MY own club Queens Park Rangers have attracted a truly devout fanbase over the years.
People adore the trademark blue and white hooped shirts, the tight compactness of our homely Loftus Road stadium and flamboyant memories of legendary past players like Stan Bowles, Gerry Francis and Rodney Marsh.
Because of these unique factors, Rangers feature heavily in betting patterns amidst Championship betting.
But it is also significant that QPR boast a fascinating blend of celebrity fans. Here are some worth mentioning (in alphabetical order)…
Robin Askwith – Actor
When I was a kid in the 1970’s, I was thrilled to see Robin in the main stand at Loftus Road and I asked him to autograph my programme.
He still passionately supports the R’s and was extremely upset to hear his good friend Stan Bowles had died in February tweeting: “There are no words…RIP Stan.”
Bill Bailey – Comedian
Bill summed up his support of QPR by saying: “I’ve lived in West London since 1984 so it had to be Rangers. I have a natural inclination to go with the underdogs.
“My first game at Loftus Road was a Premiership fixture where Ray Wilkins and Les Ferdinand starred for the R’s. The whole experience was great. I loved the stadium - you are right on top of the action and I became hooked. It feels how football is meant to be.”
Giles Coren – Columnist
Giles has written about taking his son Sam to Loftus Road. He mentioned “years of heartache, boredom and irrelevance supporting QPR… in a rusty old sardine tin of a ground.”
In another article, Giles referenced going to “my beloved QPR” as follows: “It is not a theatre of dreams, it is just a place where men chase a muddy ball around, and I will love it till I die.”
Pete Doherty – Musician and Songwriter
Pete regularly wears a replica hooped shirt whilst singing on stage. When he was younger, he used to edit and sell a QPR fanzine called ‘All Quiet on the Western Avenue’. These now fetch high prices on Ebay so I am glad I possess every edition.
Maybe there is a subtle reference to that publication in his fourth Libertines album which was entitled ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’.
Michael Gove - Politician
Michael has been pictured jogging around the streets of West London in a QPR hoodie.
He attends Loftus Road with his son and has been known to tweet “You RRRRs!” after an important victory.
Mark Halsey – Referee
Now retired from refereeing, Mark describes himself in his Twitter X profile as a “massive @QPR Fan”.
He is a big advocate of R’s head coach Marti Cifuentes and tweeted towards the end of the season: “Marti is our hero.”
Mick Jones - The Clash guitarist
Mick normally sits directly in front of the press box at Loftus Road. I chatted to him once because my work colleague wanted a Clash album signed and I found Mick to be really down to earth.
London Calling by The Clash is frequently played over the QPR public address system on matchdays.
Glen Matlock - Musician
Glen was the original bass guitarist for the Sex Pistols.
He revealed: “My dad and both granddads went to QPR and I started supporting the club in 1967 when we won the old Third Division and the League Cup.”
Mary Nightingale – Newsreader
After someone asked on Twitter X which football team she supports, ITV news presenter Mary replied: “QPR - so I have very little to be happy about.”
Like the rest of us, Mary knows there is no glory to be had in following the R’s!
Hugh Pym – BBC News Reporter
Maximum respect to Hugh for tweeting about watching “my local team QPR” from “my usual seat.”
He even had a Boxing Day message of “Come on u super hooopsa”.
Andrew Ridgeley - Singer
Andrew wore an iconic Guinness-sponsored QPR shirt in filming Wham’s video for the song ‘Freedom’.
He was captured playing football alongside singing partner George Michael.
Robert Smith – Singer
A constant member of The Cure, Robert said: “Going to QPR is a family tradition. My dad supported them and it taught me there is more to life than winning.
“I began going to Loftus Road during the Rodney Marsh era.”
Louis Theroux - Broadcaster
Louis keeps a QPR scarf in his everyday bag and met legendary street artist Banksy at a home game.
The broadcaster has spoken of deep affection for the “scruffy West London football club”. He has been spotted sitting in the family section at Loftus Road with his son.
Seann Walsh – Comedian
Seann recalled his first visit to Loftus Road by saying: “I was only young and we were right next to the dug outs. R’s winger Andrew Impey came running out to do the pre-match warm-up so I shouted: ‘Come on Impey!’
“And he heard it and turned around to give me a thumbs-up. That will stay with me forever.”
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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
