As QPR head up to Pride Park on Friday evening, LFW looks back to a 5-1 Rangers win at the old Baseball Ground when the R’s great side of the 1970s was at its peak.
Derby County 1 Queens Park Rangers 5, Saturday August 23, 1975, First Division
Given the unusually large number of highlights packages available of historic meetings between these two sides — list of links follows at the end of this piece — it’s frustrating that video footage of the game most QPR fans most associate with trips to Derby is so hard to come by.
Rangers have often enjoyed visiting this part of the world, be it the Baseball Ground where they secured memorable wins twice in 1988 and 1973 or more recently at Pride Park where the R’s have won three and drawn three of six visits. But it was the meeting between these two sides at derby’s former ground in 1975 that is one of the most iconic and often recalled games of QPR’s entire history.
Derby had won promotion from the Second Division in 1968/69 under the mercurial management of Brian Clough and then, miraculously, won the First Division outright in 1972. They reached the semi-final of the European Cup in 1973 but, infamously, Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor fell out with chairman Sam Longson and resigned. They were replaced by Dave Mckay, the veteran former Spurs player who Clough and Taylor had signed to anchor the defence in their title winning season, and using the team that Clough built, Mackay won the title again in 1975, two points ahead of Liverpool and added the Charity Shield at the start of 1975/76 for good measure.
QPR had followed a similar trajectory. Promoted from Division Two at the end of 1972/73 they’d finished eighth in their first season and eleventh in the second. There were few signs to outsiders of what was to come from the Super Hoops in 1975/76 but manager Dave Sexton, who’d replaced promotion-winning boss Gordon Jago in 1974, was in the midst of a football revolution at Loftus Road. Sexton blended the magical skills of Stan Bowles with the pacy wing play of Dave Thomas, the classy midfield work of Gerry Francis and the solid experience of Dave Webb, Frank McLintock, and others to put together Rangers greatest ever side that season.
They laid their cards on the table nice and early, beating title favourites Liverpool 2-0 at Loftus Road on day one, including the BBC’s Goal of the Season from Gerry Frances, and then, after a 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa, annihilated the champions on their own patch to send out a clear message to the rest of the country.
Few will have fancied QPR’s chances at the Baseball Ground anyway, and that feeling would only have been exacerbated by the absence of both first choice centre backs from Sexton’s team — McLintock was injured against Villa, Webb against Liverpool, and so the inexperienced, and much maligned, pair of Ron Abbott and Tony Tagg — on his full debut - took to the field for the first away game of the season. Against a home side that included Kevin Hector, Francis Lee, Bruce Rioch, Charlie George and Archie Gemmill that looked a big ask. But Derby had started the season with draws against Sheffield United and Coventry so weren’t infallible and so it proved.
Rangers ran in five goals, including a hat trick from Stan Bowles and further strikes from Thomas and full back Dave Clement. Roy McFarland scored the hosts’ consolation goal.
Derby would eventually finish fourth having fired Mckay in November. Rangers ended up second to Liverpool, infamously missing out on the title courtesy of an East defeat at Norwich — the only defeat they suffered in their final 15 matches — and a Liverpool win at Wolves a week after the end of the season.
Derby: Bolton, Thomas, Nish, Rioch, McFarland, Todd, Newton, Gemmill, Lee (Hinton 50), Hector, George.
QPR: Parkes, Clement, Abbott, Tagg, Gillard, Leach, Francis, Masson, Thomas (Beck 63), Bowles, Givens.
