Almost 12 Yr Flashback: Winkelman Wants QPR at MK

Bump: - For Winkelman it worked out. For QPR (thank G-d didnt happen for football and real Wimbledon a shame)


QPR1st Update on Milton Keynes stadium consortium
Tuesday, 29 May 2001 00:00

Bank holiday weekend or not, our work doesn't stop. Whilst everyone else was at the seaside, having a barbecue, or decorating the spare bedroom, those of us at QPR 1st not sitting at home in front of the computer, or on the phone to each other updating progress in our respective areas and planning a busy week ahead, were off down the pub. The Queen Adelaide on the Uxbridge Road to be exact.


It was a meeting arranged by the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium, which is headed by Pete Winkelman. He had phoned QPR 1st out of the blue last Thursday. His sales pitch centred on why he understood (he really did, he assured us) that a move to Milton Keynes wouldn't be popular with QPR fans. But it looked increasingly like the club was going under and here they were, white knights to the rescue. He didn't actually describe themselves as that, but that was the image he wanted to create. And the reason he thought he could - and had - got away with it is because he is another on a long list of people who believe that all football fans are thick. And therefore gullible. It's enough to make you weep.

So what do we know about Pete Winkelman? Well, he owns the Linford Manor Recording Studio in Milton Keynes. A lot of big acts make records there. In the Eighties he managed the band (We've Got A) Fuzzbox (And We're Going to Use It). His business partner then was his sister Patsy - and the pair were Birmingham City fans. Now he heads up the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium. Informed opinion has it that they are strictly second division when it comes to funds.

He and his partners have been trying to attract an established club to Milton Keynes for some time now. They began by wooing Luton, then made overtures to Wimbledon, both without success, and have now got their sights set on QPR. So much for white knights.

For anyone interested, click this link to hear Pete Winkelman back in February talking on BBC local radio in Luton about moving Wimbledon to Milton Keynes.

A name which keeps cropping up in the press as interested in buying QPR is estate agent Andrew Ellis, son of ex-chairman Peter. But details of Andrew's plans for the club are sketchy and the result of guesswork at best. So far, he has kept his cards close to his chest - and that includes having made any sort of contact with QPR 1st.

So it was a big surprise then to find Andrew at the Queen Adelaide standing alongside Pete Winkelman and putting the case for QPR moving to Milton Keynes. A move of course that will leave Loftus Road empty.

There were about 50 fans present, largely from the LSA. Each of them would take a lot of convincing that relocating halfway up the M1 was the way forward for QPR. It needed a powerful argument and a first class presentation. What followed was a shambles. If these are the sort of people holding the future of QPR in their hands, then we really might as well all pack up now and read the last rites for our beloved club. Except of course they don't, and we will ensure they never do.

The meeting lasted for just over an hour. The microphone kept cutting out - which at least spared the assembled audience some of the drivel that was being spouted in the name of rescuing QPR. Andrew Ellis took the stage first, and explained why he can't bid for the club by himself, as he hasn't got the financial clout. He said that the guys from Milton Keynes had come along to give their views on why they feel a move could be beneficial to everyone, and asked the audience to hear them out. Andrew was backed by Mick McCarthy, who introduced himself as a founder of the LSA, said a few words about the situation at the club, and how none of us want this move, but at least let's listen to what they are proposing.

Pete Winkleman took to the stage. He explained why he and his consortium feel such a move for QPR would benefit QPR and QPR fans, because they guaranteed the club would prosper. Milton Keynes is ideal for a Football League club as the nearest ones are a full 30 minutes away. As convincing arguments go, it wasn't exactly up there with the best. He wasn't helped by a faulty microphone... or the fact that half his audience were chatting amongst themselves or getting up to replenish their drinks.

It seems that for this gallant display of white knightery, the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium are willing to pay £2.5m. That this kind of sum wouldn't even get them to the table is perhaps an indication of how safe it is to dismiss the notion of QPR relocating to the part of leafy Buckinghamshire that has concrete cows and a nightmarish roundabout system.

It's a mickey mouse bid, from a mickey mouse consortium, with mickey mouse ideas. And the only insult in that verdict is to Walt Disney.

