Former QPR striker condemns ‘nonsensical’ pursuit of new stadium
Former QPR striker Bradley Allen has described the club’s pursuit of a new stadium as “nonsensical”.
Speaking on the Open All R’s podcast, Allen insisted Rangers do not need to leave Loftus Road.
“I don’t get it. I don’t think the club needs a new stadium,” said Allen, whose brother Clive, father Les and cousin Martin also spent much of their careers at QPR.
“I think Loftus Road always has been, always will be, sufficient for Queens Park Rangers to function.
“Would they garner another 10 or 15,000 if they built a shiny new 30,000 all-seater? Probably not. Not unless they were maybe to return to the Premier League.”
Allen also suggested that former R’s winger Gareth Ainsworth, currently in charge at Wycombe, should be given the QPR manager’s job.
He said: “The one for me that understands the club, he’s done his apprenticeship, who would know the lower leagues and maybe be able to pluck gems and get them really competitive at Championship level, would be Gareth Ainsworth. He more than deserves a shout now.
“I think he’s proved that he’s a developer of young players. Wycombe are an example of a club that have had to scrap.
“There’s been hardly any money at the club and he’s had to really galvanise a team spirit and work with what’s at his disposal.
“We’re hearing that Queens Park Rangers have massively got to slash their wage bill over the summer months. I think he could certainly go in and work with a much smaller squad.
“He could galvanise the team. I think the guy has got tremendous energy and enthusiasm and would relish the opportunity.
“And just sometimes you’ve got to have a punt on someone and give them a chance. For me he deserves an opportunity.”
19/04/2019 @ 5:09 pm
What do QPR aspire to? if its Premiership football, then a new larger capacity stadium is a must. Even if they stay in the Championship, it seems to me that the Linford Christie stadium is the only chance of remaining local, if QPR pull out and someone else steps in – what then? Dont forget, its not just a football stadium.
A new state of the art training ground needs a matching stadium in my mind.
19/04/2019 @ 12:17 pm
I am guessing that Bradley has not sat in the cramped and uncomfortable seats in Ellerslie; or ‘enjoyed’ the long queues for all facilities (food, drink and loos)! I have stopped going because a knee injury made sitting there so painful (and I am not a tall guy). We need a new stadium so why not a 30,000 capacity one that can make added revenue?
19/04/2019 @ 10:12 am
Great player and great football family but you have to dream bigger qpr was once a great club
19/04/2019 @ 10:12 am
Bradley is a lovely bloke but I don’t agree with hem on either suggestion.
Firstly if the club are to progress with their yes firmly on a gradual return to the Premier League then a cramped out of date stadium that only holds 18,400 would never suffice. The facilities are terrible and even though the atmosphere is electric when full, the club need to move forward especially as expansion to the Loftus Road is not a possibility.
Secondly, with all due respect to Gareth Ainsworth whi has done an excellent job with Wycombe, the club need a manager who can hit the ground running as Eustace has just done and need to look very carefully at their next appointment. I know the fans like a man like Ainsworth who they see as one of their own but we need someone with great technical skill. In my opinion I would stick with Eustace on a short contract. It’s not so much the last 2 results but the way he totally changed the shape of the team and lifted the spirits