The usual travel hints and tips for the hardy few QPR fans still intending to take the long slog up to Middlesbrough next Saturday.
Ground Name: Riverside Stadium
Capacity: 35 100 (all seated)
Address: Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS3 6RS
Main Telephone No: 0844 499 6789
Ticket Office: 0844 499 1234
Obviously it’s a long hike from London, exactly 250 miles from Loftus Road to the Riverside Stadium, but it should be reasonably simple. Take either the M1 to the A1 at Leeds or the A1 all the way up past York. Then you can either take the A618 at Dishforth and pick up the A19 or carry on the A1 all the way up to Darlington and take the A66 towards Middlesbrough. Either way you end up approaching the ground on the A66 and you should start to see signs for it as you go through the middle of Middlesbrough on that A66.
No official car park at the stadium but it is surrounded by old factories and waste ground and there is certainly no shortage of places to dump the car near the ground. Alternatively there is street parking slightly further afield, on the other side of the A66. Follow the signs for ‘away coaches’ according to the guide (link below) as this takes you past a number of private car parks by the river. The ground is also only a mile away from the town centre and all the associated long stay parking places there.
This is a trip up the East Coast line from Kings Cross with a change at either York or Darlington for QPR fans. A word of advice if booking in advance, returns from Darlington and York to Middlesbrough are dirt cheap so it may be worth seeing if it is cheaper to get a London to Darlington/York ticket and then a separate one for the onward journey. This late in the day though, expect to pay through the nose if you haven’t already booked.
London to Darlington is currently priced £120.50 return each (no, not joking) and London to York can be done for £77 as long as you come back on the 19.02 — tickets from there are £12 each to Middlesbrough. Round tickets from London to Middlesbrough, with a change at Darlington, are £119.60 each — work that one out.
The official club coach leaves Loftus Rod at 08.00 and picks up from the Target Roundabout at 08.30. It is priced £34 for adults, £23 for seniors and young adults, and £21 for under 16s with the usual £2 discount for season ticket holders.
The LSA coach is leaving the Springbok at 07.00 with a fare of £30, £25 concessions. Call Gary to book on 07506 028 189.
Few and far between. The Bridge next to the station was where we went many moons ago, but it’s mainly home fans and I wouldn’t advise colours. Sky TV and a mix of fans from both clubs can usually be found at Dr Browns on Corporation Road — detailed directions in the guide linked below..
Seats are never in short supply at Middlesbrough but Rangers have an initial allocation of 949 tickets in the East Stand — down the side this year I believe rather than behind the goal — priced £27 adults, £17 for seniors and £14 for under 18s.
Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to the Riverside >>> Official website >>> Awayday Review
The Twitter - @loftforwords
Pictures — Action Images