Source: TheGuardian
How Partizan Belgrade overcame QPR after losing the first-leg 6-2 at Highbury
QPR won the first leg – which was played at Highbury as they couldn’t use the plastic pitch at Loftus Road – but lost 4-0 in Belgrade and went out on away goalsBy Steven Pye for That 1980s Sports Blog, part of the Guardian Sport NetworkThe early 1980s were an exciting time for QPR supporters. Under the management of Terry Venables the club went to the FA Cup final in 1982, won Division Two in 1983 and secured a fifth-place finish in the top flight in 1984, earning them a place in the Uefa Cup for the 1984-85 season. But there was trouble ahead.Venables departed for Barcelona, with Alan Mullery arriving from Crystal Palace for an ill-fated spell at Loftus Road. Lasting only six months, Mullery was frank in blaming the “moaning, groaning bunch of players who treated me, themselves and their profession with contempt”. Mullery crammed a lot into his time in West London – including a 5-5 draw with Newcastle and away thrashings at Tottenham, Sunderland and Leicester – but QPR’s adventures in Europe grabbed most of the headlines in the early part of the season, but not for the right reasons. Related: How Arsenal won the Centenary Trophy, the least celebrated title in their history Related: Blackburn v Manchester United: the Cup tie that made Mick Rathbone famous Continue reading......read full article
