The usual travel hints and tips for the hardy few QPR fans still intending to take the long slog up to Middlesbrough next Saturday.

Ground Name: Riverside Stadium

Capacity: 35 100 (all seated)

Address: Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS3 6RS

Main Telephone No: 0844 499 6789

Ticket Office: 0844 499 1234

By Car:

Obviously it’s a long hike from London, exactly 250 miles from Loftus Road to the Riverside Stadium, but it should be reasonably simple. Take either the M1 to the A1 at Leeds or the A1 all the way up past York. Then you can either take the A618 at Dishforth and pick up the A19 or carry on the A1 all the way up to Darlington and take the A66 towards Middlesbrough. Either way you end up approaching the ground on the A66 and you should start to see signs for it as you go through the middle of Middlesbrough on that A66.

Map:

Parking:

No official car park at the stadium but it is surrounded by old factories and waste ground and there is certainly no shortage of places to dump the car near the ground. Alternatively there is street parking slightly further afield, on the other side of the A66. Follow the signs for ‘away coaches’ according to the guide (link below) as this takes you past a number of private car parks by the river. The ground is also only a mile away from the town centre and all the associated long stay parking places there.

By Train

This is a trip up the East Coast line from Kings Cross with a change at either York or Darlington for QPR fans. A word of advice if booking in advance, returns from Darlington and York to Middlesbrough are dirt cheap so it may be worth seeing if it is cheaper to get a London to Darlington/York ticket and then a separate one for the onward journey. This late in the day though, expect to pay through the nose if you haven’t already booked.

London to Darlington is currently priced £120.50 return each (no, not joking) and London to York can be done for £77 as long as you come back on the 19.02 — tickets from there are £12 each to Middlesbrough. Round tickets from London to Middlesbrough, with a change at Darlington, are £119.60 each — work that one out.

Coaches:

The official club coach leaves Loftus Rod at 08.00 and picks up from the Target Roundabout at 08.30. It is priced £34 for adults, £23 for seniors and young adults, and £21 for under 16s with the usual £2 discount for season ticket holders.

The LSA coach is leaving the Springbok at 07.00 with a fare of £30, £25 concessions. Call Gary to book on 07506 028 189.

Pubs:

Few and far between. The Bridge next to the station was where we went many moons ago, but it’s mainly home fans and I wouldn’t advise colours. Sky TV and a mix of fans from both clubs can usually be found at Dr Browns on Corporation Road — detailed directions in the guide linked below..

Tickets:

Seats are never in short supply at Middlesbrough but Rangers have an initial allocation of 949 tickets in the East Stand — down the side this year I believe rather than behind the goal — priced £27 adults, £17 for seniors and £14 for under 18s.

Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to the Riverside >>> Official website >>> Awayday Review

The Twitter - @loftforwords

Pictures — Action Images

Photo: Action Images

daveB added 16:21 - Mar 14 Many moons ago I went to uni in Boro and you'll struggle to not find a pub. Avoid the ones on the main road by the station, the ayresome is one of them, they are home fans only and full of scumbags, I wouldn't wear colours but you'll be fine in most others. For better ones come out of the station and turn right, go under the main road and a Wetherspoons on the corner. Other suggestions if you come out that way walk straight up the high street and after 2 mins you come to Corporation Road with a Walkabout and Yates again fine to go in as an away fan. If you want student pubs with stupidly cheap drinks keep walking up the hightstreet past mcdonalds you come to Linthorpe road. Migh tbe easier to get a taxi but in the old bingo hall which is The Crown, massive inside, shows the live football and very cheap drink. five minutes further up on Southfield Road is the Dickins Inn which is a brilliant pub, Alex Higgins used to challenge students to games of pool in there. Downside is it's a cab to the ground from these ones. Dr Browns is the best one if you want one close to the ground.

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