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[Steve Russell]

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?

(Thanks to Colin Woodley for his assistance. The programme & cutting are from my collection)