Anniversary of Jim Smith Taking Over at QPR: League Cup Finalist...Table Toppers...and 6-0 Chelsea Winners!

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Twenty-Three years ago today, Jim Smith was appointed QPR's manager.
Jim Smith managed QPR from June 11, 1985 till December 4, 1988. Smith's managerial Record at QPR: In charge for 167 games. 67 wins, 62 defeats, 38 draws
Jim Smith's Clubs Managed. See also: Jim Smith Profiled. Smith's three highlights at QPR: The brilliant League Cup run to Wembley; the table topping QPR-team of Paul Parker et al...and opposing the merger with Fulham. (And throw in a 6-0 win over Chelsea - March 31, 1986! - Remembering QPR 6 Chelsea 0)

Appointed by Jim Gregory to replace Alan Mullery/Frank Sibley. Smith joined QPR after taking Oxford from Division 3 to Division 1 in successive seasons. In his 3 1/2years at QPR, one highlight would have to be QPR's 1985/1986 brilliant League Cup Run to Wembley, beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and their two semi-final games against Liverpool. But the whole thing was ruined by giving up at Wembley to Oxford in a 0-3 defeat. The other highlight would be in his final full season - the first (and only) season of new Chairman, David Bulstrode, in which QPR for a while topped the table. - Remembering the 1986 League Cup Final
Smith was also in charge, and spoke out against - the proposed QPR-Fulham merger.
Among the players signed by Smith: David Seaman and Paul Parker. And also his successor, Trevor Francis!
Seasons Final League Tables Under Jim Smith - 1985-86 - 1986-87 -- 1987-88 -- 1988-1989 (left in December of that year)

Remembering His Third Season at QPR
"Nostalgia: Twenty Years Ago, the 1986/87 Season: The Fulham "Merger"
QPR were set to begin their second season under Jim Smith. After a traumatic end of the 1985/1986 season with saw the team's shock 0-3 defeat to Oxford United in the League Cup Final at Wembley...
In the summer, Steve Wicks had been sold to Chelsea and QPR signed David Seaman from Peterborough, Alan Brazil from Coventry, and Sammy Lee from Liverpool. And the announcement with big fanfair that Bradley Allen has signed a QPR contract. And virtually unnoticed, Les Ferdinand joined QPR from Hayes.
The season beagn with a 1-5 loss at Southampton with a hattrick from later QPR forward, Colin Clarke.
By the end of the season (February 1987) Chairman Jim Gregory (finally) selling the club...to Fulham Chairman/Marler Estates, David Bulstrode....and the merger of QPR and Fulham was announced...protested and finally abandoned. The season ended with a series of terrible results include a 1-7 loss at Sheffield Wednesday. QPR finished 16th with 50 points (from 42 games) with Everton Champions and Aston Villa, Manchester City and Leicester relegated) - Memories

Smith almost returned to QPR to "assist" Garry Waddock after Ian Holloway departed QPR (and reportedly, even before Holloway departed! See "Jim Smith Returning to QPR" January 2006 " QPR's Board of Directors Issues Statement Rejecting Transfer Speculation and stories re Jim Smith to QPR"
February 2006: "Jim Smith Returning to QPR"-- ----Correction! Jim Smith NOT Returning to QPR! (At least for now)"

From QPR's Official Site - "A Potted History of QPR"
"...In July 1985 Jim Smith became QPR's new manager and the following season QPR were defeated finalists in the Milk Cup competition at Wembley, losing 3-0 to Oxford United.
In May 1987, Jim Gregory ended his record 22-year Chairmanship of QPR and became Life President. David Bulstrode became Chairman of the club. In 1987/88 QPR finished fifth in the First Division, having for some months been top of the table. In April the artificial playing surface was removed after seven seasons, and was replaced by natural grass.
In September 1988 David Bulstrode tragically died and later that month Richard Thompson was appointed Chairman of QPR, becoming the youngest in the Football League. Following in his predecessor's footsteps, over £2.5 million was spent on new players. In December 1988 Jim Smith left to join Newcastle United and Peter Shreeve was appointed caretaker manager with Trevor Francis subsequently being appointed player/manager on 14th December...."
QPR


Other QPR managers appointed in June:

Gerry Francis (First time) 01-06-1991 11-11-1994

Alan Mullery 20-06-1984 05-12-1984

Jack Taylor 01-06-1952 01-05-1959

QPR Managers