Retrospect: QPR A Decade Ago

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A Decade ago: The Summer of 1997, looking Forward to the 1997-1998 Season and under the belief that financially, everything was absolutely fine and under control

QPR, under the managership of Stuart Houston and Bruce Rioch (and the Chairmanship of Chris Wright) had the previous season, just missed the playoffs and had signed John Spencer, Gavin Peacock and Steve Morrow. Sinclair scored this goal
In the summer of 2007, in came three signings: Matt Rose from Arsenal for around 500,000 pounds. Lee Harper from Arsenal for a fee between 150,000 and 500,000 pounds. And then the "big one:" Mike Sheron for a club record fee of around 2.5 million pounds.
Throw in Nigel Quashie and Trevor Sinclair and a recovered Kevin Gallen and things looked good for another promotion challenge as QPR aimed to return to their "natural" place in the top Division.

Didn't exactly work that way! Within a few months - after a mediocre start with a 0-0 draw at home to Ipswich, and then a little run (which led to Houston winning Manager of The Month award)- Houston and Rioch were out. Ray Harford was in as manager, leaving WBA for QPR (and QPR not appointing Alan Curbishley)...Sinclair had gone. Impey had gone. Mark Kennedy had come and gone. Scully and Baraclough and Kulscar had arrived. And Vinnie Jones was wearing the hoops. And Chairman Wright was saying there was no more money. And by the end of the season, QPR stayed up by one point.

QPR in 1997-1998- 1997-1998 Results and Match Reports

Division 1
P W D L F A Pt GD

Nottm Forest. 46 28 10 8 82 42 94 40
Middlesbro... 46 27 10 9 77 41 91 36
Sunderland... 46 26 12 8 86 50 90 36
Charlton Ath. 46 26 10 10 80 49 88 31
Ipswich T.... 46 23 14 9 77 43 83 34
Sheff. Utd... 46 19 17 10 69 54 74 15
Birmingham C. 46 19 17 10 60 35 74 25
Stockport Co. 46 19 8 19 71 69 65 2
Wolves....... 46 18 11 17 57 53 65 4
West Brom.... 46 16 13 17 50 56 61 -6
Crewe Alex... 46 18 5 23 58 65 59 -7
Oxford U..... 46 16 10 20 60 64 58 -4
Bradford C... 46 14 15 17 46 59 57 -13
Tranmere R... 46 14 14 18 54 57 56 -3
Norwich C.... 46 14 13 19 52 69 55 -17
Huddersfield. 46 14 11 21 50 72 53 -22
Bury......... 46 11 19 16 42 58 52 -16
Swindon T.... 46 14 10 22 42 73 52 -31
Port Vale.... 46 13 10 23 56 66 49 -10
Portsmouth... 46 13 10 23 51 63 49 -12
QPR.......... 46 10 19 17 51 63 49 -12
Man. City.... 46 12 12 22 56 57 48 -1
Stoke C...... 46 11 13 22 44 74 46 -30
Reading...... 46 11 9 26 39 78 42 -39

Table

Results for That Season

See Wikipedia Review of Football 1997-1998

Stories such as

December 3, 1997 - QPR LINING UP MOVE FOR HARFORD

Ray Harford's imminent arrival as new manager of Queens Park Rangers has been a matter of intense speculation in London - but West Brom chairman Tony Hale insisted: "He's staying with us."
Rangers chairman Chris Wright, who dismissed the Loftus Road management team of Stewart Houston and Bruce Rioch last month, is a known admirer of former Blackburn boss Harford.
Wright, just back from the business trip to the Far East, was locked in a meeting with Rangers' chief executive Clive Berlin tonight and the question of making an official approach to Albion for permission to talk to Harford was believed to be on the agenda.
It is certain that Albion would turn down such a request but Harford's contract at The Hawthorns remains unsigned and they could not stop him walking out.
Hale said: "I have spoken to Ray again and I'm convinced he's happy here. We have a verbal commitment from him which is binding and that is good enough for us."
Albion are desperate to hang on to Harford because, despite failing to successfully follow in Kenny Dalglish's success-laden footsteps at Blackburn where was dismissed early last season, he has restored pride at The Hawthorns by steering the Midlands club into a promotion-challenging position in the first division.
Reserve team boss John Hollins has been given a chance to stake his claim in a caretaker-manager capacity but his first results have been one draw, one win and one defeat.
Asked if QPR's home match against Norwich tomorrow could be his last in charge, he said: "I believe things are happening and I am being kept informed. But don't ask me, ask the chairman."
Harford would be likely to want to keep former Chelsea boss Hollins on board in some capacity if he moved to Loftus Road because of his knowledge of the QPR players.
Albion's success this season, with second place in the table the incentive for them to beat struggling Manchester City at The Hawthorns tonight, would make it a wrench for him to leave but he has managed before in London with Fulham and Wimbledon and still has a house there.
Rangers could be faced with a giant compensation claim from Albion or even a court case if they recruit Harford but it is unlikely to faze the determined Wright.
One of Harford's first jobs at Loftus Road would be to sort out the future of Rangers' talented former England Under-21 winger Trevor Sinclair, a confirmed target of Leicester manager Martin O'Neill despite the player's £5million valuation. Report


BBC - Jones brings brain and brawn to QPR
The Wimbledon hardman Vinnie Jones has joined First Division Queens Park Rangers as player-coach.

The 33-year-old Welsh international midfielder will cost QPR £500,000, subject to passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The QPR manager, Ray Harford, hopes Jones' leadership qualities will help steer his side away from the relegation zone.

"We are in a difficult position in the table and face some hard games," Harford said.

"He will give us strength and he will give us spirit. His attitude rubs off on other people.

"He is player-coach and, as such, will be able to influence what is going on during the game."

The former hod carrier's battling qualities are well known. He has been sent off 12 times in his career, and has been fined several times by the FA for various offences, including narrating a video glorifying football violence and dirty tricks.

But he has also achieved success, he is the last of the 'Crazy Gang' members who won the FA Cup in 1988 to leave Wimbledon, and has also captained Wales.

He is looking forward to his new job, "This is something I want to go into, either as player-manager or player-coach.

"I have to look seriously at the fact that, now I'm 33, a step down to a First Division club is great for me."

Rangers are also hoping to sign Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy from Liverpool, who recently had a loan spell at Loftus Road, while Scotland striker John Spencer could make his temporary move to Everton permanent. BBC