QUEENS PARK RANGERS F.C.
In 1882 a team was formed and called themselves St Jude’s, in 1886 the team merged with another called Christchurch Rangers, as one they became Queens Park Rangers. The team became professional in 1898 and did not have a home ground until 1917 at Still using make shift grounds for home matches they won the Western League Cup in 1905/06 but a dismal following season. At the end of season 1907/08 they played Manchester United for the charity shield only to lose 4 – 0 in a reply. After winning the Southern League, expectations were high in promotion but after losing out to Tottenham to be promoted to Division Two, QPR had to re-apply. 1911/12 saw another Southern League victory. 1920/21 QPR were elected to a newly formed third division and finished third in the table. 1923/24 finished at the bottom of the table. Once again in season 1925/26 they finished bottom of the table with only 21 point, the lowest ever. In 1926/27 they changed their colours to the blue and white hoops. 1927/28 saw an improved in goals scored with a club record of 37 from George Goddard.
1931/32 the team moved site again to the White City, after a successful third round of the cup beating Leeds United and a record crowd watching, but unfortunately losing money, the team moved back to Loftus Road and a new manager saw them finish fourth in the league.
1945/46 Queens Park Rangers finished at the top of the league, through to the fifth round of the cup, 1947/48 got to the sixth round but lost in a replay against Derby. Won promotion in 1948 to the second division for the first time, this was a great success for the team and club. Sadly this was relatively short lived as in 1952 they were once again back in division three. Ground improvements came the following year and with it floodlights.
In the 1961/62 season, from 52 matches, Queens Park Rangers scored 129 goals including a record 111 in the third division. In 1966/67 won division three and the first third division side to win the league cup at Wembley after being 2 – 0 down at half time against West Bromwich Albion and winning 3 – 2 this is still the only major trophy QPR have won to date (date of printing 10 Nov 2008 ). 1967/68 Queens Park Rangers were promoted to the first division, success again to be short lived and relegated the following season and saw the next four years in division two.
