My tribute to the QPR legend who finally hung up his boots yesterday. If Gareth Ainsworth ever had any doubts as to whether he had retained his place in Q.P.R. folklore after his departure from the club then these would have been completely dispelled on Tuesday 31st August 2012. Over 3,000 Q.P.R. fans made the trip to Adams Park in Wycombe for a low key pre-season friendly. Some had gone to get their first live sight of their club’s new signings on home soil, some to cheer on old favourites, but all had gone to pay homage to a modern day Q.P.R. legend. Outnumbering the home fans by maybe 3 to 1, the Rangers’ fans wildly cheered his name when he was announced as one of the home team’s substitutes and gave him a tumultuous standing ovation when he entered the affray during the second half. At full time Ainsworth reaffirmed his bond with the Q.P.R. supporters; he claimed Hogan Ephraim’s shirt, stretched it across his chest and strode towards the them pounding his heart with his fist. The deafening roars that greeted his gesture must have brought a lump to this old warriors throat. Even in these modern times, where scant loyalty is shown by players, clubs and supporters, occasionally a relationship transcends traditional club barriers, the affinity between Gareth Ainsworth and the Queens Park Rangers’ supporters is a shining example. I suspect that Gareth Ainsworth recognised a kindred spirit in Q.P.R.’s charismatic manager Ian Holloway ...................... read on.... http://rollercoasterranger.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/gareth-ainsworth-never-say-die/
I enjoyed that Roller. Good work, I hope he gets to read it. Reading that has also taken me back to the place we were in in the early noughties. That was a great time, so much passion, excitement, so genuine.
How we could have done with the man in his prime this season instead of the "pay & pay" inept,workshy,gutless,useless, passionless prima donna's we have been saddled with.
Thanks Woody. It does make you wonder if we are now forever going to be stuck with the choice of players who are good enough but don't care or those that do care but aren't good enough.
Great Roller...And excellent timing putting that out today...when most of the team failed to show the spirit GA showed throughout his playing days I would say there was only one out there today who really really cared the way Gareth did...that is Clint. 10 more Clints/Gareths would not have kept us up....but we would have really enjoyed the experience of trying...instead of the sad surrender of today. Perhaps there are a few more who will care...Ned, MBia, Jenas...just give them time....optimism is my middle name
Excellent read roller. Superb. Give me a Rangers team of GA's cult-type hero than our current crop of freaks every time.
Nice write up mate. As a footnote, there is a great picture on the front of Saturdays Wycombe programme of GA throughout the years and the teams he has played for. The man is a true legend IMO and seems to be adored wherever he has played so I think that says a lot
