QPR midfielder Akos Buzsaky has set his sights on a first appearance of the season following his return from ankle surgery. The Hungary playmaker has been out of action since April, but believes he could make the squad for the visit of Southampton...

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QPR Chairman, Flavio Briatore will supposedly be on Radio London this evening (7:00 pm)talking about QPR.

Ex-QPR Birthday: John Curtis turns 30 - Record -- Wikipedia/Curtis Profile


Further Takeover Comments and Assessments from one year ago today. In the words of incoming Chairman, Flavio Briatore: "Gianni, Bernie and I are all determined to see the Club return to the Premiership within the next four years" Takeover Comments


Ex-QPR Holdings' Chairman Antonio Caliendo Golden Foot Awards were held on Monday. The 2008 winner of the Golden Foot was Brazilian, Roberto Carlos. Winners -- Photos of the Golden Foot Awards - Other Golden Foot Releases


A look at how QPR Director/Investor Bernie Ecclestone Transformed the Business Side of the Racing World
- Will be interesting to see whether any of this is transferrable to the world of QPR...

The Financial Times - The Business of Sport: Formula One
Entertaining race By Christian Sylt and Caroline Reid
In the 1980s, the Formula One corporate hospitality outfit amounted to little more than giving warm beer and packets of crisps to punters. Who would have thought that just 20 years later it would be an industry with annual revenues of some $140m? Bernie Ecclestone and Paddy McNally, that’s who.
Corporate hospitality is not a frivolous extra. The teams sparingly supply sponsors with their share of passes for entry to the exclusive Paddock Club that is set up at all events. In turn, sponsors use the opportunity to indulge their own clients.
Keeping sponsors happy increases the chances that they will renew their deals. In short, corporate hospitality keeps F1’s wheels turning. In fact, in the wake of private equity firm CVC’s takeover of the sport, it is quite easy to put a value on it.
In May 2006, CVC’s UK investment vehicle Beta Prema acquired Allsport Management, the Switzerland-based operator of the Paddock Club. The deal followed CVC’s purchase of F1’s commercial rights-holder and, along with the acquisition of the trackside advertising business, it brought all the sport’s revenue generators under one roof for the first time, so the teams could take a 50 per cent share in their profits. The financial results of Beta Holdings, Beta Prema’s UK-based parent, reveal just how much they get.
The accounts show that from the start of 2006 and CVC’s acquisition on May 31, Allsport had a turnover of $52m. The revenues for the remainder of the year can be taken to be about $91m, since this is the turnover of Beta Holdings whose key business is Allsport. That put the total revenue from the Paddock Club in 2006 at some $143m.
It is down to some expensive tickets. The average price for a three-day Paddock Club pass this year is $4,176 and it is believed some 2,000 guests are wined and dined at each of the 18 races peaking at Monaco, Monza and Silverstone.
Allsport directly handles the corporate hospitality at 15 of the races. Australia, Brazil and Singapore, however, take it inhouse and are believed to pay a fee to Allsport for doing so. The revenue from 15 races translates into $125m, with a fee from the other three bringing it up to $143m.
The profit, however, is a different story. According to Beta Holdings’ accounts, Allsport made an after-tax profit of just $1.2m in 2005 and there is good reason for this. Its biggest overhead is thought to be a fee to F1’s commercial rights-holder, amounting to approximately 40 per cent of turnover, but it also has hefty running costs. The organisers transport 40,000 glasses, 30,000 plates, 10,000 cut flowers, 5,500 magnums of champagne, and 200 tonnes of tent material to each race. It is a far cry from the early days.
The Paddock Club concept was created in 1984 by entrepreneur McNally, previously a trackside advertising salesman. He was led by Ecclestone’s vision for the future of F1, which involved big-spending companies that would sponsor the sport because of its extraordinary exposure. McNally set up Allsport to run the Paddock Club and Ecclestone granted it exclusive rights to hospitality at the F1 circuits.
