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[Steve Russell]

In Memory of Mark Lazarus – “I had a Great Time at QPR & that was Mainly Due
to the Supporters”

The second youngest of thirteen, Mark was born in Stepney in the East End of London, on 5th December 1938.

He played for Fulham’s youth side and possibly one or two others, before joining Dagenham.

Mark then briefly gave up football so that he could concentrate on boxing. He boxed as a light-middleweight
for the Stepney & St. George’s Club. His brother Lew was a well-known boxer and another brother Harry, fought
as a welter-weight.

His next club was Barking and in 1958, Alec Stock signed him for Leyton Orient. But as a professional he wasn’t
allowed to continue boxing, (unbeaten in 14 fights).

Alec, now manager at QPR, signed him in September 1960 and Mark scored on his debut in the 1-0 away win at
Colchester.

He was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers a year later for a fee of £27,500.

Mark found it difficult to settle there and coupled with the fact that his relationship with Stan Cullis wasn’t good,
he re-signed for QPR in February 1962 for £14,000.

Two years later, Mark was transferred to Brentford, but in November 1965 he signed for the R’s for a third time!

QPR finished the season in third place with Mark scoring 12 goals, which included a hat-trick at Loftus Road against
Bournemouth.

The 1966/67 season was an historic one for the Club with the League Cup Final win over First Division West Brom
at Wembley. Mark scored the winning goal, and the following month promotion was sealed at Oldham.

I remember seeing Mark scoring another hat-trick at Swansea that season, not bad for a No.7!

When Steve Zico and I had the honour of interviewing Mark at his home in 2009, I had to ask him about the legendary
occasion when he tore his shorts during the Carlisle Cup tie at Loftus Road.

“I had taken off my torn shorts and thrown them in the dugout, Alec Farmer handed me a new pair, but before I could
put them on, someone passed me the ball.”

“Instinct took over, so I ran along the wing with the ball and crossed it into the area. I was aware that supporters
thought it was funny, but it was the professional and right thing to do.”

Apart from that song: ‘QPR the Greatest’, Mark told me that on the eve of the League Cup Final the team were s
taying at the Winton Hotel. Also there was Fats Domino, and Mark plus some of the players, joined in with him for a
rendition of ‘Blueberry Hill’!

After making 235 appearances and scoring 85 goals, Mark left Rangers in November 1967 for the final time when he
signed for Crystal Palace.

Mark later moved back to Leyton Orient and then finished his playing career with various non-league sides.

He once played for the Football League against the Netherlands in Amsterdam when Ron Greenwood was the manager

When I first started going with my mates in the 60’s, I used to stand by the half-way line on the South Africa Road
terrace. There were some right characters there and I can remember him clearly coming over and acknowledging the
fans with his arms raised and palms outstretched!

At the end of that interview, I asked Mark for a few words for the Rangers fans:

“I would like to say that I had 17 years of playing professional football, and believe it or not, QPR were both the best
club I played for and the best team I played in.”

“The support from the supporters was the best of my career, and it was always appreciated. It was a wonderful,
wonderful time.”

“I realise that the team and myself, gave the supporters a lot of pleasure, but believe you me, they gave me back
all that pleasure and much more besides.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the memories will stay with me forever. I had a great time at QPR, and that was mainly
due to the supporters. So a massive thank you.”

A true QPR legend who will never be forgotten, so many memories, thanks Mark.

[Steve Russell]

Many years ago myself & Steve Zico had the honour of interviewing
Mark at his home.

I asked him about playing at the White City & the time when
Johnny Kennedy ran on the pitch & knocked out Theo Foley...

SR: What are your memories of playing at the White City in the early 60’s?

ML: I don’t think any of us enjoyed playing at White City, especially after playing at Loftus Road
where it seemed that the crowd were right on top of you. I loved playing at Loftus Road, where
you were just a few yards away from the supporters.

At White City, there was a dog track and a running track around the pitch. The atmosphere was
completely different. I think that was one of the reasons why we never had much success at White City.
The crowd at Loftus Road were part of the reason for our success. I don’t think we would have achieved
that had we been playing at White City.

SR: Do you remember the occasion when a well known R’s fan came onto the pitch after taking offence
when you were fouled ?

ML: Oh yes, very well indeed. The Kennedy family were huge Rangers supporters and Michael and Johnny
would travel on the train with us when we played away.

We would chat and play cards together. Anyway, Theo Foley up-ended me and we were given a free kick.
As I stood up, I saw one of the brothers running towards Theo Foley. Before I realised it, he stuck one on
Theo and knocked him spark out. He was arrested and ended up in Court.

His defence in Court was that he got upset when he saw one of his favourite players unfairly tackled !