-
Another fine piece from the QPR Official site.
QPR Official Site - BLAST FROM THE PAST - Andy Sinton
In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, former R's winger Andy Sinton comes under the spotlight.
Andy Sinton (1989-1993)
Andy Sinton was the man who scored our first ever goal in the Premier League. He also played for England during his time as a Rangers player.
Sinton made his name as a speedy winger who also packed an explosive shot.
He started off as a youngster at Cambridge United before moving on to Brentford. Then QPR boss Trevor Francis signed him for £300,000 in March 1989.
"I was only 23 and it was a fantastic opportunity for me to move to Loftus Road, as the Club were in the top division," said Sinton.
"I'd had four years playing in the lower leagues for Brentford and I knew people were looking at me, but Rangers took the plunge.
"I always remember a journalist asking me on the day I signed 'How long do you think it will be before you get in the QPR first team?' And being quite cocky at the time, I said 'Two days!' He replied 'Why's that?' and I said 'Well we're playing away to Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and I expect to play!'
"I always had faith in my own ability and Trevor Francis put me straight in there on the wing. We went up to Hillsborough and won 2-0. Then I scored the winner against Aston Villa in my home debut a few days later. So I more or less established myself straight away in the Rangers side."
Sinton went on to make 191 appearances for the R's and scored 25 goals. And he was part of the Super Hoops squad that held their own at the very highest level.
He said: "I really enjoyed my football at QPR as there were good players like Peter Reid and later Ray Wilkins who could give the ball to me out on the flank. They were great for a wide man as they would feed me and let me get on with it.
"I was always mindful that I had to work hard in games. I see wingers nowadays and people look upon them as a luxury. But I like to think I did a lot of running - up and down, up and down.
"I wasn't blessed with a few of the natural skills that some wide men had, but I could always go past people either side - left or right - and I chipped in with my fair share of goals. I also used to get plenty of enjoyment in making chances for strikers like Les Ferdinand, who finished off my crosses.
"We had an excellent team at QPR in my time with the Club. And there was no better stadium for atmosphere than Loftus Road when the place was full."
One of our most famous victories was the 4-1 win away to Manchester United on New Year's Day 1992. And although this is always remembered as the game where Dennis Bailey hit a hat-trick, it is also interesting to recall that Sinton scored the opening goal at Old Trafford.
"That is a great memory. Not many sides go up to Manchester United and beat them 4-1. We thoroughly deserved it too. Obviously, Dennis got all the headlines and quite rightly so.
"I notched the opening goal after three minutes and Dennis scored after six. So before you knew it, United were really on the back foot. They put is under a bit of pressure after that, but we were actually quite comfortable and it was a resounding victory in the end."
Another celebrated Sinton goal came in the 1-1 draw at Manchester City on August 17 1992. That was our first match in the new FA Premier League.
"Yeah and it was also the first Monday night live game on Sky TV. From an individual point of view, it was always nice to score on the television and it was a good goal. I cut inside and shot into the top corner from 20 yards so it was particularly pleasing.
"That started us off on a really fine season in the Premier League. Not just for myself, but for everyone at QPR as we finished as top London Club."
Sinton burst into the full England team during his time at Loftus Road and eventually won 12 caps. He was delighted to represent his country.
"I was very proud. When you start out as a kid, you dream of becoming a professional footballer and then of playing for England. If there was ever a prouder man than me to pull on a white shirt, then I would like to meet him!
"I know the game has changed these days, but when I hear of international players pulling out of the squad and missing friendlies then it does annoy me a little bit. I gave everything on every single occasion I went to play for England. And I felt it was also a reflection on my Club and the supporters and so I felt proud for them too.
"Without me playing in a good QPR side, without the coaching network at the Club and without the R's fans egging me on, I wouldn't have got to the England side. Without that backing, the individual doesn't get there. That's why I was probably the proudest man ever as I felt I was representing everyone at Rangers."