Attendance: 27,950
Highlights >>> Derby 1 QPR 0 15/16 >>> Play Off Final — Full Game >>> QPR 2 Derby 1, 13/14 >>> Derby 2 QPR 2, 10/11 >>> Derby 2 QPR 4, 09/10 >>> Derby 1 QPR 1, 90/91 >>> QPR 1 Derby 1, 90/91 >>> Derby 2 QPR 0, 89/90 >>> QPR 0 Derby 1, 89/90 >>> QPR 0 Derby 1, 88/89 >>> Derby 0 QPR 1, 88/89 >>> QPR 1 Derby 1, 87/88 >>> Derby 3 QPR 3, 80/81 >>> QPR 4 Derby 1, 74/75 >>> Derby 1 QPR 2, 73/74 >>> Derby 4 QPR 2, 72/73
QPR 0 Derby County 1, Tuesday December 10, 2016, Championship
With QPR now top of the Championship form table, and Derby having their annual end of season collapse, it’s hard to think back just a few short months to the first meeting between the sides in December. Back then Derby were flying, apparently rejuvenated by the second coming of Steve McClaren, and they survived a few typically nervy moments from Scott Carson who saved well from Tjaronn Chery but fumbled shots from the Dutchman and Yeni Ngbakoto and got away with it. QPR were in the midst of a six game losing run that had everybody wondering whether bringing Ian Holloway back to the club was such a good idea — they conceded another late goal, to Tom Ince on this occasion, to lose the game 1-0. But as we approach the return fixture it’s Derby collapsing, McClaren out of a job, and Ian Holloway has QPR motoring.
QPR: Smithies 6; Perch 7, Onuoha 6, Lynch 6, Bidwell 6; Luongo 5, Hall 6, Cousins 7 (Shodipo 77, 6); Ngbakoto 5, Washington 5 (Polter 69, 5), Chery 5 (Gladwin 64, 5)
Subs not used: Borysiuk, Ingram, Sandro, Wzsolek
Derby: Carson 6; Baird 6, Keogh 7, Pearce 6, Olsson 6; Hughes 7 (Bryson 79, 6), Johnson 5, Butterfield 6; Ince 7, Bent 5 (Vydra 63, 6), Weimann 5 (Camara 79, 7)
Subs not used: Shackell, Russell, Mitchell, Hanson
Goals: Ince 86 (assisted Camara)
Bookings: Butterfield 17 (foul), Baird 26 (foul)
QPR 2 Derby 0, Tuesday March 8, 2016, Championship
One of the rare better, more attacking performances under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s reign as QPR manager saw the R’s beat Derby 2-0 at Loftus Road last season. Tjaronn Chery swept home a fine opener from James Perch’s cross from left back before half time and Gabrielle Angella, up from the back, bundled in a late second from a perfect Matt Phillips free kick.
QPR: Smithies 6; Onuoha 6, Angella 7, Hill 8, Perch 7; Faurlin 7, Henry 7; Phillips 6, Chery 7 (Mackie 76, 5), Hoilett 8 (Petrasso 90+5, -), Polter 7
Subs not used: Konchesky, Ingram, Washington, Tozser, El Khayati
Goals: Chery 24 (assisted Perch), Angella 86 (assisted Phillips)
Bookings: Phillips 34 (foul), Polter 83 (repetitive fouling)
Derby; Carson 6; Christie 5, Keogh 6, Shackell 5, Olsson 5; Bryson 5 (Bent 67, 5), Hanson 6; Ince 5, Butterfield 5 (Hendrick 57, 6), Russell 5 (Blackman 79, 5); Martin 5
Subs not used: Grant, Buxton, Johnson, Weimann
Derby County 1 Queens Park Rangers 0, Tuesday November 3, 2015, Championship
Chris Ramsey’s brief reign as QPR manager came to an end when these sides met for the first time last season at Pride Park in November. During an awkward period of the campaign, where Neil Warnock had returned to "advise” Ramsey/pitch for Les Ferdinand’s job, the R’s followed one weak 1-0 loss at Brentford with another. They had good grounds for a penalty appeal in the second half when Scott Carson seemed to foul Junior Hoilett, but it was really no surprise when Anders Weimann lashed in a fine finish straight after half time to give the hosts a 1-0 victory.
