This has been a great day, the pinnacle of my QPR life. I woke up feeling good, my family were all in good spirits and even my 5 and 6 year old girls seemed to appreciate that this was a big day. I met my old man outside the club shop, filming him and his great big smile as I approached. He has seen all the great moments our great club has experienced since pretty much forever, but he was taken by it all today. Several times before, during and after the game, I saw him wide eyed and emotional, as if in disbelief as to how we had come this far. QPR is the thing that has always been ours, and whilst we've shared some great times, the returns have generally been modest. So the glory we basked in today was, for me, largely about celebrating being the best alongside my dad. So we celebrated the day away, walked on the pitch together etc and had a great time, then went our seperate ways. However, after he'd walked off towards White city tube, I decided to linger around south Africa road fo a while. I ended up at the VIP doors where a small crowd had gathered, waiting for their heroes to arrive. I hung about, and out came the Leeds players, who disappeared quicker than you can say 'we'll never play you again' to the dismay of the one Leeds fan present, wanting a few autographs. Then came a few of R heroes, connolly, gorkes, cerny, ****tu, hill, Orr and they chatted and signed autographs. Then, some guy comes out, walks straight up to me and puts his VIP pass round my neck and tells me I can go anywhere with that. A couple of young lads were saying 'go on, you've got nothing to lose,' so I did, I walked straight in! Walked around the exec boxes, got free programme, then chatted to a girl who told me where the rest of the team and warnock were, and that my pass would get me in!! What the ****!! I'd nearly just slid off home an hour before. So I took the lift to the 2nd floor and came out between the directors match seats and a bar. Walked out and looked at the now empty stadium, thinking there were 18500 people here just moments ago and here's me having my own private moment with loftus road. I then went back inside and into the bar. It was full of all sorts of people, most smartly dressed. I was in jeans and QPR shirt, but hey, I was a VIP and allowed to be there. I met adel, shook his hand, told him I loved him and that he had to stay. I then saw our trophy and finally found the man I hoped I'd find, our leader, NW. I shook his hand, thanked and congratulated him. I also regained the presence of mind to get a photo of he and I. I will post it and others of my day tomorrow. That was enough for me, I headed back down in the lift and gave my VIP pass to a youngster so he might also have an unreal moment. Incidently, I also was focused on during the match, standing and singing 'one niel warnock, there's only one neil warnock' just before the half hour mark. My kids spotted me on tv and text me to say so. It was always going to be a special day, it was the finale of an incredible season, and then for me it took this amazing, surreal, chance turn. I'll never forget today, today was about making memories, and boy, they were good. We did it guys and girls, congratulations to you all.
Woody, I'm so happy for you, you must have had the best time ever, especially sharing the celebrations with your Dad. These moments don't come along too often, we should all try to remember the feeling.
Cheers mate, it was special. I'm sure it was special and emotional for everyone. Still can't really believe it!
That's a great story Woody. Mine was less glamorous but quite eventful. My old mini broke down just before Shepherds bush green. A good place to break down i thought. Managed to park it safely and walked to the green for a pint to hear the news we all hoped for.... Met up with Northolt (thanks again mate) and watched the match in the x block. Was Very frustrating to lose, especially being so close to the Leeds fans but it did not matter in the end. On the pitch was fun then back off to sort my car out. Had a 3 hour wait for Relay back to Brighton but the Richmond pub was close by and was full of rangers fans singing and drinking. Eventually got home around 11.. Game set and match Rangers are back.... Rangers are back....
Nice one seahoop. Glad you got there. Lucky to break down where you did. Imagine, after all that drama about tickets, if you'd broken down on the A23!!
What a day indeed!! We got outside the ground about 1hr before ko and there was a real buzz in South Africa Rd. My nephew got on the internet and told us that there were no points deductions. The sight of me, my 2 sons, my brother and his son all doing a weird jig in front of the crowd, who obviously already knew, must have been quite something!! Fantastic feeling! The relief was incredible. Don't care about the result. The players must have been completely drained (apparantly there were tears in the dressing room when they got the news). I'm so proud to have been there to see the lads lift the trophy. We are Premier League!!! URrrrsssss!!!!!!!!!!
No problem seahoop, good luck with the new arrival. -------------------------------------------------------------- I was involved in that S.A Rd sing song Col!
Went by train to the game, got caught in a massive queue, and got in just in time to see the first goal, although my kids missed it coz they were in the toilet. Watched the game, bit disappointed with the result, and stayed until all the interviews. got back, and played with the kids in the garden, and that is it.
I love the story Woody and I’m very jealous!! Superb luck My day was pretty good I have to say too. I hopped on the train at Reading with my Dad at around 10ish and travelled to the ground after meeting my mate at Paddington. We decided to go straight to the club shop as I am a saddo who loves any memorabilia and I was sure there would be tat for sale in the club shop I wasn’t disappointed and had 3 "We r premier league" t-shirts (2 for the kids) and a promotion mug in hand and made for the back of the queue. I did wonder if I was tempting fate with the court case still hanging over us but I thought what the heck Warnock said celebrate and I will! The queue was huge and snaked around the shop and as I was just queuing past the tills some guy in the shop shouts out! NO POINTS DEDUCTION"!! I think everyone in there thought it was a wind up (me included) and there was a frantic rush for mobile phones as the shop staff were fumbling for the TV remote to turn the channel. Twitter was on in seconds on my phone and the sky sports tweet confirmed it. As everyone started to find out the news the shop was buzzing, it was superb. Ive never been in a shop when even the staff are joining in the songs, everybody forgot what they were doing and just celebrated, I don’t think I could have been in a better place to learn the news. The rest of the day was equally good (bar the result) and I bumped into some Leeds fans who were great guys who we shared a beer with on our way home, what a day!! My kids loved the t-shirts and flags and I got some great photos running around the garden with them shouting QPR are champions. This promotion has made brainwashing my 4 & 5 year old boys a whole lot easier my youngest girl just clapped with delight at the flags lol
I live in the west of Ireland and I couldn't be there,but on Reading this material I feel as though I have been there. Thanks for sharing that with us!