In August 1993, Sinton moved from Loftus Road to Sheffield Wednesday in a £2.75 million transfer. He subsequently played for Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burton Albion before retiring.
Sinton is now 41 years-old and is still involved in football as Manager of Fleet Town FC. His team are currently doing well in the British Gas Business (Southern) League Division One South and West.
"I never wanted to be a Manager but a friend of mine - Graham Smith - is Chairman of Fleet Town and he asked me to get involved. It has whetted my appetite even though it is hard work being in charge of a side with a limited budget.
"We got to the promotion play-off's last season and it ended with heartbreak. We were 1-0 up going into injury-time at the end of the match but finished up losing.
"We've started well this year and who knows what the future will bring. If I can put Fleet Town on the map and help some youngsters get into professional football, it will be absolutely terrific. It takes up a lot of my time but I am really enjoying it."
When his football managerial role allows, Sinton often pops back to Loftus Road to see Rangers in action. And he has been known to wipe a tear from his eye as he looks out on to the pitch.
"QPR is a super Club and a fantastic place to play. It was probably my most enjoyable spell as a professional footballer. So I love the place and it is always great to return so that I can reminisce about old times.
"I was very sad when Rangers went through that big decline after relegation from the Premier League. But from what has been reported about the recent takeover plans, things could start moving again.
"I hope that the R's can get back to where I think they should be - in the Premiership. If that happens, I will be very pleased as the Club played a big part in my career." QPR
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
QPR Report Twitter Feed
Blog Archive
-
▼
2008
(1621)
-
▼
February
(128)
- Ex-QPR's Stefan Moore Joins Walsall
- QPR vs Stoke...Stoke Signing....No Curtis to Hull....
- Ireland Not Playing at Loftus Road...Sinclair Join...
- Ex-QPR's Liam O'Brien Explains Why He Joined Ports...
- Clarke Carlisle's on How Alcohol Rehab Clinic Chan...
- Walton, Curtis and Clement at Hull...Portishead Fo...
- Ex-QPR Danny Murphy Returns to Ireland...AFC Wimbl...
- De Canio's QPR Plans
- Perspectives of Ainsworth, Vine and Delaney
- Former QPR, Nick Ward Extends Australian Stay
- QPR's Point at Barnsley - Additional Match Reports
- Flavior Briatore Speaks About QPR (and Other Thin...
- QPR Draw at Barnsley - Reports and Comments
- Recent QPR Loanee, Bob Malcolm Joins Motherwell.
- De Canio Settling in...Ephraim Happy to Be Here
- Deaths Announced of Two Former QPR Players - RIP
- Nick Ward Set to Sign
- Buzsaky on Joining QPR, QPR Promotion Prospects an...
- Ex-QPRs - Steffan Moore Trial...Gallen Reaches Wem...
- Fanzine Awards Voting Ends Tomorrow
- Seven Year Flashback: Ian Holloway Appointed QPR M...
- Barnsley vs QPR Preview
- QPR's Liam O'Brien Signs for Portsmouth - Official...
- QPR Hire Goalkeeping Coach
- QPR Six Months Ago and a Year Ago
- Updated QPR Odds: Relegation, Promotion and Champions
- Ex-QPR Snippets: Steffan Moore...Frank Clarke....P...
- QPR's Home Draw Against Sheffield United - Reports...
- Briatore and Ecclestone on QPR
- Andrew Howell: Two Years Ago Made the Squad Play S...
- Sheffield United vs QPR - Previews
- Snippets: Chris Kamara on QPR's Promotion Chances....
- Three Ex-QPR Birthdays: Ian Dawes, Andy Gray and J...
- QPR vs Sheffield United: United's Last Visit to Lo...
- The Allen Family - Three Generations
- Marking A Decade Since the Death of Robbie James
- QPR Fanzine Awards Nominations
- Andy Sinton Profiled and Rembers His QPR Experience
- Snippets - Mittal's QPR Involvement
- QPR's De Canio on Additional Player Loans
- Steffan Moore Returns to England...Nick Ward Set t...
