how QPR 1st members could possibly help with a Ben Askar appeal
- or some other player. Both Ian and David were receptive to this
suggestion. There was also a good reaction when we mentioned about
possible financial help (maybe some kind of sponsorship) as regards
the youth/academy side of things. As ever, we would welcome YOUR
views on this.
Ian
left, and we spoke with David Davies about the current status
of bids. The two main players at the moment - nobody will be surprised
to know - are the consortiums led by Maurice Fitzgerald and Brian
Melzack. Negotiations are at a delicate stage. Although we'd love
to be able to know more - let alone report more - frankly, that
is as much as we know at present. A new owner will involve fear
of the unknown for the current employees at Loftus Road, but David
stated that, nevertheless, he would like it to happen as soon
as possible to help the general running of the club - something
which definitely holds QPR back at present.
Chris
Wright and Maurice FitzGerald were meeting this same evening,
although Wright isn't officially back in his office until Sept
5. The shareholders' aspect, along with the takeover panel and
stock market was touched on with regards the sale. David Davies
mentioned that the club were still receiving enquiries, although
none of any great substance. He asked how we saw the two deals
- Maurice FitzGerald's and Brian Melzack's - but we reiterated
that QPR 1st are in no position to make any kind of favourable
noise towards either bid until we know details of backers and
the structure of the bid.
Presently
QPR are not allowed to spend a penny on stadium maintenance apart
from essential work to mantain safety standards. The club can't
pay bonuses or do anything except the most basic marketing, a
situation that means that maintaining morale is a huge job. Some
people didn't get a programme v Stoke as the club can only budget
for an estimated crowd, and were surprised at the size of the
support at that game. A print run for an expected 15,000 is in
place for the Reading game. A seemingly trivial example of our
problems, but something which highlights the extent, is the need
to replace seats when they get broken (usually at reserve games,
from the pitch!) or worn out - which is something the administrators
will not release company funds for. At £15 a time, the spares
are soon running out.
That
£15 represents a tidy sponsorship idea and we told David about
some other sponsorship and fund-raising initiatives we felt could
help QPR, and through our membership hopefully we will come up
with many more for the future. In the same vein QPR need to lease
the school site to ease parking problems and provide some much
needed revenue. We have provided our contacts in the council to
get this ball moving.
The
rest of the discussion consisted of general matters, including
the need to get more fans into Loftus Road rather than move; Wycombe
Wanderers (not sold our full allocation yet); Ellerslie turnstiles
(not enough folk manning them near to kick-off time); queues at
the blue and white bar; the showing of previous away match/goals
in the bars prior to games; Brighton tickets (number of books
allowed, game to be screened?, stewarding of the queue on Saturday
morning); BBC car park (QPR have usage until end of month); and
the closure of South Africa Road on matchdays (the council have
reduced the cost to enable this to happen).
The
meeting with Ian Holloway was without doubt the most enjoyable
meeting we have had to date. He talks openly, and his aims are
so in tune with the aims of all our supporters, that it's impossible
not to get caught up in the mood. Ian Holloway's enthusiasm, eagerness
for success, and love for QPR shines through. He's warm, a good
talker, shrewd, and able to differentiate between reality and
fiction. It's hard to imagine any of the players not wanting to
give one hundred per cent for him. David Davies, too, continues
to impress with his openness and integrity. All in all, a positive
evening all round.
Friday
17th August 2001
We
are currently in the process of gathering ideas and suggestions
and need contributions from as many of you as possible, any idea
on any matter great or small associated with QPR and the potential
role of QPR 1st will be of value. please click
here for more info.
Friday
10th August 2001
Election forms update
Thanks
to a small team of your Interim Committee members, plus two willing
little girls belonging to Mum and Dad on the committee, all the
election forms have now been posted out. Please take the time
and trouble to vote, and to select the EIGHT candidates you feel
will best represent you on the new elected committee. Overseas
members, who are also eligible to vote, will be contacted separately.
