Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End

hoops
SINTON
OUR CLUB AMBASSADOR’S
VIEWS ON ALL THINGS QPR…
G
ood afternoon everyone and welcome back
to Loftus Road for today’s Championship
match against Preston North End.
Today we as a club also welcome many of the
playing squad and coaching staff from the
1992/93 season. This was the first season of the
Premier League, when we finished fifth in the
table and were London’s highest-ranked team.
It was a team I was hugely proud to be a part of,
a team that had great players all over the pitch,
a team that had leaders throughout and a team
that loved to pull on the blue and white hoops
and play at Loftus Road, which was often full and
rocking as we continually took on the so-called
big boys and sent them away with nothing.
We had great characters, a fantastic work ethic and
togetherness, led by a brilliant manager in Gerry
Francis who we would all run through a brick wall
for. Gerry was the biggest influence as a coach/
manager in my own career and I know that view
is shared by many of the lads who played for him.
Aided by his coaching staff and backroom team,
he was demanding in what he wanted from you,
made you believe in yourself and in each other and
was tactically brilliant. He really made you think
about your own game, how to improve and what
your role in the team was, with and without the ball.
Gerry knew what certain players needed to get the
best out of them and created a team that was a
pleasure and a privilege to play in at QPR.
Not everyone from that group is able to be here
today for various reasons, whether that’s work
commitments, holidays, living overseas or just
unavailable to attend. Sadly, two huge players
in that group are no longer with us – there is
probably not a day that goes by when I don’t
recall the great Ray Wilkins and the great Alan
McDonald, giants in the dressing-room and
out on the pitch in terms of what they gave the
team. They were two wonderful players, but more
importantly two wonderful men who I know this
group all thought the world of – we really did,
along with everyone connected to QPR. No doubt
both Ray and Macca will be fondly remembered
today as we reminisce on those great times we all
shared together. Is it really 30 years ago?
I can’t wait to see everyone together again and
hope all who are attending have a great day back
here at Loftus Road. All the squad in attendance,
along with the management staff, will come on
the pitch at half-time and I am sure will get a
fantastic reception from you, our fans. I am often
reminded when I speak to our fans who saw that
team play here how good we were – what a team!!
Under the management of Ryan Lowe,
Preston have had another good season and
are just five points off the play-off positions.
They come here in good form, having lost
just once in their last nine games and have an
excellent away record with nine wins on their
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