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Former QPR star Don Shanks will participate in the New York marathon on November 2 at the age of 72 to honor his late friend and former teammate 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.
Nearly seven years after raising £50,000 for his friend’s medical expenses by completing the New York marathon, Shanks is once more aiming to finish the race in early November.
The event notably takes place just two days ahead of his 73rd birthday, and Shanks plans to use the occasion to generate 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.
‘During my last marathon, I clocked in at four hours and 11 minutes, but that was when I was 66 years old. For this run, I’m targeting a six-hour finish.’
Elaborating on his training regimen, Shanks mentioned: ‘I’ve avoided beer and burgers for about a month now, knowing the run will be quite challenging. However, it’s a small sacrifice because the Alzheimer’s Society’s work is vital for those dealing with this harsh illness.
‘Stan dedicated everything to the sport. He was my closest friend; however, this effort extends beyond him to support people nationwide who need assistance without having a public platform.’
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.
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.’
You can donate to Don Shanks’s fundraiser here.
