Rangers have announced they will give away five hundred free tickets to serving soldiers at Hounslow barracks and their families at the home game against Coventry City.
QPR announce free day for troops – evening news Rangers have announced they will give away five hundred free tickets to serving soldiers at Hounslow barracks and their families at the home game against Coventry City. This is a really tremendous idea and initiative from the club, championed by local councillor and QPR message board regular Paul Fisher. The offer of 500 tickets in the Ellerslie Road Stand has been made for the Coventry City home match on November 28.
Deputy managing director Ali Russell told the club’s official website: “This is something we have been thinking about for some time and we're delighted we've been able to pencil in the Coventry City match for the entire QPR fan-base to show their appreciation and gratitude to these incredible human beings.
“It puts football into perspective when you consider what these people have been through, but we will be giving them a day to remember at Loftus Road - and what better motivation to win than in front of a group of troops who have given blood, sweat and tears for their country in recent months. We will be working very closely with Help for Heroes on several initiatives throughout the season, but we're delighted that we've managed to get the wheels in motion with our local barracks and hopefully it's the start of a really positive relationship."
Captain Jay Shaw added: “It is great to see the support and appreciation shown to our regiment by the British public and especially on this occasion Queens Park Rangers.”
QPR are at home this Friday night against Leicester City live on Sky. The Foxes moved above Rangers with a win at Reading on Monday but in form midfielder Akos Buzsaky is in confident mood. He said: “'We don't fear anyone and if we play to the best of our ability, we're confident we can turn anyone over. We showed the viewing public what we're all about against Derby on Saturday night and we'll be going all out to put on another show on Friday evening. It's not about what they might do, it's about focusing on what we can do. Our home form has been really good since the start of the campaign and over the course of the season, it will be our results at Loftus Road that ultimately govern where we finish the season.”
Off the pitch youth team coaches Marc Bircham and Keith Ryan and former R’s favourite Steve Wicks are in Bahrain this week taking part in the Royal Golf Club Pro Am that is being arranged by club sponsors Gulf Air.
Bircham told the club’s official website: “I'm not just saying this because I feel I should - but a big thumbs up to Gulf Air for the way they looked after us on our way out here. They got me out of a bit of a predicament. I arrived at Heathrow Airport this morning along with Rhino and Wicksy in plenty of time. We handed our passports over at the desk - and I ended up getting a very confused look from the Gulf Air lady. It turns out I picked up my wife's passport when I left the house at 6am this morning. I couldn't believe it! I ended up calling my mate and he whizzed over to my house and got over to Heathrow as quick as he could with my passport. There were a few anxious looks at the watch when he still hadn't turned up at 8.30am - we were due to take off at 9.30am. Michelle and her colleagues at Gulf Air were first-class, though. As soon as the passport arrived, they whisked us through and we managed to make the flight with plenty of time to spare.”
Chairman Flavio Briatore continues to keep a low profile as he awaits the Football League’s verdict on his continued ownership of QPR – the Italian has just arrived in Malindi for a one month holiday.
With the January transfer window fast approaching QPR have today been linked again with Gillingham hot shot Simeon Jackson. John Gorman was at the Gills’ recent home match with Wycombe to watch Jackson, who scored one on the day and has 11 goals already in League One this season, and the Daily Star reports today that Rangers are lining up a £1m January bid for the Canadian.
Elsewhere in the Championship today recently sacked Wycombe manager has revealed he has held talks with bottom of the table Ipswich about joining their coaching staff. Derby Chairman Adam Pearson has left the club after two years, apparently to rejoin Hull City. Leicester await an answer from former Dutch international Edgar Davids who is a free agent and has been offered a contract at the Walkers Stadium – manager Nigel Pearson has denied the move is a publicity stunt.