He then showed a video of the Milton Keynes bowl and the surrounding area. It's the surrounding area that's earmarked for QPR. Currently fields, a new ground will be built as part of a five-year plan, with QPR moving in two years' time and playing at the Bowl until the new stadium is built. In the interim, funding would be made available for QPR from the consortium for transfers, and running costs. If we haven't got that quite right, then that's because trying to watch a soundless video on a 14" television screen mounted on a table on a stage isn't that easy.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, if there's a proper business plan to all this, it wasn't waved about - not even for effect. Apart from a three-minute video, it wouldn't surprise if the whole thing was sketched on the back of an envelope. All the same, Pete Winkelman asked those present to go away and think about it. Without laughing, presumably.

Chris Leach, a QPR fan and relative of Mick Leach, took the mike, thanked the Milton Keynes consortium for coming along, and made a brief statement to the effect of, "If we have to stay a small club, then so be it. Our roots are West London and that's where we want to stay. I think the general feeling is thanks, but no thanks."

And so say all of us.

www.qpr1st.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=204:update-on-milton-keynes-stadium-consortium&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=4

They may struggle this coming season though. Having turned proffessional money will be a lot tighter than before. Of course they have the fanbase but recently they have been buying Kingstonian players just out of park football so perhaps their spectacular rise through the football pyramid may halt for a while?

Football: QPR MAY LEAVE LONDON.

Byline: MARTIN ROGERS

QUEENS PARK Rangers could be on their way out of London after a pounds 2.5million bid was launched last night to take the club to Milton Keynes Milton Keynes (mĭl`tən kēnz`), town (1991 pop. 36,886) and borough, S central England. Milton Keynes was designated one of the new towns in 1967 to alleviate overpopulation in London. It is the seat of the Open Univ. .

The Milton Keynes Stadium The term Milton Keynes Stadium has more than one meaning is the home stadium of Milton Keynes Dons F.C. and Milton Keynes Lions B.C.

National Hockey Stadium was the former home of England Hockey and of Milton Keynes Dons consortium wants the stricken West London West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London. Although it is only ambiguously defined, it is one of the most economically active areas of London outside of the centre, containing significant amounts of office space along with Heathrow Airport and many of club to play in its new stadium, which is due to be completed in 2003.

Consortium chief Pete Winkelman - Pete Winkelman is currently the chairman of the controversial football franchising operation Milton Keynes Dons F.C. + Pete Winkelman is currently chairman of Milton Keynes Dons F.C. is confident his bid will be successful as QPR QPR Queens Park Rangers (football club)

Chris Wright, the owner of Loftus Road plc, has set 5pm today as the deadline for bids to buy the club. Wright, who also owns Chrysalis records, has ploughed millions of his own money into the club in a bid to keep it afloat.

Suggestions that QPR would merge with Wimbledon last month were quashed after a furious fan backlash.

But the Milton Keynes consortium are confident they have come up with a plan to appease fans. The QPR name would be retained along with the club's famous blue and white hooped strip.

There would also be supporter representation on the board.

Winkelman said: "We have real resources to put behind the club. They are fast running out of solutions and we are the answer to their problems."

COPYRIGHT 2001 MGN LTD

www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+QPR+MAY+LEAVE+LONDON.-a075009045

(I should have bumped this BEFORE the game!)

And the almost Merger of 2001

As posted on QPR Report Blog - Tuesday, May 03, 2011

The QPR-Wimbledon (Dons) Merger: One Decade Ago Today

Ten years ago today: May 3, 2001: THE QPR-WIMBLEDON MERGER



Mail/Evening Standard Mick Dennis - Football: QPR in merger talks with Dons
Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers are in talks about a merger. A meeting of the board of the Nationwide League will be told details of the scheme today.

Negotiations between the two London clubs are well advanced and those in favour of the merger want it to go through in time for the new, joint club to kick off the 2001-02 season.

The new club would play at QPR's Loftus Road ground but the League would have to decide what division the club would play in. Rangers are due to start next season in the Second Division after being relegated and Wimbledon are in the First.

The deal makes financial sense because it would pool the resources of two clubs suffering serious financial problems.

QPR are in administration with debts of about £8 million. Wimbledon have no home ground of their own, are tenants at Crystal Palace's ground, Selhurst Park, and have been playing in front of tiny crowds all season.

But news of a possible merger will be devastating for fans of both clubs.

One big obstacle to the deal is the attitude of QPR owner Chris Wright, the multi-millionaire founder of the Chrysalis media empire.