The
election forms were posted overnight, and you have until August
28th to return them. Remember that the final count will be scrutinised
by Supporters Direct to ensure all is above board.
May
we take this opportunity to thank all QPR 1st members for your
support over the past few weeks, and to wish everyone involved
with Queens Park Rangers Football Club a happy and sucessful season
- ON and OFF the field.
Wednesday
8th August 2001
QPR 1st Statement
On
the eve of a new season, QPR 1st issue the following statement:
"In
the wake of a highly-promising pre-season by the team, and the
positive sense of community within the club as a whole, we call
on all supporters to demonstrate their love and commitment to
Queens Park Rangers Football Club by packing out Loftus Road this
season, and providing the passion and vocal backing needed to
spur the team on to success.
We
call on the players to match that passion on the field and to
play for Queens Park Rangers with pride, professionalism, commitment
and desire, in the knowledge that if they do so, QPR fans will
in turn provide a level of support, home and away, unmatched by
any club in the Second Division.
We
call on manager Ian Holloway to instil in his players the values
of Queens Park Rangers Football Club; to motivate them; and cement,
both in themselves and each other, the belief and confidence,
shown pre-season; and which exemplifies the renewed spirit at
the club.
We
call on the backroom staff to continue the hard work that has
clearly been done the close season, despite the uncertainty and
difficulties created by administration - high-profile friendlies
against Celtic and Chelsea, and the record number of season tickets
sold, proof that the club is moving forward once more
And
we call upon the Administrator and owner Chris Wright, as well
as those currently bidding for the club, to ensure that every
decision made is in the best interests of Queens Park Rangers
Football Club; and, to that end, remain aware of the responsibility
they carry.
We
at QPR 1st pledge to carry on tirelessly working to protect the
long-term future of Queens Park Rangers, and to serve the supporters
of this great club with the utmost dedication and integrity.
At
the end of last season, some people were predicting the last rites
for Queens Park Rangers Football Club. Now, as the club goes into
a new season, with renewed hope and confidence restored, we believe
that in the words of Mark Twain... the reports of our demise were
greatly exaggerated.
UUUUUURRRRRRRRssssssssssssssssss"
Wednesday
1st August 2001
Call goes out to bidders to reveal all
In
the wake of Andrew Ellis withdrawing his bid for the club, the
local Council has reaffirmed its support for QPR. An official
statement said: "Hammersmith & Fulham Council is heartened to
see that the views of Queens Park Rangers fans are being taken
into account in deciding the football club's future."
Mayor
Andrew Slaughter added: "The council is not taking a view on any
individual bid and in any case does not have the information to
do so. We are simply restating our support for the club, the same
support the administration has shown for all three football clubs
in the borough. We believe QPR is an asset to the area. At the
end of the day the future of every football club is decided on
commercial grounds, but we are heartened to see that fans' views,
many of whom are local residents, are being taken into account."
Meanwhile
we have been taking further talks with Maurice FitzGerald, whose
bid has been tabled, in an effort to learn more about the identity
of his financial backers. We are also interested in speaking with
Brian Melzack, who remains an interested party; and also with
the 'third' party who we are led to believe is about to come in
with a "renewed" bid.
Whilst
there is no suggestion of any underhand dealings within the tabled
bids, that they may or may not be backed by property developers
is cause enough in itself to remain cautious about any or all
of them. And whereas the QPR-supporting credentials of both Maurice
and Brian are unquestioned, it is misleading of the media to report
the bids as "fans consortiums" without knowing the identities
of who make up the consortium.
It
is important to stress then that QPR 1st does not endorse any
one bid over another. We repeat our challenge to any new owners
to go fully public about their short- and long-term plans for
QPR and how that will be financed - a transparency that we believe
will help increase QPR fans' confidence, and indeed strengthen
any bid into the bargain. Whilst uncertainty remains over the
full identity of the new owners, then it is understandable if
the fans remain cautious at best over the future of the club.
