QPR fans assured owners are 'in it for the long term'

QPR spent wildly in the transfer window in a bid to avoid relegation

Loic Remy is unveiled as a QPR player (GETTY IMAGES)

QPR chief executive Philip Beard has backed the club's owners and moved to assure fans they are committed to their long-term ambitions at Loftus Road.

There has been speculation of late that chairman Tony Fernandes was looking to step aside with Rangers bottom of the Barclays Premier League table despite hefty investment.

Fernandes himself said he would never outstay his welcome but has been given support by the majority of R's fans and Beard is convinced all of the owners will remain in place, no matter what the immediate future holds.

"Tony Fernandes has never said he will leave the club if we're relegated," he told the club's official website.

"We have got wonderful owners. Tony has been at the forefront of it, but we have got three other fantastic owners in Din (Kamarudin Bin Meranun), Ruben (Emir Gnanalingam) and Amit Bhatia.

"We are in it for the long term. We have got short, medium and long-term ambitions.

"This is a tough, tough season for us but whatever happens we are focused on what we have to do over the long term."

QPR also received widespread criticism for their spending during the January transfer window as the owners looked to back manager Harry Redknapp's attempts to keep the club in the top flight.

Christopher Samba was brought in from Anzhi Makhachkala with Loic Remy also joining from Marseille.

Beard has refuted claims that the deals broke the bank and put the long-term financial future of the club at stake.

"I can reassure QPR fans that we have owners who are very successful businessmen and very sensible in business," he said.

"Recent reports regarding what money our players are on are completely wide of the mark. Chris Samba was keen to come back to England, this is where his family are.

"He is not on anything like has been suggested. Even if we win trophies, with all sorts of different bonuses, he would not get anywhere close to the money that has been reported."

Redknapp has led Rangers to victory over local rivals Chelsea and taken points against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Despite the recent positive results QPR remain six points from safety and will be hoping the likes of Samba and Remy can guide them to salvation.

PA