QPR 1st held a small meeting yesterday, at which the trust’s constitution was ratified by members. Members will be able to download copies of the constitution in pdf format shortly, whilst hard copies can be supplied on request.
QPR 1st also used the occasion to launch the first of its surgeries. This was a small informal gathering at which members, and in future non-members, can discuss their concerns and their ideas with QPR 1st committee members. We aim to hold a surgery roughly once every 4-6 weeks.
The turn-out at last night’s surgery was disappointing, but we are hopeful that numbers will grow as word about the meetings spreads. Most of the discussions last night centred on the ownership of the club, but other concerns were raised. In particular season ticket holders aired grievances which QPR 1st will raise with the club, whilst there may also be an issue regarding disabled access.
Meanwhile one of the QPR 1st members who attended, Colin Hennessey, has posted an account of the meeting on the qpr.org board, which we unashamedly steal.
Rangers fans need surgery? A personal view of last nights QPR1st meeting
Last night saw QPR1st legally become a supporters trust. It has been almost a year since Queens Park Rangers were put into administration and shortly after this was the night when almost 1,000 supporters turned up on a chilly night at Hammersmith Town Hall to give their overwhelming support to the formation of this football trust and to try and ensure the continued existence of Queens Park Rangers FC.
With important meetings coming up, it was felt necessary by QPR1st to get some legal technicalities sorted out and get the mission statement ratified by a gathering of members. This was done by holding the first of what will become monthly/six weekly “surgeries”. These surgeries will be held to give members a chance to discuss ideas, air grievances and pick up information on anything QPR but particularly to give supporters a stronger voice when talking to the club. These gatherings are intended to be, like last night, informal affairs with an opportunity to hear the latest plans and express your opinions and to vote on important issues.
Representing QPR1st were Chairman David Price and committee members; Leon Stent, Tracy Stent, Justin Pieris and Will Wall.
First of all there was an opening speech by David Price to point out that it was now time to make QPR1st an official supporters trust by producing the mission statement in its new 18 page (shortened) version and hold a vote to declare all “above board” as it were. The vote to acknowledge the Trust was unanimous in favour by the 15-20 attendees.
There were many points discussed but among the most important were:
It was felt by the trust that despite two different consortiums claiming that they were close to a deal, this was far from being certain. Both ‘The Melzack group’ and ‘The Wintons’ are under the impression that their deals were going to go through! Of course fans have been hearing this for some time now and from more than just these two parties.
QPR1st are concerned that anyone that does gain control does so with some working capital and if possible without any mortgages or insurances that could result in the club losing the ground. It was pointed out that David Davies has gone on record as saying that mortgaging the ground was a possibility!
The Winton brothers are interested in taking over the running of the club, not as owners but as caretakers, with the mission to make the club more attractive to buyers over a period of a couple of years.
QPR1st are also concerned that apathy has crept into supporters minds. This was because, in general, on the various fans messageboards supporters have been absorbed by the possibility of promotion and hence have overlooked the survival of the club. Survival should not be taken for granted. It is felt by QPR1st that it is a distinct possibility that the Football League could decide that with the current financial climate, Rangers cannot fulfil fixtures next season and will not be allowed to stay in the league at all!
There has been a rift between QPR1st and The LSA which is concerning the QPR1st committee and should, hopefully be a concern for The LSA! There are moves afoot to put this right. It is felt by QPR1st that without a joint effort there will be no unified voice in which to lobby anyone. One respected member of both organisations is going to use his influence to try and get dialogue started once more.
Other points raised were concerns that news should be more universally received. In other words Web users were well catered for but a more concerted effort was needed to keep other members informed.
Membership of QPR1st was now approaching 700 members and rising by approx 5 a week. Not bad considering Aston Villas membership is about 24!
Rangerstillidie.co.uk are hoping to have a league table of “Trust Memberships” shortly to show how well QPR supporters are doing in terms of numbers.
Just to finish off, I have to add that this report is one done to the best of my memory and that the interpretations of information may be slightly innacurate.
PS: There is a QPR1st meeting at Hammersmith Town Hall on 4th April. It is hoped that this meeting will attract as many supporters as the one last year so please make an extra effort to show the club that together we can make a difference!
QPR 1st note: Regarding the sentance of Coley’s report about the Wintons bid, we would just like to clarify that under the Wintons bid their consortium would be the OWNERS of the club and plan to take the club forward, not act as caretakers until another buyer can be found as stated in the report.