Post by Macmoish on Jun 28, 2011 7:26:10 GMT
Bump/Flashback July 9, 2011
[Also: Just to highlight Bushman's 1882-1898 Period for QPR History
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=history&action=display&thread=20854 ]
QPR Official Site
CLUB TO UNVEIL ST JUDE'S PLAQUE
Posted on: Tue 28 Jun 2011
To commemorate the 125th anniversary since St Jude's Institute and Christchurch Rangers merged to become Queens Park Rangers, the Club are set to mark this milestone by the unveiling of a plaque at St Jude's Hall - QPR's original headquarters.
The Club are organising an event as part of the unveiling, with fun activities, raffles and prizes for local families and QPR fans.
The event will take place on Saturday 9th July 2011 between 1.00pm and 4.00pm at: St Jude's Hall, Ilbert Street, Queen's Park, London, W10.
The plaque unveiling will take place at approximately 2.00pm.
Special guests from the Club's past and present day will also be in attendance.
Please note that there will be no alcohol served at this event.
The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams, St Jude's Institute and Christchurch Rangers.
St Jude's was set up for the boys of Droop Street Board School (now Queen's Park Primary) by Jack McDonald and Fred Weller, supported by the Revd. Gordon Young, whilst Christchurch Rangers was formed by George Wodehouse Snr.
Both teams amalgamated in 1886.
Wodehouse had played in a match between the two sides and was watched by a friend of his, who suggested that a merger between the two Clubs would be a good idea.
Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new Club, suggested by E.D Robertson because the members were based in the Queen's Park district of West London.
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2382294,00.html
QPR Official Site
ST. JUDE'S HALL SPEECH
Posted on: Fri 08 Jul 2011
As the Club prepare to unveil a plaque at St. Jude's Hall on Saturday lunchtime to commemorate the 125-year anniversary since St. Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers amalgamated to form Queens Park Rangers, www.qpr.co.uk can reveal a copy of the speech that is set to be read out on the day by QPR Community Trust CEO Andy Evans.
'Who would have thought that a meeting between two boys' clubs 125 years ago would have led to the formation of one of the country's top professional Football Clubs? Little could they have known what they had started.
The two boys clubs concerned were Christ Church Rangers, who were formed in 1882 and were based at the Christ Church Mission in Ponsard Road on the College Park Estate; with the other being St. Jude's Institute, who were based at the recently opened Mission Hall here on the corner of Ilbert Street and Fourth Avenue.
The Hall was opened in 1884 and was the idea of Rev. Stanley Bott, who was the vicar of the local church, St. Jude's, and was called St. Jude's Institute.
One of the activities at the new hall was the formation of a Boys' Brigade Company. One of their members was John (Jack) McDonald, a pupil at Droop Street School (now known as Queen's Park Primary school), who was keen on football. McDonald and his fellow pupils played football whenever and wherever they could. He became friends with a fellow pupil Fred Weller and between them they suggested that a Football Club was formed.
They put the idea to the leaders of the Boys' Brigade and with the backing of a number of their old class mates from Droop Street School, a Football Club was established in 1885. It was decided that the Football Club should be named after the hall in which they met, namely St. Jude's Institute. As they were using the church's name in their title approval was sought from Sidney Bott, the vicar. He gave his full support to the new Club and assisted in setting up a gymnasium in the mission hall.
St. Jude's Institute FC began their career at the start of the 1885/86 season. Details of the games that season are not known, however one game played in the spring of 1886 became pivotal in the history of the Club. That game was between St. Jude's and their near neighbours Christ Church Rangers.
After the game one of the founders of Christ Church Rangers, George Wodehouse, was discussing the game with a friend and a merger between the two sides was mooted. The reasoning being that a combined side would be stronger than two separate Clubs.
Discussion was held between the two Clubs and a merger was agreed. Some of the Christ Church players were not happy and left to form Paddington FC. It was decided that the new Club's headquarters would be the existing St. Jude's one, that of the Mission Hall.
