My regular readers will know my real passion in life is supporting QPR so it goes without saying that I have a tremendous sense of humour.
As a long suffering supporter the recent developments on and off the pitch look to be finally providing stability in terms of our promotion to the Premiership and now the acquisition of the club by Air Asia's Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes who used to live on the Uxbridge Road. In addition, as I've regularly said Malaysians are my favourite people so I'm hoping this deal provides a whole new fan base from Malaysia and regular new visitors to Loftus Road.
A brief potted history about why LM supported QPR rather than Chelsea is because as a born and bred West Londoner I remember vivid recollections of family and friends recalling the vile racist abuse they or anyone else including Chelsea players from an ethnic minority background got when going or playing at Stamford Bridge. Alternatively a trip to Loftus Road would always be far more comfortable and welcoming for supporters with Black or Brown faces.
With two non white individuals in Tony Fernandes and Amit Bhatia installed as majority shareholders and Kamarudin Bin Meranun appointed to the Board LM hopes that not only will funding be made available to compete in the Premiership but crucially QPR once again returns to the family club atmosphere that led me to supporting them. Specifically one particular concern I have is sadly on match days despite the amazing diversity of Shepherds Bush and White City all you can see is white people in QPR replica shirts who no longer live in the area but did have their roots in West London walking down the Uxbridge Road or South Africa Road from the tube stations but very few Black or Muslim locals going to the match.
QPR on the Pitch are an amazing diverse and talented bunch of players with the likes of Muslim Adel Taarabt, DJ Campbell, Jay Boothryd and a reported imminent signing of Arsenal's Muslim Armand Traore which has now been complemented with a diverse boardroom in Tony Fernandes and Amit Bhattia. What QPR require now is for the Board to provide Andy Evans who is CEO of QPR's Community Trust the appropriate support with the appointment of Ishan Saksena to go into the local schools and Estates and provide the community outreach required to make Rangers a sustainable competitor to the scum at Chelsea and see some more non white faces on the terraces.
Adel Taarabt has been shown tremendous respect by QPR and Neil Warnock over his Ramadan requirements however, it is time QPR's Chief Executive Phil Beard started earning his keep by listening to the local diverse community rather than the dwindling yet vociferous ageing supporters who have moved out of the area. Perhaps he make a start by also employing an Imam rather than just having evangelical Bob Mayo as QPR chaplain.
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