I WENT to a football match 38 years ago where it was so chilly that the electrics failed just before kick-off and the game couldn’t take place…
QUEENS PARK RANGERS v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
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Tuesday 19th November 1985
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Milk (League) Cup Fourth Round
This was the coldest November evening in West London for 17 years and temperatures plummeted to an unbearable -8 degrees.
Spectators entering the stadium ahead of the scheduled 7.30pm start were greeted by a bitter wind and flying snow. But Rangers had their infamous plastic pitch and so the fixture didn’t seem in any doubt whatsoever.
Here is my potted history of how the drama unfolded…
Last time QPR involved in a floodlight failure was home to Nottingham Forest in the Milk Cup in 1985. Power supplies froze in cold weather.
— Tony Incenzo - my 50th football season (@TonyIncenzo) July 23, 2012
7.20pm – The team changes were announced to the 15,000-strong crowd ten minutes before kick-off. Players from both sides took an early opportunity to warm up on the pitch before returning to the dressing rooms. There was a lovely cup tie air of expectancy and the two sets of fans were already in full voice belting out a spirited array of ‘Wem-ber-lee’ songs.
7.23pm – Quite suddenly, two of the four floodlight pylons stopped working. This prompted an ironic jeer from the 1,500 travelling Forest supporters as the stadium fell into semi-darkness. The unexpected drop in temperature had caused a major fuse to blow in the London Electricity Board’s sub-station at Shepherd’s Bush. Emergency lights came on in some of the stands.
7.24pm – Rangers frantically phoned the LEB who said they were sending a repair man from North Acton two miles away. The club’s electronic scoreboard at the School End had fizzled out by this stage and the lights were out in many of the neighbouring houses in Ellerslie Road and Loftus Road.
7.31pm – An apology was made on the public address system for “a power failure in the Shepherd’s Bush area.” With no sign of the kick-off, the Forest players strolled out to the centre-circle, looked at the dimly lit scene around them and trudged back to their dressing room. The traditional cry of “Come On You R’s” rang out several times from frozen home fans on the Loft terrace. After consulting both managers, referee Mr James decided to allow 45 minutes for the floodlights to be repaired.
7.38pm – Amidst a full scale blizzard, the ref appeared in the tunnel and then the Rangers and Forest players took to the field. This brought muted applause from the crowd as no one was quite sure whether the match would commence or not.
7.41pm – Another tannoy announcement…“As soon as the Electricity Board restores supplies, we’ll be back to normal.”
7.54pm – The players returned to the dressing rooms once more and it was announced: “We are working very hard to restore power and as soon as we do the game will proceed.” The incredible blizzard was still in progress.
7.59pm – The electrician finally arrived, having been stuck in traffic en route from North Acton. He confidently assured QPR officials that the fuse would be replaced immediately and the referee said he was happy to wait until the work was completed. It was announced: “The LEB rep has arrived, he has to clear the main fuse and it will take 10 minutes.” This brought a great cheer from the Forest fans. That controversial Omniturf synthetic pitch was now completely covered in snow but ground staff were standing by with brooms to sweep it clear.
8.02pm – Yet another announcement: “Repairs are now in progress. The work is expected to take 10 minutes.” This was met with audible groans by the crowd as it seemed that little progress was being made.
8.04pm – Two men carrying tool boxes walked across the pitch to the corner of the Ellerslie and School End Stands. It was announced: “The LEB apologises for the delay.” But when the emergency electrician broke the seal on the sub-station and went in to inspect the damage, he realised that the situation was a lot more serious than first expected. A long repair job lay ahead.
8.10pm – The referee walked across the pitch to the corner where the repair work was taking place. This drew hoots of laughter from the crowd because he was wearing an overcoat on top of his kit and his skinny legs were showing!
8.11pm – The Rangers team ran proudly into the arena as the patient home supporters cheered them out for the third time that evening. Forest’s players appeared seconds later and everyone started to warm up again.
8.15pm – The electrician returned from his work area and waved all the players off the pitch. Total despondency set in amongst the crowd.
8.20pm – A final announcement: “Thank you for your patience. The LEB cannot assure the referee that they can complete the repairs in the time allowed, so regrettably the game is called off.” These words brought loud roars of derision from the shivering spectators.
The match was rearranged for the following Monday evening and Queens Park Rangers beat Nottingham Forest 3-1.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 7th February 2023