However, in order to make it look like a merger and not a takeover by St. Jude's, a new name was required for the new Club. E.D. Robertson suggested that as all the players lived on the local Queen's Park estate the name should include it, and by adding the words Rangers it gave an indication of continuity of both constituent Clubs.
Thus the name Queen's Park Rangers came in existence 125 years ago in the summer of 1886.
Just as he had done earlier Rev. Sidney Bott gave his backing to the new club by allowing them to use the mission hall as their headquarters. However it was his curate Rev. Gordon Young who became more involved and played at centre forward for the team and was responsible for building the club unity in its early days as he had not been connected with either of the old clubs.
The Club continued its upward growth during the end of the 1880s and into the 1890s. They joined the West London League and entered the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup in 1895.
During the late 1890s, with the success in FA Cup and local leagues, the Club had improved its standing and status in the London football environment. In 1898 some of the committee thought a move to professionalism was needed, and on 18th December 1898, a meeting was held for all Club members here in St. Jude's Hall to discuss the move to turn the Club into a professional one.
The vote taken at the end of the meeting resulted in the Club turning professional for the start of the 1899/00 season, when they joined the Southern League.
With the move to professionalism the Club's headquarters for administration purposes became the secretary's home address in Lancefield Street, ironically close to St. Jude's church, thus ending the Club's 14-year association with St. Jude's Mission Hall.
Therefore, as can be seen if it wasn't for the foresight of the reverend gentleman of the local parish, it is very unlikely that Queens Park Rangers Football Club would have come into existence and developed into one of the country's top 20 sides.'
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2387559,00.html
QPR Official Site
PLAQUE UNVEILING SUCCESS
Posted on: Mon 11 Jul 2011
R's legend Stan Bowles was in attendance, as the Club marked the 125-year anniversary since two sides amalgamated to form Queens Park Rangers with a plaque unveiling at St. Jude's Hall on Saturday lunchtime - QPR's original headquarters.
The event in Queen's Park proved to be a resounding success, with the Rangers faithful turning out in force to mark the milestone of a merger between St. Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers.
Both teams amalgamated in 1886, after George Wodehouse Snr - founder of Christ Church Rangers - suggested that both Clubs combine forces following a match between the two sides.
Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk at the event, former R's number 10 Bowles spoke of his pride at being asked to unveil the plaque, saying: "It's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me.
"I used to hang around Queen's Park when I was younger, so I know it well.
"I had no idea this was QPR's original home, so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot."
The event was largely pieced together by the QPR in the Community Trust - who also sponsored the plaque.
Trust CEO Andy Evans continued: "When I looked at the crowd here for the unveiling of the plaque, there were so many individuals present that I've known over the years, who are QPR fans.
"So many of them have actually got roots in Queen's Park. QPR really is part of this area and so many people that care about the Club have links to it.
"It's very important that, as a Club, we're committed to community outreach work and recognise that this is an important part of what a Football Club should be doing."
Westminster Council's deputy leader Robert Davis (pictured, left) added: "It is a great pleasure to mark the birthplace of Queens Park Rangers and the Club's ties with this area of Westminster.
"With their rise into the Premier League this coming season, I can't think of a better time to do this.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grassroots sports can blossom.
"Hopefully it will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles."
BBC
Plaque marks football club's west London birthplace
9 July 2011
Stan Bowles unveiling the plaque with Queen's Park resident Doreen Hyde
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14093568
Image caption Stan Bowles unveiling the plaque with Queen's Park resident Doreen Hyde
A plaque to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club has been unveiled at the club's west London birthplace.
The club is usually associated with Shepherd's Bush where its Loftus Road ground is based.
But the plaque at St Jude's Hall in Queen's Park will mark the club's true birthplace in the late 19th Century.
The plaque is part of Westminster council's green plaque scheme to commemorate historic sites in the city.
Former QPR footballer Stan Bowles, who unveiled the plaque, confessed he had no idea of the site's history.
I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home.
Stan Bowles, Former QPR player
"I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot," he said. "It's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me."
New partnership
The event's organisers - QPR, Westminster Council and CityWest Homes - hope that the plaque will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of QPR legends Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles.
