New Signing Strikes up a Good Partnership
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
July 1 2008 www.lbhf.gov.uk SPORT 55 NEW SIGNING STRIKES UP A GOOD PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT: QUEENS Park Rangers can bank executive director, products and Amit Bhatia, on the support of a major financial marketing at Abbey, said: “QPR vice chairman group thanks to a new two-year deal. have great ambition and we are of QPR The Loftus Road club have linked excited to be part of it. We look Holdings Ltd, up with Abbey, part of the Santander forward to developing a business and Nathan Group, which becomes an official and community programme with the Bostock, CFO financial partner. club that will involve our staff and and executive The partnership will provide the customers as well as building on director, financial group with a bespoke our existing initiatives with schools, Products and programme including joint branding charities and local communities.” Marketing at at Loftus Road, access to players Amit Bhatia, vice chairman of Abbey and senior staff and the use of club QPR Holdings Ltd, added: “Abbey is facilities throughout the year. part of a global banking brand that Other activities include a stands for success and excellence ‘Business in Sport’ programme worldwide, and these are qualities building on the new arrangement. that we strive to instil within our Nathan Bostock, CFO and club.” High Hoops u We chat to Gareth a few ex-Premier mingham and Reading will both be go- League teams ing for it and although Derby hit a brick Ainsworth of QPR ahead now that people wall last season they have some big of their 2008-9 campaign expect to hit names still. the ground “At the other end Forest and u Popular midfielder is r u n n i n g Swansea coming up are from big delighted to be a player- and bounce cities and have money to spend. s t r a i g h t “Doncaster are a bit unknown coach at an exciting time back – Bir- but so were Blackpool and they did well. Strength in depth is the key. TOM DERBYSHIRE “There are some big-hitters “We have a big squad,” said Ains- It’S probably a good sign that your straightaway and people are spending worth. “It is certainly not about 11 play- player-coach’s tip for Euro 2008 won money – it will be tough. ers any more. It is all about the squad the tournament. “This is probably the hardest divi- these days.” But no-one should really be surprised sion I have ever played in.” More signings are on the way, about QPR talisman Gareth Ainsworth’s Ainsworth is happy with the QPR says chairman Gianni Paladini, with choice of Spain, given the 35-year-old’s squad and feels it is the best team Argentine midfielder Emmanuel Jorge long career in football. spirit since his days with Wimble- Ledesma the latest recruit. The fans’ favourite has been with don’s Crazy Gang. One bonus from Ainsworth’s expe- the Loftus Road club since 2003, the The Rs finished in 14th place last rience is that the sometimes bewilder- longest-serving current player, and season, with several new faces appear- ing events at QPR over the past year did his great experience will now be put ing in the January transfer window. not unsettle him as it might have done to good use as part of a trio alongside with younger players. new manager Iain Dowie and former Manager John Gregory went and the England goalkeeper Tim Flowers. financial difficulties were biting hard, Ainsworth does admit his choice of but supporters were delighted when Spain was partly influenced by his South Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore American girlfriend, but QPR can still took over, later joined by billionaire count on him to be a valuable influence Lakshmi Mittal, and the club can now – especially with Dowie. We have gone from look forward to a bright future – and a “It is a bit of a step up from last year return to the Premier League has sud- when I helped Luigi di Canio with some being one of the denly become a realistic aim. things but I was lucky enough that Iain poorest clubs to A five-year deal with Lotto Sport Dowie came in and wanted to keep me was announced and to mark a new era coaching,” he told h&f news. pinch-yourself time the club badge was redesigned. “He is fantastic, and with Tim as well “Nothing does surprise me these there are two great people, and I am re- Ainsworth says despite the days but it is a welcome change. We ally pleased with it. upheaval it was good to be in a have