QPR Report Twitter Feed

Friday, December 21, 2007

QPR 1967 Hero, Jim Langley's Funeral Today

-
Not to be overlooked in all the hoopla of QPR's seeming new-found riches, the funeral of Jim Langley is being held today. All the tributes from all the clubs go beyond all his playing abilities to cite the niceness and the character of this man. A true tribute

This is Local London - Fan pays tribute to footballer - By Tristan Kirk
A HILLINGDON Borough FC fan has paid tribute to a footballer and manager who "always came when the bugle called".
Jim Langley, 78, died on Sunday, December 9, after an illustrious playing career for Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Brentford, Leeds United, Brighton, Hayes, and Borough.
Jim had four spells at his local team, playing 138 games as a player and managing them on three occasions.
Mike Hunter, who has supported Borough for 46 years, said: "We called Jim Langley back in times of need, and he always helped the club out."
Jim won three England caps, and played up against Sir Stanley Matthews in the Stoke player's last ever game.
He became the oldest player to appear in a competitive Wembley final, losing 3-2 with Borough in the 1971 FA Trophy final, and as manager he won the Middlesex Charity Cup Winners in 1978.
Mr Hunter, 74, remembers admiring Jim's sportsmanship and trademark tackle.
He said: "These days it might be frowned on, but Jim's sliding tackle was legendary.
But I never once knew him hurt anybody, he had a marvellous temperament."
Jim continued to support his local side, close to his home in Pear Tree Avenue, Yiewsley, long after he retired from management, and worked as a steward for the club.
Mr Hunter said: "He was a smashing bloke. He was the kind of guy who when his team lost 6-0, he would leave the field with his arm round the player who had given him a good thrashing."
Mark Lazarus, who played with Jim at QPR when they won the League Cup in 1967, was devastated to hear of his death.
He said: "Jim was the best. Nothing was too much trouble for him, he would help anyone out and he would do it with a smile on his face."
Jim died of a heart attack last Sunday at his home, aged 78.
His funeral is being held tomorrow, at Breakspear Crematorium, in Breakspear Road, Ruislip at 2.15pm.
It will be followed by a wake at Borough's ground in Breakspear Road, and Jim's family have said anyone is welcome to attend. This is Local London

See Also: December 13 - "Death Announced of Former QPR 1967 Hero, Jim Langley"

Blog Archive