When the QPR Supporters Club became Redundant

[Bushman]

In August 1963 the QPR Board of Directors effectively killed off the the Supporters Club.

Formed in 1935 the QPR Supporters Club become a link between the board and supporter to raise extra cash much needed by the football club to keep going.

The Board would meet with the Supporters Club on a regular basis and exchange ideas and in most cases would be taken on board and implemented.
The relationship worked very well until the summer of 1963, when the Board were going through many upheavals and takeover bids.

They issued this statement



After 1963 the Supporters Club or as it had now become the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Pools Club & Sportsman's Association. (A well thought out name).

The special relationship between the Clubs Board and Supporters Club would be lost, never to return.

[kerrins]

I remember it well...and the change of the Lapel Badge.

Was that money the old QPR supporters Club forked out for the signing of George Whitelaw in 1959 ever repaid?...If not thats £2,000 at 53 years compound interest..Hmm let me see

[Bushman]

;D

[Macmoish]

Bump this... and in a second....

[Macmoish]

Thirteen Years ago, a different QPR Supporters Club

Sept 4, 2010 21:10:42 GMT Macmoish said:

13 years ago (+ couple of days)

QPR Official Site - September 1, 2000

FIRST MEETING FOR SUPPORTERS CLUB

The new committee of the Supporters Club met for the first time on Tuesday night at Loftus Road.

Top of the agenda was to sort out the positions on the new committee. The new members were given specific areas to focus on, to allow them to best use their own expertise and to give each member an area on which to focus within an overall structure.

The following positions were allocated by the committee:

Chairman: Paul Reilly
Travel: Leon Stent
Reciprocals: Maria Neale
Communications: Tracy Stent
Events: Ron Bannister
Fund Raising: Pat Harrison
Members Areas: Hugh Cade
Committee Members (x4): Stephen O'Shea, John Reilly, Mick Hayward, Alice Deegan

The four general committee members will help other members of the committee as and when appropriate.

If you wish to get in touch with the committee you can do so in the short term via QPR Feedback - [e-mail] . Your mail will be forwarded to the appropriate person on the committee.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd October. In the meantime the Supporters Club will be considering a number of matters, among them fundraising activities for the official charity of the Supporters Club for this season - the Meningitis Research Foundation.

[Macmoish]

And then the Official Supporters Club...

Flashback to March 2013

Monday, March 04, 2013

QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) Committee Resigns En Masse - Statement

-
Monday, 4 March 2013

Statement from OSC Committee (sent by Linda Favell on behalf of all Committee Members)

We announce that, with immediate effect, the Committee members of the QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) have resigned en masse and have no wish to continue serving in their respective roles.
It has become evident that the role of the OSC Committee has been diminishing increasingly of late. The historical objectives and purposes as listed in its Constitution are rarely sought by the Club. With technological media advances in recent years, the Club is able to communicate with individual supporters in ways that render the OSC Committee unnecessary. The Committee members have been keenly aware of this decline in the recent past, feel under-utilised and consider their contributions unappreciated and unacknowledged.
Ultimately, the decision was reached as a result of the sharp disdain experienced at the recent Fans Forum where seemingly fresh topics were brought to the Forum by various supporters’ groups and individuals despite the OSC having discussed the same issues with the Club over the past 18 months. The Club's demonstration of concern at the Forum suggested that the its executives and staff had been blithely unaware of some of these issues. This, in turn, has also demonstrated that the efforts made by the OSC Committee in voicing concerns on behalf of supporters - in an attempt to improve the match day experience - had at best been given minimal recognition, if not entirely dismissed.
The Committee, as a whole, has adopted the viewpoint of no confidence and stands down in the belief that working with the Club has been and will continue to be a futile exercise.

