Today marks the 75th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’. The day when Nazi Germany accepted the unconditional surrender of its armed forces. A few days later the West London Observer reportedthat: ‘A brilliant sun heralded the day, throughout, which large crowds assembled in the main thoroughfares. A wireless loudspeaker installed on the roof of Continue reading
Stanley Bowles and Malcolm McDonald – ‘Face to Face’
Ahead of QPR’s visit to Highbury on 2nd October 1976, the following article titled, ‘Big Match – Cross Talk’, appeared in ‘Shoot’ magazine: ‘When Arsenal play Queen’s Park Rangers at Highbury on Saturday, Malcolm McDonald and Stan Bowles will come face to face for the first time since Supermac was signed from Newcastle for £333,000. Continue reading
The 6-0 Win at Bournemouth in 1913: ‘The Football played by the Rangers was by far the best ever witnessed at Dean Court’
Team: Shaw, Fidler, Pullen, Ovens, Mitchell, Wake, Thompson, Birch, Whyman, Revill, Barnes On 11th January 1913, Rangers had beaten Halifax Town 4-2 in the First Round of the FA Cup. They then travelled to Dean Court the following Saturday to take on Bournemouth in a friendly. A match report appeared in the Bournemouth Guardian a Continue reading
A Win for the Rangers in their first ever Match against Chelsea
Team: Howes, Lyon, Wassell, White, Taylor, Edwards, Thompson, Coates, Brewis, Roberts, Cowan. Chelsea had been founded on 10th March 1905 and six months later the two sides met for the first time. This reserve match on 23rd September was a South Eastern League fixture, which kicked off at 3.45pm at the Agricultural Showground, Park Royal. Continue reading
QPR (2) – Leeds United (0) – ‘Followed by Ten Days of Torment for the Rangers’
Team: Parkes, Clement, Gillard, Hollins, McLintock, Webb, Thomas, Francis, Masson, Bowles, Givens Sub: Leach Attendance: 31,002 On this day in 1976, the R’s took on Leeds in their final game of an historic season. Ron Phillips’ ‘Bush Telegraph’ programme notes included the following: ‘In any normal season Rangers’ superb winning run from January to April Continue reading
The Sounds of West London: No.1 – Portobello Road, W11
Released in the UK on 7th October 1971, ‘Bedknobs & Broomsticks’ is a Walt Disney production set during WW2 and involves three kids who are evacuated from London. Charlie, Carrie and Paul Rawlins end up at the home of a witch, Miss Eglantine Price, who is played by Angela Lansbury. She eventually tells them that Continue reading
‘Just Call Me Susan’, Says this Francis Whizz-Kid
The following article was written by Eric Nicholls and appeared in ‘Goal’ magazine on 4th August 1973: ‘When your brother is a well-known footballer, it’s difficult not to attract attention when you go out to show off your own Soccer skills. That’s the problem Susan Francis faces every time she pulls on the No.3 jersey Continue reading
From 1923: FA Cup Round Two – Wigan Borough (2) – QPR (4)
Team: Hill, Marsden, Bain, John, Vigrass, Gregory (J), Edgley, Birch, Parker, Davis, Chandler Attendance: 23,454 Rangers defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 in the FA Cup 1st Round on the 13th January 1923. For the 2nd Round, the R’s travelled to Wigan for the very first time. Ahead of the match the Daily Herald reported: ‘Thirteen players Continue reading
QPR‘s 1896 Friendly at Harrow Athletic: ‘By Brakes, Carts, Bicycles, Trains & the Humble Shanks’, they swarmed down’
Team: A. J. Kips, H. Teagle, F. Tyler, A. Knight, T. Harvey, A. McKenzie, C. Davies, A. Gilmour, B. Carr, W. Ward, E. Wallington. QPR’s 1895/96 season was made up of various cup competitions and a number of friendlies. On 15th February, Rangers travelled to Harrow Athletic. A comprehensive match report, (and interesting references to Continue reading
Life & Times of a Legendary R’s Fan, Thomas Matthews
When Barry Thompkins put up a photo of his Great-Grandfather recently on the: ‘You’re Probably from W12 if…’ Facebook group page, I just had to contact him. A moment captured in time, from the late 1920’s in fact. Barry added that it showed his Great-Grandfather walking down the Uxbridge Road en route to Loftus Road Continue reading