1st Division 1968-69 Season

[Bushman]

First Division 1968-69 Season

Promoted to the First Division for the first time, the club embarked on a two match pre - season tour of Scotland. They played Raith Rovers beating them 3-1. Scorers: R. Morgan, Clarke, Leach. They then went on to beat Dundee 2-0 Scorer: I. Morgan 2.

Pre-season. Ron Hunt, Mike Kelly & Rodney Marsh share a joke.

The club fail to get the South Africa Rd Stand ready for the first home game of the season against Leicester City.

Mick McGovern, Bobby Keetch and Frank Clarke help to get the South Africa Rd Stand built.

Rangers became the fiftieth club to participate in the First Division. (This is for harlow)

Ian Watson (left) challenges Allan Clarke. Leicester City manager Matt Gillies paid out a British record £150,000 fee for Clarke to Fulham.

Graham Cross & Les Allen

Frank Sibley No.8 & Roger Morgan No.11 attack from a corner.

Ron Springett watches as Len Glover & Bobby Finch (Q.P.R) meet a cross.

Q.P.R 1 - 1 Leicester City. Scorer: Les Allen.

Mike Summerbee (Man city) challenges Rangers goalkeeper Mike Kelly (right)

Barry Bridges scores his first goal on his debut against Manchester City. The South Africa Rd stand was still being built

Q.P.R 1 - 1 Man City. Scorer: Barry Bridges.

Mick Leach attacking the Chelsea goal. With Peter Osgood defending as Peter Bonetti looks on.

Rodney Marsh on the touchline against Chelsea.

Q.P.R 0 - 4 Chelsea.

Q.P.R 2 - 1 Ipswich Town. Scorers: Bridges, R. Morgan

Alan Wilks opens the scoring against Sheffield Wednesday. Peter Springett made captain for the day, lies beaten on the ground.

Mick Leach scores the third.

Q.P.R 3 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday. Scorers:Wilkes, Bridges, Leach.

As it appeared in the Rangers v Burnley, 9th November 1968 programme.

Tommy Docherty becomes Rangers new Manager.

Barry Bridges meets with Tommy Docherty

Rodney Marsh with the ball as Nottingham Forest players look on.

Nottingham Forest was to be Tommy Docherty's last game as manager 23rd November 1968.

QPR 2 - 1 Nottigham Forest. Scorers: Marsh, Hazell

Les Allen first game as caretaker manager following Tommy Docherty's departure 2 days before, ended in a 1-0 defeat against Coventry.

Rangers give debuts to 19 year-old goalkeeper Alan Spratley & 18 year-old forward Alan Glover (outside Villa Park) against Aston Villa in the FA Cup 3rd Round 4th January 1969. Tommy Docherty was the new manager at Villa.Ranger lost 2-1. Scorer: I . Morgan

Rodney Marsh has just seen his effort hit the post in the 1 - 1 home league game, 11th January 1969,
against West Ham Utd . Scorer: Clarke

On his debut for Spurs Roger Morgan shakes hands with his twin brother Ian before the match.

Rodney Marsh challenges Peter Collins (Spurs). Terry Venables & Mike England (both of Spurs) are seen in the background

Rangers drew with Spurs 1-1, 15th February 1969. Scorer: Clarke

The nightmare of Rangers first season in was soon to be over, but not before Manchester Utd inflicted this upon the R's.

Last home game of the season against Stoke ended in a 2 - 1 win for Rangers. Scorer: Leach 2.

Follwed by the last game of the season at Chelsea 19th April 1969. Chelsea won 2 - 1.
Bridges scored for Rangers against his old club.