In the late 19th century when Reading and QPR were founded, women and children first was the protocol that was used when shipping disasters occurred.
The crew and the captain usually went down with the ship if there wasn’t an abundance of lifeboats.
But in the 21st Century luxury liner of the Premier League, players are usually unwilling to sink down to the Championship with their clubs, using oars and elbows to push those less fortunate out of the way.
That will surely be the case for both Reading and QPR as both clubs look almost certain to be relegated.
The two teams play each other today with many of their players performing for an audience that stretches beyond their fans and management, although arch-mercenary Peter Odemwingie might surely have proved loyal had he joined QPR in January. Well, maybe…
Julio Cesar
The Brazilian goalkeeper has resurrected his career at Loftus Road after a difficult final period at Inter Milan. The Champions League winner will surely be snapped up by another Premier League club or a team from the continent or even Brazil.
The 33-year-old has a decent saves-to-shot ratio of 72 per cent and could be available for as little as €3 million. Arsenal and AC Milan appear to be leading the race according to reports.
Christopher Samba
Few strikers want to come up against this veritable boulder of human flesh so the Congo international will be in high demand for clubs like Stoke City and West Ham who prefer larger gentlemen to patrol their defences.
The QPR centre-half played under Sam Allardyce at Blackburn which could sway his thinking.
But there are two major obstacles. Firstly his wages, which are reported to be over €100,000 per week, a prohibitive sum for most clubs below the Top Six in the Premier League, while his transfer value will be very high after his €14.5 million arrival from Anzhi Makhachkala in January.
He has been linked with a return to the Russian club recently and in light of the expense, that is his likely destination as QPR will not be able to afford to keep him if and when they go down.
Stephane M’Bia
M’Bia is likely to be picked up by a Premier League side, not because he has been a shining light this season – he hasn’t - but because of his versatility.
The Cameroonian can play as a centre-back, defensive midfielder or a full-back.
The 26-year-old was linked with Chelsea in January but with a price tag of about €8 - 10 million, he may interest a number of clubs looking to bolster their defences.
Hal Robson-Kanu
The Reading winger has been one of the few positives for the Royals in a difficult season and may interest mid-table or bottom half clubs. The Wales international scored five times this season and since his value appears to hover around the €2 million mark, bids may come in from a host of different teams. Newly-promoted Cardiff City have been heavily linked with his signature.
Esteban Granero
After an encouraging start to the season, the technically adept Spanish midfielder has become an increasingly marginal figure at QPR, last playing a full 90 minutes at the start of January.
The Real Madrid youth graduate is set to cost about €7 million with Southampton particularly interested in prising him from Loftus Road. But Liverpool and Arsenal may rekindle interest in the 25-year-old if they think he still has some potential.
Jobi McAnuff
The left winger has the highest number of assists for Reading this season with six which could lead to lower mid-table or newly promoted sides to take a punt on his services, especially as they are likely to have to part with less than €1.5 million.
Park Ji Sung
The South Korean was named QPR captain at the start of the season but the ex-Manchester United midfielder has appeared to be a spent force, losing the captaincy in January.
With his powers on the wane, he has been linked with a switch to MLS but with a price tag of about €2 million one or two Premier League teams could be tempted to utilize his vast experience if an appropriate wage package can be agreed.
Adel Taarabt
The Moroccan is capable of going from the sublime to the ridiculous which leaves a question mark hanging over his head.
But his attacking qualities will tempt teams to take a chance on him. Available for a fee of about €9 million, PSG were heavily linked with him over the last two years, but he could also find himself the subject of interest from Premier League clubs, although not from the elite.
Shaun Wright-Philips
Ian Wright’s son is no longer in the eyeline of the Premier League’s top clubs. But the former England winger could find himself at a bottom half club if he does leave QPR.
The winger is available for a relatively cheap €2 million as his star dims as a result of ineffectual performances.
Adam Le Fondre
The 26-year-old striker came through the Football League Divisions, finally arriving at the highest level with Reading this season.
And he has not let anyone down, scoring a creditable 10 league goals which will bring him to the attention of Premier League clubs. One of the promoted clubs or even a more established side may deem the €2 million price tag worth the outlay.
Loic Remy
Remy made the odd choice of joining a QPR side that was in a precarious position instead of Newcastle in January.
He has been an impressive performer in his first four months at Loftus Road, scoring five goals in 10 games. But he will surely be on the move again in the summer.
Newcastle may be interested in adding to their French contingent while Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have all shown an interest in the past.
Whoever wins the race for his signature will have to part with at least €10 million.
