Stadium Review #15 - Loftus Road

Ground Information: Loftus Road (Queens Park Rangers FC) Capacity 18,500

Appearance: Another clubs that has resisted the urge to demolish and redevelop, probably due to its hemmed in location. The Exterior is very 'busy' with different angles, stairways and windows, and slightly run down look, whilst inside it's very enclosed giving a 'close' feeling, which is slightly claustrophobic. All the stands are virtually identical, meaning it's quite boring. 6/10

View: From the lower tier, the front row is below pitch level. Therefore it is impossible to see any markings past the 18 yard box, and play at the other end is very far away. Whether the upper tier is better, I don't know. 5/10

Getting there: Apparently 'one of the easiest clubs to find'. Not. The ground is not signed on any roads around the area, the recommended route was from the M4 via Hanger Land and A40, which is a very roundabout route and is normally very congested. Leaving the game, not surprisingly the roads are very busy. By tube, both Shepherds Bush stations are close by. On street parking is the norm 5/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): (lower tier) Again, the toilets were huge and well maintained, but there was a lack of anything else to do. A food bar is available as normal. 6/10

Food and Drink: They had run out of anything but 3 chicken and mushroom pies and some hot dogs. Very poor management. The bar is 'dry' as it is in sight of the pitch. 5/10

Stewarding/Police: The steward that had to deal with a more rowdy member of the group trying to vandalise a sign was very polite. There seemed to be a large police presence for nothing. 6/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): In London you can do anything by tube or bus. Shepherds Bush had lots of shops, and there was an away supporter-friendly pub (The Springbok) very close by. An off licence outside the main entrance is very handy to stock up. 8/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): Didn't encounter anyone directly, but during the game they woke up at the equaliser and were very bolshy. 5/10

Total score: 46/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
= Loftus Road (QPR): 46
= The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36