Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough

HOOPS
the players involved are unavailable and unable
to attend for various reasons, which we totally
understand.
At our last home game we were delighted to
welcome back Anton Ferdinand and induct him
into the Forever R’s club. Speaking to him in the
weeks before the game and on the day itself, I
know how much it meant to Anton and his family
to be invited back to the club. Anton really wanted
to thank you, the fans, for the support you gave
him at a very tough point in his career which we
are all very aware of. The reception he received
when he came out onto the pitch was amazing
and the support from Rangers fans then and now
is something Anton will always appreciate, which
he stated when he spoke at half-time.
It is important that we as a club continue to
recognise and support our former players in any
way we can – that is what makes our Forever
R’s club special. The Forever R’s has been a
tremendous success since we launched it
over five years ago, something I and everyone
involved with it are very proud of. We reach
out to former players and want them to know
they are always welcome back at QPR, as well
as knowing we care about them long after
their days representing the club are over. They
are all part of the club’s history and the way
the QPR fans have supported the initiative
and the returning former players, coaches
and managers, spanning several decades, is
fantastic to see. Long may that continue.
The Forever R’s Club is NOT a hall of fame and
was never set up to only recognise the great
players who have represented the club – it is
much more than that. We have posthumously
inducted former players, coaches and managers
who are sadly no longer with us. We have
inducted players who we believe served the
club well during their careers. We have inducted
former players who have been part of successful
teams and squads here over the years and we
have inducted former players who may have
endured tough periods in their lives for various
reasons. All of this shows that we are now a
club who appreciate and value the time former
players, coaches and managers spent here.
From being in touch with the inductees and their
families, I can tell you how much they appreciate
being invited back to games by the club and
especially the reception and support they
receive from our fans. Thank you for helping to
make The Forever R’s the success it is.
Once again, thanks for all your support and really
get behind the squad tonight.
Be loud and be proud of who we are. We are
QPR!
Come on you R’s!
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