QPR Statto Pack

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 15/03/2001

SO, as we enter the final stages of the season, we expect to see some really exciting, knicker-gripping stuff as the teams battle it out for first division safety, and QPR v Grimsby Town will be no different!

Past Meetings

The last meeting between the two sides was of course, back in October last year in what (in my opinion) was the best game of the season so far at Blundell Park. It was of course the night when the ‘messiah’ arrived for his first start and first goal for Town. Sadly David Nielsen never signed after a huge fiasco over his transfer negotiations, which at the end of the day was a loss for both player and club.

However, before any of that Town had whipped QPR 3-1 after being 1-0 down at halftime. So, off went Campbell, on went Livvo, a new look 4-3-3 formation with Nielsen/Allen/Livvo. Town never looked back, as Nielsen and Livvo(2) bagged the goals that secured a 3-1 victory. Unfortunately that trio never had the chance to blossom much more, as Bradley Allen got injured, but if only he hadn't, where would Town be now?

Past Players

The strongest connection between the two sides is current Town hero BRADLEY ALLEN (left), who followed the family tradition, with Bradley's brother Clive, father Les and cousin Martin all playing for the Loftus Road outfit. Bradley scored 27 times in 81 league appearances for Rangers after making his debut against Wimbledon in 1989. He then moved on to Charlton Athletic in 1996, but was bogged down with injury and was brought to Blundell Park in 1999 by former Town boss Alan Buckley. Since then he has scored 16 goals and has netted 6 this year under Lennie Lawrence, with whom he has looked much more comfortable, playing a slightly different system.

Former Leicester City trainee IAN BARACLOUGH (top) played just 5 games for the Mariners from 1990-1992. He was part of the 1990/91 Grimsby promotion campaign, but never secured a regular spot down the left hand side. He then moved on to neighbours Lincoln City in 1992, and played for Mansfield and Notts County before he secured a £50,000 move to QPR under Gerry Francis Since, he has made over 100 appearances for the club and has scored 6 goals.

Current Walsall defender ANDY TILLSON (left) was one of the Alan Buckley’s first signings when he first joined the club in 1988. The talented centre half featured prominently in Towns two successive promotions in the late eighties. He formed a potent partnership with fellow defender Mark Lever and partnering the likes of Graham Rodger and Paul Futcher did him no harm at all as he earned a £400,000 move to QPR in 1990. However, he made just 30 appearances for Rangers and was over-shadowed by fellow defender Darren Peacock. So, after a short return at Blundell Park in 1992, Tillson moved to Bristol Rovers for £375,000 in 1992. He went on to make nearly 300 appearances and was part of many successful campaigns, without gaining promotion. He is now captain of Ray Graydons Walsall side, who look set to make a return to division one via the automatic places.

Two former Grimsby trialists have made the ranks with QPR. The much-travelled JOHN BURRIDGE (right) had a short spell with Town in the mid 90s as cover for Paul Crichton. However his stay at Loftus Road was slightly longer than a few weeks, as he made 39 appearances in goal from 1980/1982 with a £200,000 transfer looming over him. Burridge went on to play for lots of league clubs (too many to mention) and is now manager of a non-league team. Current Crewe stopper ADEMOLE BANKOLE was understudy to various keepers at Loftus Road, failing to hold down the number one jersey. He had a brief trial at Blundell Park in the 1998/99 season, when Aidan Davison was ‘dropped’ from the Town side, but a permanent move was never to be.

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