Hill-climber
JOE NELSON & DANIEL VENN chat to Queen Park Rangers’
The career of Clint Hill
experience to learn from him.”
Promotion did not come so easily for Hill this time, as it took a Wembley play-off final against Derby to secure Premier League status. In one of the most dramatic endings in recent memory, a 90th- minute Bobby Zamora strike clinched top-flight football for the ten-man R’s.
“I didn’t enjoy the game,” admitted Hill.“It’s too much pressure. From the fans wanting to go up so much to the money involved, it must be one of the biggest games in football, but it was a fantastic experience.
“When Bobby scored, it was just utter relief. I jumped on Harry’s back and he’s got dodgy knees so didn’t appreciate it! But everything pours out.You’re so tired from the whole season, and emotionally knackered, but in a good way in the end.”
Hill captained the side that day, and was the man to lift the play-off trophy in front of QPR’s adoring fans under the arch, which he describes as one of the best feelings of his life.
It also banished the memory of his sending off in the 2000 League Cup final for Tranmere against Leicester, the Foxes winning 2-1.
“It was my best moment at the club, especially being captain and lifting the trophy,” he said. “It put to rest a lot of demons for me, as that final with Tranmere was one of my darkest moments in football.You don’t get the chance to walk up those famous steps often and it was a harsh lesson to learn.”
While Hill knows the bitter taste of relegation, he has also fought off the drop in his career. At the end of the 2011-12 season, the R’s survived on the final day of the season despite a 3-2 loss at Manchester City which saw the Citizens claim the Premier League title in an amazing finish.
“We struggled that season, but with six or seven games left something just clicked,” recalled Hill.“You saw our run-in with Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and City and punters thought we were down.
“You can’t put your finger on it, but we managed to beat Liverpool 3-2, Arsenal 2-1, Swansea 3-0, Spurs 1-0 and we had our confidence back. I think at that point the pressure was off, so we could express ourselves more, and with a bit of luck you can get decent results.
“We got battered 6-1 by Chelsea, but put it behind us and, after beating Stoke 1-0, travelled to the Etihad thinking we’d need something to save our season.”