15 Yrs Ago: "An Open Letter from Amit Bhatia" to #QPR Fans

[Zamoraaaah]

Edit/Bump..15 Years Ago Today


AN OPEN LETTER FROM AMIT BHATIA


Posted on: Wed 22 Oct 2008
Dear Supporters,

In recent days and weeks, I have had the chance to interact and speak with many of you - at home, in and around our stadium and also at our away fixtures.

Many of you have expressed excitement at the current and future prospects of the Club. Many of you feel the Club is on the right, forward moving track. Many of you have greeted us warmly and welcomed us into the QPR family. Firstly, allow me to thank you for all your support.

In much of the conversations we have had, and encouragement that you have given me, some of you have also expressed your unhappiness at the increase in ticket prices for category A matches. It is something that we have listened to intently as a Board and as shareholders - we have discussed this issue seriously and considered it deeply.

We live in tough economic times and many of you don't need the added burden of higher ticket prices at select fixtures. Your despair was warranted and justified. So, please be assured that with immediate effect and until the end of the season, we will have NO category A or B fixtures and tickets for all home fixtures at Loftus Road will be category C.

We appreciate that when you did express yourselves, the protests were done silently and peacefully, through letters and conversations. Point made and point taken!

Let's now get back to what's truly important and dedicate our energies to supporting the team on a matchday. Starting with the visit of Birmingham City to W12 on Tuesday night, let's sing loud and proud and be the formidable 12th man that we all know can make such a difference, especially at Loftus Road.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thanks for the kind words and support that many of you have given us.

We stand corrected on the ticket price increases.

Come on you R's - onwards and upwards....

Yours sincerely,

Amit Bhatia



www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1429063,00.html

[Zamoraaaah]

And

CLUB STATEMENT: MATCHDAY TICKET PRICES
www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1429061,00.html

Posted on: Wed 22 Oct 2008
The Club can confirm that all matchday ticket prices for the remainder of the season at Loftus Road will be Category C.

The Board have taken into account the concerns of our supporters in this current economic climate, and as a result, there will be no Category A or B fixtures for the remainder of the 2008/09 campaign.

We thank you once again for your continued support of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

The Board of Directors

[bp]

Not met the young man but great to hear.

Thank you.

[weavie]

well bill power you are a legand and we thank you for your one million pounds that you pumped into the club pleasse support us ever more

[regnar]

Great marketing idea. so more fans and then they can sock it to us next season.

[Zamoraaaah]

Yup, good news.
I do hope this news is also reported in the local press and radio.

On Monday I bumped into some Rangers I know who probably go to 6/7 games a season with their kids.
They thought the Forest game was Cat A prices so didn't bother buying tickets.
It's only 8 people but I suspect they are not alone and I don't think we should underestimate the damage caused by the initial price hikes.

It's time the club go one step further and offer some family deals/promotions.

[scottjones]

Well Done

[QPR Report]

I guess it sometimes pays to express yourself

[dylanpresman]

Bloody fantastic!!!

Imagine that a group of owners who make a mistake and then admit it and put it right. Wow!!! Where the hell did we find this lot?

Well done to all involved

[cpr]

Put Amit in charge!

[QPR Report]

"Onward and Upwards"

October 22, 2008

QPR Official Site Announcement: Match Day Ticket Prices

The Club can confirm that all matchday ticket prices for the remainder of the season at Loftus Road will be Category C.
The Board have taken into account the concerns of our supporters in this current economic climate, and as a result, there will be no Category A or B fixtures for the remainder of the 2008/09 campaign.
We thank you once again for your continued support of Queens Park Rangers Football Club. - The Board of Directors QPR


AN OPEN LETTER FROM AMIT BHATIA
Dear Supporters,
- In recent days and weeks, I have had the chance to interact and speak with many of you - at home, in and around our stadium and also at our away fixtures.
- Many of you have expressed excitement at the current and future prospects of the Club. Many of you feel the Club is on the right, forward moving track. Many of you have greeted us warmly and welcomed us into the QPR family. Firstly, allow me to thank you for all your support.
- In much of the conversations we have had, and encouragement that you have given me, some of you have also expressed your unhappiness at the increase in ticket prices for category A matches. It is something that we have listened to intently as a Board and as shareholders - we have discussed this issue seriously and considered it deeply.
- We live in tough economic times and many of you don't need the added burden of higher ticket prices at select fixtures. Your despair was warranted and justified. So, please be assured that with immediate effect and until the end of the season, we will have NO category A or B fixtures and tickets for all home fixtures at Loftus Road will be category C.
- We appreciate that when you did express yourselves, the protests were done silently and peacefully, through letters and conversations. Point made and point taken!
- Let's now get back to what's truly important and dedicate our energies to supporting the team on a matchday. Starting with the visit of Birmingham City to W12 on Tuesday night, let's sing loud and proud and be the formidable 12th man that we all know can make such a difference, especially at Loftus Road.
- Once again, thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thanks for the kind words and support that many of you have given us.
- We stand corrected on the ticket price increases.
Come on you R's - onwards and upwards....
Yours sincerely, Amit Bhatia QPR Official Site


Bhatia and Briatore dining in Paris

Telegraph - October 23 2008

Telegraph - Sandy Macaskill - Queens Park Rangers chairman Flavio Briatore in show of solidarity with Amit Bhatia

Queens Park Rangers chairman and vice-chairman have dined together in Paris in the hope of proving the board are united.
It follows speculation that relations among board members may have been fractured by differing policy over ticket prices.

