Congratulations to under 18's..our future!! QPR's Under-18's secured the Puma Youth Alliance League title this afternoon with a 3-2 victory at local rivals Brentford.
The young R's led 1-0 at half-time thanks to an Aaron Morgan-Cummings goal, but were made to sweat after the break when the Bees scored twice.
Steve Brown's men were not to be denied, however, and two goals from Chris Arthur secured the win, and with it the title.
Brown was understandably delighted after seeing his youngsters crowned Champions for the second year running.
The Youth Team Manager told www.qpr.co.uk: "Yes, it is great to win the League, but it has been our performances that have pleased me the most.
"Some of the football we've played, particularly earlier on in the season, has been outstanding.
"I played a completely different shape to what the lads were used to, but they adapted to it extremely well. I found the way we played more enjoyable than the actual victories."
At the turn of the year, Rangers were sitting pretty at the top of the table, having won seven of their nine matches, while remaining unbeaten.
Their strong start presented a new challenge for Brown's players.
"It was a real learning curve for them because since Christmas we have been the team to beat," he explained.
"We made an excellent start to the season and in the last few months, we've faced sides who have focused on stopping us from playing, rather than playing themselves.
"I said to the lads at the time that this is something they need to learn to deal with.
"If sides concentrate on marking you out of the match, it's a challenge you have to learn to overcome - and that's what they did.
"They faced the problem as a group, and it has really aided their development.
"I spent a week with Bayern Munich's youth set-up recently, and one of their coaches said to me that winning is important, but - at this level - it's not everything.
"When teams play Bayern Munich it's like their Cup Final, and that was similar for us this year because we won the League last season. Everyone we came up against really wanted to beat us."
The triumph also represents a great debut year for Brown and Centre of Excellence Manager Kieth Ryan.
"I'm delighted with the way the season has ended," added Brown. "It has been a thoroughly enjoyable first campaign for myself and Keith."
Brown reserved special praise for two strikers who have more than played their part in the success of the Under-18's.
"Antonio German is only 16 but he has played the whole season for me, and scored 14 or 15 goals, which is phenomenal," he said.
"To play above his age group and do so well is a fantastic achievement, and he deserves a lot of credit for that.
"Angelo Balanta has been a great success for the youth set-up.
"He is an exceptional talent and is the best kid I have worked with by a long way. He's an indication of the talent we've got in the Youth Department."
Now Brown is already focussing on the future - and the challenges that lie ahead.
"I'm very excited for the future," he said. "There is a lot going on behind the scenes to try and get QPR back to Academy status.
"It is a great indication of the ambition of the new investors that they want to improve all areas of the Club, and the Youth Department is no exception.
"Returning to Academy status would mean we would be playing teams like Aston Villa, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. That's what this Club deserves.
"Every week should be like a Cup Final for our kids, and that's how we will produce better players going forward."
