The following article appeared in the Telegraph on 19th September 1952:
‘Ladislav Trpisovsky, a professional with a Prague soccer team until July, who fled to this country for political reasons, is to play for Queen’s Park Rangers reserves at Shepherd’s Bush tomorrow.
He has been issued with a temporary permit allowing him to play in English football by the Football Association.
Mr G. Hurley, the QPR secretary, said today: “We hope that when more information can be obtained from the Czechoslovakian FA, a full permit will be granted for Trpisovsky.”
Twenty-five years of age, Trpisovsky is an outside right.’
The following day, the Football Post (Nottingham), confirmed that he had played in that reserve game against Southend United at Loftus Road.
The editor’s comments in the match programme included this:
‘Our manager has also been actively engaged in ironing out the necessary formalities to enable another player to assist our Club.
He is the lad from Czecho-Slovakia, now resident in this country, about whom much has appeared in the Press a short time ago.
His name! We’ve given up trying to pronounce it and all now call him “Laddie”, which is near enough to what his Christian name sounds like anyway!’
My copy of the programme doesn’t include the team changes. I presume that as an outside-right he replaced A. Newman?
Team? Gullan, Powell (G), Heath, Crickson, Chapman, Clayton, Trpisovsky, Hill, Smith (C), Hold, Waugh
Rangers won 3-0, with goals from Gordon Quinn (2) and Conway Smith. 4,007 attended the match.
Ladislav went on to play in one further Combination game that season, before presumably being released.
I would love to know what happened to him after that?
The above pic depicts Ladislav in training.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for his assistance. The programme & cutting are from my collection)