Topics raised at previous OSC meetings:
Date of meeting
Topic Raised
Comments
OSC EGM/AGM
4.1.2012
John Reid (LSA) complained that the LSA had written several letters to the Club, with no responses.
Philip Beard wanted to commit to open lines of communication with fans groups. He wanted to arrange and diarise a set of regular meetings throughout the year.
OSC EGM/AGM
4.1.2012
Stewarding, ticket sales, loyalty points, website information.
Items to be raised at future OSC meetings (see below).
OSC EGM/AGM
4.1.2012
Fans Liaison Officer.
Philip Beard said Club needed to prioritise and would be unlikely to be able to fund necessary headcount for this role. He considered communication should be straightforward.
OSC EGM/AGM
4.1.2012
Loyalty Points
Philip Beard recognised the need to review the Loyalty Points scheme.
OSC Committee meeting
29.2.2012 attended by Becky Grote and Dan Laryea
Stewarding issues
No further action despite several individual emails to the Club.
OSC Committee meeting
1.8.2012 attended by Philip Beard, Becky Grote, Dan Laryea, Jon Davies
OSC Membership (what benefits?) and Function
Philip Beard suggested OSC membership should be “opt-in”. He asked the Committee what it wanted the OSC function to be.
OSC Committee meeting
1.8.2012 attended by Philip Beard, Becky Grote, Dan Laryea, Jon Davies
Family Stand – OSC stated that the issue should have been handled more sensitively, with prior consultation.
Philip Beard said the decision had to be made quickly and that the Lower Loft was the easiest section to change. The decision stands.
OSC noted that the Box Office staff had worked well when moving supporters’ seats.
OSC Committee meeting
1.8.2012 attended by Philip Beard, Becky Grote, Dan Laryea, Jon Davies
Ticket Touts brought up at meeting and emailed to Box Office. What controls in place to prevent this. Can tickets be tracked back to individuals?
Club encouraged use of Viagogo.
Nothing could be done to stop ticket touts.
OSC Committee meeting
1.8.2012 attended by Philip Beard, Becky Grote, Dan Laryea, Jon Davies
Club tradition and history. Wanted contact maintained with ex-players and staff to keep tradition alive.
Philip Beard happy to have a viable scheme set upif there was a particular purpose.
OSC Committee meeting
1.8.2012 attended by Philip Beard, Becky Grote, Dan Laryea, Jon Davies
Hospitality too expensive for most regular supporters. Asked whether less expensive facilities could be provided for supporters’ special occasions.
All hospitality packages to be sold at maximum cost in order to accrue maximum profits.

[Macmoish]

And the Constitution of the OSC

QPR Official Site - OSC CONSTITUTION
Posted on: Mon 19 Jul 2010

Click here (OSC Constitution) for the Official Supporters Club's constitution for the 2010/11 season

QUEENS PARK RANGERS FC OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS CLUB
CONSTITUTION AND RULES

PART A: CONSTITUTION

1. Name
1.1 The organisation shall be referred to as the Queens Park Rangers FC Official
Supporters Club (hereinafter called “the OSC”)
1.2 The headquarters of the OSC shall be: c/o Queens Park Rangers Football Club,
Loftus Road Stadium, South Africa Road, London W12 7PJ

2. Objectives and purpose of the OSC
2.1 To encourage the support of Queens Park Rangers Football Club (hereinafter
called “the Football Club”)
2.2 To represent the views of the membership directly to the Football Club and form
a link between the supporters and the Football Club
2.3 To assist the Football Club whenever possible, as required
2.4 To work in a fundraising capacity predominantly for, but not restricted to, the
QPR in the Community Trust and the QPR Centre of Excellence
2.5 To encourage supporters’ social activities
2.6 To encourage friendly relationships with supporters of all football clubs
2.7 To forge a positive relationship between the Football Club and the local
community

3. Membership
3.1 Membership of the OSC will be open to all supporters as part of the Season
Ticket and Membership renewal/application process

4. Annual General Meetings
4.1 An Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the OSC shall be held every calendar
year, with effect from 2010, to carry out the following business:
(I) To receive an annual report of the OSC’s activities for the previous year
(II) To receive and approve the financial accounts of the OSC for the previous
year
(III) To appoint or sanction the appointment of members of the committee
(IV) To discuss other matters relating to business of the AGM as communicated
to the Secretary and included in the notice of the meeting
4.2 At the OSC AGM each member (over the age of 16) shall have one vote

5. Finance
5.1 The OSC Committee shall at all times ensure that proper records of account are
kept of all transactions connected with the activities of the OSC
5.2 Accounts of the OSC shall be prepared annually, and a copy made available to
every member attending the AGM
5.3 An OSC Committee Member shall not make any profit or gain from any OSC
activity or event
5.4 In the event of the winding up of the OSC all its assets, monies and other
securities shall be disposed of to Queens Park Rangers Football Club

6. Relationship with Queens Park Rangers Football Club
6.1 The OSC is managed independently of the Football Club as are its finances
6.2 The Committee will represent the views of the membership through the Football
Club’s representative attending meetings at intervals throughout the year

PART B: RULES
1. OSC Financial Year
1.1 The OSC financial Year shall run from 1 August to 31 July each year

