QPR1st Supporters’ Trust welcomes the Club’s announcement of the Forever R’s Club for former players and the first meeting of “Former Players Committee”. This is something that has been long advocated by fans.

QPR1st will welcome hearing whether there are any plans to expand the committee to include additional former players, including those not directly employed by QPR, and perhaps additional fans as well.

This is a start, but we urge the football club to consider how support might be provided to former players who may have served the club well but are facing hardship.

The minutes of the players’ committee state that “this would not be a Club that would provide funds to Former Players who may be ill or experiencing financial hardship. The PFA perform this role for its members”.

Other clubs have adopted a more flexible approach. Reading FC Former Players’ Association links with 200 former players and provides help “including, but not limited to, social and welfare support”.

Everton created a registered charity; The Everton Former Player’s Association. This raises funds at matches, through raffles and special events. According to the charity, money raised goes “towards the medical assistance and other requirements of former Everton players who did not have the luxury of today’s inflated wages. Some players bear the physical scars of giving their all in the Royal Blue jersey, and the Foundation contributes where it can towards medical assistance that improves the lives of these heroes of days gone by.”

We urge the club to look at creative solutions that could provide support to former QPR players where there is genuine need.

QPR has had a plan for more than 600 homes as well as offices at Old Oak approved. This is the first significant decision made by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation – the body that will decide whether the club will be able to build a new stadium in the Old Oak area.

The new development is called Oaklands, and is being developed by the club and its partner, the Genesis housing association, on a plot of land at Old Oak.  As well as housing, the development will include a new road. This could later become a vital link road into the development area north of the canal and close to Willesden Junction station.

That road, and other pockets of land owned by QPR could prove to be important in future decision-making on proposals for Old Oak.  The club has said that it needs to have interests in housing at Old Oak as part of its plans to raise finance for a new stadium.

QPR1st Supporters Trust believes this planning permission is good news for all those who would like to see a new stadium.  It is good to see evidence of the club working positively with the planning authority for Old Oak; and showing it can deliver on housing and projects than benefit the community.

The story of QPR’s successful planning application was covered in the Standard last night:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/qpr-housing-development-victory-raises-hope-for-new-stadium-a3295616.html

Car Giant, who had said they would submit a planning application for their plans in December last year, have embarked on a fourth round of consultation on their plans for land thy own at Old Oak.

The new mayor of London is currently reviewing the work of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, and is expected to make new appointments to its board later in the year.