Tragic and Sad Day!

The terrible news of the death of QPR's 18-year old striker Ray Jones in a car accident yesterday shocked all Clarets fans as they began to hear the details of the reasons behind the postponed match

QPR's England youth international striker Ray Jones had died in a car accident in East Ham in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police also confirmed that two other people had also been killed in the collision between a black Volkswagen Golf and a double-decker bus.

The London club had no option but to postpone Saturday's match at Burnley following the death of the young forward.

'QPR is in mourning following the tragic news that striker Ray Jones died in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.' said a Club spokesman

Jones joined the Rs at the age of 15 making his professional debut against Watford in April 2006.

The young striker signed a three-and-a-half year deal with QPR in January this year.

Last season he made 35 appearances, scoring six goals.

QPR had also in the Summer rejected a £200,000 bid from Colchester for the teenager who would have been 19 on Tuesday.

The player was highly rated by QPR and is also understood to have interested a number of Premier League clubs. Manchester United were believed to be one such club.

It is such a tragic loss and our thoughts are with QPR and Ray's family.

There can be absolutely no doubt that this postponement was the right decision. This comes from your Editor who travelled 180 miles and didnt hear the announcement until after the three hour drive and arrival in Burnley. As a season ticket holder, I also lose out on midweek matches and cant make these due to working in Potters Bar, Herts during the week. Financially therefore I will also lose out when the match is finally played. However that is not the point at all. The game could not have gone ahead under any circumstances. Nobody can be selfish when this sort of tragic event happens and what a fantastic idea and gesture by Steve Cotterill to have an open training session for free at Turf Moor instead with a collection being made and all proceeds raised going to a nominated charity of QPR, in memory of Ray Jones.

I went along and watched the lads train for about 45 minutes, very interesting to watch it was too. I was particularly impressed by the camaraderie all the players and managerial staff seemed to have for each other. In my ignorance, I always thought training was something the players didnt particularly relish! They didnt show it and seemed to enter into the spirit of the thing

I did notice some players watching from the side with Claire Judd and can only assume they may have picked up knocks. Kiraly was one, probably still suffering from the dead leg. Berisha was also inactive so maybe he picked up an injury in Albania's international against Malta in midweek.

I did leave though before the training session was completed so maybe they came on later.

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