Independent Rs Messageboard

[Steve Russell]

QPR’s first ever League Cup Match ended in a 2-2 Draw against Port Vale

Team: Pinner, Woods, Ingham, Carey, Rutter, Cockell, Barber, Lazarus, Bedford, Bottoms, Clark
Attendance: 6,600

Apparently, the idea of a ‘League Cup’ came from Stanley Rous and the Football League Secretary at the time,
Alan Hardaker, was instrumental in getting the competition underway.

The R’s took on Port Vale at Loftus Road on 17th October1960, and ahead of the match two days earlier, the
editor wrote the following in a reserve programme: ‘The much-criticised Football League Cup comes to
Shepherd’s Bush on Monday evening when Rangers entertain Port Vale in a floodlit first round tie (7.30pm).

It’s so easy to decry a new competition. It’s so easy to say it hasn’t the appeal of the FA Cup. My attitude is
let’s give the Football League a chance. Rangers are committed – along with 86 other clubs – to take part in the
League Cup experiment.

I was at the annual meeting of the League last Spring and my understanding is that the new Cup is a forerunner
of a new set-up for English soccer.

Financially, Rangers won’t say “No” to a run of success in the new Cup and I am sure supporters want to see a
good game whatever the label. So, let’s reserve criticism, if any, until a little later – and let’s get on with the game.’

Bernard Lambert took his place in the Boys Pen with some of his old school mates from Victoria and recalls that
Stanley Rous was a VIP guest of the Club that night. “Tempo’s”match report appeared in the local Gazette later
that week:

‘Consistent centre-half, Keith Rutter, had the last laugh when he lofted in a goal nine minutes from the finish to
give struggling Queen’s Park Rangers a lucky draw against a more workmanlike Port Vale in a disappointing first
round Football League Cup-tie at Loftus Road on Monday.

Rangers took the lead against the run of play when Mick Bottoms allowed Dave Cockell’s pass to go through to
Mark Lazarus, who promptly scored in the 23rd minute.

In this good spell, Bottoms had a fine shot deflected on to the bar by a defender and Bedford headed against the
crossbar.

Nippier Vale’s shoot-on-sight policy paid handsome dividends when inside-left Steele crashed in two quick goals.
Mike Pinner, who played three hours after arriving back from Nigeria, badly misjudged the second goal.

Though centre-forward Carbishler smashed a shot against the bar, Vale had fewer chances in the second-half.

Rutter gave Rangers a replay chance when he lofted the ball home after a left-wing corner in the 81st minute.’

Rangers lost the replay at Vale Park two days later, 1-3 in extra time.

(Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the match report)

[Conor Campbell]

Great to have these accounts of days gone by

Your article prompted me to have a look at the 4 - 4 draw with vale. Smashing goal by impel among those comeback strikes.

Did any of you folk happen to witness that game in person?

[Steve Russell]

I was at the 4-4 draw at Port Vale Conor...

Can't remember who it was, but the Vale defender who put through
his own net then had to endure R's fans chanting his name

There was a mini-pitch invasion & I think around a dozen got nicked.
Later told that they all got off

[Kerrins]

I was at the 1960 league Cup game ......A Keith Rutter goal what a rare event!

I did not attend the 4-4 away draw at Port Vale many years later

[Conor Campbell]

Steve, the YouTube clip names him as Jermaine Holwyn who scored the own goal on his Vale Park
debut having been bought in from Ajax for £5k. He played a total 7 games for Vale. I’m sure that og still burns him.

Maybe GA should have played that clip at half time of the Watford game.

[steveqpr881]

....the 4 - 4 draw with vale.....Did any of you folk happen to witness that game in person?

Conor, I watched it live on TV. And I was taping it (remember VHS?)
At half time, I was so disgusted, I re-wound the tape - never wanted to watch that again.
But I taped the second half, just in case we got a consolation goal...

[Conor Campbell]

Steve I remember the VHS tapes well. Every home had stacks of them. Used to be never done buying blank VHS
and audio cassettes.

I’m sure your second half recording got many a watch.

Tony Ingham has our 555 appearances record - It would be interesting to know what our spectator appearances records
might look like given Kerrins has been watching from over 60 years ago.

[Kerrins]

Conor In the grim Feb 1963 to May 1965 era average attendances were very low.
Could be the worst in our history. in fact in may 1963 at the White City v Coventry the crowd
was only 3,245 and I was one of them

As for long serving supporters. Steve Russell, Alan Barnes, Colin Woodley and myself have all done over 60 years
The Late Vic Gibbons did 70 years and Steve M. on here has done over 50 not forgetting Bill Elkins who must have
notched up 63

PS Dinosaurs rule OK

[Conor Campbell]

Thanks for that Kerrins. That’s amazing when you pitch supporter longevity and loyalty vs player longevity
with a club. Definitely figures that clubs could do well to record and celebrate - the lifelong support of fans.

In Belfast, I went 25 years as a QPR fan before meeting another QPR fan - talk about the Lone Ranger - and only
started getting to matches after 28 years of following from afar.

My match attendances are now just about totalling 150. I’m sure that yourselves in the elite long term attenders
bracket are into a few thousand attendances.

Do you remember recently Sam Smith wore a wacky outfit to one of those music award bashes - that’s what it was
like for me wearing a hoops shirt over here - always turned heads.

[Steve Russell]

A few weeks ago, rather frail & assisted by his son, George Gristwood arrived at
Hanwell's ground for the Development Academy match against Bristol City.

Now in his mid-90's, George's first match was in the late 1930's!!!