Derby: Carson 6; Christie 6, Shackell 6, Keogh 6, Forsyth 6 (Warnock 21, 6 (Baird 77, 6); Hendrick 6 (Hanson 83, -), Johnson 7, Butterfield 7; Russell 6, Martin 6, Weimann 7
Subs not used: Grant, Bryson, Bent Pearce
Goals: Weimann (assisted Keogh)
Bookings: Christie 41 (ungentlemanly), Johnson 57 (dissent), Weimann 85 (foul), Russell 90 (kicking ball away)
QPR: Green 6; Perch 4, Onuoha 6, Hall 7, Konchesky 5; Henry 6, Faurlin 6 (Blackwood 84, -), Tozser 6 (Fer 76, 5), Yun 7 (Hoilett 66, 5); Austin 6, Phillips 5
Subs not used: Doughty, Smithies, Angella, Polter
Red Cards: Perch 89 (two yellows)
Bookings: Yun 41 (ungentlemanly), Austin 48 (foul), Perch 72 (foul), Perch 89 (foul), Fer 90+2 (foul)
Derby County 0 Queens Park Rangers 1, Saturday May 24, 2014, Championship Play-Off Final
QPR’s first visit to Wembley since 1986 ended with their first victory at the national stadium since 1967 in the most incredible circumstances. Derby were clear favourites, having finished the season in form, but QPR came with a solid defence led by Richard Dunne and Nedum Onuoha in imperious form. Gary O’Neil’s red card after half time felt like the moment it would swing decisively towards the Rams but with Patrick Bamford stuck on the bench, Derby kept playing directly up to Chris Martin who was well marked by Dunne throughout. QPR offered nothing, blatantly playing for penalties, but realised there was something there for them in the final minutes when Joey Barton shot wide with the Derby defence switched off. Minutes later, the magic moment for Bobby Zamora after hard work by Junior Hoilett down the right. A long old night in the Crown and Sceptre ensued.
Links >>> A way to win — match report >>> Derby 0 QPR 1 — As it happened
Derby: Grant 6; Wisdom 7, Keogh 7, Buxton 8, Forsyth 7; Hendrick 6, Thorne 9, Hughes 7 (Bryson 66, 7); Russell 8 (Dawkins 67, 6), Martin 5, Ward 7 (Bamford 90+2, -)
Subs not used: Eustace, Sammon, Legzdins, Whitbread
QPR: Green 9; Simpson 7, Onuoha 7, Dunne 9, Hill 6 (Henry 66, 7); Hoilett 8, Barton 7, O’Neil 7, Kranjcar 5 (Traore 30, 7); Doyle 6 (Zamora 60, 7), Austin 6
Subs not used: Morrison, Suk-Young, Hughes, Murphy
Goals: Zamora 90 (assisted Hoilett)
Sent off: O’Neil 60 (professional foul)
Bookings: Zamora 90 (over celebrating)
Derby County 1 Queens Park Rangers 0, Monday February 10, 2014, Championship
Perhaps Derby would have been better waving QPR through in February. The only reason Rangers ended up in the play-offs at all was a poor run of form through the spring which started around the time of a weak 1-0 loss in a Sky Monday night game at Derby. The goal itself could easily have been disallowed — Chris Martin committing a foul on the goal line as John Eustace’s header looped into the net — but it wouldn’t have happened at all had Rob Green not chosen to punch the corner rather than catch it and Derby had already spurned two gilt-edged chances before that. Rangers would take their revenge in May.
Derby: Grant 6; Wisdom 7, Buxton 7, Keogh 6, Forsyth 6; Eustace 7, Bryson 7, Hughes 8 (Hendrick 68, 6); Ward 7 (Russell 42, 7), Bamford 7 (Sammon 81, -), Martin 8
Subs not used: Bennett, Legzdins, Whitbread, Thorne
Goals: Eustace 19 (assisted Hughes)
Booked: Forsyth 59 (foul), Grant 87 (time wasting)
QPR: Green 5; Hughes 6, Dunne 6, Hill 6, Assou-Ekotto 6; O'Neil 5 (Hoilett 45, 5), Barton 6, Carroll 5 (Jenas 79, 5), Kranjcar 5; Johnson 5 (Maiga 45, 4), Doyle 5
Subs not used: Traore, Onuoha, Henry, Murphy
Booked: Assou Ekotto 22 (foul), Kranjcar 50 (foul), Barton 64 (repetitive fouling), Dunne 76 (foul)
QPR 2 Derby County 1, Saturday November 2, 2013, Championship
Jermaine Jenas ruined Steve McClaren’s first return to Loftus Road with a goal in each half as the R’s beat Derby 2-1 in W12 back in November that season. Jenas bundled in the first after 11 minutes after Charlie Austin had forced Matt Phillips’ cross towards goal and then inadvertently diverted a header into the net on the hour when a free kick from Ale Faurlin caused panic in the heart of the Derby defence. Dawkins had equalised for the visitors after 23 minutes and Rangers did well to come back and win against stiff opposition but the whole thing was overshadowed by the latest cruciate knee ligament injury suffered by Faurlin in the second half which brought his season to a premature end.
