| Who did you nearly support…? 08:22 - Aug 10 with 3031 views | thame_hoops |
I saw GroveR’s comment about nearly supporting Spurs on another thread, and it got me wondering if anyone else had flirtations with other clubs before choosing Rangers?
As an 8year-old myself at school in Oxfordshire, my best mate was a West Ham fan, they had McAvennie & Cottee at the time, so I started to like them. Also Alan Devonshire parents lived opposite my Nan in Perivale so I would get some West Ham swag from him including VHS tapes of the season.
After a couple trips to Upton Park, my Dad (RIP) realised I was potentially going to support West Ham so he took me down the Rangers for the first time, he was a lifelong fan, from Fulham originally (Wardo Avenue) I do remember West Ham getting relegated in the late 80s, I think, and thanking my lucky stars for choosing Rangers ha ha ha |  | | |  |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 14:40 - Aug 10 with 1089 views | BrazilNutR |
Liverpool were the first team I liked.. early 80's, then my dad started trying to take me to Oxford United which was the local team, old man liked watching football but wasn't really a fan, but used to go regularly, even made me a box so I could see over the wall, I was obviously a bit young and didn't like it that much, and when Oxford got relegated from the top division he didn't fancy watching 2nd division football, and a good mate of his lived near Loftus Road and they decided to start going to watch the R's.. it was at this age I finally caught the bug, and we used to drive to London most home games.. usually in the paddocks, still have very fond memories of getting back in the car and turning on final score, with a thermos flask of hot tea sat in Traffic..
So, had Oxford united not been relegated, I may have never discovered the R's... |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 14:50 - Aug 10 with 1058 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 14:40 - Aug 10 by BrazilNutR |
Liverpool were the first team I liked.. early 80's, then my dad started trying to take me to Oxford United which was the local team, old man liked watching football but wasn't really a fan, but used to go regularly, even made me a box so I could see over the wall, I was obviously a bit young and didn't like it that much, and when Oxford got relegated from the top division he didn't fancy watching 2nd division football, and a good mate of his lived near Loftus Road and they decided to start going to watch the R's.. it was at this age I finally caught the bug, and we used to drive to London most home games.. usually in the paddocks, still have very fond memories of getting back in the car and turning on final score, with a thermos flask of hot tea sat in Traffic..
So, had Oxford united not been relegated, I may have never discovered the R's... |
So, Liverpool and Oxford United.
By any chance, did you flirt with Spurs around 1982? |  |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 15:05 - Aug 10 with 1027 views | Third_Division_South |
Never had a choice. Started going with my dad in the years when there was no football on tv. Used to walk to the ground EVERY Saturday, the reserves used to play one week the first team the next. Was going for a few years before I realised that there were points for games and league tables, Different days. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:13 - Aug 10 with 949 views | Boston |
Dad wasn't interested in football, nor sport in general come to that, his passion was horse racing so my introduction to following football was very much down to my mates and their parents who would take me / us to games. My very first childhood allegiance was for Everton, but I'd no idea who, what or where they were, just liked the name, never went to Goodison until I was a confirmed Ranger. Grounds I recall - White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge, Griffin Park and Highbury among others, but Loftus Rd struck a chord, so it was QPR for me. This question in some form has arisen a few times on MB's and I've often pondered as to why I chose the Rangers, a/ it was the first stadium I went to via public transport (always exciting for a youngster), b/ it was the easiest at 5.1 miles from my house (83 from Wembley High Rd to Hanger Langer, then the Central Line), c/ it had a 'homely' atmosphere, d/ affordability (I think), e/ only one of my mates followed 'em and I liked being a bit of a contrarian etc etc etc.
Some or all of the above, and probably more.
Edit...Y'know, now I think about it, the easiest, though not the closest club to get to would have been Watford. We lived on East Lane, couple of mins from North Wembley station, so it would have been a simple trip heading north on the BR to Watford High Rd. Funnily, the thought of following them never crossed my mind.
Although Wembley contained supporters of most London clubs, including us, the biggest in number were Chelsea. A high proportion of the lads I hung around with were serious North Stand and they often attempted a conversion, but I always thought Stamford Bridge was a dreadful venue, never liked going there.
Strange, I wasn't going to respond to this thread, now I've waffled on forever! | |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:37 - Aug 10 with 932 views | hantssi |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:13 - Aug 10 by Boston |
Dad wasn't interested in football, nor sport in general come to that, his passion was horse racing so my introduction to following football was very much down to my mates and their parents who would take me / us to games. My very first childhood allegiance was for Everton, but I'd no idea who, what or where they were, just liked the name, never went to Goodison until I was a confirmed Ranger. Grounds I recall - White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge, Griffin Park and Highbury among others, but Loftus Rd struck a chord, so it was QPR for me. This question in some form has arisen a few times on MB's and I've often pondered as to why I chose the Rangers, a/ it was the first stadium I went to via public transport (always exciting for a youngster), b/ it was the easiest at 5.1 miles from my house (83 from Wembley High Rd to Hanger Langer, then the Central Line), c/ it had a 'homely' atmosphere, d/ affordability (I think), e/ only one of my mates followed 'em and I liked being a bit of a contrarian etc etc etc.
