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1975–76 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}

{{morefootnotes|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox football club season

| club = Queens Park Rangers

| season = 1975–76

| chairman = Jim Gregory

| manager = Dave Sexton

| stadium = Loftus Road

| league = First Division

| league result =2nd

| cup1 = FA Cup

| cup1 result = Third round

| cup2 = League Cup

| cup2 result = Fourth round

| league topscorer = Don Givens (13)

| season topscorer = Don Givens (13)

| highest attendance = 31,002 v Leeds United (24 April 1976)

| lowest attendance = 16,759 v Birmingham City (17 January 1976)

| average attendance = 23,850

| pattern_la1 = _blue_hoops

| pattern_b1 = _bluehoops

| pattern_ra1 = _blue_hoops

| pattern_sh1 =

| pattern_so1 =

| leftarm1 =

| body1 =

| rightarm1 =

| shorts1 =

| socks1 =

| pattern_la2 =

| pattern_b2 = _redhalf2

| pattern_ra2 =

| pattern_sh2 = _qpr2021a

| pattern_so2 = _whitetop

| leftarm2 = FF0000

| body2 =

| rightarm2 =

| shorts2 = 000000

| socks2 = 000000

| prevseason = 1974–75

| nextseason = 1976–77

| largest win = 5-0 Vs Everton (11 October 1975)

| largest loss = 1-3 Vs Newcastle (11 November 1975)

}}

These are the results of the 1975–76 season for Queens Park Rangers F.C. when they competed in the English Football League First Division. Rangers enjoyed the best season in their history, finishing second in the First Division, a point behind champions Liverpool.

Season summary

Following promotion to the First Division in 1973, Rangers had spent two years gradually building a strong squad, and now announced themselves as one of the most skillful, attractive and entertaining sides in the country, under the stewardship of former Chelsea manager Dave Sexton.

Rangers began the season in superb style by beating Liverpool 2–0 at Loftus Road, with the opening goal by Gerry Francis epitomising the free-flowing football the team would play throughout the season - a pass from Frank McLintock to Stan Bowles, a deft flick through the legs to Francis, a one-two with Don Givens and a low shot despatched past goalkeeper Ray Clemence. BBC Match of the Day viewers would later vote it their 'Goal of the Season.' The following weekend, Rangers produced an even more impressive result by beating reigning champions Derby County 5–1 at the Baseball Ground, Bowles scoring a hat-trick, and four matches later a goal by David Webb ended Manchester United's unbeaten start. Indeed, it was not until their eleventh match that Rangers themselves lost for the first time, going down 2–1 at Leeds United, although they bounced back in their next match by thrashing Everton 5–0.

Four defeats in six matches straddling the New Year saw Rangers slip from top of the table to fifth, but a 2–0 win at Aston Villa in late January set in motion an extraordinary run of 11 wins and a draw that pushed them right back into contention for the League title. By the second weekend in April they were once again top of the table, a point ahead of Liverpool with three matches to play. Crucially, Rangers lost their next match 3–2 at Norwich City on 17 April, allowing Liverpool to reclaim the advantage by beating Stoke City. Both teams then won their penultimate fixtures, and after beating Leeds 2–0 on the final Saturday of the season, 24 April, Rangers were left with an agonising wait as Liverpool did not complete their fixtures until 10 days later on 4 May, at relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liverpool's superior goal average meant they needed just a draw to become champions, but when Steve Kindon fired the home side into a first-half lead after 15 minutes, Rangers' dream was very much alive. The score remained 1–0 until the final quarter of an hour, but Kevin Keegan scored a dramatic equaliser and two further Liverpool goals handed them the title by a margin of just one point.

Rangers qualified for their first season in Europe, but have never since come close to emulating that fine side.

