Ray Harford - 1945-2003
Harford was virtually unknown when he joined the backroom staff in 1981. However, as the Club progressed and a steady stream of talented youngsters made their mark in the side, Harford's talents became more widely appreciated and he was the natural choice to succeed Malcolm Macdonald.
As a player, he had been a central defender with Charlton, Exeter, Lincoln, Mansfield, Port Vale and Colchester, making a total of over 350 League appearances between 1964 and 1975. It was at Layer Road that he started coaching in 1975 before his move to Fulham six years later.
Harford took up the Fulham managerial reigns in a difficult situation. His concern was the players but Ernie Clay, the Chairman at the time was becoming ever more unpredictable and desperate for cash.
The ground was increasingly cut from under the manager as his best players were sold. He was expected to turn promising youngsters into competent first teamers, a trick he pulled off in 1984-5 but could not repeat the following year.
As he was to show in his post-Fulham career (at Wimbledon, Luton, Blackburn, West Brom and now QPR), he was an exceptionally talented coach.