QPR: Green 7; Simpson 7, Dunne 6, Hill 7, Assou-Ekotto 7; Faurlin 8 (Henry 77, 6), Barton 8; Hoilett 6 (Traore 80, -) , Jenas 7, Phillips 7; Austin 6
Subs not used: Johnson, Onyewu, Wright-Phillips, Chevanton, Murphy
Goals: Jenas 11 (assisted Phillips/Austin), 63 (assisted Faurlin)
Bookings: Faurlin 65 (foul), Hoilett 67 (foul)
Derby: Grant 6; Wisdom 7 (Bennett 90, -), Keogh 6, Buxton 6, Forsyth 6; Ward 7, Eustace 6, Bryson 6, Hughes 7, Dawkins 6 (Sammon 72, 6); Martin 5
Subs not used: Smith, Jacobs, Freeman, Ball, Morch
Goals: Dawkins 23 (assisted Ward/Buxton)
Bookings: Martin 26 (diving), Wisdom 41 (foul), Eustace 45 (foul), Forsyth 61 (foul)
QPR 0 Derby County 0, Monday April 18, 2011, Championship
QPR were on the cusp of the Championship title when these sides met at Lotus Road back in 2011. A win in front of the Sky cameras could have helped nudge the R’s over the line and the Derby goal led a charmed life at times but the visitors escaped with a point that kept their hosts sweating on not only on the pitch matters, but also the forthcoming Ale Faurlin FA hearing, a little while longer. Robbie Savage rejoiced in Tweeting after the match about his man marking job on Adel Taarabt but in truth the Moroccan had much the better of the first half and was unlucky not to score with a chipped effort cleared from the line.
QPR: Kenny 7, Orr 6, Gorkss 6, Connolly 6, Hill 6, Derry 7, Faurlin 6, Routledge 6 (Miller 83, -), Taarabt 6 (Agyemang 71, 5), Smith 7, Helguson 6 (Hulse 85, -)
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Buzsaky, Ephraim, Shittu
Booked: Routledge (dissent)
Derby: Jones 7, Brayford 6, Barker 7, Ayala 7, Roberts 6, Savage 6, Bailey 7, Pearson 7 (Anderson 89, -), Robinson 5, Ward 8, Steve Davies 6 (Leacock 90, -)
Subs Not Used: Atkins, Porter, Doyle, Bueno, Ben Davies
Booked: Savage (foul), Ayala (foul), Bailey (foul), Brayford (foul)
Derby County 2 QPR 2, Saturday August 28, 2010, Championship
Few games in the 2010/11 promotion season typified the spirit of Neil Warnock’s QPR side as the August trip to Derby County. Rangers scored twice in injury time at Pride Park to extend their unbeaten run on that ground to six matches. The Rams had seemed set for all three points when Kris Commons drilled home from close range just before half time and youngster James Bailey did likewise in the second half. But QPR got a goal back against the run of play when substitute Patrick Agyemang ran clear and cleverly rolled the ball home and when Paddy Kenny made a fine save in the fourth minute of added time to prevent Derby scoring a third there was still time to launch the ball down field and equalise through Jamie Mackie who peeled off his shirt and celebrated manically in front of the QPR fans.
