Twenty years ago, Rovers were plummeting towards relegation after a disappointing 2003/04 campaign. Graeme Souness took his side to Loftus Road to face Fulham on this day in 2004 and recorded a famous win.

Jon Stead saved the season with six goals – including four match-winners – after his January move from Third Division Huddersfield Town. His strike in the topsy-turvy 4-3 thriller was memorable because of the Sky Sports ‘Fanzone’ commentary – often labelled the ‘best ever’ due to the ecstatic and dejected reactions of the two supporters with every goal. 

“THEY ARE GOING RADIO RENTAL!!” exclaimed Greg Wallace as Stead bagged the fourth Rovers goal, which followed earlier strikes by Andy Cole, Jonathan Douglas and Lorenzo Amoruso.

Wallace later described Stead’s as his favourite Rovers goal: “This is special for me. I was doing commentary with a chirpy cockney bombarding my ears throughout. It clinched the points, moved Rovers out of relegation trouble and gave me ammunition to mock him!” 

The result was the start of four straight wins for Rovers as Stead dragged the club up to 15th place by the end of the season.

The above piece is taken from Issue 107 of 4,000 Holes, which provides a light-hearted review of the noughties – ORDER VIA THIS LINK.