QPR, you ready to party?

1995. I remember it well. The Britpop wars were raging, with Oasis’ meat & potatoes rock battling Blur’s mockney sing-alongs for pop chart supremacy. At the movies, David Fincher, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman made an instant classic with Se7en whilst Bruce dug out the white vest again for Die Hard with a Vengeance. On the telly, Men Behaving Badly had hit its peak of laddishness. Southend were comfortably treading water in mid-table again. I was living at home, young free and single.

And it was the last time QPR were in the Premiership. 

Looking back at some of the names fills me with nostalgia – Kevin Gallen ( Loftus Road stalwart who only left a couple of years ago ), Trevor Sinclair, Bradley Allen, Andy Impey, Simon Barker and Danny Dichio, all managed by Ray ‘Butch’ Wilkins. Sadly 1995 / 1996 was to be Rangers’ last season in the Premiership, as 11 wins in all competitions was reflected in the drop back to the old Division One.

Back to 2011 and under the leadership of Neil Warnock the Hoops are, at the time of writing, on the fringe of a return. After a draw against Cardiff at the weekend the champagne was put back on ice, but this weekend should see the West Londoners not only promoted but go up as Champions of the, er, Championship.

I personally think that teams such as QPR, and let’s not forget Blackpool, are a welcome relief, a breath of fresh air in the Premiership. Yes they are now rubbing shoulders with the big boys, and yes they will probably (and in Blackpool’s case have definitely) receive a spanking from someone. However it’s the ‘little’ teams like Burnley, Blackpool, QPR (and in some respects Fulham) that make it exciting. I don’t expect them to challenge the top 4, or even the top 10, but when you see results like Blackpool beating Liverpool it puts a smile on your face and makes you fall in love with football all over again (or maybe, because I support a League Two team, it’s just me and my underdog mentality).

I’ve been to Loftus Road many times to watch my beloved Southend get beaten, and I know how intimidating that stadium is, very similar to the old Dell at Southampton, so hopefully QPR will pull off a few shocks and surprises. They’re not short of cash so they should (and hopefully will) attract some big name additions to the squad. I know Neil Warnock is not to everyone’s taste with his bluff, gruff Northern-ness and outspoken opinions – but be honest, you would love him to manage your team. I’ll enjoy watching him ruffle some Premiership feathers next season, and enjoy watching his team gatecrash the Premiership party.

Lee Morgan

@LeeM_007