Firstly a BIG thankyou to all the guys on here who recommended the Stadium Tour for me and the kids. They now think i'm the best dad in the world (If only they knew) and reckon it was one of the best days of their lives. Got there by 10AM and as it was a big group we got split in two so there was about 15 in each group, a mixture of Season ticket holders, wide eyed kids and a sprinkling of overseas tourists. Our guide (john ?) was excellent through out and really made me realise what a fantastic, friendly club we have got here. It lasted about an hour and a half and took in the Press room, Interview rooms, Directors box, C club, W12 dining room, dressing rooms and the dugouts to name but a few. Our guide was very informative throughout and explained everything to us with a few anecdotes in between. What did strike me was how small the dressing rooms are, somehow i had imagined they were gonna be massive and to be honest it must get pretty cramped with everyone in there on match day. One thing it did bring home to me is how much we need a new ground !! With the premier League rules on certain facilities the club must have, it seems to me that the club have had to do away with some things just to fit them in. The phrase of the day was 'Cash flow' and in these days alone any club cannot survive on football alone. It needs to make money all year round with corporate events, weddings, etc and hopefully when we do get a bigger ground the club can utilise this even more. The icing on the cake was when half way through the tour my kids nudged me, grinning that Tony Fernandes had just walked in and could i ask him for a photo with them. I've met him briefly before on a walk around the pitch and he duly obliged for a photo with my 2 and also anybody else who wanted one (Which was everyone). What a true gentleman and a lovely guy to boot. It really made the day of all the kids there (And a few adults too). I asked him if he was still going down the Adeleide, which he said he was so i said i would see him there. Once the tour had finished, off down the pub we went to meet some mates, when after an hour, in walked Tony, Phil Beard and a few security and friends. I had a little chat with Phil who under no uncertain terms rubbished the idea of the the backroom team leaving QPR and emphasised that they are in this for the long term. I thanked him for all that he,Tony, Amit and the team are doing for us and said what a pleasure it was to meet him. Again a true gentleman and any fears i had about them leaving are now well and truly gone. Sorry for the long post but i hope some find it interesting. We really are a fantastic club and even if the worse happens and we do get relegated i feel now, more than ever that we are gonna bounce right back up again with these guys at the helm.
One for the future for me, sounds a great way to spend an hour or two. Tony was everywhere yesterday by all accounts spending the first half behind the goal in the Lower Loft as well as his pub crawl. Whatever happens this season I think we are in safe hands...
Glad you enjoyed it Staines, it is a great opportunity to see behind the scenes and good value. Fantastic that you got to meet Tony Fernandes and Phil Beard also. Can't wait for the Liverpool game. Hopefully 3 points against Bolton to set us up nicely for that one.
One thing i did forget to mention was that as the players enter the tunnel there are 2 pictures on each side of the wall. On one side is Kieran Prince and on the other is Ray Jones.....Seeing them brought a tear to my eye RIP lads.
great write-up of your day yesterday Staines, really enjoyed reading that and now more than ever I really want to go on that stadium tour, especially if we could be on the move in a few seasons time. i also love hearing from people who've met the people at the top in person, feedback from your kind selves always carries a whole lot more credibility than anything we see in press releases or various news sites - supporters always have the best interests of the club at heart and can get a real feel for the owners whilst asking the important questions, and whilst there are good journalists out there, many of them are just looking for the next headline. as i said, great report Staines and you've filled me with even more optimism after a cracking performance from the team yesterday - oh for the two posts of tim howards goal!
That is a great account of your tour Staines. That is far more likely to inspire other people to go than the dull notice on the official site. I did the Lords tour a number of years ago, which is also worth a visit. There is no need to apologise for a long post, thanks for taking the time to compose it. Some (many I hope) of us prefer something decent to read, the extra effort is always appreciated.
Nice post Staines its always great to hear positive news and you have also inspired me to do the tour.
Did you see the game yesterday 12th? I personally thought the players looked a lot more interested and committed and have to give them full credit for keeping Everton pinned back for much of the game, especially in the second half. Hope it continues into next week against Bolton.
Yes I did but it takes more than one game to convince me the players have turned the corner. Our previous three were abysmal. It's a good sign. Hopefully we can continue. We've had too many false dawns already this season.
I met Tony Fernandes in the Lower Loft yesterday. The bloke in front of me shaking his hand says, Tony, we are only two players short of a decent team. One is called Lionel Messi. TF laughs and says, yeah but where do we get the money from. I highly recommend the stadium tour as well. If you haven't been, do it.
Thank you Staines for taking the time and recapturing your brilliant day out yesterday, and please don't apologise for the length, makes it more enjoyable imo. Really envy you for meeting the men at the top, especially PB. Did the tour myself in 1995 when in my teens and first trip over. Any know how much it has changed since? Planning on making the tour when I bring my kid over, unfortunately he can't join me to see Liverpool in two weeks but hopefully around the start of next season. Much appreciated Staines.
Great post. It's hearing stuff like this that makes me love my Rangers even more. What a club, we really are unique. I'm really pleased that you and the boys had such a good day out mate.
No offence Norway as my spelling has a lot to be desired but I sincerely hope that Staines didn't MEAT the men at the top especially as there were children present. (Benny Hill type of humour)
Thanks to you all on the positive remarks on the original post, it is most appreciated. You can tell i'm having a quiet day at work when i have the time to put it all down One last thing i forgot to mention is that i liked the fact that in the Directors box a lot of the seats have an inscription above it with the name of who's seat it is (Like ours do for ST holders) and what do you think is on Mr F's seat ?.........Just plain and simple 'Tony'. That in itself summed up for me what a down to earth fella he is and i for one couldn't be happier having him as our owner.
With Tony and Amit, we are doubly blessed. There's sure to be some rough times in the coming years but I hope everyone remembers what they have done for us: football supporters can be a fickle lot.
Brilliant write up mate, and I love the bit about TF having just tony on his seat. Sums him up brilliantly. Thanks for taking the time to post about the day - brings another postive post to the board!
