A FOOTBALL club director accused of attempting a gun point Sopranos-style takeover at Queens Park Rangers FC has been cleared by a jury.

David Morris, 50, of Doggetts Lane, Chalfont St Giles, denied hiring five heavies to confront fellow director 60-year-old Gianni Paladini and force him to sign over his stake in the club.

Mr Morris has been cleared of conspiracy to blackmail, false imprisonment and possession of a firearm on August 13, last year. Another of the five defendants was also cleared this week.

He insisted the pair were in a row over a botched transfer deal worth £400,000.

Mr Morris said: "I started to voice my concerns that the blame landed squarely on his shoulders and not to expect the club to pay for it."

Mr Morris said he did not rise to the bait and came back later to find the Italian upset and members of his family hurling accusations.

During the trial Mr Paladini, now club chairman, had sobbed as he told Blackfriars Crown Court how a gun was pushed into the back of his head.

David Williams QC had compared the drama to a scene from TV's American mafia series The Sopranos.

As Mr Morris walked from court he said: "I am grateful to my wife Angela, my family and friends and of course my legal team and for their support over a difficult ten months."

He said he would not make any further comment until the end of the case but he was happy the jury returned "true and just verdicts of not guilty."

The jury are still deliberating on the same charges with four other defendants, including David Davenport, 38, of Cowper Road, Chesham, who was on trial for the same offences.