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HONOUR: Queens Park Rangers have renamed their stadium after the charity set up in Kiyan’s name

CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB Queens Park Rangers have won plaudits after naming their stadium after a former player who was fatally stabbed trying to break up a fight outside his school.

The west London football club will now play at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in honour of Kiyan Prince, a former QPR youth player who died in 2006 after intervening in the incident. He was 15.

His father, Mark Prince, set up the Kiyan Prince Foundation in his memory, which aims to educate young people about the impact of knife crime.

QPR’s director of football Les Ferdinand told The Voice that the decision to rename the stadium had the full backing of fans and everyone associated with the club.

TRIBUTE: Kiyan Prince

RIGHTS
He said: “We put a vote out there to our supporters, donating the stadium naming rights to a charity.

“We had five charities which we lined up, obviously the Kiyan Prince Foundation being one of them, and in the end supporters unanimously voted for the Kiyan Prince Stadium.”

Ferdinand added that the move was a recognition of all the work that Mark Prince does across the country in tackling knife crime.

Ferdinand said: “The work he does on knife crime prevention is commendable. So, I think it’s the perfect opportunity to know more about the Kiyan Prince Foundation and be able to raise funds knowing that it’s for a really good cause.

ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER: Les Ferdinand

LEGENDS
“In view of all the work Mark does at the club as well as within the community and across London, the timing of this acknowledgement is very apt.”

Ferdinand was regarded as one of English football’s legends having played for Rangers, Newcastle and Tottenham during an illustrious career.

He was not at the club at the same time as Kiyan, but he says that he heard really positive things about him.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t at the club during Kiyan’s time there. All I ever heard was good things about him including good reports about his character.

“Putting football to one side I know he was willing to help everybody, was a pleasant kid and everyone truly loved him.”

POTENTIAL: Kiyan Prince played for QPR

Kiyan’s parents said they were delighted with the honour being given to their son.

“I’ve spoken to Mark. He’s overwhelmed by the gesture. It’s been over 10 years since he lost his son to knife crime and sometimes people forget,” Ferdinand told The Voice.

“So I think for him, the fact that all the supporters and everybody else associated with the club still remembers his son makes both him and the rest of the family extremely happy.

“Kiyan’s mother has also been overwhelmed by the response.

RENEWED VIGOUR: Kiyan’s father Mark Prince set up a foundation in the memory of his son, inset below right, and can now look with pride at the QPR stadium bearing the name of that same foundation

“In Mark’s case, I think it’s given him a renewed vigour to carry on the great work he’s been doing while also knowing he has this stadium in honour of his son to look at every day with pride.”

Ferdinand feels the renaming of the stadium leaves behind a legacy that young people can learn and take inspiration from.

“It’s not just about having the name, it’s about hearing the story and understanding it.

“Often we see these names on stadiums without realising the story behind them. So in this case, it’s important for people to know who Kiyan was and how much he meant to the club and our supporters as well as to show our support to the Kiyan Prince Foundation.”

HAPPY
As for Queens Park Rangers, the 52-year-old is happy with their start to the season.

“We’ve got off to a decent start with a draw and two wins including a win in the Carabao Cup the other night. So things are starting to pick up and are heading in the right direction.

“There’s been much changes during my time here but we’re finally beginning to feel as though we’ve got over the worst and are looking forward to a brighter future.”