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I spoke to him just once, in the club shop, probably during the summer of 1974. I will always remember how he came over as being really friendly and a true gentleman. Responsible for assembling what I think was our best ever squad (including Stan, Don Givens and Dave Thomas) I’m pleased he made it to the grand old age of 92.
Early days yet but in view of well-documented striker shortages I hope we can keep Charlie Kelman. Several nice layoffs, looked good when he drove forward and he tackled back well to win the ball at least once. Also got the assist for Dembele’s second goal. Despite not getting much service he certainly made his presence felt.
Marti was in charge at Rangers for 1.5 years and prior to ‘gardening leave’ was the 5th longest serving Championship manager - with the actual longest serving, Michael Carrick, being at Middlesbrough for a staggering 2.5 years.
Now including us, 17 of 24 Championship clubs (71%) either have no manager or a manager who has been in place for less than a year.
In 1962, when Clement Danes was based in Du Cane Road, the school first team played a QPR team in a friendly at Loftus Road and won 4-3. The QPR team included Alec Stock who was manager at the time and George Bristow, whilst the Danes team was occasionally coached by the former England captain Billy Wright. There is a short Guardian article about the game in the link: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/mar/03/first-time-playing-professi
Last season after 14 games we had won 2 (both away), drawn 2 and lost 10. Points 8 with a goal difference of -16. Gareth Ainsworth never made it to the 15th game.
This season after 14 games it’s won 1, drawn 7 and lost 6, Points 10 with a goal difference of -11.
Ron Springett (Sheffield Wednesday) and Peter Springett (QPR) played against each in an FA cup tie in January 1967 at Hillsborough (Wednesday won 3-0).
The first article cites a recent study in North America, carried out at Columbia University, looking at young people (average age 27) currently playing in local league teams who were tested using MRI scanning. The study found that high levels of heading were associated with changes in brain structure that were consistent with mild traumatic brain injuries.
The second article summarises the findings of work carried out by researchers at Liverpool John Moores University and Keele University and is based on an article they wrote in the Journal of Neuropsychology in 2021.
In discussions like this it’s often better to listen to the scientific evidence rather than just the anecdotal evidence.
This following article is entitled 'Heading footballs causes decline in brain function' was the first I quickly came across. There are many more articles out there on the internet with similar conclusions.
This second article finds 'higher rates of dementia among former professional footballers compared to the general population, with ex-footballers about 3.5 times more likely to die from a neurodegenerative disease, such as that which causes dementia, than men who didn’t play football professionally.'
First 14 games up to 28th Oct 2023. Won 2; Drawn 2 Lost 10. Points 8. Position on points over this period: 22nd.
Last 14 games from 14th Feb 2024 to present. (With January signings). Won 7; Drawn 3; Lost 4; points 24 Position on points over this period: 4th equal.
Last visited Vienna in the late 1980s but funnily enough will be going back later this year - so I would be interested in your views when you return. There are all the usual tourist things to do like the art galleries, the Spanish Riding School and the horse drawn carriage rides around the centre but the things I most remember are:
(i) The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater Park. This featured in the classic film the ‘Third Man’, with Orson Welles, which was made in 1949 and set in post-war Vienna. So the Ferris wheel is really old and a bit of a relic from this era.
(ii) St Stephen’s Cathedral. It has the most spectacular roof decorated in multi-coloured tiles. When we went you could climb the stairs up the tower for some amazing views of Vienna.
(iii) The Graben which is like a historic Plaza area but with a really nice vibe to it.
Also, don’t forget to try the original Sacher-Torte Chocolate cake, the Wiener-Schnitzel and the Apfel Strudel.
I’ve unsuccessfully tried to find some more details on Gerry’s back injury because I remember from the time that Ranger’s drop in form after the brilliant 1975-76 season coincided with Gerry not being available for selection. I’ve always thought that Gerry was the most important player in 1975-76 and felt that if he hadn’t been injured we would have been a really top club, challenging for the title, for several more seasons.
All I can see is that Gerry made 11 League appearances in 76-77 but the Arsenal game at home (12 March 1977 when, as you say, he scored) was the 25th league game of the season – so something seems to have happened to him well before that match. He also only starts being listed as a goal-scorer around February/March 1977 suggesting he was making a comeback just before the Arsenal game.
I have a very vague recollection that he injured his back in a pre-season game in the summer of 1976, landing on his back on a hard pitch somewhere or other – but I may well be wrong. Someone out there must know?
A lovely tribute to Stan, thanks for speaking the thoughts of so many.
Number 9 on the video of his top 10 goals will always be my favourite and the one I will remember him for the most. Rangers had been 2-0 up against Newcastle but Bobby Moncur equalised to 2-2 in the 89th minute. As you can imagine the Rangers fans were feeling pretty down at that point - and so Stan’s 90th minute winner sent us all home delirious.
We were standing at the School End almost in line with his shot and I still vividly remember the curl he managed to put on the ball to beat Liam McFaul at the far post.
According to ‘SoccerStats’ I was surprised to see that our most recent form (last four games) is only bettered by Southampton, Leeds and Leicester.
Our actual form is: Last four games: – 4th best in the Championship. Last six games: – 10th best in the Championship. Last eight games: - 16th best Last ten games: 21st best Last twelve games: 17th best I think Marti has now been in charge for 19 games. We definitely seem to be on an upward trajectory and so there might now be some cause for hope – especially after the January signings.
Joe Hodge’s composure in taking his goal was superb. He looks like a really good loan signing. (1min 7 seconds on) ).
In yesterday’s AFCON game between South Africa and Cape Verde there was a similar chance that was missed showing that even with such chances there is still a lot of work to do - (1 min 9 seconds on)
Sinclair Armstrong’s speed and power will aways enable him to create chances out of thin air – not to mention the fact that the Blackburn defence seemed petrified of him yesterday. The trick for Marti will be to find a way of getting Sinclair to most effectively combine his talents with the different talents of players like Joe.
Not quite. Under Marti we are averaging 1.83 points a game (11 points from 6). So with 26 games left we would finish on 66 or 67 points. Good enough for 9th last season. But still a massive improvement on recent expectations!