Ferdinand thanks QPR fans

Last month's meeting between the two clubs at Loftus Road was the first encounter between Ferdinand and John Terry on the pitch since the Chelsea captain was cleared by magistrates of racially abusing the QPR defender in July.

Ferdinand, who snubbed both Terry and Ashley Cole - who testified as a character witness for his England team-mate at the trial - at the pre-match handshake, expressed his gratitude for the backing he received from QPR fans during that game.

He told his club's website, www.qpr.co.uk: "They gave me fantastic support and I couldn't have got through the day without them.

"They kept me going. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart."

The 27-year-old is also grateful for the support he has received from his club and team-mates, as well as the fans, adding: "It has been a difficult period for me but the fans have been special, they have been very good to me.

"The club on the whole, the lads and all the fans have given me incredible support. The backing I've been given is something I will never forget."

Terry was cleared in July by Westminster Magistrates Court of uttering the words as an insult, but that did not prevent him being found guilty under FA rules last week.

Terry, who has always denied all charges against him, is still deciding whether to appeal that verdict and has indicated he would wait until he was in receipt of the written judgment before making that decision.