Mick Leach was the classic unsung hero for QPR. He made 361 appearances for QPR during his 14 years as a professional but was rarely seen in the star role.

Mick was a very important part of many of Rangers performances and he chipped in with 70 goals during his time at QPR.

Mick was born in Hackney in 1947 and joined QPR straight from school and was capped by England at Youth level whilst serving his apprenticeship.

He signed professional forms in February 1964 and made his debut a year later in a home game against Colchester United. QPR were promoted to the First division for the first time in 1968, which is when Mick established himself in the team and stayed there for ten years.

During that decade Mick was a key member of the team, which suffered relegation from the first division before promotion and was part of the 1975/76 runners up team in the First Division and also appeared in the European adventure the following season.

His last senior appearance for Rangers was on January 7th 1978 against Wealdstone in an FA Cup tie at Loftus Road. Mick moved on to the American League to play for Detroit but returned to England with Cambridge before his retirement from football.

Mick was never the most popular player, often overshadowed by the more skilful Stan Bowles and Rodney Marsh but he had a habit of scoring vital goals for QPR and always gave 100% for the club.

Micks team mate Don Givens was a close friend and said, "Mick was a very underrated player. He was appreciated more by his fellow players than by spectators, who didn't notice a lot of the work he put in over 90 minutes.

"He wasn't the sort of player who grabbed the headlines, but he was a good man to have on your side - and a smashing lad too".

Don's sentiments are echoed by another team mate, Terry Venables. Terry recalls : "I came through with Mick and always got on very well with him - but then so did everybody; he was a great guy to have around.

"He was a super fit player and an integral part of the team. Even though he often didn't get the credit he deserved, his name was always one of the first on the team sheet - thats how important he was".

Gerry Francis also remembers Mick with fond memories. He said, "Mick was an important member of the side, a very honest and tremendously hard working player.

"Although he generally didn't get the credit he deserved he always had the respect of the other players and that was very important to him. As well as that he was liked by everyone, a really lovely guy".