2. The Committee
2.1 The Committee shall consist of at least 9 adult members, position of office to be
decided by the Committee. The Committee can increase the number of
representatives on the Committee by a majority vote
2.2 Committee members shall serve a term of office of three years
2.3 Any Committee member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the
Committee without reasonable explanation shall, unless the Committee shall
resolve to the contrary, be deemed to have resigned from the Committee (and
shall be ineligible for re-election for the next year)
2.4 The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to assist in the
organisation of events, as and when required
2.5 It is expected that Committee Members shall not use any OSC meeting or event
as a forum for their own means or to further personal or political opinions or
agendas
2.6 All business of the OSC shall be deemed confidential and only relayed to non
members by agreed means and by the Committee
2.7 Unless specifically requested by the Committee, the publishing of OSC business
in any public domain is strictly prohibited. This, and the dissemination of any
OSC information, shall be considered a serious breach of membership rules
2.8 The OSC Committee has sole authority over entering into contracts, agreements
and payments on behalf of the OSC

3. Meetings
3.1 The Committee shall meet at such time or times as the Committee shall
determine, but at a minimum would aim to meet at least once a month
3.2 It is envisaged to hold regular meetings with Supporters’ Groups, at a minimum
on a bi-monthly basis, with feedback discussed at a separate meeting with a
representative of the Football Club also to be held bi-monthly
3.3 A quorum shall be deemed to consist of 50% of the Committee membership plus
one
3.4 Representatives of the Football Club may be asked to attend meetings as the
occasion/event dictates
3.5 The Committee may invite any person(s) to attend meetings in a ‘non-voting’
capacity
3.6 An Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the OSC shall be held once a year during
the playing season
3.7 The secretary shall post up at South Africa Road and also in the match day
programme at least fourteen days before the AGM a notice of the meeting
stating the time and the place where it will be held and the business to be
conducted
3.8 An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee
or by written request to the secretary of a minimum of 30 adult members. Such
a request shall state the purpose for which such a meeting is required
3.9 At the Annual General Meeting of the OSC such members of the Committee who
have served their term of office shall retire and may offer themselves for reelection.
Co-opted members may offer themselves for election at the Annual
General Meeting
3.10 Voting shall be by a show of hands or by ballot paper whichever procedure is
deemed more expedient by the chairperson

4. Finance
4.1 The OSC shall have a general account (currently with HSBC) and all cheques
drawn on such account shall bear at least two of the designated signatories
4.2 Any monies raised should always be counted and verified by TWO members of
the Committee

5. Alterations to the rules
5.1 Any proposed amendments to these rules shall be put to members at an annual
general meeting of the OSC and shall then be adopted or amended or repealed
by 75% of the members present who are entitled to vote

6. Life Membership
6.1 The Committee shall have the power to offer life membership to members or
others wherein the Committee will have sole discretion over such invitation

7. Expulsion from the Committee
7.1 Committee members may be suspended or expelled from the Committee for
refusing to comply with the provisions of any of these rules or for any other
cause deemed by the Committee to justify such suspension or expulsion,
provided that at least two thirds of the Committee then present vote in favour of
his/her suspension or expulsion

8. Unspecified matters
8.1 Any matter not covered by the above rules shall be dealt with by the OSC Committee

QPR OSC

[ingham]

I recall my surprise on being told by someone or other in 1987 on the occasion of Gregory's latest attempt to wipe out the Club, that the Supporters Club as it was then constituted had to 'go along' with his proposals because they were effectively run by the Board. The fact that a LOYAL supporter's association appeared to replace them seemed to confirm this.

Bushman's clippings are fascinating. The directors - the people supposedly 'funding' the Club - demanding that volunteer helpers raise the money they aren't putting in themselves, and aren't talented enough to earn for the Club through their own efforts on its behalf. Through bigger attendances, better performances. That boring old football way of getting things done.

Hardly surprising that within a few years of 1963 - and the catastrophic move to White City by the Boardroom masterminds - a manoeuvre that proved so disastrous the first time around, in the 1930s, that they felt they just HAD to try it again - that the Chairman, presumably by way of rounding off the Club's most glorious season ever - in 1967 - proposed closing the Club down.

Not for the last time. And not the last time that a supporters organisation brought into being to do the Board's bidding would find itself 'closed down', either because it was identified with the Board's interests rather than the Club's, or because it wasn't.

I suppose that in this context, it is hardly surprising that the latest bunch of clowns have a scheme, not to RAISE money for the Club, but to squeeze money OUT OF the Club and into a private stadium project of their own. Not £25,000 a year either, but TWO HUNDRED MILLION POUNDS.

To pay for a self-serving white elephant which has, as they've admitted themselves, little or nothing to do with QPR. So much so that if QPR wishes to use THEIR facilities, it will be obliged to PAY RENT as well. To them or their chums. Assuming the £200 million isn't merely the first instalment of the rent, that is.

