|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2011 6:27:29 GMT
Bump: 22 years ago today, QPR Chairman Chris Wright....+ 18 Years - a Q&A With Fans...(+ Two Loan signings)
QPR Official Site - October 2, 1997
CHAIRMAN WOOS STAYAWAY FANS
RANGERS chairman Chris Wright is confident that the club can build on its fan base, as we look to return to the Premiership.
Chris say: " From the standpoint of financial reality, we have quite a job to do to compete with bigger clubs. So we need to build up our support levels. We want to bring all those disenfranchised Rangers fans back into Loftus Road."
" We had some 14,000 supporters cheering us on at Wimbledon in the FA Cup at Wimbledon last season, so we know the fans are out there. It's up to the booard, the club and the team on the pitch, to get those people out of the woodwork and back in the stands at Loftus Road."
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2011 6:29:39 GMT
And Edit... 21 Years ago
QPR Official Site - October 2, 1998
CHAIRMAN ON DOUBLE SIGNING RANGERS have signed full-back Tim Breacker, 33, and goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko, 36, on a month's loan from West Ham United.
They will be included in the squad for the Grimsby game tomorrow and will stay with Rangers up to and including the Swindon match on October 31.
R�s chairman Chris Wright said:" The main reason for bringing them in is that we need cover in defence. Steve Yates could be out for up to two months, Antii Heinola is also injured and Richard Ord is out for the season, so we needed Breacker. As far as the goalkeeping situation is concerned, we needed some cover there as well."
QPR Official Site, October 2, 1998-
THE CHRIS WRIGHT WEBCAST
On Wednesday evening the Rangers chairman Chris Wright took part in a live interview on the internet where he answered questions sent in by the the fans.
The first question was centred around the rumours that Rangers were the subject of a number of take-over bids from the likes of the Hanson Group, Richard Thompson and Richard Branson.
About these rumours Chris said, 'there's no truth in these rumours whatsoever'. He suggested that rumours involving the Hanson Group had arisen largely as a result of mutual friends the two share. Despite his long association with the club Chris said that Bruce Welsh has 'never come forward as a potential owner of the club'.
Chris had no hesitation in ruling out former owner Richard Thompson. 'I think I'd be the most unpopular person in West London if I sold the club back to Richard Thompson, and the second most unpopular person would be Richard Thompson for buying it. Any interest from Richard Branson was also ruled out. 'Richard isn't really interested in football. If Richard waned to buy a football club then if Manchester United wasn't for sale I don't really think he'd bother.
However Chris did say that if anybody was to come forward with sufficient wealth to inject in to the club then it would be 'bloody minded' not to sell purely in the interest if Rangers.
The chairman admitted that the club finances were 'not in great shape'. This over stretching has come as a result of high transfer fees and the second highest wage structure in Division One in a club that does not have the second highest income structure. Chris revealed that 'on an operating basis QPR loses money', a problem that has been worsened by a transfer deficit.
A number of fans are clearly concerned Wasps is losing money and therefore draining money from Rangers. Regarding this Chris stated that 'Wasps has been losing money but we think we can get down to a break even situation very quickly and we are making every effort to do that'. Indeed in the short term Chris justified the comparatively small losses by the fact that the sale of the Sudbury rugby ground will more than cover any costs. 'The net effect of Wasps on QPR will be positive and certainly not negative'.
Many fans were interested in the chairman's expectations for the club and the possibility of money for new players.
'There is a very good squad of players at QPR and we certainly haven't seen the best of them'. Following the tremendous victory at Wolves on Tuesday Chris said, 'we may not need that many new players to come in to strengthen the team'.
The club will be looking to sign players on loan and from the lower leagues where they found the raw talent of Les Ferdinand, Trevor Sinclair and Andy Sinton. However Chris reassured the fans by promising that 'the whole team will not be sold and replaced by a team of non-league players'.'The reality is with QPR that eventually if we have a very, very good player he will want to leave'. But despite this QPR will not be selling players unless players are brought in who are 'as good or potentially as good'.
When asked about the off-field restructuring at Rangers Chris said, 'we need to streamline the overall structure of the club'.'The right leadership' is needed throughout the club. 'Indeed the problem with this club is that it is now suffering from several years of disappointment in terms of the management, part of which I'm responsible for, part of which was happening before I came here'.
Any suggestion that QPR was to merge with Wimbledon or Brentford was immediately dismissed with Chris' belief that 'mergers in sport are almost impossible'.
The appointment of a new manager has been the biggest talking point this week and Chris was able to shed some light on the subject.
'We want a manager who can get the team to play in a way we know a QPR team can play'. 'Iain(Dowie) is doing a great job as caretaker manager and he may well want to throw his hat in to the ring'. But doubts still remain over his lack of experience. 'Gerry Francis is somebody I will definitely want to talk to'. However Chris is unsure that he will be able to attract Francis with the current financial situation and position in the league. Vinny Jones has also applied but no decision is likely to be made until after the Grimsby match.
