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Post by QPR Report on Aug 13, 2009 6:59:33 GMT
Five years ago?...
And just football-wise, it was a good time as QPR in their second season back, after three games were doing well... QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT - August 2005INCIDENT AT LOFTUS ROAD - Queens Park Rangers Football Club confirms that the Metropolitan Police are investigating an incident at Loftus Road. - A number of arrests were made on Saturday afternoon and the police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the allegations. - QPR are co-operating fully with the police in the course of their enquiries but while the investigation is ongoing the Club is unable to comment further on the nature of the alleged incident. Various Newspaper Reports of that dayqprreport.blogspot.com/2006/08/one-year-ago-qprs-heroes-were-santos.htmlAnd the Match Report Sunday Times - QPR 2 Sheffield United 1: Bircham passion revives Rangers Barry Flatman at Loftus Road POLICE were called after armed men threatened the life of Queens Park Rangers’ club director Gianni Paladin yesterday, but after arrests were made, and with the crowd, players and officials unaware of what had just occurred, we were treated to a lively encounter with a committed fan at its core. Marc Bircham is one of those fortunate individuals who plays for the club he has supported with a lifelong passion. He wasn’t born when the likes of Rodney Marsh won QPR the League Cup as Third Division giantkillers almost 40 years ago and while the 1967 vintage were taking a bow at half-time, Bircham was locked in the dressing room being berated by manager Ian Holloway for being too anxious throughout a forgettable first half. However, Bircham is well versed with the exploits of his elders and was clearly aware of their presence. Within 11 minutes of the restart the midfielder, who has been known to parade his devotion by dying his hair blue and white, was celebrating a goal that any QPR veterans would have been proud to score. Then, with the match eventually won, Bircham went on to show the confrontational side to his character by reacting so angrily to a verbal barb from Sheffield United’s Chris Morgan that the visitors’ captain, seeking further retribution, had to be manhandled off the pitch by his manager, Neil Warnock. The fact that QPR had not only taken the points but leapfrogged Sheffield United in the Championship table after the Yorkshire team started the day in top position, clearly fuelled Morgan’s temper. Warnock maintained the entire contest was a disappointment, but his bitterness is understandable because his team did not possess the guile to exploit the opposition’s errors. QPR in contrast possess that quality as scorers Bircham and substitute Stefan Moore displayed. Moore, a summer free transfer from Aston Villa, was introduced as a 36th minute replacement for fellow new arrival Tom Doherty who limped off with an injured knee. Moore’s pace and attack was a constant threat to United and he was integral to the opening goal. Initially Martin Rowlands raided down the left, Moore tried his luck in a more central position and when Phil Jagielka could only half clear the ball, Bircham steadied himself to drive a shot past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from 20 yards. Michael Tonge was badly missed in the Sheffield midfield and Frenchman Lilian Nalis had the sort of afternoon he could have categorised as tres terrible, but it was another summer signing, Paul Ifill, who suffered the brunt of Warnock’s displeasure. The former Millwall man appeared to lose his footing as he shaped to shoot early in the second half and sliced a goalscoring opportunity wide. But when he slipped and allowed Moore a free run at goal, Warnock decided an investigation was necessary. “I was convinced he was wearing rubber studs, which is ridiculous given pitches in this day and age, but I was right,” revealed Warnock. “He won’t be wearing them again.” Moore’s footwear was suitably stable for him to cross to Matthew Rose, who returned the ball for Moore to shoot home his first goal for his new club. Substitute Steve Kabba got one goal back for United from close range late in added time. STAR MAN: Georges Santos (QPR) Player ratings. QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 6, Shittu 8, Santos 9, Rose 7, Ainsworth 6 (Brown 69min 6), Bircham 7, Doherty 5 (Moore 86min, 5, Rowlands 7 (Bean 86min, 5), Gallen 7, Furlong 6 Sheffield United: Kenny 6, Bromby 5, Morgan 6, Jagielka 6, Kozluk 5, Ifill 6, Montgomery 5, Nalis 4 (Short 73min, 5), Harley 5 (Gillespie 73min, 5), Webber 7, Shipperley 5 (Kabba 77min, 7) Scorers: QPR: Bircham 56, Moore 90 Sheffield United: Kabba 90 Referee: S Tanner Attendance: 13,497 www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article555054.ece
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Post by scottjones on Aug 13, 2009 7:01:19 GMT
Do you know..i actually dont remember?!
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Aug 13, 2009 9:04:38 GMT
I was at the game and didn't have a clue about any of the other stuff.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 13, 2009 11:46:13 GMT
I wa sitting down and having a dump!
