Melzack's hopes grow

Lifelong QPR fan Brian Melzack moved one step closer to becoming the new owner of the Loftus Road club after a bid from his main rival was rejected by administrators.

The 44-year-old property developer is set to start a four-week period of talks with administrators BDO Stoy Hayward to buy the club for approximately £10m from owner Chris Wright.

Melzack's consortium are now clear favourites after his only serious rival, businessman Maurice Fitzgerald, was told his bid had failed.

A statement for the Fitzgerald group said: "We are naturally disappointed that our offer, which was submitted several months ago, has not been accepted.

"If an alternative offer proceeds we trust this will be in the best interests of QPR - and on that basis we offer our sincere best wishes to the prospective new owners."

A mysterious third bidder for the club from abroad emerged this week, but it is understood that is not yet a serious contender.

Melzack had been part of a group led by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tim Razzall that tried to buy the club before it went into administration at the end of last season with debts of around £10m.