First off, thanks to everyone who have already responded to our email straw poll, which outlines the two current confirmed bids and asks you, in principle, which of the two you favour. Quite rightly, a handful of people have responded saying that there is not enough information given on which to form a valid opinion. But it is only a straw poll, nothing more – which is why the words ‘in principle’ were important.
Today four of the interim committee members met with the person behind the latest of those bids; Maurice Fitzgerald. He was known to all of us of course as he was one of the initial members of the trust but none of us have had contact with him since he left. We wanted to get some finer points on his bid, and whereas much of the stuff had to remain confidential we came away having learnt a fair deal.
Their offer represents money to pay off a sum to Chris Wright, all the club’s other creditors and running costs for a small number of years. There are a number of innovative fund raising initiatives and more potential investors to carry on the process, intimate details of which he could not reveal. The money is coming from 2 sources, one of whom is an investment company and the other from a small number of wealthy Rangers fans.
The director at the investment firm is a long time QPR fan brought up near White City. As stated in this consortium’s bid in the press they have an intention to stay at Loftus Road. However they did say this; “We are committed to staying at Loftus Rd and any discussion of a move is premature until success is achieved by way of promotion. We wish to stay in West London & preferably LBHF as we consider the heart and soul of the club will be ripped out by a move to out of town locations. Additionally the financial aspects have to be considered and at present emerging from administration, the cost of a new site and ground owned by QPR is not feasible.
In any event this is not a decision for the new owners but the Fans and we would not even consider moving without Fans approval.” Lastly Fitzgerald stated that he is very pleased with the way the club has been run since administration and would look to make no changes below board level should their bid be successful. We will hopefully meet again with as many of the parties involved in bidding for QPR and report back to you as soon as we can.