Pre-Season in Pictures: Kings Langley v QPR U21s

Kings Langley 2, QPR U21s 2

QPR’s recent pre-season visit to Hertfordshire presented a “rude not to” invitation to a ground I have often passed by but never had reason to visit. Oh, and there was also the prospect of spotting QPR’s next Richard Langley – at Kings Langley FC.

Since Game of Thrones reached public consciousness, commuters leaving London Euston for Milton Keynes, Birmingham and beyond have misheard “Kings Langley” as “Kings Landing.” So much so that the small Hertfordshire town with its traditional line up of Indian restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, delicatessens, artisan bakeries and art galleries temporarily changed its name to that of the fictional seat of power in 2014.

But QPR’s young players, including one or two players sharing the surname “Trialist” managed to keep their heads in a good work out against a strong Kings Langley side at Gaywood Park.

After back-to-back promotions, The Kings will play their 2015/16 football in the Southern League Division One Central against the likes of Arlesey Town, Aylesbury United, Barton Rovers, Bedford Town, Potters Bar Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Off the pitch, the crowd was in the hundreds rather than thousands with many of the familiar die hard away day faces in attendance for QPR.

The match itself ended all-square at 2-2 with goals from Rangers in either half. The first from that man A. Trialist with Rangers’ second a powerful 20-yard strike from full-back Andreas Komodikis. Rangers played at a good pace and spent most of the game attacking Kings Langley down the flanks.

After many years of mis-spent youth potential at Loftus Road, there are strong signs that QPR’s recruitment policy is now shifting back towards producing younger, hungrier players than the much-maligned mercenaries and “bad-eggs” of recent years.

Whether any of the youngsters on display at Kings Langley make the grade remains to be seen but with role-models and mentors like director of football Les Ferdinand around the club, A. Trialist and friends will find no shortage of inspiration and encouragement along the way.