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'Queens Park Rangers Football Club' is an
English football club, from
Shepherds Bush in the
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in
West London. The club's first team currently plays in the
Football League Championship.
The club is commonly referred to as "QPR" or often just "Rangers" by fans. Other nicknames include the "Hoops" or the "Superhoops" (after the team's kit of blue and white hooped shirts), or the "Rs". The club's fans traditionally consider
Chelsea,
Fulham and
Brentford as
rivals owing to their nearby locations. QPR are not to be confused with the
Scottish clubs,
Rangers or
Queen's Park.
History
Early history
QPR was formed in 1882, when a team known as St Jude's merged with Christchurch Rangers. The resulting team was called Queens Park Rangers, because most of the players came from the
Queens Park area of North-West
London. QPR became a professional team in
1889 and played their home games in nearly 20 different stadia (a league record), before permanently settling in
Loftus Road in
1917 (although the team briefly played at
White City between 1931-3 and
1962-63 in the hope of attracting larger crowds).
[1]
Queens Park Rangers played on two grounds within
Park Royal. The first was the Horse Ring, the site of the now-demolished Guinness Brewery, on the
Royal Agricultural Society's show grounds from
1904 to
1907 which had a capacity of 40,000. When the Society sold the grounds in 1907, QPR moved to the Park Royal Ground, 400 yards south, an almost exact replica of
Ayresome Park, with a capacity of 60,000. The club were forced to move out in February
1915 as the ground was taken over by the
Army.
[2]
Prior to the start of the
1959-60 season saw the arrival of arguably the club's greatest ever manager,
Alec Stock. The
1960-61 season saw QPR achieve their biggest win to date - 9-2 vs
Tranmere Rovers in a Division 3 match. In time, Stock, with the advent as Chairman in the mid-60s of
Jim Gregory helped to achieve a total transformation of the club and its surroundings.
Cup glory and promotion double
In
1966-67, QPR won the
Division Three championship and became the first Third Division club to win the
League Cup on Saturday,
March 4,
1967, beating
West Bromwich Albion 3-2, (coming back from a two goal deficit). 40 years on, it is still the only major trophy that QPR have won. The final was also the first League Cup Final to be held at
Wembley Stadium. They won promotion again
the following year, reaching the
top flight for the first time in their history, but were relegated after just one season.
Sexton's supremes
In 1975-76
Dave Sexton led them to the runners-up spot in the First Division, missing out on the Championship by a single point. After completing their 42-game season, QPR sat at the top of the league 1 point ahead of
Liverpool. Liverpool had to win their final game of the season, at
Wolverhampton Wanderers to clinch the title. Because of Liverpool appearing in the then two-legged
UEFA Cup Final, the game was held over for ten days. Despite Wolves taking the lead and holding it until the 77th minute, Liverpool scored 3 times to win 3-1 and win the League Championship. The squad contained 5 England internationals and internationals from the
home nations and
Morocco. QPR were unable to recreate their wonderful league form in 1976-77 but the cup competitions saw some success. The side reached the semi-finals of the League Cup but lost in a replay to
Aston Villa and in their first entry into European football reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup losing to
AEK Athens FC on penalties. In 1977 Sexton moved to
Manchester United and two years later QPR slipped into the Second Division.
Revival under Venables
The 1980-81 season saw
Terry Venables take over as manager. In 1981, the club installed a
'plastic pitch'. The technology was premature and this unpopular measure was reversed in April 1988. The first game on plastic was against
Luton Town who won the game 2-1 and later became the second side to install an artificial pitch. That same season QPR reached the
FA Cup Final for the only time in the club's history, facing holders and London rivals
Tottenham Hotspur. The first game ended 1-1 after extra time and so for the second year running the Final was to be decided by a replay. Tottenham won the replay 1-0 with the only goal coming from a
Glenn Hoddle penalty in the 6th minute.The cup exploits probably accounted for QPR missing out on promotion that season. From looking good bets to go up, they finished 5th. They had to play their last 5 games in the final 14 days of the season.They lost 2 out of their last 3 matches and missed out by two points. The following season however,
1982-83 QPR went on to win the Second Division championship quite comfortably thus returning to English football's top division. After a respectable fifth place finish, and UEFA Cup qualification, the following year, Venables departed to become manager of
Barcelona in Spain.
Mixed fortunes
Over the next seven years, various managers came and went from Loftus Road, including
Don Howe,
Frank Sibley and
Trevor Francis. The club spent many seasons finishing mid table but avoided relegation. The most successful season during this period was the 1987-88 in which QPR finished fifth, but missed out on a UEFA Cup campaign due to the ban on English clubs in European competition which arose from the
Heysel Stadium disaster. They were also runners up in the 1986 League Cup, losing to
Oxford United.
