In Memory of Paul Harford: 9th August 1942 – 23rd September 2011

Paul Harford passed away last month after a long illness. He lived around the corner from me in South Harrow although he was actually born in Cheltenham and it wasn’t until he eventually moved to Kilburn in the late 50’s that he became an R’s fan.

I was looking through my 1964/65 programmes recently and in the Walsall programme dated 1st January 1965 (when Friday night was Rangers night), I noticed that Paul had won £2.00 in the Jackpot Draw whilst residing at, 31 Birchington Road, Kilburn all those years ago. He used to have a season ticket in the Upper Loft until he was too ill to attend.

Apart from the Rangers, I also used to see him from time to time in St Gabriel’s Social Club with his pint of Guinness. Paul was custodian of the club’s finances and was also involved with organising some of its social activities. He worked for many years at Legal & General in the City until he took early retirement, but sadly he suffered from poor health for much of the time.

We gathered at St Gabriel’s Church in South Harrow on 6th October where Father Michael Egan conducted the 11am Service in his memory. Later, we went on to Ruislip Crematorium. Paul was a big Jazz fan and we entered the Chapel to the sound of Humphrey Lyttelton. The final piece of music was Lonnie Donegan’s, ‘Have A Drink On Me’. As we walked back to the Car Park, I noticed that some of the mourners arriving for the next funeral were wearing Rangers shirts.

Later in St Gabriel’s Social Club many of us did indeed have a drink on Paul. My condolences once again to his three sons, Des, Peter and Neil, who were all brought up as R’s fans.

God Bless you Paul.

Steve Russell

5 thoughts on “In Memory of Paul Harford: 9th August 1942 – 23rd September 2011

  1. Now that I have seen a picture I have just discovered that I once knew Paul Harford.

    At first the name did not ring any bells and when the news of his death broke I did not appreciate that our paths had crossed on a few occassions in Rangers away games of the 60’s and 70’s

    In a QPR Match Programme dated 20 02 71 v Hull City there is a picture and article entitled The Faithful Band.

    The Photo shows Paul Harford with Alan Barnes Paul Gooch Tim Vaughan Jim Borrett on the train to the away fixture at Carlisle that season and the related Bush Telegraph article praises these loyal QPR Supporters.

    Sad news. RIP Paul Harford

  2. RIP Paul.

    No more QPR conversations on the 140 bus. Very sad to hear of Paul’s untimely death. Condolences to his family.

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