Reports of boardroom unrest began to circulate on Thursday after an announcement on the club's website from Bhatia, the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, 20 per cent stakeholder in the London club and Britain's richest man, which revealed that a plan to increase match-day ticket prices is being frozen in light of the current financial upheaval.

Bhatia's open letter was welcomed by fans, who had opposed the proposal of charging spectators increasing amounts depending on the attractiveness of their opposition. Indeed, the scheme of classifying matches as category A, B and C games was also contended by the Football League, who ruled that price changes mid-season were prohibited.

Even so, the announcement that forthwith all matches would be priced under the category C bracket for the rest of the season was seen as undermining Briatore, who had planned the hikes to meet budgets previously set to provide a better standard of entertainment for home and away fans. The Italian was understood to be furious when he learnt of the announcement.
Yet Bhatia insisted: "This is the result of Flavio and myself spending time discussing the best way to deal with the [financial crisis]. Any decision that has been made has been made by myself and the rest of the board combined.

"We are friends and family on the board where everyone is aligned in their thinking. The board was listening to the fans and understood that the price increase was unwarranted at this point in time"

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/3248773/Queens-Park-Rangers-chairman-Flavio-Briatore-in-show-of-solidarity-with-Amit-Bhatia-Football.html

[eskey8]

That match day ticket price announcement made us a complete laughing stock. I think it was Derby (can't be sure) who were the next team down after this announcement, were they not threatening to boycott they match, and fair play to them.

[QPR Report]

And a year ago, Bhatia and Briatore dining in Paris

Telegraph

Telegraph - Sandy Macaskill - Queens Park Rangers chairman Flavio Briatore in show of solidarity with Amit Bhatia

Queens Park Rangers chairman and vice-chairman have dined together in Paris in the hope of proving the board are united.
It follows speculation that relations among board members may have been fractured by differing policy over ticket prices.

Reports of boardroom unrest began to circulate on Thursday after an announcement on the club's website from Bhatia, the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, 20 per cent stakeholder in the London club and Britain's richest man, which revealed that a plan to increase match-day ticket prices is being frozen in light of the current financial upheaval.

Bhatia's open letter was welcomed by fans, who had opposed the proposal of charging spectators increasing amounts depending on the attractiveness of their opposition. Indeed, the scheme of classifying matches as category A, B and C games was also contended by the Football League, who ruled that price changes mid-season were prohibited.

Even so, the announcement that forthwith all matches would be priced under the category C bracket for the rest of the season was seen as undermining Briatore, who had planned the hikes to meet budgets previously set to provide a better standard of entertainment for home and away fans. The Italian was understood to be furious when he learnt of the announcement.
Yet Bhatia insisted: "This is the result of Flavio and myself spending time discussing the best way to deal with the [financial crisis]. Any decision that has been made has been made by myself and the rest of the board combined.

"We are friends and family on the board where everyone is aligned in their thinking. The board was listening to the fans and understood that the price increase was unwarranted at this point in time"

[QPR Report]

And in the press a year ago...QPR Boardroom Power Struggle? ...Dowie Facing Sack?...Paladini in Trouble?

The Guardian/David Hytner - QPR owners head for showdown as ticket price cut fans the flames
Queens Park Rangers were last night set for a power struggle which could reshape the club after the vice-chairman, Amit Bhatia, went public with a promise to reduce ticket prices but in doing so appeared to undermine the authority of the chairman, Flavio Briatore.
Supporters reacted with delight to an open letter from Bhatia - the son-in-law of and front man for Lakshmi Mittal, the world's fourth richest man, who took a 20% stake in the club at the end of last year - saying that the £50 and £40 category A and B tickets for matches at Loftus Road would be scrapped with immediate effect. Bhatia has styled himself as a populist with QPR fans.
- But Briatore, who with his fellow formula one magnate Bernie Ecclestone has control of QPR, is believed to be furious at Bhatia's declaration. He will seek urgent talks to clear the air and the collateral damage could include the sporting director, Gianni Paladini, who is Briatore's prime contact at the club. Paladini was fearful last night that he might lose his job.
- The manager, Iain Dowie, is already under pressure from Briatore, who is demanding that the club are promoted to the Premier League this season. There have also been suggestions that the Mittals might seek to buy out Briatore and assume full control of the club.
- Bhatia and Mittal have been infected by the football bug and they are also conscious of what Bhatia called the "tough economic times". "Many of you [the fans] don't need the added burden of higher ticket prices at select fixtures," he said. "Your despair was warranted and justified. So please be assured that with immediate effect and until the end of the season, we will have no category A or B fixtures and tickets for all home fixtures at Loftus Road will be category C. We stand corrected on the ticket price increases." The Guardian


