Independent Rs Messageboard

[Steve Russell]

Very sad, just re-read it, bloody shameful!!!

https://www.indyrs.co.uk/2013/11/the-fo ... of-soccer/

[steveqpr881]

One of our greatest-ever managers.
Wasn't he.

[Steve Russell]

Alan in Basingstoke sent me this....

Walking to Rangers one morning to get some tickets, I was on Hammersmith Bridge
& as you know I lived in Barnes at the Hammersmith end.

There was a traffic jam from the Barnes side of the bridge to Hammersmith Broadway.
I heard a car hooting & looking at the car, it was Alec.

He recognised me by sight & shouted "do you want a lift?"
I said no thanks, I think I will get there before you & I was right!

When I was a Referee in Basingstoke, we had monthly meetings when well known Football
guests were invited.

Alec was invited to one & much to my pleasure he still remembered me. When the meeting
was finished everyone had left except Alec and me.

We had a great chat and were the last ones in the place but had to leave as the staff
wanted to go home.

As others have said a proper gentleman

[Kerrins]

No social media or investigative internet pundits in the late 1960s. Virtually all QPR supporters
myself included believed the line handed out to the press that Alec left the managers job due to ill health.

Only a handful of insiders back then new the real truth. Would our first ever season in the top flight (1968/69)
been better if Alec had stayed in charge? We will never know.

Certainly as a successful manager and a true gentlemen Alec did not deserve to be treated in this way.

In his early days he just missed out on promotion in the 60/61 and 61/62 seasons.
He stuck with Rangers during that "rocky period" Feb 1963 to May 1965 and subsequently turned matters
around in superb fashion.

As an aside I wonder if any of those block of supporters who chanted "Stock must go" outside the home
dressing room after that dismal 2-0 midweek home defeat by Hull City on 21st Oct 1963 are still around?
Hmm. Glad they did not get their wish!

[steveqpr881]

.....As others have said a proper gentleman

I remember when Alec died, a colleague of mine was going to the funeral, as he'd known
Alec for years. I asked him what Alec was like & he simply replied, "A true gent."

[Kerrins]

Hmmm Marvelous wasn't he?

[steveqpr881]

Hmmm Marvelous wasn't he

I could charge you royalties for that!

[steveqpr881]

As an aside I wonder if any of those block of supporters who chanted "Stock must go" ..... are still around?

Yes - only the name has changed!!