Very sad news. I use the Report message board and he often posted. He had mentioned he was ill before Christmas. RIP
For anyone that didn't know of Gramps, a couple of season's ago he wrote a book entitled "QPR, The Old Days". All the proceeds were handed over to the Community trust, thus the photo above. RIP John. A sad day for all supporters of Queens Park Rangers
Nice one Terry, I bought Gramps's book and it's excellent. He also used to help Roller out with information to assist him with his brilliant posts on QPR legends.
Yes I have the book too, excellent font of knowledge...sad loss. RIP and condolences to all his family. The R's have lost a good'un.
I bought the book he wrote for my dad a few years ago, so had a few e-mail conversations with him - he couldn't have been more helpful, and came across as a very down to earth and passionate fan. RIP Gramps.
RIP John. Does anyone know where I can obtain a physical copy of his book? Can only find a kindle/online edition
I'm not certain that copies are still available London. I know that Canadaranger, who posts on Report & LFW, was involved in setting up the website etc. So if you can, it might be worth sending him a PM>
RIP John please log in to view this image I ordered a copy of "QPR The Old Days" from John back in November 2011 and we struck up a very nice conversation reminiscing about the R's. John also was able to provide me with some perspective & insight regarding the West Kilburn neighbourhood where my Grandfather lived and my Dad grew up:-. "Bradiston Road is a smallish turning off Fernhead Road in West Kilburn so your parents would have moved literally just round the corner. Fernhead is a turning off the Harrow Road which is the main thoroughfare. These roads are only four miles from Rangers' ground so that may explain why your grandfather supported the club. Evelyn Avenue is in Colindale which is a bit further away but still less than ten miles from the stadium. This is all prime QPR supporters area. I have had more requests for my book from that part of the world than just about anywhere else. Question answered?" In view of our upcoming away fixture, it is fitting that John provided the following thoughts back then on our 3-2 away win at Stoke under Neil Warnock:- "Yes, Stoke was a real turn up. Didn't think we would come away with anything and then when they bossed the game a bit at the beginning I thought "Here we go". What a turnaround though, although we were lucky Joey didn't get caught with his 'naughty' in the penalty area. Still, three points is three points at the end of the day. Heidar - yes, very pleased that he is now doing the business. Trouble is that he has a few off days but hope that won't happen. I was delighted that Rangers wore the hoops. I hate the orange strip - seems to carry an element of bad luck with it. I still think that all strips should be hoops, blue and white, green and white and red and black. Still, it's all about making money I guess." Comparing the R's of 2011 to yesteryear:- "I always respected Mick Leach and you are quite right in what you say but for me he was always an honest player who tried his best and would certainly have looked better were it not for those two stars at the time. For me the football was much better then than it is now. Far more "honest" in so many ways. Mark Lazarus was saying much the same thing when I was having coffee with him last Tuesday." Hopefully in memory of John, we can repeat that feat again at Stoke. His final message to me:- "Work? What is that? I retired just before my 59th birthday but that was from a really stressful job and I left on health grounds as I was almost ready for the 'funny farm'. At least I got out with a full pension as I had been working for Royal Mail for 35 years. Got out at just the right time - thank goodness - and have never looked back. I just wish I had the time in retirement to do all the things I had planned to do."