You would imagine that the authorities would have something to say about a bunch of speculators purporting to represent the Club's interests but merely using their position to siphon off its resources to fund their own. But it appears not.

Insult to injury given the damage done to the Club's finances - not to mention its reputation - in the past couple of seasons. Despite QPR earning THEM about £80 million. Which they squandered down to the last penny. And then racked up further losses.

Nothing new there.

Why not a new approach. Forget the tweeting. Forget the fantasy rubbish. Just show us in the accounts, Fernandes, that the Club is run as well by YOU as the players' representatives run THEIR clients' businesses.

Tell us you're that good. Spell it out. Convince us all of your mastery. Of the profits and wealth accruing to QPR under you, - and Mittal, and Bhatia, and Ecclestone - and all the other 'financial geniuses' of the modern boardroom.

And explain why you're pouring the Club's money into the pockets of the useless, overpaid non-performers who were so bad they had to drop a league to even start winning games.

Tell us you're THAT good. Never mind taking on the Supporters, the people who actually put THEIR OWN money into the Club. Show us that you're making as much SHEER PROFIT for the Club that the players' agents are making for the players.

And show us that you're fighting to PROTECT the Club and its interests the way the PLAYERS' UNION protects the people IT represents?

But you haven't a clue, have you? Tweet, tweet.

[alfaranger]

Sept 6, 2013 10:29:55 GMT ingham said:

I recall my surprise on being told by someone or other in 1987 on the occasion of Gregory's latest attempt to wipe out the Club, that the Supporters Club as it was then constituted had to 'go along' with his proposals because they were effectively run by the Board. The fact that a LOYAL supporter's association appeared to replace them seemed to confirm this.

Bushman's clippings are fascinating. The directors - the people supposedly 'funding' the Club - demanding that volunteer helpers raise the money they aren't putting in themselves, and aren't talented enough to earn for the Club through their own efforts on its behalf. Through bigger attendances, better performances. That boring old football way of getting things done.

Hardly surprising that within a few years of 1963 - and the catastrophic move to White City by the Boardroom masterminds - a manoeuvre that proved so disastrous the first time around, in the 1930s, that they felt they just HAD to try it again - that the Chairman, presumably by way of rounding off the Club's most glorious season ever - in 1967 - proposed closing the Club down.

Not for the last time. And not the last time that a supporters organisation brought into being to do the Board's bidding would find itself 'closed down', either because it was identified with the Board's interests rather than the Club's, or because it wasn't.

I suppose that in this context, it is hardly surprising that the latest bunch of clowns have a scheme, not to RAISE money for the Club, but to squeeze money OUT OF the Club and into a private stadium project of their own. Not £25,000 a year either, but TWO HUNDRED MILLION POUNDS.

To pay for a self-serving white elephant which has, as they've admitted themselves, little or nothing to do with QPR. So much so that if QPR wishes to use THEIR facilities, it will be obliged to PAY RENT as well. To them or their chums. Assuming the £200 million isn't merely the first instalment of the rent, that is.

You would imagine that the authorities would have something to say about a bunch of speculators purporting to represent the Club's interests but merely using their position to siphon off its resources to fund their own. But it appears not.

Insult to injury given the damage done to the Club's finances - not to mention its reputation - in the past couple of seasons. Despite QPR earning THEM about £80 million. Which they squandered down to the last penny. And then racked up further losses.

Nothing new there.

Why not a new approach. Forget the tweeting. Forget the fantasy rubbish. Just show us in the accounts, Fernandes, that the Club is run as well by YOU as the players' representatives run THEIR clients' businesses.

Tell us you're that good. Spell it out. Convince us all of your mastery. Of the profits and wealth accruing to QPR under you, - and Mittal, and Bhatia, and Ecclestone - and all the other 'financial geniuses' of the modern boardroom.

And explain why you're pouring the Club's money into the pockets of the useless, overpaid non-performers who were so bad they had to drop a league to even start winning games.

Tell us you're THAT good. Never mind taking on the Supporters, the people who actually put THEIR OWN money into the Club. Show us that you're making as much SHEER PROFIT for the Club that the players' agents are making for the players.

And show us that you're fighting to PROTECT the Club and its interests the way the PLAYERS' UNION protects the people IT represents?

But you haven't a clue, have you? Tweet, tweet.

Excellent piece.

[Macmoish]

Bump...

And so the OSC came and left...Little surprised the club hasn't "inaugurated" (yet) a New Supporters Group...

[Lonegunmen]

Or even a new official club message board.