Les Ferdinand’s journey

Les Ferdinand is cycling to Amsterdam in aid of Prostate Cancer UK but the journey with QPR might prove an even bigger challenge. Adam Bate caught up with him to discuss the club hero’s role in reviving their fortunes…

Having returned to the club during Queens Park Rangers’ relegation season of 2014/15, the circumstances were not easy for Les Ferdinand. Appointed director of football in February of last year, his first summer back at Loftus Road featured Charlie Austin’s transfer saga and the fiasco that was Sandro’s work permit situation.

Just when things appeared to be settling down, coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink became caught up in a Telegraph sting operation. “It’s been tough times,” Ferdinand tells Sky Sports. “I’ve had some slide tackles and I’ve had some over-the-top tackles. Things still come up that surprise me but I’m taking it all in my stride.”

Calm but switched on, it’s easy to see why QPR owner Tony Fernandes was so impressed. Ferdinand’s diagnosis of the issues at the club is persuasive. “When you get relegated there’s a depression that comes over a football club,” he says. “It’s not just the players but the management, the staff and the supporters. There’s depression.

“We’re trying to bring some stability.” But what then? “The aim is to get the club back in the Premier League,” he adds quickly. “That’s the ultimate goal. It’s going to be long and hard but that’s where we want to get to.” Ferdinand is working to restore order but ambition, it seems, is not a dirty word. “It’s great to be back,” he adds with a smile.

Speaking in one of the executive boxes at Loftus Road, he’s a man comfortable in his surroundings. “There aren’t many pictures of me, you’d never have believed I played here,” he laughs. He’s being self-deprecating. It’s not true. His image adorns the walls. Even two decades on from his playing exit, Ferdinand has still scored three times as many Premier League goals for the club as any other …

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