FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East) Team: Francis-Pownall, Hennessy, McCrea, Carolan, Blodgett, Lewin, Cohen, Harris, Webster, Ward-Chambers, Nygaard-Parsons On a Tuesday evening in monsoon conditions at the Bedfont Sports Club, it was the home side who went close to taking the lead when the Actonians No.9 shot into the side-netting. They then fashioned another goalscoring opportunity, when the ball was headed over the crossbar following a deep free kick. Laura Hennessy just evaded the target for the R’s on 15 minutes, but it was Actonians who went in front three minutes later ..read more

Team: Hucker, Chivers, Dawes, Waddock, James, Fenwick, McDonald, Fillery, Bannister, Byrne, Allen Sub: Gregory Attendance: 20,189 On 20th April 1985, Arsenal were the visitors to Loftus Road. Nick Pitt later filed the following match report: ‘A generally miserable match on a miserable afternoon was saved by those Rangers players who at least tried to string a few passes together, and by a splendid goal. Rangers really deserved more, and if Arsenal’s late and frantic efforts had been successful, a substantial injustice would have been done. The goal was very much the highlight of the match, Chi ..read more

U18 Professional Development League 2 Team: Houston, Lee, Ward, Street, Park, Sutton, Coomes, Neill, Fuller, Tarbotton, West Subs: Hammond-Ayres, Hassan, Sanyaolu, Strachan, Kennedy When the team sheets arrived there were seven names that I didn’t recognise. It turned out that they were in fact all trialists. On a warm afternoon (around 20-degrees Fahrenheit) at the TSG Training Centre, it was the visitors who took the lead after 90 seconds. Briar Batemen’s strike from 25 yards flew into the top-left corner. Seven minutes in and Fraser Neill was fouled in the box. The R’s No.9 then stepped up ..read more

FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East) Team: Melling, Curr, Searle, Owen, Blodgett, Lewin, Cohen, Hill, Stanley, Ward-Chambers, Petit Subs: McCrea, Carolan, Hennessy, Nygaard-Parsons, Webster Attendance: 5,941 On an overcast afternoon at Carrow Road, the sun eventually broke through. Emily Hill provided the first attempt at goal, but the Rangers No.8’s shot from 20 yards evaded the target. A minute or so later, Rachel Lawrence was set up by Ellie Smith, but the Canaries No.24’s strike was comfortably held by Nicole Melling. At the other end, Courtnay Ward-Chambers fired just wide ..read more

U18 Professional Development League 2  Team: Conway (t), Putman, Moutawafiq (t), Keita-Turay, Fletcher (t), Morgan (t), Hassan, Hamid, Strachan, Neziri, Coomes  Subs: Fittall, Radojevic, Sanyaolu, Kennedy, Neill  At a very blustery TSG Training Centre, the team sheet revealed the welcome return of Lorenzo Strachan after a long lay-off, plus the inclusion of four trialists.  The first real goalscoring attempt fell to the home side. Good work by Ridwan Hassan took him upfield, where he laid off a superb pass to Jake Coomes and after knocking the ball in, the R’s No.7’s attemp ..read more

The funeral of Stan Bowles was held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Collyhurst, Manchester on Friday 22nd March, There were a number of ex-players there including; Gerry Francis, Phil Parkes, Don Shanks, Tony Currie, Dave Webb, Andy Sinton and Chris Kamara. A large gathering of QPR supporters were also amongst the congregation and there was a very conspicuous display of the R’s club colours. I went along to attend the event to pay my respects, but I did not expect to get inside for the Service because of the great multitude present. I reckon there must have been around 300 in number. T ..read more

FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East) Team: Melling, Curr, Searle, Owen, Blodgett, Lewin, Ward-Chambers, Hill, Stanley, Akerman, Petit The pre-match rain had turned to drizzle before brightening up. After a fairly-even opening 15 minutes, there was nothing of note to trouble either keeper. The U’s No.5 went down for some time requiring some treatment. The first attempt at goal came when Kasha Petit’s lob from around 25 yards ended up just wide of the target. Rangers took the lead after 23 minutes when Emily Hill’s low drive from the edge of the box, took a slight deflection befo ..read more

U21 Professional Development League 2 Team: Salamon, Kakay, Leahy, Hawkins, Rendall, Tuck, Ajose, Murphy, Vaughan (t), Pedder, Anthony Subs: Cant, Putman, Sackey, Young, Jeche A couple of minutes into the game, Rafferty Pedder broke-away down the left-flank before firing his shot into the side-netting. The home side continued to have best of it for the next 20 minutes or so. Matteo Salamon had to quickly come off his line to clear the ball following a swift Millwall counter-attack. After Trent Rendall clearly fouled Henry Hearn, Mr Blair decided to book the Millwall player! Rangers took the le ..read more

Reserve South-East Central Division Team: Francis-Pownall, Petrie, Salim, Lewin, McElroy, Hennessy, Louvrier, Medeiros, Salah, Ekere-Ekun, Fatri Subs: Mammeri, Agyeman, Rogers, Reed Attendance: 51 I was given three different prices at Euston Station ticket office, two of which depended as to whether I got the fast or the slower train! Upon arrival at Rugby Station, I had hoped to get a bus to the ground, but after a long, unsuccessful walk into town, I eventually had to get a taxi. The first person I spoke to was one of the parents and later I managed to obtain the starting line-up. The home s ..read more

Following the sad news that Derrick had passed away, Julie Bennett’s moving tribute later appeared in the Huddersfield match programme: ‘Derrick was king of the one-liners, including: “This is my last season”, announced for the last umpteen years when arriving for a trip at some unearthly hour, saying thank you for a saved seat, returning at silly o’clock midweek. But come August, he would appear with a twinkle in his eye, bag in hand with a Wenzel’s treat inside, ready to do it all again! He loved the laughs, sing-songs and banter on the coach, pointing out Eddie Stobart lorries for no appare ..read more