QPR travel to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday to face Coventry City. Here are the usual hints and tips for the brave Rangers fans still intending on making the trip despite the dreadful form recently.
Ground Name: Ricoh Arena
Capacity: 32 000 (all seated)
Address: Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 6GE
Main Telephone No: 0870 421 1987
Ticket Office: 024 7657 8000
By Car:
A pretty simple trip this one – up the M1 and across on the M6. Go off at Junction 3 and then park up in the first place you see. If you do want to drive to the ground follow the A444 towards the city centre and look for the ground after a mile. If you can't see it see an optician. Roughly 97 miles from Loftus Road.
Map:
Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.
Parking:
Coventry have a ‘green travel plan’ in place for their shiny new stadium so please be concerned about your carbon footprint at all times on Saturday. Next the ground there is a Tesco where several friends of mine parked last season, although I'm not sure it's technically allowed so I'm not responsible for any tickets handed out. Failing that if you come off the M6 at junction three then take the first exit at the roundabout, and first exit again you can park in a field that offers a quick get away afterwards at a small price., We've used it a couple of times and it was excellent.
There are a number of smaller car parks just off the M6 next to the ground. These all charge a fiver, some are private, some are official all are tricky to get out of afterwards
The people involved with the parking and drinking at the Black Horse got in touch last season. Leisure Ireland, located a few minutes drive away from Junction 3 of the M6, has 200 secure spaces next to the pub and you're straight out onto the M6 afterwards. The cost to park there is £4 per car and to find the car park, follow the 'pink arrow' signs from Junction 3 of the M6. Not sure if that's the case this season.
By Train
As with all new grounds it's miles away from the nearest station, who would have thought football fans want to come to a game by train anyway? Taxi is just about your best bet if arriving at the station in the middle of the city or the shuttle bus that runs every ten minutes from the bus station to the Tesco and stadium complex – buy a matchday ticket for £3.50 for unlimited bus travel in the city.
The trip itself takes just under an hour from Euston and a return ticket is available for £32 based on buying two singles in advance, going out at 1103 and coming back at either 1811.
Pubs:
As with all new grounds pubs are few and far between near the ground. I mean how were they to know football supporters might fancy a drink before the match? On our last few visits we've drunk in the Black Horse just the other side of the M6 and about a 15 minute walk from the away end. There's parking in a nearby field and we've always had a friendly welcome there before. The guide recommends several pubs in nearby Longford, follow the link below for more information.
Tickets
Rangers have 2000 tickets behind the goal priced at £25 adults, £13 juniors, seniors, students and disabled. Tickets are on sale until 5pm today at Loftus Road, or on the day at the gate but the price increases by £2 if you do that. .
Links:
Detailed fans' guide to the Ricoh Arena
Official website