Our Patch AUGUST 2014
Our Patch AUGUST 2014
A
fter three rollercoaster
years at the helm of QPR,
Tony Fernandes is back
at the top of the English
game. “I said to my
partner, it was worth it,
wasn’t it?” he said.
“If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, it
was worth it. I’ve been through a lot
in my life – building an airline, hotels
and Formula 1 team – but there was no
feeling like it when the final whistle
went at Wembley. It was surreal.”
These were the words of the QPR
owner after his side grabbed the last
available spot in the new season of
Premier League, courtesy of a
90th-minute winner from former
Fulham FC striker Bobby Zamora
in the Championship play-off final
against Derby.
QPR fans sung Charlie Austin’s name
on the way to Wembley as both sets of
supporters converged at Baker Street
Station – which was transformed into a
mosaic of black, white and blue.
And it was Austin that sat side by
side with manager Harry Redknapp
at QPR’s Harlington training ground
recently as they looked ahead to the
season, which kicks off on August 16
at home against Hull.
“These are exciting times at QPR and
hopefully we can secure our Premier
League status next season. The manager
has set our targets and we have to work
hard to make sure we achieve them.”
When the name Rio Ferdinand was
mentioned by the horde of journalists,
Austin smiled and simply said: “Rio
has joined a club on the up.”
The 35-year-old former Manchester
United captain and defender recently
signed a one-year deal at Loftus Road
to play for Harry, who gave him his
debut at another United – West Ham,
that is – in 1995.
Everyone else is scrapping
to make sure they stay in
the division. So yes, I’m
looking forward to it
And Harry Redknapp is under
no illusion as to the size of the task
that lies ahead. “I’m not making any
predictions. You go into the Premier
League and you’ve got to make sure
you stay there. That’s the key,” said the
QPR boss. “The same seven teams that
finished in the top seven places this
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THE ANDOVER ARMS
West Ham’s Rio Ferdinand
challenges QPR’s Kevin
Gallen for the ball in 1997
PICTURES: ACTION IMAGES/NIKE
season will be in the top seven again
next season.
“The rest of the league, everyone
else is scrapping to make sure they stay
in the division. So, yes I’m looking
forward to it and going to places like
Anfield. I love going there and then I
have the chance to take my team back
to Tottenham and West Ham.”
Hot on the heels of Rio’s arrival
was former Tottenham defender and
Redknapp alumni Stevem Caulkner,
signing from Cardiff City to marshall
a ferocious back line along with
Ferdinand, Richard Dunne, Nedum
Onuoha and Clint Hill.
Despite the glamour of the top flight,
Redknapp is certain that this summer
there will be no repeat of the crazy
transfers made the last time the Hoops
were in the Premier League. “We picked
up players like Richard Dunne, who has
been the rock of the team.
“He never had an offer from any club
when I took him. He was out of work.
So it wasn’t as if we went out there and
bought a load of superstars,” added
Redknapp.
“I like to sign players I know, like
the ones I brought here to QPR. I knew
them all and you roughly know what
you are going to get. You can never be
100 per cent sure, but I would rather
take people I know who will come in
and do a job for you.
“You will always get doubters,” he
said with a shrug. “But I’ve got no
doubts at all about Rio.”
In every issue of Our Patch we will showcase a local business
from our Partners scheme. The new Horton and Garton scheme
aims to reward residents for shopping locally and supporting
the community. This issue, we take a look at The Andover Arms
H
idden away in the maze
of streets which make
up Brackenbury Village
lies The Andover Arms;
a mainstay of the local
community which since
2007 has been helmed by local resident
and landlord Tom Gavaghan.
After starting work as a dishwasher,
he worked his way up through
management positions and formed
his own company in 2002. At one
time Tom had a portfolio of four
pubs – all while working as a qualified
hypnotherapist!
With so many things taking up his
time, Tom relies on a dedicated team to
ensure the Andover runs as smoothly
as possible. So how does Tom choose
his team of workers? “I just employ
nice people who are self-motivated and
really give a damn,” he says. “I aim to
give them an amazing environment
to challenge themselves, grow as
individuals and earn a decent wage.”
Manager Victoria de Polo and head
chef Chintan now ensure that the
pub remains stocked with exceptional
ales, lagers and wines while serving an
excellent selection of fresh, seasonal
British dishes.
Couple this with regular events and
impromptu music nights and The
Andover continues to prove a hit with
local residents and visitors alike.
Tom is very keen to stress the pub’s
community focus: “In a high street
chain pub the personal touch is lost,”
he explains. “The hospitality industry
often forgets about the guests coming
through the door, instead treating them
merely as a number. This is where The
Andover is different.”
Brackenbury Village is also a
special place for Tom. “The hidden
streets of the village carry a certain
traditional English charm –following
our very successful street celebrations
people now know the names of their
neighbours,” he adds. “It’s great.”
www.theandoverarms.com
Call: 020 8748 2155
Turn the page to see the
full list of Partners and
offers. To find out more,
keep an eye out for
our Partner stickers in
windows in W6 and W12!