But it wasn’t until the 1990s that the Paddock Club concept took off as F1’s popularity accelerated. “The Paddock Club is an extraordinarily effective business tool to set against the dramatic backdrop of the world’s most thrilling spectator sport,” says Isabelle Kaufmann, the venue’s manager.
With such great importance attached to the Paddock Club, preserving its exclusivity is essential. “The world’s finest racing must be served by the highest standards of corporate hospitality,” she says.
Tents are adorned with fresh flowers and even the lawns on which the marquees are built must make the grade. Fresh turf is often flown in from England and rolled out on-site.
The Paddock Club is split into three areas and all have levels of luxury akin to a five-star hotel. The Village is a group of marquees surrounding an open garden, each with a patio seating area and buffet tent. Separate marquees house the champagne bar and entertainments in the garden area.
For a unique chance to support the drivers, the Pit Building Lounges are the place to be. They are a collection of individual lounges above the pits with a privileged view of the main start/finish straight and the pit lane. The Pit Building Terrace is a collection of suites covered by a purpose-built marquee. They are above the pits, often one storey higher than the Pit Building Lounges and afford panoramic views of the race.
With billionaires being almost as common as fuel in F1, the Paddock Club plays host to some who require even more intimacy for their business dealings. Suites in the three areas hold the most swish and private Paddock Club parties.
Guests of the Paddock Club are offered far more than motor racing. Every Paddock Club pass includes access to an open bar with champagne and a gourmet banquet with fine wines. There are boutiques run by TAG Heuer and men’s fashion brand Hackett, as well as a masseur, beautician and hairdresser. A caricaturist and a card-trick artist are also on hand to provide entertainment.
The entertainment creates a relaxed but business-like atmosphere, making it even easier for sponsors to schmooze their customers and network with their F1 counterparts.
The top sponsors are believed to have annual F1 hospitality budgets of up to $20m, but some get into F1 just for the entertainment opportunities. For example, according to industry analyst Formula Money, media company Reuters pays the Williams team $4m for small logos on the side of the car and the drivers’ sleeves, but hospitality is one of the key purposes of its sponsorship.
Reuters aims to make its hospitality programme feel exclusive and intimate, so it invites only between 10 and 20 key senior executives from client companies to each race. The small numbers maximise the opportunity for communication and although the weekend is centred around the race, Reuters makes sure guests don’t feel obliged to attend.
Clients are invited to bring spouses or partners and the company makes the most of the local environment wherever possible, with optional excursions to areas of local cultural interest or spas.
However, the Paddock Club remains the key constant, with an almost identical set-up no matter where it is. “There are hundreds of people involved at each race – chefs, catering staff, electricians, security agents, maintenance staff, drivers, entertainers, florists, therapists and cleaners,” says Kaufmann.
However, only 10 per cent are local workers. Security, logistics, construction and catering tend to be handled by the same contractors throughout the season.
“The level of service and hospitality provided in the Paddock Club is exceptional as well as reliable. You know what to expect wherever the race is taking place and there are no surprises,” says one sponsorship manager.
Getting it right at one race is tough enough, but the Paddock Club travels to 17 countries over eight months, sometimes in different countries on consecutive weekends. So, once the dust has settled at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, the structure will be off to Italy for the race there next week. Two weeks later it will be in Singapore. The Financial Times


