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Thursday, March 14, 2013

Next Aston Villa: Photos from QPR's 1968 Promotion Win at Villa...Flashback 15 Years: Alan McDonald in Goal Against QPR for Swindon!

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- QPR History in Photos: From the 1880s to the 21st Century - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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 - 15 Years Ago - Alan McDonald Goes in Goal

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - March 16, 1998

BIG AL`S HAPPY RETURN

ALAN McDonald had mixed emotions about his return to Loftus Road with Swindon Town and his incredible 68 minute stint as an emergency goalkeeper.

Macca said:"If someone told me 12 months ago that I’d be playing against Rangers and playing in goal, I would have thought they were a lunatic! Obviously having spent 17 years at Loftus Road, in my own heart I honestly thought I was going to finish my career with QPR.

"So it was always going to be an emotional day for me to return to the R’s for the first time, having left in the summer. And it was tremendous to get a good reception from the Rangers supporters.

"I nearly had to play in goal against QPR down at Swindon earlier in the season as Fraser Digby was only half fit, but he played in that one. I’ve gone in goal for the reserves at QPR and I’ve done it in training loads of times, so it wasn’t a problem for me.

"But when Fraser was sent-off at Loftus Road on Saturday, I was nervous when I had to take over between the sticks. Especially as it was down at the Loft end in front of the Rangers fans. I just thank God that I didn’t make any crucial mistakes. I’m very good friends with the Rangers players and Kevin Gallen made a couple of sarcastic comments about my saves, but I just looked at him and laughed.

"It was Roy Of the Rovers stuff for me to return to QPR and take over in goal. If I’m back again next year, the only way I could top it would be to play against Rangers on my own!" he said.




It all came down to the final game of the season on the 11th May 1968, against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Rangers won 2-1 with goals from Mick Leach and the never to be forgotten Keith Bradley own goal.
Rangers were in the top Division for the first time



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Villa goalkeeper Colin Withers stopping Rodney Marsh getting to the ball.




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[image] Rodney Marsh and Frank Clarke with Alan Harris joining in the celebrations after Aston Villa full back Keith Bradley scores an own goal and promotes Rangers.


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A section of the 15,000 Rangers supporters at Villa Park.


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Alec Stock and Bill Dodgin celebrate as the final whistle goes at Villa Park.
Also on the touchline Ricky Orsmond (club mascot), Alan Wilks (sub) & Ron Woolnough (physio)


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Mick Leach being mobbed by Rangers supporters at the end of the game at Villa Park.


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Mick Leach celebrates.


The final table.


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Manager and players raise a glass to winning promotion from the 2nd Division.


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Left to Right:
Rodney Marsh, Ian Morgan, Roger Morgan, Keith Sanderson, Ron Springett, Frank Clarke, Mick Leach, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Mike Keen & Alec Stock.

The Civic Reception at Hammersmith Town Hall


Read more:http://qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=history&thread=22572&page=1#150385#ixzz2NVSdM8il








FA Cup 1stR. November 29th, 1930. QPR 5-0 Thames AFC

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