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QPR Official Site - QUINTET TO GO
QPR quintet Sean Thomas, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell, Stefan Bailey and Matt Pickens will be free to leave the Club when their current contracts expire at the end of June.
Thomas, who failed to make a single competitive appearance for the R's, spent time on loan at Bristol City last season, while Goode featured for Wealdstone earlier this campaign.
Howell made his one and only QPR appearance against Northampton Town in the League Cup in August 2006, while tough tackling midfielder Bailey was restricted to just 20 appearances for the R's since signing professional terms during the 2005/06 campaign.
Pickens joined the R's on a short-term contract in February, but was restricted to just a handful of Reserve appearances.
The Club would like to thank all five players for their contribution to QPR and wish them all the best for a successful future. QPR
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
QPR's Matt Pickens Looks Back on His Season and on Staying at QPR
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Chicago Tribune/Luis Arroyave - Ex-Fire goalie Pickens wraps up season in England
On a freezing afternoon in December, Matt Pickens sat inside a restaurant in the West Loop discussing his upcoming season with the Fire. He talked about his chances of being named team captain and he mentioned he was trying to get more teammates to train at Toyota Park in the off-season.
Sure, Pickens still hadn't re-signed with the team at that point, but he was confident he would be signing soon.
That day never came.
Pickens instead signed with England's Queens Park Rangers in February.
"I thought I would be with the Fire," Pickens said. "But I got a good offer from Europe. Offers from Europe don't come often. If I didn't get any offers from Europe, I would [have been] in a Fire jersey this weekend."
Pickens was training with the U.S. national team in January but left camp early to train with Norwich City and then Preston North End—also of the Football League Championship. According to Pickens, both clubs later made him an offer, but not until he was already set to sign with QPR.
The Fire made one final offer the night before January's draft. As he did before the 2007 season when the Fire tried to extend his contract, Pickens declined.
"It was generous," Pickens said of the offer. "I respected that and I told them that. But I had to live a dream."
QPR's season ended Sunday, with the Rangers finishing 14th out of 24 clubs. Pickens was unable to crack the starting lineup in his time with QPR but played three reserve games with the club. He missed the final three weeks of the season after suffering a separated shoulder in practice.
"I knew I would come in as the No. 2 guy," Pickens said. "I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't expect to start.
"I think I played well, but I still haven't proven myself."
Would he like to return to QPR next season?
"I hope so," responded Pickens, whose contract ended after the season. "I think I can play at that level, but we'll see what happens." Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune/Luis Arroyave - Ex-Fire goalie Pickens wraps up season in England
On a freezing afternoon in December, Matt Pickens sat inside a restaurant in the West Loop discussing his upcoming season with the Fire. He talked about his chances of being named team captain and he mentioned he was trying to get more teammates to train at Toyota Park in the off-season.
Sure, Pickens still hadn't re-signed with the team at that point, but he was confident he would be signing soon.
That day never came.
Pickens instead signed with England's Queens Park Rangers in February.
"I thought I would be with the Fire," Pickens said. "But I got a good offer from Europe. Offers from Europe don't come often. If I didn't get any offers from Europe, I would [have been] in a Fire jersey this weekend."
Pickens was training with the U.S. national team in January but left camp early to train with Norwich City and then Preston North End—also of the Football League Championship. According to Pickens, both clubs later made him an offer, but not until he was already set to sign with QPR.
The Fire made one final offer the night before January's draft. As he did before the 2007 season when the Fire tried to extend his contract, Pickens declined.
"It was generous," Pickens said of the offer. "I respected that and I told them that. But I had to live a dream."
QPR's season ended Sunday, with the Rangers finishing 14th out of 24 clubs. Pickens was unable to crack the starting lineup in his time with QPR but played three reserve games with the club. He missed the final three weeks of the season after suffering a separated shoulder in practice.
"I knew I would come in as the No. 2 guy," Pickens said. "I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't expect to start.
"I think I played well, but I still haven't proven myself."
Would he like to return to QPR next season?
"I hope so," responded Pickens, whose contract ended after the season. "I think I can play at that level, but we'll see what happens." Chicago Tribune
Saturday, May 3, 2008
QPR's Ex-Chicago Fire Goalkeeper, Matt Pickens
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re Matt Pickens: Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave's Soccer Blog Responds to Readers Queries
Since Matt Pickens' contract with QPR was for the remainder of the season, what are the chances of Slim returning to the Fire when his deal is up in June? - Guillermo
"I asked Matt if he might return to the Fire after the QPR season is over and he responded, "I don't think so." He said he hopes he can re-sign with QPR because he likes where the club is going (the new owners are investing a lot more money into the club). I'll have more on Pickens in the Tribune next week." Chicago Tribune Blog
re Matt Pickens: Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave's Soccer Blog Responds to Readers Queries
Since Matt Pickens' contract with QPR was for the remainder of the season, what are the chances of Slim returning to the Fire when his deal is up in June? - Guillermo
"I asked Matt if he might return to the Fire after the QPR season is over and he responded, "I don't think so." He said he hopes he can re-sign with QPR because he likes where the club is going (the new owners are investing a lot more money into the club). I'll have more on Pickens in the Tribune next week." Chicago Tribune Blog
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