Thanks to John O'Mahony, (pictured, with Steve Flannery), original Plan for Stan campaigner, with Joanne Connolly, from 2015, for his expression of support, for the related, Stanley Bowles Stand campaign, in the latest issue of the AKUTRS fanzine.

'Paul Smyth, would regularly come over and have a chat with me, when I was selling the Stan Bowles fundraising calendars, a few years back.

Talking of fundraising for Stan Bowles, I was drafted in as a late reinforcement, for the Stanley Bowles Stand bucket collection, at the Derby game.

I have not been part of the actual campaign - it is not feasible, without an online presence - but naturally, I have fully supported it.

After initially, warmly welcoming the Christmas Eve announcement by the club, that the Ellerslie Road Stand was to be renamed after Stanley, I was rather disappointed, when I eventually saw the limited scope of the project, set out in its various phases.

We should be bloody proud of our heroes, and I really want to go beyond what is being planned, to see Stan's charismatic genius, reflected in a much bolder and imaginative endeavour, suitably commensurate with it.

That would include his face depicted in the seats, and a really handsome, eye-catching statue.

Whilst the club, undoubtedly do a lot of fine, praiseworthy work, via the QPR Community Trust and the Forever R's Club, by contrast, the hierarchy at the club - ie. those in charge of the purse strings - always seem to convey a begrudging attitude, when it comes to doing something tangible, for our former heroes: the fans want the stand renamed, so they can pay for it.

Our 'Plan for Stan' campaign, came up against that sort of stance, time and again. The hierarchy at the club, really don't get it; they pay mere lip service to the honouring of our heroes.

The position taken, is incomprehensible, depressing and deflating, but they are not going to budge from it, so you need to work within and around, the strictures, to achieve your goals.

In respect of this, I have floated the idea of possible fundraising events being organised, by the Forever Rs Club, requesting that it be brought up as an item for discussion, at their next committee meeting.

If the will is there, such initiatives would surely prove a most productive, and quicker, means of realising the outstanding amount, required to fully implement all the phases involved, in establishing The Stanley Bowles Stand (anything over and above the requisite amount, could be used for a more ambitious development, of the Stan Stand).

Why not give people, an enjoyable night out, in the cause of raising funds, rather than just asking them to donate money?

In my experience, these funds need the vital stimulus, that fundraising events provide.

During my bucket collection stint, I had a number of Rangers fans (and Derby ones, for that matter), telling me that the club should be paying, for the renaming of the Ellerslie Road Stand.

I agreed with them, but pointed out, that we had to deal with the reality of the situation, to get something done.

None of them contributed.

There was another bloke, who asked me for chapter and verse, of the phases of the stand renaming, which I delivered, to the best of my ability.

He listened intently and then walked away, contributing nothing.

Then there was the bloke, who shouted over to me, 'What about Mike Keen, then?!' not long before kick off.

I could have embarked upon a discourse ('Fine captain.. model professional etc'), but I had neither the will nor the voice left, to enter into a debate with him, by this stage.

Of course, there is the case to be made, for a stand to be renamed after any number, of wonderful players, who have graced the hoops, down the years - but you have to start somewhere, and it surely makes sense, to name them after the crowd idols, like Stan (and Rodney, for the South Africa Road Stand...), whose fame and appeal, stretches way beyond, Loftus Road.

There will always be, the unhelpful contrarians, though, putting a spoke in things, arguing for alternatives.

The proposed, Loftus Road Legends Stand, therefore, represents a compromise solution.

On the day, us 'bucketeers', raised the sum of £1,008.02, which was kindly matched, by the Forever R's Club Fund (many thanks to them), and so, with a further donation, of £250, the grand total had reached £6,193.32, as of April 20th - just over £600 short, of the target, to begin phase one, of the renaming project.

Considerable thanks, go out to everyone, who kindly donated on the day.

Let's get it done.'

Excerpts from the latest issue, of the AKUTRS fanzine.

With the kind permission, of editor, Dave Thomas. May the 4th be with us.