Admittedly this quote is taken out of the context it was written in. It's a post from the thread, 'Taarabt throws rattle out of pram (again)' but highlights perfectly an issue that's been in my mind for a while now, concerning what's valid commentary on this board and what's not. What is it that makes this QPR board so interesting that it draws me and many others away from our sad little life battles to open not606 and see what's going on? For me, our's is not the best board on the site. Watford take the acolade for that imo - for the warmth with which they welcome other fans (provided there's a level of due respect); and they're willingness to discuss topics way beyond Watford or even football if they can see a reason for it. But thanks in the main to Northolt-QPR we're not too far behind. The QPR board is certainly one of the most active and interesting on the site and shows a great deal more care and commitment to the cause of the Rs, than does the club itself at the moment. Through his single-handed initiative in getting us over here in the first place - and for his stirling efforts in finding the latest articles on a daily basis, appropriate (and sometimes inappropriate) images and for that odd laconic gem of a comment, Northolt is without doubt the beating heart of what has become for many of us a positive community culture: one full of intrigue, wit, humour and as things stand, shared misery! That said, there's something else that enlivens the QPR not606 experience. Indpendence of mind in the comments posted. For the most part, each thread with a degree of seriousness follows a similar pattern: observation, reaction, agree, agree, agree, disagree, debate. The drivers that fuel a quality thread are without doubt the initial observation (thread-starter) and the posts that subsequently cut against the grain. Whilst there are numbers of members on here who are well capable of enriching a thread with adverse, reasoned commentary, there are a few whose monikers consistently grab my interest in responding: Northolt, Swords, Eamon, Watford_R, Roller, QPR100, Woody, Willy, QPAAAAAGH and Andrew (when focusing on QPR - or Stevenage!). These people rarely say what I want to hear but in so doing inform those other voices in my head that I'm otherwise inclined to ignore. So, for this reason I say to Swords, Eamon and anyone else brave enough to swim upstream: carry on speaking your mind. Engage us. Threads need our independently minded characters to heighten interest and get them going. As long as the adverse stuff is well thought out, which it invariably is, it's all good. As for the 'supporting from afar' bit Swords, in this day and age, Dublin's just down the road. We're all mass media and computers nowadays (even if your keyboard lacks a '£' sign and you have to use the infernal '$'!), so in truth you're no further away than people like me who live in London but who for one reason or another can't get to many games and nevertheless have them Rs in our blood. Don't forget we've also got kiwi, melbourne dave, the houstons, goldcoast, flanman in utrecht, not to mention the other Irish guys, greenock, the norfolks, cannock and the scouser up north to name but a few! (Roller tells me he lives south of Croydon but I can't see how such a place exists!) So that's my little sermon over with. How do others feel? Would you say that geographical distance and/or an opposing view in any way invalidates a reasoned comment on this board of ours?
Hi Brixton Yes, I agree with you completely. I use this site much more than I ever did the BBC version. Partly because as I work shifts, I couldn't post when I got home as it's gone midnight every other week. But mainly as the banter and information/rumours/gossip is much better on here, and that's due to all the contributors that grace the forum. I thank you all for that, much appreciated! Anyway, the Norfolks? Makes us sound very grand!
I just think we have the right mix on our board and, dare I say it, we do get some intelligent discussion even when disagreeing with each other. Long may it continue...
Cheers Brix! You're not adverse to going against the grain when you feel the need to yourself! One thing I will say about supporting away from the Club is, for all its disadvantages, it does have the benefit of being somewhat detached from the emotion and passion (maybe even the odd time; hype ) that inevitably envelope's the Club and its loyal local followers and perhaps allows the fan to view things from a more neutral perspective. Don't get me wrong, its the local West London boys and gals that make the Club so unique and in a sense no "outsider" including myself will ever be able to be a true "Ranger" and that's cool. But when you're in a place where everyone else supports ManUre and L'pool and no-one follows Rangers, it allows you to see the R's warts an' all without the "baggage" of unconditional loyalty to the players etc. Jesus I hope that doesn't sound patronizing to you local boys! You are the lifesblood of the Club and maximum respect to The Rangers Boys!
