Despite never seeing him play, Reg Allen is a legend of mine, and arguably, Queen’s Park Rangers’ greatest ever goalkeeper. Vic Gibbons’ long awaited book: ‘Whatever Happened to Reg Allen?’ was published recently and he kindly forwarded me a copy. Vic begins his introduction as follows: ‘Whatever happened to Reg Allen? This has been a Continue reading
QPR U18 (1) – Den Haag U20 (8)
Team: Bowman, Da Silva, Pitblado, Bettache, Carlyle, Orafu, Khaliq, Remy, Adams, Bansal-McNulty, Brooks No team sheet for this friendly at Heston against the Dutch U20 side, but eventually we made out that the Rangers starting line-up included one trialist, at least two U16’s and 20 year-old Brandon Adams. Brandon had recently been released following his Continue reading
On this Day in 1945 – The Victory Parade along Harvist Road in Queen’s Park
Following the suicide of Adolf Hitler on 30th April 1945, Grand Admiral Donitz briefly became President of the Third Reich. He travelled to General Eisenhower’s HQ in France, where he accepted an unconditional surrender on 7th May. At 3pm the next day Winston Churchill made a radio broadcast to the nation, which was relayed over Continue reading
QPR U18 (5) – Cardiff City U18 (1)
U18 Professional Development League 2 Team: Dickinson, Drewe, Woollard-Innocent, Bettache, Carlyle, Noel-McLeod, Ribeiro, Remy, Kendall, Bansal-McNulty, Brooks A strong U18’s side lined-up at Heston for their final league game of the season. The young R’s took the lead after around five minutes when Amrit Bansal-McNulty was brought down in the box. He then stepped up Continue reading
“Smashing Ralph” – Ray Wilkins…the tv advertising star
You know when you’ve been Tango’d! A lot’s been written about Ray Wilkins the footballer, tv pundit, coach and football manager but today, sadly the day of Ray’s memorial service, we pay tribute to Ray Wilkins the tv advertising star of the early 1990s. Ray had a good sense of humour and the initial idea Continue reading
QPR U23 (3) – Crewe Alexandra U23 (1)
U23 Professional Development League Team: Richardson, Felix Hamalainen, Owens, Paul, Phillips, Tilt, Akinola, Oteh, Mesias, Alfa Sub Not Used: Brzozowski This final U23’s home game of the season kicked off two hours earlier than originally scheduled. Niko Hamalainenwas appointed captain. Two further trialists were named in the starting line-up. In goal, from Manchester United, was Continue reading
In Memory of Bob Turpie
Former Rangers player Bob Turpie sadly passed away recently. Bob was born in Hampstead on 13th November 1949 and he gets an early mention in the final home match programme (v Exeter City) of the 1964/65 season: ‘New apprentice, Robert Turpie, 15-year-old inside or outside-left from Hendon, has signed apprentice forms for Rangers on leaving Continue reading
QPR U23 (2) – Bristol City U23 (4)
U23 Professional Development League Team: Brzozowski, Johnson, Hamalainen, Owens, Phillips, Fox, Tilt, Ochieng, Oteh, Mesias, Alfa Subs Not Used: Dickinson, Paul Henry Ochieng was once again included in the starting line-up and at No. 2 was another trialist, 20 year-old Chiori Johnson. The former Arsenal defender had recently been on trial with Blackburn Rovers. With Continue reading
‘The Prince of Peace – Mark Prince: My Story’
In amongst all the tributes to Ray Wilkins before, during and after the 4-2 win last week against Sheffield Wednesday, another tribute of sorts was taking place in the QPR Club Shop. I had noticed that morning on the QPR website that the club were promoting the launch of a book telling a storythat has Continue reading
QPR U23 (2) – Nottingham Forest U23 (2)
U23 Professional Development League Team: Brzozowski, Akinola, Fox, Ochieng, Paul, Phillips, Tilt, Owens, Eshun, Stylianides, Hamalainen Sub Not Used: Alfa The team sheet revealed the latest trialist at No. 4, Henry Ochieng. The 19-year-old midfielder had begun his career with West Ham and had recently left Leyton Orient. Zenon Stylianides produced a lovely turn and Continue reading
