QPR popularity in Asia..implications for sustainability

[Snaxo]

The focus on building the QPR brand in Asia has suddenly rapidly accelerated over the last few weeks, as we can all see. That market can clearly generate us a lot of income, which we need, as we are now (in particular) picking up a wage bill that frankly appears well beyond (under statement) the traditional means of the club.

One concern niggles me on this though and funnily enough a new video on QPR player (Ji-Sung Park: 'Korean Press View) captures it exactly - we are not necessarily building a long term fanbase in Asia for QPR, rather we are being adopted in the short term by Korean/Asian fans of Park. The video clip suggests that Korean fans follow the player, not the club.

Park is 31, so he has a few years left yet - but what after that? Is it the case that, to maintain the Asian fan base we are building, we are going to need to keep a high profile Asian player at the club? Or is it the case that because of Tony himself, the Asian connections are strong enough to maintain popularity in any case. With this in mind, it would seem very likely that we will try and sign Ki Sung Yeung, a much younger player that could sustain popularity over a longer period.

Either way - it appears we are going to need that income to support our spending if we do wish QPR to be run in prudent financial terms in the future.

Would be interested in our new Korean fans views on this of course, as well !

[QPR Richard]

My guess is the club will try to establish a permanent presence in some Asian countries. Regular tours, some shops, and possibly a TV channel. Perhaps the mentality may be switched from player to club, but perhaps some of our Korean fans could tell us a bit more about this.

[bonheurjh]

Time will solve everything. some fans might find Park as their main interest not the club. As time passes, they will realise that they are becoming the true fan of QPR, slowly but surely.

For me, I really do feel attraction from QPR one of the best clubs in London. People(the fans) are nice and jolly, you guys really do care alot about ur QPR.
I can feel bit of pride within you guys which makes me do so too.

[stainrodisalegend]

Time will solve everything. some fans might find Park as their main interest not the club. As time passes, they will realise that they are becoming the true fan of QPR, slowly but surely.

For me, I really do feel attraction from QPR one of the best clubs in London. People(the fans) are nice and jolly, you guys really do care alot about ur QPR.
I can feel bit of pride within you guys which makes me do so too.

Agree with this. But why shouldnt we continue to have high profile players from Asia? There are plenty of good ones now. I agree if it purely a marketing ploy it doesnt work (who was that Japanese player Arsenal bought five or ten years ago and got the Japanese media v excited but hardly ever played him?) but with Park, perhaps Ki and then other v gd internationals I don't see a problem. As long as Mark Hughes think they improve the playing staff and it works for TF in a business sense then win-win.

[W12_Ranger]

The focus on building the QPR brand in Asia has suddenly rapidly accelerated over the last few weeks, as we can all see. That market can clearly generate us a lot of income, which we need, as we are now (in particular) picking up a wage bill that frankly appears well beyond (under statement) the traditional means of the club.

One concern niggles me on this though and funnily enough a new video on QPR player (Ji-Sung Park: 'Korean Press View) captures it exactly - we are not necessarily building a long term fanbase in Asia for QPR, rather we are being adopted in the short term by Korean/Asian fans of Park. The video clip suggests that Korean fans follow the player, not the club.

Park is 31, so he has a few years left yet - but what after that? Is it the case that, to maintain the Asian fan base we are building, we are going to need to keep a high profile Asian player at the club? Or is it the case that because of Tony himself, the Asian connections are strong enough to maintain popularity in any case. With this in mind, it would seem very likely that we will try and sign Ki Sung Yeung, a much younger player that could sustain popularity over a longer period.

Either way - it appears we are going to need that income to support our spending if we do wish QPR to be run in prudent financial terms in the future.

Would be interested in our new Korean fans views on this of course, as well !

Depends if we make it out aim to have one or two high profile Asians in our squad not rocket science

[Snaxo]

Absolutely, there's no reason why we shouldn't at all, as long as they are available and are what we need.

[Snaxo]

Time will solve everything. some fans might find Park as their main interest not the club. As time passes, they will realise that they are becoming the true fan of QPR, slowly but surely.

For me, I really do feel attraction from QPR one of the best clubs in London. People(the fans) are nice and jolly, you guys really do care alot about ur QPR.
I can feel bit of pride within you guys which makes me do so too.

It's encouraging to hear that might be the case!

Re: QPR fans are nice and jolly - that comment makes me smile Well we are at the moment as there is plenty to be jolly about - but like any fan base, we can be a pretty miserable bunch when things aren't going our way haha. Football fans are not always that good at taking the rough with the smooth ;-)

[Snaxo]

Depends if we make it out aim to have one or two high profile Asians in our squad not rocket science

Well that much is obvious.....the fact is that high profile Asian players are not necessarily 'ten a penny' (at present) and we are not the only club who might like to procure them

[80sCasual]

My worry is will they follow us so much so much if they see we are not winning games or trophies on such a regular basis as Manure? We will then see how many actually follow us just because Park is in our side as opposed to when he was there.