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[Steve Russell]

QPR v ‘The Army’ at Highbury on 10th February 1951

On the 10th February 1951 the R’s were involved in a Football Combination Cup tie
against Arsenal at Loftus Road.

Whilst at Highbury the Rangers 1st team were taking on an Army X1 in a friendly match.
The programme notes explained the reason for the game:

‘As our First team were without a league game today the Board agreed to play a match
against the British Army Representative side at Highbury this afternoon and we express
our thanks to Arsenal Football Club for the very sporting and prompt way in which they
agreed to allow the use of their ground for this match.

This game is in the nature of a final trial for the Army side who next week go to France
to take part in an Army International triangular tournament.’

The ‘Voice of Arsenal’ stated: ‘Today we have pleasure in loaning the Stadium for the
purpose of a friendly match between the Army and Queen’s Park Rangers, which will
serve, as much as anything, as good match practice for the Army in preparation for their
forthcoming game against the French Army.

Those of you who saw the soldiers against the FA X1 on this ground last November will
know that they can put a good team into the field and that they will be a good match
for the Rangers, who themselves are to be congratulated for putting a strong team out
to test the Army.’

According to the programme the R’s lined up as follows:
Saphin, Poppitt, Ingham, Nicholas, Woodward, Clayton, Waugh, Cameron, Addinall,
Mills, Shepherd.

A short match report later appeared in the West London Observer:

‘Although Queen’s Park Rangers did most of the attacking against the Army at Highbury
on Saturday, poor finishing spoilt their efforts and the strong Army defence was usually
on top.

It was a good match to watch, with both sides playing fast, intelligent football and swinging
the ball about well on a heavy pitch.

Although the Army attack had less of the game than Rangers’, they were a useful line, well
led by Pace (Pte D of the R.A.M.C), but the QPR defence played soundly.

The only goal did not come until midway through the second half, when Addinall headed in
a centre from Shepherd.’