Queens Park Rangers Football Club: Introduction

Queens Park Rangers Football Club, commonly referred to as QPR, is a professional football club based in West London, England. QPR currently plays football in the English Championship.

The staff at the Fanbase hope the supporters have much success in the future. So, here is our overview of the club.

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Overview of Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR)

• Founded: 1886
• Location: Shepherd’s Bush, West London, England
• Stadium: Loftus Road (Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium)
• Capacity: Approximately 18,439
• Nicknames: QPR, The Hoops, The Rs, Rangers
• Colours: Blue and White Hoops

Queens Park Rangers Football Club: History

Formation and Early Years
Queens Park Rangers was formed in 1886 following the merger of two local teams: St. Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers. Initially, the club moved around various home grounds in West London before settling at Loftus Road in 1917.

League Participation
QPR spent much of their early history in the lower leagues of English football. They were elected to the Football League in 1920 and have since fluctuated between the divisions. The club experienced its first taste of top-flight football in the 1968-69 season.

Key Achievements

League Cup Victory (1967)
QPR’s most significant achievement came in 1967, when they won the Football League Cup. They defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in the final, becoming the first Third Division team to win the trophy. The victory is one of the most celebrated moments in the club’s history.

Top Division Performance
QPR enjoyed their best period in the 1970s and 1980s, consistently competing in the top flight. The club finished as runners-up in the old First Division in the 1975-76 season, their highest-ever league finish, narrowly missing out on the title to Liverpool.

FA Cup Final (1982)
QPR reached the FA Cup final in 1982, where they faced Tottenham Hotspur. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but Spurs won the replay 1-0.

Premier League Era
QPR was one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992. They enjoyed a solid start in the new league, securing a top-five finish in the 1992-93 season. However, the club was relegated from the Premier League in 1996 and has since spent time oscillating between the Premier League and the Championship.

Recent Years
QPR returned to the Premier League in 2011 after a lengthy absence but has since struggled to establish itself in the top tier, experiencing relegations in 2013 and 2015. Since then, they have been competing in the Championship, aiming to return to the Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club Identity

Supporters and Rivalries
QPR has a passionate fan base primarily drawn from West London. The club’s main rivals include Chelsea, Fulham, and Brentford, with whom they contest fierce West London derbies. The rivalry with Chelsea is the most intense, though the clubs have often been in different divisions.

Ownership and Financial Challenges
The club has experienced significant financial difficulties over the years, particularly in the early 2000s. However, in 2007, the club was taken over by a consortium that included high-profile figures such as Formula 1 tycoons Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore. Tony Fernandes, a Malaysian entrepreneur, later became the majority owner. Despite the influx of money, the club has struggled with consistent performance.

Stadium and Name Change
Loftus Road is one of the more compact grounds in English football, renowned for its close-knit atmosphere. In 2019, the stadium was renamed the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in honour of a former QPR youth player who was tragically killed in 2006.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club: Notable Players

• Stan Bowles: One of QPR’s greatest-ever players, known for his flair and creativity during the 1970s.
• Rodney Marsh: A charismatic forward who was pivotal in QPR’s success in the 1960s and early 1970s.
• Les Ferdinand: A powerful striker who became a fan favourite in the 1990s, later enjoying a successful career in the Premier League.
• Terry Venables: Both a player and later a manager for QPR, Venables played a key role in shaping the club during the late 1970s.

Current Squad and Management

As of the 2023-2024 season, QPR continues to compete in the Championship. The current manager is Gareth Ainsworth. He is also a former QPR player famous for his passion and connection to the club.

Community and Legacy

QPR is deeply embedded in the local community, with various initiatives aimed at promoting youth football, education, and social inclusion. The club has a strong tradition of nurturing young talent, which continues to be a central part of its identity.

QPR’s history is one of resilience, community, and moments of triumph amidst challenges. The club remains a beloved institution in West London, with aspirations of returning to the Premier League and achieving sustained success.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club Promotion

If you support QPR, then you will want to brag about how good your team is. So, here at the Football Fan Base, you can do just that. We are a fan-based interactive network that has many options in which to brag about your favourite football team.

We also have a massive football forum for that extra banter! The best place to start is the soccer blogs. You can respond to football articles there or even create your very own blog posts.

Not only have we got the best of both worlds but our bulletin boards now include the QPR Fans Forum.

So, now that you understand what the Football Fan Base is about, join in and promote Queens Park Rangers FC. If you don’t promote QPR, your rivals will brag and boast about their teams. But QPR is the best football team in the world, isn’t it?

** Information updated on September 3, 2024.