GEORGE BEST holds legendary status amongst long-standing Manchester United supporters.
As a twinkle-toed winger, Best made 361 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit between 1963 and 1974 scoring 137 goals. Many respected pundits say he remains the UK’s all-time greatest footballer.
I was in attendance at the match where Best made his last ever appearance in a Manchester United shirt. And I recall how another maverick player overshadowed him that day…
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS 3-0 MANCHESTER UNITED, Tuesday 1st January 1974
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Football League Division One
Stanley Bowles totally eclipsed one of football's famous Georges before a bumper crowd of 32,339 at Loftus Road.
With New Year’s Day having been declared a Bank Holiday for the first time in 1974, Queens Park Rangers went into this 3pm kick-off lying 10th in the First Division after gaining promotion the previous season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United were on an unprecedented decline languishing in 19th position.
On a mild afternoon which saw playing conditions soft underfoot, the R’s ripped into their illustrious opponents and created a dozen clear-cut chances.
United adopted a physical approach but they just couldn’t cope with the exhilarating football served up by Gordon Jago’s Superhoops.
Visiting keeper Alex Stepney made three superb saves before Rangers opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
A sharp pass from Ian Gillard picked out Don Givens, who left United defender Jim Holton stranded on the edge of the box and raced through to fire a glorious drive into the top corner.
Bowles took centre stage after that. On 33 minutes, the QPR talisman pounced to bundle the ball into the net after Holton failed to clear a Dave Thomas corner.
Gerry Francis was blocked on the goal-line by United’s Stewart Houston before Bowles put the icing on the cake with an incredible solo goal in the 65th minute.
He jinked one way, then the other, evading four tackles in the penalty area before threading home a deadly left footed strike.
The result saw QPR chalk up our 23rd consecutive home League game undefeated – a new club record.
R’s coach Steve Burtenshaw said afterwards: “When teams try to intimidate us there is no point getting involved. We just have to take our skills to them.
“I am delighted with the way we did that – especially Dave Thomas on the wing. We might have had five or six goals and I have to say I’m surprised by how easy it was to get through their defence.”
Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty said: “Queens Park Rangers are by far and away the best team we have played this season.”
In his Daily Express match report, James Lawton wrote: “The New Year message that all English football must heed flowed smoothly from the home of London’s most accomplished side.
“It proclaimed through the blazing skills of Stan Bowles, Dave Thomas and Gerry Francis, that there is only one way to deal with a team who tried to live by trench warfare.
“That sadly is the strategy of once great Manchester United, the team who used to strike out for victory borne on the extraordinary ability of George Best.”
Another telling report on events came from Frank McGhee in the Daily Mirror. He wrote: “United had nothing and no one to trouble even briefly the only side in London with much to shout about.
“Rangers outmatched them in everything, including the bravery they needed to survive opening assaults that smacked of intimidation.
“United right back Tony Young seemed to be trying for a place in the Guinness Book of Records with three fouls and a booking – all inside the first thirty seconds of actual play.
“From then on, Rangers took over, playing so well collectively, it is impossible to criticize any of their team, although two demand special praise.
“One was Stan Bowles, scorer of two goals, whose hypnotic mastery of the struggling Martin Buchan became the most memorable feature of the match.
“The other was midfield man Gerry Francis, whose skills were always lubricated with the sweat of a prodigious work-rate.”
It was the first time that Queens Park Rangers had ever defeated Manchester United.
Another interesting statistic concerned the attendance, which was the biggest in London on the day – beating 29,258 for Arsenal versus Newcastle and 32,259 at West Ham against Norwich.
QPR team: Phil Parkes, Dave Clement, Ian Gillard, Terry Venables, Terry Mancini, Frank McLintock, Dave Thomas, Gerry Francis, Mick Leach, Stan Bowles, Don Givens. Sub not used: Ron Abbott.
Man United team: Alex Stepney, Tony Young, Stewart Houston, Brian Greenhoff, Jim Holton, Martin Buchan, Willie Morgan, Lou Macari, Sammy McIlroy, George Graham, George Best. Sub not used: Arnold Sidebottom.
Attendance: 32,339
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
