HDU Members Spotlight: Dean Russell (NSW)

Hey folks! Next up we travel back to Australia and back into New South Wales. Let's meet Dean from Narrabeen, the legendary ex-pat who the Hoops Down Under have gladly claimed as one of our own...except for when Australia are playing England in any sport 😂

A 5 year old Dean gets a candid photo with Tony Currie when he was ball boy for a day during the 82/83 season. "Apparently I scored a goal in front of the loft that day!" Dean said 😂

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

A: All my life, both of my parents are QPR fans, along with the entire family on my mum’s side! I was born into QPR...I had no choice!! 😆

 Dean (centre-bottom with both arms up) had a front row seat to witness Jamie Mackie's infamous match leading 66' goal v Manchester City on 14th May 2012 at Etihad Stadium. As we all know, Manchester City would go on to win 3-2 in dramatic fashion to win their first Premier League Title.

Q: What is your most favourite QPR memory to date? A: It has to be the playoff final at Wembley. It was actually the year before I moved Down Under and, in typical QPR fashion when we went down to 10 men, and it looked like another loss in front of a huge QPR following. Wasn’t the best game, but when Bobby Zamora let fly in the 90th min...I just knew it was a goal the very moment it left his foot! I was behind the goal, right in line! And then, cue pandemonium in the away end!!

The pandemonium in the QPR away end.....Zamora's very late winner put QPR back in the EPL in 2014.

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

A: Les Ferdinand - grew up watching him beat some top teams in the Prem with his power and pace.

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

A: Ollie! Ian Holloway had hardly any players when we were relegated to League One. He loved the club and had so much passion.

QPR manager Ian Holloway congratulates goal scorer Paul Furlong after his goal sends the team to the final after the Nationwide League Division Two (old Football League One) play-off semi-final second leg match between QPR and Oldham Athletic at Loftus Road on May 14, 2003 . Queens Park Rangers won the match 1-0, winning the tie 2-1 on aggregate.

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

A: Ilias Chair - he appears to get some stick from supporters, but without him we simply lack creativity.

Q: Where would you like to see QPR in say, 5 years time (2030-31)? How do QPR reach this achievement? A: Competing at the top of the Championship. The Premier League is impossible for a club of our size with our current stadium, without risking the club like we did last time! The EPL will be no fun losing every week too!

DEAN'S PREDICTION FOR 2025-26

Squeaky Bum all season (finishing 17th-21st but surviving relegation eventually).