Today we welcome one of the few other league clubs to have a three part name. PNE, QPR – which others can you name?
Although we seem to have faced each other on many occasions, this is only the 19th league visit to Deepdale for the Rs since they first ventured north in 1949. Although they returned the following year, it was not until 1967 that they played here again.
That was the first of only two victories for our visitors, the second coming in 1980 when QPR were going through something of a golden spell thanks to the goals of Clive Allen and Paul Goddard, both of whom were on the mark in that 3-0 scoreline.
We have won five and drawn six of the 11 meetings since and all have been by a solitary goal, apart from our resounding 5-0 win in 2001.
The only goalless draws came in 1969 and 2007, so history suggests there will be goals today, although possibly not very many.
Clive Clark is well remembered by older fans for his starring role in our 1970/71 championship side having signed from the Super Hoops in January 1970. Prior to that, he had started his career with Leeds before moving to QPR and then on to West Bromwich Albion, When he faced his former side in the 1967 League Cup Final, Clive scored twice but couldn’t stop third division Rangers triumphing 3-2 in one of the biggest upsets in English football history.
Others to wear the hoops and the lilywhite shirt include Patrick Agyemang, Gareth Ainsworth, Clarke Carlisle, Paul Magee and Michael Robinson. Brett Angell counts both clubs amongst his 14 league clubs, having spent time on loan here from Stockport as he added to our promotion push in 2000 before ending his English career at Loftus Road.
On This Date
We have had two big home wins on this date in previous years, overcoming Oldham by 5-1 in 1922 and beating Scunthorpe United 4-1 on their first visit here in 1961.
Steve Basham is 40 today and is still fondly remembered at Deepdale for his short spell at Deepdale. After scoring ten goals in 1998/99 on loan from Southampton, Steve joined us permanently the following summer, but a badly broken leg in October 2000 effectively ended his North End career when he was only 24.
Dutch striker Erik Meijer made the last of his nine appearances this date in 2000 having joined us from Liverpool. He failed to meet expectations with either club and joined SV Hamburg soon after his spell at Deepdale ended.
Last Five Games At Deepdale
Preston North End 2 (McGeady, Hugill) Queens Park Rangers 1 (LuaLua), 25th Feb 2017
Preston North End 1 (Doyle) Queens Park Rangers 1 (Polter), 19th Mar 2016
Preston North End 1 (Nicholson) Queens Park Rangers 1 (Helguson), 19th Feb 2011
Preston North End 2 (Jones, Davidson (pen)) Queens Park Rangers 2 (Ramage, Priskin), 27th Mar 2010
Preston North End 2 (Parkin, St. Ledger) Queens Park Rangers 1 (Agyemang), 3rd May 2009