QPR off to a flyer: New plane designed as tribute to former defender Alan McDonald

Queens Park Rangers today flew on the next leg of their Asia tour in a plane designed as a tribute to the late Alan McDonald.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes, who is also a director of Air Asia, has named the Airbus A320 after the former defender, who passed away in June, aged 48. McDonald’s name and shirt number adorns the plane (above).

McDonald’s widow, Tonia, said: “Alan would have been so proud and amazed at such a generous tribute.”

QPR kicked off their pre-season tour of the Far East with a 5-0 win against a select Sabah XI yesterday.

Djibril Cisse, who scored a brace in Malaysia, said: “I’m really happy with the team’s performance and it’s important to have this winning mentality. It felt good to score as well.”

Manager Mark Hughes added: “It was a very good game for us, perfect preparation. The opposition were good and provided a nice test.”