On This Day...Nostalgia Flashback!

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September 1, 1973: Gerry Francis Makes Full First Division Debut
Francis made his First Division full debut, scoring in QPR's 1-2 loss at Manchester United.(Francis had came on as a 16-old sub in QPR's 2-1 home loss against Liverpool in March, 1969. Barry Bridges scoring for QPR). QPR's team (managed by Gordon Jago)against Manchester United:
Parkes - Clement Mancini Hazell Watson - Francis Venables Leach -Thomas Bowles Givens

September 1, 1979: QPR 0- Notts County 1.
28 Years Ago, September 1, 1977, QPR lost at home to Notts County 0-1 before a crowd of less than 9,000. QPR's team
Woods - Elsey Howe Roeder Gillard - MCreerey Shanks Burke - Allen Goddard Neal. Sub Harkouk.

September 1, 1981 - First Game on Plastic -
26 Years Ago, QPR Made English Football History: The First Game on Plastic!
RANGERS "CONTROVERSIAL" PLASTIC PITCH
September 1, 1981: Terry Venables QPR played Luton Town at Loftus Road, for their first home game of the season. (The previous Saturday, QPR won their season opener with a 3-1 win at Wrexham.) Andy King put QPR 1-0 before Luton scored twice to win it.
QPR's plastic was so controversial that originally the FA was not going to allow games to be played at Loftus Road. That never fortuitously didn't occur since that was the season that QPR went on to the FA Cup Final.
In ensuing seasons, following Rangers' example, Preston, Oldham and Luton itself followed suit. But the plastic fields were very controversial, with the claim that they gave an unfair advantage to the home teams, and supposedly players getting certain injuries. Also the bouncing ball off the surface, etc. And the term "controversial" came into almost newspaper match report of QPR games. Within a few years, the clubs had all given up their plastic.
QPR's Team for that opening game at home to Luton.
Burridge - Fenwick Hazell Roeder Gregory - Waddock Francis King - Allen Stainrod Flanagan
(A couple of years later, when QPR qualified for the UEFA Cup, their Plastic pitch was not permitted in Europe, so they had to play at Highbury.
Ironically, a few years earlier, Terry Venables had co-authored the book "They Used to Play on Grass"

September 1, 1984: Liverpool 1 QPR 1
Wayne Fereday scores as Alan Mullery's QPR drew 1-1 at Liverpool.
QPR's Team: Hucker - Neil Wicks Fenwick Dawes -Fereday Fillery Gregory Mickelwhite - Bannister Stainrod

September 1, 1990: Don Howe's QPR drew 1-1 at home to Chelsea. Roy Wegerle.
Roberts
Bardsley Mcdonald Channing Sansom -Wilson Parker Wikins Sinton -Falco Wegerle
Ex-QPR, Keith Rowlands Turns 36!
Ex-QPR Defender, Keith Rowlands Turns 36(Born September 1, 1971)
Rowlands was signed by Ray Harford from West Ham in 1998 (along with Ian Dowie, in a part exchange for Trevor Sinclair.) Rowlands replaced Rufus Brevett who was sold on to Fulham. Rowlands played a relatively small number of QPR as full back and wing. He joined Luton in 2001.

Eleven Years Ago Today, Ray Wilkins Axed/"Resigned"
The Departure of Ray Wilkins
September 1, 1996: QPR having beaten Oxford and Portsmouth and drawn at Wolves; and lost Kevin Gallen through a terrible injury, played promotion-challenging Bolton at Loftus Road (and lost 2-1)
For newly-relegated QPR still under the managership (player manager) of Ray Wilkins and Frank Sibley and under the new ownership of Chris Wright...The QPR Board met with Wilkins, and ostensibly he left because he wanted to continue playing. But there were strong suggestions he was axed, even though Chris Wright and others denied that.
It was such a change from the less than two years previously, when Wilkins returned to QPR after Gerry Francis moved on to Spurs and in his first season, guided QPR to 8th. The following season, QPR sold Ferdinand and made some not-so great purchases: Zelic, Osbourne, Hately, Sommer.
And as a player, signed by Don Howe, in a deal arranged by axed Trevor Francis, Wilkins joined QPR on a free from Glasgow Rangers and made an immediate, brilliant impact on QPR. And for the next several seasons, was QPR's brilliant midfielder. There was a slight irony, since QPR under Dave Sexton in 1974/75 had tried to sign Wilkins as an 18 year old from Chelsea.
So Wilkins left and instead appointed Stuart Houston and Bruce Rioch (instead of Venables, George Graham or Alan Curbishly who were three names that were strongly touted.) And over the next year, Houston spent lavishly )approaching 8 million pounds + high wages) on John Spencer, Gavin Peacock, Steve Morrow, Lee Harper, Matt Rose, and finally....Mike Sheron.
See Ray Wilkins Interview with QPR Net

Two Years Ago: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 - BILL POWER
Today following advice from my doctor and after lengthy discussions with my family and each member of the board I am confirming my departure as chairman of QPR.
I am well aware of the feelings of supporters having received literally hundreds of goodwill messages. But I must be selfish and think of my own health and also the health of two family members, both lifelong R's - my beautiful mum and my lovely father-in-law, who are both in hospital and not in the best of health.
I have been in discussions for the last two months with my fellow board members regarding who could, should or would 'pick up the baton'. I have told Gianni that he should become chairman with immediate effect to help focus everyone on going forward and I have advised him to meet with the supporters groups as quickly as he can.
As I write this, I have just enjoyed a day talking and having lunch with Gianni and on the phone with Ollie discussing possible new signings and things that we thought could take the club forward. I hope, and am sure, that those discussions and my advice will be acted upon and that we all see the benefits for ourselves .
In all honesty, and perhaps selfishly again, I must say it was like a weight being lifted from my shoulders having previously known that a decision I might make as Chairman could affect the hopes and dreams of so many fellow R's. Now it is time to let another friend push us forward. I am not leaving, just taking a well earned rest.
Words fail to express how much I have enjoyed my tenure as chairman, living every fan's dream of helping the club they love. I'm sure I will think of dozens of things I should have said, so for now I will just say a big thank you to everyone I have met and wish you all well.
Once again I ask you to get behind Gianni, Kevin, Ollie and the boys. I know that when we all pull together we are unstoppable.
Come on you R's. QPR

Ex-QPR, Keith Rowlands Turns 36!
Ex-QPR Defender, Keith Rowlands Turns 36 (Born September 1, 1971)
Rowlands was signed by Ray Harford from West Ham in 1998 (along with Ian Dowie, in a part exchange for Trevor Sinclair.) Rowlands replaced Rufus Brevett who was sold on to Fulham. Rowlands played a relatively small number of QPR as full back and wing. He joined Luton in 2001. Rowlands