In Memory of John McClelland
It was sad to hear that the QPR FC goalscoring winger of the early 1960’s is deceased.
John was signed from Lincoln City in 1961. He scored 24 goals in 79 first team appearances for the R’s in Division 3, until his transfer to Second Division Portsmouth in 1963.
John McClelland was a major part of the QPR team of 1961/62, when playing at outside-right, which so narrowly missed out on promotion.
I saw him play many times for Rangers that season and recall his devastating display in the 4-1 win at Griffin Park against lowly Brentford on16th December.
He ran riot on the right-flank, scored one and featured in the numerous goals tally that day.
John also scored three goals away at Bradford Park Avenue in the early part of the ensuing 1962/63 campaign on 27th October. Rangers won the game 3-0, which was his only hat-trick for the club I believe.
In my view there were many players that departed QPR FC during that ill-fated White City season of 1962/63, who we should have tried to retain and John was certainly one of them, along with Frank Large, Jimmy Dugdale, Keith Rutter, Roy Bentley and Micky Barber.
Following John McClelland’s transfer to Division 2 Portsmouth in 1963, he went on to make 136 appearances and score 35 goals in this higher grade of pro-football.
In fact, in the QPR opening day Division 2 encounter at Portsmouth on 19th August 1967, John was the Pompey sub, Rangers drew the game 1-1.
Yes, John McClelland was one of our star wingers of the very early 1960’s and I was glad that I saw him play.
Thank you, Johnny Mac.
Rest in Peace.
Bernard Lambert (Kerrins)