NEWSFLASH
31st July 2001
Ellis withdraws bid
Andrew
Ellis has withdrawn his bid to buy QPR. He told QPR 1st: "In light
of the recent Council vote, opposition voiced on the messageboards,
and the result of the poll which showed 80 per cent backing for
Maurice FitzGerald's bid, I don't intend to take on the fans over
this issue, and as I promised I would in these circumstances have
officially withdrawn my bid. I would like to wish Maurice FitzGerald
the very best with his bid, and I look forward to being back in
the Ellerslie watching QPR as an ordinary fan this coming season."
More..
Our
understanding is that a further bid from the Brian Melzack-led
consortium is about to be tabled. In light of this renewed interest,
and the withdrawal of Andrew Ellis's bid, we urge both Maurice
and Brian to make the terms of their bid fully public, including
the identity of their financial backers, together with comprehensive
details of their proposed business plan.
There
is a real sense of community spirit at the club at present, and
a belief that the club is at last going forward. If that is nurtured,
with everyone pulling together - fans, owners and players alike
- then exciting times lie ahead for Queens Park Rangers Football
Club.
QPR
fans, as stakeholders, have a right to know and express a voice
in the way their club is run. And as has been proved time and
time again, can be highly influential. When it comes to supporting
their club, QPR fans are without equal. Any new owner embracing
that will be halfway towards achieving success. The days of done
deals behind closed doors are history at QPR. It is the beginning
of a new era for the club, and after years of poor management,
we are tantalisingly close to being the model for how a modern,
professional club can be run in partnership between the fans and
the owners, whilst retaining all the traditional values of what
the club has been built on.
The
challenge then is there for both Maurice and Brian to be fully
open about their bids - especially concerning their financial
backers. Will either take up the challenge?
Watch
this space.
Update
31st July 2001
Straw Poll - Reactions and feedback
As
might be imagined, a lot of people have mailed us with comments
on the issue of moving away from Loftus Road, the strengths and
weaknesses of the respective Andrew Ellis and Maurice FitzGerald
bids, and the advisability of conducting a straw poll on which
of the two bids QPR 1st members prefer. The result of the straw
poll was over 80 per cent in favour of the Maurice FitzGerald
bid - Bid B.
Click
here to view a selction of the views and responses we received.
Update
30th July 2001
Trust members vote by huge margin to say at Loftus Road
The
straw poll conducted last week, in which we outlined the two confirmed
bids for QPR and asked members which of them in principle they
preferred, produced a healthy response. As of midday today, 629
votes have been cast. The poll has been carefully scutinised to
ensure that only vote per member has been counted. The result
is:
Bid
A - 103 votes
Bid B - 526 votes
Around
20 people replied pointing out that there was insufficient information
given to make an informed judgement. This we fully acknowledge,
but repeat it was merely a straw poll and recognise that many
people would have wished to qualify their vote if the sale of
the club really did depend on the result.
But
it doesn't, and Andrew Ellis's bid (outlined as Bid A and which
plans to move QPR out of Loftus Road and to a purpose-built stadium
and hotel and leisure complex) remains Chris Wright's preferred
bid, it seems. This, despite Maurice FitzGerald's bid (outlined
as Bid B and which keeps QPR at Loftus Road and develops the community
aspects of the club) being the preferred choice of over 80 per
cent of Trust members.
It
was only a straw poll, and so it would be misleading to make categorical
assertions at this stage about the result. But 80 per cent is
just too high a figure, and the return both statistically sound
and representative of QPR fans in general, simply to dismiss out
of hand. Indeed, it mirrors the result produced by two previous
independent polls carried out on the subject of moving ground.
If nothing else, it sends out a clear message to Chris Wright
and the Administrators that selling to Andrew Ellis is clearly
not supported by the fan-base.
Up
until now, as an Interim Committee given a mandate to take QPR
1st forward to a democratically elected supporters trust, where
(then) the properly surveyed views of members will dictate policy,
we have had to rely on what we believed was the majority opinion
of QPR fans. As such our platform from day one has been to keep
QPR in the local area.