QPR and CityWest Homes, who manage St Jude's Hall, have now embarked on a new partnership to benefit local residents in Queen's Park.
The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams, St Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers.
When the two teams amalgamated in 1886 Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new club because the members were based in the Queen's Park district of west London.
Westminster ties
Westminster Council's deputy leader Robert Davis, said: "It is a great pleasure to mark the birthplace of Queen's Park Rangers and the club's ties with this area of Westminster.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grassroots sports can blossom."
Darren Levy, director of customer services, said: "QPR and CityWest Homes will be working together to provide a range of activities for residents in the Queen's Park area - young and old.
"The event at St Jude's hall is a very promising start to what we hope will be a great partnership."
To date, a total of 96 plaques have been erected by Westminster Council, with others honoured including Oscar Wilde, TS Eliot, Jane Austen, Terence Donovan, Siegfried Sassoon and the Bee Gees.
www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-14093568
Westminster Chronicle
Plaque remembers formation of QPR
Juliet Eysenck on Jul 9, 11
Exactly 125 years after the formation of Queen's Park Rangers football club, the place where it all began has been remembered with a plaque.
The QPR story kicked off in Queen's Park in 1882 with the formation of two youth teams - St Jude's Institute and Christchurch Rangers.
St Jude's was set up for the boys of Droop Street Board School, now Queen's Park Primary School, by Jack MacDonald and Fred Weller.
Christchurch Rangers was formed by George Wodehouse Senior.
Both teams combined in 1886 when Mr Wodehouse played in a match between the two sides and was watched by a friend of his, who suggested that a merger would be a good idea.
Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new club and their headquarters were based at St Jude's Church Hall, in Ilbert Street.
This afternoon, a plaque was unveiled to mark the milestone in front of special guests from the club's past and present.
QPR moved to its current Loftus Road stadium in Shepherd's Bush in 1917.
Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster Council, said: "With their rise into the premiership this coming season, I can't think of a better time to do this.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grass roots sports can blossom.
"Hopefully it will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles."
The football club has also launched a new partnership with the council's housing arm CityWest Homes, to provide a range of activities for Queen's Park residents.
Mark Hoyland, chief executive of CityWest Homes, said: "It's not just about football, the activities will be designed to encourage people to get active and healthy, including sports activities for young people, support for the pensioners group and a boxing project to be based at one of our local community halls.
"The event at St Jude's hall is a very promising start to what we hope will be a great partnership."
westminster.londoninformer.co.uk/2011/07/plaque-remembers-formation-of.html
BBC
Plaque marks football club's west London birthplace
A plaque to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club has been unveiled at the club's west London birthplace.
The club is usually associated with Shepherd's Bush where its Loftus Road ground is based.
But the plaque at St Jude's Hall in Queen's Park will mark the club's true birthplace in the late 19th Century.
The plaque is part of Westminster council's green plaque scheme to commemorate historic sites in the city.
Former QPR footballer Stan Bowles, who unveiled the plaque, confessed he had no idea of the site's history.
Former QPR player
"I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot," he said. "It's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me."
New partnership
The event's organisers - QPR, Westminster Council and CityWest Homes - hope that the plaque will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of QPR legends Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles.
QPR and CityWest Homes, who manage St Jude's Hall, have now embarked on a new partnership to benefit local residents in Queen's Park.
The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams, St Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers.
When the two teams amalgamated in 1886 Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new club because the members were based in the Queen's Park district of west London.
Westminster ties
Westminster Council's deputy leader Robert Davis, said: "It is a great pleasure to mark the birthplace of Queen's Park Rangers and the club's ties with this area of Westminster.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grassroots sports can blossom."
Darren Levy, director of customer services, said: "QPR and CityWest Homes will be working together to provide a range of activities for residents in the Queen's Park area - young and old.
"The event at St Jude's hall is a very promising start to what we hope will be a great partnership."
