Former QPR[1] star Don Shanks will run the New York marathon on November 2 at the age of 72 in memory of his great friend and former team-mate Stan Bowles.
The duo became famous during the late 1970s and early ’80s not only for their exploits on the pitch, but also their close-knit friendship off it.
Shanks and Bowles were inseparable off the pitch and racked up hundreds of appearances for QPR during their time with the club.
Bowles, voted QPR’s greatest ever player, was however sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s[2] in 2015. He fought the disease for almost a decade before his death in 2024 at the age of 75.
Now, almost seven years after raising £50,000 for his best pal’s medical care by running the New York marathon, Shanks is attempting to cross the finish line in the Big Apple once again in early November.
The race incredibly comes just two days before his 73rd birthday, with Shanks this time bidding to complete the marathon to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society.
Former QPR star Don Shanks (left) is running the New York marathon in memory of his good friend and former team-mate Stan Bowles (right)
Bowles was voted the best player in QPR’s history, scoring 97 goals in 315 appearances for the club
Bowles however sadly died last year after battling Alzheimer’s for almost a decade
He told The Sun this week: ‘Stan has gone but dementia hasn’t and I promised I would do everything to help fight this awful disease in his memory.
‘The last time I ran this marathon I finished in four hours and 11 minutes, but I was 66 then. So this time I will be aiming to do it in about six hours.’
Speaking about his preparation, Shanks added: ‘I have been off the beer and burgers for about a month now and I know it will be a tough slog. But it will be a small price to pay because the work done by Alzheimer’s Society is crucial in helping those affected by this cruellest of diseases.
‘Stan gave everything to football. He was my best mate but this is not just about him, it is also for those people across the country who don’t have a profile and need help.’
After sharing a flat together during their years at QPR, Shanks and Bowles’ friendship continued long after their playing days finished.
In Bowles’ book, he says of their relationship: ‘If the two of us had never hooked up we might both have had a bit more money but never would we have had as much fun. I wouldn’t swap those memories for all the tea in China.’
Bowles, described as a maverick, scored 97 goals in 315 league appearances for QPR – coming close to winning the title with them in 1976.
In an interview with Daily Mail Sport in 2021, Shanks said of the QPR legend’s ability: ‘He could do anything out there. He always wanted the football. He would absolutely slaughter defenders.
Shanks (right) is hoping to raise more than £100,000 by running the marathon on November 2
Bowles and Shanks became known not only for their exploits on the pitch, but also off it
‘He was never in a rush, totally in control of all situations, no panic, nerves of steel. But still a fantastic team player.’
Shanks has urged English footballing authorities to better protect players following his good friend’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and resulting death.
Read More
From the terraces of 1966 to the Wembley tunnel, lifelong fan Adron relives his glory days
In the same interview, he added: ‘With the guys now that are earning so much money, it will make no difference for them to pay one to two per cent of their salary to go into a fund and help build these care homes,’ adds Shanks.
‘Everyone thinks about today but they are not thinking about 10 years’ time. All these footballers today, there will be a percentage of them in 20 to 30 years exactly like the ones are now. Maybe they will be financially better off, but they will be going through these things and then they won’t know they are a millionaire.
‘If you are an individual who has got nobody, you are totally screwed. There should be a database of former players who are checked upon.
‘The Daily Mail have highlighted lots of footballers on your pages and there are more to come. It’s a footballing issue that has to be addressed by football. Football should look after its players.’