That
wording must remain very deliberate, because we recognise that
the question of QPR moving away from Loftus Road, and moving outside
the area, are two very separate arguments and carry two weights
of opinion. In other words, the issue of 'if and when QPR move
from Loftus Road' needs to be qualified by the question of 'where
to?'.
Despite
accusations from one of two directions that the wording of the
outlined bids was biased in favour of Bid B (something we refute
totally), the straw poll was conducted in line with our stated
policy of presenting as many details as possible about the nature
of the bids and allowing members to decide which they prefer.
The
result does not - and can not - mean that QPR 1st is about to
give its unqualified backing to Maurice FitzGerald's bid. But
as someone who has repeatedly vowed to put the long-term interests
of QPR ahead of his own financial loss, and who stated very clearly
after the Wimbledon merger business that, as custodian of the
club, he would always listen to the wishes of QPR fans, our expectation
is that Chris Wright, in conjunction with the Administrator, will
fully consider the poll results before relinquishing control of
the club.
Update 27th July 2001
First
off, thanks to everyone who have already responded to our email
straw poll, which outlines the two current confirmed bids and
asks you, in principle, which of the two you favour. Quite rightly,
a handful of people have responded saying that there is not enough
information given on which to form a valid opinion. But it is
only a straw poll, nothing more - which is why the words 'in principle'
were important.
Today
four of the interim committee members met with the person behind
the latest of those bids; Maurice Fitzgerald. He was known to
all of us of course as he was one of the initial members of the
trust but none of us have had contact with him since he left.
We wanted to get some finer points on his bid, and whereas much
of the stuff had to remain confidential we came away having learnt
a fair deal.
Their
offer represents money to pay off a sum to Chris Wright, all the
club's other creditors and running costs for a small number of
years. There are a number of innovative fund raising initiatives
and more potential investors to carry on the process, intimate
details of which he could not reveal. The money is coming from
2 sources, one of whom is an investment company and the other
from a small number of wealthy Rangers fans.
The
director at the investment firm is a long time QPR fan brought
up near White City. As stated in this consortium's bid in the
press they have an intention to stay at Loftus Road. However they
did say this; "We are committed to staying at Loftus Rd and any
discussion of a move is premature until success is achieved by
way of promotion. We wish to stay in West London & preferably
LBHF as we consider the heart and soul of the club will be ripped
out by a move to out of town locations. Additionally the financial
aspects have to be considered and at present emerging from administration,
the cost of a new site and ground owned by QPR is not feasible.
In
any event this is not a decision for the new owners but the Fans
and we would not even consider moving without Fans approval."
Lastly Fitzgerald stated that he is very pleased with the way
the club has been run since administration and would look to make
no changes below board level should their bid be successful. We
will hopefully meet again with as many of the parties involved
in bidding for QPR and report back to you as soon as we can.
Wednesday
25th July 2001
Public Council
Meeting this Evening
"This
Council backs the supporters of Queen's Park Rangers Football
Club in their efforts to secure their club's financial future
and to remain in Hammersmith & Fulham"
This
motion will be discussed at a public Council Meeting in the Council
Chamber, Hammersmith Town Hall, tonight Wednesday 25th July at
7pm. It has been proposed and seconded by local councillors and
QPR fans; Councillor Wesley Harcourt and Councillor Reg McLaughlin.
The whole thing has come about as a result of our discussions
with our local council.
The
meeting is a discussion between local councillors rather than
a public meeting but there is a public gallery that holds 30 people
or so and if more people come along they will find more space.
Thursday
19th July 2002
In
an exciting development for QPR, the year-old supporters trust,
QPR 1st, has announced it has purchased the club from Chris Wright.
A
spokesperson for the trust said last night: "We have really radical
plans for QPR, which we believe will have the backing of supporters
and enable our club to go forward once more."
