"On This Day" Flashbacks - Stan Bowles QPR Debut...Stuart Houston Took Over at QPR...Gary Waddock's Last League Game in Charge...Ex-QPR Birthdays

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On this day, Thirty-Six ears ago...Stan Bowles became an instant QPR Hero...

Stan Bowles made his debut at home to (pre-Brian Clough's) Nottingham Forest, September 16, 1972, two or three days after signing from Carlisle for a club-record 110,000 pounds. Bowles, wearing from that very first game, HIS #10 shirt. Within an hour, he had made the first goal for Don Givens...and scored the second...as Gordon Jago's QPR won 3-0 (Andy McCulloch getting the third). And QPR, of course, went on to promotion.
QPR's team that day. Parkes - Clement Evans Hazell Watson - Venables Francis Busby - Givens Bowles Mcculloch - Sub: Salvage

From Bowles' autobiography "Stan The Man"
"I was 23 years old when I joined Queens Park Rangers in September 1972, for a then club record fee of 112,000 pounds...
"Rodney had made the No. 10 shirt his own, and, since he moved, no one wanted to tough the thing....The shirt thing didn't seem a big deal to me. I hadn't really heard of Rodney Marsh. So I just shrugged and said: "If no one wants it, I'll wear it."...
"...[A]s luck would have it, I scored one and made another for Don Givens in my first game - against Nottingham Forest on September 16th, 1972. We won 3-0, and the fans seemed to take to my style of play; which, to them, was a bit like Rodney's"(Stan The Man, page 33)
Seven Years later, Bowles finally left QPR - ironically for Nottingham Forest (by then managed by Brian Clough).
See Also: QPR Report: Bowles Joins QPR


SEPTEMBER 16, 1996: STUART HOUSTON Takes Over at QPR

According to QPRNet's dates, Houston lasted at QPR from September 16th 1996 till November 10, 1997. QPRnet. Not the greatest of successes at QPR. Signed Hohn Spencer, Steve Morrow, Lee Harper, Matt Rose, Gavin Peacock and Mike Sheron. In his first season, almost made the playoffs...Among the momentous games, the 0-4 comeback at Port Vale.

See Also: - League Managers Profile - Stuart Houston

Wikipedia Profile of Houston - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Houston


Two Year Ago: Gary Waddock's last League Game in Charge.
September 16 2006: The 1-2 loss at Colchester.
Waddock was actually axed after the Cup loss at Port Vale, but reportedly the decision to axe/appoint John Gregory was made after this game. Initially it was announced that Waddock was dropping down to Assistant Manager, but within weeks, Waddock had left QPR. (Assistant Coach and ex-QPR captain, Alan McDonald was also out after the Colchester game).
The team for Waddock's last league game: Cole, Rose, Stewart, Rehman, Milanese, Baidoo (Donnelly 79), Ward, Bircham, Cook, Nygaard, Ray Jones (Czerkas 45).
Subs Not Used: Bignot, Bailey, Kanyuka.

Waddock's managerial record at QPR: 3 wins in 22 league games. One win in his final 19 games.
2005/2006: Played 14 - 2 Wins, 5 Draws 7 Losses
2006/2007: Played 8 - 1 Win, 3 Draws, 3 Losses

Waddock's post-match comments, QPR Official Site
Gary Waddock didn't mince his words and called on his men to show pride and passion.
Rangers found themselves 2-0 down at half time and pulled a goal back thanks to a Colchester own goal, and Waddock was not a happy man.
Harking back to his days as a player, the Rangers manager asked his men to take a good look at themselves in the mirror tonight.
"I don't know where to start, where was the pride? Where was the passion?
"I wasn't the best player, but in mine and Alan McDonald's day we knew what it meant to wear the shirt.
"I'm getting sick of coming out here and talking about good football, and I'm sure the fans are as well. I'd rather play the sort of football that wins games.
"All I know is, we're bottom of the table and I don't like it one bit.
"We didn't improve in the second half in my opinion; we were bad from start to finish.
"We had injuries and that's not what this performance was down to. All that proves to me is that those who filled in didn't do enough to nail down a spot.
"Myself and Alan McDonald both said the same thing to the players after the game, they need to take a long, hard look at themselves." QPR



Three Ex-QPR birthdays: Dave McCreery, Paul Barron and Leon Knight.
Midfielder, Dave Mcreery turns 51 (born September 16, 1957). McCreery was one of the first signings made by Tommy Docherty back in 1979. Signed from Manchester United, basically as a replacement for Gerry Francis as QPR tried for promotion. At the time, it looked like a great signing. Mcreery starred for Docherty but Terry Venables, after replacing Docherty sold him. See Also McCreery/Wikipedia

- Paul Barron turns 55 (born September 16, 1953) was signed as a backup goalie in 1985/86. See Barron/Wikpedia

- Brief Loan Leon Knight turns 26. Knight had a brief loan spell at QPR...A couple of seasons later, Ian Holloway tried to sign him, but he preferred to stay with Brighton. He's now been with a number of clubs See Knight/Wikipedia