Condolences were expressed on Saturday evening following the announcement of the passing of former QPR and England striker Stan Bowles at 75 years old.
Bowles, who had been dealing with Alzheimer’s disease since 2015, was highly respected for his entertaining style of play in the 1970s. He remained a charismatic figure throughout his career.
QPR released a statement announcing their intention to honor Bowles with a suitable tribute. They described him as a beloved figure among the Loftus Road fans and recognized him as one of the most exceptional players to have worn their iconic blue and white jersey. Some may even argue that he was the greatest.
The club has already dedicated a stand in his name.
Some people paying their respects included Gary Lineker, who described Bowles as “an enjoyable soccer player and extremely charming individual… I always enjoyed watching him play,” and former QPR player Gavin Peacock, who shared online: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Stan Bowles. He was a true legend and entertainer at QPR. He was a unique soccer player and a down-to-earth person who always made time for a chat during my time there. They don’t make players like Stan anymore. My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans.”
Bowles began his professional journey as a trainee at Manchester City. He then transferred to Fourth Division team Crewe and later joined Carlisle. In 1972, he signed with QPR for £110,000 and played in 315 league matches, scoring 97 goals in seven seasons. He was also a member of the team that came in second to Liverpool in the former First Division under manager Dave Sexton in 1975-76.
Known as one of the most skilled players in England, he also had a rebellious nature both on and off the field. He transferred to Nottingham Forest under the guidance of Brian Clough in 1979, but after only a year, he switched to Second Division team Leyton Orient.
Even though he had great abilities, Bowles only earned five appearances for England, scoring his only goal for the national team against Wales at Ninian Park in 1974.
He retired from playing in west London with Brentford, having a successful final season where he was awarded the club’s player of the year in 1982. He is still highly regarded for his time at Griffin Park, and was voted as the top player in the team’s history by both QPR and Brentford fans in a recent poll.
His appearance on the television show Superstars, where athletes participated in various sports, was not successful. Bowles, who was hungover at the time, only scored seven points, the lowest in the show’s history. Additionally, his disorganized way of life was evident when he agreed to sponsorship deals with two different boot companies for the same match and wore one of each.
After retiring in 1984, he began giving after-dinner speeches, worked as a commentator for Sky Sports, and wrote his own betting column. In his 1996 memoir, he disclosed the full extent of his alcohol consumption, womanizing, and gambling while he was an active player.
Following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Bowles returned to Manchester to receive care from his oldest daughter, Andria.
In 2017, QPR organized a charity game to honor Bowles, facing off against Bournemouth in order to gather donations for his ongoing medical needs.
Hilary Evans, CEO of Alzheimer’s Research UK, expressed deep sorrow that Alzheimer’s disease dominated Stan’s last years, a common occurrence in the UK.
“We are committed to finding a cure for all those affected by diseases that cause dementia. The recent news about Stan serves as a reminder that we must act quickly and not waste any time.”
Andria, Tracy, and Carl are the surviving children of the deceased, with Andria being his second daughter.
Source: theguardian.com