The Sun/Dean Jones - Dowie in the mire at Rangers
IAIN DOWIE faces the axe at QPR.
Hoops owner Flavio Briatore is becoming increasingly hands-on — even wanting to pick the team himself.
His relationship with the manager is strained and despite just five months in the job, Dowie’s time may be near an end.
Rangers have won one of their last six.
QPR Holdings Ltd vice-chairman Amit Bhatia has told fans every game will now be a ‘cheap’ category C game to help them in the credit crunch.
But SunSport understands Briatore did not approve the idea.
Bhatia represents shareholder Lakshmi Mittal, the world’s fourth richest man." The Sun --- [See QPR Report Messageboard]


UPDATE: And from the Daily Mail (But just a summary of what's in the other papers)
Daily Mail - QPR owners set for showdown talks as Dowie's future hangs
in the balance at Loftus Road
The mega-rich owners of Queens Park Rangers are set for showdown talks over a ticket pricing row which could also decide the fate of beleaguered manager Iain Dowie.
Millionaire chairman Flavio Briatore is reported to be furious at vice-chairman Amit Bhatia - the son-in-law of and front man for Lakshmi Mittal - after he told fans he planned to reduce ticket prices.

Bhatia revealed publicly that the £50 and £40 category A and B tickets for Championship matches at Loftus Road would be scrapped with immediate effect.
'Many of you [the fans] don't need the added burden of higher ticket prices at select fixtures,' he said.
'Your despair was warranted and justified. So please be assured that with immediate effect and until the end of the season, we will have no category A or B fixtures and tickets for all home fixtures at Loftus Road will be category C. We stand corrected on the ticket price increases.'
But his declaration has infuriated Briatore who believes he has been undermined by his vice-chairman, according to The Guardian.
Bhatia works on behalf of Mittal - the world's fourth richest man, who owns a 20 per cent stake in the club.

Briatore, who along with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone have control of QPR, want to hold urgent talks with Bhatia which could reshape the club.
The Guardian claims Sporting director Gianni Paladini will be involved in the talks and is fearful he might lose his job.
Dowie's position is also thought to be under threat and will be discussed at the meeting.
The QPR boss is under pressure from Briatore to get them promoted to the Barclays Premier League but they have won just one of their last six games.

Renault F1 Briatore is even thought to want to pick the team himself and his relationship with Dowie is understood to have become extremely strained, reports The Sun. The Mail

qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/10/dowie-in-qpr-troublebriatore-dispute.html

[Macmoish]

For a special occasion: A bumped post....

[Macmoish]

Bump ....

From three years ago!

And the aftermath...Dining out together...

And Dowie on the brink...

[Macmoish]

Bump: FIve Years ago Today

Oct 22, 2008 17:05:00 GMT Zamoraaaah said:

Edit/Bump...Five Years Ago


AN OPEN LETTER FROM AMIT BHATIA

www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1429063,00.html

Posted on: Wed 22 Oct 2008
Dear Supporters,

In recent days and weeks, I have had the chance to interact and speak with many of you - at home, in and around our stadium and also at our away fixtures.

Many of you have expressed excitement at the current and future prospects of the Club. Many of you feel the Club is on the right, forward moving track. Many of you have greeted us warmly and welcomed us into the QPR family. Firstly, allow me to thank you for all your support.

In much of the conversations we have had, and encouragement that you have given me, some of you have also expressed your unhappiness at the increase in ticket prices for category A matches. It is something that we have listened to intently as a Board and as shareholders - we have discussed this issue seriously and considered it deeply.

We live in tough economic times and many of you don't need the added burden of higher ticket prices at select fixtures. Your despair was warranted and justified. So, please be assured that with immediate effect and until the end of the season, we will have NO category A or B fixtures and tickets for all home fixtures at Loftus Road will be category C.

We appreciate that when you did express yourselves, the protests were done silently and peacefully, through letters and conversations. Point made and point taken!

Let's now get back to what's truly important and dedicate our energies to supporting the team on a matchday. Starting with the visit of Birmingham City to W12 on Tuesday night, let's sing loud and proud and be the formidable 12th man that we all know can make such a difference, especially at Loftus Road.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thanks for the kind words and support that many of you have given us.

We stand corrected on the ticket price increases.

Come on you R's - onwards and upwards....

Yours sincerely,

Amit Bhatia

[Macmoish]

Bump - 7 Years ago...

He seems to have moved to the sides, but think QPR would have been in a better, more realistic position if he'd taken over rather than Fernandes et al. Obviously never know for sure, but looked that way

[Macmoish]

Bump 8 Years ago

[Macmoish]

Flashback 9 Years