Although he wants to sell his controlling interest in QPR, he remains an ardent supporter of the club and does not want to go down in history as the man who let the club disappear.

Wright is thought to be insisting that whatever the new club are called, the name starts with some reference to Rangers.

Wimbledon, owned by Norwegian Bjorn Gjelsten, the head of a Scandinavian business conglomerate, argue that since they are not crippled by debt they are putting more into the deal than QPR and that should be reflected in the name.

Wimbledon's future has been in doubt since the club left their home at Plough Lane 10 years ago.

Sharing Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace was supposed to be only a temporary arrangement but Wimbledon's failure to win planning approval from Merton Council made them long-term exiles.

While they were owned by Sam Hammam, Wimbledon entertained the notion of playing in Dublin and Milton Keynes. There were discussions about becoming the Dublin Dons, to tap into the passion for Premiership football in the Republic of Ireland, and there was also a serious plan to play in a new stadium near Milton Keynes as MK Dons

Wimbledon also considered a merger with Palace in May 1999 but that notion was scuppered because it would have cost Wimbledon their Premiership status.

QPR have also been the subject of merger talks on several occasions. In the Sixties there was talk of them joining forces with Brentford and then, in the Eighties, they were owned by the property company which also had interests in Fulham and Chelsea and, at one time, it was suggested that one club would be formed combining all three.

Supporters of QPR and Wimbledon have always reacted angrily and campaigned against merger schemes and takeover talk and will be praying today that the latest scheme is halted.

Mergers have never gone down well with fans. Reading supporters took to the streets in 1983 when Robert Maxwell talked of merging their club with Oxford United under the name of Thames Valley Royals.

This time, however, pooling the resources of QPR and Wimbledon makes sense financially.

Without a home ground of their own and with crowds which are regularly smaller than 6,000, Wimbledon do not have spare resources. Nor do they have the opportunity to build a commercial income sufficient to sustain life in the Premiership, should they ever get back there.

Only 4,956 turned up to see their match against Huddersfield on Tuesday.

Wimbledon are building a new training centre at the Prince George's Playing Fields in Raynes Park and they have committed a lot of time and money on the scheme.

Queens Park Rangers could soon be without a training ground.

Their parent company recently bought the former British Gas sports ground site in Acton.

However, Wright, who is still chairman and owner of Wasps rugby club, wants the site to belong to the rugby club. He wants it to be the base for their amateur, women and junior sections.

Wasps, at present, rent rugby pitches at the Bisham Abbey national training centre in Berkshire.

QPR must find new investment. Wright is helping to bankroll the payment of staff until the end of the season but the future of the 22 players whose contracts run out in the summer depends on whether QPR secure a new owner.

A merger would have ramifications for Crystal Palace, who moved closer to First Division safety last night by beating Portsmouth. They would obviously lose the rent they receive from Wimbledon.

BBC Thursday, 3 May, 2001,
Wimbledon and QPR in merger talks

QPR and Wimbledon could be set to merge
The two teams may no longer be in competition soon
A city based consortium is attempting to prevent the possibility of a merger between Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers, after the clubs announced they were in talks.

And the Football League have confirmed that their board has discussed the issue and would "give favourable consideration to any proposal".

But the consortium is reportedly preparing a £12m bid to buy QPR in an attempt to maintain the club's separate identity.

The consortium wants to buy Rangers, rugby union outfit London Wasps and their parent company, Loftus Road plc, and is set to publicly declare its interest shortly.


QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same
Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st
Confidentiality agreements have so far kept the identity of the consortium secret, though pressure is quickly growing for the backers to reveal themselves.

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel confirmed talks have taken place, but said no merger was imminent.

"We have been approached by QPR and while discussions regarding the idea of a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first."

And he added the club plan to meet with supporters to discuus the idea before the final game of the season.

A statement from the Football League on Thursday said: "At its meeting in London today, the board of the Football League were informed in outline of a proposed merger between Queens Park Rangers FC and Wimbledon FC.

"The board now awaits the submission of a formal proposal for its discussion.

"The board indicated that whilst they will give favourable consideration to any proposal, they must also bear in mind the implications for the league competition and for the supporters of both clubs.


No true QPR fan supports a merger
Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st
The board will also seek legal advice on the matter.

Rangers are in administration with debts of around £11m, but own their Loftus Road ground.