I donât buy that Swords. Iâm not exactly a local, but am no way detached from the emotion and passion, and I donât believe for one minute that you are. Anyone who has supported this club for any length of time will have been through the whole gamut of emotions. Just think about the last week of last season, what were your feelings then? You may have a sense of perspective, but that will be one of your personal traits, not down to the distance that you are away from Shepherds Bush.
Maybe so Roller, it may well just be the individual's personality and nothing more. However, there must be SOME difference between supporting a side around the corner from where you grew up and one that's hundreds of miles away? One thing that's definitely different is the rivalries with other Clubs/fans. Most Rangers fans would probably have a certain dislike of Chelsea and/or their supporters. I don't get any of that because I just don't live there. To me they are just another Club like Spurs, Everton, Newkie etc. If anything I would have a soft spot for them because they are near QPR! What you reckon Rollercoaster?
But that's just it ain't it though Swords. You may live in Dublin, and others even further afield geographically, but you're all here with us every friggin' day cos it's your Rangers as much as the rest of our's. In that sense there can be no 'outsiders'. The only difference between us is that some can get to a game by bus and others, like Ciarrai's story that time, by plane and tube. The essence of the thing is that come kick-off time, throughout each match and in the aftermath, we Rs are all on the same page, thinking the same things, 'why didn't Dave just bury it against Hull!'. Those buzzes are hitting our bros and sisters in Oz, New Zealand and Peru (don't ask!) all at the same moment if not the same time. If the question was ever, 'what makes a Rangers fan?', the answer would be in every case, here or elsewhere across the globe: we are all uniquely discerning (stupid if you like) and chose at one time or another, to go for the less fashionable hoops as opposed to clubs guaranteed to win the glittering prizes every year. That is the only thing that counts for me. The fact remains, regardless of the angle viewed (or listened to) from, your contributions are truthful, well reasoned and invariably make an interesting read - not least when debating the virtues or otherwise of Buzz with QPR100!
as you can see i live in queensland australia. even in this day of multi media i think we miss a bit of info that kicks about. you can read whats going on in england but you cant ever get the feel of whats going on. the main reason i go on this site is the keep up to date with whats going on. should it make my opinion different to the main stream. no i dont think so. i have opinion of what i think the club should do, players i would to see at the club and so on.
I have no hatred of Chelsea. Sure I always used to enjoy beating them, but no hatred. I’m actually married to a Chelsea supporter and my elder daughter unfortunately supports them too! This could be geographic, but again maybe it is personality. Maybe a “local” could answer this?
Grew up in the area at a time when Chelsea had a beautiful team (Osgood, Cookie et al) but it was Marsh, the Morgan twins and the down to earth realities of games against Colchester and Oxford that hooked me. I've visited the Bridge three times this season (free tickets). I find the team a bit boring tbh but a lot of the fans haven't changed that much. No shed boys to speak of but plenty of singing and atmosphere among the more working class support around the ground. No I don't hate them and I'm pretty indifferent to playing against them this year. If we have a competitive team it'll make things more interesting - but then again, that'll be the case against all the other clubs too.
I can't stand the name Chelsea, it is just horrible I will try to avoid saying the word because I dislike it so much It's not even just the football club it is just a horrible word The thought that some parents call their kids by this name is unbelievable. They must be some sort of sick bastards or hate their own kids
That's the response I was looking for! Good man Andy! Seriously though, when you boys were growing up near(ish) QPR, did a lot of your mates in school support the big boys (Man U etc) and were there many lads that supported the local side, i.e the R's?
Northolt was all QPR, when I was a kid, not anymore sadly, Chelsea Arsenal United. Feckin glory hunting little ****s!
Man Us, Chelseas, Arsenals, Tottenhams, Liverpools, West Hams in that order with the odd QPR and Watford in my schools in Kilburn, Wembley and Kingsbury.
That really is a pity Gents but that's the way of the world. On a positive note, success is key and we're back in the Big Time now. If we manage to establish ourselves, some of the little brats will come back to us!
White city was mostly QPR with a few chelsea,spurs,and yes we hated chelsea&fulham,brentford were fine