The return of Gerry Francis
Gerry Francis, a key player in the 1970s QPR side who had proved himself as a successful manager with
Bristol Rovers, was appointed QPR manager in the summer of 1991. In the 1991-92 First Division campaign they finished mid-table in the league and were founder members of the new
Premier League which began in 1992. They finished that season in fifth place, and in the following season Francis guided them to a ninth place finish. Midway through the
1994-95 season Francis departed to become manager of
Tottenham Hotspur and
Ray Wilkins was installed as
player-manager. Wilkins led QPR to an eighth place finish in the Premiership. In July 1995 the club's top goalscorer,
Les Ferdinand, was sold for a club record fee of £6 million to
Newcastle United.
The post-Premiership era
The failure to replace Ferdinand successfully was a major factor in QPR's relegation at the end of the
1995-96 season. Following relegation, QPR competed in Division 1 until 2001 under a succession of managers. After increasing struggles the club was relegated to England's third tier for the first time for more than thirty years.
Manager Ian Holloway consolidated the team, which included future England international
Peter Crouch in attack, and revived its fortunes from finishing eighth in 2001-2002, and fourth in the following season, to second in 2003-2004 resulting in the club's promotion back to Division 1, and a mid-table finish in the subsequent season. However on
6 February2006 Holloway was suspended amidst rumours of his departure for
Leicester City. He was replaced by a former player; the popular
Gary Waddock.
Financial troubles and problems off the pitch
In recent years, QPR has been embroiled in financial and boardroom controversy. The club was floated on the Alternative Investments Market in 1996 at the instigation of
Chris Wright, but in 2001 was obliged to enter
administration. A proposal to merge with
Wimbledon was raised, but proved controversial and was dropped.
[3]
The club left administration burdened with a £10m loan from a Panamanian-registered financier at heavy interest, and secured by a mortgage upon the club's stadium
[4]. The club's debts are now rumoured to be close to £20m.
Scandal involving the directors, shareholders and other interested parties emerged during the 2005-2006 season, following allegations of blackmail and threats of violence against the club's current chairman
Gianni Paladini, who was allegedly held at gunpoint during a match at Loftus Road by hired thugs at the instigation of rival directors.
[5] He has since been reported to be under threat and wearing a bullet-proof vest
[6] The Chairman also launched a strong attack against some critics who he claimed were seeking to destroy the club.
[7]
Youth Team footballer
Kiyan Prince was murdered on
18 May 2006.
[8]
QPR avoid relegation and begin a new era
Waddock brought in several new players in preparation for the 2006-2007 season, including
Jamaican international centre-back Damion Stewart from
Bradford City and
Cameroon midfielder Armel Tchakounte from
Carshalton Athletic,
Zesh Rehman from
Fulham,
Nick Ward from
A-League team
Perth Glory and latterly the team's top goalscorer for the season,
Dexter Blackstock from
Southampton for £500,000. The team was knocked out of the
Carling Cup by
Port Vale F.C. of
League One and from the
FA Cup by
Luton Town, and struggled in the League. As a result, in September 2006
Gary Waddock was demoted to first-team coach, and later left the club.
Another former QPR player, John Gregory, replaced him as manager. He reduced the playing staff with Ian Evatt, Scott Donnelly, Ugo Ukah, Matthew Rose, Matthew Hislop, Jonathan Munday and Egutu Oliseh all agreeing mutual termination of their contracts, while Kevin Gallen and Sean Thomas were loaned to other clubs , and he signed Finnish defender
Sampsa Timoska and
Adam Bolder of
Derby County, and introduced the impressive
Lee Camp also of Derby on loan. The team climbed to mid-table before dropping once again to the relegation zone, but in an exciting end to the season, the club secured safety after a run of wins, by beating Cardiff City by a solitary goal from
Dexter Blackstock. The last game of the season was a 1-1 draw at home to promotion contenders
Stoke City. Martin Rowlands scored Rangers' last goal of the season. 8 QPR players were booked, the most for them in 2007 and Sampsa Timoska was sent off. QPR finished 18th, an improvement on the previous season and did their traditional end of season lap of honour.
On 7 February 2007, a friendly match against
China's youth side was curtailed after it descended into a brawl, in which one Chinese player suffered a broken jaw and was knocked out.
[9]. Following this incident, QPR's assistant manager,
Richard Hill was suspended by the club,
[10] and later replaced by Warren Neill.
The new season
Rebuilding began by Gregory before the new season, with free transfers
Daniel Nardiello,
Chris Barker and
John Curtis.
Andrew Howell,
Kieron St Aimie and
Aaron Goode all signed one-year professional contracts after impressing in the youth team with Joe Gallen, who was later sacked, despite his under 18's winning the league. Gregory also signed more backroom staff, with Paul Hunter as the new physio,
Mick Harford as assistant manager,
Ed de Goey and
Warren Neill as coaches and
Steve Brown and
Keith Ryan as youth team coaches. QPR sold creative left winger
Lee Cook to rivals
Fulham for £2.5 million which was reported could rise to £4.5 million. Michael Mancienne also joined the club on a season-long loan from Chelsea after a succesful loan spell of 30 games last season. On the 26th July, QPR completed the loan signing of
Ben Sahar for three months, since extended until January 2008. The signings of
Lee Camp and
Simon Walton followed the day after on 27 July, totalling £500,000.
