The last game before the final international break of the season takes high flying QPR to Doncaster this Saturday.
Ground Name: Keepmoat Stadium
Capacity: 15 231 (all seated)
Address: Stadium Way, Lakeside, Doncaster, DN4 5JW
Main Telephone No: 01302 764 664
Ticket Office: 01302 762 576
By Car: A long but relatively simple trip. Head north from London on either the M1 to junction 32 or the A1(M) to junction 35 where they join the M18. Then it’s off the M18 at junction three, which is only a matter of a few hundred yards if you come on the A1, left at the top of the slip road onto the A6182 that takes you straight to the ground past a B&Q on the left and over the railway lines. The ground is clearly visible behind the factory outlet and Harvester as you approach the second roundabout. It’s about 168 miles from Loftus Road and three hours at the speed limit give or take.
Map:
Click on the map to visit Multimap.co.uk and zoom in or out.
Parking: There is a car park for 1000 cars at the ground charging a fiver but it will fill quickly and be a bugger to get out of afterwards. The ground is surrounded by retail and industry with a number offering their car parks for a fee of around £4. I’d beware parking at the Factory Outlet without buying anything, I’m not sure how strictly that is policed. My tip is as you come over the railway lines instead of going straight on or left at the roundabout for the ground, take the fourth exit right, drive down that road for a while, spin the car round and park for free at the side of the road. You’ll then be able to drive straight out onto the motorway with a minimum of fuss afterwards.
By Train: First of all it’s worth saying I have a return train ticket going spare if anybody wants it free of charge – it’s on the 1110 from Kings Cross, coming back at 1853. The only catch is it’s booked with a Senior Railcard so you’d need one of those. E-mail me loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk if you want it.
Anyway it’s the East Coast Mainline from Kings Cross direct to Doncaster for this trip. Trains are frequent, fast and expensive. The cheapest you can do it now is for £47.50 return based on the 10.40 service in the morning arriving at 12.20, and the slow East Midlands service that is direct but takes nearly three hours going back leaving at 1817. Pay £2 on the return journey to catch the 1904 and be back at 2052.
The station is a fair distance from the ground but is walkable in decent weather – I’d say it’s a good 25 minute, mile and a half to two mile trek but we’ve done it before without a problem. Come out of the station, cross the short stay car park to the dual carriageway and turn right. Then follow that main road across three roundabouts out of town. Signs for the ground, match traffic and other fans should start to appear and basically follow them off to the left to the ground. It’s almost impossible to miss.
Coach: The official club coach leaves Loftus Road at 9.15am and the Target roundabout at 9.45am. It is priced £31 for adults, £20 for seniors and young adults, £18 for juniors. The LSA coach leaves the Springbok at 8am with adults £30 and concessions £20. To book call Luke 07806 531 999 or Gary on 07951 423 341.
Pubs The Beefeater/Harvester place is the only watering hole near the ground and will be busy – it does allow away fans in though. That’s the only real option for those driving and parking at the ground other than the bar at the stadium which also allows away fans but gets busy. Loads of pubs in the town centre if arriving by train.
Tickets: Doncaster have all manner of cheap ticket deals on for this match – and have extended none of them to the visiting fans. While Doncaster fans will pay £15 for adults and £1 for juniors Rangers seem to be being exploited to make up some of the difference and will pay £28 adults, £21 for seniors and young adults, £18 for under 16s and £14 for under 11s. Disabled tickets including a carer are priced £21 for adults, £18 for under 16s and £14 for under 11s. As usual Doncaster are claiming this game is all ticket and insisting no tickets will be available on the day – it’s a trick they’ve pulled before and QPR fans have had no problem buying on the day in the past although as ever we do not guarantee this will be the case this year seeing as their mission for the week seems to be to shaft us whichever way they can.
Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to Keepmoat Stadium >>> Official website >>> LFW Awaydays – Keepmoat Stadium