April 2nd 2001. QPR enter administrative receivership.
May 27th 2002. The administrative order is lifted at the High Court and as Juzza said to me yesterday afternoon “Well, we’ve been to some places this year haven’t we Trace?”
Strange, because at just before 10.30am that morning, whilst waiting for Juzza and Jon’s arrivals outside the High Court along the Strand in Central London, and watching the attendance of the groups of camera crews representing the various media parties, I had thought the same thing, indeed had been having a little muse about this past year and some of the events outlined below.
- From the original Notting Hill Gate Pub gathering.
- To meetings with prospective bidders/buyers at various hotels/pubs/restaurants etc.
- To appointments with the local Borough reps at the Council chambers, to a visit to the Houses of Parliament to meet with Clive Soley MP (my own personal favourite memory from this past year).
- Public Meetings and the protest before the Swindon game.
- Attending various Conferences.
- Meetings with the ex owner and the QPR management, many of which included a variety of aspects ranging from arguments and fall outs, to mutual respect and amiability.
Juzza and Jon’s arrivals signalled the end of my melancholy thoughts and we went off in search of the court where our case would be heard. As it had been a late application it wasn’t listed in the main book and after making enquiries the chap on reception directed us on whereabouts to go. We waited around outside for only a short time before David Davies arrived along with a group of people whom we assumed to be Chris Wright’s fleet of legal advisers. No sign of Chris Wright himself or of Ray Hocking.
After a short period David explained to us that we would be unable to attend the court hearing itself, due to the process being one of a ‘closed camera’, just as it was when we entered into administration. He did inform us though that we would be permitted to look at the lifting of the order document afterwards. Assuming all went well!
So, at 11.35am, after good luck handshakes from all, David Davies, along with the team of legal advisers, entered Court number 37. Rather than hang around outside the room, though we did attempt to sneak looks into the Court, we had a little walk around the courtyard before settling downstairs to rest our legs, during which all the time only one subject passed our lips! Before long we decided to go back upstairs to wait outside the court. We didn’t have to wait long for at 12.10pm David and Co appeared through the doors of the court, he came straight over to us and informed us that all had gone well, the explanations had been made regarding the application for the order to be lifted of which the judge had permitted.
****We were out of administration****
Smiles and handshakes abound and then David explained to us that he was just awaiting the official document which he would show us as soon as he received it from the Court officials. Another short wait ensued, more QPR talk (what else?!) before David approached us with the signed documents proving that the court had consented to the lifting of the administrative order of both Loftus Road plc and QPR FC.
He then had to dash off to go and speak with the various media/press parties waiting outside. We also made our way outside and it seemed fitting that in a period of a few days which has seen plenty of rain, yesterday afternoon we stepped out into beautiful sunshine. Almost as if the sun had been waiting to shine for us. With Jon having to attend another appointment, Juzza and I decided a drink was the order of the day, and whilst tempted to go and stand behind David pulling faces at the cameras, we decided against this impulse and entered the pub opposite the court instead.
We are obviously seeking a meeting with the board asap because clarification is needed on a variety of matters including the terms, repayments and source of the loan. As well as the little matter of clarification regarding £2.5 million on sundry items according to the latest administrators accounts! Just as we eagerly await the AGM that has to be called for shareholders in order to enable the shareholders their chance of asking for the relevant facts regarding the loan and the amount of monies left for funding after all creditors have been repaid.
And we’re also under no illusion of the amount of hard work that is going to be needed by both fans and club alike in the coming months.
However yesterday, after a year of trials and tribulations, was a day to enjoy and remember the good things about QPR. For it was a day when the sun shone on QPR.
Tracy Stent