Expect a bigger-than-usual travelling support to follow QPR up to Rotherham on January 16 as the ground hoppers take the chance of ticking off The New York Stadium on Rangers’ first visit.

Ground Name: The New York Stadium

Capacity: 12,021 all seated)

Address: New York Way, Rotherham, S60 1QY

Main Telephone No: 0844 4140733

Ticket Office: 08444 140754

By Car:

Simple, if slightly long, trip by car for this one. Straight up the M1 all the way up to junction 33 south of Sheffield. Take the third exit at the roundabout there, following the A630 towards Rotherham. Take the first exit at the next roundabout, and the second exit at the roundabout after that. Follow the A630 into town and the ground should appear ahead of you over the river as you approach the third roundabout. It’s 162 miles and exactly three hours at the speed limit from Loftus Road.

Map:

Parking:

The car park at the stadium is for permit holders only so your options are the pay and display car parks around the town centre, street parking around the old Millmoor ground, or the multi-storey car park next to the bus station which charges £2.80 for four hours.

By Train

Rotherham is on the slow line between Sheffield and Leeds/Doncaster. That means you can get East Midlands Trains from St Pancras to Sheffield and change there, or Virgin East Coast/Grand Central/Hull Trains from Kings Cross to Doncaster and go that way.

Via Doncaster looks the best bet as Virgin currently have a sale on with plenty of tickets in both directions available for £5. You'll need to buy an additional local ticket at Doncaster to return to Rotherham for another fiver but the whole trip shouldn't now cost you more than £15.

Use this link to access the cheap trains.

Pubs:

The guide recommends…

“There are a number of pubs in the nearby town centre, which are only a few minutes walk from the stadium. These include three Wetherspoon pubs. One of these; the Bluecoat (on the Crofts) is also CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed, whilst closer to the railway station is the Rhinoceros. These pubs though tend to have more a home feel about them. A better bet may be the Bridge Inn, which is located quite close to the railway station (turn right out of the station and the pub is across the road on the left). This pub which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide serves beers from the Old Mill Brewery as well as guest beers and a real cider. This pub was welcoming towards away fans on my visit and it wasn't too bad to get served inside.

“Alcohol is also available inside the stadium in the form of: Fosters and John Smiths (Both £3.40 a pint), Bulmers (£3.20 a bottle), plus Red, White and Rose wines (£4 small bottle).”

Coach:

The official club coach leaves Loftus Road at 09.00 and the Target Roundabout at 09.30. The coach is priced at £32 adults, £21 disabled/ambulant (carer free), over 60s, under 21s and £19 under 18s. Usual discount for season ticket holders.

The LSA is yet to confirm exact departure details but is advertising places at £30 with £20 concessions. Please call Gary as soon as possible on 07506 028 189 to book.

LoftforWords’ own Mel Huckridge is also launching his musical-themed fun bus into the South Yorkshire stratosphere via a stop at a pub in Worksop. In fact, he's running two coaches, and has 15 places left on the second one priced at £28 with £2 for the long-suffering driver. Pick up is the Target Roundabout at 08.00. Contact Mel on melh64@hotmail.co.uk to book.

Tickets:

Rangers have 1,490 tickets remaining from an initial allocation of just over 2,000. They’re priced £23 adults, £13 seniors, students and armed forces personnel, £8 13-17 and £6 for under 12s.

Ambulant tickets with a free carer priced: £13 Adults/ Senior Over 60/ Armed Forces and Students with valid NUS, £8 13-17 and £6 Junior 12 and Under. The club have received 10 pairs of wheelchair tickets with a free carer priced as above. To book these tickets please call on 08444 777 007 and select the relevant option.

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Pictures — Action Images

Photo: Action Images

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