QPR's American link-up

By Editor
February 12 2003

Rangers have announced details of a link-up with American outfit The Milwaukee Wave - but it could involve much more than player exchanges in the long-term.

The deal, which was agreed in principle in December, follows talks between Rangers chief executive David Davies and Wave supremo Tim Krause.

Wave, based in Wisconsin, are an indoor soccer side. But they will be fielding a Division Two outdoor team called Milwaukee Wave United in the A-League, the American equivalent of the English First Division, this season.

Davies and Kraus were brought together by Brian Melzack, whose consortium almost took over at Loftus Road last year.

The tie-up will initially involve the co-staging of Soccer Schools this summer, while players are likely to be exchanged between the two clubs.

The idea has the support of Ian Holloway, who was keen to loan Richard Pacquette to DC United last summer and is in favour of sending youngsters across the Atlantic during the close season.

But the U.S. link runs deeper than the development of players.

Krause has expressed an interest in investing in Rangers and is one of several parties interested in a block of shares former Rangers chairman Chris Wright agreed to free up when the club came out of administration last year.

The shares total around 25 per cent and are also being eyed by an Italian group that has held talks with the club.

Other interested parties include another former member of the Melzack consortium and also local businessman Kevin McGrath, who recently joined the QPR board.