Now i live i sweden get over a much as possible got a good crowd here even good a forum for Swedish hoops fans was about 80 swedes from the forum went over for the Leeds game live in linköping and we meet up as much as possble and watch the RRRRs ...heres the link for the forum (English Version)click on The Loft to see its nearly the same as here.... http://www.svenskafans.com/england/qpr/180262.aspx
This is a good thread, so many stories to tell.... Born Hamersmith Hosp (Du Cane Road) & lived about a drive & a nine iron away from HQ for 20 odd years before moving further west. First saw the R's in the spring of '66 against Brentford won 1-0, can't remember who scored, my late father sat me on a crash barrier on the old SAR terrace, i think in those days kids were allowed in for free by the guys at the turnstiles simply lifted over them. Hooked from that day onwards. Was at Wembley for our greatest triumph my father cried his eyes out at full time because his beloved little old QPR had won something at last. Followed the R's home and away through to the 80's until other matters took over Saturdays. Don't get over often these days last visit was season before last for the 5-2 demolition of Barnsley. BTW the picture that "Dave Thomas" has posted brings a warm glow - now that was a great team, what is quite remarkable is that the majority of that side were in the team that got us promoted in 73 and we only had 3 or 4 additions between then and 76, compare that to now when this Mondays side will have 7 or 8 who were not at the club last season, how times change.
This is a great thread...good to see we definately arent a bunch of plastic glory hunters Wonder if the same thread comes up in 10 years time if it might be the same....
It's great to see so many R's fans from other countries. I worked in Ireland for 6 months in 1977 when we were playing in Europe and there were a few other R's supporters there in Waterford, and we've all seen the Irish thread on here. Amazingly, on holiday in Cyprus earlier this year there were two separate R's fans at our hotel, a Cypriot barman who never stopped going on about Stan Bowles and even an R's fan in the pub up the road when we went to watch the Cardiff v QPR match! I'm sure there'll be a whole new generation if we stay up this season...
Born in Belfast and had no connection to W12 but loved watching The Big Match as a nipper and Stanley Bowles et al were an immediate wow factor for me, even at that age. Two son's now, both Rrrrs including my youngest, 3, who got into trouble at his first day at Nursery School yesterday for suddenly shouting " Urrrrs" in class. The teacher thought he was shouting "you arse". That took a bit of explaining when I picked him up !
Grandad hoop dad hoop all my uncles hoops to and my older brothers the same didn't have a choice but once I had been to my first game I fell in love with qpr the rest is history.
I have place near Beziers ... They like Rugby here mainly. Love it down in France and will live full time shortly when the village gets electricity Be down on the 17th. This year been approached or have spoken to people wearing QPR shirts in: Gozo, Corsica, Granada. It seems we have all been suffering together in recent times ... Hoops
Adoped fan. Mansfield born but lived in Ipswich since 1. Best mate was a Man U fan when I was really young but I (madly) lost interest in the winning all the time thing (!?!). Ipswich fans had been so obnoxious about the Man U thing that I couldn't opt for them. Being a hogging dribbler in the school yard, I liked the nippy Wegerle at the time so chose the Rs. No real connection (Mum was a student nurse at Hammersmith Hospital but that's as near as it gets). Anti glory hunter for 20 years and don't regret a second (even the heart breaking relegations).
Born and bread in St Helens, Lancashire (none of this Merseyside crap). Primarily a rugby league fan, St Helens Rugby League ground is 15 mins walk from my front door. When I was growing up most people were Liverpool, Everton or Man Utd fans with the odd Man City fan. I used to follow football but no particular team. My dad used to get HTV and they showed “The Big Match” whereas Granada had “Kick Off”. Then when I was 11 I decided to pick a team. I wanted to be different and not pick a team anybody else supported and wanted a team that played with style and class so opted for QPR and have never looked back that was 1973. I remember standing in the middle of the Kop when the fog was so thick you couldn’t see the halfway line. We scored first, think it was Stan Bowles, but typically because of the fog I never saw it. Started going to a few away games after that, when Rangers played local and it didn’t clash with rugby. I sat on the old semi circular wall at Goodison watching us win 3-1 and then again the following year for the 3-3 draw. Not been to a game since Wigan got promoted and been unlucky with the timing of the games at Goodison and the DW this year. Hoping for Anfield in December as my sons are Liverpool fans, but my wife is waiting for a hip replacement operation and knowing my luck it will be then. Always had nothing but respect from northwest people when they find out I support QPR. They always come out with something like “I’ve always likes QPR” or “I love going to Loftus Rd” my brother doesn’t get the same reaction being a Leeds United fan. lol
I was adopted or adopted the Hoops, whichever way you want to look at it. I grew up just north of London, in a Liverpool supporting household and an area dominated by Spurs and Arsenal fans. At age 13 our English teacher got a load of complimentary tickets from the R's and me and few friends went along. If memory holds, it was against Charlton, we won 1-0 and Andy Sinton got the goal just after he'd signed from Brentford. Never looked back.
