QPR turned professional in 1889 and spent most of their early years trying to find a suitable home ground. They moved to Loftus Road in 1917 and have stayed there since.

The Hoops’ history is thin on the ground in terms of major domestic success having spent most of their existence in the lower leagues. They were, however, the first club from the third tier to win a League Cup in 1967 and soon won promotion to the top flight. 

Rangers’ golden period emerged with a group of talented young players such as Dave Clement and Mick Leach meshed with big name signings such as Terry Venables, Stan Bowles and Don Givens; this team achieved a second placed finish in the First Division in 1975 under the management of Dave Sexton.

This generation ended up managing QPR for the next 15 to 20 years as first Venables then Gerry Francis tried and failed to bring more silverware to the club; although Venables did reach an FA Cup final.

Inaugural members of the Premier League, the Hoops struggled to stay in the division after selling star striker Les Ferdinand. Further relegation and financial difficulties struck the North-West London club and it wasn’t until an extraordinary buy-out that they began to re-emerge.

Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, both better known for their entrepreneurship in the world of Formula 1, invested in the club and have gotten them rapidly promoted to the top flight since their purchase in 2007.