Some or all of the above, and probably more.
Edit...Y'know, now I think about it, the easiest, though not the closest club to get to would have been Watford. We lived on East Lane, couple of mins from North Wembley station, so it would have been a simple trip heading north on the BR to Watford High Rd. Funnily, the thought of following them never crossed my mind.
Although Wembley contained supporters of most London clubs, including us, the biggest in number were Chelsea. A high proportion of the lads I hung around with were serious North Stand and they often attempted a conversion, but I always thought Stamford Bridge was a dreadful venue, never liked going there.
Strange, I wasn't going to respond to this thread, now I've waffled on forever! |
Can’t get the 83 to Hanger Lane anymore unfortunately, stops at Alperton now and you have to change buses which I found out to my cost recently on the way to LR from my mums near St Andrews at Blackbirds Cross! | | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:39 - Aug 10 with 925 views | hantssi |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 12:06 - Aug 10 by Beestonranger |
Strangely similar for me too 😂. Sorry to say number 2 son is a Forest fan but at least I stopped him supporting Chelsea or Liverpool. |
He’s lucky we haven’t ostracised him from the family! | | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:45 - Aug 10 with 910 views | Boston |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:37 - Aug 10 by hantssi |
Can’t get the 83 to Hanger Lane anymore unfortunately, stops at Alperton now and you have to change buses which I found out to my cost recently on the way to LR from my mums near St Andrews at Blackbirds Cross! |
I'd noticed, was waiting at Hanger Lane for one last year - it was a long wait. | |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:57 - Aug 10 with 883 views | Bluce_Ree |
Allegedly, my brother bought me a West Ham shirt when I was a little (he's 12 years older) in an attempt to get some sort of sibling rivalry going but that I rejected it like the filthy piece of shit it was.
Also my dad used to take me to watch Charlton when I was a kid for some sick reason. I recall being bored out of my fking mind.
That said, I didn't really 'get' football as a kid. Nominally I was a QPR fan but only in the same way that I was a fan of Whizzer and Chips or the TV show 'Dear John.' It was only when I went to a game in 1995 of my own volition that I became a born-again R. |  |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 16:58 - Aug 10 with 883 views | dmm |
I was introduced to QPR by a Hearts supporter. My long gone Jambo dad took me and a mate in the 66/67 season. We were instantly hooked.
He'd often regaled me with stories about the classic Hearts side of the late 50s with the great Willie Bauld but we were living in Kensal Rise, QPR were our local team and it was the normal thing to do if you liked football back then. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 17:08 - Aug 10 with 866 views | Pindarus |
Brentford to start with as Griffin Park was one bus ride and Loftus Road was two.
Two things made me change - Rodney, and I learnt to drive. | | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 17:35 - Aug 10 with 817 views | Tonto |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 14:35 - Aug 10 by numptydumpty |
Went to Portsmouth University for 4 years from 1987 to 1991 and went with a big crowd to watch their home games at Fratton Park. Lived practically in the next street adjacent to the ground.
Was already a Ranger for many years, however definitely could say followed Pompey quite avidly at the same time.
However, when push came to shove, if Portsmouth played QPR, at that time, there was no indecision. Was only couple of occasions that had that dilemma. One was slightly after my time living there. I think it was when Kevin Gallen scored, whilst simultaneously straddling the goal posts with his own personal crown jewels !!!
It hurt him a little bit.
Anyhow the choice when they played each other - was wearing the blue and white hoops, of course !!! [Post edited 10 Aug 14:44]
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So i am the first generation QPR supporter in my family, but esrly 80s i had s brief flirtation with Southsmpton when Keegan, Channon, Shilton, and Armstrong where there in that beautiful Patrick kit. I bought the dhirt snd put a Panini sticker on my drawer at school but then the FA Cup run and promotion happened under Venebals and i got hooked back on the even better hooped kit. |  |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 17:46 - Aug 10 with 796 views | Big_Mac |
I grew up in my grandparents house and my granddad is an Arsenal fan. There was never any risk of me becoming an Arsenal fan though because my dad took me to Loftus Road regularly from around 5 or 6 years old and there was never any changing my mind.
My dad tells me he always knew I’d be a QPR fan for life after taking me to a midweek game in 97 or 98. QPR were losing and it was freezing cold. I was shivering and my teeth were chattering so my dad asked me if I wanted to leave but I said no. He kept asking and I kept refusing. I think we won that game but it was at least a draw because we had a late goal.
It’s funny how important football can be in someone’s life because in the grand scheme of things it’s just a game and the results aren’t life or death but I spent my childhood going with my dad, late teens/early 20s with my best mate seeing us win the championship and the last couple years going with my girlfriend who’s not from the UK and had no interest in football but is now a season ticket holder. Even my dad’s got himself a season ticket this year. A lot of fond memories following this team. I couldn’t imagine following anyone else.
