In Memory of Denis George Gristwood 

Last week saw a large gathering of people from far and wide as we paid our last respects to QPR and England stalwart Denis George Gristwood. Known to everyone at Loftus Road as ‘George’, he certainly left his mark in W12. 

So much so that the funeral cortege took a massive detour from George’s home in Greenford to South Africa Road in White City, where QPR staff came out of the stadium to pay their respects to a man who has probably seen more QPR games than anyone in the history of our football club. 

Aged 94, George saw his last QPR game just over a year ago and is possibly the only England fan to have been at both the 1966 World Cup Final AND the European Championship Final at Wembley in 2021. 

He was a brother, a husband to Phylis, a father and a grandfather, but most importantly a thoroughly decent human being. 

As his son Danny told the congregation in St. George’s Catholic Church, George had four constants in his life, his faith, Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club, the England Football team, but most importantly his beloved family. 

It was a day to reflect on a life well-lived in a close-knit family and remember a man who was one of a kind. 

I take pride in being considered a friend of George, someone I’ve known for 38 years and was a neighbour for 28 years. 

During the church service we heard very moving eulogies from his children, Clive, Daniel and Caroline. And there wasn’t a dry eye in the church as George’s 18-year-old granddaughter Catherine, gave a pitch perfect rendition of ‘Silent Night’. 

Then it was over to Breakspear Crematorium in Ruislip where Mel Huckridge spoke some beautiful words about George, then his grandson Christopher read a poem he had composed about his beloved grandfather which I will share with you with the permission of the whole Gristwood family: 

FOR GRANDAD, A QPR FAN 

Beneath the lights of Loftus Road                                                                                      A man of pride and stories told                                    

With every match, his heart would sing           

A love for Rangers in everything, 

Through highs and lows he held no doubt 

His love for Rangers shone throughout  

With passion pure, he’d always stay  

True to the hoops, come what may, 

Though now the stands feel one seat bare 

We feel your presence everywhere   

In every chant, in every cheer 

A part of you remains right here, 

We miss you more than words can say 

Your absence felt with every day 

But in our hearts, you’re never far 

Your memory shines, our guiding star, 

Though you loved the mighty Rangers 

The answers clear for sure 

If ever there was a choice to make 

We know Grandad loved us more. 

Denis George Gristwood – 12th July 1930 – 17th October 2024 

Chris Hewitt