QPR Monitoring Non-League Midfielder

QPR are looking at Bracknell Town midfielder Haydon Vaughan, as revealed by their academy’s account on X.

The midfielder was named in the academy side’s starting lineup against London rivals Millwall, which the Hoops won 2-1 following goals from Micah Anthony and Joseph Ajose. The development side leapfrogged their opponents to take the top spot in Group B of the Professional Development League 2. Vaughan took part in the development side on a trial basis, which leads people to believe that the Championship side are casting eyes on the non-league talent ahead of a potential transfer swoop.

A step up.

QPR could hand the midfielder a step up from the non-league circuit, but how big that step would be remains to be seen with the side currently fighting to avoid relegation to League One. In the meantime, defender Deon Woodman headed in the opposite direction to the non-league side of the pyramid, joining National League side Southend United on loan for the remainder of this season.

Vaughan would join a list of talents to leap at the Championship, the most notable case being Jamie Vardy to Leicester City, who the Hoops pulled out a shock victory against at the weekend. That list will grow this summer when Josh Stokes completes his move to Bristol City from National League side Aldershot, that deal allowing Stokes to remain on loan.

Who is Haydon Vaughan?

18-year-old midfielder Vaughan has become a vital part of the side at Bracknell Town since his move last summer.  Before his move, the midfielder was plying his trade with Sandhurst Town in the Combined Counties Division League One, scoring 15 goals in 31 matches.

The side is pushing for promotion from the Southern Division Premier, sitting eighth in the league with 46 points from 32 matches. Vaughan has scored two goals in 11 games this campaign.

Is Vaughan an option for the side?

The struggles at QPR have been no secret ever since the departure of Michael Beale. The former Sunderland manager opted to return to Scotland with Rangers, leaving the side in limbo in some ways. The form dipped following that departure, as they fell from the top half of the table into the relegation battle. Gareth Ainsworth’s tenure will most likely go down as one of the worst in the club’s history, and the threat of relegation is a real possibility, even now after he has moved on from the club.

One factor in the decision to look at non-league talent would be the history of plucking up talents from that part of the pyramid in England. However, you can only imagine that the club’s current financial situation has also seen the side look lower down the pyramid for recruitment. In October 2023, The Athletic published a report on the downward spiral at Loftus Road. This report detailed hefty financial losses and debts owed in transfer instalments and various debts.

Vaughan could add some talent if he followed in the footsteps of non-league talents joining the EFL. Surrounding him with quality players could see him reach that goal. Given that he would not cost much in transfer fees, the move would not be a big gamble for the Hoops. The only hope is that the policy does not let Vaughan down the same way it has with players like Chris Willock and Ilias Chair, especially given that there would likely be sell-on fees that would only boost a side like Bracknell Town.