Alec Stock is perhaps the most revered name from QPRâs history. Like say George Goddard or Tony Ingham, I am only really aware of him through history books and his reputation, but what a reputation! He is the manager who brought us our only major honour, the manager who won promotion two seasons running, the manager who first got us into top flight football, the manager who put QPR on the map. When the story of his appalling treatment and the circumstances regarding his dismissal by QPR back in 1968 broke in the national press last year those unaware of these events were aghast. I will leave it to others to rake over the ashes of that whole sorry affair as yesterday was about celebration not recrimination, suffice to say that yesterdayâs match in his honour is the first step in addressing this outrage; the club must be congratulated for responding so positively to the outcry. In the weeks leading up to the match I tried to immerse myself in Stockâs legend in order to get an understanding of both the man and his philosophy regarding football............ read on http://rollercoasterranger.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/reflections-on-alec-stock-day/ As ever I am grateful to Bushman for his help with my research for this article and on this occasion I am equally grateful to Gramps and MacMoish (all from QPR Report) for their help. For those wanting to find out more about earlier eras at our club I would recommend Gramps' book entitled "Queen's Park Rangers - The Old Days" available on this link http://www.qprtheolddays.com/
Excellent stuff Roller. It's very interesting and contemporary in the way you have entwined the comparisons of the modern day footballer and the black and white players from the sixties into your piece. Unfortunately it's not one that can be answered easily, but very thought provoking nonetheless. Like yourself, I feel the need to find out a bit more about the great man, and shall endeavour to do so. Here's a link to a rare and short video which adds a voice and a small insight into Mr Stock. http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/ITN/1962/12/19/VS191262004/?s="alec stock" qpr&st=0&pn=1
Beautifully written Roller...He was the man that gave me a wonderful team to support. Alec Stock's team, were what fairytales are made of. I cried the day he left Rangers It is always the manager that makes the team... Thank you Roller Thank you Mr Stock
Before my time, but I remember hearing being interviewed saying words to the effect of 'I like a big arse on a player, the skinny ones can't hack it'. Jim Gregory alone should shoulder the blame for his treatment. But Jim Gregory should also get a share of the praise for what he did for the club over 2 decades.
Roller, I really enjoyed reading that well written and balanced piece reflecting on Alec Stock, who was there at beginning when I began my journey actively following the R's with my Dad in the 1966-67 season with Rodney Marsh and that great young team he built playing. On the age side, Gentleman Jim Langley was there to balance things out with his experience. I recall Dad often reminiscing about George Goddard & Tony Ingham and it was evident that he had much respect and admiration for Alec Stock, especially given his WWII service record - Dad was in the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) based in St. John's Wood, where he also encountered both Matt Busby & Joe Mercer during the war years.
Roller, As I said on Report. a great day apart from you enticing me to make a fool of myself with Indy's. Good to have met Staines, as well as the usul suspects, at the C&S.
Hi Terry - I took that Indy R's plunge last Nov 23rd before the Charlton game at the C&S when I met you. I shared the resulting Vox Pop video with my brother in Melbourne, and on reflection I perhaps should not have mentioned that following the R's was a passion Dad & myself shared together, as he had done with my Grandfather, and commented that he was never an R (which he wasn't).
Nicely done Roller, it's a pity that the club failed to do this sooner as those that lifted the League Cup are getting fewer and fewer......I take it that Rodney was unavailable for yesterday......
I did wonder why Mr Marsh wasn't there, Tramore. I can only assume he was out of the country or had other commitments. Just reading the programme notes from Rodney and others, has actually brought a tear to my eye and made me proud that finally we have gone some way to honour a true QPR legend. Well done to all involved..... (Ps...Hope you're credit card wasn't to busy at the Art Fair yesterday )
I'll wait until I see what extra luggage Mrs TR takes off the coach tomorrow evening and then decide if I need to be worried or not.......
Well done Roller, a very thoughtful and well-written piece. As I've said before, we owe everything we hold dear about the Rs to Alec Stock, without him we'd probably still be scratching around in the third tier. It's an overused word but he truly is a legend at Loftus Road...
Really enjoyed listening to that clip, which must have been 1962-63 season with the White City reference. Wish Harry could be telling us, "We're sitting rather pretty, we feel". Great response to this question:- "Do you think that you will be able to keep all your star players here if you don't win promotion this time?" "Oh yes, very much so, they've all got two year contracts as a matter of fact, that will keep them I should think" I see we finished that 1962-63 season in 13th place in Division Three on 45 pts, so we had to wait three more years for promotion. At the end there is the sound of hammering in the background - must have been fixing up Loftus Road? http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?event=11;season=1962/63;team=336
