William Clark was born in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, on 25th February 1932. Following a recommendation from QPR’s Scottish scout, Johnny Barr, the ‘Daily Mirror’ reported on 2nd February 1954: ‘Queen’s Park Rangers – no goals in seven of their last eight league games, bring down from Scotland a 13-stone, 6ft tall, twenty-one-year-old centre-forward, Willie Clark, Continue reading
Drilling Outside “The Devil’s Cave” at White City in 1914
The following image and caption appeared in the Illustrated War News on 16th December 1914: ‘The Exhibition grounds at the White City at Shepherd’s Bush are no longer a haunt of light-hearted Londoners in search of amusement but are devoted to the sterner tasks of military training. Some of the large show-cases have been fitted Continue reading
John Bloom – Entrepreneur & would-be Chairman of QPR F.C.
In January 1963 as a 14-year-old schoolboy, during our White City season, John Bloom the Rolls Razor and washing machine magnate, wanted to take control and become the R’s chairman. I was all for it at the time…Rangers backed with wealth…new quality players…promotion out of the Division 3 mire… fame…what a prospect! Obviously with hindsight Continue reading
‘They’re Pulling Down the Palais!’
Steve Still wrote the following article, which appeared in the local Gazette on 22nd December 2006: ‘The historic Hammersmith Palais dance hall looks set to be the latest London music venue to be demolished. The Marquee is long gone and the 2,000 capacity Astoria in Charing Cross Road, which has been sold by the owners, Continue reading
When the Referee tested the Loftus Road Pitch in 1961
On Boxing Day 1961, Rangers drew 2-2 at Torquay United with goals from John McClelland and Mike Keen. Four days later the R’s were scheduled to take them on again in the return fixture. The referee, John Cooke, conducted his pitch inspection with the aid of a fork. The following cutting was taken from a Continue reading
QPR’s 1960 Testimonial Match against Middlesex Wanderers
Team: Drinkwater, Woods, M. Williams (Harrow Town), Petchey, Whitfield, Angell, Golding, C. Sells (Wealdstone), D. Razzell (Carshalton), Locke, Andrews Attendance: 1,668 This testimonial match on 14th March 1960 against Middlesex Wanderers, was organised by the Supporters’ Club in aid of the Players’ Benefit Fund. The Middlesex Wanderers club was founded in 1905 by Bob Continue reading
St. Albans (1) – QPR (4) – ‘At this time Fisher, one of the hitherto absent Rangers, put in an Appearance’
Team: Johnstone (substitute), Teague, Spurr, McKenzie, Ridout, two un-named substitute half-backs, (one was eventually replaced by Fisher), Wright, Macdonald, Wallington, Ward The proposed Herts Cup match between Hertford and St. Albans on 23rd January 1892 was postponed due to some of the players having the flu. So, St. Albans invited Queen’s Park Rangers to fill Continue reading
The 1971 London Five-a-Side Football Championship was Won by QPR
The 1971 London Five-a-Side Championship was held at the Empire Pool, Wembley, on Wednesday, 5th May. The QPR squad was made up of: Phil Parkes, Dave Clement, Terry Venables, Gerry Francis, Rodney Marsh and Ronnie Hunt. Eight of the sides were involved in the Preliminary Round; Palace beat Brentford 4-0 and there were wins for Continue reading
Edsbro (0) – QPR (5), Sunday 28th July, 1991
QPR spending part of the pre-season in Sweden was a common feature during the 80’s and especially during the first half of the 90’s. But the first visit actually dates back to 1973, when two friendlies were played. Further visits followed in ’81, ’82, ’86 and ’88, with four friendlies being played each time. From Continue reading
Tony Sealy: ‘Going Poaching’
The following article appeared in a 1983 football magazine: Tony Sealy starts the 1983-84 season as a hero only a year after he seemed to be heading for the soccer scrapheap. His 16 league goals last season helped Queen’s Park Rangers clinch the Second Division Championship. Sealy, born in London on May 7th, 1959, was Continue reading