Wimbledon on the other hand, are looking for their own home and would relocate to west London if the merger was given the go-ahead.

Alternative

The move is being presented as an alternative to Rangers going out of business.

But the consortium, which first tabled its offer several weeks ago is now looking to provide an alternative.

Its bid is for both the rugby and football wings of the plc and would involve QPR and Wasps sharing Rangers' Acton training ground.

A bid for Wasps and the Twyford Avenue training site from Loftus Road owner Chris Wright has already been accepted by the administrators.

The consortium has indicated it is still interested in acquiring QPR if Wright's purchase of Wasps goes through.

QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, has also said it will vigorously oppose any merger between the two clubs.

Fans opposed

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st said: "QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same."

Representatives of QPR 1st and QPR owner and now ex-chairman Chris Wright are set to meet in the near future and the supporters group will be seeking assurances from Wright that no merger is planned or being considered.

Loftus Road plc, the owners of QPR, also issued a statement saying they were disappointed that talks of a merger had already become public knowledge.

The statement read: "It is not helpful that the news has been leaked as we were intent on exploring the opportunity in a sensible and controlled manner.

"That included sending a letter to all season ticket-holders, club members and shareholders, asking them of their opinion and whether the proposal is worth pursuing.

"Should these discussions continue, the questionnaires will be distributed in the near future and we welcome honest and constructive feedback.

"The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base.

If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share
Brentford chairman Ron Noades
"Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further."

And they added: "The nature of the talks have included the possibility of the new club playing in Division One at Loftus Road, with the name and colours reflecting elements of both clubs."

Speculation that a third London club, Brentford, could also become involved have been dismissed by chairman Ron Noades.

Noades had been linked with a rival bid for QPR but told the Evening Standard: "We are not interested in any merger with or takeover of QPR.

"We were in talks with QPR about a possible ground share at Loftus Road but those cannot proceed until the club is out of administration.

"In the meantime, our own talks about a new ground for Brentford in the borough of Hounslow are progressing well.

"If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share if we do manage to move to a new home ourselves."


QPR STATEMENT REGARDING POSSIBLE QPR MERGER WITH WIMBLEDON FC

In response to todays press speculation the board of Loftus Road makes the following statement:

"It is true that we are in very early stage discussions with Wimbledon Football Club about a possible merger. It is not helpful that the news has leaked as we were intent on exploring the opportunity in a sensible and controlled manner which included sending a letter to all season ticket holders, club members, and shareholders asking them of their opinion and whether the proposal is worth pursuing. Should these discussions continue the questionnaires will be distributed in the near future and we welcome honest and constructive feedback. The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base.

Our initial view is that in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League the idea could have merit and maybe worth exploring further but we must emphasise it is still very early days and no firm agreement whatsoever has been reached. Any merger will clearly be subject to the approval of the Football League, however the nature of the talks have included the possibility of the new Club playing in Division One at Loftus Rd, with the name and colours reflecting elements of both Clubs.

At this time there is little more that can be said until the views of our supporters have been canvassed and a decision is made as to whether to take discussions further or not"


INDEPENDENT - May 4, 2001

Supporters shout down QPR-Wimbledon merger

By Steve Tongue

Queen's Park Rangers and Wimbledon have effectively admitted defeat for a proposal to merge after furious opposition from supporters. But the plan will not be the last such attempt at combining clubs or grounds in London's saturated football market.

Queen's Park Rangers and Wimbledon have effectively admitted defeat for a proposal to merge after furious opposition from supporters. But the plan will not be the last such attempt at combining clubs or grounds in London's saturated football market.

The two struggling First Division clubs ­ QPR will be relegated after Sunday's final match of the season ­ sounded out the Football League yesterday, but had to back-track once the news was leaked, to a predictably hostile reaction. Wimbledon's chairman, Charles Koppel, said: "We have been approached by QPR and, while discussions about a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first."

Loftus Road plc, the parent company which owns Rangers, said: "It is not helpful that the news has been leaked as we were intent on exploring the opportunity in a sensible and controlled manner. The talks will only continue if there is approval from our supporter base."

It quickly became evident that no such support would be forthcoming from the fans of either club. The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared: "We unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories. We urge the vigilance of Wimbledon and QPR supporters and ask that you make your voices heard far and wide."

