QPR dedicate No10 shirt to legend Stan Bowles with #Justforstan hashtag as they host Bournemouth on Saturday in benefit match for player
London club to host Bournemouth on Saturday in benefit match for player who dazzled in the Seventies but has now been struck by Alzheimer’s
QUEENS PARK RANGERS have retired their No.10 shirt for the coming season in honour of their legendary player Stan Bowles.
The 68-year-old, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, will be present at Loftus Road on Saturday when the club stages a benefit match for him.
Bowles was a maverick attacking midfielder who is widely considered QPR's greatest player.
His love of the good life also made him a cult figure in Seventies football and popular culture.
He was part of the team that pushed Liverpool all the way in the race for the First Division title in 1975/76.
They were 14 minutes away from winning the championship but had to settle for second in the end.
Bowles was capped five times for England, a number many in the game believe was far too low.
Sadly it was announced four years ago that he had been struck Alzheimer’s.
Born in Manchester, Bowles started his career at Manchester City, before moving to west London and making his name with the Hoops.
He is now cared for by his daughter, Andria, back in his hometown.
QPR will host Bournemouth at Loftus Road this Saturday, with all the proceeds going towards helping pay for the care that Bowles now needs.
Bowles’ former QPR team-mate Don Shanks told the Evening Standard that it would probably the last time his best friend visits London.
“His condition is getting progressively worse and I do not think it is going to be very long before he reaches a point where he has to leave the family and go into a full-time care home,” said Shanks.
“But when he comes to the Bush [Shepherd’s Bush, where Loftus Road is], for some reason, somehow, he knows where he is.
“And he walks on the field and for five minutes of his life even in his present condition he appears to come to life and feel at home.”
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