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Post by qprrobbo on Aug 8, 2010 14:13:34 GMT
Originally Titled "Looking forward to this new campaign!"
[QPR Report edited the title in hope other visitors will read these memories - and threw in a few paragraph beaks! But ultimately if you're not happy with it, obviously change it back - or go for a third title. Thanks/Apolgies in advance]
Hi all, just registered on the site.
Followed the R's since 1966, and am still excited everytime I visit Loftus Road, but yesterday was something else! I usually do not get to wrapped up in the pre-season hype, but this year (for the first time in a long time) I am really looking forward to the campaign.
I believe we have at last got a manager capable of taking us into the Prem, and I have been happy with the new signings.. so far. Yesterday I thought we deserved the 4-0 win, and I was impressed with all the new lads; however I am a little nervous with Kenny in goal, who looked a bit apppprehensive to me. I thought Hill and Orr both had good games at full back, Derry was strong in the middle of the defence, and looked like the kind of leader we have missed for a while.
Mackie seems to run forever and I am looking forward to see him develop further and perhaps become our new Sinton. Adel... outstanding and well worth the £30 on his own. About time we had a truly gifted talent back at LR. Not too sure about Fitz as our captain, but I believe we should trust Neil and watch this space so to speak.
Hogan impressed me and Faurlin continues to perform well. It goes without saying that we still crave a big name signing up front, and if this is Chopra or Roberts, I will believe that we really will be up there challenging for promotion. One small disappointment for me though, where are all our fans gone!
With all the summer activity and the promise of more to come, I really thought we would have attracted a better crowd than the meagre 13,500! All credit to the fans that did attend as it was a great atmosphere and a pleasure to be in. Unless you were in the upper tier of the School End of course, LOL.
On the way out of South Africa Road after the game a Barnsley supporter came up to me and said something about "congratulations on bringing yer own ref with yer", although it was hard to understand him as his mouth was full of sour grapes!!!
Anyhow, here's to a cracking season.
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Post by londonranger on Aug 8, 2010 15:10:17 GMT
Thanks for joining up Robbo,plus report. suggestions were that there were more in attendance than the official numbers given.
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Post by londonranger on Aug 8, 2010 15:39:53 GMT
1966 was a good time to start with Rs. Rodney had just arrived then the promotion and the Cup
win. Maybe you will bring us goodfortune?!
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 9, 2010 4:17:21 GMT
welcome to the site, may your stay be as good as Saturdays win!
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Post by blockhead on Aug 9, 2010 5:59:25 GMT
welcome to report robbo.
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Post by froggyranger on Aug 9, 2010 6:31:49 GMT
Welcome to the site, looking forward to your views from the games.
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bowles
Dave Sexton
Posts: 1,939
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Post by bowles on Aug 9, 2010 7:44:22 GMT
welcome mate. must agree i really enjoyed the game to! i sat in the paddock for the first time in ages and i gotta say the peolpe sitting there were a a great bunch of fans! also i saw a steward there called tom who used to go in goal before the games and get balls lumped at him by bowles and company! i had a chat with him and he said he had been a steward there since 1967! he is a great bloke and the way he looked after the people in wheelchairs was a credit to him and the club! also saw him helping kids get autographs from the players! its people like him who make this club great! i shall def be venturing back into the paddock again this seaon from my upper loft perch! GREAT STUFF! Ps another plus point you can banter with the players!
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 9, 2010 9:05:34 GMT
Welcome... A Pre-1967 Supporter...
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eskey8
Dave Sexton
www.cycle2austria.com
Posts: 2,274
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Post by eskey8 on Aug 9, 2010 10:48:45 GMT
Wasn't thats the same year you were last at Loftus Road?!
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 9, 2010 10:50:39 GMT
No...No...That was 1969 - according to ITK Pete!
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Post by qprrobbo on Aug 10, 2010 9:45:32 GMT
Er... sorry if I am taking this the wrong way, but it someone implying that I haven't been to LR since the 1960's, or is the comment about "last time you were at Loftus Road" etc, just banter between two other posters? Apologies if I have got this wrong, but I want to be sure it's not aimed at me!
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 10, 2010 9:47:56 GMT
No No... I was praising you for having been such a long-time supporter. (My first game was not till Late 1967)...
The other part: There's this other poster on another board who - despite me having repeatedly stated that he was inaccurate - has repeatedly claimed that MY last visit to Loftus Road was in 1969. (This is just in keeping with this particular poster's general level of accuracy, so not really a problem)
But absolutely Nothing to do with you/No dispargament of you intended
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Post by qprrobbo on Aug 10, 2010 10:09:38 GMT
Thanks for the quick response Macmoish, and again apologies for any mis-interpretation on my part. I often browse the various other QPR forums, and have a good idea to whom you refer re inaccuracies; I had the pleasure of working full-time at QPR in the late 80s/early 90s (until a certain Mr Thompson and I had a major fall-out and he decided to make me redundant. My point is that there is always someone who claims to be "in the know" however the ones that truly are would not dare to let in-club information into the public realm... I did and it cost me the job I loved! I used to work tirelessly to bring the various supporters groups together and part of my remit was to act as a go-between for the club and the fans. Some of the things that went on in those days were something else, and I have no reason to believe it's any different now! It may well be that we have met at sometime or other in the past!!!
