|
Post by gramps on Mar 7, 2012 18:52:56 GMT
Further to my comment on another thread, and not wanting to let the grass grow under my feet, I am posting the following to Phil Beard tomorrow:
I have been a Queens Park Rangers supporter for very many years; I saw my first game in 1939 at the age of three but obviously do not remember much about it – indeed, I do not remember anything about it! After World War Two I attended regularly, both home and away and still get to games even though, at the age of 76, the journey is somewhat tiresome. You may (or may not) have read the copy of my book Queens Park Rangers – The Old Days which I sent you some months ago and which has to date raised in excess of £2,500 for QPR in the Community.
The reason I am writing is to ask if the club might consider some form of recognition for old players, many of whom have done so much for QPR in the past. I am in regular contact with Mark Lazarus, one of our stars of yesteryear, a hero to many of we older supporters (and some of the not so old supporters who have read about him) and the man who scored our winning goal when the team brought home the League Cup after defeating West Bromwich Albion 45 years ago. Although he did not make a fuss about it, I know that Mark was a little hurt that none of the surviving players from that game were invited to attend the West Brom home game earlier this season. It would have been a nice gesture.
Other clubs have, I understand, made a real effort to remain in touch with their past players. Most recently Brentford have started to create a Former Players Association and are putting together a definitive list of every one of their thousand or so ex-players and their contact details with a view to formally recognising those who have worn the red and white stripes. It is also a way of them being able to meet up again with former colleagues. I understand that Dave Thomas (another former QPR ‘great’) said in an interview a couple of years back that Everton, where he went after leaving us, have established a Former Players Foundation and demonstrate a real interest in their past players and maintain regular contact and concern for their welfare.
I am not suggesting for one moment that our club can go to great extremes at the present time but is it not possible that a contact scheme can at least be set up? Can QPR not do something along similar lines for those who have honourably worn the hoops over the years and helped make the club what it is today or, forgive me for putting it so bluntly, are they not worth the bother?
Your comments would be most welcome.
Yours sincerely,
|
|
|
Post by gramps on Mar 7, 2012 18:53:37 GMT
PS I don't expect to get an answer!
|
|
|
Post by Zamoraaaah on Mar 7, 2012 18:55:59 GMT
I think you will get an answer Gramps. Hopefully a positive one.
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Mar 7, 2012 19:02:36 GMT
This is such a simple "win-win," "little cost to the club"
About a week ago, I did tweet Beard and Bhatia and Fernandes and Taylor a link to that Brentford Old Players ACtion. (I didn't actually get a response!)
|
|
|
Post by RoryTheRanger on Mar 7, 2012 19:44:44 GMT
Very well written letter Gramps, deserves a reply.
|
|
|
Post by maudesfishnchips on Mar 7, 2012 20:00:29 GMT
i'll put it forward at the next osc meeting.
this is a great way for younger R's to know our past players also
|
|
andygg
Dave Sexton
Posts: 1,031
|
Post by andygg on Mar 7, 2012 20:10:25 GMT
Well done Gramps, hope something positive comes from your letter. It would be great to see a few of our past heroes recognised by the club.
|
|
|
Post by calders on Mar 7, 2012 21:36:10 GMT
Gramps if you dont get a reply try Dave Robinson at the club. He is the fella who runs the Tours and played a big part with the Legends Dinner the QPR in the Community Trust organised. He also sorted the Plaque unveiling at St Judes Hall. His QPR through and through.
|
|
|
Post by Bushman on Mar 7, 2012 21:44:08 GMT
i'll put it forward at the next osc meeting. this is a great way for younger R's to know our past players also This is what the OSC should be doing without prompting from supporters in the first place. The OSC needs to be a force, not just there for the ride as in the past.
|
|
|
Post by hertshoop on Mar 7, 2012 21:44:46 GMT
Nice one Gramps - wholeheartedly agree and hope you get a positive response
|
|
|
Post by scarletpimple on Mar 7, 2012 21:57:28 GMT
Well done gramps, fully agree with you, many players including ML have given many fans great pleasure down through the years. Would be right for the club to have a link with them, and show that they are not forgotten.
