QPR return to league action at Loftus Road on Saturday as they welcome Burnley to the Bush - Ash takes a look back at a memorable match and players that have played for both clubs plus the fans' memories as always.

It was a case of so near yet so far for Rangers on Wednesday night, a brilliant defensive display at Old Trafford saw Man U needing a late penalty to beat the R’s and it could of all been so different if Ledesma’s shot had gone the other side of the post but it wasn’t to be and a good defensive effort went unrewarded. Since that game we’ve lost our best player for the whole season through injury and our most promising player has been sent out on loan. So there’s much to ponder for Gareth Ainsworth as we get back to league action this weekend, with a home tie against Burnley.

Burnley are on somewhat of a high after their own Carling Cup exploits this week, knocking out last year’s runners-up and league leaders Chelsea after a penalty shot-out. That result may mean a warm reception for the team at Loftus Road tomorrow but the Clarets will be after their second win in West London this week to keep up in the promotion race and bounce back from last weeks defeat to Wolves.

It wasn’t until the late sixties that Burnley travelled to W12, coming away with a 2-1 win over the R’s in the 1968 League Cup. They were also victorious last season in a game where Rangers took a two-goal lead before a Andy Cole inspired Burnley hit back to win the game 4-2 and Cole helping himself to three of them. So lets take another walk down the blue and white hooped path of memory lane.

Memorable Match
QPR 7-0 Burnley
27TH October 1979
Second Division
Thanks to Vital QPR
Following a seven game unbeaten run the R`s succumbed to a home defeat against Sunderland and were looking to inflict damage on a Burnley side that sat rock bottom of the Second Division. The Clarets were yet to win in 12 games, drawing five and losing seven, most recently a 3-2 defeat by local rivals Preston North End, a result that would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Burnley supporters.

Burnley`s regular stopper Alan Stevenson was unavailable for selection, which paved the way for 19 year old stopper Billy O`Rourke to be handed his debut in W12, a game indeed that he would never forget. Paul Goddard opened the scoring after 18 minutes, and the lead was doubled courtesy of an Ian Brennan own goal in the 27th minute on a damp day in W12. Rangers sealed the game on the stroke of half time as Goddard doubled his tally for the day, while midfielder David McCreery also got in on the act to make it four.

Under the watchful eye of Burnley Chairman Bob Lord, the Clarets continued to capitulate as soon after the break young forward Clive Allen notched for Rangers fifth. Burnley at last started to carve out some play and opportunities and kept Rangers at bay for a brief period, but not for long. Allen doubled his tally from the spot before Glenn Roeder rounded off a sensational game a minute before the end for Rangers seventh. Despite the scoreline young Billy O`Rourke drew the plaudits for a solid performance, which could have been far worse but for some heroics between the sticks.

The stopper who passed away in 2002 aged 41, left the field in tears, but was nevertheless voted as man of the match by the Burnley Express. Rangers players stayed on to show their adulation for the young keeper.

QPR: Woods, Shanks, Gillard, McCreery, Roeder, Wicks, Bowles, Wallace, Allen, Goddard, Burke (Walsh 41).

Burnley: O`Rourke, Scott, Brennan, Noble, Thomson, Rodaway, James, Dobson, Fletcher, Young, Kindon.

Postscript: Rangers finished in fifth place with 42 points, a mere six points off eventual winners Leicester City. Burnley finished second bottom as Charlton Athletic propped up the second division table.

Connections
Dave Thomas
Burnley 1966-72
QPR 1972-76

In a career spanning twenty years and six clubs, winger Dave Thomas is best remembered both at Turf Moor and Loftus Road. Born and raised in Nottingham Thomas signed pro forms with Burnley at 16 and was tipped as a future England international. He was fast-tracked to the first team and made his debut on the last day of the 1966-67 season against Everton. In turn at 16 years and 220 days became the second youngest player ever to play for the club after Tommy Lawton.

Within two years he’d become a first team regular but couldn’t stop the club from being relegated to the Second Division. However he stayed with the Clarets the following campaign and played in all but five of the Burnley’s games. Speculation began to mount that Thomas would be moving on but was a surprise when he Burnley sold him to promotion rivals QPR in October 1972.

Thomas, a right-winger, was brought in to replace the injured Martyn Busby who was left-winger. At first Thomas struggled to adapt to the new position but once he did he would go on to excel in his new role and become a huge fan favourite at Loftus Road with his mazy runs and ability to get skip past defenders. Thomas helped Rangers to promotion in first season ironically alongside Burnley and over his four seasons in Shepherds Bush was integral part of what was arguably Rangers greatest ever team, coming within a whisker of winning the League title in 1976. He also won eight England caps in his time with Rangers.

Thomas left the Super Hoops a year later a joined Everton before enjoying spells with Wolves, Middlesborough, Portsmouth and Vancouver Whitecaps, and can now be found teaching PE at Bishop Luffa School in Chichester.
Magical R’s Moment: In a game against Wolves during his first season at Loftus Road, Parkes threw the ball to Thomas who ran the length of the field, crossed it to Stan Bowles and he put it in the back of the net.