Spreading QPR Through the Gulf - Gulf Weekly Prize!
Gulf Weekly - COME JOIN US! THREE lucky soccer-loving GulfWeekly readers have the chance to win a FREE fabulous trip to London to watch Gulf Air-sponsored Queens Park Rangers play a crucial fixture in the club's bid to win promotion to the Premier League. All YOU have to do is predict the score of QPR's forthcoming game against Southampton on Sunday, September 14, which will be broadcast live at 6pm Bahrain time on Showtime's Show Sports 2 channel.
To celebrate this important Championship fixture Gulf Air is offering three GulfWeekly readers the chance to win a trip to London to watch the QPR v Burnley game on November 15 in the Gulf Air VIP box at Loftus Road.
Each lucky winner will be flown to the UK and provided with hotel accommodation and a special VIP pass that will allow them entry to the Gulf Air box where they can soak up the atmosphere and enjoy all the excitement of the game in executive comfort.
To have a chance of winning all you need to do is correctly guess the score of the earlier QPR v Southampton TV special. You can make as many predictions as you wish.
Everyone who predicts the score correctly will be entered into a draw and the first three names out of the hat will win the prizes.
Simply send an email to score@gulfweekly.com with your prediction in the subject line and make sure it follows the following example with 'X' being your prediction: QPR X Southampton X.
Please also give us your full name, age and mobile phone number.
Deadline for submitting your entry is 9am on Sunday, September 14.
Good luck with the competition and don't forget to tune in to Show Sports 2 on the 14th to help roar QPR towards another memorable victory. Who knows, you may win the opportunity to see them in person!
The competition is not open to full time Gulf Air or GulfWeekly employees.
Tickets are non-transferrable and are for the match against Burnley on November 15 only.
Any winner requiring a visa for entry to the UK will have to secure it themselves.
Entries not adhering to the above terms and conditions will be discounted. The Editor's decision is final.
GulfWeekly will accompany the lucky readers to London and record their special sporting adventure with the kingdom's number one airline in our pages. Gulf Weekly

Akos Buzsaky has provided Queens Park Rangers boss Iain Dowie with a major boost by coming through 45 minutes of a reserve match.The talented midfielder required surgery in June having initially suffered an ankle injury while on international duty with Hungary.

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Eurosport - Dexter happy with lone role
Dexter Blackstock insists he is happy to play the solitary striker role this term if it helps QPR gain promotion from the Championship.The former Derby and Southampton frontman has ploughed a lone furrow up front to good effect at times this season, allowing the likes of Emmanuel Ledesma, Daniel Parejo and Lee Cook to get forward from midfield.
"It's a hard shift on your own but if I can do two players' jobs then we'll have a spare man in midfield to get on the ball and dictate the game," said Blackstock.
"You do it for the team. If we can win games while I'm playing up front on my own then so be it.
"I get great support from Lee Cook, Emmanuel Ledesma and Daniel Parejo so at times there are three of us up front - it's not like I'm isolated." Eurosport


QPR Official Site - QPR Reserves 1 Charlton Reserves 1 - "HOGAN SENDS TIMELY REMINDER

Hogan Ephraim gave Iain Dowie a timely reminder of what he's capable of, as QPR Reserves were held to a 1-1 draw by Charlton Athletic in their maiden Football Combination Invitation Cup tie of the new campaign.

Returning to action following a shin injury, Ephraim notched the R's equaliser at Loftus Road, as Gareth Ainsworth's start to managerial life with the second string began with a competitive draw against the Addicks.

Darren Ambrose gave Charlton the lead early in the second half, but - inspired by the introduction of the fit-again Akos Buzsaky - Rangers stepped up a level, with Ephraim pulling the hosts level with a well-taken goal on the hour.

In a free flowing opening, Samuel Di Carmine went closest to breaking the deadlock as early as the seventh minute.

A looping ball out of defence totally deceived Linvoy Primus, who having made a hash of his attempted clearance, allowed the Italian to fire a shot on target, which Robert Elliott tipped wide at full stretch.

Charlton's first effort arrived eight minutes later, following some neat link-up play involving Ambrose.

His threaded pass found Svetoslav Todorov, who miscued his effort wide of Reece Crowther's right hand upright.

Gareth Ainsworth sent a stinging drive over midway through the half, before Stuart Fleetwood fired inches past the post at the other end moments later.

Angelo Balanta was oozing class for the R's and when he shimmied past Primus in the 29th minute, only a superb last ditch tackle prevented the Rangers winger from putting the hosts in front.

Patrick Agyemang was the next to try his luck, leaving three defenders trailing in his wake with a terrific turn of pace, only to see low drive tipped to safety by Elliott.

Having orchestrated proceedings for much of the half, it was Rangers who ended the first period in the ascendancy, with Di Carmine poking the ball on target on the stroke of half-time, following a mazy run and dribble from Ephraim.

The 500-plus crowd gave Buzsaky - returning from a long term ankle injury - a rousing ovation as he entered the fray upon the resumption, but it was Charlton who were soon celebrating.