Libby Magrill, speaking for QPR 1st, the recently established supporters' trust, said: "Any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon will be opposed by every possible means. QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We will be seeking a clear statement from the Football League on this latest development. If they sanction the merger, what next? It could open the floodgates and kill off many of our clubs."

The League confirmed that its executive board had been informed of the proposal and added: "Whilst they will give favourable consideration to any proposal, they must also bear in mind the implications for the league competition and for the supporters of both clubs."

The clubs appeared keen to push the plan through in time for next season if possible. A merged club would have to take its place in the lower division of the two ­ the Second Division ­ which would present complications concerning promotion and relegation, including the question of whether any team went down from the Nationwide League to the Conference.

Just as Reading and Oxford United supporters did when Robert Maxwell wanted to create "Thames Valley Royals", followers of both clubs have resisted similar plans in the past, with Rangers normally the predators. In 1967 they tried to take over Brentford and move to Griffin Park; the move was defeated when Brentford's chairman, Jack Dunnett, sold his controlling interest to a syndicate of supporters. Twenty years later QPR proposed merging with Fulham, whose supporters were also able to help save their club and ground, backing Jimmy Hill as the new chairman.

Wimbledon fans have learnt to live with uncertainty almost from the time they became a League club in 1977. Their then-chairman, Ron Noades, wanted to merge them with Crystal Palace, but ended up selling the club to Sam Hammam and buying Palace instead. He was eventually able to lure Wimbledon to Selhurst Park as Palace's tenants, where they remain, Hammam's sale of the club to Norwegian owners having done nothing to end speculation about relocating anywhere from Milton Keynes to Dublin.

Noades has moved on to become chairman of his third London club, Brentford. He insisted yesterday that he was not involved in the new plans, but admitted he would be interested in ground-sharing if Brentford are able to build a new stadium in Feltham. He has also talked to QPR about sharing Loftus Road.

It would hardly be surprising if Noades became a principal figure in any future developments. He has always cherished the idea of building one major South London club to challenge Arsenal and Tottenham, but, having failed to make Palace the core of it, he sold up, at a huge profit, while keeping the freehold of their Selhurst Park ground.




GUARDIAN
Guardian/Martin Thorpe - May 4, 2001

Fans rebel as London clubs talk of merger

Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers moved last night to defuse fan fury by pledging that a proposed merger of the clubs would not go ahead if supporters strongly object to the controversial plan.

The two London clubs admitted they have held talks about a merger as a way to overcome their problems: Wimbledon of the First Division have no ground and a small fan base while QPR, just relegated to the Second, are in administration with debts of £8m.

The plan was even discussed at a meeting of the Football League board, who gave it a provisional green light though they had not received any concrete submission from either club.

But supporter reaction was immediately hostile, with protests planned and vows made to "fight any merger to the end".

Although QPR initially approached Wimbledon with the plan, the Dons chairman Charles Koppel summed up their joint thinking when he said yesterday: "Both clubs have a unique set of problems and we have to ask, is there a way to resolve those problems? Are we stronger together than apart?

"We are committed to exploring all available options for strengthening the club on and off the pitch. Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further."

Both clubs had been hoping to persuade their fans of the practical and financial merits of a merger.

Despite 30 declarations of interest in buying out the current QPR owner Chris Wright, no firm offer has come in, even from a City consortium who came to light yesterday and are allegedly considering a £12m takeover.

The plan would see a new club emerge called Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers - other names floated yesterday included Queens Park Dons and Wimbledon Rangers - playing at Loftus Road in the Second Division, depending on league approval.

Wimbledon's Terry Burton would be manager of the new club and the shirt colours would reflect those of both teams.

The two clubs set out on talks hoping the climate of supporter obstruction which saw stillbirths for two previous proposed mergers -Fulham Park Rangers and Thames Valley Royals (Reading and Oxford) - had changed. They also felt it would be easier in the case of teams that did not have a historic rivalry.

QPR, though accepting they would lose some fans, had even estimated that the new team would attract between 10,000 and 12,000 for the first game next season.

But the leak to a national newspaper caught both clubs by surprise and dented hopes of persuading fans of the financial and practical advantages. There was some suspicion that this was the motive behind the leak.

Libby Magrill, a spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the QPR Supporters Trust, insisted: "QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. Any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon this year, or at any stage in the future, will be opposed by every possible means."