gone from being one of the poor- “We looked at the squad, the three of “team not ‘battling for survival’ est clubs to pinch-yourself, fairytale us, and we have got talent there. If we and the Blackburn-born mid- time,” Ainsworth said. can combine that with the hard work fielder is optimistic about life “The rumour mill is unbelievable, and effort that Iain has a reputation at Loftus Road. and you never actually believe any- for it is going to be a good season.” It will be a difficult start, thing until it happens. Despite many pundits tipping though, with influential play- “It is great to be high-profile now but QPR for a strong promotion chal- ers Akos Buzsaky and Row- QPR has given me a good grounding in SPORTING LIFE SPORTING lenge – given the new players, an Vine injured. football. The speculation is amazing at coaching staff and money coming “It is a massive blow,” times.” into the club – Ainsworth is wary said Ainsworth. “It is a l The club’s Championship campaign of predictions. shame and we are going to kicks off at home on August 9 against “I do not really set targets,” be missing them.” Barnsley. You can see them in action he said. “All I would say is every Ainsworth feels other in a series of pre-season friendlies, game, every week we want to win. players who could be very starting with Stevenage Borough v We want to win every game this season. influential include Martin QPR at 3pm on July 19. “Over 46 games it is a real reflection Rowlands – ‘he is prob- of how you have done. One of the few ably at the peak of his cliches I go with is the table at the end career, playing his best’ of the season does not lie. – and strikers Dexter “People are expecting us to be up Blackstock and Patrick FANS’ fAVOURITE there but we have a new manager who Agyemang, if they Gareth Ainsworth has not even taken training yet and we PASSING ON can show the excel- >> Born in Blackburn, May 10, will have to take each game at a time.” EXPERIENCE: lent form QPR fans 1973 Last season the Championship was QPR midfielder Gareth have seen tantalising >> Previous clubs are Cardiff incredibly close but Ainsworth says: “I Ainsworth now has glimpses of. City, Preston, Port Vale, Lincoln a player-coach role City, Preston (loan), Cambridge, do not think it is going to be as crazy as alongside Iain Dowie it was last year, everyone beating every- Walsall (loan), Wimbledon RELAY THE >> one, no runaway leaders. PICTURE BY action Images Joined QPR in June 2003 >> In 2007/8 he made 16 MESSAGES “It was really good for football if SCHOOL ATHLETES league appearances and eight as IN COMPETITION you were a neutral. sub, scoring two goals, and one SEE PAGE 56>> “There will be a bigger gap be- FA Cup appearance tween the top and bottom. There are 56 SPORT www.lbhf.gov.uk 1 July 2008 1 July 2008 www.lbhf.gov.uk SPORT 57 SPORTING LIFE SPORTING LIFE Tahj John, 11, GIRLS’ COMPETITION of John Betts DistriCT ATHletiCS AT linforD CHristie stADIUM>> School, said: “I’m School really tense. I’m Points Position taking part in the 06 Brackenbury 58 1 Year 6 relay and high jump and 21 St Stephen’s 41 2 I’m quite scared 23 Good Shepherd 25 3 because I haven’t trained much.” Stars are a bit too soon for 2012 13 John Betts 24 =4 19 St Peter’s 24 =4 Jamella Sampson, 11, 04 All Saints 23 =6 of Brackenbury 22 Larmenier Sacred Primary, said: 23 =6 “I’m feeling really Heart good because my 26 Wormholt Park 22 8 school’s come but 2016 Olympics is beckoning! first in everything 17 Old Oak 17 9 so far. I definitely think we can win u Brackenbury has overall title Deryck Fill said the meeting was a great 05 Bentworth 16 =10 the trophy today.” day out enjoyed by the children and adults 11 Canberra 16 =10 success at schools’ athletics day who attended. Charlie Lowe, u The Hammersmith primary “The weather behaved itself and all of 12 Greenside 14 12 11, of St Peter’s C of E Primary comes top of the girls’ us were treated to some very fine athletic 20 St Mary’s 13 13 endeavours,” he said. School, said: “I competition while Larmenier 29 Sulivan 11 14 hope I can win “It could be the start of something, too the 400m sprint. and Sacred Heart wins the boys’ soon for 2012 but maybe 2016.” 14 Kenmont 8 =15 We’ve all trained contest at borough stadium Brackenbury also came top in the 32 Langford 8 =15 a lot and done overall girls’ competition ahead of St quite well so far.” 02 Miles Coverdale 7 17 MADELINE HEALEY Stephen’s and Shepherds Bush’s Good Shepherd school.