Friday, 23 May 2014

QUEEN'S PARK ROVERS?

As QPR get ready for their play off final against Derby County tomorrow, played at Wembley, which is not a stone's throw away from their home ground, it is worth noting that the Rangers have played on a number of grounds since their formation in 1882.
Originally formed in 1882 by the old boys of Droop Street Board School. The boys were members of the St. Jude's Institute, used this as the Club headquarters,  They obtained the name of Queens Park Rangers when they merged with a team called Christ Church Rangers in 1886.  The Club's playing pitch was on a piece of waste ground near Kensal Rise Athletic Ground and shortly after they moved to Welford’s Fields . In 1888 they rented the London Scottish ground at Brondesbury . In 1888/89 the pitch became unplayable, and between 1890 and 1892 they moved to four different grounds - Home Park, Kensal Rise Green, The Gun Club at Wormwood Scrubs and Kilburn Cricket Ground. In 1896 Rangers moved to Kensal Rise Athletic Ground. They played their first professional league match on September 9th at Tottenham and lost 1-0.
Due to poor finances, QPR had to move to St. Quintin Avenue in 1901. Players had to change in a public house and walk to the pitch but the local inhabitants of the area complained that Rangers were lowering the tone of the neighbourhood and in 1902 they moved back to Kensal Rise!
In 1904/05 they moved to The Royal Agricultural Society Ground at Park Royal. In 1907/08 QPR moved to another new ground at Park Royal.  In 1914/15, because the First World War had started, the army took over QPR's ground at Park Royal, so they played the rest of their fixtures at Harvist Road. The R’s then took over the ground of amateur Club Shepherd's Bush FC, who played at Loftus Road. In 1920/21 Rangers were elected to the newly-formed Third Division. 1931/32 season Rangers moved to the White City. In 1933/34 the R’s moved back to Loftus Road. Rangers played at White City again for half a season in 1962 but again poor attendances forced the Club back to Loftus Road. Where next?

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