The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared that they "unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories".

Wisa and QPR 1st plan to lobby the league while a protest by Wimbledon fans is scheduled for the final game, at home to Norwich on Sunday. At QPR supporters demonstrated outside Loftus Road yesterday.

QPR quickly issued a statement criticising the leak and insisted that before any final decision they had always intended to consult their supporters, via a questionnaire, in a "sensible and controlled manner", and will do so still if merger discussions continue.

Privately QPR went further. "It had always been decided this wouldn't go through without the blessing of the majority of the fans," insisted one source. "It just wouldn't have worked."

Koppel took a similar line. "It has to come down to whether or not the supporters feel that it is something they can buy into."


Guardian

QPR and Wimbledon in merger talks
Scott Murray guardian.co.uk, Thursday 3 May 2001

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed they are in "very early stage discussions" with Wimbledon about a possible merger of the two clubs.

The talks began after QPR were put into administration with debts of around £8m, while Wimbledon have been searching for a permanent home for several years.

The announcement came after a report in this morning's Sun. The article claimed that the proposed new team will be coached by Dons boss Terry Burton and will play its home games at Loftus Road.

However, a spokesperson for Loftus Road plc, the owners of QPR, was at pains to state that a final decision has yet to be made.

"Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further," he explained.

"But we must emphasise that it is still very early days and no firm agreement whatsoever has been reached. The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base."

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel also played down the reports.

"No agreement to merge Wimbledon with QPR has been reached," he insisted. "While discussions regarding the idea of a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first.

"If the fans felt that this was not the best thing, we would re-evaluate and move along a different route."

Unsurprisingly, supporters have already opposed the mooted merger.

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said: "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club.

"Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans, and any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon this year, or at any stage in the future, will be opposed by every possible means.

"QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same."

Wimbledon fans also expressed their opposition to the proposal, promising to protest at a meeting between the club and supporters' organisations later this week.

The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared that they "unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories" and added: "At our forthcoming meeting on Sunday with chairman Charles Koppel prior to the final game of the season, we shall be discussing and exploring the way to go forward.

"In addition, we shall be making clear to the owners of Wimbledon Football Club our desire for our own stadium and retained identity.

"We urge the vigilance of Wimbledon and QPR supporters during this time and ask that you make your voices heard far and wide."

Meanwhile, speculation that a third London club, Brentford, could also become involved was dismissed by chairman Ron Noades, who had been linked with a rival bid.

Noades told the Evening Standard: "We are not interested in any merger with or takeover of QPR.

"We were in talks with QPR about a possible ground share at Loftus Road but those cannot proceed until the club is out of administration.

"In the meantime, our own talks about a new ground for Brentford in the borough of Hounslow are progressing well.

"If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share if we do manage to move to a new home ourselves."

It has also been reported that an unidentified City-based consortium are preparing a £12m bid to buy QPR outright and keep the club's identity.

Their bid is for the rugby and football wings of Loftus Road plc and would involve QPR and Wasps sharing Rangers' Acton training ground
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2001/may/03/newsstory.sport8



Guardian

QPR-Dons merger 'to be dead within 48 hours'

Sean Ingle guardian.co.uk, Friday 4 May 2001

proposed merger between Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers is likely be called off within the next 48 hours after opposition from supporters groups.

"The merger isn't going to happen," QPR 1st spokesperson Libby Magrill told Guardian Unlimited today. "We met with QPR chairman Chris Wright yesterday, and although he wasn't that keen on the idea anymore anyway, we helped to persuade him that it was an awful plan."

"QPR had planned to send a questionnaire about the merger to supporters, but I don't think they are going to do it anymore," she added. "What's the point? They know everyone is dead against the plan."

"The Wimbledon Supporters Association will meet with their chairman Charles Koppel on Sunday, but by then I think the deal be dead."


This is Local London

Qpr Fans Scupper Plan To Merge With Wimbledon
Wednesday 9th May 2001

Fan power has killed off suggestions of a merger between Queens Park Rangers and Wimbledon football clubs.

On Thursday last week, QPR's board said in a statement: "It is true that we are in very early stage discussions with Wimbledon Football Club about a possible merger." But outraged QPR fans immediately set about scuppering the idea.

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said the group would vigorously oppose any merger between QPR and Wimbledon. "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club. Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans."

