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Varc's Ex Files
Season 2, File 2

If you live by the maxim "if at first you don't succeed, try try again" you will be running fairly close to that used by ex-QPR players. Theirs is probably more like "if you cant find a league club who think you're any good, there is bound to be a non-league one that'll have you", but its close.
 

This appears to be the sad state of affairs that Danny Murphy has found himself in. Perhaps Ian Holloway was right to discard him, although personally I always thought he was a good prospect. So I was surprised to discover him playing at Harrow Borough in the Ryman Premier League.

Hopefully he can help his side get out of the doldrums (they are currently languishing in 2nd to bottom spot), much as the temporarily magic-hatted Leroy Griffiths does at Farnborough Town. A little more satisfyingly Leroy is in the Conference and, at last, got himself on the score sheet this week with an 88th minute penalty to take a share of the points at Exeter. The man he slotted home against was one time Rangers target James Bittner, who, while at Chippenham Town, received a bizarre injury whilst we were taking a look at him.

Sometimes though (admittedly it would seem less often than a Brentford victory these days) a player manages to leave the club, disappear from sight and yet become a major success. One such player is Antti Heinola. Now I know that he doesn't strictly fall into the criteria for the ex-files (non-league is the rule) but I am sure that many of you would be impressed to hear that he is actually playing for HJK Helsinki, the top Finnish side! Of course this also means that in the past couple of years he has played European football! Talk about falling on your feet! Many thanks to our Finnish based QPR fan for this information.

One of our more recent high profile moves was Chris Plummer.  He has found himself at Barnet courtesy of manger Martin Allen, and forms a partnership at the back with Danny Maddix. The trio pulled off a fantastic 4-1 win over former league side Halifax this week.

After former crap Swindon/Bristol Rovers/Cheltenham striker Guiliulailninoni Graziolioliniloili (or something) had set himself on the way to a hat trick, "Plums" got himself on the score sheet to put them 2-1 up. Maybe this is the year that Barnet return to the league, who knows.

Margate will obviously have something to say about that. Clive Walkers team got their first win of the season, and their first goal was scored by Terry McFlynn, who hasn't stopped scoring since he left us!

Back in the Ryman League to report on the progress of Karl "Solid as a rock" Ready. His Aylesbury side have shipped 8 goals in 3 games now under his defensive "stewardship".

It was at Braintree Town this week where I spotted one of the surprise non league signings. Somehow they have got Kalum Mooniaruck in their team. The more knowledgeable fan would know him as an ex Man Ure player who Olly was at one time linked with taking on loan last season. He was one of the famous Old Trafford youths and it seems a shock he has ended up there.

The FA Cup started in earnest this weekend with the Preliminary Round getting underway.  The infamous students of Team Bath will be hoping for another cup run, and they began by demolishing Porthleven of the Carlsberg South Western League 4-0. Andy Tillson was on the score sheet there.

Finally, one of our recently discarded has found himself having a run in with the law. Not too much of a problem though because the diminutive Sam Scully has been signed by Met. Police. They were also FA Cup preliminary round winners yesterday and the winner was from a cross supplied by young Sam.

Don't forget, if you have spotted an ex Ranger playing in a local match let me know at the usual address, and I'll ensure everyone gets to admire/laugh at him!

varc@qprnet.com