Last week, over 100 QPR fans congregated in Kensal Green to pay their respects to a gentleman who has been part of our lives for decades.
That person was Alan Barnes. A man who, with no exaggeration, has attended more QPR games than any other human being. His first Rangers game was in 1952 I believe.
Quite a few of us got to know him on away trips at first. He would also attend reserve games frequently both home and away.
Then there were the under-18 games on a Saturday morning. I loved our chats at youth games as he would inform me of the latest player and would know everything about the boy, how old he was, how long he’s been at QPR etc.
For Alan would also go and watch the under-15s on a Sunday at Hanger Lane in all weathers. He literally watched every age group, as long as they wore QPR colours.
Last week, his hearse arrived at Loftus Road Stadium at 11.45 to enable QPR staff, who were unable to attend the funeral, to pay their own respects to Alan.
Then a cortege of cars followed the hearse for the short journey to West London Crematorium, where a large crowd had gathered.
Speeches were made by QPR Club Ambassador Andy Sinton, Alan’s stepson Jonathan Samuel and QPR fans, Joe Hylton, Martin Percival and John Reid.
Afterwards about fifty of us met at one of Alan’s local pubs, ‘The Eagle’ on Ladbroke Grove.
RIP Alan Barnes. One of ‘R’ Own.
Chris Hewitt
(When the hearse arrived at Loftus Road the funeral directors informed us that Alan’s family had given us permission to take photos)