Post by hadders on Dec 15, 2013 21:52:16 GMT
I posted this on Loft for Words this morning, and it has sparked quite a lively debate. I have copied it on here especially in the hope of attracting the attention of Alec Stock`s daughter, who wrote on a thread on here a short while ago that she liked the idea of a stand being named in her father`s honour:
A few months ago, I suggested on a QPR Report thread that we campaign to have a stand in any new stadium named after our most successful manager, Alec Stock. Now that the stadium is a real prospect, I wonder if others agree and would like to help make it happen.
As recently reported (http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/oct/30/forgotten-story-alec-stock-qpr-manager), after winning the League Cup and leading Rangers from the Third to the old First Division, Stock was sacked by Jim Gregory following illness, and generally treated very shabbily thereafter- an episode which brings shame on the club. As he is no longer with us, I suggested that, though the modest gesture of naming a stand in his honour might be considered "too little, too late", it still might be appreciated by his family. His daughter immediately wrote that she loved the idea. So how about it?
Of course fans might like other names (Bowles, Marsh...er...Bosingwa?), but I expect most would agree that Alec Stock has a very good claim. He seems to have been a fine and lovely man,too, which matters to me, at least. Obviously other stands could be named,too. And whilst we all appreciate that wealthy men like Gregory or Fernandes are essential to our success, I suspect that most of us would rather celebrate men who have contributed as managers or players.
One thing I like about the Emirates Stadium (which doesn`t include the repulsive name, obviously) is how the history of Arsenal is celebrated all around the outside of the ground, with photographs and interesting quotes from former players, officials and fans. Obviously we do not have such a glorious history ourselves, but we have our own heroes and memories which it would be great to see reflected around the new stadium. Moving away from the Bush, I feel that any effort to generate a sense of history becomes more significant, especially if we are trying to attract an entirely new fanbase. Older fans would appreciate links with their past being honoured in our flash new home, and new fans could be educated to help them develop a real sense of belonging. Without a sense of history, what will QPR be but another shiny but soulless 21st century brand in a gleaming Westfield style commercial theme park. "This IS the Air Asia Arena. We Are New
QPR, sponsored by Air Asia.com."
If anyone else likes the idea of an Alec Stock Stand and has any ideas for how to bring it about (who to write to,etc), please tell me, or just do it! I am not on Twitter, but I guess someone could write to TF on that, for a start. I feel that the new stadium could be brilliant- or a total disaster; Fernandes seems like a man who might listen to his "customers", so it is up to us to get as involved as we can. Like many others, I would prefer a smaller, 30 000 capacity to start off with, but I guess he has a business plan based on a filling a larger stadium. There is no harm in us expressing our fear of sitting in a mostly empty stadium, though; it is a glum thought,and perhaps older fans with memories of our brief time at White City in the 60s might make the point best. - See more at: www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/forum/96714/the-alec-stock-stand/#19
A few months ago, I suggested on a QPR Report thread that we campaign to have a stand in any new stadium named after our most successful manager, Alec Stock. Now that the stadium is a real prospect, I wonder if others agree and would like to help make it happen.
As recently reported (http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/oct/30/forgotten-story-alec-stock-qpr-manager), after winning the League Cup and leading Rangers from the Third to the old First Division, Stock was sacked by Jim Gregory following illness, and generally treated very shabbily thereafter- an episode which brings shame on the club. As he is no longer with us, I suggested that, though the modest gesture of naming a stand in his honour might be considered "too little, too late", it still might be appreciated by his family. His daughter immediately wrote that she loved the idea. So how about it?
Of course fans might like other names (Bowles, Marsh...er...Bosingwa?), but I expect most would agree that Alec Stock has a very good claim. He seems to have been a fine and lovely man,too, which matters to me, at least. Obviously other stands could be named,too. And whilst we all appreciate that wealthy men like Gregory or Fernandes are essential to our success, I suspect that most of us would rather celebrate men who have contributed as managers or players.
One thing I like about the Emirates Stadium (which doesn`t include the repulsive name, obviously) is how the history of Arsenal is celebrated all around the outside of the ground, with photographs and interesting quotes from former players, officials and fans. Obviously we do not have such a glorious history ourselves, but we have our own heroes and memories which it would be great to see reflected around the new stadium. Moving away from the Bush, I feel that any effort to generate a sense of history becomes more significant, especially if we are trying to attract an entirely new fanbase. Older fans would appreciate links with their past being honoured in our flash new home, and new fans could be educated to help them develop a real sense of belonging. Without a sense of history, what will QPR be but another shiny but soulless 21st century brand in a gleaming Westfield style commercial theme park. "This IS the Air Asia Arena. We Are New
QPR, sponsored by Air Asia.com."
If anyone else likes the idea of an Alec Stock Stand and has any ideas for how to bring it about (who to write to,etc), please tell me, or just do it! I am not on Twitter, but I guess someone could write to TF on that, for a start. I feel that the new stadium could be brilliant- or a total disaster; Fernandes seems like a man who might listen to his "customers", so it is up to us to get as involved as we can. Like many others, I would prefer a smaller, 30 000 capacity to start off with, but I guess he has a business plan based on a filling a larger stadium. There is no harm in us expressing our fear of sitting in a mostly empty stadium, though; it is a glum thought,and perhaps older fans with memories of our brief time at White City in the 60s might make the point best. - See more at: www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/forum/96714/the-alec-stock-stand/#19