|
|
|
Post by maudesfishnchips on Mar 7, 2012 22:00:10 GMT
i'll put it forward at the next osc meeting. this is a great way for younger R's to know our past players also This is what the OSC should be doing without prompting from supporters in the first place. The OSC needs to be a force, not just there for the ride as in the past. maybe bman you are right, but things get put forward without prompting and sometimes prompting is needed. after all the osc must listen to suggestions off the support, mustn't they? what is the 'ride'?
|
|
|
Post by gramps on Mar 7, 2012 22:12:33 GMT
Thanks guys. I am grateful for your support.
|
|
|
Post by Bushman on Mar 7, 2012 22:13:52 GMT
This is what the OSC should be doing without prompting from supporters in the first place. The OSC needs to be a force, not just there for the ride as in the past. maybe bman you are right, but things get put forward without prompting and sometimes prompting is needed. after all the osc must listen to suggestions off the support, mustn't they? what is the 'ride'? If the the OSC need prompting then they are not in touch with the support. They then become isolated as they have done in the past. As for the "ride" look at the end of season club bashes in the past, same old faces.
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Mar 7, 2012 22:17:53 GMT
As I said, it's so non-controversial...Some fans will be interested and support it. Some really don't care about the past. But I don't think there's anyone - whatever their other differences - who would actually oppose it. Which is why I've always been so puzzled at it not happening.
|
|
|
Post by maudesfishnchips on Mar 7, 2012 22:39:42 GMT
so many things so little time in my case. but each will be addressed.
every member had the right to put them selves forward for election on the committee, single numbers turned up at the egm and less put them selves forward.
quite frankly i was astonished at the turn out considering the criticism the osc received.
|
|
|
Post by londonranger on Mar 8, 2012 1:45:06 GMT
Great idea and letter. If you dont receive a reply in two weeks, with "In case you didnt get it" I was at that 39 match too and remember everything. But have since forgotten.
|
|
|
Post by Lonegunmen on Mar 8, 2012 7:06:42 GMT
Excellent leeter Gramps. Fully agree with your sentiments about our former stars.
|
|
|
Post by alfaranger on Mar 8, 2012 9:10:42 GMT
I'd not given this much thought really until Gramps post. I had assumed that we gave our ex players the same consideration and 'recognition' as other clubs and reading the posts and on my own experience it seems to me that it doesn't matter if a club is rich and famous, they do do this and they do do this for the right reasons. Is it a recent phenomena with QPR? Is it because we have had owners that aren't football people and more to the point don't give a sh*t about people whether they are 'football' or not. I think this is a real laudable idea and I hope that if they do something they do it for the right reasons not just so they can say, "look how good we are" and then use it to promote themselves. Well done Gramps...
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Mar 8, 2012 9:13:00 GMT
Let me post also on this thread, what Brentford just recently announced what they're doing. ( And I doubt that they're the only club doing something along these lines) Brentford Official Site
FORMER PLAYERS' ASSOCIATIONBrentford Football Club is pleased to announce the creation of a Former Players' Association More than 1,000 players have represented Brentford Football Club in competitive First Team matches and many hundreds more have been on the Club's books or played in friendly, trial, Reserve Team or Youth Team games. The new association is designed to create a formal link between those players and the Football Club and reunite players with each other and supporters. Director Mark Chapman will run it on behalf of Brentford Football Club. Mark said: "I believe every single ex-player who has worn the Brentford shirt should be recognised and made welcome at Griffin Park. "The Club has always done a fine job of keeping in touch with former players and managers and the fact so many return regularly to events and to watch matches is a credit to the welcoming atmosphere. "The aim now is to create a definitive list of every former player and their contact details so we can formally recognise those who have worn the red and white stripes. "I am sure those former players will appreciate the fond way they are remembered by Brentford supporters. "And they will have a chance to meet up with former team mates and managers they may have lost contact with. "In addition, a leading figure of the club's past will be inducted into the newly re-launched Hall of Fame at next week's home match with Exeter City." Mark would like to hear from any Brentford supporter who has contact details for a former Bees player, whatever level they played at. To contact Mark, email mchapman@brentfordfc.co.uk. www.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~2628102,00.html « Last Edit: Feb 29, 2012, 5:32pm by Macmoish »
|
|
|
Post by spanishal on Mar 8, 2012 12:41:25 GMT
Along with everyone else I think Gramps, it`s a great idea but probably not going to get any real attention in the current climate. The `players of old` 60s - 70s and even 80s, and I remember them all, were not the modern day mercenaries we currently see and had a real club loyalty that endeared them to all the supporters.