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 10, 2010 10:36:27 GMT
Thanks for the quick response Macmoish, and again apologies for any mis-interpretation on my part. I often browse the various other QPR forums, and have a good idea to whom you refer re inaccuracies; I had the pleasure of working full-time at QPR in the late 80s/early 90s (until a certain Mr Thompson and I had a major fall-out and he decided to make me redundant. My point is that there is always someone who claims to be "in the know" however the ones that truly are would not dare to let in-club information into the public realm... I did and it cost me the job I loved! I used to work tirelessly to bring the various supporters groups together and part of my remit was to act as a go-between for the club and the fans. Some of the things that went on in those days were something else, and I have no reason to believe it's any different now! It may well be that we have met at sometime or other in the past!!! Very welcome qprrobbo To the degree you'd at any timecare to share any of your QPR experiences, we'd all be very interested. (And it doesn't in any way have to be confidential/sensitive or "revelationary" stuff. Just general information re what it was like to work at QPR/Any contacts you had with players or coaches at that time (or maybe still have) etc would be pretty interesting.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 10, 2010 10:45:30 GMT
can't wait to read the feed back on that other site regarding this thread. You know who will "report" (Good pun) it
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Post by blueeyedcptcook on Aug 10, 2010 10:53:44 GMT
Excuse me Lone, but I thought the caption, was referring to the Pheonix. The match over here is live on Foxtel 3. Tonight at 12-30am NZ time is a live Carling Cup match.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 10, 2010 10:58:19 GMT
Sky TV here don't have that sort of imagination. They would rather show a repeat of a club rugby game from 25 years ago.
I stand corrected, we have two channels of live Cricket, and one channel of "fight night, afl highlights & rugby review".
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Post by qprrobbo on Aug 10, 2010 13:12:06 GMT
Well.. part of my role was to appoint the QPR mascots from the membership of the Junior R's, who applied and then joined a long waiting list, however when they got their allocated match it was free of charge to them plus complimentary tickets for their family for the relevant match, a tour of the ground, a visit to meet a few players and get autographs etc, which was all very popular.
However the people upstairs caught on to the fact it was free of charge and put pressure on me to start charging the Junior R's, which I fought against successfully, however the Marketing dept among others decided that they would start to appoint sponsorship mascots etc, with the end result sometimes being 5 or 6 home mascots, which sought of devalued it for our members that had queud for 2 years.
I also was responsible for introducing the Player of the Year Dinners: This came about because Paul Parker (among others) refused to attend the previous sort of end of season "piss up" style events at places like Acton Town Hall, and the Abbey on the Western Avenue.
I tried to get the board and the players to attend BOTH types of event as it was obvious some fans were not up for a suit and tie style event, but the players were having none of it... well most of them anyway! When I arranged the first POY dinner at Heathrow, I drew names from a hat to place 1 player and their guest on every table of ten to enable them to sit with the paying fans.
You would not believe the grief I had over this, with many players refusing to come unless they sat together, away from the fans etc. I argued long and hard with a few of them, and eventually persuaded Clive Berlin that if the players wanted a formal presentation night, then they should make more of an effort to mix in with their supporters. Eventually it went well, but these days at £60 a throw, it is still out of the league of many of our fans.
Then there would be the qpr Open Day, which I organised at Shepherds Bush Cricket Club.
This free event saw QPR players play cricket against the local team, with a real free and easy atmosphere... on the surface anyway. As usual the inner sanctum clique of players moaned about giving up a Sunday to play cricket, although many were up for it. Les Ferdinand, Alan Mac, and others really got into the spirit of the day, but others refused to come out of the club bar for more than a few minutes to mix with the fans.
I spent most of the day with Michael Wale trying to get the "usual suspects" to put a smile on their faces and join in, and eventually it was a great day for one and all, but why should it have been such a bl**dy effort to get them out in the 1st place?
It should be said that the majority of the players I worked with were fine, but over the years there has always been those that take the p*ss and only go through the motions. Some love the idolisation they receive whilst others are uncomfortable with it; others take the money and run, always have always will. ! I also introduced a motto for the Supporters Club which was "Always There", and had 500 enamel badges made for general sale with the loggo on the scroll at the bottom of the badge.
