It's a very, very sad day in football

Last updated : 26 August 2007 By Tony Scholes
Adam Bolder - spoke on behalf of the QPR players
Speaking on behalf of the QPR dressing room, midfielder Adam Bolder issued a statement via the QPR web site regarding the death of the youngster. It reads as follows:

"We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news regarding the untimely death of Ray Jones. Ray was one of us. A footballer with a passion to succeed for himself and for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

"It goes without saying that Ray was the most gifted player at the club. He had fantastic raw ability and was destined for a very bright future, both at club and international level. He was a great character, a very popular figure in the dressing room and he will be sadly missed.

"Words can't really express how we feel at the moment, but our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time. It is a tragedy that we are all struggling to come to terms with, but we will pick ourselves up and play our hearts out for Ray.

"Every kick, every shot, every tackle will be for him. He was one of us and he will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace."

It was Burnley manager Steve Cotterill's idea to hold the public training session with a collection for a charity and speaking on behalf of our club he said: "It has been a difficult day all round and certainly more so for Queens Park Rangers than ourselves.

"It's a very, very sad day in football. Ray was a nice young man and budding young footballer who I am sure had a good career ahead of him. I spoke to John Gregory and Mick Harford this morning and we've liaised with Queens Park Rangers all along, and they have our deepest sympathy.

"It was never a problem to call the game off. Sometimes football is put into perspective and whilst we were looking forward to the game, we were more than happy when we knew that QPR perhaps weren't in the right frame of mind."