HDU Members Spotlight: Dave Bassett (QLD)

Mark Davis
Aug 8
4 min read

Hey folks! We head to Queensland for our next Hoops Down Under Spotlight. It's to Brisbane, where we meet Dave - an ex-pat who's been getting behind the Rs since he was 7 years old...way back in 1975!

Dave outside headquarters! 😍 — *Dave outside headquarters!* 😍

Q: Hi Dave! How are you? So how long have you been a QPR fan?

A: I've been supporting the Hoops since 1975. Aged 7 years old. I used to live on Sutton Estate Dalgarno Gardens and could see the floodlights of Loftus Road from our flat. Mum was a QPR fan and basically I did as I was told 😆. First game I went to I think was 1978 home to Newcastle I believe I think we lost 1-2. Used to travel to some away games - Ipswich, Grimsby, Southampton & "Liverfool" to name a few. I started going home games regularly in late '70s until mid 80s as I started 11 a side football on Saturdays and couldn't always make the Rs game. Saw us at Wembley in '82 (Replay) and '86 Milk Cup flop. Walked to Wembley that day from Loftus Road. Was at LR for the 5-5 v Newcastle and was in South Africa Road stand for Trevor's overhead v Barnsley - we were sitting directly along penalty box. We were in the Paddock for Clive Allen's late quarter final goal v Palace in '82 and went to Anfield for the Milk Cup 2nd Leg in 86 - 2-2 draw Liverpool scored all 4 ... ahhhhh the memories! 🥰 Back in 2004 I donated a kidney to my sister and the Op was in London. I arrived in late April for the tests first (Op was in June). My mate arranged for me to have a tour of the stadium. I was like a big kid sitting in the dugouts and stroking the pitch. Great feeling! Back in mid 80s I also got to go on the pitch to collect a Lottery cheque that one of the women at work had won - think it was £1000 and she'd gone on holidays so I got the 2 free tickets (in Directors Box) v Arsenal (we won 2-0). At half time I was taken down to the tunnel met Gary Waddock who was presenting the cheque - he asked if now was a good time to borrow a tenner 🤣

QPR's Alan McDonald, Steve Wicks, Michael Robinson, Paul Barron, Terry Fenwick and Warren Neill celebrate their victory over Liverpool in the Football League Milk Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg match held at Anfield, Liverpool on 5th March 1986. QPR beat Liverpool 3-2 on aggregate.

Q: What is your most favourite QPR memory to date? A: Quite possibly the 1992 New Years Day game. We won 4-1 (v Man Utd at Old Trafford) and it was live on ITV. Denis Law was gobsmacked. Didn't go to the game as we thought we'd get beaten so bought tickets to Southampton the following weekend in FA Cup 3rd Round (& we got beat 0-2). I even went to the pub on the afternoon of Man Utd game and everybody was telling me "we're going to get battered!" Playing my bluff, I said "No we won't, we'll win!" So I ended up having had 8 bets with various people for £10 each and t was a draw they all said they'd pay up too. Well, after the great game had finished (Denis Bailey... Hallelujah!) I went back to the pub (The 8 Bells in Fulham) and I had a great night with the boys and still made money 😏

'It was astonishing': Manchester United 1-4 QPR. 🎥 Re-live New Year's Day 1992 with these 25 min highlights.

Q: Who is your all time favourite QPR Player? And Why?

A: Simon Stainrod - classy forward, but a bit lazy but I did see him score a great overhead kick at the Loft End, I think it was in 1981 v Cardiff City.

Q: Who is your all time favourite QPR Manager? And Why?

A: Terry Venables - I believe we played some of our best football ever under him and the atmosphere at Loftus Road during the early 80s was simply magical!

*QPR manager Terry Venables celebrates with the Division Two championship trophy after the Football League Division Two match between QPR and Wolverhampton at Loftus Road on May 7, 1983.*

Q: Who is your current favourite QPR Player? And Why?

A: Jimmy Dunne. He was one of a few the last few years that actually seems to care and love the club and fans!

Q: Where would you like to see QPR in say, 5 years time (2030-31)? How do QPR reach this achievement? A: In 5 years I'd love to see us doing a Brentford - a club being run correctly with the community at heart. Bring in the right players for a decent price tag and have a good run in the Premier League. I'm not sure what went on with Martí Cifuentes but under him, despite the hiccups, we looked a better side than previous seasons and the club were making all the right noises. We just needed stability and Martí provided that. Let's hope the new gaffer (Julien Stéphan) can take us further and prove the club is going in the right direction!