England U23 v Queens Park Rangers 1960's?

[Rocky]

The picture below features Gordon Jones (Boro) apparently playing for England U23 v QPR in a practice game. The QPR player is John McClelland so that would make the era 1961-1963. Can anybody shed any light on this game? Season, score, date?


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[stickman]

In case you're still after info here's a quick par-agraph from a 1962 QPR programme which may be relevant. Info in the third paragraph down.

Also a photo of how the club were pushing the 'football of tomorrow' during another brief move away from Loftus Road (Maybe Sir Alf watched his England team take on the Rs in similar fashion). For various reasons: weather, loss of form, the move to 'tomorrow' never took off and by the last game of the season as few as 3,500 were tempted by the 'White City' Experience. Rangers were back at Loftus Road for the beginning of next season. But I digress.

Hope you find more info on the game in question. Good luck to Boro in the play-offs.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Can I just say "Welcome" to the FPC, Mr Stickman, your expertise on QPR matters will be appreciated here.

[stickman]

Thanks for the words of welcome Pete. Glad to help out.

[Rocky]

...and a very warm welcome to the forum from me too!

Many thanks for taking time to provide this info and also for providing the images. Several months after my initial post, I'd given up hope. Excellent.

I think I'm giving up hope of making the play-offs as well, but we'll see.
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[Goonerak]

From match reports in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Birmingham Post, I've gleaned the following information:

It was only 45 minutes in duration.
Alan Peacock (2) and Jimmy Greaves scored.
Ray Wilson was due to play but pulled out at the last minute due to an ankle injury. Don Howe took Wilson's place.
Jimmy Armfield captained England.

[Rocky]

Goonerak, that is excellent, many thanks.

By chance, did the match reports list Gordon Jones and was it classed as an England or England U23 team?
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[Goonerak]

That's all of the information that was reported. Couldn't find anything in The Times.

No mention of it being an under-23 game, but it was talked about as being a warm up for the Wales game. Armfield, Wilson, Peacock and Howe were well over 23, and Walter Winterbottom was in charge of the team. I would say that it was a full England side that played.

[Rocky]

Thanks Andy. As you mention it would appear that it was a full England side rather than the U23's.

If Jones played, I guess I could say,'tounge in cheek', that he played for England even if it was just for 45 mins. Interesting to see Peacock scored also, another Boro player at the time.

More data for my records
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[stickman]

Only played 45 minutes. Rangers would've turned that around 2nd half