Kit

QPR's kit were manufactured by Umbro

League Table

{{:1975–76 Football League First Division|only_totals=y|showteam=QPR}}

Results

QPR scores given first

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

= First Division =

{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/queens-park-rangers/tab/matches/season/1976/comp/200/|title=Queens Park Rangers match record: League Division One 1976}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Date

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Opponents

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Venue

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Half time score

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Full Time Score

F – A

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Scorers

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Attendance

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Position

|Parkes

|Clement

|Gillard

|Hollins

|McLintock

|Webb

|Thomas

|Francis

|Masson

|Bowles

|Givens

|Leach

|Abbott

|Beck

|Tagg

|Nutt

|Shanks

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|16 August 1975

|Liverpool

|H

|1-0

|2–0

|Francis, Leach

|27,113

|4

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|12

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|19 August 1975

|Aston Villa

|H

|0-0

|1–1

|Francis

|21,986

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|6

|12

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|23 August 1975

|Derby County

|A

|3-0

|5–1

|Thomas, Bowles 3 (1 pen), Clement

|27,590

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|

|

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|5

|12

|6

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|26 August 1975

|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|A

|2-2

|2–2

|Givens 2

|19,380

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|

|

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|5

|

|6

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|30 August 1975

|West Ham United

|H

|1-0

|1–1

|Givens

|28,408

|3

|1

|2

|3

|12

|

|

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|5

|

|6

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|6 September 1975

|Birmingham City

|A

|0-1

|1–1

|Thomas

|27,305

|4

|1

|2

|

|8

|

|3

|7

|

|9

|10

|11

|4

|5

|

|6

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|13 September 1975

|Manchester United

|H

|1-0

|1–0

|Webb

|29,237

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|20 September 1975

|Middlesbrough

|A

|0-0

|0–0

|

|24,867

|3

|1

|2

|3

|12

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|23 September 1975

|Leicester City

|H

|0-0

|1–0

|Leach

|19,292

|2

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|27 September 1975

|Newcastle United

|H

|1-0

|1–0

|Leach

|22,981

|1

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|4 October 1975

|Leeds United

|A

|0-0

|1–2

|Bowles (pen)

|30,943

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|11 October 1975

|Everton

|H

|2-0

|5–0

|Givens, Masson, Francis 2, Thomas

|23,022

|1

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|18 October 1975

|Burnley

|A

|0-0

|0–1

|

|20,409

|2

|1

|2

|3

|5

|

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|25 October 1975

|Sheffield United

|H

|0-0

|1–0

|Givens

|21,161

|1

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|1 November 1975

|Coventry City

|A

|0-0

|1–1

|Givens

|17,845

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|8 November 1975

|Tottenham Hotspur

|H

|0-0

|0–0

|

|28,454

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|15 November 1975

|Ipswich Town

|A

|0-1

|1–1

|Givens

|25,540

|4

|1

|2

|3

|10

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|22 November 1975

|Burnley

|H

|0-0

|1–0

|Bowles

|17,390

|2

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|29 November 1975

|Stoke City

|H

|1-0

|3–2

|Masson, Clement, Webb

|22,328

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|

|9

|10

|

|11

|

|8

|

|12

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|6 December 1975

|Manchester City

|A

|0-0

|0–0

|

|36,066

|1

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|

|11

|10

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|13 December 1975

|Derby County

|H

|0-0

|1–1

|Nutt

|25,465

|1

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|

|11

|10

|

|

|

|12

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|20 December 1975

|Liverpool

|A

|0-1

|0–2

|

|39,182

|4

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|26 December 1975

|Norwich City

|H

|1-0

|2–0

|Masson, Bowles

|21,774

|3

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|27 December 1975

|Arsenal

|A

|0-1

|0–2

|

|39,021

|5

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|10 January 1976

|Manchester United

|A

|1-1

|1–2

|Givens

|58,312

|5

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|

|8

|9

|10

|11

|7

|12

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|17 January 1976

|Birmingham City

|H

|2-0

|2–1

|Masson 2

|16,759

|5

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|8

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|24 January 1976

|West Ham United

|A

|0-1

|0–1

|

|26,677

|5

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|

|9

|

|11

|10

|

|8

|

|12

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|31 January 1976

|Aston Villa

|A

|0-0

|2–0

|Hollins, Francis

|32,223

|5

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|

|11

|10

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|7 February 1976

|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|H

|2-1

|4–2

|Givens 2, Thomas, Francis (pen)