Derby: Bywater 6, Brayford 6, Leacock 6, Barker 5, Roberts 6, Doyle 7 (Martin 57, 7), Green 7, Savage 8, Bailey 7, Commons 8 (Cywka 45, 8), Moxey 7 (Ball 90, -)
Subs Not Used: Deeney, Buxton, Pringle, O'Brien
Booked: Moxey (foul)
Goals: Commons 40 (assisted Moxey), Bailey 59 (assisted Cywka)
QPR: Kenny 7, Orr 6, Gorkss 6, Connolly 5, Hill 6, Derry 6 (Buzsaky 61, 6), Faurlin 5, Ephraim 6, Mackie 7, Helguson 5 (Agyemang 62, 6), Taarabt 6 (Clarke 69, 5)
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Leigertwood, Ramage, German
Booked: Hill (foul), Mackie (over celebrating)
Goals: Agyemang 90 +1 (assisted Clarke), Mackie 90+5 (unassisted)
Head to Head >>> Derby wins 19 >>> Draws 18 >>> QPR wins 15
2016/17 QPR 0 Derby 1
2015/16 QPR 2 Derby 0 (Chery, Angella)
2015/16 Derby 1 QPR 0
2013/14 Derby 0 QPR 1* (Zamora)
2013/14 Derby 1 QPR 0
2013/14 QPR 2 Derby 1 (Jenas 2)
2010/11 QPR 0 Derby 0
2010/11 Derby 2 QPR 2 (Agyemang, Mackie)
2009/10 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Cook)
2009/10 Derby 2 QPR 4 (Taarabt, Mahon, Simpson, Buzsaky pen)
2008/09 Derby 0 QPR 2 (Routledge, Leigertwood)
2008/09 QPR 0 Derby 2
2006/07 Derby 1 QPR 1 (Rowlands)
2006/07 QPR 1 Derby 2 (Smith)
2005/06 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Nygaard)
2005/06 Derby 1 QPR 2 (Ainsworth, Gallen)
2004/05 Derby 0 QPR 0
2004/05 QPR 0 Derby 2
1990/91 Derby 1 QPR 1 (Wegerle)
1990/91 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Wegerle)
1989/90 Derby 2 QPR 0
1989/90 QPR 0 Derby 1
1988/89 QPR 0 Derby 1
1988/89 Derby 0 QPR 1 (Stein)
1987/88 Derby 0 QPR 2 (Allen, Fereday)
1987/88 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Bannister)
1982/83 Derby 2 QPR 0
1982/83 QPR 4 Derby 1 (Stainrod 2 Gregory, Fenwick pen)
1981/82 QPR 3 Derby 0 (Hazell, Fenwick, Flanagan)
1981/82 Derby 3 QPR 1 (Gregory)
1980/81 QPR 3 Derby 1 (Francis 2, Flanagan)
1980/81 QPR 0 Derby 0* (QPR won 5-3 on pens)
1980/81 Derby 3 QPR 3 (King 2, Langley)
1980/81 Derby 0 QPR 0*
1978/79 QPR 2 Derby 2 (Goddard, Walsh)
1978/79 Derby 2 QPR 1 (Howe)
1977/78 Derby 2 QPR 0
1977/78 QPR 0 Derby 0
1976/77 Derby 2 QPR 0
1976/77 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Givens)
1975/76 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Nutt)
1975/76 Derby 1 QPR 5 (Bowles 3, Thomas, Clement)
1974/75 QPR 4 Derby 1 (Givens 3, Thomas)
1974/75 Derby 5 QPR 2 (Leach, Bowles)
1973/74 QPR 0 Derby 0
1973/74 Derby 1 QPR 2 (Francis, Bowles)
1972/73 Derby 4 QPR 2** (Leach, Givens)
1969/70 QPR 1 Derby 0** (Mackay og)
1967/68 Derby 4 QPR 0
1967/68 QPR 0 Derby 1
1947/48 Derby 5 QPR 0
1947/48 QPR 1 Derby 1 (Hartburn)
* - Play Off Final
Dave Webb >>> QPR 1974-1977 >>> Derby 1978-1980
Dave Webb is, unfortunately, more known for his connections to QPR’s bitter near neighbours Chelsea than his achievements at Loftus Road. He scored the winning goal in the 1970 FA Cup final replay for the Blues against Leeds and then collected a European Cup Winners’ Cup medal a year later into the bargain beating Real Madrid in the final after a replay.
