Internet Football Ground Guide - Edgeley Park, Stockport County FC

Loftus Road Stadium,
Queens Park Rangers v Celtic
Friendly
Saturday, July 14th 2001, 1.30pm.
Lee Roberts

I thought I'd try and take in some pre-season games to break up my drab summer life (holiday over, all I could look forward to was the new season) and it provided an ideal opportunity to re-visit some grounds. My first visit to Loftus Road was way back in December 1988, so I ordered a ticket for their prestigious home clash with Celtic. Now I have to say, my allegiance north of the border is firmly in the blue (or orange) half of Glasgow, and with a Celtic victory more than likely, I stole myself for an uncomfortable afternoon. That said, I'd be getting an updated look at the stadium and, if Rangers (!) were to win........

Firstly, I have to admit that Ł15 seemed a bit pricey for a pre-season match even considering the illustrious opposition. QPR are now a 2nd Division club and although located in the capital, their prices are a bit high. However, desperate for some match action to brighten up my summer, I booked the ticket and set out on the tube towards West London. As soon as I reached Kings Cross, large numbers of Irish and Scottish voices rang out throughout the place. This was the same during the short tube journey to White City, and as soon as I left the station I was greeted by thousands of the green-and-white clad hordes. I knew that many would be present, but I got the impression that the ground would be almost full of them. It wasn't until I reached the immediate vicinity of the ground that I saw decent numbers of home fans.

I had a quick amble around the outside of the stadium, which is extremely hemmed-in by housing estates and mini tower blocks. Behind the home end especially I saw that the club had utilised the available space to the maximum, and all seemed very cramped. Once I'd done the lap of the outside, I ventured through the turnstiles and took my seat in the East Paddock which is the lower tier of the Main Stand on South Africa Road. The sun was bright and scorching, and as I'd had a couple of drinks on the train it was very tiring sitting there during the game.

The stadium itself had changed little since 1988, the only difference being the seats that have replaced the terracing that was once located in the lower tier behind both goals, and also in the East Paddock where I was sitting. Otherwise, the tight squeeze was still present, with some peculiar seats arranged at right angles to the pitch in the corners of the upper tiers. The view from those areas seemed appalling, as fences and pillars made considerable obstructions. That said, I like the quaint design of Loftus Road, with the traditional four stands of which three are double-deckers. The crowd are always close to the pitch which allows for a decent level of supporter interaction, and with those noisy Celts that was more evident than ever.

The game wasn't particularly memorable, and that made it even more difficult to stay awake in the baking sun. For the record, the home side went down to a 2-0 defeat which is more than respectable, and they actually gave Celtic a scare or two before the killer second goal went in. At that point there were a few skirmishes between the two sets of fans in the Upper Loft (home end) but that seemed to involve those as interested in the sectarian side to Celtic than anything to do with the match being played before us all. That said, if Celtic fans are going to sing their Republican songs amongst the home fans at a London venue - or anywhere else in England for that matter - then they are perhaps asking for trouble.

The game over, I returned home to continue the summer without much football. My appetite had been whetted, and Loftus Road had reminded me on how enjoyable the winter will be. The QPR side I had seen acquitted themselves very well against a side who have been drawn against the mighty Ajax in the Champions League. If they continue to play like that in the 2nd Division, the crowds will be drawn to Loftus Road and the club will see better times return. The stadium is one that I like, but I still wouldn't fancy being stuck in one of those awkward seats up in the corner of the upper tiers.

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