Ambrose was the beneficiary as Rangers failed to clear their lines, poking the ball past the exposed Crowther from six yards out.

Undeterred, Rangers went straight back on the attack, with Ephraim curling the ball high and wide from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Ephraim wasn't to be denied the goal his second half display deserved though, as the R's drew levelon the hour.

Fine interplay involving Matteo Alberti and Di Carmine eventually resulted in Adam Bolder spraying the ball out wide to the former West Ham winger.

Faced one on one with Sam Long, Ephraim mesmerised the young full-back, jinking one way and then the other before curling the ball into the far corner of the net.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Rangers continued to pose the greater attacking threat.

Di Carmine fired wide after Balanta shrugged off Primus with ease, before Buzsaky's stinging drive flew over from distance.

It was all one-way traffic as the clock ticked down. Elliott denied Ephraim with a stunning save in the 70th minute, before the impressive Balanta skewed the ball wide from eight yards out after Alberti played provider from the right wing.

Buzsaky nearly marked his return with a goal five minutes from time, but the overworked Elliott stood strong once again, tipping the ball to safety.

QPR Res: Crowther, Ainsworth, Ilesanmi, Bolder, Harris, Oastler, Alberti, Ephraim, Agyemang (Buzsaky 46), Di Carmine, Balanta.

Subs: Bulmer, Arthur, Maguire, Rose.

Charlton Athletic Res: Elliott, Solly (Long 46), Clark, Wright, Primus, Sinfield, Ambrose, Shelvey, Fleetwood, Todorov, Yussuf (Tuma 65).

Subs: Christie, Jensen, Tuma, Godfrey. QPR


Charlton Official Site - All square at the Loft
Darren Ambrose was on target and completed the full 90 minutes as Charlton reserves drew 1-1 at Queens Park Rangers in Group B of the new Football Combination Invitation Cup on Tuesday afternoon.

The Addicks, who included Linvoy Primus in their starting XI at Loftus Road, took the lead through Ambrose just after the break but were forced to settle for a point when former West Ham United youngster Hogan Ephraim levelled on the hour mark.

The paperwork on Primus' loan switch from Portsmouth is still being completed as discussions continue over the length of the move. Click here for more details.

But the 34-year-old turned out for the second string against the R's, adding experience to a young backline of Chris Solly, Taylor Sinfield and Jack Clark, with Rob Elliot in goal.

Darren Ambrose was on target and completed the full 90 minutes as Charlton reserves drew 1-1 at Queens Park Rangers in Group B of the new Football Combination Invitation Cup on Tuesday afternoonAmbrose was named on the right side of a midfield which included Josh Wright, Jonjo Shelvey and Rashid Yussuff.

And Svetoslav Todorov also got close to a full game under his belt as he continues his recuperation from a knee ligament injury, the Bulgarian starting up front alongside Stuart Fleetwood.

After some bright early play by both sides, Rangers almost broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when Samuel Di Carmine took advantage of a mistake by Primus but saw his shot tipped wide by Elliot.

Charlton's first effort arrived eight minutes later when Ambrose teed up Todorov, only for the striker to miscue his effort wide of Reece Crowther's right-hand post.

Fleetwood fired inches wide midway through the first half, before Patrick Agyemang was denied by another good stop by Elliot.

The Addicks went in front shortly after the restart when Ambrose poked home from close range after the Rangers defence had failed to clear a cross from second-half substitute Sam Long, who had replaced the injured Solly at the break.

But the hosts pulled level on the hour mark when Ephraim cut in from the left and curled the ball past Elliot, despite the close attentions of Long.

Elliot did brilliantly to deny Ephraim and Akos Buzsaky as Rangers searched for the winner but the Addicks held on to seal a point from their opening Group B clash.

Along with QPR, Charlton will also face Watford, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace in Group B. After the meeting with Rangers, the Addicks are away at Watford on Monday, October 6th, before hosting Ipswich on Monday, November 3rd and the Eagles on Monday, November 17th.

