Jim Gregory

Who was Jim Gregory?

James Arthur "Jimmy Boy" Gregory, was a former English Football club Director and Chairman.

He was brought up in the Shepherd's Bush area and was a childhood QPR supporter. His father ran a fish stall and in 1942 at the age of 14 when his father went into the army he took over the running of the stall.When Gregory senior came back from the War, Jim set up his own buying and selling business.In the early 1950s he entered the second-hand car business, setting up on a Hammersmith bombsite.By the end of the 1950s he had bought 3 acres in Hounslow and set up "Gregory's Motordome". Further businesses were acquired and sold and in late 1964 he joined the QPR board.

He became Chairman a few months later in early 1965. When he took over at Loftus Road, the South Africa Road side of the ground consisted of a muddy bank and crowds were low. Gregory's enthusiasm and money - he would invest millions - soon however brought a great run of success. The manager at the time, Alec Stock, was building a young and dynamic team and one of Gregory's early deals in conjunction with Stock helped to add the final piece in the jigsaw.This was the signing from Fulham of Rodney Marsh for £15,000 in 1966.