Clarke Carlisle
QPR 2000-04
Burnley 2007-present
Once winner of Britain’s Brainiest Footballer, Clarke Carlisle started his career at Blackpool, and in just three seasons with the Seasiders he was regarded as one of the best defenders outside the top two divisions. It wasn’t long before scouts were looking at the centre-back and it was QPR manager Gerry Francis, who had a reputation of finding gems in the lower leagues, who swooped to bring Carlisle to Loftus Road for £250,000. He quickly slotted into the Rangers backline and earned a call-up to the England U21 squad alongside the likes of Ledley King and Frank Lampard.

However disaster struck later that campaign as Carlisle suffered a cruciate ligament injury that would keep him out of action for a year. When he returned Danny Shittu had arrived from Charlton and the pair would form a partnership that would become the bedrock of Rangers promotion pushes. The pair helped Rangers reach the play-off final in 2003 but couldn’t prevent the 1-0 defeat to Cardiff. It made Carlisle and Rangers ever more determined to make up for it the following campaign. Unfortunately Clarek missed part the season due to alcohol related problems and was omitted to Tony Adams Sporting Chance Clinic but once again he returned to the team and helped the R’s finish second and promotion to the Championship.

Celebrations were short-lived though as Carlisle turned down the offer of a Rangers contract and joined Leeds on a Bosman citing he was eager to move back north to be near his family. Some fans felt quite let down by the defender, leaving on a free after the club had stood by him during his personal problems and injuries even if it was to be nearer home. Especially as he didn’t last long in the north, after just a season with Leeds he moved back to London and signed for Watford. In his first season the Hornets finished third but another serious ligament injury meant Carlisle missed the play-off win and the first eight months of their Premier League season, and when Carlisle finally did return Watford had already been relegated. He had a spell on loan at Luton before moving to Burnley in 2007 for £100,000 and is now a regular first team starter for the Clarets.
Magic R’s Moment: Scoring on only his second start for the R’s with a looping header against Crystal Palace.

Others:
James Leighton Burnley 1970-75 & 1978-80, QPR 1977-78. Now pundit for BBC Radio and Real Radio
Chris Woods QPR 1979-81, Burnley 1997-98. Now goalkeeping coach at Everton
Billy Hamilton QPR 1978-79, Burnley 1979-84. Now unknown
Ian Muir QPR 1980-82, Burnley (loan) 1982. Now unknown
Gareth Taylor QPR (loan) 2000, Burnley (loan) 2001. Now at Doncaster Rovers
Arthur Gnohere Burnley 2001-04, QPR 2004-05. Now currently without a club

Fans’ Memories
The 7-0 definitely, Billy O'Rourke RIP the curly ginger haired 17 year old making his debut and crying at the end, never played for them again apparently. Also our first season back in the Championship,3-0 up after 27 minutes, a soft penalty, Santos header then Danny Coyne air kicking the ball letting Furlong in. -loftboy

I remember going 3-0 up against them in the first half the other year, and sitting at home listening to the commentary last season when they scored just before half time and posting on here "this doesn't end well"!-Northernr

Remember the 3-0 game a couple of years ago ...that's the one were the keeper came rushing out totally miskicked the ball (well he missed the ball total air shot) and injured himself ...Furs I think walked it into the empty net! ...still laugh when I think about that keeper being carried off! -eghamR

New Years Day 1972...Burnley dominated...Phil Parkes was brilliant ...and QPR won 3-1. And in those days the floodlights were so bad that when the game was shown on Match of the Day/The Big Match, was impossible to see. And the following season, the two promotion chasing teams, QPR won 2-0. We had Dave Thomas signed a few month earlier; Burnley had the then great Leighton James, who had one great initial run. And then for the rest of the game, our defence dealt with him easily. -QPRReport

I have seen us lose at home twice to them against just the 3-1 victory two seasons ago so hoping to even the score tomorrow. -komradkirk

Tenuous links:
1) Billy O'Rourke lived near me
2) He ended his career at lower non league ICI Thornton now Thornton Cleveleys FC whose U14's are captained by my son -lancshoop

7-0 win was my first R’s game. Bloke gave my dad and me complimentary tickets for SA road (cheers mate whoever you were!) Brilliant win AND on the telly!! -babygravy

Remember a 3-2 win in the pissing rain in 1982/83. Two down at half time mainly thanks to a bloke called Trevor Steven who went on to be quite good. Stood in the East paddock and got absolutely drenched. Was very close to going home at half time and then it all changed around. I'm sure Warren Neill got one, I'll have to check the old programmes to see who got the others. Think that may have been the day we went top for the first time that season and I don't think we ever dropped below second after that. Happy days-Kingshill

Beat them 3-0 at there place after that 7-0. Remember the game at ours in 72 (2-0Ii think) we ended up second in the league with them winning it. -QPR1882

If you want to add your memories e-mail us loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk, post on the message board thread or use the commenting facility below.

Photo: Action Images

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