Post by Macmoish on Dec 5, 2010 9:04:08 GMT
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On This Day in 1997 - It's Ray Harford!
On paper, it seemed an ok appointment - even if his stated motivation for joining QPR (less commuting) was a little uninspiring. But in practice. Terrible appointment.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - December 4, 1997
RAY IS OUR MAN
QPR CHAIRMAN CHRIS WRIGHT tonight confirmed the widest known secret in football that Ray Harford was to be appointed the new manager at Loftus Road.
The QPR supremo revealed that negotiations for Harford's signature were almost complete and that he expected the former West Brom boss to be at the helm before the weekend.
" I can tell all Rangers fans that we have agreed the basic terms for Ray Harford to become the new manager of QPR."
" He has resigned from his position at WBA, who are refusing to accept he is out of contract. As far as we and our lawyers are concerned he is not in contract and we hope to conclude the agreement sometime tomorrow morning in time for him to take training."
The Chairman then indicated the reasons for Ray's selection and the role of John Hollins who has been acting as caretaker manager since the dismissal of Stewart Houston.
"We have asked Ray to take John Hollins as his assistant and at the moment John is considering all his options, but we very much hope the two of them will be managing the first team."
"Ray's record speaks for itself. He has managed at all levels, both in the lower divisions and in the Premier League. He was coach at Blackburn with Kenny Dalglish and then took over. He has done an excellent job at WBA, taking a team last season who were close to relegation and turning them into promotion candidates."
" He comes with more experience than virtually any manager in the country, he has an excellent record in the transfer market and is an expert at bringing players on. He lives in London and he is welcoming the chance to work at QPR believing we have the potential to get back into the Premier League."
" I believe Ray will prove to be an excellent choice to take QPR into the Premiership and stay there."
Chris Wright complimented John Hollins on the job he had done over the last few weeks and complimented him for restoring spirit at the club and with the fans.
" John has been brilliant. Spirit is excellent between the players and the fans think they have reclaimed their club."
"I'm looking forward to working with Ray and I am sure he will do an excellent job."
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
10 O'CLOCK COURT CRUNCH
WEST BROMWICH ALBION and Rangers meet in court this morning, after the midlands club dramatically moved to seek a court injunction last night, to prevent Ray Harford becoming the new manager at Loftus Road.
The hearing will be heard at 10 o'clock this morning, so rather than Ray Harford taking training as had been expected, John Hollins will continue with the preparations for the home game with Sunderland.
"We'll see how we go, hopefully we'll defeat the injunction and Ray will be back at the training ground to meet everybody by lunchtime," forecast an opimistic Chief Executive Clive Berlin.
West Brom chairman Tony Hale will plead that his verbal contract with Ray Harford should be binding, whilst Rangers will clearly state that it is not a barrier to Harford succeeding Stewart Houston in the managers chair.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - December 5, 1997
HARFORD FREE FOR RANGERS
RANGERS and West Brom reached an agreement over Ray Harford on Friday morning, leaving the way clear for the former Hawthornes boss to take over this afternoon at Loftus Road.
West Brom had tried to prevent Harford, who resigned from his Hawthorns post on Thursday morning, from taking up the Rangers post without them receiving any compensation and were believed to be seeking a sum in the region of £500,000 for the loss their boss.
Harford is now free to resume as manager and is expected to take over training this afternoon. A decision as to whether John Hollins will accept the appointment as assistant manager is expected in the near future.
Speaking after the agreement between the two clubs had reached its faviourable conclusion, Ray revealed his relief at the outcome.
" I'm very excited about the opportunity and can't wait to get my feet under the table."
" I think the next few games are vitally important as given the right results they could put us right in amongst the chasing pack."
Ray will not be in charge for Saturday's game against Sunderland, but will be watching from the stands. John Hollins will be in the dugout and will select the side.
Harford Fact File
1945 Born Halifax, June 1
1964 Begins playing career with Charlton and later plays for Exeter, Lincoln, Mansfield, Port Vale and Colchester
1975 Forced to retire through injury and joins the Colchester coaching staff.
1981 Moves to Fulham as youth coach
1982 Promoted to first-team coach after impressing.
1984 Gets first break when appointed manager
1986 Disaster struck and Fulham were relegated, Harford resigns immediately but joins Luton as coach to John Moore
1987 Handed another chance as manager for the Hatters
1988 Guides Luton to Littlewoods Cup glory against Arsenal
1990 Sacked by Luton but not out of work for long when he joins Wimbledon
1991 Resigns and joins Blackburn under Kenny Dalglish. Helps bring Alan Shearer to Ewood Park
1995 Rovers win their first championship for 83 years. Harford promoted to manager when Dalglish takes 'upstairs role'.
1996 Resigns as manager of Blackburn when Rovers hit rock bottom in the Premiership
1997 Appointed West Bromwich manager
4th December 1997 Resigns to take vacant managers job with Rangers
QPR Official Site
CHAIRMAN ON SINCLAIR-HOLLINS
QPR CHAIRMAN CHRIS WRIGHT has today stated that he hopes both R's star Trevor Sinclair and John Hollins stay at the club to help push Rangers towards the Premier League.