Winning the league cup in 67 will go down in football history as a remarkable feat, certainly one I`ll treasure all my life and the players deserve some sort of lifetime recognition from the club. Letting PB know about it is a step towards that. He seems a good bloke and might take action eventually.
As a footnote - there is a heart in football, at Chelsea of all places. My cousin who lives in Oz is now 76, him and his son were avid Chelsea supporters. His son, aged 15, died some 30 years ago and the urn holding his ashes was buried in the Chelsea goalmouth where it still lies today. My cousin and his wife are still remembered and welcomed by the club with open arms whenever they come over.
Considering the ruthlessness that exists today at most football clubs, it goes to show that Gramps request is quite reasonable.
|
|
|
Post by gramps on Mar 8, 2012 15:19:57 GMT
Can match that, Spanishal. Some years back a friend of mine died and he was a Gooners supporter and ST holder. He had been very ill for a long time with Cancer. When he died they put his picture in their programme, sent a football shaped wreath to his funeral and allowed his ashes to go in the goalmouth (although that was, of course, at Highbury). Nice gesture.
As an aside to this (sorry, not football related) he was, like me, a great Neil Diamond fan. I wrote to Neil and told him of my mate's condition. He sent back a handwritten letter, a couple of CDs, a signed photo and one of his leather jackets. What a gent!
|
|
|
Post by gramps on Mar 8, 2012 15:20:58 GMT
Have posted the letter to PB today. Now let's wait and see what happens, if anything.
|
|
|
Post by shenandoah on Mar 8, 2012 15:56:02 GMT
Well done, young man!! Imagine, Alan Mcdonald at a QPR match again!! Wow.
|
|
|
Post by gramps on Mar 8, 2012 16:01:35 GMT
"Young man"!!!!! Oh, Shenandoah, I think I love you.............
|
|
|
Post by qprtillidie87 on Mar 8, 2012 16:24:08 GMT
Well said Gramps. I agree. Im only 24 but i still value players of QPR's past. They played a part in the clubs history, and there should be some form of acknowledgement for them
|
|
|
Post by gramps on Mar 8, 2012 16:52:48 GMT
Thank you qprtillidie. That means a lot. I have said before and I say again that the younger element of our support, much as they are appreciated, have missed some amazing, incredible years. I hope the sort of experiences I talk about in my book can be repeated for the younger element in the years that lie ahead although it is, of course, a totally different game now.
Welcome to the board. It's good to have you with us, my friend.
|
|
|
Post by marshbowles10 on Mar 8, 2012 17:04:45 GMT
Having written 5 letters to him with zero reply thus far I hope you get better than I did.
As a supporter for 50 years I found it sad that the Club hadn't the decency of even a 'thank you for your letter which is receiving considersation' template that is so much better than nothing.
Good luck with the suggestion.
The Brentford positive angle doesn;t suprise me as that's where Mark Devlin is CEO.
|
|
|
Post by Macmoish on Mar 20, 2012 11:04:33 GMT
Two weeks tomorrow since it was written...Any response?
|
|
|
Post by blueeyedcptcook on Mar 20, 2012 12:13:56 GMT
Oh, for the good old days, when supporters meant something. Thirty odd years ago I sent a letter to the Clubs manager recommending a number of up and coming young OZ players.
Low and behold I received a nice personal letter from the Manager, thanking me for my interest and continued support from Australia. The Manager Gerry Francis.
|
|