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Post by QPR Report on Aug 13, 2009 12:01:18 GMT
I was at the North Carolina Outer Banks; having just started QPR Report blog....And had slow dial up internet connection and reading these initially strange and then totally bizarre stories.
And then wondering about the announced Board Meeting, etc. It was only then that I really paid much focus on the centrality of Gianni
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Post by scottjones on Aug 13, 2009 12:27:10 GMT
i cant even remember if i was at the game - i dont think i was and first heard about it on bbc news??
who would know that four years later some of those involved would be mates of mine
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Post by londonranger on Aug 13, 2009 12:35:28 GMT
I HAVE AN IRON CLAD ALIBI, YOU CANT PIN ANYTHING ON ME OFFICER.
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Post by QPR Report on Aug 13, 2009 12:39:28 GMT
And following that came the Holloway delegation to visit Paladini...and Holloway's words...and then "The Coup" - and how it was conducted...
And then after months and months, Gardening Leave....Then came the trial...and the verdicts...
An amazingly-unbelievable (in a bad way) year for QPR
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 13, 2010 8:28:41 GMT
Bump...Five years later
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Post by cpr on Aug 13, 2010 8:38:08 GMT
Thanks for that! preferred to have removed that from the memory banks!
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 13, 2010 9:26:11 GMT
I was at the game. Had hired part of a box (no not that box - one down toward the School End)and was taking my Dad. Box shared with an old fan having a family 70th birthday party.
Only became aware at half time what was going on when I was told I could not use the toilet (after all that beer too!) because there were armed police in the corridoor. Had no idea what went on as stayed in my box. This was well before I knew, let alone spoke to Gianni or the other board members at the time. Which, in retrospect, was alsmost certainly a very good thing. Ignorance is often more blissful.
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 14, 2010 7:37:03 GMT
And Five Years ago: "The Day After" various reports about what was claimed... And this quote in the Sunday Times about Gianni! Steve Midmer from the QPR Loyal Supporters Association said: “He is very popular with fans. We are going places now because of him. It is the other board members who have left that weren’t liked. Paladini has been welcomed.”www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article555198.ece
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 14, 2010 7:43:09 GMT
And it's not a transcript - and some have noted some things not included - but it's definitely far and away the best, most comprehensive report on the trial and some of the things, out of there Tracy Stent's almost 200-page report on the Trialwww.alfretontownfc.com/qprcourttrial.pdf
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finney
Dave Mangnall
Posts: 175
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Post by finney on Aug 14, 2010 8:17:12 GMT
Its a shame that the report did not have Gianni on the stand and his eveidence as he was the ony witness. That said if his time in court was wrote down he would have been run out of the club by the fans. Also what did come out that was unreal was gianni went off to the toilet to call a newspaper.
What came clear to me was how well gianni used that hole saga to take total control of the club and went from shareholder to chairman. So if his time on the stand was recored it would have been a disaster for him.
I was at court and seen the transcripts and seen it all first hand. And the jury acted on what they seen and heard and made their minds up on that. Very sad times for our club. I had forty missed calls that day all from hacks thought it was birthday wishes that will teach me.
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Post by cpr on Aug 14, 2010 8:22:07 GMT
How's the head finn?
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finney
Dave Mangnall
Posts: 175
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Post by finney on Aug 14, 2010 8:36:10 GMT
Mate the head is dandy did not go out last night stayed in and looked after my daughter which was dandy. Now working all weekend so the most sober birthday i have had since i started to shave.
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Post by cpr on Aug 14, 2010 8:46:14 GMT
Blimey! That's no good! joke ;D The missus went out and celebrated for you did she?
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 14, 2010 8:55:33 GMT
That's strange. The costs of the official transcript are usually prohibitive. I didn't think anyone had ordered one. I wonder whether you really saw the transcript, and if so from whom, or if this, like the rest of your report of the hearing, is a mixture of exaggeration, falsehoods and half truths?
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 14, 2010 9:15:22 GMT
That's strange. The costs of the official transcript are usually prohibitive. I didn't think anyone had ordered one. I wonder whether you really saw the transcript, and if so from whom, or if this, like the rest of your report of the hearing, is a mixture of exaggeration, falsehoods and half truths? I never personally saw the transcript. But I did "hear" of there being a transcript. And if one person has a transcript...
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 14, 2010 9:22:06 GMT
I think it's just talk, Mike. If someone had it I don't know why they never published it long ago (unless it didn't support what they said was said of course).
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 14, 2010 9:24:22 GMT
I think it's just talk, Mike. If someone had it I don't know why they never published it long ago (unless it didn't support what they said was said of course). So you're saying that neither you nor Gianni (to the best of your knowledge) ordered a copy/have or had a copy of the transcript?
