Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End

hoops
Gerry Francis
was a key
member of
the QPR side
that achieved
the club’s
highest league
position of
second in
1975/76
before
returning to
Loftus Road
for two spells
as manager
GERRY, did you feel there were
outstanding players throughout
the squad when we finished fifth
in 1992/93?
Yes, they all did really well. There were
two goalkeepers in the squad – Tony
Roberts and Jan Stejskal. Obviously
we had Alan McDonald, Danny Maddix
and Darren Peacock at the back with
Clive Wilson, Dave Bardsley and Rufus
Brevett as the full-backs. Then it was
Andrew Impey and Andy Sinton on
the flanks as I liked to play with wide
players. The midfielders were Ian
Holloway, Ray Wilkins and Simon Barker.
Les Ferdinand was up front alongside
people like Bradley Allen, Dennis Bailey,
Gary Penrice, Devon White and Garry
Thompson. I also had young players
in Justin Channing, Maurice Doyle,
Michael Meaker and Karl Ready who
played their part.
That was the year Les Ferdinand came
to the fore, scoring 20 goals in 37
league appearances. He seemed to
really blossom in your time as Rangers
manager…
I did a lot of work with Les and he
eventually developed into one of
the most sought after strikers in the
Premier League. Before I became QPR
manager in 1991, Les was a young
player at the club who had been sent
out on loan to Brentford and Turkish
team Beşiktaş. Then when I took over
at Loftus Road, I felt Les had a lack of
confidence in himself. I had previously
seen him play for the R’s reserves when
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