Forever R’s: Eleven men who sum up the spirit of QPR

To mark Saturday’s official launch of The Forever R’s Club – QPR’s newly-formed ex-players association – West London Sport asked Andy Sinton to nominate 10 former Rangers players he believes served the club with particular distinction.

In the end, after much deliberation, ex-Rangers and England winger Sinton, now back at Loftus Road as club ambassador, decided to nominate 11.

It’s a real honour to be involved in helping to establish The Forever R’s Club.

QPR have had some iconic players over the years who have served the club magnificently. It’s worth bearing in mind though that it’s not just about the very best players. It’s about everyone who has given their best for the club and remembering their contribution.

That’s reflected in this list. Really, I could easily have come up with 50 or more names. But, based on my own experience at the club and what I’ve heard from others, in no particular order here are 11 of the many people I think have summed up the spirit of QPR over the years.

Stan Bowles

Of course, Stan. He’s probably the most iconic QPR player ever and is regarded as the best player by fans. What can you say about Stan? Maverick. Genius. A real legend.

Gerry Francis

Captain of both his country and the great QPR team of 1975/76. I, of course, remember him as manager when the team I played in finished fifth and was the top London club. I can say he was instrumental not just in my career but the careers of several other players too. A real QPR man.

Ian Gillard

I’m so glad that Gilly is going to be involved with the club again as the life president of The Forever R’s Club. Twelve years at the club, making 479 appearances, a great full-back who played for England and was part of that QPR side of 75/76 – I’m delighted he’s back where he belongs.

Alan McDonald

This one’s a no-brainer of course. Obviously the late, great – and he was truly great – Macca was one of the very best. There are so many reasons to include him in this list. Not only was he a great player, he was a fantastic person and a real character who was absolutely QPR through and through. Much loved and much missed.

Ian Holloway

I played alongside Ollie and the passion and commitment he always showed then shone through when he came back as manager at a time when the club really was at a low ebb. He pulled the club back together and that’s why he’s so fondly thought of at QPR.

Ray Wilkins

I cannot speak highly enough of Ray. When he joined QPR he had 80-odd caps for his country and had played for the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan, and you could be forgiven for wondering what he had left at that stage of his career. His attitude was second to none though and so was the way he conducted himself and the way he treated people.

He was absolutely brilliant for us as a player. It didn’t work out for him as manager at QPR but in the team I played in he was the manager on the pitch. I learned so much from Ray and so did the other players. We all looked up to him and respected him so much.

Les Ferdinand

Les came up the hard way; played non-League, spent time playing in Turkey – he didn’t have it easy. In our team he made the real difference. On his day he was unplayable and he showed that when he went to Newcastle and for a couple of years he was unstoppable.

Now he’s back and works his socks off trying to restore QPR to being the kind of club he knew it as and wants it to be again.

Zesh Rehman

Since I’ve been back at QPR, people at the club have told me so many good things about Zesh and the work he did for the community trust during his time here. Coming from an Asian background he was able to take the community scheme in different directions and he really threw himself into it.

Peter Ramage

Again, from what I’ve heard Peter got involved in every aspect of the club. I’m told he continually went out of his way, beyond the call of duty, to help with the community scheme and really cared about it. We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of things like that or forget it.

Bradley Orr

Bradley was here for a couple of years and is another person I’ve heard fantastic things about in terms of what he wanted to do, and did do, for QPR and their work in their community. He was patron of the QPR Tiger Cubs – our team for kids with Down’s Syndrome – and cared a great deal about that aspect of the club.

Clint Hill

Finally, I’ve got to mention Clint. In his six years at the club he wore his heart on his sleeve and was the ultimate professional. He’s still playing of course, but he’s the perfect example of a player we should always welcome back – which is what The Forever R’s Club is all about.

Gallery: Five wonderful QPR images