We would like to ‘officially’ welcome Steve Sayce to the Indy R’s and to thank him for his immediate input. Also, our thanks to Martin Percival and to everyone else that has contributed to the website over the past 12 months,
It was another dramatic year for the R’s which pretty much started with the sacking of Neil Warnock on 8th January and then the appointment of Mark Hughes a few days later. Who will ever forget those final home games when Loftus Road was rocking from the rafters and then finally that incredible day at the Etihad Stadium in May !
After a number of big summer signings, R’s fans were actually feeling generally optimistic of a possible mid-table league position, but this is QPR of course and a deluded Mark Hughes outstayed his welcome. With growing unrest amongst the R’s faithful Mark Hughes was sacked leaving Rangers win-less and rooted at the bottom of the table.
However, the appointment of Harry Redknapp on 24th November has given us some hope of survival. He has so far achieved a four-match unbeaten run which included our very first league win of the season last Saturday against Fulham. Still no away league win in over a year, but maybe Harry will put that right at Newcastle ?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all R’s fans that are hospitalised or seriously ill and we remember Ivor Powell, Billy Beggs, Pat Woods, Jimmy Andrews, Dave Sexton and Alan McDonald, who all sadly passed away during the year.
I only found out recently that Ernie Harris had died. Ernie helped start up the Dale Youth Boxing Club 40 years ago with Mick Delaney and was very well known in their boxing world as a respected matchmaker. He was from Acton and also an R’s fan: my condolences to his friends and family at this time.
Lastly, we would like to wish R’s fans everywhere a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Steve Russell for the independent R’s
It certainly was an eventful year, and I reckon we are on for another one, it is the QPR way.
The battle of survival in the Premier league was incredible, the sort of script that only QPR can provide, but we have sadly been hit with too many deaths this year. Dave Sexton’s death hit me very hard, but Alan McDonald was just too young, far, far too young.
Is there any chance that next year will be less trying? No I don’t think so either.
Thanks to all those you have visited my blog this season, Merry Christmas to all.
Wishing all on the board a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Any chance of a copy of the St Helens Church picture young Steve? My Grandfather and Nan were married in the church in 1909. Does it still exist?
Forgot to add that they married on Christmas Day in 1909! In the 1800’s and early 1900’s people worked six days a week and Christmas Day and Boxing Days were the few days available to marry without being out of pocket. Some references also state that marriages were free on these days which also helped.
Seasons Greetings to one and all.
An eventful year for QPR FC to say the least and very sad that we lost far too many of our ex players Managers and supporters.