|17,153

|3

|1

|2

|3

|5

|

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|14 February 1976

|Tottenham Hotspur

|A

|0-0

|3–0

|Givens, Francis 2

|28,200

|3

|1

|2

|3

|5

|

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|21 February 1976

|Ipswich Town

|H

|0-0

|3–1

|Wark (og), Webb, Thomas

|22,593

|2

|1

|2

|3

|5

|12

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|25 February 1976

|Leicester City

|A

|1-0

|1–0

|Thomas

|24,340

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|28 February 1976

|Sheffield United

|A

|0-0

|0–0

|

|21,949

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|

|9

|10

|11

|8

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|6 March 1976

|Coventry City

|H

|1-0

|4–1

|Thomas, Francis, Givens, Masson

|19,731

|1

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|13 March 1976

|Everton

|A

|1-0

|2–0

|Bowles, Leach

|25,186

|1

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|12

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|20 March 1976

|Stoke City

|A

|1-0

|1–0

|Webb

|22,848

|1

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|

|9

|10

|11

|8

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|27 March 1976

|Manchester City

|H

|0-0

|1–0

|Webb

|29,883

|1

|1

|

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|12

|

|

|

|

|2

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|3 April 1976

|Newcastle United

|A

|1-1

|2–1

|McLintock, Bowles

|30,134

|1

|1

|

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|2

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|10 April 1976

|Middlesbrough

|H

|0-0

|4–2

|Francis 2 (1 pen), Givens, Bowles

|24,342

|1

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ffcccc"

|17 April 1976

|Norwich City

|A

|1-1

|2–3

|Thomas, Powell (og)

|31,231

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|19 April 1976

|Arsenal

|H

|0-0

|2–1

|McLintock, Francis (pen)

|30,362

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|24 April 1976

|Leeds United

|H

|0-0

|2–0

|Thomas, Bowles

|31,002

|2

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|

|

|

|

|

|

=Football League Cup=

{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/queens-park-rangers/tab/matches/season/1976/comp/56/|title=Queens Park Rangers match record: League Cup 1976}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Date

!Round

!Opponents

!H / A

!Half time score

!Result

F – A

!Scorers

!Attendance

|Parkes

|Clement

|Gillard

|Hollins

|McLintock

|Webb

|Thomas

|Francis

|Masson

|Bowles

|Givens

|Leach

|Abbott

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|9 September 1975

|Second Round

|Shrewsbury Town (Third Division)

|A

|0-1

|4–1

|Webb, Masson, Thomas, Leach

|11,250

|1

|2

|

|

|5

|3

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|6

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|7 October 1975

|Third Round

|Charlton Athletic (Second Division)

|H

|0-1

|1–1

|Bowles

|20,434

|1

|2

|3

|

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

bgcolor="#ccffcc"

|13 October 1975

|Third Round Replay

|Charlton Athletic (Second Division)

|A

|0-0

|3–0

|Thomas, Masson, Bowles

|31,583

|1

|2

|3

|12

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

bgcolor="ffcccc"

|11 November 1975

|Fourth Round

|Newcastle United (First Division)

|H

|1-2

|1–3

|Leach

|21,162

|1

|2

|3

|12

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

=FA Cup=

{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/queens-park-rangers/tab/matches/season/1976/comp/7/|title=Queens Park Rangers match record: FA Cup 1976}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Date