To date, a total of 96 plaques have been erected by Westminster Council, with others honoured including Oscar Wilde, TS Eliot, Jane Austen, Terence Donovan, Siegfried Sassoon and the Bee Gees.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14093568
PHOTOS VIA -
www.facebook.com/martinpercival63/media_set?set=a.10150315024518083.396185.615338082&
QPR Official Site
ST. JUDE'S HALL SPEECH
Posted on: Fri 08 Jul 2011
As the Club prepare to unveil a plaque at St. Jude's Hall on Saturday lunchtime to commemorate the 125-year anniversary since St. Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers amalgamated to form Queens Park Rangers, www.qpr.co.uk can reveal a copy of the speech that is set to be read out on the day by QPR Community Trust CEO Andy Evans.
'Who would have thought that a meeting between two boys' clubs 125 years ago would have led to the formation of one of the country's top professional Football Clubs? Little could they have known what they had started.
The two boys clubs concerned were Christ Church Rangers, who were formed in 1882 and were based at the Christ Church Mission in Ponsard Road on the College Park Estate; with the other being St. Jude's Institute, who were based at the recently opened Mission Hall here on the corner of Ilbert Street and Fourth Avenue.
The Hall was opened in 1884 and was the idea of Rev. Stanley Bott, who was the vicar of the local church, St. Jude's, and was called St. Jude's Institute.
One of the activities at the new hall was the formation of a Boys' Brigade Company. One of their members was John (Jack) McDonald, a pupil at Droop Street School (now known as Queen's Park Primary school), who was keen on football. McDonald and his fellow pupils played football whenever and wherever they could. He became friends with a fellow pupil Fred Weller and between them they suggested that a Football Club was formed.
They put the idea to the leaders of the Boys' Brigade and with the backing of a number of their old class mates from Droop Street School, a Football Club was established in 1885. It was decided that the Football Club should be named after the hall in which they met, namely St. Jude's Institute. As they were using the church's name in their title approval was sought from Sidney Bott, the vicar. He gave his full support to the new Club and assisted in setting up a gymnasium in the mission hall.
St. Jude's Institute FC began their career at the start of the 1885/86 season. Details of the games that season are not known, however one game played in the spring of 1886 became pivotal in the history of the Club. That game was between St. Jude's and their near neighbours Christ Church Rangers.
After the game one of the founders of Christ Church Rangers, George Wodehouse, was discussing the game with a friend and a merger between the two sides was mooted. The reasoning being that a combined side would be stronger than two separate Clubs.
Discussion was held between the two Clubs and a merger was agreed. Some of the Christ Church players were not happy and left to form Paddington FC. It was decided that the new Club's headquarters would be the existing St. Jude's one, that of the Mission Hall.
However, in order to make it look like a merger and not a takeover by St. Jude's, a new name was required for the new Club. E.D. Robertson suggested that as all the players lived on the local Queen's Park estate the name should include it, and by adding the words Rangers it gave an indication of continuity of both constituent Clubs.
Thus the name Queen's Park Rangers came in existence 125 years ago in the summer of 1886.
Just as he had done earlier Rev. Sidney Bott gave his backing to the new club by allowing them to use the mission hall as their headquarters. However it was his curate Rev. Gordon Young who became more involved and played at centre forward for the team and was responsible for building the club unity in its early days as he had not been connected with either of the old clubs.
The Club continued its upward growth during the end of the 1880s and into the 1890s. They joined the West London League and entered the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup in 1895.
During the late 1890s, with the success in FA Cup and local leagues, the Club had improved its standing and status in the London football environment. In 1898 some of the committee thought a move to professionalism was needed, and on 18th December 1898, a meeting was held for all Club members here in St. Jude's Hall to discuss the move to turn the Club into a professional one.
The vote taken at the end of the meeting resulted in the Club turning professional for the start of the 1899/00 season, when they joined the Southern League.
With the move to professionalism the Club's headquarters for administration purposes became the secretary's home address in Lancefield Street, ironically close to St. Jude's church, thus ending the Club's 14-year association with St. Jude's Mission Hall.
Therefore, as can be seen if it wasn't for the foresight of the reverend gentleman of the local parish, it is very unlikely that Queens Park Rangers Football Club would have come into existence and developed into one of the country's top 20 sides.'
