Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

As promised before the season kicked off, I have been hoping to add my interview with Rodney Marsh, originally done for H & F News, for some time. I didn't get round to it before the first league game, but that shouldn't affect its relevance too greatly, especially as Rodney was willing to talk about pretty much anything Rangers-related. So below is an edited version of the article:

He's someone who can't get close to Loftus Road before the QPR faithful pay their respects in the only way they know how.

Chants of 'ROD-NEE' follow the Rangers hero whenever he is back in London and he's just as likely to be greeted by Fulham fans after two spells with their club as well.

That adoration is tested less frequently nowadays though, with media work in the US keeping visits to QPR down to four or five a season.

Marsh said: "You can't go anywhere without bumping into QPR fans. When I chat to them, they always seem to look back to that League Cup final win over West Brom."

That's hardly surprising. Rangers fans would kill to repeat the achievements of the late 1960s when a trademark Rodney strike helped them to a 3-2 win in that 1967 final, bringing what remains their only major honour.

Younger fans might know him better for his appearance on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here but he was a regular goal-machine with QPR, scoring 44 in his first full season and inspiring back-to-back promotions to reach the top flight for the first time in 1968.

Could the Hoops repeat such achievements today?

Marsh said: "That's a tough question. In the early 1990s, they were close to being a top club, to being in the top five. I don't care who you are though, you need a Les Ferdinand, you need a Rodney Marsh."

You could never accuse him of misunderestimating his own talents. After starting his career at Fulham, he made the short journey to Loftus Road aged just 21, scoring 134 goals for the Rs before moves to Manchester City and Tampa Bay Rowdies, long before David Beckham thought of popularising the game stateside.

He's still keeping Americans informed about 'soccer' today, having just finished his own World Cup show on NBC.

"If the World Cup final had been a game between Stoke and Hull, people would have been walking out. It was absolute dross.

"I'm on the internet every day, looking up QPR, Fulham and Man City. I've always considered myself a QPR man but Fulham do hold a place in my heart - I idolised players like Johnny Haynes and Bobby Keetch."

Tennis matches against Rangers director Gianni Paladini - 'a decent player' apparently - help him keep his finger on the pulse but news about the Rs has rarely been cheery recently.

That could change with a new manager in place.

Marsh said: "I've got a lot of time for Neil Warnock and have done for many years. He's not everyone's cup of tea but I think that a lot of that comes out of his passion for the game."

The two men share a straight-talking image and Marsh is releasing a book, Loose Cannon, in September in which he promises to lift the lid on some of his high-profile bust-ups, including one with former Rangers boss Gordon Jago.

For the current manager though, he is content to provide some tactical advice.

"I don't want to tell Neil how to do his job but I think they need to find a role for Akos Buzsaky. He is a quality player. They should adjust the rest of the team around him."

Perhaps only then will the club find themselves back at the top table of English football.

"It would mean the world if QPR could win the Championship," Marsh said.