Uncertain Future For ex U`s

Former Colchester United assistant manager Mick Haford has tonight left Queen`s Park Rangers following the instatement of Luigi De Canio as the club's manger. This appointment will also cast doubt over the futures of ex U`s Chris Barker and Hogan Ephraim.

Both Barker and Ephraim spent almost all of the 2006-7 season on loan at Layer Road, from Cardiff and West Ham respectively, thus impressivly helping Colchester to cement a highest-ever league finish during their debut season in the Championship.

Both were offered reportedly decent contracts to make their moves permanent, but declined. Defender Barker, for example, claimed that he made the move to work under Gregory, and Haford who had by now also made the switch from Essex, to win promotion.

Instead, after a poor run of results where Gregory failed to halt last season`s slide, the R`s began to flirt with financial trouble and the relegation zone once more.

Their preparations for the campaign were also sadly disrupted by the tragic death of former Colchester youth player, Ray Jones. The 19-year-old had been sighted as a possible replacement for Chris Iwelumo for the Essex club during the close season.

Amid speculation of a takeover at QPR, which came to fruition just ten days ago when F1 giants Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore official bought a controlling stake at Rangers, Haford was made temporary manager.

The 48-year-old, over a period of five games in charge, brought some much-needed stability and eight points, to the club, including three last Saturday with a highly creditable win over big-guns Charlton.

However, despite a declaration in the nationals that he wanted the job full-time, it seems Haford did not have enough pizzazz for the club`s new tenants.

Tonight, as he leaves the club with immediate effect - after rejecting a role within the new administration - it is all too obvious that every member of the playing and coaching staff, including the likes Barker and Ephraim, will have to prove their worth in London over the coming weeks to aviod a similar fate.

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