 Monday, 12th Mar 2012 22:36 by Clive Whittingham QPR’s increasingly forlorn looking cause hits the road again next Saturday with the longest trip of the season for supporters, up to Sunderland.
Ground Name: Stadium of Light Capacity: 49,000 Address: Stadium Of Light, Sunderland, SR5 1SU Main Number: 0871 911 1200 Box Office: 0871 911 1973 By Car: Longest trip of the season this one – 277 miles and five hours seven minutes at the speed limit from Loftus Road. Either take the M1 up to the M18 and then onto the A1, or the A1 all the way, depending on which part of London you’re coming from. Exit the A1 at junction 62 for Durham and Sunderland and follow the A690 towards Sunderland. After eight miles, at a roundabout, turn left onto the A19 signposted Tyne Tunnel. Stay in the left lane and take the second slip road towards Sunderland signposted Stadium of Light. From there, following signs for the ground, go over four roundabouts, two sets of lights and the bridge over the River Wear and the ground should become visible as you follow the A1231. Map:
Click the map to zoom in and tour around. Parking: Parking at the ground is limited but it is within walking distance of the city centre which has plenty of pay and display options. Failing that try the park and ride which is signposted off the A1231 at the Sunderland Enterprise Park. Buses run every five minutes for 90 minutes before kick off and as long as necessary afterwards and apparently it’s free. Train: Very late in the day to be booking this trip if you haven’t already so expect to pay plenty. You can either go out of Kings Cross and over to Sunderland on the Metro – if doing so be ready for the two stations at the ground, St Peters and Stadium of Light, to be closed afterwards because of over crowding. Only in Britain would you build two Metro stations to serve a stadium and then close them on matchdays because too many people want to use them. Otherwise you can get the Grand Central trains direct to Sunderland although the times are somewhat antisocial. At the time of writing the cheapest I could see was a £29 single from London Kings Cross direct to Sunderland at 0748, arriving 1140, then coming back via Newcastle leaving Sunderland at 1822 and arriving back at 2224 available for £63.90. Coach: The official coach leaves Loftus Road at 6.30am and the Target Roundabout at 7am. This is priced £36 adults, £24 seniors and young adults and £22 juniors with the usual discounts for season ticket holders. The LSA coach leaves the SSpringbok at 7am priced £30 adults and £20 concessions, contact Gary on 07506 028 189 to book. Pubs: Personally I’ve always drunk in Newcastle beforehand and got the Metro over later on so these recommendations come from the guide rather than me. The Wetherspoons in the centre of town, the William Jameson, seems to be the popular haunt for away fans but the guide also recommends The Albion on Roker Street and closer to the ground The Sunderland Companions club, and the New Democratic Club which get crowded but dow welcome away fans. Alcohol is served in the ground. Tickets: QPR have an initial allocation of 1099 tickets priced £29 adults, £18 senior and £10 junior. QPR will receive a further allocation if these sell out. Wheelchair and disabled tickets are priced the same with a free helper. Tickets will remain on sale until close of business on Thursday March 22 and then returned for sale on the day subject to availability. Links >>> Detailed Fans Guide to Stadium of Light >>> Official Website Tweet @loftforwords Pictures – Action Images Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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