Anyways, I’ll stop waffling and getting sentimental. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 18:22 - Aug 10 with 753 views | stowmarketrange |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 17:35 - Aug 10 by Tonto |
So i am the first generation QPR supporter in my family, but esrly 80s i had s brief flirtation with Southsmpton when Keegan, Channon, Shilton, and Armstrong where there in that beautiful Patrick kit. I bought the dhirt snd put a Panini sticker on my drawer at school but then the FA Cup run and promotion happened under Venebals and i got hooked back on the even better hooped kit. |
Me too.My old man didn’t go to football as money had ruined it,and that was back in the 60’s.Living in Roehampton there were 3 clubs an easy bus ride away,but my mum’s friend had a st at loftus road,so that settled it for me.I’ve tried to instil the same passion in my kids and grandkids,but none of them stayed the course. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 18:44 - Aug 10 with 726 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
I've got a big family connection to Charlton.
Lots of supporters and staff amongst them, my uncle in particular would be a name people might recognise because he also worked for us briefly. I guess i'd be supporting them if the team of '92 hadn't caught my attention. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 19:01 - Aug 10 with 704 views | aston_hoop |
Not a choice for me, I guess if I had known it was, things might have been different. Home counties, 90s, I was about the only non-Man Utd fan around save a few oddballs like me who were forced into things like QPR or Luton Town or Crystal Palace. Wouldn't change it for the world now, even if it is a world of pain |  |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 20:33 - Aug 10 with 614 views | Hayesender |
My dad being from north London and coming from an Arsenal supporting family used to take me and my older brother to Highbury late 70's/early 80's, but I just never felt it.
Then one day out of the blue in 81, he took me to Loftus Road. We drew 1-1 with Rotherham and I was hooked.
My brother though is still a big Arsenal fan, and was a season ticket holder for years up until he moved to Colorado about six years ago |  |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 20:48 - Aug 10 with 602 views | derbyhoop |
My dad worked, or just went for the craic, for B Rail so had cheap rail & tube tickets. He took me to many of the London grounds before I settled on the nearest club, QPR. Back in the 1960s many school friends were Spurs suporters after they did the double in 61 but there were a similar number of Rs. [Post edited 11 Aug 13:37]
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 21:49 - Aug 10 with 542 views | Goofy |
Dad took me to a few QPR matches starting in 1969 but died in 1972 after which his brother would sometimes take me along with my cousins, but terrifyingly my mum's Uncle Arthur also starting taking me to Chelsea. This led to a bit of confusion on my part about which was my team. Fortunately when I was old enough to make my own decisions I chose the correct path. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 22:44 - Aug 10 with 487 views | CateLeBonR |
My first match was the Chelsea 6-0 in 86 as a 10 year old. Second match was the Milk Cup Final. Rangers till I die for sure. |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 23:06 - Aug 10 with 465 views | PunteR |
Always been QPR. |  |
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| Who did you nearly support…? on 08:00 - Aug 11 with 290 views | switchingcode |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 17:08 - Aug 10 by Pindarus |
Brentford to start with as Griffin Park was one bus ride and Loftus Road was two.
Two things made me change - Rodney, and I learnt to drive. |
The biggest mistake of your life 😀 | | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 08:56 - Aug 11 with 245 views | Myke |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 08:32 - Aug 10 by mikeygunn |
I had pictures with me wearing a Leicester City shirt, my mum, dad, and oldest brother supports them. I got the panini sticker book and decided QPR were more my thing. I did go and watch them a fair bit growing up and cheered them on, but was never close to switching once I’d made the commitment to the hoops. |
It was Leicester for me too. My two elder brothers supported Leeds and Liverpool so I felt I had to have a team beginning with 'L' too. In fairness they had Worthington, Earle et al at the time. Then along came 1975/76. | | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 09:00 - Aug 11 with 240 views | Maggsinho |
My dad, a prison officer, became a QPR fan in 1972 when he was posted to Wormwood Scrubs and started taking me when I was old enough.
He had been expecting a transfer to Stoke prison so in an alternate reality I grew up in Stoke rather than Acton and became a Stoke fan |  | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 09:09 - Aug 11 with 226 views | sprocket |
Leeds. In 1977 as 9 year old...I asked my dad who should I support and at the time Leeds had a good side , I liked them but he suggested QPR. I fell in love with the kit, players and the so the story started... | | | |
| Who did you nearly support…? on 09:29 - Aug 11 with 206 views | Juzzie |
Even as a young kid, in my mind I was always ‘QPR’ but didn’t go to a game until I was 15. Being born and brought up in the Ladbroke Grove/Portobello Road area I always had a keen sense of supporting my local team.
When i was around 10/11 I was taken to a Spurs game which they won 5-1 and is the sort of result that makes kids think ‘I’ll support them’ but I never wavered.
So I guess that there was never another team who I nearly supported. |  | | |
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