Only three days later, the Loftus Road-based club reversed its intentions: "After serious consideration and talks with supporters, the boards of Loftus Road and Queens Park Rangers have decided not to take discussions with Wimbledon Football Club regarding a possible merger any further."

The merger was seen to have financial merit because it would have pooled the resources of two clubs suffering serious financial problems. QPR are in administration with debts of about £8 million and Wimbledon have no home ground of their own.

There was also confusion about which division a merged club would play in. Currently Wimbledon are in Division One and QPR, following this season's relegation, will start next season in Division Two.

Both QPR and the Wasps Rugby team are owned by Loftus Road plc, whose chairman is Chris Wright, the multi-millionaire founder of the Chrysalis media empire. Mr Wright wants to sell his controlling interest in QPR, but keep the Wasps, ending the link between the two organisations.

There will be a special meeting of Loftus Road on May 16 to debate Mr Wright's offer to buy Wasps.Fan power has killed off suggestions of a merger between Queens Park Rangers and Wimbledon football clubs.

On Thursday last week, QPR's board said in a statement: "It is true that we are in very early stage discussions with Wimbledon Football Club about a possible merger." But outraged QPR fans immediately set about scuppering the idea.

Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said the group would vigorously oppose any merger between QPR and Wimbledon. "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club. Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans."

Only three days later, the Loftus Road-based club reversed its intentions: "After serious consideration and talks with supporters, the boards of Loftus Road and Queens Park Rangers have decided not to take discussions with Wimbledon Football Club regarding a possible merger any further."

The merger was seen to have financial merit because it would have pooled the resources of two clubs suffering serious financial problems. QPR are in administration with debts of about £8 million and Wimbledon have no home ground of their own.

There was also confusion about which division a merged club would play in. Currently Wimbledon are in Division One and QPR, following this season's relegation, will start next season in Division Two.

Both QPR and the Wasps Rugby team are owned by Loftus Road plc, whose chairman is Chris Wright, the multi-millionaire founder of the Chrysalis media empire. Mr Wright wants to sell his controlling interest in QPR, but keep the Wasps, ending the link between the two organisations.

There will be a special meeting of Loftus Road on May 16 to debate Mr Wright's offer to buy Wasps.

By.Ted Bridges



May 8, 2001 - Standard/Chris Jones QPR call off Dons merger

Queens Park Rangers today said they are abandoning merger talks with Wimbledon.

The bitterness about the suggested merger of the two clubs was evident from both sets of fans at the weekend and today QPR released the following statement: "After serious consideration and talks with supporters, the boards of Loftus Road and Queens Park Rangers have decided not to take discussions with Wimbledon Football Club regarding a possible merger, any further.

"Although the proposal had some financial and theoretical merit, the strength of feeling from supporters to maintain the QPR identity and history was overwhelming, and had it gone ahead would have alienated, perhaps irrevocably, a large section of supporters without whom the club could not survive.

"In addition, the board would like to point out that no talks are being held with Ron Noades and Brentford. Discussions, however, continue with other interested parties and the board, together with the administrators, are working hard to secure the best deal for the future of the club."

On Sunday, Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel employed bodyguards to shadow him during the Norwich game at Selhurst Park, where Dons supporters demonstrated.

QPR owner Chris Wright was berated by angry football fans at the London Wasps's rugby match at Loftus Road, where there were heated exchanges between football and rugby fans.

QPR and Wasps are owned by Loftus Road plc, whose chairman is Wright. He wants to split the football and rugby clubs by paying £5 million for Wasps. Under the merger plan, QPR and Wimbledon would then have become one club, playing at Loftus Road and training at Wimbledon's new training ground at Raynes Park.

It was confirmed today, however, that a city consortium, fronted by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tim Razzall, are trying to put together a rival bid. The consortium want to keep the Wasps and QPR clubs together by taking over Loftus Road plc for £12m.

They say that keeping Wasps and QPR together would avoid acrimony over the future of Rangers' Twyford Avenue training ground and they would turn the site into a state-of-the-art complex for both teams. Wright wants to buy the training ground for Wasps and points out that the rugby club sold their Sudbury ground and cash from the sale went into QPR's coffers.

There will be a special general meeting of Loftus Road plc on 16 May with two items to discuss; Wright's offers to buy Wasps and the training ground.


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