IT’S A CASE of out with the old and in with the new when it comes to the QPR matchday programme this season.
After improved sales in our first season back in the top-flight of English football last term, we’ve given ‘Hoops’ a total revamp for the 2012/13 campaign.
The most radical change sees the introduction of a new A5 perfect-bound programme, offering readers a more compact product (as well as the ability to easily fit the publication into your pocket!)
Feature-wise, we’ve gone to town too, overhauling last season’s offering by introducing a variation of new pages, appealing to R’s fans of all ages.
A few of the popular old features remain, including On ‘R’ Travels and Pools Panel, but the majority of the new-look programme is brand spanking new!
Some of the new features include …
*Player Q&A – replacing the Big Match Interview, our new ‘Ask …’ feature gives you – the fans – the opportunity to put your questions to your favourite players. Adel Taarabt is first in the ‘Hoops’ hot-seat this weekend, answering a whole host of questions sent in by the R’s faithful.
*On This Day / Week – this feature does exactly what it says in the title, as we look back on the history of the club with tales from yesteryear.
*The Visitors – incorporating a variety of features we’ve used in the past, as well as some new ones, we’ve dedicated nine pages to our matchday opponents, with the new ‘Odd Box’ and ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ features particularly interesting reads.
*Desert Island Discs – ever wondered what music your favourite QPR players listen to? Well, now is the chance to find out, as we ask your R’s stars a variety of questions about music! Anton ‘I’m A Belieber’ Ferdinand is up first on Saturday, with his latest download set to cause quite a stir in the Rangers dressing room!
*Manager Focus – this feature simply looks back on the managers who have graced the QPR dug-out throughout the illustrious history of our club. James Cowan and James Cowie are assessed in the Swansea programme.
*Loft For Words – Fan of the Year from 2011/12, Clive Whittingham, brings us his weird and wacky take of life as a QPR supporter.
*The life and times of Stanley Bowles – he’s arguably the biggest maverick this club has ever seen, so we’ve dedicated a whole feature to the man who was involved in one crazy antic after another – both on and off the pitch!
*Fashion Police – looking back at some of the R’s most memorable kits from yesteryear.
*@QPR_Stats – another new guest column, as twitter stats-man @QPR_Stats assesses our fixture in numbers.
*Kicking It My Way – the final word is reserved for former R’s midfielder Richard Langley, whose blog brings you the views of an ex-professional come media enthusiast.
Popular columns including ‘From The Boardroom’ and Gaffer’s Notes’ once again take centre-stage, whilst a ‘Captain’s Column’ is likely to be introduced once Mark Hughes reveals the identity of his new skipper on Saturday afternoon.
The opening programme is extra special, however, as we pay a glowing tribute to R’s legend Alan McDonald.
Macca – as he was affectionately known – sadly passed away earlier this summer and we’ve reserved the front cover, as well as a lengthy feature inside, for the man who touched so many hearts during his time at Loftus Road.
Coupled with our summer review of our tours to Asia and Germany, as well as a look back at Tony Fernandes’s first year at the helm, we’ve left no stone unturned for the opening weekend.
Yet despite all the various improvements, ‘Hoops’ is still priced at just £3, offering readers excellent value-for-money.
Miss it, miss out!
Read all about it …