Ash returns with a look back at some of the players that have played for both clubs and recalls a memorable meeting between the two sides.

The R’s return to action this weekend after an all too early international break, with an unfamiliar Sunday 4pm game in front of the Sky cameras against Southampton . The Sheffield United debacle aside, Rangers have started the season reasonably well and go into the game buoyant after a hard-fought point at Aston Gate last time out. The Saints survived by the skin of their teeth last season but a new regime is in place at St Mary’s and Jan’s Poortvilet young team have already surprised a few people already this season, notably Derby but it seems anyone can beat them these days.

Southampton first travelled to West London in November 1920, which ended in a goalless draw. While last season’s encounter, a 3-0 win for the Saints, was one the most emotional ever seen at HQ as it was the first home game since the sad passing of Ray Jones. But there have been plenty more memories in-between as we take a walk down the blue and white hooped path of memory lane.

Memorable Match
QPR 3-1 Southampton
19 August 1992
Premier League
In August 1992 a new era in English football had begun, as the top twenty teams in England kicked off in all new FA Premier League. Sky TV had won the rights to show the games and along with the Simple Minds soundtrack and games on a Monday night, Rangers were very much part of the new all singing all dancing era of English football. After finishing a credible ninth the season before, gaffer Gerry Francis kept faith with the same squad for the new season and they kicked all their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Maine Road on the first ever Monday Night Football. The first home game of the season followed just two days later, much to Francis’ annoyance, when Southampton travelled to West London. The Saints had also kicked off the season with a draw, a goalless affair with Spurs at the Dell.

The extra two days rest at the beginning of a new season obviously helped Ian Branfoot’s men as they started the brighter and opened the scoring on the half hour with a trademark finish from Saints hero Matt Le Tissier and stayed that way until the break. Rangers came out for the second period looking more menacing and wasn’t before long an equaliser came through a simple close range finish from R’s striker Les Ferdinand. Ten minutes later and the Super Hoops had turned the game on its head with a rare goal from right-back David Bardsley, and what a goal it was. An absolute bullet of a free kick from 25 yards out that would have flown half way down South Africa Road if it hadn’t had a net to stop it, of the four goals the Bards would score for the R’s in his established career it was easily the best of them. Despite pressure from Southampton, Rangers held on and wrapped up the game four minutes from time with another penalty box finish that we would all come accustomed to that season from Les Ferdinand. Four points from their first two games was an impressive start for Rangers, one that would continue throughout a memorable campaign.

Team: Roberts, Bardsley, Wilson, Wilkins, Peacock, McDonald, Impey, Holloway, Ferdinand (Thompson), Bailey, Sinton

Postscript: Rangers recorded their highest top-flight position since 1976, finishing fifth in the Premier League and as the top club in London. Southampton successfully battled relegation to end the season 18th in the league table.

Connections
Dexter Blackstock
Southampton 2003-06
QPR 2006-Present
One of the most hard-working forwards seen at Loftus Road in recent times, Dexter started his career in hometown club Oxford United’s youth teams. He was soon picked up by scouts and it was Southampton who paid United £250,000 in compensation to bring the striker to the South Coast. At the start of the 2004-05 season, due to an injury crisis Blackstock found himself thrust into the Saints Premier League first team and scored a hat-trick in just his third game against Colchester in the League Cup. Two months later he would score in the south-coast derby against Portsmouth making him an instant hero with the Southampton faithful. Towards the end of that season Blackstock joined Plymouth Argyle on loan to gain more experience and scored four goals in fourteen games but he returned to a Southampton team who had just been relegated.

The following season he was sent on loan once again to fellow Championship team Derby County scoring three goals (one at Loftus Road ) in a brief three month spell but was re-called when George Burley took over the Saints. Despite establishing himself under Burley, Southampton bought Bradley Wright-Phillips that summer and when QPR came with a bid Dexter decided his first-team chances were better at Loftus Road . The £500,000 price tag raised a few eyebrows notably amongst the Rangers fans who were unaware the club could fork out such a fee but became Gary Waddock’s most successful signing - not that he had much competition mind you.

