Former QPR stalwart Clint Hill has described being given an extraordinary snub by Stoke boss Mark Hughes last year.

It apparently occurred at a testimonial for ex-Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson.

Hughes was in charge of one team for the game and Wilkinson the other.

Hill, a team-mate of Wilkinson at Stoke prior to a six-year stint at QPR, which included Hughes’ troubled spell as manager at Loftus Road, originally expected to feature for Hughes’ team in the testimonial.

Speaking on the Open All R’s podcast, Hill said: “I get into the tunnel and one of the staff members comes up to me and goes: ‘Clint, you were supposed to be in Mark Hughes’ team but he won’t have you in his squad.’ I’ve gone: ‘You are kidding me!”

“I’ve said ‘wow’ and burst out laughing and said: ‘No problem mate, no problem at all’.

“He (Hughes) wouldn’t even look at me, wouldn’t even shake my hand or anything, and wouldn’t even put me in his testimonial team.”

Embed from Getty Images

Hill was a fans’ favourite during his time in west London and had a close relationship with Neil Warnock, having played under him at Crystal Palace and been signed by him for QPR.

Hughes replaced Warnock at Rangers in January 2012 and presided over a disastrous period for the club.

Hughes was sacked in November that year after Rangers had made a number of expensive signings, and the club went on to be relegated from the Premier League that season.

Hill added: “He’s probably got a bit of animosity because of what happened during his time at QPR.

“He made mistakes at that club – definitely made mistakes recruitment-wise – and he should stand up and accept that.”













