After the disappointment of Saturday it’s all up to Vicarage Road this Saturday for another crucial Championship game. If you’re one of the lucky ones with tickets, read on.
Ground Name: Vicarage Road
Capacity: 19 900 (all seated)
Address: Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER
Main Telephone No: 0845 442 1881
Ticket Office: 0870 111 1881
By Car:
Leave the M1 at junction five and follow the A4008 into Watford. The ground should be visible on the left as you arrive in the middle of Watford but failing that circle the ring road once and it should then become apparent.
Map:
Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.
Parking:
Various schools and industrial units around the ground offer parking for the usual fiver, failing that the ground is easily walkable from the town centre and all the car parks that offers.
By Train
Bear in mind that a couple of the usual options are unavailable this Saturday. The Metropolitan Line isn’t running between Northwood and Watford and the Overground service from Shepherds Bush isn’t running between Queen’s Park and Watford. There’s also no Bakerloo line between Queen’s Park and Harrow and Wealdstone just for good measure. According to the Southern Trains website their services are running from Shepherds Bush to Watford Junction - one an hour leaving at 53 minutes past going there with a journey time of 26 minutes, 52 minutes past coming back and costing £12 for an any time day return.
That means anybody going by train is probably going from Euston – the journey time is between 14 and 20 minutes – careful not to get the stopper that takes almost an hour. Trains leave at four, 24, 34, 46 and 54 minutes past every hour. Coming back they’re at 16, 29, 31, 46 and 57 minutes past. An off peak day return is £9.10, Oyster cards are valid except on Virgin Trains.
Most people coming by train will come into Watford Junction mainline station which is about 15 minutes walk from the ground – Northern the Elder did it in 15 minutes once and he’s dead now so you should be able to. Come out of the station and take the main Clarendon Road opposite. Follow that road straight down into the town centre, crossing the rind road as you go, then go left past the Wetherspoons and first right onto Market Street. Cross the ring road again and then follow the crowds, Vicarage Road is left at the chip shop then first right.
Pubs
Most QPR fans last season seemed to be heading for the pubs on the High Street, including the Wetherspoons Moon Under Water however these are heavily policed, mostly crowded and likely to serve you drinks in the dreaded plastic glasses. The guide recommends the Odd Fellows on Fearnley Street but for me the best bet would be to drink around Kings Cross and Euston and get a later train out to avoid the inevitable hassle that comes with an over policed local fixture.
Coach: Given the close proximity of the game it’s no surprise to find no coaches running to this one.
Tickets
Despite Watford having nothing to play for and several thousand seats still to sell they elected against giving QPR the whole stand behind the goal. Rangers quickly sold out their 2,000 allocation and just how many have succeeded in getting into the other stands will probably only become apparent if we score or win promotion. Watford have really cut off their nose to spite their face here – Rangers could have sold 5,000 seats at this game without a problem which would have been extra cash in Watford’s back pocket. If the Hornets were fighting for something and capable of selling out themselves then I’d understand it but as they’re not I don’t.
Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to Vicarage Road >>> Official website