!Round

!Opponents

!H / A

!Half time score

!Result

F – A

!Scorers

!Attendance

|Parkes

|Clement

|Gillard

|Hollins

|McLintock

|Webb

|Thomas

|Francis

|Masson

|Bowles

|Givens

|Leach

|Busby

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|3 January 1976

|Third Round

|Newcastle United (First Division)

|H

|0-0

|0–0

|

|20,102

|1

|2

|3

|12

|5

|6

|7

|8

|9

|10

|11

|4

|

bgcolor="ffcccc"

|7 January 1976

|Third Round Replay

|Newcastle United (First Division)

|A

|0-1

|1–2

|Masson

|37,225

|1

|2

|3

|4

|5

|6

|

|8

|9

|10

|11

|7

|12

Squad

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; width:90%;"

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Position

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Nationality

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Name

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| League Appearances

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| League Goals

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Cup Appearances

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| F.A.Cup Goals

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| League.Cup Goals

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Total Appearances

! style="background:#0000FF; color:white; text-align:center;"| Total Goals

GK

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Phil Parkes

|42

|

|6

|

|

|48

|

GK

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Derek Richardson

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

GK

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Richard Teale

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Ron Abbott

|5 (1)

|

|1

|

|

|7

|

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Dave Clement

|40

|2

|6

|

|

|46

|2

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Tommy Cunningham

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Ian Gillard

|41

|

|5

|

|

|46

|

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Danny Westwood

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

DF

|{{flagicon|SCO}}

|Frank McLintock

|34 (1)

|2

|6

|

|

|41

|2

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Don Shanks

|2

|

|

|

|

|2

|

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|David Webb

|38

|5

|6

|

|1

|44

|6

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Steve Jones

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

DF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Tony Tagg

|4

|

|

|

|

|4

|

DF

|{{flagicon|SCO}}

|Keith Pritchett

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

MF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|John Beck

|3

|

|2

|

|

|5

|

MF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Martyn Busby

|

|

|1

|

|

|1

|

MF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Gerry Francis

|36

|12

|6

|

|

|42

|12

MF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Mick Leach

|29(3)

|4

|6

|

|2

|38

|6

MF

|{{flagicon|SCO}}

|Don Masson

|42

|6

|6

|1

|2

|48

|9

MF

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|John Hollins

|27(5)

|1

|1

|

|

|33

|1

FW

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Stan Bowles

|37

|10

|6

|

|2

|43

|12

FW

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Don Rogers

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

FW

|{{flagicon|IRL}}

|Don Givens

|41

|13

|6

|

|

|47

|13

FW

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Dave Thomas

|41

|9

|5

|

|2

|46

|11

FW

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Peter Eastoe

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

FW

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Phil Nutt

|(3)

|1

|

|

|

|3

|1

FW

|{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Steve Adams

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

Transfers Out

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; width:90%;"

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Name

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |from

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Date

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Fee

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Date

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Club

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Fee

Danny Westwood

|Billericay Town

|July 1974

|

|November 1975

|Gillingham

|£17,500

Don Rogers

|Crystal Palace

|Sep 18,1974

|Ian Evans & Terry Venables

|March 1976

|Swindon

|Plus £100,000 for Peter Eastoe

Richard Teale

|Slough Town

|July 1973

|

|June 1976

|Fulham

|

John Beck

|Queens Park Rangers Juniors

|May 1972

|

|June 1976

|Coventry City

|£40,000

Transfers In

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; width:90%;"

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Name

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |from

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Date

! style="background:#0000FF; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;" |Fee

John Hollins

|Chelsea

|July 10,1975

|85,000

Steve Adams

|Queens Park Rangers Juniors

|July1975

|

Phil Nutt

|Queens Park Rangers Juniors

|July 1,1975

|

Steve Jones

|

|July 25,1975

|

Tony Martin

|

|Sep 12,1975

|

Peter Eastoe

|Swindon

|Mar 11,1976

|Don Rogers & £100,000

Derek Richardson

|Chelsea

|Apr 29,1976

|Free

Notes and references

{{Reflist}}

{{Queens Park Rangers F.C. seasons}}

{{1975–76 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1975-76 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season}}

Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. seasons

Queens Park Rangers