Dear Stan,I think every Queens Park Rangers fan is delighted with the Gulf Air sponsorship. It's a win-win for the football club and the airline.
The club is now run by the world's most successful sports entrepreneurs in Flavio Briatore, right, and Bernie Eccelestone and one of the richest, most successful businessmen in the world, Lakshmi Mittal.
Flavio and Bernie know all about sponsorship deals and how it benefits both parties.
It gives the club greater visibilty in the Middle East which is all part of their plan to make QPR a global brand and Gulf Air recognises this and are coming along for the ride.
It'll be a exhilariating ride that's for sure.
The charisma of Flavio and Amit Bhatia, the combined wealth and intelligence of the owners, powerful sponsorship partners and an ever improving football team will ensure that.
For Gulf Air, the new owners are turning Loftus Road, the stadium where QPR play, into one of the most important places to be on a Saturday afternoon if you want to rub shoulders with the most important and influential people in the world.
Gulf Air will have front row seats. The stadium is relatively small and compact with a capactiy of just over 18,000, but it packs a fantastic atmosphere. The football on display has been extremely entertaining since Flavo arrived. The club will be in the Premiership soon, and QPR will be a force when they get there, Gulf Air will enjoy worldwide exposure as a result.
I've supported QPR since 1980 and at times it has been like watching a soap opera. QPR will get promoted soon, I'd expect this season because Flavio & Co will do their best to make sure it happens.
I don't mind to be honest where the talent comes from. I'm sure the best will want to come and play for QPR.
It's not a souless club like Chelski or Arsenal. It's in the best location arguably in the world (and England) and will attract the best players.
I'm sure this sponsorship will one day soon see players from Bahrain in blue and white hoops.
I really do hope people of Bahrain and GulfWeekly gets behind the team. I've being telling people for years that it's the best club in the world and soon I'll be proved right.
All the best,
Tony Murphy,
London.
