| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? 20:41 - Mar 1 with 6147 views | Stateside_Ranger |
First post on here. Have been reading the previews and match reports on here for ages. If I’ve chanced across some old topic that no-one cares about, happy to be moved on...
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually play in a match at Loftus Road? Something on the bucket list or ‘things I’ve always wanted to do’?
I’m a middling weekly 5-a-side player in my late 30’s who has discovered a website that organises small 11-a-side tournaments at professional stadiums across the country. It’s not cheap (£1500 per team) and I simply don’t have enough footballing mates that would be prepared to stump up the money to play a match at Loftus Road as most don’t support QPR.
Which is why I wanted to test whether I could form a scratch team of QPR fans via fan forums to enter the tournament. I’m not offering training or tactics or anything other than organising the chance to play at the KPF in May for around £150 (exact amount TBC). If this sounds interesting please send me a private message. The only criteria is being serious enough to pay an equal share of the entry fee, the fitness to last 2 or 3x 20-minute matches on a full size pitch, and a preferred position in a team.
Equally if by some chance you know of a team that might be able to squeeze a super sub in to make up the numbers, also let me know! Thanks. (Also posted on another well-known QPR forum this evening). |  | | |  |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 12:51 - Mar 4 with 1082 views | WestonsuperR |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 11:33 - Mar 2 by DWQPR |
I put in a bid back in the close season before the 2010-11 to play in a game between a Neil Warnock XI against a Keith Curle XI. I was 44 at the time weighing in at around 18st to drag my 6' 3" around the pitch and frankly totally unfit. I was placed in Neil Warnock's team and placed on the right wing. In my team also was Amit resplendent in a pair of pink boots that his staff at Swordfish Investments had clubbed together to buy him. I had to buy my own boots and also shin pads!
The club supplied the kits, large size for the shirts, thankfully I brought my own XXL unlike a few others who looked like they had the shirts painted on. The socks fitted well though. Youth team trainers took both sides out for pre-match warm ups, which frankly all but finished me off. Returning to our dressing room we were greeted by Neil Warnock who immediately ripped into Amit for the colour of his boots and made the rest of us feel at home.
Both sides went out side by side and lined up to then shake hands. As I went down the line of the oppostion shaking hands I asked each opponent if they was the left back. Two from the end I found my nemesis and quickly asked him if he was happy not to run if I didn't. He happily agreed. Anyway, kick off came and our side kicked off and straight away it was hoofed down the right wing. I went after it like a charging bull to the amazement of the left back who decided that he needed to match me. We ended up together in a crumpled mess as the ball went into the paddock.
Fortunately it was decided to have rolling subs and Neil recognised that he couldn't afford to have a coronary case on his hands so I spent around 30 minutes on the pitch in total and the rest of the time having a good chat with him and also Amit. Both really amiable people. Warnock was very interested in my experiences of watching the R's over the years and revealed at that time that he had high hopes of signing Taarabt permanently. Amit, well, you could just see that he loved QPR. It was a great morning and both Warnock and Curle stayed on to the very last knockings even though they were due over at Wembley to provide punditary on the FA Trophy Final.
11 years later, i'm heading towards my 55th birthday, 4 stone lighter and completed a 15km run on Sunday morning in less than 1 and a half hours and if the opportunity came again I would jump at the chance. The KPFS is a very special place. Other than my family it is the other constant in my life. |
I played in this match, on your team! It was a brilliant experience, one I’ll never forget. Neil was great and the club really looked after us with plenty of water and I think even a beer and presentation after the match.
My wife took some photos from the stand that day, if DWQPR or anyone else wanted to see them do let me know, I definitely have the 2 teams lining up.
I could be up for another game there if it happens let me know. |  | | |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 14:28 - Mar 4 with 1060 views | loneranger1 |
Sounds amazing - have sent you a PM, Stateside | | | |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 14:23 - Mar 9 with 940 views | Stateside_Ranger |
An update:
Thanks for everyone that expressed interest in this (and posting their stories of playing at Kiyan Prince).
I didn’t get quite enough folks together in time to pay the deposit for the event so unfortunately won’t be registering a team this time.
However I’m sure it will come up again and with some more notice am sure we’ll get enough people.
Cheers all. | | | |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 22:44 - Mar 9 with 883 views | PunteR |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 14:23 - Mar 9 by Stateside_Ranger |
An update:
Thanks for everyone that expressed interest in this (and posting their stories of playing at Kiyan Prince).
I didn’t get quite enough folks together in time to pay the deposit for the event so unfortunately won’t be registering a team this time.
However I’m sure it will come up again and with some more notice am sure we’ll get enough people.
Cheers all. |
Thats a shame. Thanks for trying mate. |  |
| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
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| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 00:07 - Mar 10 with 865 views | Boston |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 14:23 - Mar 9 by Stateside_Ranger |
An update:
Thanks for everyone that expressed interest in this (and posting their stories of playing at Kiyan Prince).
I didn’t get quite enough folks together in time to pay the deposit for the event so unfortunately won’t be registering a team this time.
However I’m sure it will come up again and with some more notice am sure we’ll get enough people.
Cheers all. |
...and all those deposits will be returned from Nigeria asap. | |
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| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 09:53 - Mar 10 with 813 views | Stateside_Ranger |
Funnily enough that’s probably what caused it to fall short this time.
I had no issue getting enough QPR fans interested in a game at LR.
The issue was in reaching out to everyone in a way that seemed safe to all parties in order to raise the total deposit amount etc.
Given we live in a world of clever financial services you’d think there was a way to place money safely with a 3rd party (a bank?) to use for an agreed purpose. Who knows, something to figure out for next time.
I would definitely encourage everyone to be careful and watch out for internet scams of which sadly there are many. | | | |
| Fancy playing at KPF Stadium...? on 19:59 - May 11 with 668 views | Stateside_Ranger |
A quick note to anyone that wanted to play at the KPF...
...there are still places on the football aid website for 2x games next Sunday (23rd). The teams may involve some ex Rs too, like some of the stories on this thread.
(Thanks LFW Clive for retweeting the football aid advert today). | | | |
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