Internet Football Grounds Guide - Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Ellerslie Road & School End Stands (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? Loftus & Ellerslie Road Stands (photo) How To Get There By Car And Where To Park How To Get There By Train/Tube A Closer Look At The Loftus Road Stand (photo) Admission Prices Fixtures 2008-2009 Programme & Fanzines Ground Layout Local Rivals Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
Loftus Road has a compact feel, as the ground is totally enclosed, with supporters being close to the pitch. An unusual aspect is that all four stands are roughly the same height, their roofs meet at all four corners with no gaps. The South Africa Road Stand on one side of the ground, has a larger upper tier, compared to the lower tier, with a row of executive boxes running across the middle. There are a couple of supporting pillars in this stand. The other side, the Ellerslie Road Stand, is single tiered, with a television gantry suspended below its roof. Both ends are similar looking two tiered stands. There is a small electric scoreboard at the away end of the ground, dividing the two tiers. The ground oozes character and there is nothing similar in the league. Greg Smith adds; 'A big video screen has now been installed on the roof of the School End stand, "it's rather impressive" well I think so!' Top Of Page
The Ellerslie Road & School End Stands
Since this photo was taken a video screen has been installed on the roof of the School End. Top Of Page
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are situated in the upper tier of the School End, where around 1,200 fans can be accommodated. If demand requires it then the lower tier can also be allocated, increasing the number of places available to about 2,500. If the away club only takes the upper tier allocation, then the lower tier is allocated to home supporters. Alan Griffiths a visiting Barnsley fan informs me; 'the entrance for away fans to the School End upper tier is now longer in South Africa Road, but on the opposite side of the ground in Ellerslie Road (turnstile block 2).' I must say that on my three visits, I have found the stadium lacking a little in atmosphere. Also the leg room between rows of seats was a little tight. There is normally quite a large police and steward presence, and you should expect to be searched before you enter the away end. However on the plus side I have never experienced any problems there, as it is generally relaxed and friendly. Dan Markham a QPR fan disagrees with me; 'It is virtually impossible to have such a small compact enclosed stadium, and not have a tremendous atmosphere. You are close to the pitch, close to the visiting fans and most importantly close to the action'. Another plus point was that the food that was served within the ground was quite good and the service prompt. Please note that smoking is not allowed in the seated areas of the ground. Richard Wilson, a visiting Birmingham City supporter adds; 'A word of advice for away fans. They are often very slow at the turnstiles at Loftus Road. I would seriously suggest arriving half an hour before kick off, or risk missing the start of the game'. Top Of Page
Where To Eat & Drink?
Dave Hancy informs me; 'The Springbok pub near to the ground, which has been used by away fans for many years now, is now under new management and has been converted into a Home Fans only pub. On matchdays they have bouncers on the door checking matchday tickets'. Around Shepherds Bush Green is O'Neills and Walkabout which are both okay for away fans. To find Shepherds Bush Green; exit Shepherds Bush Underground (the Hammersmith & City line station), turn left out of the station and the green is a short way down the road on the right. Diagonally across Shepherds Bush Green opposite the Central line entrance to Shepherds Bush Underground Station, is a retail complex called Vue, which upstairs includes a Wetherspoons outlet. Please note that alcohol is not available in the away end. On the eating front David Frodsham adds; 'On my travels to many football grounds, I have yet to find a wider selection of food available than on the Uxbridge Road. The cosmopolitan inner city nature means that you can almost eat your way around the world. From the normal range of cafes, burger bars, fried chicken outlets and chippies, there are Indian, Chinese, Thai & Jamaican outlets. There are Lebanese and Indian kebab shops, the latter selling "doner" kebabs made with Indian spices! Inside the ground there is a range of Shire Foods pasties, sausage rolls & pies available including the delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' Top Of Page
The Loftus & Ellerslie Road Stands
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How To Get There By Car And Where To Park
From The North/West: At the end of the M40, take the A40 towards Central London. At the point where the A40 becomes the A40(M), turn off onto the A40 towards White City/Shepherds Bush and turn right into Wood Lane, turn right into South Africa Road for the ground. Daniel Sleigh a visiting Nottingham Forest fan informs me; 'There is a car park on the Ariel Way industrial opposite the BBC television centre. The car park located at the end of Silver Road (near the royal mail unit) It costs �7 and is open 12:00-19:00 for afternoon games and 16:30 -23:00 for evening games'. Matt Garside from Southampton adds; 'It's probably cheaper to just park on the road in this area as it costs �4.80 for three hours parking'. For a map showing the location of the ground and the surrounding area click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Top Of Page
How To Get There By Train/Tube
I tend to use Shepherds Bush tube station, simply because there seems to be more pubs around this area. There are in fact two Shepherds Bush tube stations, one on the Central Line and the other on the Hammersmith & City line. The latter is nearer to the ground which is about a ten minute walk. Leaving the tube station turn right and the ground will come into view further down on the right. Michael Howard a visiting Reading supporter recommends; 'White City Tube on Wood Lane (opposite the BBC Television Centre). It's nearer the ground and less people seem to use it on match day'. Please note that Queens Park tube station is nowhere near the ground!. Jonathan Burt adds; 'the nearest train station to the ground is Kensington Olympia which can be accessed via Watford or Clapham Junction. It is normally much quicker to get to the ground this way rather than using the tube line, it really cuts down the journey time. Olympia station is about 20 to 25 minutes walk away from the ground, or about 10 to 15 minutes walk away from Shepherds Bush Green. Top Of Page
A Closer Look At The Loftus Road Stand
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Admission Prices
For Away Fans: School End Stand (Upper Tier) Adults �30 Over 60's �20 Under 21's �20 Under 16's �20 Top Of Page
Fixtures 2008-2009
For the QPR fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzine
Official Programme �3 A Kick Up The R's Fanzine �2.50 Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Local Rivals
Brentford, Fulham, Chelsea. Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 35,353 v Leeds United, Division One, April 27th, 1974. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 19,002 v Manchester City Division One, November 6th, 1999. Average Attendance: 2007-2008: 13,959 (Championship League) 2006-2007: 12,936 (Championship League) 2005-2006: 13,441 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of Loftus Road
Bobby Carter (Southampton) 20/1/07 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Queens Park Rangers & general London page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide. * The Club also played at the White City Stadium from 1931-33 & 1962-63.

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