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2387559,00.html
VIDEO
[Also: Just to highlight Bushman's 1882-1898 Period for QPR History
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=history&action=display&thread=20854 ]
QPR Official Site
CLUB TO UNVEIL ST JUDE'S PLAQUE
Posted on: Tue 28 Jun 2011
To commemorate the 125th anniversary since St Jude's Institute and Christchurch Rangers merged to become Queens Park Rangers, the Club are set to mark this milestone by the unveiling of a plaque at St Jude's Hall - QPR's original headquarters.
The Club are organising an event as part of the unveiling, with fun activities, raffles and prizes for local families and QPR fans.
The event will take place on Saturday 9th July 2011 between 1.00pm and 4.00pm at: St Jude's Hall, Ilbert Street, Queen's Park, London, W10.
The plaque unveiling will take place at approximately 2.00pm.
Special guests from the Club's past and present day will also be in attendance.
Please note that there will be no alcohol served at this event.
The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams, St Jude's Institute and Christchurch Rangers.
St Jude's was set up for the boys of Droop Street Board School (now Queen's Park Primary) by Jack McDonald and Fred Weller, supported by the Revd. Gordon Young, whilst Christchurch Rangers was formed by George Wodehouse Snr.
Both teams amalgamated in 1886.
Wodehouse had played in a match between the two sides and was watched by a friend of his, who suggested that a merger between the two Clubs would be a good idea.
Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new Club, suggested by E.D Robertson because the members were based in the Queen's Park district of West London.
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2382294,00.html
QPR Official Site
ST. JUDE'S HALL SPEECH
Posted on: Fri 08 Jul 2011
As the Club prepare to unveil a plaque at St. Jude's Hall on Saturday lunchtime to commemorate the 125-year anniversary since St. Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers amalgamated to form Queens Park Rangers, www.qpr.co.uk can reveal a copy of the speech that is set to be read out on the day by QPR Community Trust CEO Andy Evans.
'Who would have thought that a meeting between two boys' clubs 125 years ago would have led to the formation of one of the country's top professional Football Clubs? Little could they have known what they had started.
The two boys clubs concerned were Christ Church Rangers, who were formed in 1882 and were based at the Christ Church Mission in Ponsard Road on the College Park Estate; with the other being St. Jude's Institute, who were based at the recently opened Mission Hall here on the corner of Ilbert Street and Fourth Avenue.
The Hall was opened in 1884 and was the idea of Rev. Stanley Bott, who was the vicar of the local church, St. Jude's, and was called St. Jude's Institute.
One of the activities at the new hall was the formation of a Boys' Brigade Company. One of their members was John (Jack) McDonald, a pupil at Droop Street School (now known as Queen's Park Primary school), who was keen on football. McDonald and his fellow pupils played football whenever and wherever they could. He became friends with a fellow pupil Fred Weller and between them they suggested that a Football Club was formed.
They put the idea to the leaders of the Boys' Brigade and with the backing of a number of their old class mates from Droop Street School, a Football Club was established in 1885. It was decided that the Football Club should be named after the hall in which they met, namely St. Jude's Institute. As they were using the church's name in their title approval was sought from Sidney Bott, the vicar. He gave his full support to the new Club and assisted in setting up a gymnasium in the mission hall.
St. Jude's Institute FC began their career at the start of the 1885/86 season. Details of the games that season are not known, however one game played in the spring of 1886 became pivotal in the history of the Club. That game was between St. Jude's and their near neighbours Christ Church Rangers.
After the game one of the founders of Christ Church Rangers, George Wodehouse, was discussing the game with a friend and a merger between the two sides was mooted. The reasoning being that a combined side would be stronger than two separate Clubs.
Discussion was held between the two Clubs and a merger was agreed. Some of the Christ Church players were not happy and left to form Paddington FC. It was decided that the new Club's headquarters would be the existing St. Jude's one, that of the Mission Hall.
However, in order to make it look like a merger and not a takeover by St. Jude's, a new name was required for the new Club. E.D. Robertson suggested that as all the players lived on the local Queen's Park estate the name should include it, and by adding the words Rangers it gave an indication of continuity of both constituent Clubs.
