QPR1st would like to provide an update to all supporters with regards to the current state of play in terms of its consultation and communication with the Club.
Since the Trust’s inception back in April 2001, it has in the past enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the Club and held regular formal and informal consultation between the Club’s CEO or other Board members.
This relationship began to deteriorate during Flavio Briatore’s reign. The Club’s communication with The Trust became progressively worse and completely broke down after Amit Bhatia left, with the Club refusing to speak to us directly.
When Tony Fernandes arrived and Amit Bhatia returned, The Trust assumed that the relationship would be restored and contacted the Club to try and set up a meeting with CEO Phillip Beard when he was appointed.
The Trust were told that Phillip Beard was too busy and that we needed to wait and that wait turned from weeks into months – to the point The Trust gave up asking after repeated attempts to establish dialogue with the Club.
The Trust welcomes Mr Fernandes’ approach and open nature on social media like Twitter, and for visiting local pubs in the community to talk to fans. This however is not a substitute for holding proper structured dialogue between the Club and independent fan reps.
The Trust have also contacted the Club regarding issues that have affected supporters, such as the decision to force season ticket holders to relocate out of the Lower Loft and turn an unsheltered area behind the goal into a “Family Stand”. The Trust did not receive a reply from the Club.
The Trust wrote to the Club and asked them to join forces in the campaign to prevent the Accident & Emergency centre nearest to Loftus Road stadium from being closed down, but regrettably again, The Trust did not receive a response.
As many of you know the Supporters Trust is part of a nationwide organisation called Supporters Direct which is state funded and is supported by both the FA and the two main political parties. At a meeting of Premiership Supporters Trusts held by Supporters Direct we explained our situation and inability to establish communication with the Club. They agreed to intervene on our behalf to see if they could make progress once we had tried one last time to set up consultation with the Club.
We are in the process of formally writing to the Club for a meeting. There are a wide range of issues that need to be discussed, such as the plans for a new stadium, season ticket pricing for the 2013/14 season which will be a hot topic depending on which division the Club is in next season, establishing a relationship with the Supporters Liaison Officer, which is meant to be a key role in the Club with considerable status, and a variety of other topics from cup ticket prices to fans forums and regular contact with supporters.
The Trust will continue to keep its members and supporters notified of any developments in this area.