After press speculation indicating that Trevor wanted to move from Loftus Road to further his international claims, Chris Wright revealed that he hoped that the installment of Ray Harford as the new boss at Loftus Road would convince Sinclair that he could achieve all he wanted by remaining with Rangers.
" I imagine Trevor was upset by Saturday's result and perhaps that the prospect of the Premier League next season is looking further away."
" I don't think it right for players to blame the club for under achieving as the players are the club and it's up to the players to make the team do well."
" Trevor is under contract and in my opinion is just getting back to his best after his injury. I'm a fan of Trevor's as a player and as an individual, but he's obviously frustrated if he feels he's not going to get to the Premiership with QPR, but I'm convinced that Ray Harford is the man for the job and we want him to stay and help Ray have a real go at promotion.
The Rangers supremo then confirmed that John Hollins was also due to decide his future at the club and his wishes are that John also remains at the club.
" The John Hollins situation is very simple. The board want him to stay on and so does Ray Harford."
" He's obviously disappointed he didn't get the managers position and wants time to consider his position, but we all hope he comes into the club on Monday and confirms he wants to stay at QPR and work with Ray Harford.
The Chairman then re-iterated his comments from last week his delight at Ray's appointment.
" We are all thrilled with Ray Harford. he's a class act, a first class coach and we are all going to benefit tremendously from him being at Loftus Road."
RAY'S JUDGEMENT DAY
QPR'S NEW MANAGER Ray Harford sat in the stand at Loftus Road and watched his new team go down 1-0 to promoition rivals Sunderland, with a late goal proving the decider.
Ray then revealed his delight at the reaction he received from the home supporters and indicated his hopes for the coming months.
" I was very pleased with the reaction of the crowd and one or two were shouting Ray and John which was very appropriate."
" The assessment period has started and it will go on but for how long I don't know yet. I was disappointed to lose three points in the end but sometimes you learn more when you lose than when you win."
Ray will today hope that R's caretaker boss John Hollins will decide to remain at Loftus Road and team up with him to try push the R's into the play-off places or even higher.
" I want John to stay on. I'm sure he is a bit disappointed not to get the managers job but I would lioke him to stay and work with me as my assistant and together we'll try to get the club back in the top flight."
On This Day in 1997 - It's Ray Harford!
On paper, it seemed an ok appointment - even if his stated motivation for joining QPR (less commuting) was a little uninspiring. But in practice. Terrible appointment.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - December 4, 1997
RAY IS OUR MAN
QPR CHAIRMAN CHRIS WRIGHT tonight confirmed the widest known secret in football that Ray Harford was to be appointed the new manager at Loftus Road.
The QPR supremo revealed that negotiations for Harford's signature were almost complete and that he expected the former West Brom boss to be at the helm before the weekend.
" I can tell all Rangers fans that we have agreed the basic terms for Ray Harford to become the new manager of QPR."
" He has resigned from his position at WBA, who are refusing to accept he is out of contract. As far as we and our lawyers are concerned he is not in contract and we hope to conclude the agreement sometime tomorrow morning in time for him to take training."
The Chairman then indicated the reasons for Ray's selection and the role of John Hollins who has been acting as caretaker manager since the dismissal of Stewart Houston.
"We have asked Ray to take John Hollins as his assistant and at the moment John is considering all his options, but we very much hope the two of them will be managing the first team."
"Ray's record speaks for itself. He has managed at all levels, both in the lower divisions and in the Premier League. He was coach at Blackburn with Kenny Dalglish and then took over. He has done an excellent job at WBA, taking a team last season who were close to relegation and turning them into promotion candidates."
" He comes with more experience than virtually any manager in the country, he has an excellent record in the transfer market and is an expert at bringing players on. He lives in London and he is welcoming the chance to work at QPR believing we have the potential to get back into the Premier League."
" I believe Ray will prove to be an excellent choice to take QPR into the Premiership and stay there."
Chris Wright complimented John Hollins on the job he had done over the last few weeks and complimented him for restoring spirit at the club and with the fans.
" John has been brilliant. Spirit is excellent between the players and the fans think they have reclaimed their club."
"I'm looking forward to working with Ray and I am sure he will do an excellent job."
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
10 O'CLOCK COURT CRUNCH
WEST BROMWICH ALBION and Rangers meet in court this morning, after the midlands club dramatically moved to seek a court injunction last night, to prevent Ray Harford becoming the new manager at Loftus Road.
The hearing will be heard at 10 o'clock this morning, so rather than Ray Harford taking training as had been expected, John Hollins will continue with the preparations for the home game with Sunderland.
