Post by QPR Report on May 30, 2009 7:09:35 GMT
[There was another ex-QPR player off in Australia, who got into "driving trouble" not long ago. Can't think who it was.]
Fox/Austalia - By Marco Monteverde
Bob Malcolm flees Scotland to join Brisbane Roar after press scrutiny
May 30, 2009 Former Rangers bad boy Bob Malcolm says he's joining Brisbane Roar to escape alleged sectarian vilification and scrutiny that hounds him in Scotland.
The Courier-Mail reported that according to Malcolm, a deal with Brisbane is all but signed, sealed and delivered, with the 28-year-old utility telling the Scottish press he only needs to pass a medical when he arrives in a fortnight to become a Roar player.
Despite Roar coach Frank Farina saying a deal is far from finalised, it seems the A-League club is willing to overlook Malcolm's controversial past and offer him a long-term contract.
Malcolm caused an outrage in May 2004 when he signed the letters FTP, interpreted as F--- The Pope, alongside his autograph. He was A$10,000 by Rangers for his actions.
Later that same year, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he skipped a court date for a speeding offence, which earned him another fine.
Then on December 27, 2007, Malcolm, then a Derby player on loan to QPR, was arrested after being found slumped over the steering wheel of his car in the middle of a busy motorway.
A roadside alcohol breath test showed he was double the legal limit, although the testing equipment was later found to be faulty. However, Malcolm admitted to being unfit to drive, was fined and banned from driving for 20 months, later reduced by five months.
During his time at Rangers, Malcolm was believed to have made obscene gestures to Celtic fans during an Old Firm clash.
Malcolm insists he has "learned his lessons" but that he'd "had enough" of life in Scotland.
"I've had enough of walking along a street in Glasgow and someone screaming 'ya dirty Orange bastard' in my face," Malcolm told The Scottish Sun.
"I will miss my family, but there is nothing else worth staying here for.
"Since I got my driver's licence back, I've been pulled up by the police seven times in three months, all because of the make of my car.
"When I was last stopped the policeman asked me what I was doing. I told him I was moving to Australia because I'd had enough of life here."
Roar skipper Moore said Malcolm was "no different" to anybody else that had played for Rangers or Celtic.
"The other set of supporters will target you," said former Rangers star Moore. "That's part and parcel for playing for those two clubs."
Moore described Malcolm, who recently completed a year-long stint at Motherwell, as a "fantastic player".
One of Malcolm's first games for the Roar will be against Celtic on July 12 at Suncorp Stadium.
www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25558803-5000940,00.html
Brisbane's site (don't see announcement)
www.brisbaneroar.com.au/default.aspx?s=home
Fox/Austalia - By Marco Monteverde
Bob Malcolm flees Scotland to join Brisbane Roar after press scrutiny
May 30, 2009 Former Rangers bad boy Bob Malcolm says he's joining Brisbane Roar to escape alleged sectarian vilification and scrutiny that hounds him in Scotland.
The Courier-Mail reported that according to Malcolm, a deal with Brisbane is all but signed, sealed and delivered, with the 28-year-old utility telling the Scottish press he only needs to pass a medical when he arrives in a fortnight to become a Roar player.
Despite Roar coach Frank Farina saying a deal is far from finalised, it seems the A-League club is willing to overlook Malcolm's controversial past and offer him a long-term contract.
Malcolm caused an outrage in May 2004 when he signed the letters FTP, interpreted as F--- The Pope, alongside his autograph. He was A$10,000 by Rangers for his actions.
Later that same year, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he skipped a court date for a speeding offence, which earned him another fine.
Then on December 27, 2007, Malcolm, then a Derby player on loan to QPR, was arrested after being found slumped over the steering wheel of his car in the middle of a busy motorway.
A roadside alcohol breath test showed he was double the legal limit, although the testing equipment was later found to be faulty. However, Malcolm admitted to being unfit to drive, was fined and banned from driving for 20 months, later reduced by five months.
During his time at Rangers, Malcolm was believed to have made obscene gestures to Celtic fans during an Old Firm clash.
Malcolm insists he has "learned his lessons" but that he'd "had enough" of life in Scotland.
"I've had enough of walking along a street in Glasgow and someone screaming 'ya dirty Orange bastard' in my face," Malcolm told The Scottish Sun.
"I will miss my family, but there is nothing else worth staying here for.
"Since I got my driver's licence back, I've been pulled up by the police seven times in three months, all because of the make of my car.
"When I was last stopped the policeman asked me what I was doing. I told him I was moving to Australia because I'd had enough of life here."
Roar skipper Moore said Malcolm was "no different" to anybody else that had played for Rangers or Celtic.
"The other set of supporters will target you," said former Rangers star Moore. "That's part and parcel for playing for those two clubs."
Moore described Malcolm, who recently completed a year-long stint at Motherwell, as a "fantastic player".
One of Malcolm's first games for the Roar will be against Celtic on July 12 at Suncorp Stadium.
www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25558803-5000940,00.html
Brisbane's site (don't see announcement)
www.brisbaneroar.com.au/default.aspx?s=home