During pre-season, new signing
Simon Walton fractured his leg in a 'friendly' against
Fulham (which QPR won 2-1), and would be out for a number of months.
August began as a turbulent time for QPR fans, starting the season with a draw against recently promoted
Bristol City, losing in the
Carling Cup 2-1 at home to
League One Leyton Orient followed by a further 2-0 defeat at home by
Cardiff City.
On 20th of August, The Board of Directors of QPR Holdings Ltd tendered their resignations with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
[11]
The QPR match against Burnley on the 25th of August was postponed after player
Ray Jones was killed in a car crash in the early hours of the morning.
[12]
On September 1st it was officialy announced that QPR had been bought by
Flavio Briatore (along with
Bernie Ecclestone).
Honours
★
Division Three (South) Champions 1947-48.
★
Division Three Champions 1966-67.
★
League Cup Winners 1967
★
Milk Cup (League Cup) Finalists 1986.
★
Division Two Runners-up 1967-68, 1972-73.
★
Division Two Champions 1982-83.
★
Division One Runners-up 1975-76.
★
FA Cup finalists 1982
★
Nationwide Division Two Runners-up 2003-04.
Records
★ Highest Attendance 35,353: vs
Leeds United 27/04/1974 Division 1
★ Highest league win 9-2: vs
Tranmere Rovers 03/12/1960 Division 3
★ Highest league loss 1-8: vs
Manchester United 19/03/1969 Division 1
★ Most capped player
Alan McDonald: 52 Northern Ireland
★ Most League appearances
Tony Ingham: 519 1950-63
★ Oldest Player
Ray Wilkins: 39 years 352 days
★ Youngest Player
Frank Sibley: 15 years 275 days
★ Most League Goals in a Season:
George Goddard, 37, Division 3 South, 1929-30.
★ Most Goals in a Season:
Rodney Marsh, 44 (30 League, 3 F.A Cup,11 League Cup) 1966-67
★ Most League Goals in Total Aggregate:
George Goddard, 174, 1926-34.
★ Most Goals in Total Aggregate:
George Goddard, 186 , 1926-34
★ Record Transfer Fee Received: £6,000,000 from
Newcastle United for
Les Ferdinand, June 1995.
★ Record Transfer Fee Paid: £2,750,000 to
Stoke City for
Mike Sheron, July 1997.
Grounds
Rangers have had a somewhat nomadic existence, having played in nearly 20 different locations throughout
North West London since their formation. The several grounds before 1886 are unknown but were probably in the
Queens Park area (the first being ''The Queens Park'' itself):
[13]
★
Welford's Fields (1886-1888)
★
London Scottish F.C.'s Ground (1888-1889)
★
Brondesbury (1888-1889)
★
Home Farm (1888-1889)
★
Kensal Green (1888-1889)
★
Gun Club (1888-1889)
★
Wormwood Scrubs (1888-1889)
★
Killburn Cricket Ground (1888-1889)
★
Kensal Rise Athletic Ground (1899-1901)
★
Latimer Road (1901-1904)
★
Notting Hill (1901-1904)
★
Royal Agricultural Society showgrounds (1904-1907)
★
Park Royal (1904-1907)
★
Park Royal Ground (1907-1917)
★
Loftus Road (1917-1931)
★
White City Stadium (1931-1933)
★
Loftus Road (1933-1962)
★
White City Stadium (1962-1963)
★
Loftus Road (1963- present)
Managers past and present
Notable former players
:''Emboldened players have represented their respective countries at full international level''
Current squad
:''As of
31 August 2007. Players in 'bold' have represented their country at international level.''
'
Retired numbers
'31' –
Ray Jones,
striker, 2006–2007
[15]
Supporters' clubs
QPR has an extensive network of loyal supporters' associations. The primary LSA can be contacted through the
QPR-LSA website. QPR-LSA groups exist throughout the UK, and in numerous countries including
USA,
New Zealand,
Serbia, and many others.
Famous fans of QPR include musicians
Pete Doherty,
Ian Gillan from
Deep Purple,
Robert Smith of
The Cure, Nick Midson of
Threshold,
Alan Wilder former
Depeche Mode member and comedian
Bill Bailey.
References
1. Inglis, Simon: Football Grounds of Britain, page 305-6. ISBN 0-00-218426-5
2. Inglis, Simon: Football Grounds of Britain, page 304. ISBN 0-00-218426-5
3. ''BBC News''
4. ''The Independent''
5. ''BBC News''
6. ''Sunday Mirror''
7. ''QPR Press Release''
8. ''The Independent''
9. ''BBC Sport''
10. ''BBC Sport''
11. ''QPR Press Release''
12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6963546.stm
13. ''VitalFootball.co.uk''
14. QPR's First England International
15. Remembering Ray - Number 31
External links
★
Official Site
★
QPR Report - QPR Blog
★
QPR.ORG
★
qprdot.org - unnofficial but very popular fans message board
★
QPR Fans
★
Supporters Trust
★
Loyal Supporters Association
★
QPR Today
★
★
QPR 'till I die - Fan Blog
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