Just to clear up the misunderstanding that has arisen over yesterday’s update, the scenario outlined was done so from a press release forwarded to us by Altonwood Limited (Ron Noades’ Brentford company). It clearly states that the Winton-FitzGerald bid will be party to QPR moving out of Loftus Road in the next 2-3 years.
The press release also claimed that the Winton-FitzGerald bid was supported by QPR 1st.
Both of the above statements are contrary to the facts. QPR 1st
therefore contacted Altonwood and instructed that all references to QPR 1st should be removed as we do not and will not endorse any move that could see Ron Noades with a stake in QPR or Loftus Road. We were obviously not in a position to make similar instructions with regard to references to Winton-FitzGerald.
The way the story has subsequently developed leads us to believe that there is, at best, an element of mischief making here; or, more worryingly, a prime example of ‘divide and rule’ – that coming from outside of QPR.
For the record, QPR 1st has no grounds for believing that the
Winton-FitzGerald consortium intends, or has ever intended, to move QPR away from Loftus Road. What concerns us more, is that Ron Noades appears, through his press release, to believe that.
Here is the Altonwood press release in full.
1st February 2002
Press Release
Queens Park Rangers/Loftus Road PLC currently owe, it is believed, £12million.It is anticipated that Queens Park Ranger Football Club will lose a further £2million between January 2002 and the end of this season, viz. £14million in debt
Mr. H. Winton and Mr. M. Fitzgerald (WF Consortium) have already provided the funding for Queens Park Rangers Football Club to acquire the former Charlton Player, Daniel Shittu.
Brentford FC Limited has made an offer to purchase the Loftus Road stadium for £10million or £6million for a half share. WF Consortium has made an offer to buy Queens Park Rangers Football Club (supported by the QPR Supporters Trust). WF Consortium has the necessary working capital for Queens Park Rangers Football Club of £2million. The total therefore would take Queens Park Rangers out of administration.
Brentford FC Limited and the WF Consortium will protect Queens Park Rangers Football Club rights to remain at and play football at Loftus Road.
It is the intention of Brentford Football Club and the new Queens
Park Rangers Football Club to relocate out of Loftus Road and
construct a new purpose built stadium in West London in the next (2-3 years) using the Griffin Park and Loftus Road sale proceeds.This proposal is being rejected by the current owners of Queens Park Rangers because of the rights of Wasps (the rugby union club) to occupy Loftus Road.
Issued by :
Brentford FC Limited
WF Consortium
Bees United
QPR Supporters Trust