- Ainsworth Still Wanted as a QPR Player and on Bein...
- Agyemang on His Scoring Streak - Best Since Rodney...
- Ex-QPR Richard Pacquette Speaks About Liverpool an...
- Ex-QPR Danny Cullip On Gillingham ...Son of QPR to...
- Loftus Road Rumoured Site for Ireland Game...Peter...
- QPR Snippets and Flashback One Year "Kinnear for G...
- Italians who have Managed in Britain
- Meanwhile, Back in Portugal...
- Flashback: 35 Years Ago Today, Stan Bowles' First ...
- QPR Stats - Agtemang among Leading Scorers...Used ...
- "Flashback" - Seven Years Since Gerry Francis Resi...
- Photos of QPR in Portugal and Gareth Ainsworth is ...
- QPR's Pre-1967 Goal Machine, Brian Bedford Profile...
- Snippets: couple of Ex-QPR Birthdays..Yet Another ...
- Snippets: A Brace of Goals for Ex-QPR Steffan Moore
- QPR's Squad Off to Portugal
- QPR's Spending on Agents Fees - Latest Report
- Snippets: Team Off to Portugal...Changing Face of ...
- League's Football Agents Report Due?...QPR's Owner...
- Snippets: Ainsworth on Burnley and Bolder...Stand-...
- Chelsea's Ben Sahar Talks about His QPR Experience
- QPR's Crash at Home to Burnley - Reports and Comments
- Tonight's Teams - QPR vs Burnley
- Connolly and Vine Happy to Have Joined QPR
- QPR-Burnley Preview II: When Played Burnley Last, ...
- Flashback: One Year ago, Lee Camp Joined on Loan.....
- Previewing Burnley's Trip to QPR - No Clarke Carlisle
- QPR's Pat Agyemang Again Makes Championship Team o...
- Football League's "Goals Report" - QPR Supporters'...
- QPR's Odds of Winning Promotion
- QPR's Southampton Win: Further Match Reports
- Snippets: Nardiello on QPR...Ex-QPR John O'Rourke ...
- QPR's Financial Situation Under its New Owners: Be...
- QPR and Pakistan's Zesh Rehman Cited in Article "W...
- Fulham's David Healy to QPR?
- QPR's Victory Over Southampton - Match Reports
- QPR Win at Southampton...Now Six Points From Playo...
- Teams: Southampton vs QPR - QPR's American goalie,...
- " Pickens Heads to England to Live Out A Dream"......
- Four QPR Goalies in the News - O'Brien, Pickens, J...
- Ex-QPR and Arsenal Defender Dominic Shimmin Joins ...
- Perspective of a Football (QPR) Message Board Reader
- Portsmouth Win Chase...Sign QPR Goalie, Liam O'Brien
- Patrick Agyemang's QPR Experience
- "De Canio's Future Safe" - Although Had Been Club ...
- Ex-Blackpool's Tony Green Recalls QPR's 1967/1968 ...
- Yet Another QPR Exit: Adam Bolder Joins Sheffield ...
- Southampton vs QPR Preview
- A Tale of Two Goalies
- Chicago Fire's American Goalie, Matt Pickens Signs...
- Another QPR Departure: Sampsa Timoska
- Ex-QPR's Richard Pacquette Makes His Dominica Inte...
- Liam O'Brien Reportedly Joins Portsmouth
- Snippets: On Switching to QPR....QPR Fanzine's Cli...
- Nostalgia: On This Day, QPR Reach Wembley...Also M...
- Flashback: QPR's China "Encounter" One Year Ago
- Plymouth Chairman on Akos Buzsaky Sale to QPR and ...
- Timoska on His Way...Mancienne on Playing But Not ...
- QPR and "The World's Richest People - The Soccer B...
-
▼
February
(128)