10 Years Ago: The 1999/2000 Season

QPR Official Site - July 1999

QPR MILLENNIUM HOME KIT

RANGERS new home kit hits the club shop on 17th July, and the Millennium shirt is only available for the 1999/00 season.

There are a number of changes from last season's home shirt and also a special introductory kit offer for fans to take advantage of.

The Millennium shirt features the QPR crest in silver and blue, and also has 'Season 1999/2000' under the QPR Millennium crest.

The shirt also has a V-Neck collar and a special design of mesh panels down either side of the shirt which keep the players cool during a game.

On the back of the shirt, there is an outline disc to enable supporters to have their favourite player's squad number printed, and also space for the player's name above the disc.

Fans who pre-order a Millennium home shirt or the new away shirt(left) before 31st July will receive up to £10 worth of printing free.

The cost of the new shirts is £41 for adult sizes, and £34 for kids sizes, with the away shirt available from 1st September.

QPR Official Site - July & August 1999

RANGERS have completed the signing of 23 year old centre-half Stuart Wardley from Essex Senior League club Saffron Walden Town for £15,000.

Boss Gerry Francis says:" Stuart came to us last year and played one or two reserve games. We kept an eye on him and he did well for us in the pre-season tour of the West Country. Certainly we feel there may be a future for him. We're going to work on him.

"We took Ross Weir and Jermaine Darlington last year form non-League. Jermaine went on to do well for the first team and we're hoping that Stuart can do the same.

"These are the sort of signings that we are in the market for at the moment. And we're trying to bring the kids through - like the Langleys, the Jeannes and the Richard Grahams, which we did last year.

"Former Charlton midfielder Paul Mortimer has been training with us and came on the West Country tour. He's gone off to speak to one or two people at the moment. He's on a Bosman, but the problem with free transfers is the finance. You haven't got to pay a fee but you do have to satisfy the player."

Meanwhile, Chris Kiwomya has signed a new contract with Rangers until the end of the season.

DUE to the fact that the pitch at Griffin Park will not be ready in time for this weekend's match, the pre-season friendly between Brentford and Rangers scheduled for this Saturday is currently in doubt. Brentford have been given until noon today to find an alternative venue at which to stage the fixture, otherwise the match will be cancelled.


R'S SWOOP FOR STEINER

RANGERS have swooped to sign Swedish striker, Rob Steiner, from Bradford City for an undisclosed fee.

Steiner had a successful loan spell at Loftus Road last season, scoring three goals in five full appearances and seven substitute outings.

The 26-year-old will heighten the competition for places in the front line, an area which manager, Gerry Francis, had been looking to strengthen.

It had looked as if the R's boss would start the season with only Kevin Gallen, Chris Kiwomya and Steve Slade as recognised first team strikers.

But the capture of Steiner will provide Francis with greater options and flexibility up front, as the team bid to improve on the last two seasons.

Scoring goals was a persistent problem in the last campaign, and Rangers supporters will hope that Steiner continues the goalscoring form he showed during his loan spell.


CHRIS SIGNS ON

CHRIS KIWOMYA has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Rangers until the end of the season.

R's vice-chairman Nick Blackburn says:" We are pleased that Chris has re-signed and he's part of our plans for this season. He really wants to be at the club and he likes working with Gerry.

"We are still looking to strengthen the team. Obviously there are certain restrictions on what we can do, but hopefully we'll have some news for you in the next few days."

RANGERS RESERVES won 4-0 at Molesey last night. The scorers were Mahoney-Johnson 2, Andrews and Newall.


ORD MAY BE FORCED TO QUIT

DIRECTOR of Football Gerry Francis has put the record straight regarding Richard Ord's knee injury.

Gerry said: "Richard is going to see a couple of specialists with the possibility that he may have to finish.

"We will know more when he has seen those people. But it is obviously not looking good for Richard at the moment. It's a real shame."


IH: "GERRY'S THE MAN"

BRISTOL ROVERS boss Ian Holloway had a lot of nice things to say about Rangers after the friendly at the Memorial Ground.

Ian said: "Gerry Francis has played a huge part in the history of Bristol Rovers. He was manager during the only spell where we really had success. It was all down to Gerry - how he moulded the team.

"I learned so much from my spells playing under Gerry at Rovers and at QPR, and if anyone can turn things around at Loftus Road then it's him.

"He has a wealth of knowledge and is passionate about the game so that is bound to rub off on his players.

"My claim to fame was playing for QPR in the Premier League. I'm fiercely proud of the club.

"I might not have been the best player in the world for Rangers, but I certainly tried to play for that club with pride. I wish them all that I wish myself, and hopefully that is success."


MORROW POSITIVE


STEVE MORROW is one of a trio of R's players who lined-up in midweek for Northern Ireland versus World Cup winners France.

Steve is now back in London preparing for Saturday's match against Wolves and everyone at Rangers is looking to build on the positive opening to the season.


Steve says: "I think we've had a good start. We all know these are early days yet, and Gerry has reminded us of that, but we're confident about the way we are playing.

"I thought we were very unfortunate to lose at Bolton last week, so hopefully we'll bounce back with another win against Wolves."

Steve has returned to the Rangers side after illness and injury last season. He's relishing the holding midfield role.

He says: "Things were going well last season until I had an unfortunate virus.

"The doctors strongly advised that I rested towards the end of last season, but I'm back feeling strong now.

"I did all the pre-season and things are going well from a personal point of view. I've played in midfield in the past and I'm quite enjoying it at the moment. It gives you more freedom than just playing at the back."

Steve was part of the Northern Ireland side that lost 1-0 to France in Belfast. Iain Dowie and Keith Rowland also played their part.

"It was a good experience," says Steve. "Unfortunately, France had a lot of players who were injured.

"But you don't often get a chance to play against the world's best. We put in a good performance and I think the crowd enjoyed it."

Team news for Saturday...Karl Ready is available after his three match ban. Kevin Gallen could be in contention for a place in the starting line-up following his hat-trick for the reserves in midweek. George Kulcsar has recovered from his back injury.