Weird and Wonderful

Last updated : 23 June 2004 By Mark O' Haire

THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF QPR

  • Rangers have played their home games in 18 different locations since they were formed in 1886, starting at Welford’s Fields (1886-1888) and presently at Loftus Road (their home since 1963).
  • Rangers have had four different coloured home jerseys in their time before settling to their current strip of blue and white hooped shirts.
  • Rangers’ first impact on the history of the game came in 1967 when- as a 3rd Division club- they won the League Cup, beating the holders, West Bromwich Albion of Division 1. In the first final of the competition to be held at Wembley.
  • In the same year (1967), Rangers also won the 3rd Division Championship to pull off a unique double.
  • The following season Rangers were denied entry to the European Fairs Cup as League Cup Winners because they were not in the top flight of domestic football.
  • In the August of 1975, Rangers beat the reigning champions of three countries- England (Derby County 5-1), West Germany (Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-1); and Portugal (Benfica 4-2).
  • Rangers’ current mascot- Jude the Cat- came about when a mystery black cat was found hanging around the club in 1999. The sightings of the Cat coincided with Rangers’ best run of the season and the club abandoned their old mascot Ernie (a cartoon man with a football head) for the "Jude the Stadium Cat".
  • Rangers were the first club in Britain to install an astro-turf pitch at Loftus Road in the early eighties following years of waterlogged surfaces. Luton Town soon followed suit.
  • In 2001 two avid Rangers supporting brothers-the Wintons- bought two players out of their own pockets. Doudou and current player Danny Shittu also have their wages paid by the fanatical fans.

  • Eccentric boss Ian Holloway has created his own language whilst in charge. While being interviewed he usually uses a mixture of bizarre sayings crossed with his strong Bristolian accent resulting in something called an "Ollyism". For a full list of "Ollyisms" click on the link under "Features". A very entertaining page.