Like many others leaving the game yesterday I couldn't quite believe what I had just witnessed. As I passed Chelsea fans in the street I couldn't stop myself from laughing. For years I've had friends twittering in my ear about how rubbish my club is and ending any diplomatic or rational conversation about football with "Im sorry what league are you in?" When we finally gained promotion this stupid little phrase was replaced with "Welcome to the Premiership!" "I see you've signed Kieron Dyer. He's no good in this league. Welcome to the Premiership" "QPR 0-4 Bolton! Welcome to the Premiership!!!" With each text another exclamation mark would be added and questions regarding the stature of our club were asked such as "Does your ground really only hold 18,000?" My usual response was "Yes it does and if you'd supported Chelsea for more than eight years you'd have been there yourself." Results at Wigan, Fulham and even the draws against Newcastle and Villa were subjected to jeers and taunts that come the 23rd of October you'd see what a real Premiership side looks like grew ever louder. Even the win at Wolves didn't shut them up for at least a few days. Instead they came out with "But where are you in the league?" An improvement to the former I guess. However they continued as they shifted there focus to our home record. "No win in 6 I see?" At least they'd done some homework I thought and then following Villa and Blackburn they put two and two (well one and one) together and came out with an equally surprised remark every other week that "Ooooh you havent won at home in 8 games? Shame that's going to reach 9! (chortle chortle)" Months and months of being patronised as well as my own doubts about the outcome of the match despite my external optimism meant that going into the match I was a nervous wreck despite the calming effect Nando's provides pre game. As the match started there was an atmosphere like I've never experienced. I often feel that the impact of a crowd can be over exaggerated however I cant believe that we wouldnt have made an impact on the game yesterday. The noise created was incredible and the constant booing as the Chelsea team was read out just before kick-off must of not only sent a message to the Chelsea players that we wanted to make life as uncomfortable as possible for them but reminding those in the hoops how much this match meant to us. The penalty, the goal and the two red cards were greeted with celebrations similar to that of Ishmael Millers goal against Leicester last year and I quickly forgot that it really was only 1-0. As the second half went on the tension rose and the crowd really started to think that we could win it as much as we wouldn't believe it. As the final whistle went all 15,000 R's fans went into a state of delirium and disbelief. As I left the ground I looked at my phone and saw dozens of messages from those same Chelsea fans who had taunted me for all these years. Some were bitter and some were gracious in defeat but regardless of tone I assured each and every one of them to an expect an earful from me every day until the 28th April. Generous in victory? Absolutely not.
Brilliant piece of writing Scotland. I think you write that for everyone of us Rs on here, as we've all experienced much of the same patronising comments in the past few months. Nice one mate.
Excellent piece Scotland. No doubt about it, the crowd did get to Chelsea. We may only hold 18,000 at Loftus Road but the tightness of the ground generates a fantastic noise, the Sky commentators were continually mentioning their gantry was shaking and this was kept up all afternoon. The final whistle was a moment when years of hurt were released...GOTCHA!...
_qpr-scotland_ Live in mainland Europe and too long in the tooth to make trip to watch the R's nowadays, but have been a fan since I was a lad, and that's a long time! Have to make do with "Match Of The Day". Glad I don't have to put up with the rubbish you have experienced, that would **** me off. A few results have been very disappointing to put it mildly, but then they turn around and play a good one. They're not doing badly, but the Premier League is tough tough tough! Cheers for a good article!
did anybody else see the media box in the very corner between ellersie and the away end, the TV fell off the wall and was sparking everywhere
Scum supporter at work yesterday: "Well, we're still in front of you so what's to crow about". Yes, we are being taken seriously again.
Cheers guys really appreciate it. Might try and write some stuff more regularly seeing as this did alright. Also saw this video on youtube. [video=youtube;TDv2RLWiNuU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDv2RLWiNuU&list=LLo59iSy2z__bI6QVQ1EJkOw&index=1[/video] Thought it showed what it was all about. Plus Im only a row or two away!
