QPR’s first away trip back in the Championship takes them north to Huddersfield for the first time since 2003. Here’s the usual hints and tips for those making the trip.
Ground Name: John Smith’s Stadium
Capacity: 24,500 (all seated)
Address: Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX
Telephone: 01484 484123
It’s pretty much M1 all the way for any QPR fans driving to this one from London. Follow it for 170 miles north to Junction 38 past Sheffield and then from there take the A637 through the villages of West Bretton and Flockton until you reach a roundabout junction with the A642. Turn left there, following the A642 into the middle of Huddersfield. As you approach the town centre you’ll come to a roundabout where you need to be in the right hand lane, following signs M62 East and Leeds A62. Continue to stay in the right hand lane of the ring road and turn right onto the A62 Leeds road. The ground is further along that road on the right hand side. 190 miles and three hours 14 minutes at the speed limit.
Click on the map to visit Google maps where you can zoom in and out or tour around.
Parking is plentiful at the ground, £5 a car in the car park behind the away end. There are plenty of industrial units around the stadium who undercut that by £1 as well.
Three different routes to Huddersfield enabling you to shop around for cheap deals, but at this late stage you may still struggle to find a reasonable price. You can go up the East Coast from Kings Cross to either Leeds or Wakefield Westgate, on the East Midlands Trains route from St Pancras to Sheffield, or the Virgin West Coast line from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly and then pick up local services from there.
There are London to Manchester tickets available for £26 there and £34 back which, with a Huddersfield ticket added in, will be a £70 round trip. Cheaper via Sheffield, with two singles adding up to £49 and a round trip from there to Huddersfield taking that up to nearer £50. Wakefield is now at £61 return which will again be nearer £70 once you add the Huddersfield leg on. The cheapest price that comes up if you just search for London to Huddersfield return is now £80 going out of Kings Cross at 0803 with a change at Leeds and coming back from Huddersfield at 1837 with a change at Wakefield Westgate.
Once there it’s no more than a 15 minute walk from the station to the ground. Walk out of the station and past The George Hotel – the birthplace of Rugby League in case you’re interested. Go straight on at the crossroads into Northumberland Street and walk across the Ring Road to the Leeds Road. Right down Gasworks Street and straight on at the next crossroads to the ground.
The official club coach will leave Loftus Road at 9am with a pick up at the Target Roundabout at 9.30am. This is priced £32 for adults, £21 for seniors and young adults aged under 21, and £19 for under 16s with the usual discount for season ticket holders.
The LSA coach is leaving the Springbok at 7.30am and is already full, but reservations are being taken and encouraged to see if there is demand for a second coach. The fare is £30 with £20 concessions – if you’re interested then call Gary as soon as possible on 07506 028 189.
LFW message board regular Mel is also planning a coach trip, picking up at the Target Roundabout at 8am with other stops along the M1 route also possible. Maximum fee £30, e-mail melh64@hotmail.co.uk for more details.
Been a fair while since we were in this part of the world, it remains to be seen whether any ill-feeling has carried over from the events surrounding our relegation here more than a decade ago. Whether it has or it hasn’t expect a number of bars and pubs to operate home fans only policies, including those in the cinema and leisure complex behind the North Stand. The Gas Club on Gasworks Street is five minutes away and charges a £1 entry fee – it comes recommended by the guide but reverts to a home fan only venue after the match. At the train station The Head f Steam does decent food apparently, The Cherry Tree is popular with the away fans and there is the obligatory Wetherspoons as well. The Kings Head near the station, The Sportsman on St John’s Road and The Vlcan in St Peter’s Street are all in the Camra guide.
QPR have received an initial allocation of 1,500 tickets although the away end at the John Smith’s Stadium is massive and can hold 4,000 if necessary – which it won’t be. The tickets are priced £25 for adults, £15 for seniors, £10 for under 18s, and £5 for under 8s. The under 8 price increases to £10 if not bought in advance. The wheelchair or ambulant disabled tickets are priced the same, and Rangers have received five of those.
Links >>> Detailed Fans Guide to Huddersfield >>> Huddersfield Official Website