A Rough Guide To Queens Park Rangers
Tuesday, 13th Nov 2012 10:39

OK to be pedantic as QPR dont play in Queens Park this should perhaps be called a rough guide to Shepherds Bush.

Loftus Road

QPR's ground is in many ways reminicent of the old Dell in that it has four fairly small stands in close proximity to the pitch and being surrounded by a busy road and houses has little room for further developement, but thats where the similarities perhaps end in that Loftus Road is a neat compact stadium rather than the mis shape the old Dell was, with a capacity of 18,360 its the smallest ground in the premier League.

Getting There.

By Car

There is a simple way which is longer or a shorter way which is a bit more complicated, the simple way if to take the M25 Heathrow Bound and stay on till Junction 16 and take the M40 London bound (Goes into the A40) and then follow signs for White City and Sheperds Bush, the ground is just off the A40 to the right.

Alternatively you could take the M3 and then follow it as it becomes the A316 right into Hammersmith, then follow signs to Shepherds Bush. There are a few shorcuts if you have a map.

Car Parking

Theres not much in the way of parking near the ground, you just have to look for street parking although much of that is either metered, expect to pay around £7 for 3 -4 hours or is restricted to residents only, but if you park far enough away you will find somewhere

By Train/Tube

Loftus Road has several stations nearby, Shepherds Bush and White City are both on the Central line, White City is probably best if you are heading straight to the ground, whereas if you are looking for a drink or some food Shepherds Bush would be better. if you go via Hammersmith then Sheperds Bush Market is perhaps the most convenient of all.

The Away End

Situated at the School End of the stadium, this has to be one of the worst away sections not just in the premier but the entire league, it falls short on several points, firstly its in two tiers, with the entrance to each being situated on different sides of the stadium and with a school behind the ground, if you go to the wrong entrance then its not a simple walk to the other, the entrance to the lower tier is through the entrance in South Africa Road(the main stand side) whilst the upper tier is in Ellerslie Road, to confuse matter further after the game the police will probably opt to let out the upper tier only into South Africa Road rather than split up the two sections of support.

Secondly although the end was built in the early 1980's, the site lines are appalling, in the upper tier only the first couple of rows can see the goaline, meaning that you have to stand up to do so, which of course the stewards arent keen on, secondly there are further obstructed views from the railings on the exits.

Downstairs its not much better with a fairly low rake meaning that you arent much more than at head height with regard to watching the game

Eating & Drinking

In the ground theres the usual selection of food and beer but in the upper tier especially not a lot of room to consume it, near kick off with only a small corridor at the back of the stand its impossible.

But at Shepherds Bush Green there are luckily enough plenty of pubs and resataurants as well as takeaways, with other options just off the green along the GoldHawk & Unbridge Roads.

Walkabout & O'Neills are both in close proximity and are the designated away pubs, the Police keep a close eye on them and be warned take no nonsense from visiting supporters who want to get a bit lively, after the game although the police will let away fans back in these pubs, they wont let them stay long and usually clear them off by around 6pm, apparently QPR's more volatile element have a habit of emerging around this time to pick off stragglers.

Queens Park Rangers

Loftus Road Stadium

Capacity: 18 ,360 (all seated)

Address:

South Africa Road, London, W12 7PA

Main Telephone No: 020 8743 0262

Ticket Office: 08444 777 007

Ticket Office Fax: 020 8740 2505

Pitch Size: 112 x 72 yards

Team Nickname: The Superhoops

Year Ground Opened: 1917*

Shirt Sponsors: Air Asia