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finney
Dave Mangnall
Posts: 175
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Post by finney on Aug 14, 2010 9:26:43 GMT
That's strange. The costs of the official transcript are usually prohibitive. I didn't think anyone had ordered one. I wonder whether you really saw the transcript, and if so from whom, or if this, like the rest of your report of the hearing, is a mixture of exaggeration, falsehoods and half truths? Please Nico stop spinning the transcripts were served on you in the last court case were you acted as a barrister for the club and you were in court three times in that case and working with Kevin Steele. So you know they exist please stop treating people like idiots. How did that case go by the way? I seen posts by mates of yours about it at the time and Scott was emailing me about it and saying this and that and yet i knew nothing about it and then silence, Did you lose or win that case? And i see one of your fellow directors is now in court as well. Now you talk of falsehoods and so on i am talking about what i seen with my own eyes. As well Like when GP told the whole court he never swore in his life and yet came the interview in which olly said gp said i kill you i fecking kill you. So what the heck was that about. One thing you can not spin is that the verdict which no matter what you say is not a falsehood.
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 14, 2010 9:31:55 GMT
Mike I have never seen or ordered the whole transcript (although I think I have seen a few extracts). As I said if finney or his friends have it I don't know why they never published it instead of talking about it all the time. Doesn't make sense. As for finney's last post I am afraid he has just piled half-truths on even more half truths, and I have long since realised it's a waste of everyone's time arguing with someone who twists and spins more than anybody. Simple point, if he has got or seen the transcript tell us who showed it to you and why you haven't published it.
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 14, 2010 9:37:36 GMT
Mike I have never seen or ordered the whole transcript (although I think I have seen a few extracts). As I said if finney or his friends have it I don't know why they never published it instead of talking about it all the time. Doesn't make sense. As for finney's last post I am afraid he has just piled half-truths on even more half truths, and I have long since realised it's a waste of everyone's time arguing with someone who twists and spins more than anybody. Simple point, if he has got or seen the transcript tell us who showed it to you and why you haven't published it. That's pretty strong, Nico. I'd imagine publishing the transcript would be an arduous task, if it's not online. As I say, I haven't seen the transcript, but I heard it was out there.
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 14, 2010 9:45:58 GMT
No no Mike. It's finney who says he has seen it. If he has, I'm asking from where, and also why didn't he publish those parts he keeps prattling on about? That's what's strange. I'm sure you haven't had it Mike, and I trust if you did you would find a way to publish the whole thing anyway.
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devo
Gerry Francis
Posts: 37
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Post by devo on Aug 14, 2010 10:06:47 GMT
I was having a nice peaceful family holiday in Siciliy, when I received a number of phone calls from staff at the club in relation to what was supposedly going on at the stadium. I'm sure that those involved in the allegations have decided, for their own reasons, not to publish part or all of the transcript. Why should they, they were tried found not guilty and acquitted by a jury of their peers- they have nothing to prove to anyone. I'm sad, because this all happened at a time when I felt the club was moving slowly and surely in the right direction, without the potential investment it has now admittedly. One thing I would also like to clear up Nico, as we have never actually spoken, is that I did respond to your email (shortly before events at LR occurred) in which you offered your legal assistance to the club. I hope you will remember that I informed you that we already had pro bono legal assistance from a QPR supporting legal firm, but I believed I had to meet to discuss your kind offer in any case on my return from holiday. Sadly, this never happened. You seem to be under the pression that you never received a response.
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 14, 2010 15:59:46 GMT
Mark - We have never spoken before, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge. However, I can assure I never received an email from you. If I had I would have responded. I have never heard it suggested before that you did send me a reply. If you say you did I have no reason to believe you did not, and so I am happy to accept that. Why it was never received I have no idea, but similarly I have no reason to mislead about that either.
It doesn't matter anymore, of course. But I appreciate you clearing it up in the way you did.
Today is a great day for celebrating games against Sheffield United anyway, and one that should give everyone much better memories
Nick
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 14, 2010 16:02:40 GMT
Irony is a wonderful word.
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finney
Dave Mangnall
Posts: 175
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Post by finney on Aug 16, 2010 14:23:52 GMT
Friday, March 02, 2007
QPR's Three New Board Members Profiled & Interviewed: Chairman Paladini Explains Their Appointment- David McIntyre - Rs welcome ‘Nico- - the Internet bruiser Ealing Gazette
Chairman Gianni Paladini has handed a staunch ally a place on the QPR board. Barrister Nick De Marco is one of three legal experts to have been installed as non-executive directors. Property lawyers Jason Kallis and Kevin Steele have also been rewarded for work on behalf of the club with seats on the board.