The reserves are next in action when they host Aldershot Town in the league on Monday (7pm). Charlton

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For better or worse, there were no deadline-day transfers (in or out) for QPR...The transfer window is now closed for the next four months. The option of signing players on loan remains (although the rumoured Frazier-Campbell from Manchester United went out the window, with his last minute signing for Spurs. BBC: Completed Transfers


QPR Reserves play Charlton reserves this afternoon at Loftus Road. As has been noted on the QPR messageboards, there is, for whatever reason, no Lee Camp in the squad. QPR Reserves (from): Crowther, Bulmer, Ainsworth, Oastler, Harris, Ilesanmi, Alberti, Buzsaky, Rose, Maguire, Arthur, Balanta, Bolder, Ephraim, Agyemang, Di Carmin.
QPR Official Site Charlton team to play QPR: Elliot, Solly, Clark, Sinfield, Primus, Ambrose, Wright, Shelvey, Yussuff, Todorov, Fleetwood. Charlton


And the announced team: BUZSAKY ON BENCH QPR: Crowther, Ainsworth, Oastler, Harris, Ilesanmi, Alberti, Balanta, Bolder, Ephraim, Agyemang, Di Canio [sic?]. Subs: Buzsaky, Rose, Maguire, Arthur, Bulmer. QPR


Transfer News re Some players with QPR 'connectionjavascript:void(0)
Publish Posts:'

Dougie Freedman, who started with QPR, Joins Southend on a Free Transfer - BBC "Southend complete Freedman swoop"


Chris Day signed for Stevenage.
Stevenage Official - "It has been an excellent transfer deadline day at Broadhall Way with the club confirming two important signings.
Former Spurs, Watford, QPR and Millwall goalkeeper Chris Day has signed a two-year contract with the Club. Day has already made two appearances for Borough, in the 1-1 draw with Weymouth and the 3-1 victory at Barrow. The experienced goalkeeper has made close on 200 Football League appearances and is a welcome addition to Borough’s squad...." Stevenage


Former QPR Tony Thorpe joined Woking.


One time almost-QPR signing Matt Hill joins Wolves from Preston
Preston Official Site - Hill Signs For Wolves
Matt Hill has completed his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.
The full-back has completed the move to Molineux after undergoing a medical on Monday evening.
Hill moved to Preston North End from hometown club Bristol City in January 2005 and went on to become a popular player with both the fans and the players winning the Club's Player of the Year award in the summer of 2006.
The 27-year-old made more than 100 appearances for North End but the return to fitness and form of Callum Davidson in the past two seasons severely limited his first team opportunities at Deepdale. Preston


Ex-loanee/and media-transfer target, Martin Cranie joined Charlton on a season-long loan from Portsmouth.


- Ex-QPR Defender Danny Shittu turns 28 - Record
-- Shittu/Wikipedia Profile


Meanwhile a "Where Are They Now" - Richard Pacquette - Maidenhead United

Richard Pacquette - Striker
Born: 28/01/83 Signed from Havant & Waterlooville on deadline day 2008, after achieving national fame in February when he scored for Havant at the Kop End to give the Hawks the lead against Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup Fourth Round. He started life as a trainee at Queens Park Rangers, making over 30 appearances for the Rs. While at Loftus Road he gained loan experience at Stevenage Borough, Dagenham & Redbridge and Mansfield Town, before moving on to MK Dons, Brentford and Farnborough. In January 2005 he returned to Stevenage before moving on to St Albans City, Thurrock and Worthing before arriving at Havant. His FA Cup exploits earned him a call up to the Dominican national side, where he scored on his debut in their World Cup qualifier against Barbados. Debut: 01/04/08 Appearances: 11 Sub: 0 Goals: 7 Maidenhead United

At Maidenhead United "...A first half Ashley Nicholls goal led to a hard fought win at Fisher and propelled Maidenhead to the top of the Blue Square South for the first time ever.... Pacquette worked tirelessly to defend from the front, hardly looking like a player who needed a fitness test prior to the game, typifying the never say die United attitude which successfully secured the three points and top slot for 24 hours at least." Match Report

Other Maidenhead United Match Reports from This Season