Who is our greatest home grown talent?

[Scarlet pimple]

Although Gerry was the best player to ever come through our youth system, another young midfielder who was a year younger than gerry was at that time better than gerry was Martyn Busby.

Pity he badly broke his leg against Fulham, he too imo would have been an England international........fantastic prospect at the time, Losing him was the reason we went out and got Dave Thomas.

[qprsouth]

Dave clement was good

[Scarlet pimple]

Dave clement was good

Yup ..Clement and Gillard, two of the best fullbacks in the top division who both played for England.

[stanley75]

Yes

Martin and Bradley are more obvious Ranger youth products from the Allen clan than Clive was I think (didn't we sign Clive, albeit @16/17 years of age? I can't honestly remember but I don't think he came through our own youth set up)

David Kerslake. Had high hopes for him. I am now struggling!

[singingranger]

I suppose quashie sold for 3m shouldn't be over looked!

And Gary waddock!

[singingranger]

Did martyn busby come through the ranks? I didn't know that!
He was my manager at beacondfield in 1992 in the London Spartan league. Top bloke

[paulmason]

Ray Jones I think would have become.

Ray Jones would never have been in the same league as Goddard and Allen.

[kingo]

Gerry Francis by a country mile, you don't get much better recognition in football in this country than to be England captain.

[Nodge70]

Yes

Martin and Bradley are more obvious Ranger youth products from the Allen clan than Clive was I think (didn't we sign Clive, albeit @16/17 years of age? I can't honestly remember but I don't think he came through our own youth set up)

David Kerslake. Had high hopes for him. I am now struggling!

Clive came up completely through our youth sides. Nowhere else.

There were rakes of others that went to have really decent careers even outside QPR....

Micky Leach
Dave Clement
Ian Gillard
Busby, Goddard and Kerslake as mentioned
Alan Mayes
Gordon Hill (who returned)
Ian Stewart
Wayne Fereday
Ian Muir
Dean Neal
John Beck
Alan McDonald
Gary Waddock
Peter Hucker
Warren Neill
Ian Dawes
Barry Conlon
Jimmy Carter
Gavin Peacock
Dougie Freedman
Martin Allen

[stanley75]

Impressive. If memory serves a fair number of those are proper local boys..Hammersmith/Park Royal. We have doubtless missed out on as many since we stopped doing this properly. Jason Roberts (who is currently being gossiped about) for one.

Shows benefit of a good academy (as we now call them). When I was a kiddie Rangers were renowned as a "selling club" which was a reflection on not just our poor finances but the success of our youth scheme. And local lads wanted to play for Rangers as it had a reputation for bringing on the youth. Hope to see this return one day. The current crop of U18s look to contain some prospects.

[Devon Park Ranger]

Clive came up completely through our youth sides. Nowhere else.

There were rakes of others that went to have really decent careers even outside QPR....

Micky Leach
Dave Clement
Ian Gillard
Busby, Goddard and Kerslake as mentioned
Alan Mayes
Gordon Hill (who returned)
Ian Stewart
Wayne Fereday
Ian Muir
Dean Neal
John Beck
Alan McDonald
Gary Waddock
Peter Hucker
Warren Neill
Ian Dawes
Barry Conlon
Jimmy Carter
Gavin Peacock
Martin Allen

Lots of great names that bring back happy memories of my youth.
I honestly feel sorry for the younger supporters as the match day experience served up now days just doesn't compare to watching from the loft when it really was the loft (pre 1980)

[WE ARE QPR]

Nobody mentioned Kevin Gallen, who knows how good he would have been if not for the injury

[Nodge70]

Nobody mentioned Kevin Gallen, who knows how good he would have been if not for the injury

Gallen and Dichio were excellent players. Probably the last two real quality players that the youth set up produced.

[vblockranger]

went to school with one of the Allen clan (Steve)...football mad and was always bragging that his godfather was Gerry Francis
think he must be one of the few Allen's that didnt make it as a pro ?

[Scarlet pimple]

Did martyn busby come through the ranks? I didn't know that!
He was my manager at beacondfield in 1992 in the London Spartan league. Top bloke

Came through with gerry, and was some player/prospect...After broken leg (bad one) was at the game v fulham and could see his smashed leg sticking out thru his socks, was never as good afterwards club sold him and few years later bought him back.

What could have been, and gallen.