When asked about any possible funds for a new manager Chris admitted that 'the team has looked short of Premier League standard' for some time but 'there will have to be players sold' if others are to brought in.
The fans have criticised the recent signings of Richard Ord and Chris Kiwomya, who appeared to arrive at the club with serious injuries. Ord will not play this season appear cruciate ligament damage. Chris defended the club by saying that this was a 'completely new injury' which was 'very, very unfortunate'. Kiwomya, on the other hand, has only a 'minor injury' and will playing again very soon.
Rumours persist that the BBC want to buy the Loftus Road ground. However, the chairman said, 'there's no truth in that rumour whatsoever'. We have no intention in the short term of selling the Loftus Road ground'. Indeed he stated that QPR would only leave its current home to move to a brand new all seater stadium. He admitted that this would be the only way QPR could compete with the wage structures and transfer fees paid by the bigger clubs in the Premier League
Please click the icon below to hear Chris Wright's comments.
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2011 6:31:42 GMT
Edit - 19 Years Ago...
QPR Official Site - October 2, 1999
FRANCIS' TRANSFER FUNDS BOOST AFTER two years of major financial restraints, Rangers are now back in the market for a major signing.
This follows a high level meeting between chairman Chris Wright, vice-chairman Nick Blackburn and director of football Gerry Francis.
Gerry explains: "I don't think the position has changed as regard to the finances of the Plc and the club.
"When I came here eleven months ago, things were bleak. Several months later, when the application to sell the Wasps rugby ground at Sudbury was put forward it was turned down which made things even bleaker.
"We've bought a couple of non-League players, who have been doing well, and we've brought some kids in. But at the end of the day, we are in a very competitive and very good league. So if you want to get out of this league, you've got to get some more quality.
"Since the start of the season, the situation with regard to selling the Wasps ground has turned around and we have planning permission to do that. So it will release a little bit of help for the Plc and for the club.
"I had a meeting last week with Chris and Nick to see if there was any way we could get some finance to me a little bit quicker.
"I think it is a good time to use it before we get too far behind in terms of other clubs strengthening their squads and leaving us behind.
"Chris will always do what he can to help because he is a QPR man. Chris wants the club to do well and so do I.
"Now there is a possibility that we might be able to sign someone like George Ndah, but we have to make it clear that there is also a possibility that we won't be able to because we have a wage structure that is very important to changing the finances of the club around.
"In certain situations, you have to pay for what you want. When I was here before, we had England internationals like Ferdinand, Bardsley and Sinton. You have to look after those players and pay them what they deserve.
"What has happened since then is that the Plc was �5.5 million in debt last year and you have to change it around.
"Many people here - on and off the field - have worked very hard for the past 11 months and we're in a much better financial position.
"We certainly haven't turned all the corners, but the planning position at Sudbury has been the major change. That will enable me to try to sign George Ndah."
RICHARD BRADY notched a fine hat-trick as the under-17's won 3-1 at Watford on Saturday. The under-19's also beat Watford, with Richard Pacquette 2 and Alvin Bubb on target in the 3-2 victory.
SATURDAY'S League game against Tranmere will definitely take place at Loftus Road, kick-off 3pm.
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2011 6:32:09 GMT
Edit - 18 Years Ago
QPR Official Site - October 2, 2000
SUPER ROB MAY BE FORCED TO QUIT
SWEDISH international centre-forward Rob Steiner looks set to retire from football due to an ongoing knee injury.
Steiner has not played for the Rangers first team since January. He had a second operation on the troublesome knee during the summer but broke down in pre-season training.
Director of Football Gerry Francis said: "Rob has been out of action for a long time now. He had an injury half way through last season after doing so well for us.
"He had a couple of operations on the knee. Since then, he's seen a number of specialists and unfortunately the answer has been the same from each of them. They have all said he cannot continue to play football.
"It is very sad from Rob and very disappointing for us. He was a very good player for Rangers so it is a real blow."
Steiner, 27, made 24 appearances for Rangers last season scoring six goals following his transfer from Bradford City. Previously, he hit three goals in a 12-match loan spell with the R's.
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2012 6:11:49 GMT
Bump...!
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2012 6:14:07 GMT
QPR Official Site - October 2, 1997
CHAIRMAN WOOS STAYAWAY FANSRANGERS chairman Chris Wright is confident that the club can build on its fan base, as we look to return to the Premiership. Chris say: " From the standpoint of financial reality, we have quite a job to do to compete with bigger clubs. So we need to build up our support levels. We want to bring all those disenfranchised Rangers fans back into Loftus Road." " We had some 14,000 supporters cheering us on at Wimbledon in the FA Cup at Wimbledon last season, so we know the fans are out there. It's up to the booard, the club and the team on the pitch, to get those people out of the woodwork and back in the stands at Loftus Road."
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2015 9:11:02 GMT
Bump...for several
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2016 8:20:58 GMT
Bump...Going back to the days of Chris Wright
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Oct 2, 2017 14:49:18 GMT
Bump more years
|
|