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- QPR History in Photos: From the 1880s to the 21st Century - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
- The Main QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
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NEW QPR STADIUM UPDATE
Yesterday, The Guardian reported on a new 15 million pound Loan taken out by QPR and there were concerns about QPR Financial losses and growing debts.
Today a tweet from Chairman Fernandes offered a brief explanation.
Tony Fernandes @tonyfernandes4h: "Loan for qpr is for new stadium. Next 2 weeks will be hopefully good news. But work is starting. We will not say anymore on stadium."
This is really the first stadium update since the beginning of the season, when the Chairman and CEO were talking about a new stadium and something being announced within weeks. (See for example, The Guardian in July 2012)
At the recent QPR Fan Forum in February, QPR Chairman CEO, Philip Beard made reference to a new stadium, but made no hint that a decision was near.
"The stadium is a bit more of a challenge. I think Chelsea and a few other clubs have been looking for years to move. What we have got is a group of owners committed to doing it. 100 per cent. One of the things we haveto face is as great as this place is, and you only have to listen to the comments tonight, it is just not what is required for a club that has aspirations like we have all got to stabilise our position in the Premier League and kick on. It will take time to get right. The craziness of trying to talk about that too much in the press, even Tony when he tweets about stuff, they will pick up on it. Trust me, land values don’t go down too much when people hear about you wanting to buy their land or house. The reality is we have got to keep ourselves movingforward but it is the medium-to-long-term goal of the club to get to a
state-of-the-art stadium for the club."
Beard also said re stadium "There are one or two opportunities that we have got where we think the political support will be 100 per cent as actually a regeneration of an area or a piece of land is something that they would like us to do. "
Beard also pledged at that Fan Forum "... ... I will make a promise with the LSA, or whoever represents the club, is that we will have a fans’ group to decide how we build and put together the configuration for a new stadium. ...Fan Forum Report
- QPR History in Photos: From the 1880s to the 21st Century - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
- The Main QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
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"We Shall Return"
44 Years ago, QPR were coming to the end of a truly- humiliating and abysmal season. A season in which the club had gone through four managers (one of them, Tommy Docherty - "The Doc," staying for just 28 Days before walking out on the club.) The number of managers equalled the number of wins the club achieved that season: 4 out of 42 - none of those wins away. The season points total of 18 was then a record low (subsequently "beaten" by Stoke!)
But despite all of this, 1968/1969 was one of the most momentous and unforgettable seasons for QPR fans, with memories seared into their consciousness. From the home opener in which "Little QPR" played their-first-ever game in the FIRST Division (with an unfinished new stand) at home to Leicester, to the humiliation at Old Trafford. The awe of playing Liverpool and Leeds; Manchester City and Manchester United; Arsenal and Tottenham. And finally, in the same division as QPR's arch-rivals: Chelsea!
As the sad season came to anBut neither Club nor Fans gave in or gave up. As the Club posted in their home last game programme (against Stoke - which QPR won!)
As that final programme editorial said:
"....We are no failures; no has beens; and no write-offs and those who believe that Rangers' brief spark of glory is extinguished are in for a rude awakening next season... "We have lost the campaign of the First Divison but we go down with colours flying, bayonets fixed; and of course drums beating. We prefer to think that this is no inglorious retreat but a
startegic withdrawal to consolidate our forces for the next assault upon
the First Division. And in the words of General Macarthur "'We Shall Return!'"
As the rather-famous son of one of QPR's early Patrons
once said: "Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great
or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour
and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently
overwhelming might of the enemy."
Winton Churchill "Never Give In"
As an addendum, it might be noted out that four years after this humiliation, QPR were back in the First Division playing "Total Football," with a team which included six future England Internationals, including the future England Captain...and were couple a years off from being the best team in the country. So, one step back; two steps forward and then...onwards and upwards!
And a Flashback to The Season Opener (vs Leicester) -
- QPR's 1968/1969 Season in Photos (from the Bushman Archives)
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In a series of tweets today, Chairman Tony Fernandes reaffirmed his faith in QPR...
@tonyfernandes
I went to dressing room after game. Talked to players. It's clear who is committed. Last man to leave who was gutted Chris samba. There were others
Though I have to take responsibility. Qpr fans are truly amazing
