Facebook fans feel Mel's the man

By Dave McIntyre QPR fans have launched a campaign to get the club s former chief scout reinstalled. Mel Johnson, who left for Tottenham in 2005, is currently on gardening leave after Spurs manager Harry Redknapp made changes to his backroom team. And aft

By Dave McIntyre

QPR fans have launched a campaign to get the club's former chief scout reinstalled.

Mel Johnson, who left for Tottenham in 2005, is currently on gardening leave after Spurs manager Harry Redknapp made changes to his backroom team.

And after a series of blunders in the transfer market by their club's mega-rich regime, frustrated Rangers supporters are calling for Johnson's return.

Hundreds have signed an online petition and a group demanding his reappointment has been set up on the Facebook website.

Rs fan Tony Binks, who created the group, said: "It's no secret that our scouting system leaves a lot to be desired. Mel Johnson has never been properly replaced.

"Without him we wouldn't have had players like Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands and Dan Shittu, to name just three."

Including loans, QPR have signed over 30 players since the Flavio Briatore-led takeover two years ago, but have failed to challenge for promotion.

Johnson was Watford's chief scout before taking a similar role at Rangers on the recommendation of Kenny Jackett, who was then the assistant manager at Loftus Road.

Jackett had worked with him at Watford, where Johnson was instrumental in the Hornets' signing of Cook from non-league Aylesbury under the noses of QPR in 1999.

Johnson's recommended signings during his time at Rangers included keeper Lee Camp and winger Kevin McLeod.

He initially joined Tottenham as a youth scout and was promoted to chief scout in October last year as part of changes made by the north London club's former sporting director Damien Comolli.