Thus the name Queen's Park Rangers came in existence 125 years ago in the summer of 1886.
Just as he had done earlier Rev. Sidney Bott gave his backing to the new club by allowing them to use the mission hall as their headquarters. However it was his curate Rev. Gordon Young who became more involved and played at centre forward for the team and was responsible for building the club unity in its early days as he had not been connected with either of the old clubs.
The Club continued its upward growth during the end of the 1880s and into the 1890s. They joined the West London League and entered the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup in 1895.
During the late 1890s, with the success in FA Cup and local leagues, the Club had improved its standing and status in the London football environment. In 1898 some of the committee thought a move to professionalism was needed, and on 18th December 1898, a meeting was held for all Club members here in St. Jude's Hall to discuss the move to turn the Club into a professional one.
The vote taken at the end of the meeting resulted in the Club turning professional for the start of the 1899/00 season, when they joined the Southern League.
With the move to professionalism the Club's headquarters for administration purposes became the secretary's home address in Lancefield Street, ironically close to St. Jude's church, thus ending the Club's 14-year association with St. Jude's Mission Hall.
Therefore, as can be seen if it wasn't for the foresight of the reverend gentleman of the local parish, it is very unlikely that Queens Park Rangers Football Club would have come into existence and developed into one of the country's top 20 sides.'
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2387559,00.html
QPR Official Site
PLAQUE UNVEILING SUCCESS
Posted on: Mon 11 Jul 2011
R's legend Stan Bowles was in attendance, as the Club marked the 125-year anniversary since two sides amalgamated to form Queens Park Rangers with a plaque unveiling at St. Jude's Hall on Saturday lunchtime - QPR's original headquarters.
The event in Queen's Park proved to be a resounding success, with the Rangers faithful turning out in force to mark the milestone of a merger between St. Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers.
Both teams amalgamated in 1886, after George Wodehouse Snr - founder of Christ Church Rangers - suggested that both Clubs combine forces following a match between the two sides.
Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk at the event, former R's number 10 Bowles spoke of his pride at being asked to unveil the plaque, saying: "It's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me.
"I used to hang around Queen's Park when I was younger, so I know it well.
"I had no idea this was QPR's original home, so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot."
The event was largely pieced together by the QPR in the Community Trust - who also sponsored the plaque.
Trust CEO Andy Evans continued: "When I looked at the crowd here for the unveiling of the plaque, there were so many individuals present that I've known over the years, who are QPR fans.
"So many of them have actually got roots in Queen's Park. QPR really is part of this area and so many people that care about the Club have links to it.
"It's very important that, as a Club, we're committed to community outreach work and recognise that this is an important part of what a Football Club should be doing."
Westminster Council's deputy leader Robert Davis (pictured, left) added: "It is a great pleasure to mark the birthplace of Queens Park Rangers and the Club's ties with this area of Westminster.
"With their rise into the Premier League this coming season, I can't think of a better time to do this.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grassroots sports can blossom.
"Hopefully it will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles."
BBC
Plaque marks football club's west London birthplace
9 July 2011
Stan Bowles unveiling the plaque with Queen's Park resident Doreen Hyde
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14093568
Image caption Stan Bowles unveiling the plaque with Queen's Park resident Doreen Hyde
A plaque to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club has been unveiled at the club's west London birthplace.
The club is usually associated with Shepherd's Bush where its Loftus Road ground is based.
But the plaque at St Jude's Hall in Queen's Park will mark the club's true birthplace in the late 19th Century.
The plaque is part of Westminster council's green plaque scheme to commemorate historic sites in the city.
Former QPR footballer Stan Bowles, who unveiled the plaque, confessed he had no idea of the site's history.
I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home.
Stan Bowles, Former QPR player
"I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot," he said. "It's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me."
New partnership
The event's organisers - QPR, Westminster Council and CityWest Homes - hope that the plaque will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of QPR legends Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles.
QPR and CityWest Homes, who manage St Jude's Hall, have now embarked on a new partnership to benefit local residents in Queen's Park.
