DAVIES ON "SOCCER" AND
INVESTORS
From the Hammersmith Times 22 October 2003
QPR face their biggest game of the season next Tuesday when Premiership giants
Manchester City come to Loftus Road, but it is a big match not only on the
field.
As well as bringing plenty of excitement as QPR's young side pit their wits
and skills against a top six side in the Premiership, it will mean a huge
swelling of the financial coffers, and also the arrival of Australian
businessman David Thorne.
Rangers' Chief Executive David Davies made it clear that the Aussie is not
just in England to watch the game: "He is arriving on Tuesday for the match
but he will definitely be staying in the country for a few days and we will be
having discussions with him while he is here," he said.
Thorne has been looking into investment in QPR for some months now, but Davies
can't put his finger on what may be putting him or any other prospective
investors off. "You will have to ask them that. I know it has taken a long
time and the fans must be very frustrated but believe me that is nothing to
the frustration that I feel about the situtation."
The financial position at the club is rumoured to have worsened in the last
couple of months, but Davies is remaining optimistic about the future. "At the
moment we have four serious people talking to us. It is a tough time at the
moment financially of course, but people are still interested because the team
is doing well on the field," he said.
"The current state of football with Rio Ferdinand, the Grosvenor Hotel, and
Leeds United has not put people off, though it is not helping either."
Another potential bidder still said to be on the scene is Haleem Kherallah,
but when asked about him Davies simply said: "We are still speaking."
One part of the finances that Davies will be looking to sort out sooner rather
than later is the groundsharing of Loftus Road next season. With Fulham set to
return to the Cottage next season, QPR are waiting to hear from former
groundsharers Wasps RUFC as to whether they will be returning next season, if
not then Brentford could well be waiting in the wings.
One thing is sure though, someone will be sharing with QPR next season. "We
could have Loftus Road to ourselves next season but I don't think that in this
day and age it is financially viable," said Davies. "That would mean using the
ground only 24 days out of 365 and I donąt think that is using the ground to
its potential. "
"Clearly we are used to having a partner here, and obviously a soccer team is
easier because it means there are less changes to the stadium during the
season. However because of the way rugby is played, a lot down the wings, it
is better on the pitch to have rugby there."
So who is likely to be sharing Loftus Road next season? "Wasps have until
March 31 to let us know whether they will take up the option of returning to
the club for one season," said Davies. "The reality of it is that we have a
gentleman's agreement with them that will let us know earlier than that,
hopefully before Christmas."
"Obviously the links between the two clubs are strong. We train at the same
venue and their staff have come down to three games this season, but you have
to look at these things practically."
He continued: "At the moment they are getting seven or eight thousand fans in
a 10,000 capacity ground creating a good atmosphere, but that many fans in our
stadium wouldnąt quite be the same."
"I'm not going to say I would prefer rugby or football or anyone here over
anyone else, it is a question of negotiations. We haven't actually spoken to
Brentford since we were in administration, though the QPR Trust spoke to Bees
United before the Bristol City game."