The
move to put the club in the hands of supporters follows successful
fan buy-outs at Lincoln, Chesterfield and Bournemouth. It is believed
that QPR 1st has put together a ten-year business plan, which
will see the club run professionally, with 'customer concern'
at the top of its agenda. The business plan budgets for QPR breaking
even as a Second Divison club, and operating in profit in a higher
division.
The
move towards a wage cap is not surprising, with QPR occupying
91st position in a recent Deloitte-Touche survey, which listed
wages as a percentage of the total income. Around two-thirds of
clubs, headed by Manchester United in the 60% bracket, are below
the 100% theoretical break-even figure. Queens Park Rangers' 144%
ratio of wages-to-income was surpassed only by Darlington.
The
QPR 1st spokesperson said: "That sort of figure is totally unsustainable,
and has contributed towards the financial mess that the club has
been in for far too long."
Contentiously,
the QPR 1st business plan does NOT include merging with any other
club, and will keep QPR at Loftus Road and see it run as a community
club.
The
purchase comes after QPR 1st, backed financially by fans who will
now individually own a proportional share of the club, re-negotiated
loans owed to Chris Wright, who in turn has agreed to restructure
the debts in order for the club to be saved. QPR now joins a select
band of clubs in fan ownership held in trust...
Thursday
19th July 2001
Apologies
for having got anyone's hope up. The above, sadly, is just a spoof.
Or
is it?
In
fact, while most parts of it are true (frighteningly, the Deloitte-Touche
figures are accurate), there is no reason whatsoever why at some
stage we couldn't put out such a statement for real. In fact,
we are currently in on-going dialogue with Chris Wright over the
future of the club and trying to persuade him that there are alternatives
even to those bids tabled so far. Our talks have proven extremely
positive.
QPR
1st met with Chris Wright and David Davies late last week to discuss
a number of issues. Probably the most important question on everybody's
lips at present concerns the status of bids from prospective buyers.
There are a number of people who have made enquiries, ranging
from the ridiculous to the potentially serious - and at least
one of these has been given access to the books to assess whether
they wish to proceed with a formal bid. To date, there have been
only three actual offers.
The
first was from McAlpines, for both Loftus Road and Twyford Avenue
(not QPR itself), but was turned down. The other two offers are
from Clive Taylor, with the backing of Richard Thompson; and from
Andrew Ellis, whose backing is unknown. Wright stated that he
didn't think Andrew had any personal wealth to invest, had no
idea who was backing him, but would be prepared to sell to him
if he comes up with legitimate funds. In fact, he has entered
into a verbal agreement with Andrew Ellis. Wright also confirmed
that whilst Andrew Ellis had shown some proof of funds, he believed
a bank would require stronger proof.
We
put to Chris Wright allegations being made that it was HIS money
behind Andrew Ellis. He stated categorically that no Wright family
money was involved in any of the bids. David Davies mentioned
that all sorts of shady characters had been enquiring about buying
the club, including one declaration of interest that had arrived...
on prison headed paper!
Wright
told us that there was no conditions of sale at all beyond him
wanting someone who would help take QPR forward. Whereas he publicly
stated that he had a problem with the location aspect of the Milton
Keynes bid, privately he has no such problems with Ellis on the
Heathrow question - "that would be good for QPR." That, though,
doesn't sit with the fact Chris Wright has consistently stated
he "only wants what's best for QPR". In fact, he's on record as
saying that he won't sell to anyone who wants to move us away
from Loftus Road. David Davies said that he understood the proposed
site has all sorts of planning obstacles in its way. He described
it as a very, very long shot in terms of getting planning permission,
as it has 'meadow' status, has a private school on the land, and
crosses over three boroughs.
When
asked if he would remain on the board if Andrew Ellis took over,
Wright replied that Andrew Ellis had suggested to him that he
should remain for an initial period until loans owed to him were
paid off (these have been reduced by the Wasps/Twyfo | 