Chelsea had actually been fortunate to get to a replay in that final, with Leeds dominant in the first game at Wembley and Webb absolutely tormented by winger Eddie Gray. For the replay, manager Dave Sexton moved Webb to centre back and used Ron Harris as a man marker on Gray to great effect. Webb headed in ian Hutchinson’s long throw to win the trophy in extra time.
He joined Rangers for £120,000 in the summer of 1974, one of the final signings made by Gordan Jago who’d won promotion with Rangers 12 months previous. But it was under Jago’s replacement Dave Sexton, remembered as one of QPR’s greatest ever managers, that Webb really started to excel.
Sexton had worked with Webb at Stamford Bridge during that prolific, trophy winning, era of the late 1960s and early 1970s but when ground improvements at Stamford Bridge almost bankrupted the club Sexton lost his best players like Peter Osgood and found himself out of a job. He arrived at QPR midway through the 1974/75 season and paired Webb at centre half with veteran former Arsenal star Frank McLintock.
Although he bizarrely retired from the game abruptly in February 1975 he returned soon after saying he’d resolved some personal business issues and he became known in W12 for his commitment and enthusiasm. Webb was a key part of the wonderful Rangers team that finished second to Liverpool in the First Division in 1975/76.
Webb missed a crucial penalty in a shoot-out defeat to AEK Athens in March 1977 but showed his sense of humour and character by placing the ball on the spot at the Loft End during the warm up of the following match and slamming it home with a wry smile. After 147 appearances for Rangers, and 11 goals, he spent the 1977/78 season with Leicester City, and 1978-1980 with Derby where he made 26 appearances.
He then moved into management with player-manager positions at Bournemouth and later Torquay. He has had three separate spells in charge of Southend as well as stints with Chelsea, Brentford and Yeovil.
Webb had initially started as a junior at West Ham but joined near neighbours Leyton Orient and made his senior debut for them in 1963 after failing to make the grade at Upton Park. He made 75 appearances for Southampton before the successful six year stint at Chelsea.
Others >>> Steve McClaren Derby (manager) 2013-2015, 2016-2017, QPR (coach) 2013 >>> Rob Hulse QPR 2010-2012, Derby 2008-2010 >>> Tommy Smith, QPR 2010-2012, Derby 2004-2006 >>> Tamas Priskin, Derby (loan) 2010-2011, QPR (loan) 2010 >>> Dean Sturridge, Derby County 1991-2001, QPR 2005-2006 >>> Bob Malcolm, QPR 2007-2008, Derby 2006-2008 >>> Inigo Idiakez QPR 2007, Derby 2003-2004 >>> Adam Bolder, QPR 2007-2009, Derby 2000-2007 >>> Lee Camp, Derby 2002-2007, QPR (loan) 2004, (loan) 2007, 2007-2009 >>> Dexter Blackstock QPR 2006-2009, Derby (loan) 2005 >>> Ian Evatt, QPR 2005-2007, Derby 1999-2003 >>> Warren Barton, QPR 2003-2004, Derby 2002-2003 >>> Paul Peschisolido, Derby 2004-2007, QPR (loan) 2000 >>> Kevin Lisbie Derby (loan) 2006, QPR (loan) 2000-2001 >>> Mikkel Beck QPR (loan) 2000, Derby 1999 >>> Danny Dichio, Derby (loan) 2003, QPR 1993-1997 >>> John Gregory, QPR (manager) 2006-2007, 1981-1985, Derby 1985-1988, (manager) 2002-2003 >>> Jim Smith Derby 1995-2001, QPR 1985-1988 >>> Paul Goddard, Derby 1988-1989, QPR 1977-1980 >>> Leighton James, QPR 1977-1978, Derby 1975-1977 >>> Steve Wicks, QPR 1981-1986, 1979-1981, Derby 1978-1979 >>> Gary Micklewhite Derby 1985-1993, QPR 1979-1985 >>> Don Masson, Derby 1977-1978, QPR 1974-1977 >>> Gordon Hill, QPR 1979-1981, Derby 1978-1979 >>> Dave Webb, Derby 1978-1980, QPR 1974-1977
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Pictures — Action Images