The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams, St Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers.
When the two teams amalgamated in 1886 Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new club because the members were based in the Queen's Park district of west London.
Westminster ties
Westminster Council's deputy leader Robert Davis, said: "It is a great pleasure to mark the birthplace of Queen's Park Rangers and the club's ties with this area of Westminster.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grassroots sports can blossom."
Darren Levy, director of customer services, said: "QPR and CityWest Homes will be working together to provide a range of activities for residents in the Queen's Park area - young and old.
"The event at St Jude's hall is a very promising start to what we hope will be a great partnership."
To date, a total of 96 plaques have been erected by Westminster Council, with others honoured including Oscar Wilde, TS Eliot, Jane Austen, Terence Donovan, Siegfried Sassoon and the Bee Gees.
www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-14093568
Westminster Chronicle
Plaque remembers formation of QPR
Juliet Eysenck on Jul 9, 11
Exactly 125 years after the formation of Queen's Park Rangers football club, the place where it all began has been remembered with a plaque.
The QPR story kicked off in Queen's Park in 1882 with the formation of two youth teams - St Jude's Institute and Christchurch Rangers.
St Jude's was set up for the boys of Droop Street Board School, now Queen's Park Primary School, by Jack MacDonald and Fred Weller.
Christchurch Rangers was formed by George Wodehouse Senior.
Both teams combined in 1886 when Mr Wodehouse played in a match between the two sides and was watched by a friend of his, who suggested that a merger would be a good idea.
Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new club and their headquarters were based at St Jude's Church Hall, in Ilbert Street.
This afternoon, a plaque was unveiled to mark the milestone in front of special guests from the club's past and present.
QPR moved to its current Loftus Road stadium in Shepherd's Bush in 1917.
Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster Council, said: "With their rise into the premiership this coming season, I can't think of a better time to do this.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grass roots sports can blossom.
"Hopefully it will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles."
The football club has also launched a new partnership with the council's housing arm CityWest Homes, to provide a range of activities for Queen's Park residents.
Mark Hoyland, chief executive of CityWest Homes, said: "It's not just about football, the activities will be designed to encourage people to get active and healthy, including sports activities for young people, support for the pensioners group and a boxing project to be based at one of our local community halls.
"The event at St Jude's hall is a very promising start to what we hope will be a great partnership."
westminster.londoninformer.co.uk/2011/07/plaque-remembers-formation-of.html
BBC
Plaque marks football club's west London birthplace
A plaque to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club has been unveiled at the club's west London birthplace.
The club is usually associated with Shepherd's Bush where its Loftus Road ground is based.
But the plaque at St Jude's Hall in Queen's Park will mark the club's true birthplace in the late 19th Century.
The plaque is part of Westminster council's green plaque scheme to commemorate historic sites in the city.
Former QPR footballer Stan Bowles, who unveiled the plaque, confessed he had no idea of the site's history.
Former QPR player
"I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot," he said. "It's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me."
New partnership
The event's organisers - QPR, Westminster Council and CityWest Homes - hope that the plaque will inspire a generation of young footballers in Westminster to follow in the footsteps of QPR legends Les Ferdinand, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles.
QPR and CityWest Homes, who manage St Jude's Hall, have now embarked on a new partnership to benefit local residents in Queen's Park.
The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams, St Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers.
When the two teams amalgamated in 1886 Queen's Park Rangers was the name chosen for the new club because the members were based in the Queen's Park district of west London.
Westminster ties
Westminster Council's deputy leader Robert Davis, said: "It is a great pleasure to mark the birthplace of Queen's Park Rangers and the club's ties with this area of Westminster.
"The plaque serves as a reminder of how, through hard work and dedication, grassroots sports can blossom."
Darren Levy, director of customer services, said: "QPR and CityWest Homes will be working together to provide a range of activities for residents in the Queen's Park area - young and old.
"The event at St Jude's hall is a very promising start to what we hope will be a great partnership."
