The happy couple: QPR managers and the players they swore by
Former QPR manager Neil Warnock and ex-R’s goalkeeper Paddy Kenny have been reunited at Rotherham, where Warnock recently took over. It is the fifth time they have worked together, having also done so at Sheffield United, Bury and Leeds.
Here are four other examples of QPR bosses swearing by a particular player during their managerial career….
Terry Venables and Terry Fenwick
Venables signed Fenwick in 1980 from Crystal Palace, where the defender had also played under him. After a seven-year spell at QPR, during which he became an England regular and played in two cup finals – scoring in one and captaining Rangers in the other – he was again signed by Venables, for Tottenham. Venables later became involved at Portsmouth, where Fenwick was installed as manager. He was sacked within hours of Venables leaving the club.
Jim Smith and Kevin Brock
Wide-man Brock failed to win over QPR fans during a two-year spell in the 1980s, but Jim Smith was definitely smitten. He gave Brock his chance in League football at Oxford United, brought him from there to Rangers and then took him to Newcastle, where he established himself as a first-team regular before losing his place to future England international Rob Lee.
Ian Holloway and Marcus Bignot
Holloway signed Bignot on a free transfer for Bristol Rovers and brought him from there to QPR, where his work ethic and versatility made him a popular figure. Bignot was ever-dependable before leaving for Rushden & Diamonds. So dependable, that when Terrell Forbes was charged with a crime he was later cleared of, and Holloway urgently needed a right-back as Rangers battled for promotion, there was only one man for the job. Bignot duly rushed back on deadline day to west London, where he spent three more seasons and played a crucial role in keeping the R’s in the Championship.
Harry Redknapp and Peter Crouch
These two weren’t at QPR together – but it wasn’t for want of trying on Redknapp’s part. Crouch left QPR in 2001 to join Portsmouth, where he had two spells playing under Redknapp, who also managed him at Southampton and Tottenham. Rangers have made several unsuccessful attempts to bring Crouch back, including during Redknapp’s time as manager at Loftus Road.