After taking time to settle in W12 Dexter became a key member of the side now under John Gregory that successfully avoided relegation that season. The Rangers striker scored 14 goals and won the goal of the season for his wonder striker against Preston. Last season was a bit of a mixed bag for the Rangers frontman but he has established himself quickly this campaign as Rangers number one striker and has started the season in good form in a new lone frontman role. If he stays in fit and in form, it could be some season for the R’s number nine.
Did you know? Blackstock once went in goal during a game for Southampton against Newcastle

Colin Clarke
Southampton 1986-89
QPR 1989-1990
After never quite making the grade at Bobby Robson’s Ipswich it was in the lower leagues where Clarke first made his name as a predatory striker. Spells at Peterborough, Tranmere and Bournemouth in Division Three and Four helped him earn a call up to the Northern Ireland national team. His 26 goals for Bournemouth at the end of the 1986 season saw him make the squad for the World Cup in Mexico where he would lead the line as Northern Ireland’s main striker. And despite the team bowing out at the group stage, Clarke’s performances got him a move to top flight Southampton. It was at the Dell he would enjoy the most prolific time of his career, finishing as the Saints top scorer in his first two seasons. But in March 1989 Rangers manager Trevor Francis bought the Irishman to Loftus Road. Although he never quite hit the goal heights for the R’s as he had done at Southampton, Clarke still formed a potent partnership with Mark Falco and helping QPR to decent mid table finishes. Clarke left Rangers in 1990 to join Portsmouth before beginning his coaching career that has taken him all over the world and is currently the coach of Pureto Rico.
Did you know? Clarke is second on the all time Northern Ireland goal scoring charts behind David Healey.

Dave Webb
Southampton – 1966 – 1968
QPR – 1974-1977

Big Dave Webb is one of the few players to enjoy success at both sides of West London after starring for both Chelsea and QPR during the 60’s and 70’s. However he started his career at another London club Leyton Orient making his debut in the 1964-65 season. Two years later Webb moved down to the South Coast and joined Southampton where the robust centre-back made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut with promotion rivals Wolves. Webb spent three seasons at Southampton before getting a move to the big-time with Chelsea, and it is here where Webb really made his name. winning the 1970 FA Cup beating Leeds and the Cup Winners Cup a year later at the expense of Real Madrid. He crossed West London four years later and formed a formidable partnership with Frank McLintock at the heart of the QPR defence. He was part of what is arguably Rangers greatest ever team, that went a whisker of winning the league in 1976 and won over the Loftus Road faithful. He left to join Leicester a year later followed by spells at Derby, Bournemouth and Torquay before his career as a manager for clubs including Southend, Chelsea and Brentford. Now can be found as a occasional after dinner speaker and radio pundit.
Did you know? Despite being a centre-back, Webb played for Chelsea in nearly every position.

Others:
Peter Crouch QPR 2000-01, Southampton 2004-05. Now at Portsmouth
Mark Dennis Southampton 1983-86, QPR 1987-88. Now assistant manager at Eastleigh
Indigo Idiakez Southampton 2006-08, QPR 2007 (loan). Now free agent.
Paul Murray QPR 1996-2001, Southampton 2001. Now at Shrewsbury
Iain Dowie Southampton 1991-95, QPR 1998-01. Now manager of QPR
Nigel Quashie QPR 1995-98, Southampton 2005-06. Now at West Ham
Leon Best Southampton 2004-07, QPR 2004-05 (loan). Now at Coventry.
Peter Reid QPR 1989-90, Southampton 1993-94. Now manager of Thailand
Chris Woods QPR 1979-81, Southampton 1996 (loan). Now Everton goalkeeping coach
Tim Flowers Southampton 1986-93, QPR (assistant manager) 2008-present

Fans’ Memories
Remember that Bardsley free kick - used to sit Upper Loft right behind that top corner with my Dad. Nearly ripped the net off the back of the posts. How about Gary Thompson skying the ball over from a quarter of a yard out at the Loft end circa 1991? -Northernr

Rufus Brevett scoring in a victory against them. A rare one indeed. -Dixie

The August '92 game was my favourite, which included the Bardsley free kick and 2 from Sir Les. Always special to beat the town of my birth, but this one was sweet because the Saints team contained Chels** rejects David "Utter Twunt" Speedie and Kerry Dixon plus my old school mate Franny Benali, and of course Iain Dowie. Believe it or not, Franny was an England Schoolboy striker, and quite prolific in his day. He was different gravy at school, absolutely class. And yet even with that talent, he ended up as a "robust" left back, whose main skill was lamping the ball/man into row z on a regular basis. -Real Loftus

I recall them giving us a 4-1 spanking, with some bloke called Alan Shearer scoring a couple. Whatever happened to him? -Enfieldargh

Always remember them spanking us 4-1 with their 3 young forwards Shearer Le Tissier and Danny Wallace. Vaguely remember Rueben Agboola playing centre midfield for them and reviving my hopes of a top flight career. -DenhamHoop

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