QPR legend Stan Bowles – famed for his off-pitch antics – has died aged 75 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.
He was considered one of the great mavericks of 70s football and has a stand named after him at Loftus Road.
In a statement on Saturday, Stan’s daughter Tracey Bowles said he “went peacefully” surrounded by all his family.
And paying tribute to the football legend, QPR wrote: “It is with a heavy heart we have learned that QPR icon Stan Bowles sadly passed away this evening, aged 75.
“All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
Tributes flooded in for the forward, with many remembering him as much for his charisma as his footballing prowess.
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Gary Lineker wrote on X: “Sorry to hear that Stan Bowles has died. A delightful footballer and hugely charismatic man.
“Always loved watching him play. RIP Stan.”
The English Football League remembered him as a “wonderful player, a maverick, an icon and a QPR legend”.
Bowles began his career in 1967 as an apprentice at Manchester City before a brief stint at Bury.
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He joined Fourth Division Crewe in 1970, moved up two divisions to Carlisle and in 1972 signed for QPR for £110,000.
Bowles played 315 times and netted 97 goals for The Hoops between 1972 and 1979.
Despite his talents, he won just five England caps, his only international goal coming against Wales at Ninian Park in 1974.
But it was his off-pitch antics that put him firmly in the public’s imagination.
OFF-PITCH ANTICS
“Everywhere I went things seemed to end in chaos,” he once said.
He added: “I blew the lot on vodka and tonic, gambling and fags.
“Looking back, I think I overdid it on the tonic.”
Ernie Tagg, his manager at Crewe, came up with the immortal line: “If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a football, he’d be a rich man.”
Bowles’ 1996 autobiography revealed the extent of his drinking, womanising and gambling during his playing days.
I blew the lot on vodka and tonic, gambling and fags. Looking back, I think I overdid it on the tonic
Stan Bowles
A chaotic lifestyle was characterised by Bowles agreeing sponsorship deals with two different boot companies for the same match and wearing one of each.
After stints at Nottingham Forest and Leyton Orient, he wound down his playing career back in west London with Brentford and retired in 1984.
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Bowles later moved onto the after-dinner speaking circuit as well as some pundit work and a betting column.
In 2022, QPR opened the Stanley Bowles stand in tribute to the legendary forward.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
