Relegation would not scupper QPR’s move

QPR chief executive Philip Beard has insisted that plans to build a new stadium will not be affected if the club are relegated from the Premier League.

However, speaking at a fans’ forum, Beard did reveal that any potential move from Loftus Road is now unlikely to materialise for at least four or five years.

When pressed about whether the club will quash plans for a new stadium if they lose their top-flight status, Beard said: “Absolutely not.”

He added: “There are three key objectives. One is maintaining Premier League stability and that’s got to be done over the next few years.

“The second is a new training ground. We currently share a training ground with Imperial College and for a Premier League club that’s not right.

“The new stadium is key to the long-term plans. From a business point of view, we have the smallest stadium in the Premier League.

“I think we have the best fans in the world and we want to build that fan base.”

Beard added that he would not have hired Mark Donnelly, who recently joined as chief operating officer from the Football Association, if the focus was not on moving the club forward.

“I wouldn’t be bringing in Mark halfway through the season if we were planning to tear up plans for a new training ground and stadium,” he said.

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