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• Football legend joins the community to celebrate 125 years of QPR

Football legend joins the community to celebrate 125 years of QPR

Football legend Stan Bowles officially unveiled a green plaque on 9 July to mark the site where Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club was formed in 1886 at St Jude's Hall in Queen’s Park.

The club’s 125th anniversary year was celebrated by over 500 members of the local community, who joined in a fun football themed day of sports and entertainment.

The day was inspired by a real sense of community, providing activities for all ages. Most of the guests were youngsters and while some competed in penalty shoot-outs and other football-themed activities to win medals. Others couldn’t wait to jump onto the inflatable slides, bouncy castles and amuse themselves with balloons, face painting and dancing to the DJ.

Residents and local businesses offered a range of lively activities from zumba dancing and a health zone with massages, to community stools and henna painting. Other visitors were offered High Tea and dancing to a live band. However, the day wouldn’t have been complete without the delicious smell of Jerk chicken and amazing cuisines from the food stalls.

The QPR story began in 1882 in a newly-built residential estate of West London, with the formation of two local youth teams: St Jude's Institute and Christ Church Rangers. The two teams merged to create the renowned Queen's Park Rangers Club, as the members were based in the Queen's Park district of West London.

The new plaque is the latest addition to Westminster council’s green plaque scheme which commemorates buildings in the city associated with people and organisations that have made lasting contributions to society.
Former QPR footballer Stan Bowles, who unveiled the plaque, said "it's a great honour, as QPR is very special to me. I used to hang around here all the time and I had no idea this was QPR's original home so I think this is a fantastic idea to mark the spot."
Chief Executive Officer of QPR, Andy Evans said he was grateful for the “huge amount of support City West Homes offered to us as a Club and Trust in helping us to celebrate our formation at St Judes Hall”. He added that he hoped “we can build on the interest we created in Queens Park”.

QPR and CityWest Homes, who manage St Jude's Hall, have now embarked on a new partnership to benefit local residents in Queen's Park.