My grandad was born and lived around Kensal Green most of his life one of 13 kids all were apparently R's ! As a youngster they would park their bikes at his aunts house round the corner and watch the R's from the Scool end for a penny in old money, and remembered them playing at White City dog track Despite moving out to Hertfordshire after the war, he brought my dad and aunts up as R's, took my dad back to LR as a kid (my dad used to get passed down to the front over the blokes heads) - and both went to the '67 Final together My old dad did the same with me (I dont remember getting a choice), and I've endured the ridicule of plastic Man U/Chelsea/Liverpool schoolmates and workmates over the years knowing deep down I was doing the right thing. We used to stand at the front of the Ellerslie road if we could, and have many fond memories of LR in the 80's Now my son is big enough to enjoy going to footy, and it's my turn to take him 'down the bush' and become the next generation of R's - happy days
Born in central middlesex hospital, lived in Neasden until the age of 5 and am 3rd generation of hoops, no brainer really.
Born in Ladbroke Grove, parents had no interest in football and at school we all liked the best team at the time (Liverpool Man Utd etc). I spent a week liking Fulham until they got beaten by West Ham in the FA Cup, then Liverpool because of Toshack/Keegan/Highway etc and even Man Utd after they won the FA Cup (beating Liverpool I think). About the same time I went with a friend and his Dad & sat in South Africa Road stand. Beat Preston North End and was Rangers from then on. Regular behind the goal in the old Loft from the late 70's onwards. Most of the other kids at school that bothered going to games instead of just watching The Big Match were Chelsea so I had to endure the Quarter Pound of Rubbish songs from our knuckle dragging neighbours. I didn't choose QPR, they chose me.
born in willesden & lived at college park & scrubs lane before moving to wembley, went to christopher wren school by hq, its now over 50years been going there & have never supported anyone else, in sixties/seventies used to go everywhere but as you get older & married you tend to do all the home ones just a few away, seen the good bad & the ugly at hq but now these are promising times & long my it continue.
Born and brought up in Wales. First match I was taken to was Cardiff Hull as a 9 year old, didn't like the kit! Local team was Newport County, but everyone at school followed Leeds, Chelsea or Arse. Saw QPR on The Big Match - Venables, Mancini etc, love at first sight. Only 2 others at school followed Rs, didn't realise how special we were til 75/76 season. Was only a tv/radio supporter til I moved to London in 83. Went to most home games and derbies whilst at Uni including uefa games at Arse and milk cup run of 86. Got to a few matches per season when I moved to Bristol, but more than when I moved to Aus. Had a year living in Dubai and was able to get across for 5 matches in 2008/2009 season - didn't see too many goals though! Not born a Hoop, but been one since 73/74 Was at Bolton game and Everton, now back in Aus looking forward to 5am on Tuesday morning. URssssss
well for me its sort of 'adopted' though its hard to say. "supported" liverpool untill i was 5, which obviously i cant remeber, seen a picture me as a child with a liverpool shirt and a liverpool cap. but really took an interest in football when i was 8 or 9 and my dad bought me the 2000/2001 shirt.. so as far as memory serves me ive always been qpr and i wouldnt have it any other way!
Born in hammersmith hospital back in the fiftys lived in Vespan rd shepherds bush 2or3 miles away from the ground none of my family liked football so went on my own or a couple of friends now live in dorset.
Great thread! Born and bred in the Bush. Went to primary school at St Stephens which you pass if coming to LR from the Shepherds Bush tube stations and secondary school at Christopher Wren (now Pheonix I believe) which you pass if on the way from the Smuts. I don't know about the 'adopted' part of the question. There are often conversations about what constitutes a true football fan but one thing for sure is that loyalty to your club through thick and thin is top of my list. 'Converts' need not apply!