"We'll see how we go, hopefully we'll defeat the injunction and Ray will be back at the training ground to meet everybody by lunchtime," forecast an opimistic Chief Executive Clive Berlin.
West Brom chairman Tony Hale will plead that his verbal contract with Ray Harford should be binding, whilst Rangers will clearly state that it is not a barrier to Harford succeeding Stewart Houston in the managers chair.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - December 5, 1997
HARFORD FREE FOR RANGERS
RANGERS and West Brom reached an agreement over Ray Harford on Friday morning, leaving the way clear for the former Hawthornes boss to take over this afternoon at Loftus Road.
West Brom had tried to prevent Harford, who resigned from his Hawthorns post on Thursday morning, from taking up the Rangers post without them receiving any compensation and were believed to be seeking a sum in the region of £500,000 for the loss their boss.
Harford is now free to resume as manager and is expected to take over training this afternoon. A decision as to whether John Hollins will accept the appointment as assistant manager is expected in the near future.
Speaking after the agreement between the two clubs had reached its faviourable conclusion, Ray revealed his relief at the outcome.
" I'm very excited about the opportunity and can't wait to get my feet under the table."
" I think the next few games are vitally important as given the right results they could put us right in amongst the chasing pack."
Ray will not be in charge for Saturday's game against Sunderland, but will be watching from the stands. John Hollins will be in the dugout and will select the side.
Harford Fact File
1945 Born Halifax, June 1
1964 Begins playing career with Charlton and later plays for Exeter, Lincoln, Mansfield, Port Vale and Colchester
1975 Forced to retire through injury and joins the Colchester coaching staff.
1981 Moves to Fulham as youth coach
1982 Promoted to first-team coach after impressing.
1984 Gets first break when appointed manager
1986 Disaster struck and Fulham were relegated, Harford resigns immediately but joins Luton as coach to John Moore
1987 Handed another chance as manager for the Hatters
1988 Guides Luton to Littlewoods Cup glory against Arsenal
1990 Sacked by Luton but not out of work for long when he joins Wimbledon
1991 Resigns and joins Blackburn under Kenny Dalglish. Helps bring Alan Shearer to Ewood Park
1995 Rovers win their first championship for 83 years. Harford promoted to manager when Dalglish takes 'upstairs role'.
1996 Resigns as manager of Blackburn when Rovers hit rock bottom in the Premiership
1997 Appointed West Bromwich manager
4th December 1997 Resigns to take vacant managers job with Rangers
QPR Official Site
CHAIRMAN ON SINCLAIR-HOLLINS
QPR CHAIRMAN CHRIS WRIGHT has today stated that he hopes both R's star Trevor Sinclair and John Hollins stay at the club to help push Rangers towards the Premier League.
After press speculation indicating that Trevor wanted to move from Loftus Road to further his international claims, Chris Wright revealed that he hoped that the installment of Ray Harford as the new boss at Loftus Road would convince Sinclair that he could achieve all he wanted by remaining with Rangers.
" I imagine Trevor was upset by Saturday's result and perhaps that the prospect of the Premier League next season is looking further away."
" I don't think it right for players to blame the club for under achieving as the players are the club and it's up to the players to make the team do well."
" Trevor is under contract and in my opinion is just getting back to his best after his injury. I'm a fan of Trevor's as a player and as an individual, but he's obviously frustrated if he feels he's not going to get to the Premiership with QPR, but I'm convinced that Ray Harford is the man for the job and we want him to stay and help Ray have a real go at promotion.
The Rangers supremo then confirmed that John Hollins was also due to decide his future at the club and his wishes are that John also remains at the club.
" The John Hollins situation is very simple. The board want him to stay on and so does Ray Harford."
" He's obviously disappointed he didn't get the managers position and wants time to consider his position, but we all hope he comes into the club on Monday and confirms he wants to stay at QPR and work with Ray Harford.
The Chairman then re-iterated his comments from last week his delight at Ray's appointment.
" We are all thrilled with Ray Harford. he's a class act, a first class coach and we are all going to benefit tremendously from him being at Loftus Road."
RAY'S JUDGEMENT DAY
QPR'S NEW MANAGER Ray Harford sat in the stand at Loftus Road and watched his new team go down 1-0 to promoition rivals Sunderland, with a late goal proving the decider.
Ray then revealed his delight at the reaction he received from the home supporters and indicated his hopes for the coming months.
" I was very pleased with the reaction of the crowd and one or two were shouting Ray and John which was very appropriate."
" The assessment period has started and it will go on but for how long I don't know yet. I was disappointed to lose three points in the end but sometimes you learn more when you lose than when you win."
Ray will today hope that R's caretaker boss John Hollins will decide to remain at Loftus Road and team up with him to try push the R's into the play-off places or even higher.
" I want John to stay on. I'm sure he is a bit disappointed not to get the managers job but I would lioke him to stay and work with me as my assistant and together we'll try to get the club back in the top flight."
