QPR's Great Entertainers

by GeniusMarsh

STAN BOWLES

There is a distinct lack of 'Mavericks' on the players list! So, I will stand up for the overly talented and under capped! We have the great Rodney Marsh but where’s one of the most hugely skilled entertainers ever seen - Stanley Bowles? That's not just because i'm a QPR freak either. Anyone who saw Stan in his prime would of been blown away! Many polls have the skills of Sir Stan, second only to George Best!!

Like all 'Mavericks' Stan didn't fit into a tight, rigid, dossier filled side, he was a free spirit. Stan gave the crowd their money's worth with tricks, joking about, making the crowd laugh but mostly with his supernatural talent that left crowds open mouthed and most of the opposition on their backsides!!!

The Loftus Road argument for years has been, who was best Marsh or Bowles? Marsh, Bowles then Tony Currie wore the number 10 shirt, it's the hallowed shirt at Rangers. When Marsh left nobody would wear the shirt because too much would be expected, but Stan didn't care and took the shirt. Stan was given disgustingly few England caps, just like all the 'Mavericks' I also saw Stan at Brentford, his last club and he was still a valid Genius!

That word is used too much. Even Beckham has been called a 'Genius', a one footed, set piece player!!!! Stanley Bowles was a REAL GENIUS.... I bet anyone who watched him play will agree.


TONY CURRIE

Another 'Maverick' who Rodney Marsh himself called "The most underrated player in football" Alan Hudson said "Tony was a genius. He could do it all!" Stan Bowles said "I'm probably the best long range passer of a ball in the country, with maybe the exception of Tony Currie who is a real Genius!"

The same old story with these free spirits. Better than anyone, people loved to watch them, they all trebled the gate at every new club they joined, they could do things with ease nobody else could, they could turn a game on their own.... but very, very few caps. These were the bad boys, the drinkers and Hellraisers who would not bow to authority.... they were the rebels, usually in some kind of trouble but on a Saturday afternoon, they ripped teams apart. They were too good, too fast, too balanced for the 'Hatchet Men' who usually ended up on their backsides and Tony Currie was one of the very best.

What is a real shame is the lack of footage of these guys in action. There was no Sky and Cable then and you couldn't tape it. If you were lucky you would get a snippet on Match of the Day. Think about it, how much footage have you seen in all of Rodney Marsh for example? But if you were a regular at Sheffield Utd in the early seventies, you would of seen a man they simply called 'GOD' Yep, he was that good!

He would go past defenders like they were thin air and QPR were so desperate to sign him, he passed his medical on crutches!!!! How many players have you heard that about? These guys really took your mind off the problems of the week for 90minutes.... and you didn't have to be rich to buy tickets! Tony Currie..... I salute you!


LEAGUE CUP '67

QPR v West Brom. Wembley Stadium. 1967. A classic David and Goliath comeback fight in a packed Wembley Stadium as a full house were stunned when third division QPR came back from 2-0 down to defeat first division West Brom 3-2. The match includes Rodney Marsh's most famous goal... a pure gem! Even on the DVD all you can hear is a roar of 'ROD-NEEEEEE' right through the match. Rangers came close to the FA cup in 1982 but 1967 remains the only trophy at Loftus Road.


TO MAN CITY FANS

Hi City fans. I'm a staunch QPR supporter and I know exactly what the Great man means to us at Loftus Road. But I have not been to Manchester and have always been fascinated in what Rodney means to you? You had great players like Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee and even Denis Law. Do you consider him a City legend or always see him as a QPR man?

For example, Tony Currie was a great player for QPR but was really considered a Sheffield Utd or even Leeds player, that's where his best years were. Or Bobby Moore playing for Fulham but he will always be a West Ham Legend.

So, will you always see Rodney as a QPR player or does he have his own special place as a City legend only? And does he stand shoulder to shoulder with Bell etc?

By the way, I loved that City team!