All are Rangers fans and De Marco - a steadfast supporter of the Italian regime at Loftus Road – has been acting as the club’s legal advisor for some time. He is a well-known and controversial figure among fans groups. His elevation to the board is a bold statement by Paladini. Posting under the name ‘Nico’, he has become notorious on Internet messageboards for warring with dissatisfied fans.
His renewal of membership of the QPR Loyal Supporters Association last year caused a bitter feud within the organisation.
Two longstanding committee members resigned after he was granted ‘associate membership’. Some allege De Marco deliberately set out to divide supporters on behalf of Paladini and has sought to control their interaction with the club. Paladini has placed him in charge of organising and chairing meetings with the various supporter organisations that now exist.
The club also caused a stir when, acting on De Marco’s advice, it threatened to sue the fanzine ‘A Kick Up The R’s’ over allegations regarding Paladini’s dealings.
De Marco accepts his elevation to the board will cause consternation among “a small minority” of supporters. But he insisted: “I was never interested in splitting the LSA.
“I was a supporter who worked as an unpaid legal advisor to the club – a fact I never tried to hide. “It was simply a case of renewing my membership and there was no rule against LSA members working for the club or, for that matter, being on the board. “Other people made an issue out of it and it wasn’t me who saw it all as a litmus test for the LSA. “I simply paid my £5 and took the associate membership I was offered. My role and influence in the LSA is non-existent.”
De Marco also denies his directorship has been in the pipeline for some time and is merely payback for his unceasing support for Paladini. “Gianni asked me two or three weeks ago,” De Marco said. “I was surprised. It wasn’t something we had discussed before.
“I didn’t agree to it first of all. What persuaded me was that Kevin and Jason agreed to join the board and I trust them both as QPR fans and quality lawyers. “I was also persuaded because of the possibility of more additions to the board in the near future. “I defended Gianni on the Internet because, as a fan, I thought he seemed good for the club.
“I then started to give legal advice and since then I’ve seen at first hand the commitment Gianni and the Monaco investors put in.” De Marco has suggested that Rangers’ problems, including a succession of rumours and bad-news stories, have been caused by sympathisers of ex-chairman Bill Power trying to stir trouble. “Of course it isn’t all down to that,” De Marco admitted.
“I wouldn’t blame any fans or indeed the previous board for things that have gone wrong. But it would also be silly to blame it all on the current board.” He added: “The financial position of the club is better that it has been for quite a few years. “We’ve been in a perilous position and would have been in administration were it not for the Monaco investment.”
Kallis and Steele helped secure a significant legal victory for the club. American Tim Krause, once one of the many would-be investors courted by QPR before Paladini entered the fray, claimed to have been given a 10-year catering contract at the club.
Rangers faced paying out a huge sum before Kallis and Steele offered to help after being introduced to Paladini by Andrew Ellis, who attempted a takeover of the club in 2001 and whose father Peter Ellis was chairman between 1994 and 1996.
Kallis said: “It was a case of a job well done and Gianni then asked us to join as non-executive directors.
"The current board at QPR inherited some legal problems, which we were more than happy to solve for them.
“Knowing what the club’s been through, I know there’s bound to be scepticism whenever anyone joins the board, but myself and Kevin are QPR through and through.”
With some fans suspicious of the QPR board and fearing for the future of Loftus Road given the club’s financial problems, Paladini is adamant they should read nothing into his hiring of property experts. “People shouldn’t see it like that,” Paladini declared.
“We will not be moving. It just isn’t something we’re thinking about.” Paladini feels appointing new directors without any direct investment in return is justified. He says Kallis and Steele have saved the club over £400,000.
“That is as deserving as any investment and their expertise is great for us,” Paladini said. “And some might criticise Nick De Marco, but he is a great barrister who has worked tirelessly for this club without a penny in return.
“These people have been supporting QPR for much longer than me and they are the future of the club. I hope they’ll be involved long after me.”
Half truths fact the club was in more debt than ever, only a matter of months later to be said to be 15 mins away from going bust. Quote at the time GP. and Flavio.
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nico
Ian Holloway
banned
Posts: 256
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Post by nico on Aug 16, 2010 17:40:32 GMT
Talk about desperate finney. You can't answer the question about the transcript so you dig up some old article completely unconnected which says I said, over 6 months before the take over and at the time Antonio was still investing money, that we were financially stable. You may recall, although I doubt it, that what substantially changed, and meant we needed to find alternative investment was when the Monaco tap was turned off. So all your quote shows is how desperate and obsessed you are (which most of us knew already). Keep digging finney...
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