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Today is Chris Day's 32 birthday. And just passed: Arguably QPR's ever-greatest goalie (competing with Reg Allen, Phil Parkes and David Seaman for that honour)...Ron Springett turned 72.
Ex-QPR Goalie, Chris Day, Turns 32
Born July 28, 1975.
Joined QPR six years ago on a free Transfer from Watford as Ian Holloway started rebuilding the team after their relegation to the (old) Division Three. Played 87 games for QPR including the Playoff Final defeat in Cardiff. A year after our return to the First Division, Day joined Oldham on a free. Now with Millwall.
Ray Wilkins originally tried to sign Day when he was an England-U-21 goalie at Spurs (at the same time that Wilkins signed Steve Slade) Soccerbase
Ron Springett
Born July 22, 1935
Started with QPR. Was transferred to Sheffield Wednesday in 1958 (while continuing to train with QPR). Rejoined QPR in 1967, while his goalkeeping brother, Peter Springett (RIP) joined Sheffield Wednesday. Retired in 1969. While with Sheffield Wednesday, capped 33 times for England.
Photos of Ron Springett
Sheffield Wednesday Profile
me: Ron Springett
DOB: 22/07/1935
Position: Goalkeeper
Clubs: QPR, Wednesday
International Honours: England 33
Ron Springett's achievements during his nine years at Hillsborough earned him the tag of the greatest goalkeeper in SWFC history.
His 33 England caps between 1959 and 1966 made him the most-capped player in the Clubs' history - a record which he held for 26 years. He also represented the Football League on nine occasions.
Springett joined Wednesday from Queens Park Rangers in March 1958, and it could be argued that had he been recruited a little earlier in the campaign, the Club could have avoided relegation. However, he was influential as the Owls bounced straight back up the following year.
His form was a stabilising influence as the team performed impressively on their return to the top flight, finishing fifth in 1959/60 and runners-up the following season.
Ron continued to impress as both Wednesday and England number one as the Club consistently finished in the top half of Division One. In 1966, Springett was a senior member of the side which reached the FA Cup Final. Although he remained first choice goalkeeper throughout his stint at the club, it is of interest to note that he was never actually an ever-present during that time. Springett is famed for the fact that he continued to live in London after his transfer to Wednesday, training with QPR during the week and travelling to games at the weekend. Ever the model professional, Ron's performances were always immaculate despite the extra travelling.
Springett returned to Loftus Road in June 1967 as part of a unique deal which saw his younger brother Peter, also a goalkeeper, move in the other direction.
Season Appearances
1957-58 9
1958-59 33
1959-60 45
1960-61 44
1961-62 49
1962-63 43
1963-64 33
1964-65 42
1965-66 42
1966-67 44
TOTAL 384 Sheffield Wednesday profile
Sprigett Wikipedia ProfileWikipedia
England Profile of Springett - Springett
LSA Interview with Springett - Part II
Springett England Stats - Stats