To date, a total of 96 plaques have been erected by Westminster Council, with others honoured including Oscar Wilde, TS Eliot, Jane Austen, Terence Donovan, Siegfried Sassoon and the Bee Gees.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14093568
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QPR Official Site
ST. JUDE'S HALL SPEECH
Posted on: Fri 08 Jul 2011
As the Club prepare to unveil a plaque at St. Jude's Hall on Saturday lunchtime to commemorate the 125-year anniversary since St. Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers amalgamated to form Queens Park Rangers, www.qpr.co.uk can reveal a copy of the speech that is set to be read out on the day by QPR Community Trust CEO Andy Evans.
'Who would have thought that a meeting between two boys' clubs 125 years ago would have led to the formation of one of the country's top professional Football Clubs? Little could they have known what they had started.
The two boys clubs concerned were Christ Church Rangers, who were formed in 1882 and were based at the Christ Church Mission in Ponsard Road on the College Park Estate; with the other being St. Jude's Institute, who were based at the recently opened Mission Hall here on the corner of Ilbert Street and Fourth Avenue.
The Hall was opened in 1884 and was the idea of Rev. Stanley Bott, who was the vicar of the local church, St. Jude's, and was called St. Jude's Institute.
One of the activities at the new hall was the formation of a Boys' Brigade Company. One of their members was John (Jack) McDonald, a pupil at Droop Street School (now known as Queen's Park Primary school), who was keen on football. McDonald and his fellow pupils played football whenever and wherever they could. He became friends with a fellow pupil Fred Weller and between them they suggested that a Football Club was formed.
They put the idea to the leaders of the Boys' Brigade and with the backing of a number of their old class mates from Droop Street School, a Football Club was established in 1885. It was decided that the Football Club should be named after the hall in which they met, namely St. Jude's Institute. As they were using the church's name in their title approval was sought from Sidney Bott, the vicar. He gave his full support to the new Club and assisted in setting up a gymnasium in the mission hall.
St. Jude's Institute FC began their career at the start of the 1885/86 season. Details of the games that season are not known, however one game played in the spring of 1886 became pivotal in the history of the Club. That game was between St. Jude's and their near neighbours Christ Church Rangers.
After the game one of the founders of Christ Church Rangers, George Wodehouse, was discussing the game with a friend and a merger between the two sides was mooted. The reasoning being that a combined side would be stronger than two separate Clubs.
Discussion was held between the two Clubs and a merger was agreed. Some of the Christ Church players were not happy and left to form Paddington FC. It was decided that the new Club's headquarters would be the existing St. Jude's one, that of the Mission Hall.
However, in order to make it look like a merger and not a takeover by St. Jude's, a new name was required for the new Club. E.D. Robertson suggested that as all the players lived on the local Queen's Park estate the name should include it, and by adding the words Rangers it gave an indication of continuity of both constituent Clubs.
Thus the name Queen's Park Rangers came in existence 125 years ago in the summer of 1886.
Just as he had done earlier Rev. Sidney Bott gave his backing to the new club by allowing them to use the mission hall as their headquarters. However it was his curate Rev. Gordon Young who became more involved and played at centre forward for the team and was responsible for building the club unity in its early days as he had not been connected with either of the old clubs.
The Club continued its upward growth during the end of the 1880s and into the 1890s. They joined the West London League and entered the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup in 1895.
During the late 1890s, with the success in FA Cup and local leagues, the Club had improved its standing and status in the London football environment. In 1898 some of the committee thought a move to professionalism was needed, and on 18th December 1898, a meeting was held for all Club members here in St. Jude's Hall to discuss the move to turn the Club into a professional one.
The vote taken at the end of the meeting resulted in the Club turning professional for the start of the 1899/00 season, when they joined the Southern League.
With the move to professionalism the Club's headquarters for administration purposes became the secretary's home address in Lancefield Street, ironically close to St. Jude's church, thus ending the Club's 14-year association with St. Jude's Mission Hall.
Therefore, as can be seen if it wasn't for the foresight of the reverend gentleman of the local parish, it is very unlikely that Queens Park Rangers Football Club would have come into existence and developed into one of the country's top 20 sides.'
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2387559,00.html
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