QPR1st is sad to announce that Ian Blackaby, Bill Butler and Julia Hill are standing down from their positions as members of its management committee. Each departure is amicable and QPR1st wishes them all the best for the future.
Bill has been under tremendous pressure at work and has found himself
struggling to devote any serious time to QPR1st. Consequently, he felt it was for the best to distance himself from the day-to-day management of QPR1st. He will continue to help QPR1st on financial issues, particularly in representing QPR1st at Club EGMs and in putting together the difficult
financial questions that we have been asking of the Club, its owner and the bidders for the Club. Bill has beeen at the heart of our work in this area since the trust was formed, counting amongst his many successes the Club EGM in which he cheerfully ran rings around the Club’s lawyers. QPR1st sympathises with his pressured position and offers its heartfelt thanks for the good work he has done so far.
Ian has found that his external commitments have clashed with those to
QPR1st, which meant that QPR1st has had to stand to one side. Ian says he will continue to be available to help or advise us on a one-off basis.
Ian played a crucial role in the development of QPR1st. His was one of the earliest voices to be heard expressing the need for a supporters trust, long before the Club went into administration, and he was a dedicated member of the interim committee that took us to elections. He master-minded our political campaigns, persuading general election candidates to support the QPR1st cause and opening important links to local government. Lately, Ian has been out treasurer.
Julia has decided to leave us because she wants to campaign in a more direct manner than she felt able to at QPR1st. Julia is another of QPR1st’s founders. With Ian Blackaby, Tracy Stent and David Price, she investigated the idea of supporters trusts at the beginning of 2001 and it was she who, with Tracy, arranged the original founding meeting at the Uxbridge Arms, Notting Hill Gate, along with the mass-gathering at Hammersmith Town Hall. Julia is currently responsible for the co-ordination of our share register.
The QPR1st committee will next meet early in January, when decisions about new appointments will be made. If anyone wishes to volunteer their services, please email info@qpr1st.co.uk.