They faced Blackpool at Loftus Road to kick-off their new campaign. This seasons aim? To be promoted...as champions (the second was just being greedy).
On that day the R's demolished the Seasiders' in a promising start 5-0. Goals for debutant Gareth Ainsworth (2), captain Steve Palmer, talisman Kevin Gallen and since departed Richard Langley capped the outstanding start.
From that day everyone connected with the club has firmly believed the R's are on a winner to get promoted this season. After November's rout of Plymouth Argyle which saw Rangers reach their peak and top the league we thought there was no looking back.
Football is not that simple. The heartache of playoff final defeat still hurts Rangers fans. It's still hard to take. The character we showed, the football we played and the passion from crowd through to players and management was unbelievable. But that was last year.
This season the promotion push has been like a driver learning for the first time. Your going somewhere where you have expereince and the capabilities but you still make mistakes, your progressing to higher heights but you haven't been in that position before.
At the top of the table we didn't look comfortable, dipping in peaks and troughs of form. Playing sublimely some days, dismal others. Stage fright nearly cost us a home defeat against Peterborough in front of the SKY cameras and away from home we have never hit top gear. A 4-1 win at Hartlepool the best performance.
If we had maybe taken more than just a point away at winnable games such as Brentford, Wycombe, Bournemouth and Barnsley who knows? If we had beaten Bristol at Ashton Gate we would have been up now!
There are now no more "if's" and "but's". It is up to the 11 who take the field on Saturday at 3pm to answer their own destiny. The fans have their's set up and have done for the past 3 seasons since we were relegated. Finally we have a passionate team to support and look how many fans turn up on a Saturday afternoon home and away, a cold Tuesday night in Wrexham and a 3 point banker against Chesterfield. The answer is...well...lots! A highest number of season ticket holders in years and an average home attendance of 14,500 is quite remarkable for this division.
Finally it seems that the infrastructure in the club is firm despite some problems on the loan situation. The club has moved forward-not back. Manager Ian Holloway has been not short of a God with his signings. His team selections and tactics have been subject of some debate amongst a few fans but there is no question of his passion and will to win with the super hoops. He loves this cub and we love him.
If Martin Rowlands is unfit on Saturday all eyes will be on Kevin McLeod, Jamie Cureton or Kevin Gallen to fill his boots. What Rangers fans must believe that none of the 3 posibilities will be able to fill his boots, they offer much different qualities-all of which are good enough.
Whatever happens on Saturday I am praying we don't have to rely on Bristol. It is the worst way to get promoted, if we win were up-simple as that. If Bristol win we have to, there are no two ways about it.
Let's just hope and pray the players are ready and focused. Let's hope the players can relive their experiences at Cardiff, they have a wonderfull chance in changing the outcome. The main question is...will it be all smiles and parties OR tears and the lottery of the playoffs again. I know what i want, see you all at Sheffield.
Come on U R'S