I thought this was a good idea and the badges sold out in 1 week, but when I asked permission to order more, I was firmly told that I had utilised the club badge without checking with the Marketing department first, that I was in breach of copyright - even though I was a full time employee of QPR, and that if I did it again I would be sacked! The fans loved the badges - the club hated them. Nothing changes... look at the badge today and ask if it was the choice of the supporters... I don't think so!
At the last away game of every season I used to operate free coaches to the regular QPR fans that travelled to most games. I was told after 3 years of this that it had to stop! What a way to treat people that sat on our coaches all over the country, often getting home from mid-week games at 2am! The club couldn't give a toss, it was all about pounds sterling to Mr Thompson et al.
I also introduced the Pub Stops en route to away games, and once more had major issues with the key names upstairs, even though at that time we were the only club in London that were allowed to make these stops after I had liaised with the Met, and all the various Football Liason forces around the country.
I continued to make the stops anyway as the police were happy with it, even if my bosses were not!
I could go on forever, but my fingers are sore now.
Perhaps there will be another instalment in the future?
Either way, whilst I had a great time working at LR and although it broke my heart when they made me redundant, I cannot stress enough that I will always support our club, and will always get that lump in my throat when the team runs out for each game. YOU RRRRRRRRRRR'SSSS. [QPR Report edit just to provide paragraph breaks]
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 10, 2010 13:16:15 GMT
Many thanks qprrobbo.
That indeed is exactly what's interesting.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 10, 2010 13:22:28 GMT
Awesome piece there Robbo, well worth the reading mate. Please feel free to write again on any topic. I always wondered about some things that went on and others that didn't and why - without naming names. Just interesting to get a real behind the scenes perspective.
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Post by froggyranger on Aug 10, 2010 16:26:23 GMT
great read, txs robbo. As Lone says, it's good to hear about how things were/are done at the club either for better or worse.
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Post by londonranger on Aug 10, 2010 17:33:37 GMT
Super stuff Robbo, and any sort of distanced speculation that might be going on now. Like what is the role of Paladini etc.
Still I must thank you again since I always enjoyed the pub stops and the pub food and camaraderie. Also have your badge which I often wear. I think it is teriffic.
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Post by qprrobbo on Aug 10, 2010 19:02:34 GMT
Nice to see someone remembers the good old pub stops! The only problem I had with the pub stops was that once I got in there and got the taste, I never wanted to leave! It was always a laugh on the second half of a journey after the pub, as I used to take the microphone, and we would all end up singing for the rest of the journey. Happy days. I am chuffed that London still has his badge after all these years; sadly I lost mine years ago at a certain away trip to Old Trafford on New Years Day as our 4th goal went in! Always wanted to get another to replace it, but I have never been able to source on. I have looked on ebay for a long time but the "Always There" badge never crops up. Also good to see some of the fans from those days are still around and still in love with the club. As far as current inside info goes, there are only two people left at the club that I worked with, and I would not consider contacting them to get the inside stories. I also would not to be classed as one of these posters that claim to be ITK all the time; I was but not these days. There are however many stories to tell, and perhaps when the time is right, a few more may appear on here. Not trying to be clever or anything, but some of the stories would still get me in the preverbial sh*t. That said though... one night the QPR backroom staff played the Watford backroom staff on the pitch, behind closed doors. I never seemed to get on with Roger Cross who was in charge of our team, and this resulted in me being put in goal for us. I sulked at this as I wanted the chance to perhaps nick a goal on our beloved grass, and as we were so much in control of the game I barely got a touch. I got so bored that I lit up a fag and stood in the middle of the Loft End goalmouth puffing away like billyo. The club photographer at the time - John Searight - snapped me standing there with my fag on the go, and I took stick for a few weeks after, but I still have the photo at home. The only person that didn't take the mick was Alan Mac who often had a sly fag in the home dressing room toilets at halftime! Macca was a true QPR legend.
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Post by londonranger on Aug 10, 2010 19:22:06 GMT
Funny stuff. Gordon Jago,s wife used to sell club badges out of an address in Texas. Dont know if its still operating, but try the net, or e bay.Wish I had another to send you. World soccer magazine sometimes has some ads for club badges.
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 10, 2010 22:16:21 GMT
This is great. Hoping you don't mind, but I'm going to change the title in hope other visitors will read this. It's worth reading
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 10, 2010 22:41:43 GMT
Go Macca!
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Post by haqpr1963 on Aug 11, 2010 7:45:44 GMT
Excellent stuff Robbo and welcome to the board.
I am sure I have one of the Always There badges somewhere, if I can find it then it is yours.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Aug 11, 2010 10:49:23 GMT
Wow, I'm glad I didn't get to watch this most awesome performance after all. Phew, saved!
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Post by The Scooter on Aug 12, 2010 8:44:47 GMT
Great read that. Thanks Robbo!
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Post by cpr on Aug 12, 2010 18:26:19 GMT
Nice one Rob, welcome and keep up the good work ;D
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